About Me

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Antioch, California, United States
John is the under-shepherd of Agape International Church & Ministries Inc, Antioch, California and the President of Agape International Ministries Foundation, Inc (www.agapebfm.net) John has been a Preacher, Bible Teacher, Counselor and a mission-minded servant of God from 1984 till the present time. Married to Alice since 1987, he enjoys being a father to 2 sons and 1 daughter. He is available to preach, participate in evangelistic crusades and revivals, lead or participate in a Marriage Enrichment program internationally. John preaches on a weekly radio broadcast called "KNOW THE TRUTH" (Based on John 8:32)and the broadcast is aired every Sunday at Radio KDIA 1640AM. The broadcast is also accessible through the website of the radio station: www.kdia.com. You can follow him on twitter @agapebfm

Saturday, July 4, 2015

God on Our Side

God on Our Side

Memory Verse: Romans 8:31 (NKJV) — 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
TEXT: Romans 8:28–39



Romans 8:28–39 (NIV) — 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. 31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.


1.       Personalize God’s Support—God is for you.
Romans 8:31–32 (NIV) — 31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?


2 Kings 6:16–17 (NKJV) — 16 So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

Isaiah 49:16 (ESV) — 16 Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.



2.       God is For us Even When we Fail
2 Peter 3:9 (NIV) — 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.


Romans 7:14–20 (NET) — 14 For we know that the law is spiritual—but I am unspiritual, sold into slavery to sin.15 For I don’t understand what I am doing. For I do not do what I want—instead, I do what I hate.16 But if I do what I don’t want, I agree that the law is good.17 But now it is no longer me doing it, but sin that lives in me. 18 For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh. For I want to do the good, but I cannot do it.19 For I do not do the good I want, but I do the very evil I do not want! 20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer me doing it but sin that lives in me.



Isaiah 43:25 (NIV) — 25 “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.

Isaiah 1:18 (NKJV) — 18 “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.

Philippians 3:12–14 (NLT) — 12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.


3.       The Cross is the Proof that God is for us
Romans 8:32 (NIV) — 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?





4.       God’s Grace of Forgiveness Demonstrates that God is for us
Romans 8:32 (NKJV) — 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

Illustration: Taken from "It Wasn't All Bad," The Week (October 7, 2005), pg. 6; submitted by Kevin A. Miller, Carol Stream, Illinois


Romans 8:32 (GW) — 32 God didn’t spare his own Son but handed him over to death for all of us. So he will also give us everything along with him.

Romans 8:32 (NCV) — 32 He did not spare his own Son but gave him for us all. So with Jesus, God will surely give us all things.

Romans 8:32 (GNB) — 32 Certainly not God, who did not even keep back his own Son, but offered him for us all! He gave us his Son—will he not also freely give us all things?

Romans 8:32 (The Message) — 32 If God didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us?

Luke 7:21 (NKJV) — 21 And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight.