More Than Conquerors
Three Victories Through Our Savior’s Love
Aaron Lee | Romans 8:31-39 | FCBCW Youth Worship | May 18, 2025
Introduction
What confidence does the Christian have that he will be kept by God? Satan, sin, and suffering are legitimate threats to our faith. What happens when the God of light sends dark clouds and the rain on his children? How do I know that my love for God will stay strong?
There’s a story in the Bible about this disciple named Simon, where Jesus said Satan demanded to sift him like wheat. Satan wanted to beat him up. Satan wanted to cause him to sin and to suffer. This guy Simon ended up disowning Jesus. If this happened for someone who was actually close with Jesus, what chance do I have that my love for God will stay strong?
Context
We’re halfway through the book of Romans, and Paul is pausing by asking us to consider what we have seen. In Romans 8:31, he asks a rhetorical question: “What then shall we say to these things?” “These things” are the grand truths of the gospel. The big themes of justification by God’s sovereign grace through faith have reached a climax – and the top of the mountain is Romans 8:39: “[nothing] will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Paul places the love of our Savior as the pinnacle and overarching takeaway from our text. He’s inviting us in to join him in praise. My goal today is to help you see and celebrate the “prevailing power of God’s love” (Peterson) for his people.
Sermon Preview
We’re going to climb the mountain and reach the peak of God’s love for his people by passing through three threats to our faith, and seeing how Christ’s love cannot lose. In our sermon today, we’re going to see three victories through our Savior’s love:
Victory over Satan – no successful opposition
Victory over sin – no successful condemnation
Victory over suffering – no successful separation
1. Victory over Satan
The first victory through our Savior’s love is victory over Satan:
If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:31-32)
Explanation
Satan cannot ultimately oppose you because of our Savior’s love.
I use the word “oppose” because Paul is painting a picture of a spiritual battlefield. Christians, we’re on one side. And if God is for us, if God is on our side, who really can be against us? Who stands a chance? There are videos on YouTube where there’s an NBA player playing with regular people. It’s embarrassing. If you have an NBA level player on your team, there’s no competition. This is what we see here: If God is for us, no one can possibly stand against us. Psalm 118:6 says: “The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” Not just by my side, but on my side. We know that man can stand against us. Those who are unbelievers will always be in some sort of battle with believers because we don’t believe the same things. We are all humans, yes, but there is a difference between those who are of God and those who are of the world. But God remains on our side. Any opposition cannot stand.
Paul goes on to give us an argument: “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” The point is not that God will give us “all things” meaning material things like money. In context, the battle we’re in is a spiritual battle – it’s living our life in the Spirit, it’s the fight of faith in the Christian life. It’s the fight to be saved and stay saved throughout your life. We have many opponents in this fight. Christians have many enemies. But the reason I’m stressing Satan in this point is because the greatest enemy of God, and thereby the greatest enemy of Christians, is Satan. 1 John 4:4 says: “Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” The Holy Spirit is greater than Satan, our opponent, the one who this verse says is in the world. Some men will oppose us, but all of Satan wants to destroy us. He wants to see our faith crumble. He wants us to curse God. The Spirit gives us strength. Back to our text, theologians call Paul’s argument here a greater to lesser argument, and it means that if God gave us his son, the most precious person in the universe, he will for sure, of course, absolutely give you everything you need to be strong and persevere. He will not be stingy with his grace because of the worth of his son. He will lavish his grace upon you because of his love for his son. God will provide and care for his children. God loves you and will give you all things you need to stand firm, endure, and persevere.
Application
So, will you use everything you have in the fight of faith? The verse says that God will give you everything you need to stand firm in your faith. I do believe this means he will supply you with strength, with the actual energy, the physical power needed for endurance. But for application, on a practical level, I want you to see the tools that God has given you to use in the fight. Use everything, all things, at your disposal.
If you want to grow, if you want to excel, if you want to win – you’ll want to add more skills in your skillset, more tools in your toolbox. Let me give you some silly illustrations about not using everything you can to grow in your faith. It's like you never learn how to use the pedal when playing piano. You never learn how to crossover or dribble behind your back. You never learn how to drift in Mario Kart. We’ve been studying the spiritual disciplines in Sunday School. Reading the Bible, Scripture memorization and meditation, prayer, and fasting. I’ve counseled young men in my life, and whatever the struggle, whether in addiction to gaming, or lust and pornography – I always ask how they’re doing in their Bible reading. The answer has always been that they’re not doing well in the Word. We have to stay disciplined if we want to be spiritually strong. We have to exercise and put in the effort. There’s also going to church, participating in the singing, listening to the preaching, and fellowship. Philippians 2:12 says: “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” If you fail to use everything at your disposal, you’re prone to be weak in your faith. You will remain immature. It’s time to grow up in your faith.
When you use everything you have in the fight of faith, you’ll experience victory over Satan – learning that Satan cannot ultimately oppose you because of our Savior’s love.
2. Victory over sin
The second victory through our Savior’s love is victory over sin:
Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. (Romans 8:33-34)
Explanation
Sin has no power to condemn you under our Savior’s love.
The language of bringing a charge and and condemnation is from the courtroom. It is legal language. Paul transports us now to the courtroom of Heaven, and Satan has stood there accusing God’s people of their sin. 1 John 2:1 says: "My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." Jesus is our advocate, another legal term, and because God has justified you, another legal term, no sin can condemn you. This is tied to the doctrine of eternal security. If you are truly God’s child who walks in his ways, you cannot out-sin your salvation. The Savior’s arms are safe and strong.
Notice what Paul does next. He gives us the Gospel: Jesus died, was raised, is now ruling and reigning at the right hand of God, and praying for his people. Earlier in Romans 8:1: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” So for those of us who know our Savior, whenever our sin threatens to condemn, we must remember that we have victory through his sacrificial love. And the way we remember is by repeating. There’s a reason why Christians meet every Sunday. We need to encourage each other and stir each other up to push our faith forward. We can listen to preaching on Sunday morning, but we must also remember to preach the gospel to ourselves throughout the week, and maybe that might be when it matters the most. When you’re facing temptation, when you come face to face with your sin, when you feel guilt and shame, when you’re anxious, when you’re suffering – give yourself the good news.
Application
So, will you preach the gospel to yourself? To preach means to herald, to proclaim. It’s meant to get your attention. From the start, it’s a good idea to see what you’re giving your attention to. Are you so preoccupied with yourself or with others that you can’t give proper attention to God? Or are you so stuck in your phone that you can’t give proper focus to God? Have your grades taken the place of God? Pay attention to what you’re paying attention to.
There’s a new book called The Language of Rivers and Stars: How Nature Speaks of the Glories of God by Seth Lewis. This book is all about getting outside to see the glory of God. Psalm 19:1 says: "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork." Lewis says that the sky is God’s natural newsfeed. When you’re feeling discouraged, down, or depressed — let the sky overwhelm you with God’s glory. We are small, he is not. Transpose the things of this world to the key of the heavenly kingdom. Look up and listen.
When you preach the gospel to yourself, you’ll experience victory over sin – learning that sin has no power to condemn you under our Savior’s love.
3. Victory over suffering
The third victory through our Savior’s love is victory over suffering:
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:35-39)
Explanation
Suffering cannot separate you from our Savior’s love.
This last section puts us in the physical world we live in. It’s very grounded. Very real. Paul shows us that the Christian life is one of suffering. He lists seven specific forms of suffering here. Psalm 44:22 is quoted in our text. It says: “Yet for your sake we are killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” God’s people have always endured persecution — all the way to being killed, just like Jesus, the lamb who was slain. Trials and tribulations are nothing new. God does not promise a life free from pain. Death will still come. But Paul says that we are more than conquerors. We are somehow superconquerors, hyperconquerors – through Jesus. There’s a paradox here. We’re talking about both suffering and victory. Experiencing trials yet enduring in triumph. Battling yet blessed. Being killed yet champions. Dying yet gaining. The key is to remember Romans 8:28: “All things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” For Christians, our trials take us closer to Christ and give glory to God. All of our suffering actually serves to sanctify us and to glorify God. For Christians, God turns everything in life and death into good.
God’s love is what enables suffering to serve us – and this gives us a reason to rejoice. Listen to how Romans 5:3-5 connects rejoicing in suffering and the love of God: “...we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Christians can praise God in suffering because God’s love has been poured into our hearts. James 1:2-4 says: "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." God's love shapes our response to suffering. To be sure, Paul is talking about physical suffering – persecution. But we can be broaden suffering to include anything that makes us doubt or question God’s love. It’s anything that makes us ask, “Does God really love me?” Paul’s point is that nothing can separate us from Christ’s love.
Application
So, will you rejoice in suffering? Rejoicing in suffering is a distinctly Christian characteristic. Buddhism seeks detachment from suffering. Hinduism hopes for liberation from it. Islam teaches endurance through it. But only Christianity calls us to rejoice in it. When you rejoice in your suffering, you praise God’s providence. When you rejoice in your suffering, you lead others to God’s love. When you rejoice in your suffering, you shine the spotlight on God’s sovereignty.
Here’s a practical verse for the young women – Proverbs 31:25 says: "Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come." Not fearful about the future, not anxious about the future, but laughing at the future. This is a woman who is confident and courageous in Christ. Here’s a practical verse for the young men – 1 Corinthians 16:13 says: “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” Christian men are to be strong and courageous for what’s to come. It’s to have the mindset of a soldier, ready to suffer for the sake of the kingdom, all while knowing that the outcome has been secured by our Savior.
As an Asian American, I have a disposition to just keep my head down and be quiet during suffering. During AAPI month, I’ve learned that there are many stories of Asian American suffering. Deep down, we want our stories to be known. We want people to learn our stories. That’s why we share in small groups. We want our stories to be heard and prayed for. We want people to learn our stories so we can love on each other. Be assured, our suffering will not go unnoticed. The Bible is clear that God sees everything, including your suffering. And here is a very powerful verse about the future vindication that will come for God’s people when our suffering will cease – Revelation 3:9 says: "Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you." Satan and those who follow him will see and learn of God’s love for his people when he forces them to bow before our feet. God will teach them. He will give them an education. He will give them an everlasting lesson for all eternity about God’s great love for his people.
Gospel
"By canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him." (Colossians 2:14-15)
Big Idea
Satan, sin, and suffering cannot stand in the way of our Savior’s love.
Conclusion
What confidence does the Christian have that he will be kept by God? Satan, sin, and suffering are legitimate threats to our faith. What happens when the God of light sends dark clouds and the rain on his children? How do I know that my love for God will stay strong?
The Christian’s confidence does not lie in our love for God, but in God’s love for us. Satan, sin, and suffering are legitimate threats, but they cannot stand in the way of our Savior’s love. See the love of God as you share your life with Christ. Enjoy the love of God as you experience life with Christ. Feel the love of God as you fellowship with Christ. I’ve been asking the wrong question. It’s not about my love for God, but it’s about God’s love for me. It’s humbling yet empowering love that helps and encourages us to live out our faith.
Remember that story about Simon? Let’s look at the text in Luke 22:31-32: “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail.” Jesus’ prayer upheld Simon Peter and his faith did not fail in the end. Simon Peter would stretch out his hands as a martyr. Church tradition says he asked to be crucified upside down because he was not worthy to be crucified in the same way as his savior. Before he died, he wrote in 1 Peter 4:13: "But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed." He would die in faith, and his martyrdom would give glory to God.
What happens when the God of light sends dark clouds and the rain on his children? The sun still shines behind the dark clouds. God uses rainy days to grow the fruit of our faith. Satan, sin, and suffering cannot stand in the way of our Savior’s love. We are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
God is the Strength of My Heart and My Portion Forever
Would you show compassion to your children?
Would you care for those who fear your name?
Would you work your righteousness and justice?
Would you take our sin and shame away?
And even in the silence comes salvation.
When the cares of my heart are many, your comfort cheers my soul.
When my heart is afraid and heavy, I trust in you alone.
Crowned with steadfast love and mercy,
Redeemed from death to life.
Christ the King has won our victory,
My soul sings, satisfied!
What a privilege God to call you Father!
What a blessing Lord to feel your love!
What a kingdom for the weak and weary!
What a peace and joy to know your son!
And even in the sorrow comes rejoicing.
When the cares of my heart are many, your comfort cheers my soul.
When my heart is afraid and heavy, Jesus will bring us home.
Crowned with steadfast love and mercy,
Redeemed from death to life.
Christ the King has won our victory,
Up from the grave we’ll rise!
We are more than conquerors
Through him who loved us.
We are more than conquerors
Through him who loved us.
Praise the Lord, the Holy One in Heaven!
May your kingdom come, your will be done.
References
Romans: Evangelical Biblical Theology Commentary by David Peterson
Romans: Reformed Expository Commentary by Daniel M. Doriani
The ESV Study Bible by Crossway
The Gospel Coalition Bible Commentary on Romans by Donny Ray Mathis II
The Language of Rivers and Stars: How Nature Speaks of the Glories of God by Seth Lewis
Reflection Questions
How does viewing God’s love as the “peak” of the gospel affect your understanding of the Christian life?
Have you ever doubted God’s love for you? What helped restore your confidence?
What spiritual disciplines or common graces can you use more of in your life?
How do you “preach the gospel to yourself”? What are practical ways to do this?
What currently has your attention more than God?
How can both suffering and victory coexist in your life? What does it look like?
What does it look like to rejoice in suffering in a way that’s different from just enduring it?
Does focusing on God’s love for you instead of your love for God shift your perspective?
How can we help each other stand firm when struggling with doubt, sin, or suffering?
How have you seen God use “rainy days” in your life to grow the fruit of your faith?
Appendix: The Christian’s Confidence
The Christian’s confidence does not lie in our love for God, but in God’s love for us.
Philippians 1:6: “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." He will bring it to completion, he will carry it on to completion, he will continue it until completion. God will finish what he starts.
John 15:16: “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.” Christ chooses and keeps us in him for good works and his glory.
John 10:28 : “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” Christ keeps us secure.