We know that everything works for good for those who love God, those who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28).

This sermon is about nothing; and it is about everything. It’s about how nothing in all this world can separate the baptized believer from the love of God that’s in Christ Jesus. Nothing. Not tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, sword. Nothing. Not even death. Especially not death. Nothing. It’s about how everything works out for good in Jesus. Everything, the good, the bad, even the ugly. Everything works for good for those who love God. And nothing can separate us from God’s love. Nothing and everything.

“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Paul knows a thing or two about suffering. Listen to his own personal litany: imprisoned, flogged, beaten, exposed to death, five times he received the forty lashes less one, three times he was beaten with rods, once he was stoned nearly to death, shipwrecked three times, a night and a day floating on the open sea, in constant danger from rivers, bandits, his own countrymen, the Gentiles, in the city, in the country, at sea, in danger from false brothers, sleepless, hungry, cold, naked, bearing the pressure of all the churches he founded. Reading between the lines of his letters, some believe that Paul suffered from bad eyesight or blinding headaches. The man knew suffering.

For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. (Romans 8:13)

Romans chapter 8 begins with a grand summary statement of what it means to be a baptized believer in Christ - “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.” That is a Scripture worth learning by heart. It will have daily application in your life. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. An umbrella of grace and forgiveness covers you; you are clothed with Christ, shielded from the law, sin and its stain cannot harm you as you are in Christ.

Have you ever felt burned out over something? Perhaps you’ve been burned-out over work. You’ve been pushing hard for a long time, the results are less than you hoped for, and you’re just sick and tired of the whole thing and want to run off to some warm, tropical island or whatever your idea of “paradise” might be. Or maybe you’re just burned-out on life. You can’t seem to muster the enthusiasm for much of anything, and even the fun stuff just seems kind of ordinary. Been there, done that.