2/26/23 Sermon "God Is Still In Charge" 14 Minutes

Romans 5:12-19

This morning I'll be reading Romans chapter 5 verses 12 through 10. And I'll be reading from the Holman Christian Standard Bible. Romans 5:12-19 Paul has just finished explaining about the practical benefits of the gospel,,, in the previous verses,,, 1-11,,, and now these verses that we will look at this morning,,, will serve basically as a bridge,,, connecting the first part of his letter,,, to the next 3 chapters Romans 5:12–19 (HCSB) — 12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, in this way death spread to all men, because all sinned. 13 In fact, sin was in the world before the law, but sin is not charged to a person’s account when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who did not sin in the likeness of Adam’s transgression. He is a prototype of the Coming One. 15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if by the one man’s trespass the many died, how much more have the grace of God and the gift overflowed to the many by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ. 16 And the gift is not like the one man’s sin, because from one sin came the judgment, resulting in condemnation, but from many trespasses came the gift, resulting in justification. 17 Since by the one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive the overflow of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. 18 So then, as through one trespass there is condemnation for everyone, so also through one righteous act there is life-giving justification for everyone. 19 For just as through one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so also through the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. The word of God for the people of God,,, thanks be to God! God bless the reading and the hearing of your word this morning. Let us pray: Dear Lord,,, as we begin this morning,,, with everyone here today and all that are listening and watching by video,,, we ask that you open our ears to hear and our hearts and minds to receive the message that you have for us today,,, In Jesus' name I pray,,, Amen. ___________________________________ Last Sunday we looked at 1 Peter 1:16-21 and we saw that we need to remember that it has been proven that the words in the Bible today are still the written words of God from years ago,,, even though it has been translated over and over again.

So we can put our minds to rest that the words of God are true.

What we need to do now,,, is commit ourselves to live by them,,, and we do that by our reading and studying them every day as we continue to grow in our personal relationship with God.

We trust God,,, His Holy word,,, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit,,, that we should be listening to each and every day,,, to help us understand the Bible,,, and help us to use the words that God gave us,,, so that we can see the direction that we need to go,,, so that we can stay on the path,,, that Jesus shows us,,, when we listen,,, like we should!

This morning we will look at these verses in Romans and see how they help us in our walk with God this week.

___________________________________ Verse 12 said: 12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, in this way death spread to all men, because all sinned.

We have death in the world today because of the sin of Adam!

And death spread to all men,,, through the sin committed in the Garden of Eden.

Someone might object that it was Eve and not Adam who committed the first sin on earth.

That is true,,, but since Adam was the first to be created,,, headship was given to him.

So he is seen as acting for all his descendants.

___________________________________ Verse 13 said: 13 In fact, sin was in the world before the law, but sin is not charged to a person’s account when there is no law.

We know that Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s command,,, and were thrown out of the Garden of Eden.

My commentary says,,, without the law set forth by God,,, that there was no transgression,,, because transgression is the violation of a known law.

This does not mean that sin does not exist unless there is a Law.

It means that sin does not have the character of being a transgression apart from Law and therefore sin is not taken into account,,, or “imputed, reckoned”,,, as such.

The law makes it easier for “us” to see where we fall short!

___________________________________ Verse 14 said: 14 Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who did not sin in the likeness of Adam’s transgression. He is a prototype of the Coming One.

Because death reigned from Adam to Moses,,, we can see that sin did exist.

All that came after Adam died,,, except for Enoch of course,,, as we saw in Genesis 5:24,,, “Enoch walked with God; then he was not there because God took him.” ,,, but all of the rest,,, died because of the sin of Adam.

We see that death came because of Adam,,, but we see the answer to this in the next verse.

___________________________________ Verses 15-17 said: 15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if by the one man’s trespass the many died, how much more have the grace of God and the gift overflowed to the many by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ. 16 And the gift is not like the one man’s sin, because from one sin came the judgment, resulting in condemnation, but from many trespasses came the gift, resulting in justification. 17 Since by the one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive the overflow of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.

My commentary brought it to light that there are 2 different “manys” in use here!

In one “many” we have all that die,,, in the other “many” not all will live!

And by that I mean,,, that while everyone dies,,, not everyone will live forever in heaven,,, only those that accept the saving grace of Jesus Christ,,, as their Lord and Savior!

___________________________________ Verses 18-19 said: 18 So then, as through one trespass there is condemnation for everyone, so also through one righteous act there is life-giving justification for everyone. 19 For just as through one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so also through the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.

Adam sinned,,, and through that sin,,, it says,,, condemnation for everyone,,, but through Jesus,,, we have been given,,, life-giving justification for everyone.

That doesn’t mean that “all” receive this “life giving Justification”,,, but it’s available to “all”!

And once more,,, in verse 19,,, we have the use of “many”!

And again,,, just as before,,, they are not the same!

We know that all are made sinners,,, but not all are made “righteous”!

But we know that “all” are made “righteous” that accept the saving grace of Jesus Christ,,, THOSE THAT HAVE TURNED FROM SIN,,, and live for Him,,, today!

___________________________________ The offer is available to all,,, but not all will accept this offer.

Don’t let this pass you by today,,, each one of us must make this choice.

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And I can't help but mention the revival at Asbury at this time!

We know that the revival might have ended at Asbury,,, or at least the services at the chapel are supposed to have gone back to their normal times,,, while they were looking at getting the campus back to normal.

The town wasn't expecting this event,,, and it wasn't prepared to handle this type of publicity.

God had other ideas though.

But what was brought to my attention during all of this was the fact that a generation that I had almost given up on,,, are going to take this experience with them and spread the love of God everywhere that they go!

This revival might or might not be officially ending,,, but it's effect will be felt for a long time to come,,, and that's if it really ever ends!

We continue to forget that God is in control,,, even in the midst of all of the mess that this world is in.

Going forward,,, we need to learn from this,,, grow from this,,, and not let doubt hold us back any longer,,, because God is in control,,, regardless of what is going on,,, around us!

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Adam might have messed things up for the whole world,,, but God had a plan in place to fix everything as well.

But,,, we have to take advantage of it,,, it will not be forced upon us,,, we must choose wisely!

If you have never made the commitment to allow Jesus to be your Personal Savior,,, please make that decision today.

We aren't promised tomorrow,,, so the choice must be made today.

We don't know the hour or the day when Jesus comes back nor do we know if we will be called home,,, we are just told to be ready.

And to be ready,,, you must have made the decision to follow Jesus,,, be sure that you have made that decision today!

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So as we sing our final hymn,,, let me remind you that the alter is always open,,,

If you feel God speaking to you,,, don't hesitate to come,,, maybe you just have questions,,, God will answer,,, you just have to ask Him,,, whatever the need may be,,,

As we sing the final hymn,,, come if needed!

___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ ___________________________________ Hymn: 337 - Oakdale Hymn: 337 - Seminary Benediction -----------------------------------------------------------