The Sovereign Hand You Cannot See (Part 3)

Sermon Notes for 15 February 2026

A study of one of the greatest verses in the entire Word of God, Romans 8:28. Today we will unpack the words "all things." Let's dig in...

Romans 8:28 (NKJV)
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.

We need to be reminded that as we live our Christian lives, God is constantly working to cause all things to come together and work for our good and His purpose.

Romans 8:28 really deals with God’s providence, which is God’s continued activity, in the world that He created for the good of His people. Not only is God the creator of all things, He’s the controller of all things.

God is so in control, that as Joseph said in Genesis 50:20, “You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good.”

We’re going to break this verse down into 7 sections: Continuation, Confidence, Context, Convergence, Consequence, Committed, and the Called.

1. The CONTINUATION

Romans 8:28 (NKJV) 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.

In this verse, we need to see the continuation of thought. This promise in vs 28 is the fulfillment of what we studied in vs 26-27.

2. The CONFIDENCE

Romans 8:28 (NKJV) 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.

NOTE #1: This does not say, “And we feel…”

NOTE #2: This does not say, “And we see…”

We cannot run our Christian life by our feelings or by our understanding, because both of those are limited. We must walk by faith and know God will use this for our good.

3. The CONTEXT

Romans 8:28 (NKJV) 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.

Nothing is outside God’s control. Nothing.

“All things” includes:

• Suffering (Romans 8:18)
• Weakness (Romans 8:23)
• Persecution (Romans 8:35)
• Even sin and evil (Genesis 50:20; Acts 2:23)

There are no accidents in the believer’s life — only Divine appointments.

1. Joseph — Betrayal, Injustice, and Suffering (Genesis 37–50; Genesis 50:20)

2. Job — Suffering Without Explanation (Job 1–2; Job 42:1–6)

3. The Exodus - Delays, Hardship, and Resistance (Exodus 1–14)

4. David — Waiting, Failure, and Discipline (1 Samuel 16–31; Psalm 51)

5. Ruth — Ordinary Events and Hidden Hand (Ruth 1–4)

6. Jonah — Disobedience and Discipline (Jonah 1–4)

7. Esther — God’s Name Unmentioned, Yet God at Work (Esther 1–10)

8. Peter’s Denial — Failure Used for Future Strength (Luke 22:31–32; John 21)

9. Paul’s Imprisonment — Setbacks That Advance the Gospel (Philippians 1:12–14)

10. The Cross — The Greatest Example of “All Things” (Acts 2:23; Acts 4:27–28)

MAIN POINT 

If God governs betrayal, storms, sufferings, delays, prisons, failures, kings, and crosses — He governs your life too.

“All things” means: big things, small things, painful things, even confusing things.

Nothing in your life is random — it’s either caused or allowed by our Heavenly Father. 

“All things" rest in the hands of a wise, loving, sovereign Father who is working for His glory and your eternal good.

TAKE-AWAY ACTION STEPS:

1. Trust when you don’t understand
2. Stop labeling seasons too early
3. Surrender control daily
4. Look for God’s purpose, not just relief
5. Refuse despair
6. Rest in the Father’s wisdom

God is not reacting to your life — He is ruling over it.

(To be continued next week...)

“Lord Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You died on the cross for my sins and rose again to give me new life. Today, I turn from my old ways and invite You into my heart. Be my Lord, be my Savior, and help me follow You all the days of my life. Right now, I trust you as my Savior and will follow you as my Lord. Thank You for loving me. Amen.”

If you prayed that prayer and meant it in your heart, you can be sure that you are saved.

Romans 10:13 (NLT) “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

John 10:28 (NLT) “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me.”