We Are Determined and Undeterred. Romans 8:38-39 (KJV)

We Are Determined and Undeterred. Romans 8:38-39 (KJV)

“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers,

nor things present, nor things to come,

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God,

which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

I. INTRODUCTION: THE COST OF COURAGE

New Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church family, we are living through a historic moment.

We have just witnessed the greatest redistribution of wealth in our lifetime—not from the rich to the poor, but from the poor to the powerful.

Billions have been quietly extracted from our neighborhoods, from hardworking families, from under-resourced schools and fragile communities.

And while political leaders posture and systems persist in preserving privilege, we remain undeterred.

We are undeterred because we understand this fight is not against flesh and blood alone.

We are undeterred because the love of God is still with us—even when society abandons us.

We are undeterred because we know, just as Paul knew when he penned Romans 8, that even in times of persecution, oppression, and imbalance, God’s love never fails.

Paul said it then, and we say it now together as a church family:

“I am persuaded.”

And today, let us boldly declare: We are persuaded.

We are united.

We are undeterred.

II. PAUL’S PERSUASION IS OUR POWER

Paul’s words were not spoken from a seat of comfort—but from a place of deep conviction.

He had been shipwrecked, beaten, imprisoned, and slandered. He had faced injustice and isolation.

But through it all, Paul came to this unshakable conclusion:

Nothing can separate us from the love of God.

And that is the power we stand on as the New Mount Rose family.

In a time when housing is unaffordable and hope is undervalued,

In a time when our children are surveilled more than they are supported,

In a time when our elders are overlooked and our dreams are underfunded—

We remain persuaded.

We are persuaded that poverty does not mean absence of purpose.

We are persuaded that God’s justice still flows, even when earthly systems fall short.

We are persuaded that crucifixion never has the last word—because resurrection is always on the way.

III. NO SEPARATION = NO SURRENDER

Paul lays out the list—not one thing, not one force, can sever us from God’s love:

• Death? Can’t do it.
• Life? Too unpredictable.
• Angels? Not sovereign.
• Principalities and powers? They may dominate systems, but they don’t dominate our souls.
• The present? Too temporary.
• The future? Already in God’s hands.

And as the New Mount Rose family, we boldly believe:

No injustice.

No generational trauma.

No systemic evil—be it racism, redlining, or economic exploitation—

Can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

That’s why we rise.

That’s why we resist.

That’s why we lead with compassion and act with conviction.

That’s why we built Skills City, USA.

That’s why we invest in our young people, support our single parents, educate our community, and lift up the least of these.

Because we are undeterred—together.

IV. LOVE IS OUR LICENSE TO KEEP GOING

God’s love is not soft—it’s strong.

It’s not passive—it’s powerful.

It’s not just emotion—it’s motivation.

It’s the same love that empowered Harriet to lead others to freedom.

It’s the same love that gave Fannie Lou Hamer the fire to say, “I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired.”

It’s the same love that made Dr. King march forward, even knowing the crosshairs were fixed on him.

And beloved, it’s the same love that is active right now within our church, in this community, and in every effort we put forth in His name.

Let the market crash.

Let the laws fail us.

Let the world try to wear us down—

But God’s love will lift us up.

And because of that love, New Mount Rose will keep going.

V. CONCLUSION: STANDING TOGETHER, PERSUADED AND UNDETERRED

Paul didn’t write these words to give us a temporary feel-good moment—

He wrote them to help us stand.

And today, as a church family—as elders and youth, as leaders and laborers, as mothers and fathers, as teachers and students—

We stand.

We stand flat-footed in our faith.

We stand persuaded in our purpose.

We stand undeterred in our calling.

Because when we are persuaded, we will not back down.

When we are persuaded, we will not sell out.

When we are persuaded, we will keep building, keep believing, keep blessing—and keep becoming who God called us to be.

We are undeterred—because we are persuaded.

And if God be for New Mount Rose—tell me, WHO can be against us?

CALL TO ACTION: A CHURCH UNITED IN LOVE AND ACTION

• To the discouraged: You are not forgotten—you are family.
• To the disinherited: You are not alone—you are loved.
• To the determined: Stay the course—you are not walking it alone.
• To the Church: Don’t just attend the church—be the church. Be the beacon. Be the difference.

Because **we are more than conquerors—**not individually, but together—

Through Him who loved us.

And we are determined and undeterred.

Amen.