Satan’s Setback, God’s Setup
May 28, 2025 / Pastor Scott AndersonIntroduction
- Life is not easy, but we serve a Savior who walks the road with us.
- Romans 8:28 brings great comfort: God works all things for good for those who love Him.
- The journey may be hard, but God is faithful and present every step of the way.
1) Even in the midst of , God is in — so just sit back and relax!
Romans 8:28-39 (ESV) And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 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? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written:
“For Your sake we are killed all day long;
We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”
Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
2 Kings 2:9 (ESV) And so it was, when they had crossed over, that Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?”
- God’s control means all things, not just some things, will work together for our good.
- Trials don’t always resolve quickly—sometimes they take years or even generations.
- Elisha’s double portion promise was fulfilled even after his death—miracle #16 came from his bones (2 Kings 13:21).
- Like trusting a pilot in turbulence, we can trust our Sovereign God when life gets shaky.
- Praise God not just for what we see, but also for victories we don’t see yet.
- God has proven Himself time and time again—on the cross, in the tomb, and through His Spirit.
2) God us to spread the Gospel — even in the midst of !
Philippians 1:12-14 (ESV) But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
Genesis 50:20 (ESV) 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.
- Paul’s imprisonment advanced the Gospel: God used chains as a platform.
- The Word of God will go forth, even in restricted environments like underground churches in China.
- Our witness shouldn’t depend on comfort—God empowers us even in difficulty.
- Too many believers treat roadblocks as rest stops. Keep pressing on!
- Don’t let “I’m not feeling it” stop you. Obedience isn’t based on feelings.
- Paul’s endurance emboldened others to speak the Gospel without fear.
3) Even in the midst of a — God is !
Romans 8:31-39 (ESV) What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 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? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written:
“For Your sake we are killed all day long;
We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”
Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Philippians 2:10-11 (ESV) that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
- If God is for us, who can be against us?
- The proof of God’s love: He gave His Son.
- We are more than conquerors because of Christ’s victory.
- Nothing—death, life, angels, rulers—can separate us from God’s love.
- The cross is the ultimate proof that God can redeem the worst for His glory.
- In the end, every knee will bow—including Satan’s (Phil. 2:10-11).
Closing:
- God’s Word assures us: even when Satan strikes, he will bow.
- Through Christ, every trial becomes a testimony.
- Trust God, worship Him, and remember: He is working all things for your good and His glory.
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