Christ Death Means Something to All.

I.Introduction

II. Saved

A. Justification

1.Merlin Carothers, author of the book Prison to Praise, had firsthand experience of what it is like to be declared righteous. During World War II, he joined the army. Anxious to get into some action, Carothers went AWOL but was caught and sentenced to five years in prison. Instead of sending him to prison, the judge told him he could serve his term by staying in the army for five years. The judge told him if he left the army before the five years ended, he would have to spend the rest of his term in prison. Carothers was released from the army before the five-year term had passed, so he returned to the prosecutor’s office to find out where he would be spending the remainder of his sentence. To his surprise and delight, Carothers was told that he had received a full pardon from President Truman. The prosecutor explained: “That means your record is completely clear. Just as if you had never gotten involved with the law.”

2 . Romans 5:1–2

Romans 5:1–2 NASB95

1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.

a. Receive peace

b. Be forgiven

c. Introduced to Grace

B. Proven Character and Hope

1. Romans 5:3

Romans 5:3 NASB95

3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;

a. exult in tribulation

b. brings about perseverance

2. Romans 5:4–5

Romans 5:4–5 NASB95

4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

III. Lost

A. Not helpless

1.

IV. Conclusion

Illustration:

Once I heard this story concerning King Edward VII of England. He and his queen were out walking late one afternoon when suddenly she stumbled and sprained an ankle. In great pain, and with considerable difficulty, she limped along, holding to her husband’s shoulder. At dusk, they approached the home of a humble man. The king knocked on the door. “Who’s there?” came the query.

“It is Edward. It is the king. Let me in.”

The man on the inside shouted back, “Enough of your pranks now. Be off.…”

The king, not being accustomed to such language, was shocked. He hardly knew what to do, but he knocked a second time. The cottager inquired, “What do you want?”

“I tell you it is the king! It is Edward, your king. Let me in.”

In anger the man shouted, “I’ll teach you to torment an honest man trying to get his sleep.” He threw open the door in disgust, only to see that indeed it was his king! With profuse apologies the laborer invited the royal visitors in and sent for help to attend his queen.

Years later, when the Britisher was too old to work, he would spend much time rocking on the porch and visiting with neighbors. He took great delight in reviewing that experience, always concluding with the same words: “And to think, to think, I almost didn’t let him in! To think I almost didn’t let him in!”

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me” (Rev. 3:20).

Not until you open your heart and let Jesus in will you know what God is like.

A. Don’t continue to be his enemy and helpless let him in to know him and be justified and have character.