Sermon Notes for 1 & 8 February 2026
The Sovereign Hand You Cannot See
(Part 1 & 2)
Romans 8:28 (NKJV)
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Without question, this is the most beloved verses in the entire Bible. It would certainly make the short list of the “5 Most Cherished Verses” in all of Scripture
We need to be reminded that as we live our Christian lives, God is constantly working to cause all things to come together and work for our good.
Romans 8:28 really deals with God’s providence, which is God’s continued activity, in the world that He created for the good of His people. Not only is God the creator of all things, He’s the controller of all things.
God is so in control, that as Genesis 50:20 says, “They meant it for evil, but God meant it for good.”
1. The CONTINUATION
Romans 8:28 (NKJV) And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
In this verse, we need to see the continuation of thought. This promise in vs 28 is the fulfillment of what we studied in vs 26-27.
2. The CONFIDENCE
Romans 8:28 (NKJV) And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
NOTE #1: This does not say, “And we feel…”
NOTE #2: This does not say, “And we see…”
We cannot run our Christian life by our feelings or by our understanding, because both of those are limited. We must walk by faith and know God will use this for our good.
The Christian life rests on revealed certainty, not emotional optimism! This confidence flows from:
God’s CHARACTER
Psalm 145:17 (NKJV) The Lord is righteous in all His ways, Gracious in all His works.
God’s PROMISES
Numbers 23:19 (NKJV) (from the Prophet Balaam) “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?”
God’s PAST FAITHFULNESS
Lamentations 3:22–23 (NKJV) Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.
God’s SOVEREIGNTY
God’s sovereignty—His absolute authority and control over creation—permeates Scripture.
Romans 8:28 (NKJV)
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Ephesians 1:9-11 (NLT)
God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—which is to fulfill his own good plan. 10 And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth. 11 Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.
Proverbs 16:9 (NKJV)
A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.
Proverbs 16:9 (NLT)
We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.
Proverbs 19:21 (Msg)
We humans keep brainstorming options and plans, but God’s purpose prevails.
Proverbs 21:1 (NKJV)
The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.
Rather than presenting sovereignty as distant or theoretical, Scripture grounds it in the lived reality of believers who trust that their circumstances serve God’s redemptive design.
Romans 8:28 (NKJV)
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Take-Away:
Our peace in trials comes from what we know about God, not what we feel or see in the moment. God is sovereign!
(To be continued next week...)
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Without question, this is the most beloved verses in the entire Bible. It would certainly make the short list of the “5 Most Cherished Verses” in all of Scripture
We need to be reminded that as we live our Christian lives, God is constantly working to cause all things to come together and work for our good.
Romans 8:28 really deals with God’s providence, which is God’s continued activity, in the world that He created for the good of His people. Not only is God the creator of all things, He’s the controller of all things.
God is so in control, that as Genesis 50:20 says, “They meant it for evil, but God meant it for good.”
1. The CONTINUATION
Romans 8:28 (NKJV) And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
In this verse, we need to see the continuation of thought. This promise in vs 28 is the fulfillment of what we studied in vs 26-27.
2. The CONFIDENCE
Romans 8:28 (NKJV) And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
NOTE #1: This does not say, “And we feel…”
NOTE #2: This does not say, “And we see…”
We cannot run our Christian life by our feelings or by our understanding, because both of those are limited. We must walk by faith and know God will use this for our good.
The Christian life rests on revealed certainty, not emotional optimism! This confidence flows from:
God’s CHARACTER
Psalm 145:17 (NKJV) The Lord is righteous in all His ways, Gracious in all His works.
God’s PROMISES
Numbers 23:19 (NKJV) (from the Prophet Balaam) “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?”
God’s PAST FAITHFULNESS
Lamentations 3:22–23 (NKJV) Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.
God’s SOVEREIGNTY
God’s sovereignty—His absolute authority and control over creation—permeates Scripture.
Romans 8:28 (NKJV)
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Ephesians 1:9-11 (NLT)
God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—which is to fulfill his own good plan. 10 And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth. 11 Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.
Proverbs 16:9 (NKJV)
A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.
Proverbs 16:9 (NLT)
We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.
Proverbs 19:21 (Msg)
We humans keep brainstorming options and plans, but God’s purpose prevails.
Proverbs 21:1 (NKJV)
The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.
Rather than presenting sovereignty as distant or theoretical, Scripture grounds it in the lived reality of believers who trust that their circumstances serve God’s redemptive design.
Romans 8:28 (NKJV)
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Take-Away:
Our peace in trials comes from what we know about God, not what we feel or see in the moment. God is sovereign!
(To be continued next week...)
Will you give your life to Jesus today?
Pray this prayer to receive Jesus as your Savior:
“Lord Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You died on the cross for my sins and rose again to give me new life. Today, I turn from my old ways and invite You into my heart. Be my Lord, be my Savior, and help me follow You all the days of my life. Right now, I trust you as my Savior and will follow you as my Lord. Thank You for loving me. Amen.”
Assurance of Salvation
If you prayed that prayer and meant it in your heart, you can be sure that you are saved.
Romans 10:13 (NLT) “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
John 10:28 (NLT) “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me.”
Romans 10:13 (NLT) “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
John 10:28 (NLT) “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me.”
(If you prayed to receive Jesus as your Savior and Lord, please complete the Connection Card below and watch the "Bridge Illustration" video at the bottom of this post.)
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