Finding Good Romans 8:28 Joseph G | 9/10 Oct 2021 ======================== (Romans 8:28) 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. ## How do we know that God is working for good? # God in His nature is good. (Genesis 1) – Everything in the creation order, God said it was good # The good God created us in such a way that we need one another. # We are created to have fellowship with Him and with one another.   # When we are not in right relationship with God, we cannot be in right relationship with one another. (Genesis 4:9) Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?”  # Sin leads to breakdown of relationships # But Jesus came to take upon the sin of the world (Acts 2:44,45) 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. (Acts 4:32-34a) 32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. # The power of God revealed in a people who realised that “I am my brother’s keeper” ## How do we find good in the middle of the tragedy around us? (Genesis 50:19,20 [NKJV]) 19 Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? 20 But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. # The good that God seeks is always – “many people being saved” My Jesus I love Thee, I know Thou art mine If ever I loved Thee my Jesus 'tis now ## BIG IDEA: Live For The Good Of Others ## (Philippians 2:3-8) 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!