The Sovereign Hand You Cannot See (Part 4)

Sermon Notes for 23 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 "work together." 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.

4. The CONVERGENCE

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.

Romans 8:28 (NIV) 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.

I want you to see that God is the One who is driving all things and causing them to work for the good.

How do we know it’s God?

1. Context

It’s all about God the Father! It's in the context of the chapter. Remember our hermeneutical principle? A text, without a context, is a pretext! Therefore, as we study the entire chapter, we clearly see the verse is referencing God.

2. An Impersonal Nothing 

An Impersonal Nothing is not at work – causing all things to work together for good!

The Bible never gives one thought or acknowledgement to the idea of:

• Random events
• Good luck – bad luck
• Good Karma – Bad Karma
• Accidents
• There is no such thing on the planet!

God is the One who is the King of Providence!

3. Because God clearly states He is the one working!  

Romans 11:36 (ESV) "For from him and through him and to him are “all things.” To him be the glory forever! Amen."

Now understand, it’s clearly seen in Scripture that it’s God who is causing all things to work together for good.

Allow me to share with you four things about this God who is causing all things to work together for good:

1. He's All-Loving

2. He's All-Wise

3. He's All-Knowing

4. He's All-Powerful

Because God is all-loving, all-wise, all-knowing, and all-powerful – He is capable of making the greatest good come to a reality in your life!

"WORK TOGETHER" 

I would like to draw you attention to the words “work together.”

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.

• It’s one word in the Greek – it’s a compound word
• Root word is “to work”
• Prefix is “together”
• It simple reads "He works all things together"

I want to unpack this Greek verb for you.

1. It’s in the Present-Tense - Every moment of every day – God is working all things together for good.

2. It’s in the Active-Voice - God is not just passively observing. He’s not a spectator. He is actively working in your life.

3. It’s in the Indictive Mood - This is simply a statement of fact

MAIN POINT: 

God is actively orchestrating events in your life. Don’t judge God’s plan by one painful chapter! God is not reacting to your life — He is ruling over it.
 
Psalm 139:16 (NLT) You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.

(We will continue unpacking Romans 8:28 next time we're together.)

“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.”