Justified by Faith

Introduction – Man’s Greatest Need

· The longings of man indicate man’s need.

§ A longing for peace

§ A searching for hope

§ A craving for love

§ A pursuit of happiness

· Man’s greatest need is for restored righteousness. (Justified by faith)

· Only Christ answers the needs of man’s heart.

1. Jesus Christ is our Peace

Jesus Christ gives us peace by reconciling us to God.

“For he is our peace, who has made us both one, and has broken down the middle wall of partition between us.” (Eph. 2:13-14)

Jesus Christ has given us access to God, therefore he is the Prince of Peace.

Jesus Christ gives us peace in the midst of life’s trials trials.

Peace is not the absence of trouble and conflict, but the assurance of God’s presence even in the midst of trouble and conflict.

Christ calms are troubled spirits, just as calmed the raging seas.

The disciples were troubled and afraid “Master … we perish”

Christ’s word brought calm – “Peace, be still.”

His word was as much to the disciples’ fear as to the wind.

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you.” (John 14:27)

Example – the Peace Child

Example – soldiers at war turning to Christ for peace.

2. Jesus Christ is our Hope

Hope is not wishful thinking, but steadfast confidence.

There is no hope without God

“…ye were without Christ … having no hope, without God in the Word.”

The funeral of unbelievers is full of hopelessness.

Our hope in Christ is based on His resurrection.

“…and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” (5:2)

He has conquered man’s greatest enemy, death.

“If Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.” (I Cor. 15:14)

Paul’s testimony of those who saw him raised.

His resurrection gives us assurance of our resurrection

I Cor. 15:51-58 – Our hope of Resurrection

Our hope in Christ gives us the strength to go through trials

The cycle of hope in God – (5:3-5)

3. Jesus Christ is our Assurance of God’s Love

When we were still God’s enemies He loved us. Romans 5:6-8

He loved us when we were unlovable.

He as made us accepted in the beloved (eph 1:6)

God’s greatest evidence of love was the shedding of Christ’s blood.

“Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:15)

4. Jesus Christ is our Joy

Joy that transcends circumstances.

“In this world you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Joy is the result of being in God’s presence.

“In thy presence is fullness of joy, at thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:11)

“The disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 13:51)

The joy of the Christian is based on the hope of eternal life.

To joy in God means to boast and rejoice in God.

“…More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.” (5:11

We make our boast in God and speak of him, like a grandparent does of a grandchild.

5. Application

a. Do you have peace in your life? Are you at peace with God?

b. Do you have hope?

c. Do you have assurance of God’s love?

d. Do you have abiding joy?

e. These are all found as we focus on Christ and draw near to him.