6-18-23 Sermon "Our Father's Love" 16 Minutes

Romans 5:1-8

This morning I'll be reading Romans chapter 5 verses 1 through 8. And I'll be reading from the Holman Christian Standard Bible. Romans 5:1-8 In the previous verses,,, Paul had been speaking about the faith of Abraham and how that faith was credited to him as righteousness and that through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ,,, we are credited with that same faith because,,, as Christians,,, we believe in the One that raised Jesus from the grave! Romans 5:1–8 (HCSB) — 1 Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 We have also obtained access through Him by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, 4 endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. 5 This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. 6 For while we were still helpless, at the appointed moment, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For rarely will someone die for a just person—though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die. 8 But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us! 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 Romans 4:13-25 and we seen that when Abraham was justified because of his faith in spite of his doubts,,, it gives us hope for any of our shortcomings that we make.

Abraham wasn’t perfect,,, like David,,, he made many mistakes.

But his heart was right,,, and God knew that,,, and because of that,,, God worked with him and helped him along the way.

He will do the same for us if our heart is in the right place as well!

We need to remember that when we fall short and mess up things in our life.

If we can remember that many of our Bible heroes weren’t perfect all the time with their actions,,, and God still blessed them,,, it should give us hope as well.

That’s why these stories are written down for us,,, written down for us to use as guides for ways to live our life,,, and to show us the mistakes that they made so that we don’t make them as well!

But also to show us,,, that if we do mess up,,, God will not abandon us,,, if we just continue,,, to seek His will,,, grow through His word,,, and continue,,, to strengthen that relationship that makes our time on earth,,, so much sweeter,,, day after day!

This morning we will look at these verses in Romans 5:1-8 and see how they will help us in our walk with God this week.

___________________________________ Verse 1 said: 1 Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Because of the sacrifice that Jesus made,,, by dying for our sins,,, through faith,,, we have the chance to have a personal relationship with God.

Because of this,,, even with everything going on in this world today,,, we as Christians,,, should have peace today.

No matter the situation,,, we should be able to say that without any questions whatsoever.

Now,,, that doesn't mean we won't wonder about what's going to happen or other questions that we might have.

We all have a multitude of questions that we are going to need answers to in the coming days.

And it's a little scary that we don't have the answers to them,,, but,,, we should have the peace of mind to know that no matter what does happen,,, we know that God can get us through all of it.

___________________________________ Verse 2 says: 2 We have also obtained access through Him by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

We have obtained access to God through the life,,, death,,, and resurrection of Jesus and it's through faith in Him that we stand before God in confidence that we are included in the family of God.

It's also through that same grace that we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

Not because we obtain that glory now but we know that through faith in Christ,,, we will share in that glory and that should give us great joy as well.

___________________________________ Verses 3 & 4 said: 3 And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, 4 endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope.

Christians can enjoy the peace of God by looking to our time spent in heaven,,, but we have problems today that need to be dealt with.

Hard times that we are going through now.

We are told to rejoice in our afflictions because all of our troubles help to build up our faith,,, they make us realize that we need God,,, we can't make it on our own,,, and it gives us something to look back on as testimony to ourselves and others as we go through future trials.

As I've told you many times,,, that doesn't mean that we are happy that we are going through tough times,,, but it just gives us the confidence that we need to be aware that God is with us along the way and He will help us to get out of it,,, if we allow Him to help us.

___________________________________ Verse 5 said: 5 This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

The reason that we can rejoice in our afflictions and we know that hope will not disappoint us,,, is because God has poured out His love into our hearts.

It's through the Holy Spirit that this love has been given to us.

It's the Holy Spirit living inside us that gives us strength and guidance each and every day and assures each of us that God's love for us is never ending.

And the reasons why we are given the Holy Spirit are given in the next few verses.

___________________________________ Verse 6 said: 6 For while we were still helpless, at the appointed moment, Christ died for the ungodly.

In these next verses,,, Paul begins to explain how much God loves us and under the conditions that He loves us!

Paul is saying that Christ died for us during a time in our life that we could do nothing for ourselves.

It's also during this time of helplessness that we as sinners realize that we need Jesus Christ as our Savior.

And it's during those times that He is willing to answer,,, He is wanting us to call out to Him,,, so that all of us can spend eternity in heaven with Him.

1 Timothy 2:3-4 says: 3 This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

This is available to everyone,,, not just the Jews,,, or the Gentiles,,, but everyone.

My Bible Knowledge Commentary says that when Paul says that Christ died for the ungodly,,, he meant that it was a substitutionary death.

Meaning that Jesus took our place on the cross,,, took our punishment,,, for our sins,,, even while we were still sinners.

___________________________________ Verse 7 said: 7 For rarely will someone die for a just person—though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die.

A person that is willing to die for a righteous or a good man is obviously offering himself as a substitute so that person can go free.

This is something that we would be willing to do for someone that we love or care for very much,,, but we wouldn't be as willing to die for someone that we didn't know or like.

Christ died for us as someone that He loves and cares for very much,,, even though we deserve for Him to think of us as someone that He didn't know or like.

That's why verse 8 said: 8 But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us!

That's how much God loves us!

___________________________________ Today is Father's day,,, a day that is set aside to honor our fathers.

Fathers that take care of us,,, fathers that watch over us,,, guide us,,, love us,,, sacrifice for us,,, and aren't given the thanks that they deserve,,, at least not all the time!

So be sure that you tell your Father thank you,,, if he is here today!

It's also a day for the fathers that have gone on before us,,, a day for us to remember everything about them and all that they did for us,,, even though they aren't with us.

Its also a day for anyone that doesn't have a father figure in their life,,, but they have one in the church family that fills that missing link.

And if by chance you,,, or someone you know doesn't have any of these,,, God is the best Father of all!

Don't forget that,,, and be sure to tell everyone you know,,, about the Father we have,,, that loves us more than we will ever know or understand!

___________________________________ The scriptures that we just looked at,,, tell us so much about the love that God has for us!

A love that we really don't deserve,,, but we can accept it,,, if we want it!

But it's our choice!

It's a love that will last for an eternity!

And it's available for all,,, if everyone will just take advantage of it,,, but sadly,,, there are many that will ignore this until it's too late!

Don't let this happen to you!

___________________________________ If you have never accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior,,, I urge you to make that choice 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!

___________________________________ 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 -----------------------------------------------------------