More Than Conquerors

“If parents want to give their children a gift, the best thing they can do is to teach their children to love challenges, be intrigued by mistakes, enjoy effort, and keep on learning. That way, their children don’t have to be slaves of praise. They will have a lifelong way to build and repair their own confidence.”
Carol S. Dweck, Mindset

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
Romans 8:37

You gave us up to be devoured like sheep and have scattered us among the nations. You sold your people for a pittance, gaining nothing from their sale.
Psalm 44:11-12

All this came upon us, though we had not forgotten you; we had not been false to your covenant.
Psalm 44:17

The routine of adversity, the gradual decay of youthful loves and youthful hopes, the quiet despair (hardly felt as pain) of ever overcoming the chronic temptations with which we have again and again defeated them, the drabness which we create in their lives and the inarticulate resentment with which we teach them to respond to it—all this provides admirable opportunities of wearing out a soul by attrition.”
C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters

Yet for your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.
Psalm 44:22

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.
Romans 8:1-2

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
2 Corinthians 4:17

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? 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, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
Romans 8:31-37

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Mixer

Which would you choose: You’re stuck in wet jeans for the day OR You’re stuck in a wet turtleneck sweater for the day?

‘Neighborly’ - Daily Devotional

Will be back next week with Pastor Jared, Pastor Harry and Pastor Ken!

Sermon Questions

Scripture: Romans 8:1-2, 31-37; Psalm 44:11-12, 17, 22; 2 Corinthians 4:17

As we begin a new series, let’s make a plan for the battlefield - how will we move from just being conquerors to being ​more​ than conquerors in 2021?

1. What did you learn about Fixed Mindset (“This is never going to change.”) vs Growth Mindset (“I love challenges/keep on learning.”)? Pastor Jared brought us to Psalm 44 - a psalm of disorientation. The psalmist begins with praising God and then turns to venting frustrations with God. Talk about the fixed mindset of verses 17-22. In your dissatisfactions or disappointments, what has been a fixed mindset for you and how did you, or would you, turn it to a growth mindset?
2. In C.S. Lewis’ ​The Screwtape Letters,​ two demons are discussing how to crush the soul of a human being. Why did Pastor Jared bring this point into our discussion this week? What would they be scheming against you - what is crushing you?
3. Our main scripture passage for this series is Romans 8. Why did Pastor Jared refer to it as an anchor to the New Testament and what Jesus has done? Think about God’s courtroom: God as the Judge, and you always in the defendant’s seat. What would you expect to happen, considering your seat? Where would you place the demons mentioned earlier, and where would you place Jesus? How does Verse 1 turn that courtroom drama upside down?
4. “God glorifies what He justifies.” What does this mean? What does our message this week tell you about God and you? What would it take to believe that God is for you and not against you?

Live it Out

Here are some spiritual rhythm ideas for you:

• Goodbook​ begins an all new study H​ IS-Story - the Bible in 18 Weeks​ with Dr Mark Strauss and Pastor Ken on Sunday January 17. This study is available online/on-demand on our website at ​thechurchrb.org/Goodbook​. Look for study questions here to go deeper with your Table Group or for independent study starting next week.
• Good Neighbor Day | Saturday, February 6​ at The Church at RB. Bring your group or your family together for socially distant service projects in our church parking lot.
• Church in the Park​ - Sundays at Kit Carson Park in Escondido, 8:30am & 10am. This is a great way to connect with your other group members, outdoors and socially distant! Here’s a note from someone who’s Table Group has been a lifeline:
  “I just joined my table group in 2020. They welcomed me from the first day and I am comforted by the sharing of life stories and their deep faith in God. We are all the same, and I don’t feel as alone as I did. They have helped me to know the power of God’s grace over me and my mistakes.” - Geert

Pray

“LORD, I am ready to step into new realities in 2021 with You! I believe that You are with me and that You love me and are for me. I am more than a conqueror and You have said that over me. Take what is crushing me and make me a ‘Super Conqueror’, making my enemies go to work for You through me and with me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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