That’s Not All

Peace Through Our Trials: The Unshakable Assurance of Christ (DON’T LOSE YOUR HOPE)

Bible Passage: Ro 5:1-11

Summary: In Romans 5:1-11, Paul speaks about the peace that believers have through faith in Christ. This passage emphasizes how justification brings us into a right relationship with God, resulting in peace, hope, and even joy in suffering, as our trials produce perseverance and character.

Application: This sermon can help Christians understand that peace and joy are not dependent on circumstances, but on our faith in Christ. It teaches that even in struggles and weaknesses, God is working in us to develop our character and deepen our faith, which can provide comfort and assurance to believers during hard times.

Teaching: The primary teaching of this sermon is how justification through faith brings about peace with God, and how we can rejoice in our sufferings knowing they lead to spiritual growth. It highlights the transformative power of God’s love and the hope of salvation.

How this passage could point to Christ: This passage points to Christ as our mediator and the source of our peace with God. The act of justification through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross is the foundation for our hope and assurance of God’s love, reinforcing the centrality of Jesus in the narrative of Scripture.

Big Idea: Through faith in Christ, we experience peace with God and joy in our trials, knowing He is shaping our character and deepening our hope.

Recommended Study: Consider exploring the historical context of Romans 5 as it relates to the early church's understanding of justification. Look into the Greek terms used for 'justified' and 'peace' to grasp the depth of these concepts in their original language. You might find Logos' resources on Pauline theology beneficial for a deeper theological understanding, including commentaries that highlight the implications of suffering in the life of a believer.

1. Peace Through Justification (What Christ has done FOR US)

Ro 5:1-2

You could begin by emphasizing how justification by faith grants us peace with God and entry into His grace. This foundation allows Christians to stand firm, knowing we are loved and accepted by God, which is the root of our unshakable assurance. The focus on Christ as our mediator underscores the transformative power of His sacrifice, encouraging believers to root their identity in what Jesus has done.

2. Purpose In Our Pain

Ro 5:3-5

Perhaps explore how suffering, which would ordinarily shake anyone’s peace, is transformed into an instrument of hope in the life of a believer. Trials produce perseverance, character, and hope because of God's love poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. Show how Christ’s endurance through suffering models for us how to trust God's purposes beyond our immediate difficulties.

3. Proof Of His Love

Ro 5:6-8

Consider highlighting the profound love of God demonstrated through Christ’s sacrifice at our weakest point. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us, proving God’s immense love. It’s a reminder that our worth and assurance don’t come from our circumstances but from God's unchanging love and Christ’s redeeming work.

4. Promise Of Reconciliation

Ro 5:9-11

Maybe conclude by reflecting on the joy of reconciliation and salvation, which is now secure because of Jesus Christ. This reconciliation assures us of eternal peace and motivates a life of gratitude and worship. Emphasize that through Christ, we are saved from God’s wrath and can rejoice in our restored relationship with Him, highlighting the joy that extends beyond any present trials.

Background

ROMANS 5:1-5-THE RESULTS OF JUSTIFICATION Understanding the Journey will help us to understand God’s Purpose. OPENING STATEMENT

OPENING

• God has a Purpose, Plan, Promise.

After the party, celebration, vacation, the excursion, get away.. life is still waiting .

How do we find joy in our sorrow?

Hope for tomorrow, strength in our weakness and Peace in the midst of our storm.

Link to Wednesday message - our Gratitude leads to Gods wholeness.

Peace is- “Peace” is not simply the absence of conflict but something altogether more positive: wholeness. To wish someone well (Shalom!) is to express concern for their general welfare. Ultimately, God alone is the source of true shalom. (GOD WANTS YOU TO EXPERIENCE HIS PEACE)

• God has a Purpose, Plan, Promise.

THE POWER OF GOD’S PURPOSE, GOD’S PLAN AND GOD’S PROMISE. OUTWEIGHS ANYTHING THAT I AM FACING. Satan - God has forgotten about you, He doesn’t love you anymore…. God is simple not finished with me. I am yet on the Potter’s wheel, Furnace of Affliction, Walking and not Weary. GOD IS WITH ME - HE’S THE SAME, YESTERDAY, TODAY AND FOREVER.

PASTOR HESS SR. - THE DEVIL HAS A PLOT, BUT GOD HAS A PLAN. THE PLOT IS DESIGNED TO STOP YOU BEFORE GOD’S PLAN IS REVEALED. CAN YOU TRUST HIM WHILE GOING THROUGH YOUR SITUATION.

God’s Purpose - Perseverance

Purpose In Our Pain

Ro 5:3-5

Perhaps explore how suffering, which would ordinarily shake anyone’s peace, is transformed into an instrument of hope in the life of a believer. Trials produce perseverance, character, and hope because of God's love poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. Show how Christ’s endurance through suffering models for us how to trust God's purposes beyond our immediate difficulties.

RESTLESSNESS - RESTLESS FAITH

Feeling restless and unsatisfied is exactly where we need to be in order for God to shape us and take us where he wants us to go.

Restlessness is not a puzzle for us to solve on our own; it’s an invitation from God to find answers in him, to press in and discover who he is and why we can rest in him. It’s all about what he’s doing when you can’t tell that anything extraordinary is happening at all. If you don’t yet have eyes to see it, don’t fret. He’s inviting us to step in just a little closer to him each time.

BUT THAT’S NOT ALL - Even in times of trouble we have a joyful confidence, knowing that our pressures will develop in us patient endurance. And patient endurance will refine our character, and proven character leads us back to hope. ROMANS 5:3-5

PURPOSE - We don’t always understand the purpose - Why? If I knew why …. He’s preparing me for my future - He’s preparing me for God’s Next.

He’s making me - He’s conforming me. James 1:2 - Count it all Joy - Look at it as an opportunity for God’s Joy. Nehemiah 8:10 - The Joy of the Lord is my strength. He is revealing His Character.

WE OFTEN GET BOGGED DOWN WITH THE NOW - WHAT I’M FACING, MY SITUATION,…. BUT PAUL HAD A LONG VIEW…. GOD HAD AND HAS A PROMISE, PLAN AND PURPOSE.

He’s Faithful He knows. - Us and Best. He’s Sovereign - He’s in control God’s desire is to develop hope within us.. (WE OFTEN LOSE HOPE WHEN SUFFERING) TRIALS (TRIBULATION) produces perseverance (peace with God’s timing - we won’t go ahead of God)

God uses divine initiated delay to create tribulation ENDURANCE (PERSEVERANCE/PATIENCE)

VS. 3 - Patient ENDURANCE - the ability to not give up. (PATIENCE/PERSEVERANCE)

I’m going on to the end. Perseverance…. He wants me to remain faithful to Him.

• 3. STORY OF VACUUM CLEANER - (BATTERY VS. PLUGGED IN - I RAN OUT OF POWER - I HAD TO GO PLUG IT BACK IN)

God’s Plan - CHARACTER

Ecclesiastes 7:8 (KJV) Better [is] the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: [and] the patient in spirit [is] better than the proud in spirit. Psalms 115:3 (NLT) Our God is in the heavens, and he does as he wishes. GOD HAS ALL POWER, WISDOM…. HE IS THE END ALL BE ALL. HE WAS IN THE BEGINNING AND HE WILL BE THERE IN THE END. He has all these attributes within Himself, but He desires us to be a part of His great plan in this earth. GENESIS 1:1 -

GOD SAID…. HIS WORD REVEALED HIS PLAN. (CREATION) God is intentional about everything God always has a plan - You can always count on Him There’s a plan for everything He created. HIS PURPOSE IS THAT We would fulfill His plan. (EXTERNAL/INTERNAL)

He’s Preparing Me/He’s making me Over Subdue - Conquer - to overcome, to bring under control. To bring Chaos into Order - I am to affect change - People will see Christ in my life. His plan was for us to reign on earth. WE HAVE HIS FULL BACKING AND HIS AUTHORITY.

CHAOS - ORDER When we do His will we have His backing.

GOD’S TIMING - GALATIANS 4:4

Galatians 4:4 KJV 1900

But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

Proverbs 19:21 (NLT) You can make many plans, but the LORD’s purpose will prevail. (LORD WHAT IS YOUR PURPOSE/PLAN IS THIS IT?) GOD HAS A PLAN FOR ME. (ASSIGNMENT)

Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT) For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. (EXPECTED END) WILL YOU SAY YES LORD - SURRENDERING OF MY WILL. IT’S HARD FOR YOU TO KICK AGAINST THE PRICK (GOAD) ii. A goad was a long, extremely sharp stick used to get an ox going the way you wanted when plowing. One jabbed the hind legs of the ox with the goad until the ox cooperated. TO GET OUT OF YOU WHAT’S IN YOU… TEA BAG - (BAG AND WATER ARE NEEDED TO BRING WHAT’S IN YOU OUT OF YOU - TO FULFILL HIS PURPOSE/PLAN). GOD’S PURPOSE AND PLAN GO TOGETHER. HE WANTS YOU AND I TO OPERATE IN AND FROM A PLACE OF PEACE.

Jeremiah 29:12 (NLT) In those days when you pray, I will listen.

Romans 8:29 (NLT) For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

Suffering does something for you- it produces perseverance. And it strengthens our ability to handle blessings that why it’s taking a while. Perseverance - to bare up under - it is also a state-of-the-art quality of mind. PEACE WITH GOD’S TIMING - I’M O.K. WITH IT. Your trials are developing peace within you. (I’M ON ASSIGNMENT - LIGHT AFFLICTION - DOES NOT COMPARE) CHARACTER - (EXPERIENCE)

I’M EXPERIENCING GOD’S PEACE. WHAT’S YOUR EXPERIENCE (INTERVIEW - CAN YOU BE TRUSTED? - EXPLAIN A TIME - IT’S IN YOU I’VE JUST GOT TO GET IT OUT OF YOU. DO YOU HAVE STAYING POWER.)

• Perseverance creates character - (trustworthiness....) By the time a person possess the promise they can be trusted. Those who don’t go through anything can’t be trusted with anything. THIS IS GOD’S PROCESS SO WHY DO WE HAVE A DIFFERENT PROCESS. (CAN GOD TRUST ME?

God’s Promise - Hope

MY END GOAL IS TO DEVELOP YOUR HOPE - Jeremiah 29:11 (NET) For I know what I have planned for you,' says the LORD. 'I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you. I have plans to give you a future filled with hope. I refuse to live knowing that Jesus paid the price for me to not experience what Jesus has already paid for me. 2 Corinthians 1:20 (KJV) For all the promises of God (have been fulfilled in Christ) in him [are] yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. GOD IS NOT CREATING AN ANSWER FOR YOUR SITUATION HE’S RELEASING IT. DON’T THROW AWAY YOUR CONFIDENCE OR HOPE. These are interconnected virtues - James 1:3-4 (KJV) 3 Knowing [this], that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have [her] perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. God introduces process to strengthen our hope with the intentional purpose to grow our faith. (Now faith isThe substance of things hoped for.) Or Now faith brings our hope into reality. (TPT) I CAN TRUST GOD, CAN GOD TRUST ME? God has worked for me - Justification The Result of Justification - He’s working ON ME AND IN ME.

PATIENCE - PATIENTLY ENDURE - Purpose EXPERIENCE - CHARACTER - Plan HOPE - FUTURE AND END - Promise OUR HOPE CAN ONLY BE FOUND IN JESUS CHRIST… THE DEPTH OF CHRIST LOVE

• 1. Romans 5:5-6 (NLT) 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. 6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.

Conclusion

THE PURPOSE OF THIS PASSAGE -

Hebrews 10:35-36 (ESV) 35 Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.

Hebrews 10:35-36 (AMP) 35 Do not, therefore, fling away your [fearless] confidence, for it has a glorious and great reward. 36 For you have need of patient endurance [to bear up under difficult circumstances without compromising], so that when you have carried out the will of God, you may receive and enjoy to the full what is promised.