Teaching summary
In this teaching, Pastor Leonard Rola and Pastor Lori Rola explain that Romans 8:28 is not a promise that everything that happens in life is good, but rather that God is able to work through every circumstance for our good. They share personal experiences of hardship, poor decisions, financial struggles, and ministry challenges to demonstrate how God used difficult situations to shape them and reveal Christ in their lives. The central message is that God's ultimate purpose is to conform believers into the image of Jesus Christ. No matter what circumstances arise, God remains faithful and continually works to bring His children into a deeper understanding of His love and grace.
Bible verses referenced
Romans 8:28- "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose."
Teaching notes
Table of Contents
- Introduction: The Promise of Romans 8:28
- Understanding God's Designed Purpose
- Not Everything We Experience Feels Good
- Personal Testimony: Lessons Through Marriage and Hardship
- Being Led by the Spirit
- Personal Testimony: The Superintendent Job
- God Uses Difficult Circumstances for His Calling
- Conformed Into the Image of Christ
- God's Love Is the Foundation
- Looking Back With Gratitude
- Closing Encouragement
Introduction: The Promise of Romans 8:28
Pastor Leonard opens the teaching by introducing the theme found in Romans 8:28. Pastor Lori reads from the Passion Translation, emphasizing that every detail of a believer's life is being woven together for good. The pastors explain that many Christians are familiar with this verse, but often misunderstand what "good" truly means.
The focus is not that every event in life is pleasant or enjoyable. Rather, God is actively working within every circumstance to accomplish His greater purpose in the lives of His children. The promise is not that life will be free from difficulties, but that God will never waste those difficulties.
Romans 8:28 – "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
Pastor Leonard explains that understanding God's purpose is essential to understanding this verse correctly.
Understanding God's Designed Purpose
The pastors briefly reference a previous teaching in which they discussed God's designed purpose for believers. Pastor Leonard explains that God's purpose is not centered around careers, occupations, or earthly achievements. Rather, His ultimate purpose is that believers be conformed into the image of Jesus Christ.
According to the teaching, God's desire is that believers become exact reflections of Christ in their attitudes, actions, and outward lives. The goal is not merely spiritual transformation on the inside, but the outward expression of the life of Christ. When Romans 8:28 speaks about all things working together for good, that good is connected to God's purpose of making believers more like Jesus.
Romans 8:28 – "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
The pastors encourage listeners to understand that God's definition of good is often different from humanity's definition of good.
Not Everything We Experience Feels Good
Pastor Leonard asks an important question: Does God working all things together for good mean that every situation will be enjoyable?
The answer is no.
Life contains hardships, disappointments, mistakes, failures, and painful seasons. Believers often find themselves in situations they never wanted to experience.
The pastors stress that God is not necessarily the source of every difficulty. Some difficulties come through poor decisions, bad judgment, rebellion, or failing to follow the Spirit's leading. Yet even in those situations, God remains faithful and works through them.
The promise of Romans 8:28 is not that every event is good. The promise is that God is able to work through every event for good.
Romans 8:28 – "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
This distinction becomes important throughout the rest of the message.
Personal Testimony: Lessons Through Marriage and Hardship
Pastor Leonard turns to his wife Lori and praises her character. He describes her as loving, giving, patient, and one of the greatest examples of Christ that he knows.
The couple reflects on their more than four decades of marriage and acknowledges that many difficult seasons arose because of Leonard's mistakes, poor choices, rebellious actions, and failures to follow God's leading.
Pastor Leonard asks Lori what she was thinking during those difficult years. Lori humorously responds that she may have been expressing her frustrations internally.
She admits there were occasions when she questioned why she had married him. The conversation is lighthearted, but it illustrates a serious truth: marriage and life are not always easy.
Despite those struggles, God continually worked through every situation.
Pastor Leonard explains that none of those difficulties were pleasant, yet God used every circumstance to reveal more of Christ in their lives. Looking back, they can see how God was continually unfolding His plan and bringing them into greater maturity.
Romans 8:28 – "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
Their testimony serves as evidence that God can redeem even the consequences of human failure.
Being Led by the Spirit
Pastor Leonard points out that Romans chapter 8 also discusses being led by the Spirit. He explains that when believers follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, they avoid many unnecessary hardships. While God can work through mistakes and failures, there are fewer painful consequences when people walk in obedience to the Spirit's direction.
The pastors stress that God's primary concern is not forcing people into predetermined occupations or life paths.
Instead, God desires people to walk in their unique personalities, interests, and giftings while remaining sensitive to His leading. Regardless of the choices people make, God's purpose remains the same: conforming them into the image of Jesus Christ.
Romans 8:28 – "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
God's grace continues to operate even when people make mistakes.
Personal Testimony: The Superintendent Job
Pastor Leonard shares a story from a period when he desperately needed employment. He accepted a position as a building superintendent, which eventually expanded into managing multiple buildings.
During the interview, the owners asked about his experience. Leonard explained that he was a homeowner who had performed minor repairs and maintenance around his own house. When asked whether that qualified him for the job, he confidently responded that it did.
To everyone's surprise, he was hired.
However, the job did not end well.
The position eventually came to an end under difficult circumstances. Yet Pastor Leonard explains that what appeared to be a setback became a turning point in his life. What seemed like failure was actually becoming part of God's larger plan.
Romans 8:28 – "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
God was already using the situation for something greater.
God Uses Difficult Circumstances for His Calling
While serving in that superintendent role, significant spiritual developments began taking place.Bible studies started occurring. New revelations and understandings emerged. Most importantly, Pastor Leonard sensed God reminding him of his calling to ministry. He recalls God speaking to him about the truth that His gifts and callings remain without repentance and that he was still called to ministry.
What initially appeared to be an unfortunate employment situation became the very environment God used to relaunch him and Lori into the ministry. The discomfort, uncertainty, and eventual loss of the job all became tools that God used to direct them toward their true calling. The pastors explain that God did not waste any part of that experience.
Romans 8:28 – "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
Even the painful parts became stepping stones toward God's purpose.
Conformed Into the Image of Christ
Pastor Leonard returns to the central theme of the message. The greatest good God is working toward is not earthly comfort but Christlikeness. He explains that believers already possess the life of Christ within their spirit. However, God is continually working so that the outer life reflects what is already true on the inside. Every circumstance becomes an opportunity for growth, transformation, and revelation.
The pastors explain that this process is why they stand before listeners today as ministers of the gospel of grace. They have come to understand more deeply how much God loves them and how faithful He has been through every season.
Romans 8:28 – "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
God's purpose is continually shaping believers into visible expressions of Jesus Christ.
God's Love Is the Foundation
Pastor Leonard then focuses on the subject of God's love. He emphasizes that God loves people because God is love. He encourages listeners not to become trapped in interpretations that make God's love conditional upon human performance.
According to the teaching, God's actions toward humanity flow from His love. The pastors point to the truth that God loved the world and demonstrated that love through Jesus Christ. The foundation of Romans 8:28 is not human effort but divine love. Because God loves His children, He continually works through every circumstance for their benefit and growth.
Romans 8:28 – "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
The message repeatedly returns to the assurance that God's love never fails.
Looking Back With Gratitude
Pastor Lori closes the teaching by reflecting on her life. She expresses gratitude for her marriage, her relationship with the Lord, and every circumstance that has brought her to where she is today. Although there were difficult seasons, she would not trade her life for anything.
She explains that the revelations of God's grace and love continue to increase. Life continues getting better as God reveals more of Himself. She describes life as awesome and speaks of the joy that comes from spending time with the Lord. The hardships of the past no longer define her perspective. Instead, she sees God's faithfulness woven throughout every chapter of her journey.
Romans 8:28 – "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
Her testimony reinforces the message that God truly works through every circumstance for good.
Closing Encouragement
The pastors conclude by encouraging listeners to stay connected through their various ministry platforms and by thanking those who support the ministry. They express appreciation for those who partner with them and describe supporters as God's hands extended in the earth. The message closes with a reminder that God is continually working in the lives of His children. Even when circumstances seem difficult, confusing, or painful, God remains faithful to His purpose.
According to this teaching, God's ultimate goal is not simply to make life easier but to reveal Christ more fully in and through His people. Every circumstance becomes another opportunity for His grace, love, and transforming power to be displayed.
Romans 8:28 – "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
We hope this article blessed you. Share this teaching with family and friends who need encouragement today. May you continually grow in the knowledge of God's love and discover that He truly is working all things together for your good.