God's love makes us rejoice in hope

Introduction

Why can Christians rejoice in hope? Why does hope not disappoint the believer? Why can we be confident in the hope we have ben given by God?

The Christian hope- eternal life, glorification, an inheritance reserved in heaven for us. Co-heirs with Christ.

In this chapter we are reminded We can have assurance of the Christian hope because of the love of God.

We are convinced of the love of God inwardly by the work of the Holy Spirit (V.5). We are also convinced because of the death of Jesus Christ for us. (v.6-11)

If God would send his Son to die for his enemies. Surely he would do even more for them now they are his friends. If we have been saved by his death we shall surely be saved by his resurrected life.

Here, Paul reasons from the greater to the lesser. He does this to show believers what confidence we can have because of the love of God which has been shown to us.

I. Jesus died for us while we were sinners v.6-8

a) For the ungodly v.6

i) We were without strength

Without spiritual strength.

Unable to save ourselves. Unable to bring ourselves to God.

Ephesians 2:1 “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,”

ii) we were ungodly

Ungodly- Irreverent, impious.

iii) Christ died for our salvation

Bearing shame and scoffing rude,

In my place condemned he stood.

Explain the Cross

Penal substitutionary atonement- in our place, on our behalf- ὑπὲρ

b) Unique love v.7-8

A contrast

i) some may die for good people v.7

ii) God’s love is shown in Jesus dying for bad people v.8

There is no love like the love of God.

1 John 4:10 “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

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We can rejoice in hope because of God’s demonstration of his love in this way.

The love of God is greater far   Than tongue or pen can ever tell. It goes beyond the highest star   And reaches to the lowest hell. The guilty pair, bowed down with care,   God gave His Son to win; His erring child He reconciled   And pardoned from his sin.

Draw out the confidence we can have in Christ

Apply to different situations they may be in.

II. Jesus will certainly save us by his life v.9-10

Much more then. Here, Paul reasons from the greater to the lesser.

a) If Justified by his blood, then save from wrath

i) Justified

The demands of God’s justice were satisfied. Declared righteous by God. The righteousness of Christ imputed to us.

By his blood- hid sacrificial death on the cross.

ii) saved from wrath

Saved from wrath through him- outcome of justification.

Wrath- God’s punishment for sin. Divine vengeance at the last day. Hell.

2 Thessalonians 1:8 “in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

1 Thessalonians 1:10 “and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.”

No condemnation now I dread; Jesus, and all in Him is mine! Alive in Him, my living Head, And clothed in righteousness divine

b) If saved my his death more much his life

If we were reconciled while enemies by his death . Now being reconciled we shall be saved his life.

Reconciled- made friends again.

Saved by his life means his resurrection life. The fact that he lives in the power of an endless life.

Hebrews 7:25 “Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.”

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Sometimes we fail the Lord and we can feel he will abandon us. But if he saved us while we were his enemies. How much more will he save us now we are his friends.

If so much has been accomplished by Christ’s death. How certain we should be of our salvation knowing that now he lives forever.

Romans 4:25 “who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification.”

Can you doubt the love of God? God loved you while his enemy. How much more now his friend.

III. Jesus causes us to rejoice in God v.11

a) No only that

Wait there is more. We have not only been saved but now we rejoice in God.

b) Now we rejoice in God

We boast in God. There is no fear whatsoever. Rather we have joyful confidence towards God.

He is our joy not our dread.

Hebrews 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

c) Through Christ

It is only through Jesus Christ. It is through him we have been reconciled to God.

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Do we rejoice in God?

Conclusion

Why can the Christian rejoice in hope? Why does hope no disappoint the Christian? Why can we be confident in the hope God has given us?

Because of the love of God. If God would do so much for us while we were still his enemies. How much more will he do for us now we have been made his friends?

Jesus died for us while we were sinners

Jesus will certainly save us by his life

Jesus causes us to rejoice to in God