Evolutionary Grace: Death in Adam, Life in Christ
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— First of all… thank you Nora for bringing the message last week. It was a good one!
— Good Morning Church, we are continuing our walk or maybe crawl through the Book of Romans
— This week we are going to be looking at Romans 5.12-21.
— That is found in your bibles, apps or beginning on page 942 in the bibles in front of you.
— Our passage this morning begins with the word
Therefore….
— It is said that when you see “Therefore” you have to ask what’s the There for?
— Well lets take a little journey back so that we can move forward.
Romans 5:6–7 (ESV)
6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die
— From the very beginning of scripture God sent His Jesus to die for our sin. Even though we didn’t know it was sin… Jesus came and died so that we would not have to die.
God needs two things from us.
Acknowledge and confess our sin
Accept Jesus as master, director, and organizer of life
— Before with drill down on scriptures let to this quote for Douglass Moo. A prolific commentary writer.
Romans is ultimately a book about God: how he acted to bring salvation, how his justice is preserved, how his purposes are worked out in history, how he can be served by his people.19
Douglas J. Moo
== Let’s move to our passage for today Romans 5, beginning in Verse 12.
— I’m going to read from The Passion Translation
12 When Adam sinned, the entire world was affected. Sin entered human experience, and death was the result. And so death followed this sin, casting its shadow over all humanity, because all have sinned.
13 Sin was in the world before Moses gave the written law, but it was not charged against them where no law existed.
14 Yet death reigned as king from Adam to Moses even though they hadn’t broken a command the way Adam had. The first man, Adam, was a picture of the Messiah, who was to come.
15 Now, there is no comparison between Adam’s transgression and the gracious gift that we experience. For the magnitude of the gift far outweighs the crime. It’s true that many died because of one man’s transgression, but how much greater will God’s grace and his gracious gift of acceptance overflow to many because of what one Man, Jesus, the Messiah, did for us!
16 And this free-flowing gift imparts to us much more than what was given to us through the one who sinned. For because of one transgression, we are all facing a death sentence with a verdict of “Guilty!” But this gracious gift leaves us free from our many failures and brings us into the perfect righteousness of God—acquitted with the words “Not guilty!”
17 Death once held us in its grip, and by the blunder of one man, death reigned as king over humanity. But now, how much more are we held in the grip of grace and continue reigning as kings in life, enjoying our regal freedom through the gift of perfect righteousness in the one and only Jesus, the Messiah!
18 In other words, just as condemnation came upon all people through one transgression, so through one righteous act of Jesus’ sacrifice, the perfect righteousness that makes us right with God and leads us to a victorious life is now available to all.
19 One man’s disobedience opened the door for all humanity to become sinners. So also one man’s obedience opened the door for many to be made perfectly right with God and acceptable to him.
20 So then, the law was introduced into God’s plan to bring the reality of human sinfulness out of hiding. And yet, wherever sin increased, there was more than enough of God’s grace to triumph all the more!
21 And just as sin reigned through death, so also this sin-conquering grace will reign as king through righteousness, imparting eternal life through Jesus, our Lord and Messiah!
— Lord God, bless the reading of these words.
There are three key themes that I want you to listen for today.
Sin and Death reign in our lives because of Adam’s disobedience.
Grace and Life through Jesus Christ — Only
The TREMENDOUS gift that Grace is!!!!
— This idea of one dying for the sake of another is something that we have a bit of insight on.
— Soldiers, sailors, members of the Air Force all have set the own lives aside for the greater good.
— Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters is willing die for you and I to protect us and the greater community.
Think of Christ's grace as a powerful antidote to the poison of sin that entered the world through Adam. It saves us from the eternal consequences of that original mistake.
12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—
13 for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law.
14 Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come.
— Adam drug us down to the point that without God’s intervention we will be lost forever
— Praise God for His intervention in the world
Adam’s Sin and Its Consequences (Romans 5:12-14)
— Paul explains that through one man's sin (Adam), death entered the world, and this death spread to all people because all have sinned.
— The reign of death through Adam's disobedience illustrates the widespread impact of sin on humanity.
Application: Recognize the reality of sin in your own life.
— Get your head out of the sand; wake up to the world around you
— We live in world that full of sin
— and its effects on you and the people around you.
— This should lead you to a deeper appreciation of the need for redemption.
— The need for Grace and Mercy delivered by God, through Jesus, birth, life, death, and yet to come again
— Let’s move forward to verses 15-17.
— Ro5.15-17
15 But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many.
16 And the free gift is not like the result of that one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification.
17 For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.
The Gift of Grace Through Christ (Romans 5:15-17)
— This grace is a recurring theme in both the Old and New Testaments. For instance, in Genesis 3:15, we see the first hint of the gospel—the promise of a Savior who will crush the serpent’s head.
15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”
— Jesus fulfilled this promise in Gal 4.4-5.
Galatians 4:4–5 (ESV)
4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.
— As God’s son’s and daughters the offer of redemption is not EXCLUSIVE. The Gospel and redemption is meant to be INCLUSIVE… Everyone, without exception can be redeemed and reconciled to God by the power of the Holy Spirit
— Grace, grace, grace… it’ still all about Grace.
— Grace is more powerful than sin, offering a reversal of the curse and a new reign of life.
Application: Embrace the Grace and Forgiveness offered through Jesus Christ.
— This leads to hope and freedom. This empowers to live transformed lives and to extend grace to others, reflecting the grace they have received.
— Let’s continue with V.18
Romans 5:18–21 (ESV)
18 Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men.
19 For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. 20 Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,
21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
— Just as Adam’s disobedience brought condemnation to all, Christ’s obedience brings righteousness and justification to all who believe.
— Grace abounds where sin increased, ensuring that grace reigns through righteousness, leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ.
Application: Live with the assurance that God’s Grace is more powerful than any sin.
— This give us confidence in God’s promises. It inspires a life of gratitude and a commitment to sharing the message of grace with others.
— Practical
But God, I really messed it up this time… What can Ido to fix it? I’ve sinned and I keep sinning.
— Well, if you are truly serious about fixing it, realize it going to take time and it’s a journey.
— Here are 4 things to “do” when you realize “sin” is blocking your access to God
Remove the temptation… whatever it is GET RID OF IT.
Confess and Repent of your mess and ask God for forgiveness
Be ON GUARD for an attack from satan or his minions… not if, but when
Recommit yourself to God. Worship Him, Honor Him be His vessel and do His will.
— Let’s get to our final point this morning
The New Identity = Righteousness through Christ.
19 For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.
— What a contrast between Christ’s obedience and Adam’s disobedience.
— Adam’s acts… led to sin, and death
— Christ’s acts… lead to redemption, reconciliation, a heart that is full of gratitude for what He has done.
— Ultimately that single “act” of dying on the cross was prophetic. There are over 100 prophecies that were fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
— 2 verses from 1Co15. Vs. 17 & 20
1 Corinthians 15:17–20 (ESV)
17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
Faith when it rests in the lap of Jesus is assured.
— But our Faith is weak… at times it’s non-existent
— Have we left Jesus in the tomb? Or was he resurrected and brought back to life.
== If know that he was resurrected.. then you have faith.
— Let your faith be rekindled by the Holy Spirit, in prayer, in worship, and in community.
— Be ready to step in your new, renewed, regenerated, faith and life
Application: Live out your new identity in Christ. You are no longer defined by Adam’s sin but by Christ’s righteousness.
— This new identity should influence your daily choices and relationships.
— Let it be a source of confidence and hope, driving you to live a life that reflects the transformation that came with Christ’s resurrection.
— Embrace your role as a citizen of God’s kingdom, living in the light of His grace and proclaiming His message of reconciliation to the world or your little piece of it.
Let’s Pray
— Father God, we come to you with humble hearts and empty hands
— As we turn our eyes away from the things of the world to the things of God
— We need to see your face… We need to worship you in Spirit and truth.
— Lord God help us to grasp and hold on to Faith that was once and for all delivered by Jesus on the Cross.
— Let Grace and Mercy abound in our lives
— Amen
Communion
23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread,
24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Close
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Questions for discussion, discipleship and devotion
1. How can recognizing the reality of sin in our own lives lead to a deeper appreciation of the need for redemption and grace?
2. How does embracing the grace and forgiveness offered through Jesus Christ empower us to live transformed lives and extend grace to others?
3. How does living with the assurance that God's grace is more powerful than any sin inspire a life of gratitude and a commitment to sharing the message of grace with others?
4. When realizing that sin is blocking our access to God, what practical steps can we take to address it and recommit ourselves to God?
5. How can living out our new identity in Christ influence our daily choices, relationships, and overall outlook on life?