What We Have

Introduction

Welcome:

Introduction to series:

We are starting a new series called, ‘Reasons to Rejoice’. In Romans 5:1-11 Paul lists several reasons to have joy as a christian. It’s a great reminder for all of us that when life tries to bring us down, we have these truths to hold on too.

True Joy can only be found in Jesus. Everything we chase in the world is temporary happiness but everlasting joy — joy that never wavers or runs out is found in the truth of Gods word.

In these next few weeks, if we listen and apply what the bible teaches, we will have reasons to rejoice no matter where we are in our journey.

Title:

What We Have.

Prayer:

In Jesus name, Amen!

Body

Story:

I don’t think there is a greater feeling than finding money you needed in your pocket. My wife and went to go wash our car a few weeks ago and we needed change but didn’t have enough. When I searched my pockets, I found a random 20 dollar bill.

Explanation:

Often times, we’re not aware of what we have until we search for it. As a christian, we often forget and live our lives as if we have nothing when the truth is that I have everything in Christ Jesus.

Illustration:

2 Peter 1:3 (NLT)

By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.

Application:

Do you know what you have in Christ? I don’t want us living our lives as if we have nothing when we have everything.

Bible

Context:

The apostle Paul wrote the letter to a Christian community in Rome with the goal of uniting both Jews and Gentiles (non-Jews). In this letter, he explains the Gospel in detail, emphasizing that being accepted by God is received through faith in Christ alone—not through works, ethnic background, traditions, rule-keeping, knowledge, or intelligence. Paul helps his readers understand that the Gospel unites them to God and to each other.

Main Passage:

Romans 5:1–2 (NLT)

Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.

Transitional Sentence:

We will learn three gifts we have in and through Christ.

Points

First gift: Peace with God.

Explanation:

The word peace in the greek means to join, make one, or be in harmony without hostility. When Christ paid the price for our sin on the cross, we were forgiven and accepted by God. This means we now have unity with God, free from conflict.

Illustration:

Romans 5:1 NLT

Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.

Application:

When we are stuck in our sin and haven’t put our faith in what Jesus did on the cross, we are separated from God. Instead of peace, there’s a conflict between us and God because of our sin. God is holy and perfect — there cannot be any sin or anything impure in his presence.

Sin creates a wall that blocks us from having a relationship with Him. That’s why Jesus took our sin on Himself and paid the full price so that nothing could stand between us and God anymore.

Illustration: Use people to demonstrate how sin creates a barrier between us and God, and show what Jesus did to take that sin away and remove the barrier to bring harmony with God.

Jesus brought harmony and made us one with God.

Second gift: Access to Grace.

Explanation:

In other words, we have an open door to privileges that we haven’t earned or deserved.

Illustration:

Illustration 1: Romans 5:2 (ESV)

Through him (Jesus) we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand.

Illustration 2: When I got my gym membership, I was able to stand in the building and see all that I have access to. The basketball gym, swimming pool, gym to workout in, sauna and more.

Application:

Similarly, we have been given access, not to material things, but God’s grace.

The word grace is Charis and it means: favor, blessing or the goodwill of God towards us. We can’t earn this grace and we certainly don’t deserve it but God gives it to us because he loves us.

“The primary purpose of this grace is to bless and help the one receiving it, not for God to gain something in return.”

We all have access to God’s blessing, God’s help, God’s wisdom, God’s peace, God’s strength and more because Christ made us one with God.

Third gift: Hope of Heaven.

Explanation:

We will rejoice in the hope of Jesus Christ coming back and being in God’s presence forever.

Illustration:

Illustration 1: Romans 5:2 (NLT)

Romans 5:2 (NLT)

Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.

Illustration 2: Romans 8:18 (NLT)

Romans 8:18 NLT

Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.

Illustration 3: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NLT)

2 Corinthians 4:16–18 NLT

That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

Application:

Do you think about Jesus Christ coming back? Do you think about heaven? How often do you fix your gaze on what is unseen?

When you see God face to face will he say depart from me? Or will he say enter into my glory?

The beautiful gift for those that have put their faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus is that they can confidently look forward to entering the glory of God when He returns.

Conclusion

Summary:

3 gifts we have in and through Jesus Christ:

Peace with God

Access to Grace

Hope of Heaven

So what: (Ask Congregation to Stand & Play Instrumental)

First Group: Maybe there are people in here that believe that simply going to church, having Christian parents, or occasionally reading the Bible automatically means you possess the three gifts we discussed.

And that’s the lie. We don’t have these gifts because we go to church, have christians parents or occasionally read the Bible. We have it because we have a personal relationship with Jesus.

Do you truly have a personal relationship with Jesus?

Second Group: Maybe you’re here and you want peace with God. Did you know that the reason why you have no peace in your life is because you’re not at peace with your creator.

Testimony:

The point: What I have now — peace with God, access to grace, and Hope of Heaven — is because I believe and have a personal relationship with Jesus.

Call to Action:

Start by committing your life to Jesus now. Give your yes to him.

Develop a relationship with Jesus through prayer and the word of God.

Prayer:

In Jesus name, amen!

Interactive Questions:

Peace with God: How does knowing that God isn’t mad at you but offers peace make you feel about your relationship with Him?

Access to Grace: Have you ever needed a second chance for something? How does it feel to know that God’s grace means you can always come to Him?

Hope of Heaven: When life feels hard, how does the promise of heaven help you keep going?

Personal Connection: Which of these gifts—peace, grace, or hope—do you think could help you most right now, and why?

Living It Out: What’s one way you can remind yourself or a friend about these gifts this week?