The Grace That Is Much More

Text: Rom. 5:6-11

intro: Recap on Romans up to this point

The benefits of justification

God’s ability to go above and beyond

God’s default disposition is one of Grace

We out to think of God’s dealing with us in grace and not constant disappointment

Prov. 15:1, 25:15.

Vs 6-8

Explain

Before us is an example of God’s great love for us. It is a love that is of course, unmatched, uncontained, unwavering. But it is also a love, rarely seen by human beings and even rarer, displayed by human beings. this love does not start out with good will and commonality on both sides that draws the parties together. That’s usually how humanly love works. Love me first, then i will love you. But in this passage, God cuts through all of that thinking, completely subverting our expectations as to the depths of love. Paul says, God didn't love those of Good moral character, he didn't love those whose merit rose to heaven, he didn't love those who stood as shining lights in a community, earning the badge of, “a good person.” He loved the sinner. he loved the criminal. he loved the rebel. and that’s every single one of us.

Lk. 5:31-32.

weak

ἀσθενής - weak, sick, ill, those in a helpless condition.

TDNT - “The Sense of Moral Imperfection.”

this regards our spiritual poverty before God; Rom. 3:10, Ps. 143:2, Rom. 3:12, Ps. 14:1-3, Rom. 3:23, Eccl. 7:20, Is. 64:6.

Christ died for the ungodly

ἀσεβής - impious, unholy, profane, wicked, irreverent.

vs 7, Paul breaks it down to human terms

vs 8, But Christ died for sinners

Illustrate

every man, imagines himself dying in some glorious death to protect the ones he loves (family, friends, ect.) in those fantasies, the same passion cannot be given for who we know to be criminals. try to imagine it.

Apply

this should lead us to believe that Gods love and forgiveness knows no bounds. he chose to die for us when we were at our worst. therefore, it makes no sense to think that once we have been saved, that we can sin X too many times where God says, “you’ve gone over the allowable amount. I will not forgive.”

thinking like that puts a limit on Christs finished work. it isnt finished. (It was almost enough)

Defend

Vs 9

Explain

justified by his blood

Rom. 5:1, The Means vs the Basis

Basis? Phil. 2:8

active and passive obedience of Christ

Active - Living life obey God’s commands

passive - suffering, dying, and substituting himself

Machen - “I’m so thankful for the active obedience of Christ. no hope without it.”

Lipscomb “Even when hearts are purified by faith, and affections all reach out toward God and seek conformity to the life of God, it is imperfect. that practice of the righteousness of God falls far short of the divine standard. the flesh is weak, and the law of sn reigns in our members; so that we fall short of the perfect standard of righteousness; but if we trust God implicityly and faithfully endevour to do His will, he knows our frame, knows our weaknesses, and as a father pities His children, so the Lord pities our infimnities and weaknesses, and imputes to us the righteousness of Christ. So Jesus stands as our justification and righteousness, and our life is hid with Christ in God.”

wrath to come

declared righteous now, saved from the final wrath

Illustrate

Apply

Defend

Vs 10

Explain

Illustrate

Apply

Defend

Vs 11

Explain

Illustrate

Apply

Defend