ROMANS 5:12-21

Sins origin and its resolution

Bible Passage: Romans 5:12-21

Summary: Romans 5:12-21 explores the doctrine of sin and its consequences, contrasting the devastating effects of Adam’s transgression with the redemptive grace offered through Jesus Christ.

Application: This sermon will encourage Christians to understand the pervasive nature of sin and its impact on their lives while also reminding them of the overwhelming grace available through faith in Christ. This understanding can help them confront personal struggles with sin and lead them to live in the freedom that comes from grace.

Teaching: The sermon teaches that through Adam's sin, all are condemned, but through Christ's obedience and grace, many can be made righteous. It emphasizes the transformative nature of grace and the importance of relying on God’s provision to overcome sin.

How this passage could point to Christ: Christ is the ultimate solution to the problem of sin introduced by Adam. His sacrificial death and resurrection serve as the pivotal point for redemption, showcasing the triumph of grace over sin and death throughout the entire narrative of the Bible.

Big Idea: Sin leads to death, but grace through Jesus Christ leads to eternal life, empowering believers to conquer their sins.

Recommended Study: As you prepare this sermon, consider diving into the historical and theological implications of original sin and its effects on humanity as described in Romans. Utilize your Logos library to explore various commentaries that discuss the contrasting themes of sin and grace, focusing on scholarly insights that clarify the text. Pay attention to exegetical nuances that may arise in verses 18-19, where the relationship between Adam and Christ is further explored, and the implications for modern believers.

1. Sin's Spread

Romans 5:12–14

“Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, in this way death spread to all people, because all sinned. In fact, sin was in the world before the law, but sin is not charged to a person’s account when there is no law. Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who did not sin in the likeness of Adam’s transgression. He is a type of the Coming One.”

a. The origin of sin - Vv.12

Paul assumes we know the creation story and the fall of man within it. Adam brought sin into the world through the sin of him not stopping Eve from eating the apple and not leading his wife. through that one act sin and death entered the world forever.

because of Adams sin all of mankind would be condemned to death and born in sin.

But the origin of sin isn't just that Adam sinned and we all have to pay for it. but that any human would've committed the same sin.

b. The spread of sin - Vv.13-14

we are all now born sinners, all of us inclined to evil. The desire for our own well being and our rebellion against God in us isn't a result of us being like Adam or sinning in the same way he did, but is a result of us being born this way, rebelling against God.

From Adam to Moses, to us, and to everyone after us are born sinner and sentenced to death and eternal torment.

The sin of Adam spread physical death to all people, but also spiritual death. Because of our sin we are now separated from God and fellowship with him.

2. Adam vs Jesus

Romans 5:15–19

“But the gift is not like the trespass. For if by the one man’s trespass the many died, how much more have the grace of God and the gift which comes through the grace of the one man Jesus Christ overflowed to the many. And the gift is not like the one man’s sin, because from one sin came the judgment, resulting in condemnation, but from many trespasses came the gift, resulting in justification. If by the one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive the overflow of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. So then, as through one trespass there is condemnation for everyone, so also through one righteous act there is justification leading to life for everyone. For just as through one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so also through the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.”

a. The result of sin and grace - Vv.15-16

If one man can cause such destruction spreading death to the whole world, and we as one person can sin so repetitively against God. Then how much stronger is God himself able to overpower the sin of humans.

Sin now must always be viewed alongside grace. because of our sin, God gave us the gift of grace. because of grace we now have forgiveness for our sins. And because of the forgiveness of our sins we know have justification through Jesus Christ.

All through one man death reigned, now all through one man death has died.

b. The result of Christs righteousness - Vv.17-19

through the obedience of Jesus we are now made righteous. our sin is replaced with righteousness, so what does that mean.

it means we have been justified, to be justified means God has made declarative act by which he establishes persons as righteous; that is, in right and true relationship to himself.

Through Jesus we have been brought into true and right relationship with God. Jesus relationship wit hGod has now been given to us, we are now sons and daughter of God.

We are no longer sinners but we now righteous children of Gods family.

3. Sin vs Righteousness

Romans 5:20–21

“The law came along to multiply the trespass. But where sin multiplied, grace multiplied even more so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace will reign through righteousness, resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

a. Grace reigns where sin once did - Vv.20 - 21

The Law, The Word of God, was given to show us our sin. its the difference from looking for something in the dark versus look with a light. you can fumble around in the dark and kind of feel for what you are looking for, but when you use a light you see it all.

The word of God tells us where we sin against God but it also tells us how to get out of that sin. the same things that reveals our sin reveals our victory over it and the escape from it.

The grace of Jesus is our escape from our sin. where sin reigned grace now reigns. When sin reigned death followed, where grace reigns, life follows. righteousness now reigns where rebellion did.