"The Better Adam: A New Humanity in Christ"

Text:

Romans 5:12–21 CSB

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. 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. 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.

“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.” (Romans 5:18, CSB)

HOOK: “One Decision”

Illustration: Have you ever been affected by someone else's decision—one you didn’t make, but still had to live with the consequences?

Think of an executive whose bad financial decision crashes a company.

A drunk driver who causes a fatal accident.

Or on a more personal note—a parent whose love, or absence, shaped the trajectory of your life.

Transition: In Romans 5:12–21, Paul is showing us that all of humanity has been shaped by the decision of one man: Adam…But that’s not the end of the story.

There is another Man, and His obedience changes everything.

BIG IDEA (Set the table):

In Adam, we inherited:

sin

death

condemnation

But in Christ—the Better Adam—we receive:

righteousness

life

justification.

Christ didn't just fix what Adam broke; He established a NEW HUMANITY.

BOOK: Romans 5:12–21 — Adam and Christ: Two Heads of Humanity

A. Verse 12 — The Entry of Sin and Death

“Just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, in this way death spread to all people, because all sinned.”

Adam’s sin was not just personal; it was representative.

He stood as federal head of the human race.

Through Adam, sin entered the world like a virus—and death followed.

Theological Note: Paul isn't just describing inherited behavior but ALSO inherited status—we are in Adam by nature (1 Cor. 15:22).

1 Corinthians 15:22 CSB

For just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.

“The Effects of Sin”

People believe that when they sin, it’s stays right where they left it, but it doesn’t.

YOU ARE A WHOLE PERSON

Soul (emotions, will, personality)

Body (The fleshly vehicle/tabernacle that is physically you)

Spirit (innermost part that connects us to God)

when you sin, you don’t just affect your physical body, your sin affects everything you are…your WHOLE person.

it goes into your body and your body holds onto it.

Affects the whole scenery around you and what your body is holding onto.

Your body is made of DNA and that DNA is also affected and changed by your sin

If your genetics are affected and changed, your children will be.

“Spiritual Genetics”

Habits vs. Generational Curses

Habits seen and copied

TENDENCIES that have not been SEEN and learned, but SOMEHOW are made manifest in the next generation’s lives

We are each responsible for obeying these sinful tendencies.

We CANNOT BLAME OUR PARENTS AND ANCESTORS

We either obey them or we don’t.

we are slaves to our sinful TENDENCIES…UNTIL JESUS!!

B. Verses 13–14 — Even Before the Law, Death Reigned

“In fact, sin was in the world before the law... Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses...”

Even before the law of Moses, sin had its grip.

Death shows that humanity was under judgment—even without codified law.

Key Point: The problem isn’t just that people break rules; it’s that people are born in sinful genetics.

It is in our BLOOD.

WE NEED A BLOOD TRANSFUSION!!

WE NEED TO BE BORN AGAIN INTO JESUS

WE NEED HIS BLOOD!!!,

C. Verses 15–17 — The Gift Is Not Like the Trespass

“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... overflowed...”

Paul contrasts:

Adam’s trespass → death, condemnation, slavery

Christ’s obedience → grace, justification, life

“How much more…” — shows that Jesus doesn't just reverse the curse—He overflows with grace beyond what was lost.

Illustration: If Adam dug a hole we couldn’t escape, Jesus didn’t just pull us out. He built a new house, lifted us up, and gave us His name.

D. Verses 18–19 — Two Men, Two Outcomes

“So then, as through one trespass there is condemnation for everyone, so also through one righteous act there is justification leading to life…”

One act of disobedience = condemnation.

One act of righteousness = justification and life.

This is substitutionary atonement and imputed righteousness:

Just as Adam’s guilt was credited to us,

Christ’s righteousness is credited to all who believe (Phil. 3:9).

Since we are IN ADAM by nature, why isn’t EVERYONE IN CHRIST by nature now??

We are in Adam by being human—his guilt and corruption flow through our bloodline.

But Christ’s righteousness is not passed down biologically—it is received covenantally, by faith.

“But to all who did receive him, he gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born… of God.” (John 1:12–13, CSB)

So, Christ is not the automatic head of all humanity—He is the appointed head of a new humanity, formed by grace through faith.

By being born again

Regeneration

Romans 5:17 Hints at This Distinction

Let’s look again at Romans 5:17 (CSB):

“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.”

Notice the qualifying phrase:

“those who receive...”

Not all receive it. Why?

Because salvation isn’t by nature, but by grace, and it is received through faith (Eph. 2:8).

So while Adam’s act affects all (every single) by default, Christ’s act is offered to all, but only applied to those united to Him by grace through faith.

Regeneration —Being born again into a new Headship…A NEW HUMANITY IN CHRIST!

E. Verses 20–21 — Grace Reigns

“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.”

This is gospel escalation.

Grace doesn’t just meet sin—it overcomes it. Grace reigns!

Christ isn’t just fixing a problem—He’s establishing a kingdom.

LOOK: Two Humanities – Which One Are You In?

1. In Adam: Death, Condemnation, Slavery to Sin

This is humanity’s default state. We are born in Adam.

We don’t become sinners by sinning—we sin because we’re sinners.

Ephesians 2:1–3 — “By nature children of wrath…”

Ephesians 2:1–3 CSB

And you were dead in your trespasses and sins in which you previously walked according to the ways of this world, according to the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit now working in the disobedient. We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly desires, carrying out the inclinations of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrath as the others were also.

2. In Christ: Life, Justification, Grace Reigning

Jesus is the second and FINAL Adam (1 Cor. 15:45–49), head of a new creation.

1 Corinthians 15:45–49 CSB

So it is written, The first man Adam became a living being; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, then the spiritual. The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. Like the man of dust, so are those who are of the dust; like the man of heaven, so are those who are of heaven. And just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we will also bear the image of the man of heaven.

Where Adam brought exile, Christ brings adoption.

Where Adam failed in a garden, Christ triumphed in a garden (Gethsemane).

Where Adam reached for the tree in rebellion, Christ climbed the tree in obedience.

The great exchange:

2 Corinthians 5:21 — “He made the one who did not know sin TO BE SIN FOR US, so that IN HIM we might become the righteousness of God.”

TOOK: Living as the New Humanity

A. Put off Adam, Put on Christ

Ephesians 4:22–24 — Put off the old self… be made new… put on the new self.

You are not your past.

You are not your family’s worst decisions.

You are not Adam’s storyline anymore.

In Christ, you are new (2 Cor. 5:17).

B. Live with Resurrection Hope

1 Corinthians 15:49 — “Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we will also bear the image of the man of heaven.”

Christ’s life is your future. Glorification is not wishful—it’s promised.

Death reigned… but now grace reigns.

C. Invite Others into the New Humanity

Evangelism is not just about “going to heaven” but inviting people into a new kingdom, a new story, a new humanity.

We are ambassadors of the Better Adam (2 Cor. 5:20).

CLOSING ILLUSTRATION:

C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity:

"The Son of God became a man to enable men to become sons of God."

Jesus isn’t just your forgiver—He is your new Head, your new representative, your new identity.

Jesus IS OUR NEW HUMANITY.