Romans, Part 16
Romans 5:9-21
Introduction
- If we read the Bible, we see example after example of God’s love for us
- But, why does He love us so? Are we not full of sin, rage, anger, and malice?
- Do we not disobey at every turn and adopt the “if it feels good do it” lifestyle
- BUT -- This is the VERY reason we needed a Savior; this is why God loved us
- Very rarely, actually never, will a sinner be willing to die for another sinner
- But God shows us how much He loves us by sending His son to die for us
- Read Romans 5:9-21 / Pray
Point 1 – We Have a NEW Assurance (9-11)
- Christian hope is not wishful thinking, nor is it built on empty foundation
- God took this action not because we were good; not because we deserved it
- But we were actually considered enemies with Him; separated eternally
- Colossians 1:21, “Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.”
- Because of the disobedience we had with God, our hearts were against Him
- But, at no time did He ever turn His back on you and I, nor will he
-- Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
- But there is a portion that we must act upon today as well:
-- Psalm 119:9, “How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.”
APP: Let me give you something to consider that must sink in:
-- If God did this while we were at our worst; how much could He do for us
-- If we are right with Him, does this not bring incredible hope to our lives?
- We rejoice because of who God is, and what God has done, and only about Him
-- It is not our place to rejoice about ourselves; for we have done nothing
- Rejoicing about ourselves is to allow the sin of PRIDE to rule the day
-- 1 John 2:16, “For all that is in the world -- the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life -- is not of the Father but is of the world.”
- APP: A proud person blames someone else -- the fault is never theirs! And, they refuse to admit anything they are doing could be a failure.
-- Amos 6:8, “The Lord God has sworn by Himself, the Lord God of hosts says: I abhor the pride of Jacob, and hate his palaces; therefore I will deliver up the city and all that is in it.”
- APP: Taking stock in our accomplishments puts us in direct opposition to God
- TRANS: What God provides is not because of who we are, but who He is!
Point 2 – Righteousness is a Gift from God (12-14)
- Some may wonder about the time between Adam and Moses
-- What about those people who had sinned, were they given righteousness?
- Adam was considered the “first man”, Jesus is considered the “second man”
-- There is a direct tie in between Adam and Jesus that we must grasp tonight
- V13 – “For before the law was given, sin was in the world. But sin is not taken into account when there is no law.”
- APP: This verse means that humanity was not charged for their sin; without Law there can be no judgment from God. They were separated but not forsaken.
- V14 – “Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come.”
- Humanity headed by Adam was characterized by sin and death before the Law
- But v14 is extremely important for us; it transitions into an important analogy
- TRANS: In order to fully understand Jesus, we must look at our needs now
Point 3 – Why do we Compare Adam and Jesus? (15-21)
Paul gives us 5 parallels between Adam and Jesus that we must see and understand
1. There is a contrast between Adam’s trespass, through which many died, and the free gift of God’s grace in Christ; which has abounded for many (15)
- Because of the sin Adam committed; God alone provided a way to be reconciled
2. There is a contrast between the condemnation that followed Adam’s trespass and the justification that follows the free gift of God’s grace (16)
- Adam’s sin drove a wedge between us and God; Jesus built a bridge across it
3. There is a contrast between the death that reigned through Adam’s trespass and the greater reign in the lives of those who receive the free gift of God’s grace (17)
- If we will accept God’s GRACE, we will receive freedom through Jesus’ death
4. There is a comparison between the condemnation that came to all people through Adam’s trespass and the acquittal that comes to all people through Christ’s act of righteousness (18)
- One act from God brought us back into a right standing with Him
- This is what we must focus on; it is not about us – but about Christ and the cross
5. There is a comparison between the disobedience of Adam, through which the many were made sinners, and the obedience of Christ, through which the many will be made righteous (19)
- Accepting what Jesus has done is what allows you and I to be forgiven tonight
- We must be able to grasp and explain this completely; no matter who we talk to
Conclusion
- Standards must remain (biblical truth shall not be replaced by feel good theology; at least not from this pulpit); but at some point there has to be acceptance of who a person is, and GRACE must be applied to their life so that (big application here) they may see the TRUE love of Christ demonstrated.
- It’s NOT religion - but honest love that expresses genuine concern for their lives.
- If righteousness is by faith, then where does the Law fit into this?
- The Law actually makes wrong-doing even worse; it identifies what’s “wrong”
- The Law shows people their need for salvation, doesn’t provide salvation by it
- His Grace is what is placed onto our lives; it is a triumph over sin and death
- Pray
