Pentecost 6 - Proper 12

Proper 12 (24–30 July)
Almighty and everlasting God, give us an increase of faith, hope, and love that, receiving what You have promised, we may love what You have commanded; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

What God will do to prove Himself to you - He spared not His own Son but gave Him up for us all -Romans 8:28-39

In our prayers, the Spirit intercedes for us and God works for our good in everything. As the whole creation groans in travail awaiting redemption, the individual Christian also groans inwardly in prayer. Since we do not know how to pray, the Spirit intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words. In spite of this travail, God works for our good in everything because He predestined, called, justified, and glorified His own. This is for your good.

This verse is one of the most meaningful in the Bible. It tells us about the nature of God and about our situation in life in relation to God. An oft-quoted verse gives people hope in times of trouble. Since all of us have our “downs,” the sermon can be of assurance and hope for the comfort of the troubled. In all things the Father is working for my good because —

1. “God works for good” — A good God works for our good. God desires our welfare at all times. He is a God who knows our condition and cares what happens to us. God is working for my good always. Only a good God works for my good. The Lord desires your welfare at all times. He is a God who knows your needs, fears, trials and desires. He bids you to “take it to the Lord in prayer.” Continue to call upon Him daily. He knows your condition and cares for what is happening to you.

Transition: In all things, the Father is working for your good in every situation in every condition.

2. “In everything.” There is an overruling providence that turns our failures, sorrows, and disappointments into our good. Notice St. Paul’s words. “In everything.” In every circumstance, no matter what it may be we look to Him who has promised to watch over us. There is an overruling providence in the hand of God in your life. He turns your failures, sorrows, disappointments and fears into your good. And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. Matthew 6:28-29

The Lord directs all things in His care. He will direct your circumstances. Your situation does not go unnoticed by Your heavenly Father. What does it mean that He provides for you? Recall these comforting words.

I believe that God has made me and all creatures; that He has given me my body and soul, eyes, ears, and all my limbs, my reason, and all my senses, and still preserves them; in addition thereto, clothing and shoes, meat and drink, house and homestead, wife and children, fields, cattle, and all my goods; that He provides me richly and daily with all that I need to support this body and life, protects me from all danger, and guards me and preserves me from all evil; and all this out of pure, fatherly, divine goodness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me; for all which I owe it to Him to thank, praise, serve, and obey Him. This is most certainly true.

Transition: In all things the Father is working for Your good. In every condition in every circumstance He remains with you. he does this because He loves you.

3. “With those who love Him.” This is not the experience of all people, only those who love God. Those who do not love God, resist His love and go their own way. They go their own way because they have become misdirected. They are missing. They need to be brought back into the fold. In other cases, these are those who have yet to be invited. And so we invite them and encourage them to come, see, and experience our life in Christ.

Almighty God, You are the Protector of all who trust in You. Without whom nothing is strong and nothing is holy. Increase and multiply Your mercy on us that with You as our Ruler and guide we may so pass through things temporal that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.