The Chapel at Fishhawk
Nothing Means Nothing // Romans 8:38-39
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The Chapel at Fishhawk
6026 Churchside Dr, Lithia, FL 33547, USA
Sunday 10:00 AM
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1. A List Designed for the Anxious
Paul’s list in Romans 8:38–39 isn’t a dry theology lecture.
It’s a battle cry for the anxious, a love letter to the fearful.
He’s writing to people like us, people who wake up wondering if they’re still in God’s grip.
Let’s walk through his list, because it’s not random—it’s personal.
Death nor life: The bookends of existence. Death, the final enemy that whispers, “This is the end.” Life, with its chaos, bills, and betrayals that make you feel like you’re drowning while still breathing.
Angels nor rulers: The unseen spiritual forces—demons, principalities, things that go bump in the night or in your soul.
Things present nor things to come: The regrets that haunt you from yesterday and the anxieties that steal your sleep about tomorrow.
Powers: Every empire, every tyrant, every addiction, every force that seems bigger than you.
Height nor depth: The emotional peaks where you feel invincible and the valleys where you’re sure God’s forgotten your address.
Anything else in all creation: Paul’s catch-all, his mic-drop moment. “You think you’ve found something I missed? You haven’t.”
2. The Love of God in Christ Jesus
This love Paul talks about isn’t a warm fuzzy or a fleeting feeling. It’s not the kind of love you earn by being good enough or lose by screwing up too much.
This is covenant love, forged in the fire of the cross, sealed by the blood of Jesus. It’s the kind of love that says, “I’m not going anywhere,” even when you try to run.
Notice the key phrase: “in Christ Jesus our Lord.” This love isn’t a vague cosmic vibe. It’s located in a person—Jesus. He’s the proof of God’s love, the evidence that God doesn’t just say “I love you” but shows it with nail-scarred hands. In Christ, you’re not just loved—you’re united to Him, sealed in a bond that nothing can break.
Romans 5:8 - God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Think of a wedding ring. It’s a small thing, just a circle of metal, but it carries a promise: “I’m yours, forever.” The cross is God’s wedding ring to you, forged in blood and resurrection. You might forget the promise in your worst moments—when you’re angry, ashamed, or doubting—but the ring doesn’t come off. It’s on God’s finger, not yours. He’s the one who made the vow, and He never breaks His word.
Not your worst sin. Not your darkest day. Not your loudest doubts. Nothing can undo what Jesus did.
3. The Gospel for the Legalist Larry and the Broken Barry
Here’s where we get stuck. Some of us live like we’re on probation with God, always trying to prove we’re worthy of His love. We serve, we give, we pray, we try to stay clean, thinking it’ll keep us in the club. But the Gospel isn’t a performance review. It’s not a contract with fine print. It’s a gift, paid in full by Jesus.
To the legalist who thinks they need to earn God’s love: You can’t. But Jesus already did. His perfect life, His death, His resurrection—it’s enough. Stop trying to add to it.
To the rebel who thinks they’ve gone too far: YOU HAVE. We all have. But Jesus went farther. He descended into the depths of your sin, your shame, your brokenness, and He carried it all to the cross. He didn’t just pay the price; He signed the adoption papers. You’re not a hired hand—you’re a son, a daughter. And God doesn’t un-adopt His kids.
I’ve heard many stories about kids, adopted out of horrible situations. When they arrived at their new home, they hide food under their bed for months, terrified it would all disappear. They can’t trust the love of her new parents, even though they’d already made her theirs. That’s us sometimes. We hoard our good deeds or hide in our shame, afraid the love will run out. But God’s love isn’t like that. It’s a table always set, a home always open, a Father who never stops saying, “You’re mine.”
2. The Love of God in Christ Jesus
This love Paul talks about isn’t a warm fuzzy or a fleeting feeling. It’s not the kind of love you earn by being good enough or lose by screwing up too much.
This is covenant love, forged in the fire of the cross, sealed by the blood of Jesus. It’s the kind of love that says, “I’m not going anywhere,” even when you try to run.
Notice the key phrase: “in Christ Jesus our Lord.” This love isn’t a vague cosmic vibe. It’s located in a person—Jesus. He’s the proof of God’s love, the evidence that God doesn’t just say “I love you” but shows it with nail-scarred hands. In Christ, you’re not just loved—you’re united to Him, sealed in a bond that nothing can break.
Romans 5:8 - God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Think of a wedding ring. It’s a small thing, just a circle of metal, or silicone nowadays, but it carries a promise: “I’m yours, forever.” The cross is God’s wedding ring to you, forged in blood and resurrection. You might forget the promise in your worst moments- when you’re angry, ashamed, or doubting- but the ring doesn’t come off. It’s on God’s finger, not yours. He’s the one who made the vow, and He never breaks His word.
Not your worst sin. Not your darkest day. Not your loudest doubts. Nothing can undo what Jesus did
1. A List Designed for the Anxious
Paul’s list in Romans 8:38–39 isn’t a dry theology lecture.
It’s a battle cry for the anxious, a love letter to the fearful.
He’s writing to people like us, people who wake up wondering if they’re still in God’s grip.
Let’s walk through his list, because it’s not random—it’s personal.
Death nor life: The bookends of existence. Death, the final enemy that whispers, “This is the end.” Life, with its chaos, bills, and betrayals that make you feel like you’re drowning while still breathing.
Angels nor rulers: The unseen spiritual forces—demons, principalities, things that go bump in the night or in your soul.
Things present nor things to come: The regrets that haunt you from yesterday and the anxieties that steal your sleep about tomorrow.
Powers: Every empire, every tyrant, every addiction, every force that seems bigger than you.
Height nor depth: The emotional peaks where you feel invincible and the valleys where you’re sure God’s forgotten your address.
Anything else in all creation: Paul’s catch-all, his mic-drop moment. “You think you’ve found something I missed? You haven’t.”
2. The Love of God in Christ Jesus
This love Paul talks about isn’t a warm fuzzy or a fleeting feeling. It’s not the kind of love you earn by being good enough or lose by screwing up too much.
This is covenant love, forged in the fire of the cross, sealed by the blood of Jesus. It’s the kind of love that says, “I’m not going anywhere,” even when you try to run.
Notice the key phrase: “in Christ Jesus our Lord.” This love isn’t a vague cosmic vibe. It’s located in a person—Jesus. He’s the proof of God’s love, the evidence that God doesn’t just say “I love you” but shows it with nail-scarred hands. In Christ, you’re not just loved—you’re united to Him, sealed in a bond that nothing can break.
Romans 5:8 - God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Think of a wedding ring. It’s a small thing, just a circle of metal, but it carries a promise: “I’m yours, forever.” The cross is God’s wedding ring to you, forged in blood and resurrection. You might forget the promise in your worst moments—when you’re angry, ashamed, or doubting—but the ring doesn’t come off. It’s on God’s finger, not yours. He’s the one who made the vow, and He never breaks His word.
Not your worst sin. Not your darkest day. Not your loudest doubts. Nothing can undo what Jesus did.
3. The Gospel for the Legalist Larry and the Broken Barry
Here’s where we get stuck. Some of us live like we’re on probation with God, always trying to prove we’re worthy of His love. We serve, we give, we pray, we try to stay clean, thinking it’ll keep us in the club. But the Gospel isn’t a performance review. It’s not a contract with fine print. It’s a gift, paid in full by Jesus.
To the legalist who thinks they need to earn God’s love: You can’t. But Jesus already did. His perfect life, His death, His resurrection—it’s enough. Stop trying to add to it.
To the rebel who thinks they’ve gone too far: YOU HAVE. We all have. But Jesus went farther. He descended into the depths of your sin, your shame, your brokenness, and He carried it all to the cross. He didn’t just pay the price; He signed the adoption papers. You’re not a hired hand—you’re a son, a daughter. And God doesn’t un-adopt His kids.
I’ve heard many stories about kids, adopted out of horrible situations. When they arrived at their new home, they hide food under their bed for months, terrified it would all disappear. They can’t trust the love of her new parents, even though they’d already made her theirs. That’s us sometimes. We hoard our good deeds or hide in our shame, afraid the love will run out. But God’s love isn’t like that. It’s a table always set, a home always open, a Father who never stops saying, “You’re mine.”
2. The Love of God in Christ Jesus
This love Paul talks about isn’t a warm fuzzy or a fleeting feeling. It’s not the kind of love you earn by being good enough or lose by screwing up too much.
This is covenant love, forged in the fire of the cross, sealed by the blood of Jesus. It’s the kind of love that says, “I’m not going anywhere,” even when you try to run.
Notice the key phrase: “in Christ Jesus our Lord.” This love isn’t a vague cosmic vibe. It’s located in a person—Jesus. He’s the proof of God’s love, the evidence that God doesn’t just say “I love you” but shows it with nail-scarred hands. In Christ, you’re not just loved—you’re united to Him, sealed in a bond that nothing can break.
Romans 5:8 - God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Think of a wedding ring. It’s a small thing, just a circle of metal, or silicone nowadays, but it carries a promise: “I’m yours, forever.” The cross is God’s wedding ring to you, forged in blood and resurrection. You might forget the promise in your worst moments- when you’re angry, ashamed, or doubting- but the ring doesn’t come off. It’s on God’s finger, not yours. He’s the one who made the vow, and He never breaks His word.
Not your worst sin. Not your darkest day. Not your loudest doubts. Nothing can undo what Jesus did