The overwhelming victory of Christ over Adam; providing the assurance of our hope

A pom, fresh off the plane at Brisbane airport, is trying to negotiate Australian customs. Finally, when it's his turn to get his passport stamped, the customs officer starts rattling off the usual questions: C.O. - How long do you intend to stay? POM - 1 week. C.O. - What is the nature of this trip? POM - Business. C.O. - Do you have any past criminal convictions? POM - I didn't think we still needed to!

1) Our bad start: The career of Adam v12-14

1) Our bad and hard to swallow start: The career of Adam v12-14

This joke is only funny if you know Australian history.

2) The career of Christ v14-17; how’s it’s different to Adam’s.

Not only do jokes make sense but who we are and why we are the way we are makes sense when we know our history.

2) The career of Christ v14-17; how’s it’s different to Adam’s.

3) The career of Christ v 18-21; how Christ and Adam are similar.

If you want to know why you find it so hard to show respect for authority, and why your obedience is so pathetic, look to your history.

3) The career of Christ v 18-21; how Christ and Adam are similar.

Both the tall poppy syndrome and the fair go values are rooted in a large degree to our history.

4) Our assured good finish; joining your life with Christ’s v21

4) Our assured and awe-inspiring good finish; joining your life with Christ’s v21

How did convicts affect the early and modern Australian culture? How was Australian culture affected by this, both then and now?

How did convicts affect the early and modern Australian culture?

This passage of God’s Word takes us way back into our history.

Back to our very first parents.

Australians exhibit two faces in public affairs:

irreverence towards authority, combined with pathetic obedience to authority.

Irreverence towards authority, combined with pathetic obedience to authority.

Adam and Eve.

We have a nation with heaps of natural commercial advantages and resources, most of the population highly educated by the majority of the world's standards, but practically everything an Australian citizen might want to do requires a permit from an authority!

Specifically Adam.

But the good thing Australia's convict origins have given us is something that resulted from the First Fleet's mixture of convicts, seamen, and marines (the guards of the prisoners) – and that is the ability to put differences aside during real adversity, and co-operate as equals. In the earliest days of Australia's white settlement, there was no extra food for rich people, and the labourer who was handy with an axe or shovel was valued as highly as the surveyor with a sextant.

But the good thing Australia's convict origins have given us is something that resulted from the First Fleet's mixture of convicts, seamen, and marines (the guards of the prisoners) – and that is the ability to put differences aside during real adversity, and co-operate as equals.

What was the first human to ever live like?

In the earliest days of Australia's white settlement, there was no extra food for rich people, and the labourer who was handy with an axe or shovel was valued as highly as the surveyor with a sextant.

Knowing our history is important, sheds light on who we are and why we are the way we are.

It’s a fascinating thought isn’t it!

Knowing our history is important, sheds light on who we are and why we are the way we are.

I must admit, I don’t even know where our family came from? Being a Ranga, we’re considered fairly alien as it is.

This is an extremely insightful section, not only because it tells us about who that first person was, but because it answers one of the most common conundrums of all time, including our time now.

I must admit, I don’t even know where our family came from? Being a Ranga, I guess I’m from another planet. But I like to point out to people that the alien ranga gene is in all of us somewhere. Grow a beard and you’ll find it. They sneak in there when you least expect it.

What’s wrong with us and our world? Why is there so much evil and suffering out there and in here? And is there hope?

This passage from Paul takes us into our history. Back to our very first parents. Adam and Eve. Specifically Adam. Australian history is important to know for Australians but not for people from other nations. However, human history is relevant for all humans everywhere.

Adam was humanity’s first. This is an extremely insightful section, addressing one of the most common questions of all times.

This passage of God’s Word takes us way back into our history.

The overwhelming victory of Christ over Adam; providing the assurance for our hope.

Back to our very first parents.

1) Our bad and hard to swallow start: Adam’s act v12-14

What’s wrong with us and our world? Why is there so much evil and suffering?

Paul gives us the answer in a 3 stages process in v12.

2) Christ act v14-17; how’s it’s different to Adam’s.

Adam and Eve.

Specifically Adam.

3) Christ act v 18-21; how Christ and Adam are similar.

Sin

4) Our assured and awe-inspiring good finish; joining your life with Christ’s v21

Australian history is important, or more to the point, good material for comedy, for Australians but not for people from other nations.

Sin is the problem.

What is sin? Sin at it’s heart is an attitude of your heart towards God your creator. An attitude of distrust that leads to opposition.

However, human history is relevant and important for all humans everywhere.

First, Adam’s act.

Paul gives us the answer to what’s wrong with our world in a 3 stages process in v12.

Think about Adam. God had made him, given him everything to enjoy. You can do whatever you want. Just don’t do this one thing. Did Adam have reason to believe that God was good and that God loved him? Absolutely. Look what he’d been given. An incredible body in which he could enjoy the taste of food, the sounds of birds and music, the touch of grass, the satisfaction of fruitful work, the sight of animal life around him, friendship, marriage, sex. And he got to walk with God through the whole process, when he came to visit Adam in the garden.

What was the first human to every live like?

First.

It’s a fascinating thought isn’t it!

Did Adam have reason to believe that God was good and loved him?

The sin of Adam.

Absolutely.

This is an extremely insightful section, not only because it tells us about who that first person was, but because it answers one of the most common conundrums of all time, including our time now.

What’s wrong with us and our world? Why is there so much evil and suffering out there and in here?

Do you have reason to believe that God is good and loves you?

sin entered the world through one man

It wasn’t an issue for Adam that God had told him he couldn’t eat from one of the trees.

Which led to his death.

Paul gives us the answer in a 3 stages process in v12.

HE COULD DO EVERYTHING ELSE!

and death through sin

First culprit.

Which led to the death of all humanity after him, because all sinned.

The sin of Adam.

So what led to him doing the one thing that God said he mustn’t do?

The temptation came from Satan in this way, “God isn’t really good and he doesn’t really love you. If he loved you he’d led you eat of this tree. He’s holding back something good from you. If you eat it, you’ll become like God and he doesn’t want that. You can be better and wiser and greater than you are. Take it.”

death came to all people, because all sinned

Which led to his death.

Which led to the death of all humanity after him, because all sinned.

Let’s unpack this.

Now why didn’t Adam at that point say, “That’s a load of crap! God is good and he does love me. He’s given me everything I enjoy. I trust him that what he says and asks me to do is for my good. Rack off snake!”

First. Sin. Sin entered the world through one man.

Let’s unpack this.

Obviously an attitude towards God had been developing or quickly developed in Adam after the temptation came.

Have you had this attitude towards God before? I think if we’re all honest we can relate to this attitude. Maybe this is your attitude towards God now.

What is sin?

First. Sin.

What is sin? Sin at its heart is an attitude of your heart towards God your creator. An attitude of distrust that leads to actions of opposition.

Sinclair Ferguson in his excellent book “the whole Christ” says, The “lie of Satan” in the garden of Eden was this, that you can’t trust the goodness of God or his commitment to our happiness and well-being and that, therefore, if we obey God fully, we’ll miss out and be miserable. Because this mindset refuses to believe in the love and graciousness of God, those who have it assume that any commands given to us are evidence that he is unwilling to bless us.

Sin at its heart is an attitude of your heart towards God your creator. An attitude of distrust that leads to actions of opposition.

Think about Adam.

This is sin.

God had made him, given him everything to enjoy.

Sin came into our world through one man. Adam. What were the consequences of sin?

God had made him, given him everything to enjoy.

Death.

You can do whatever you want.

God’s command came with a warning. If you do choose to distrust me and disobey me, you will die.

Just don’t do this one thing.

He didn’t die straight away but the process of death begun in him. His attitude towards God was forever changed and infected by sin. And eventually his good body that God made for him died too.

Did Adam have reason to believe that God was good and that God loved him? Absolutely.

Look what he’d been given.

Ok. Sucks to be Adam, but what does that have to do with us?

An incredible body in which he could enjoy the taste of food

Well, Paul says there’s a third stage. Death spread to all people, including you and I today.

the sounds of birds and music

Why?

the sounds of birds and music

Because we all sinned.

the touch of grass

What?

the satisfaction of fruitful work

the sight of animal life and the colours of the world around him

The third stage has difficulties for us. However, to be clear; Paul is saying all people sinned in the one past act. This therefore doesn’t mean that we all die because we all sin individually LIKE Adam, but we all die because all people are guilty of one act of past sin.

Friendship, marriage, sex.

In that sense, all humanity was IN ADAM. So when Adam sinned, so did we.

And to top it off, he got to walk with God through the whole process, when he would visit Adam in the garden.

He goes on to speak about what happened next after Adam, divided into two sections of human history. Humanity living before the 10 commandments were given. And humanity living after they were given.

And to top it off, he got to walk with God through the whole process, when he would visit Adam in the garden.

We often think of sin as breaking God’s commands, but that’s really the symptoms of sin. It just shows us that we have sin.

Did Adam have reason to believe that God was good and loved him?

Absolutely.

Because we only break God’s commands if we’ve let this attitude towards God come in and rule us.

Absolutely.

This is why sin is so incredibly destructive. It works on us at the level of our deepest core beliefs. And what we do springs from what we believe.

Do you have reason to believe that God is good and loves you?

13 To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone’s account where there is no law.14 Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come.

Maybe you don’t think so? I hope by the end of this talk you’ll have reason to believe that he does.

Maybe you don’t think so?

The logic of what he’s saying is that disease and death reigned just as much over nice people who didn’t know explicitly what they were doing was wrong, as over cruel people who knew exactly what they were doing was wrong, but did it anyway.

I hope by the end of this talk you’ll have reason to believe that he does.

But for Adam, it was an absolute no brainer.

Nothing bad or evil had every happened to him. And so the one command was not an issue.

Just as much over ignorant people as instructed people

Just as much over infants (who haven’t disobeyed deliberately) as over adults.

Nothing bad or evil had every happened to him. And so the one command was not an issue.

HE COULD DO EVERYTHING ELSE!

So what led to him doing the one thing that God said he mustn’t do?

HE COULD DO EVERYTHING ELSE!

The question Paul is asking is, “If death is the wages or result of sin, then why does death reign so universally, regardless of individual sin?”

The temptation came from Satan in this way,

So what led to him doing the one thing that God said he mustn’t do?

His answer; as did Adam. Maybe people before Moses didn’t break a commandment, but Adam did, and in him we are all guilty. We are guilty for what he did.

FEDERAL HEADSHIP vs WESTERN INDIVIDUALISM

The temptation came from Satan in this way,

“God isn’t really good.

This explanation sounds repulsive to ‘modern and western Australian’ ears.

He doesn’t really love you.

If he loved you he’d led you eat of this tree.

Why? Because we are so highly individualistic.

Every person is an island.

If he loved you he’d led you eat of this tree.

He’s holding back something good from you.

We’re interconnected for sure, but ultimately, our fate is up to each one of us.

If you eat it, you’ll become like God and he doesn’t want that.

The Bible has a radically different approach.

You can be better and wiser and greater than you are. Trust me. Take it.”

If you eat it, you’ll become like God and he doesn’t want that.

You can be better and wiser and greater than you are. Trust me. Take it.”

Now why didn’t Adam at that point say, “That’s a load of crap! God is good and he does love me. He’s given me everything I enjoy. He’s never done anything to harm or hurt me. I trust him that what he says and asks me to do is for my good. Rack off snake!”

Human solidarity.

Now why didn’t Adam at that point say, “That’s a load of donkey-doo! God is good and he does love me. He’s given me everything I enjoy. He’s never done anything to harm or hurt me. I trust him that what he says and asks me to do is for my good. Rack off snake!”

Obviously an attitude towards God had been developing prior to this or really quickly developed in Adam after the temptation came.

Human cohesion is what it teaches.

Obviously an attitude towards God had been developing prior to this or really quickly developed in Adam after the temptation came.

Sinclair Ferguson in his excellent book “the whole Christ” says, The “lie of Satan” in the garden of Eden was this, that you can’t trust the goodness of God or his commitment to your happiness and well-being and that, therefore, if you obey God fully, you’ll miss out and be miserable.

The idea of solidarity is that you can have a legitimate relationship with a person so that whatever that person achieves or loses, you achieve or lose. This is the concept of representative headship.

Sinclair Ferguson in his excellent book “the whole Christ” says, The “lie of Satan” in the garden of Eden was this; to believe that God is a “not to be trusted because he doesn’t love me false father”. You can’t trust the goodness of God or his commitment to your happiness and well-being.

A representative head involves those they represent in the fruits of his or her action, for good or ill.

Because this mindset refuses to believe in the love and graciousness of God, those who have it assume that any commands given to us are evidence that he is unwilling to bless us.

Therefore, if you obey God fully, you’ll miss out and be miserable.

In Australia, we only recognise such a person as legitimate if we voluntarily choose to be in that relationship. Here are some examples;

This is sin.

This is the heart of sin.

Sin came into our world through one man. Adam. What were the consequences of sin?

1. The power given to elected representatives. If Turnball declares war, we’re all at war.

2. Our sports heroes. What do we say when we defeat NZ in the rugby? We smashed em! Did you have anything to do with it? No. But we talk as if we were involved in some way. But it’s not just when we win but when we lose also.

Sin came into our world through one man. Adam. What were the consequences of sin?

Death.

God’s command came with a warning. If you do choose to distrust me and disobey me, you will die.

Death.

Steve Smith is a good example. We’ve been shamed because of what Steve smith has done.

3. At a more personal level. We have “Power of attorney” where a lawyer has to represent a defendant. Or a child has to represent their elderly parent. This is an extremely important representative relationship, especially for their client’s future.

He didn’t die straight away but the process of death begun in him. His attitude towards God was forever changed and infected by sin. And eventually his good body that God made for him died too.

God’s command came with a warning.

Ok. Sucks to be Adam, but what does that have to do with us?

If you do choose to distrust me and disobey me, you will die.

Christ’s work for us is like this.

For us Aussies, someone standing in for us really rubs us up the wrong way. It’s not fair that I should be judged for what someone else did!

He didn’t die straight away but the process of death begun in him.

Well, Paul says there’s a third stage. Death spread to all people, including you and I today.

Why?

I should have had a chance in the garden myself!

His attitude towards God was forever changed and infected by sin.

Because we all sinned.

And eventually his good body that God made for him died too.

What also rubs us up the wrong way is not being able to choose who our representative head is.

It’s unfair that Adam is our head when we didn’t elect him!

Ok. That’s what happened to Adam, but what does that have to do with us?

What?

This third stage has difficulties for us.

Well, Paul says there’s a third stage.

If we are going to give someone ‘power of attorney’ we make sure that we’ve researched them and know they’ll represent us well, that they share our ideals and concerns, that they’re the very best of us.

Death spread to all people, including you and I today.

However, before we go into them. Let’s be clear!

But let’s stop and think for a moment.

Why?

That’s exactly how God did it!

Paul is saying all people sinned in the one past act.

No-one could choose a representative better than God could.

This therefore doesn’t mean that we all die because we all sin individually LIKE Adam, but we all die because all people are guilty of one act of past sin.

Because we all sinned.

It’s extremely proud to think that we could choose a better representative than God.

This third stage is hard to swallow.

In that sense, all humanity was IN ADAM.

I must admit this challenged my own understanding when I was preparing for this.

So when Adam sinned, so did we.

Also, God didn’t choose Adam, he CREATED Adam TO BE our representative head.

But before we get into the difficulties of what this is saying. Let’s be clear on what it says!

He was perfectly created and designed to act exactly as you, personally, as an individual, would have acted in the same situation.

He goes on to speak about what happened next after Adam, divided into two sections of human history.

Humanity living before the law, or the 10 commandments, were given. And humanity living after they were given.

God is saying all people sinned in the one past act.

We cannot say, I would have done a better job, because that would be to claim that you could have been a better representative than God created, or chosen a better representative than God chose.

We often think of sin as breaking God’s commands, but that’s really the symptoms of sin. It just shows us that we have sin.

Adam was the very best of us.

This means that we’re not going to die primarily because we sin individually LIKE Adam, but we all die because we are guilty of participating in one act of past sin.

God gave us the right representative head, and we are guilty in Adam, as our power of attorney, because we actually sinned in him.

In that sense, all humanity was IN ADAM.

Because we only break God’s commands because of our attitude towards God that he’s a “not to be trusted because he doesn’t love me false father”.

Let me repeat that. We only break God’s commands because of our attitude towards God that he’s a “not to be trusted because he doesn’t love me false father”.

When Adam sinned, so did we.

In what ways does your history and attitudes toward God show that Adam was our perfect representative head?

This is why sin is so incredibly destructive.

How did this play out for Adam’s children and the generations after him?

Right now you’re probably thinking that this sucks.

You get the logic, but you hate that this is how God did it.

Paul divides people after Adam into two sections of human history.

It works on us at the level of our deepest core beliefs.

But this truth that God deals with us in and through our representative head is very good and liberating news.

Humanity living before the law, or the 10 commandments, were given.

And what we do springs from what we believe.

Imagine if you had to represent yourself before God’s heavenly throne room. We would have no defence at all. Our sin would lead us to death.

And humanity living after they were given.

13 To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone’s account where there is no law.14 Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come.

The logic of what he’s saying is that disease and death reigned just as much over NICE people who didn’t know explicitly what they were doing was wrong, as over CRUEL people who knew exactly what they were doing was wrong, but did it anyway.

It would be over in a moment.

He says that people die because of sin, not because of breaking a known law.

But instead, we are represented by Adam – we sinned in him and our sin in him as our federal head leads us to death. Death reigned because in him all of humanity broke God’s command.

Just as much over ignorant people as instructed people.

We often think of sin as breaking God’s commands, but that’s really the symptoms of sin.

How is this good news? Because if there is a second Adam that God chooses, a perfect second Adam, he would be able to our federal head.

Just as much over infants (who haven’t disobeyed deliberately) as over adults.

It just shows us that we have sin.

The question I’ve often asked is, “If death is the wages or result of sin, then why does death reign so universally, regardless of individual sin?”

This is why sin is so incredibly destructive.

He could represent us before the heavenly throne room, and through him we could have the life that in Adam or left to ourselves, we could never enjoy.

His answer; as did Adam. V14.

It is incredible amazing news that God deals with us through a federal head – because “Adam was a pattern of the one to come.”(14b)

It works on us at the level of our deepest core beliefs.

Federal headship means that we have now received reconciliation through our Lord Jesus Christ. We have peace with God that the western individualism that we are soaked in can never offer.

And what we do springs from what we believe.

Maybe people before Moses didn’t break a commandment, but Adam did, and in him we are all guilty. We are guilty for what he did.

13 To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone’s account where there is no law.14 Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come.

This explanation sounds repulsive to ‘modern and western Australian’ ears.

This moves us to the second section. We’ve looked at Adam’s career. Now we’re looking at Christ’s career. And How Adam and Christ are different.

15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! 16 Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. 17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!

Why?

What he’s saying is that disease and death reigned just as much over what we would call NICE people who didn’t know explicitly what they were doing was wrong, as over CRUEL people who knew exactly what they were doing was wrong, but did it anyway.

Just as much over ignorant people as people in the know.

First difference: motivation. V15

Because we are so highly individualistic.

Just as much over infants (who haven’t disobeyed deliberately) as over adults.

Every person is an island.

The word for Adam’s act is trespass. Which gives the idea of crossing a known line or boundary. Adam knew where the line was and he deliberately crossed it. It was a self-centred act.

The word for Christ’s act is free gift. Jesus act was a self-sacrificial act. Jesus didn’t obey in the same way that Adam disobeyed. He went way above and beyond what obedience required. It was an act of compassion. I’m not just going to trust and love God for my own good. I have incredible love to give, and I’m going to empty myself so that it can be poured out for humanity.

The question I’ve often asked is, “If death is the wages or result of sin, then why does death reign so universally, regardless of individual sin?”

We’re interconnected for sure, but ultimately, our fate is up to each one of us.

The Bible has a radically different approach.

Second difference: The result. V16

His answer; as did Adam. V14.

Maybe people before Moses didn’t break a commandment, but Adam did, and in him we are all guilty. We are guilty for what he did.

Human solidarity.

Adam’s act resulted in death. Christ’s act results in life.

The effects of Christ’s deed undo the effects of Adam’s.

Human cohesion is what it teaches.

This is not just hard to swallow, but in some ways repulsive to our ‘modern and western Australian’ ears.

Adam’s deed resulted in condemnation, Christ’s in justification.

Why?

The idea of solidarity is that you can have a legitimate relationship with a person so that whatever that person achieves or loses, you achieve or lose. This is the concept of representative headship.

Because we are so highly individualistic.

A representative head involves those they represent in the fruits of his or her action, for good or ill.

Death is the penalty for sin, but Christ removes the guilt and therefore the penalty.

Every person stands on their own two feet.

Third, v17

In Australia, we only recognise such a person as legitimate if we voluntarily choose to be in that relationship. Here are some examples;

1. The power given to elected representatives. If Turnball declares war, we’re all at war.

the result of Adam’s sin is that death reigned, but he doesn’t say that in Christ life reigns. He says that we reign ‘in life’.

We’re interconnected in some ways, but ultimately, what happens to me is up to me.

Before death reigned over us and we were in slavery.

The Bible has a radically different approach.

2. Our sports heroes. What do we say when we defeat NZ in the rugby? We smashed em! Did you have anything to do with it? No. But we talk as if we were involved in some way. But it’s not just when we win but when we lose also.

Steve Smith is a good example. We’ve been shamed because of what Steve smith has done.

Now we are free. We haven’t traded one slavery for another.

Human solidarity is what it teaches.

Human solidarity is the idea that you can have a real relationship with a person so that whatever that person achieves or loses, you achieve or lose.

3. At a more personal level. We have “Power of attorney” where a lawyer has to represent a defendant. Or a child has to represent their elderly parent. This is an extremely important representative relationship, especially for our future. Our future can quite literally be in their hands.

Rather in the new kingdom, we become kings and queens ourselves.

For us Aussies, someone standing in for us really rubs us up the wrong way. It’s not fair that I should be judged for what someone else did!

This is the concept of representative headship.

Christ’s kingship makes us kings. But sin’s kingship makes us slaves.

The scope of each act is different too. Twice he says “how much more” in v15 and 17. To show us that Christ’s work can completely overwhelm, immerse and thoroughly undo all the effects of Adam’s work.

A representative head involves those they represent in the fruits of his or her actions, for good or ill.

I should have had a chance in the garden myself!

Sin vs grace/gift.

What also rubs us up the wrong way is not being able to choose who our representative head is.

But this isn’t as foreign to us as you might think.

Here are some examples from everyday;

Condemnation is an act of justice giving what is deserved.

It’s unfair that Adam is our head when we didn’t elect him!

If we are going to give someone ‘power of attorney’ we make sure that we’ve researched them and know they’ll represent us well, that they share our ideals and concerns, that they’re the very best of us.

Our justification is an act of grace, and grace overflows and abounds, giving us 10, 100, 1 million and an infinity of times more than what we deserve.

1. The power given to elected representatives. If Turnball declares war, we’re all at war.

But let’s stop and think for a moment.

Fourthly, we’re united to Adam by physical descent, but we’re united to Christ by faith. See v17

2. Our sports heroes. What do we say when we defeat NZ in the rugby? We smashed em! Did you have anything to do with it? No. But we talk as if we were involved in some way. But it’s not just when we win but when we lose also.

Steve Smith is a good example. We’ve been shamed because of what Steve smith has done.

That’s exactly how God did it!

How much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!

3. At a more personal level. We have “Power of attorney” where a lawyer has to represent a defendant. Or a child has to represent their elderly parent. This is an extremely important representative relationship, especially for our future. Our future can quite literally be in our power of attorney’s hands.

No-one could choose a representative better than God could.

By being born what’s true of Adam is true of us.

For us Aussies, someone standing in for us really rubs us up the wrong way. It’s not fair that I should be judged for what someone else did!

By being born again what’s true of Christ becomes true of us.

It’s extremely proud to think that we could choose a better representative than God.

Also, God didn’t choose Adam, he CREATED Adam TO BE our representative head.

Which humanity do you belong to this morning?

I should have had a chance in the garden myself!

They are similar in that what they have done is transferred to those they represent.

What also rubs us up the wrong way is NOT BEING ABLE TO CHOOSE who our representative head is.

He was perfectly created and designed to act exactly as you, personally, as an individual, would have acted in the same situation.

We cannot say, I would have done a better job, because that would be to claim that you could have been a better representative than God created, or chosen a better representative than God chose.

It’s unfair that Adam is our head when we didn’t choose him!

V18-21.

Adam was the very best of us.

After noting how they are different, how are they similar?

If we are going to give someone ‘power of attorney’ we make sure that we’ve researched them and know they’ll represent us well, that they share our ideals and concerns, that they’re the very best of us.

They are similar in that what they have done is transferred to those they represent.

But let’s stop and think for a moment.

God gave us the right representative head, and we are guilty in Adam, as our power of attorney, because we actually sinned in him.

In what ways does your history and attitudes toward God show that Adam was our perfect representative head?

That’s exactly how God did it!

1. One sin brought condemnation, the gift brought justification (v16)

2. The result of one trespass was condemnation, but the result of one act was justification. (v18)

Right now you’re probably thinking that this sucks.

No-one could choose a representative better than God could.

It’s extremely proud to think that we could choose a better representative than God, or be a better representative than Adam.

You get the logic, but you hate that this is how God did it.

3. Through the disobedience of one man, the many were made sinners; but through the obedience of one man the many will be made righteous.

Do we really think that we would have succeeded where Adam failed?

But this truth that God deals with us in and through our representative head is very good and liberating news.

Isn’t it incredible that Adam was promised blessing if he obeyed, and yet Jesus knew if he obeyed, there would be certain agony and death.

Adam was in a righteous state before he fell but he was capable of becoming unrighteous. However those in Christ are in a righteous state, but are incapable of becoming unrighteous because of the perfect obedience of Christ to the end. Christ’s obedience is our obedience because we are in him. Just as Adam’s sin was our sin because we were in him.

Imagine if you had to represent yourself before God’s heavenly throne room. Now that we have his law, his 10 commandments, we would have no defence at all.

Just think about your life up to this point. Doesn’t your history and your attitudes toward God show that Adam was in fact our perfect representative head?

WHY THE LAW CAME (V20)

Our sin would lead us to death.

Right now you may be thinking. This sucks.

It makes sense logically, but you hate that this is how God did it.

It’s almost as if Paul anticipates the question, you’ve missed out on the other representative head. What about Moses? What about the law. Surely Moses represents humanity that has received the law. Aren’t there benefits for people who are in law?

Just take one of the commands. Don’t lie? Ever broken that one?

It would be over in a moment.

He agrees that the law makes a difference to those who have received it, but in no way a positive sense like those raising this question might expect.

BUT

This truth that God deals with us in and through our representative head is actually incredibly good news.

But instead, we are represented by Adam – we sinned in him and our sin in him as our representative head leads us to death.

The law was added as a side issue, that the trespass might increase. Sin got more visible and it became worse, for now ignorance was no form of defence. Paul is teaching that it is not lack of knowledge that keeps us from obeying God, but rather, lack of willingness and ability. We don’t need to put in more effort, we need a rescue.

Death reigned because in him all of humanity broke God’s command.

But sin, which the law shows up in us, didn’t have the last word. We do not have to die in Adam. God’s grace to humanity is greater than humanity’s rebellion against God. “Where sin increased, grace increased all the more”(v20). In great excess, super abounded. So that where once sin had reigned and all mankind faced death, now grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (v21).

Imagine if you had to represent yourself before God’s heavenly throne room. Now that we have his law, his 10 commandments, you would have no defence at all.

Your sin would lead you to death.

Think of the cross. The worst that sin could do, as humanity crucified Jesus. But at the cross, we also see that the most that sin can do cannot thwart God’s salvation. Grace overwhelms sin and life triumphs over death. The second Adam has the final word. There is no hope without him, but there is certain hope with and in him.

How is this good news?

It’s an absolute no brainer for me.

ADAM AND CHRIST.

Because if there is a second Adam that God chooses, a perfect second Adam, he would be able to our representative head.

God says that he is our judge. Of course he is. Who else could be? Other than our creator?

He could represent us before the heavenly throne room, and through him we could have the life that in Adam or left to ourselves, we could never enjoy.

God is holy. Sin is serious. Sin is the reason this world is saturated in death. In Adam you are guilty of far more than you ever dared believe. If we don’t recognise this, we’ll not experience the joy and freedom God has for you.

God is gracious. His love is incomparable. In Christ you are more accepted and loved than you ever dared hope. If you don’t recognise this, you’ll not experience the joy and freedom God has for you.

It is incredibly amazing news that God deals with us through a representative federal head – because “Adam was a pattern of the one to come.”(14b)

Just take one of the commands. Don’t lie? Ever broken that one?

You have been set free by grace, for the purpose of you living free by grace. Legalism and liberalism both attack freedom and take us back into slavery, resulting in pain.

Federal headship means that we have now received reconciliation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

It would be over in a single moment.

But instead, God doesn’t see us primarily in that way.

We have peace with God that the western individualism that we are soaked in can never offer.

This moves us to the second section. We’ve looked at Adam’s career. Now we’re looking at Christ’s career.

We are represented by Adam – we sinned in him and our sin in him as our representative head leads us to death.

Verse 15-17 contrasts how they are different. 18-21 how they are similar.

Death reigned because in Adam we all broke God’s command.

How is this good news?

First difference: motivation of the act. V15

Because if there is a second Adam that God chooses, a perfect second Adam, he would be able to be our representative head.

15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!

The word for Adam’s act is trespass. Which gives the idea of crossing a known line or boundary. Adam knew where the line was and he deliberately crossed it. It was a self-centred act.

He could represent us before the heavenly throne room, and through him we could have the life that in Adam, or left to ourselves, we could NEVER enjoy.

So it’s incredibly good news that God deals with us through a representative – because as v14 says, “Adam was a pattern of the one to come.”

The word for Christ’s act is free gift. Jesus act was a self-sacrificial act. Jesus didn’t obey in the same way that Adam disobeyed. He went way above and beyond what obedience required. It was an act of compassion. I’m not just going to trust and love God for my own good. I have incredible love to give, and I’m going to empty myself so that it can be poured out for humanity.

Representative headship means that we have now received reconciliation through our Lord Jesus Christ, the one who came in the pattern of Adam.

Second difference: The result of the act. V16

This moves us to the second section. We’ve looked at Adam’s act and it’s effects. Now we’re looking at Christ’s act and it’s effects.

16 Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification.

Verse 15-17 contrasts how they are different. 18-21 how they are similar.

Adam’s act resulted in death. Christ’s act results in life.

The effects of Christ’s deed undo the effects of Adam’s.

First difference: motivation of the acts. V15

Adam’s deed resulted in condemnation, Christ’s in justification.

15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!

The word for Adam’s act is trespass. Which gives the idea of crossing a known line or boundary. Adam knew where the line was and he deliberately crossed it. It was a self-centred act.

Death is the penalty for sin, but Christ removes the guilt and therefore the penalty.

The word for Christ’s act is free gift. Jesus act was a self-sacrificial act. Jesus didn’t obey in the same way that Adam disobeyed. He went way above and beyond what obedience required. It was an act of compassion. I’m not just going to trust and love God for my own good. I have incredible love to give, and I’m going to empty myself so that it can be poured out for humanity.

Third, v17; the scope of the act and way we’re united to them.

17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!

Second difference: The result of the act. V16

16 Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification.

the result of Adam’s sin is that death reigned, but he doesn’t say that in Christ life reigns. He says that we reign ‘in life’.

Before death reigned over us and we were in slavery.

Adam’s act resulted in death. Christ’s act results in life.

Now we are free. We haven’t traded one slavery for another.

The effects of Christ’s action undo the effects of Adam’s.

Adam’s deed resulted in condemnation, Christ’s in justification.

Rather in the new kingdom, we become kings and queens ourselves.

Death is the penalty for sin, but Christ removes the guilt and therefore the penalty.

Christ’s kingship makes us kings. But sin’s kingship makes us slaves.

Third, v17; the scope of the act and way we’re united to them.

The scope of each act is different too. Twice he says “how much more” in v15 and 17. To show us that Christ’s work can completely overwhelm, immerse and thoroughly undo all the effects of Adam’s work.

17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!

Sin vs grace/gift.

Condemnation is an act of justice giving what is deserved.

The result of Adam’s sin is that death reigned, but he doesn’t say that in Christ life reigns. He says that we reign ‘in life’.

Before death reigned over us and we were in slavery.

Our justification is an act of grace, and grace overflows and abounds, giving us 10, 100, 1 million and an infinity of times more than what we deserve.

Now we are free. We haven’t traded one slavery for another.

Fourthly, we’re united to Adam by physical descent, but we’re united to Christ by faith. See v17

How much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!

In the new kingdom of Christ, we become kings and queens ourselves.

By being born what’s true of Adam is true of us.

Christ’s kingship makes us kings. But sin’s kingship makes us slaves.

The scope of each act is different too. Twice he says “how much more” in v15 and 17. To show us that Christ’s work can completely overwhelm and thoroughly undo all the effects of Adam’s work.

By being born again what’s true of Christ becomes true of us.

One act of sin vs one act of grace.

Which humanity do you belong to this morning?

The old humanity initiated by Adam, or the new humanity initiated by Christ?

One act of sin brought condemnation, which is an act of justice giving what is deserved.

One act of grace brought justification is a gift, and grace overflows and abounds, giving us 100, a million, an infinity times more than what we deserve.

V18-21.

Fourthly, we’re united to Adam by physical descent, but we’re united to Christ by faith. See v17

After noting how they are different, how are they similar?

...How much more will those WHO RECEIVE God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!

They are similar in that what they have done is transferred to those they represent.

1. One sin brought condemnation, the gift brought justification (v16)

By being born physically, what’s true of Adam is true of us.

By being born again spiritually, through trusting Jesus, what’s true of Christ becomes true of us.

2. The result of one trespass was condemnation, but the result of one act was justification. (v18)

18 Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people.

Which humanity do you belong to this morning?

3. Through the disobedience of one man, the many were made sinners; but through the obedience of one man the many will be made righteous.

The old humanity initiated by Adam, or the new humanity initiated by Christ?

19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.

V18-21.

Isn’t it incredible that Adam was promised blessing if he obeyed.

After noting how Christ and Adam are different, how are they similar?

And yet Jesus knew if he obeyed, there would be certain agony and death.

They are similar in that what they have done is transferred to those they represent.

18 Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. 19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.

Adam was in a righteous state before he fell but he was capable of becoming unrighteous.

However those in Christ are in a righteous state, but are incapable of becoming unrighteous because of the perfect obedience of Christ to the end.

Isn’t it incredible that Adam was promised blessing if he obeyed.

And yet Jesus knew if he obeyed, there would be certain agony and death.

And this is why this section gives the assurance of verse 1-11 that we looked at last week. Peace with God, access to God, a new eternally healthy body, a heart unaffected by sin, that loves God and others purely, in a new world not subject to death and decay. How do we know for certain we’ll make it?

Christ’s obedience is our obedience because we are in him.

Was it hard for Adam to obey? No.

Just as Adam’s sin was our sin because we were in him.

Was it hard for Jesus to obey? Sweat like drops of blood were coming from his body because of the anguish.

Last week we soaked ourselves in the incredible future hope we have of living eternally in a new world with God and one another, free from sin and death.

WHY THE LAW CAME (V20)

It’s almost as if Paul anticipates the question, you’ve missed out on the other representative head.

This passage gives us 100% assurance that we’ll be there.

How?

What about Moses?

Well we’re different to Adam in this way. Adam was in a righteous state before he fell but he was capable of becoming unrighteous.

What about the law.

Surely Moses represents humanity that has received the law.

However those of us who are in Christ, are in a righteous state, but are incapable of becoming unrighteous.

Why?

Aren’t there benefits for people who are in law?

Because of the perfect obedience of Christ to the end.

He agrees that the law makes a difference to those who have received it, but in no way a positive sense like those raising this question might expect.

The law was added as a side issue, that the trespass might increase.

You’ll get to the end not because you’ll be perfect from here on in. You and I both know that’s not the Christian experience.

Sin got more visible and it became worse, for now ignorance was no form of defence.

We’ll get there because Christ’s obedience is our obedience because we are in him.

Paul is teaching that it is not lack of knowledge that keeps us from obeying God, but rather, lack of willingness and ability.

Just as Adam’s sin was our sin because we were in him.

Paul summaries where we’ve come in verses 20-21. Why did God give us the law? To show us in a crystal clear way the true condition of our hearts deeply infected by sin.

We don’t need to put in more effort, we need a rescue.

But sin, which the law shows up in us, didn’t have the last word.

20 The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase.

We do not have to die in Adam.

We don’t need to put in more effort, we need a rescue.

God’s grace to humanity is greater than humanity’s rebellion against God.

But sin, which the law shows up in us, didn’t have the last word.

“Where sin increased, grace increased all the more”(v20).

But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Increased is a weak work, but it would better to translate this as grace “increased in great excess”, or “super abounded”.

We do not have to die in Adam.

God’s grace to humanity is greater than humanity’s rebellion against God.

So that where once sin had reigned and all mankind faced death, now grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (v21).

“Where sin increased, grace increased all the more”(v20).

Think of the cross.

Increased is a weak work, but it would better to translate this as grace “increased in great excess”, or “super abounded”.

The worst that sin could do, as humanity crucified Jesus.

So that where once sin had reigned and all mankind faced death, now grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (v21).

But at the cross, we also see that the most that sin can do cannot thwart God’s salvation.

Think of the death of Jesus.

Grace overwhelms sin and life triumphs over death.

The second Adam has the final word.

This would have to be the worst that sin could do, leading humanity to crucify Jesus.

There is no hope without him, BUT there is certain hope with and in him.

But at the cross, we also see that the most that sin can do cannot stop God’s salvation.

Grace overwhelms sin and life triumphs over death.

ADAM AND CHRIST. TWO REPRESENTATIVE HEADS

God is holy.

The second Adam has the final word.

There is no hope without him, BUT there is certain hope with and in him.

Sin is serious.

Sin is the reason this world is saturated in death.

TWO REPRESENTATIVE HEADS. ADAM AND CHRIST.

God is holy.

In Adam you are guilty of far more than you ever dared believe.

Sin is serious.

If you don’t recognise this, you’ll not experience the joy and freedom God has for you.

Sin is the reason this world is saturated in death.

God is gracious.

His love is incomparable.

In Adam you are guilty of far more than you ever dared believe.

If you don’t recognise this, you’ll not experience the joy and freedom God has for you.

In Christ you are more accepted and loved than you ever dared hope.

God is gracious.

If you don’t recognise this, you’ll not experience the joy and freedom God has for you.

His love is incomparable.

Are you going to believe the devil’s lie of “the not to be trusted because he doesn’t love me false father”? And let sin and death reign over you?

In Christ you are more accepted and loved than you ever dared hope.

Or will you look to Christ and see that he is indeed “the superabounding gracious and kind Father whose every word can be trusted to be for your good, your life and freedom, now and forever”?

If you don’t recognise this, you’ll not experience the joy and freedom God has for you.

If this is you this morning, I’d love to speak with you about how to receive, as verse 17 says, “this abundant provision of grace and the gift of righteousness.” If you know God is speaking to YOU, drawing you to Christ. Then DO respond.

Let’s pray.

Are you going to believe the devil’s lie that God is “the not to be trusted because he doesn’t love me false father”? And let sin and death reign over you?

Or will you look to Christ and see that he is indeed “the superabounding gracious and kind Father whose every word can be trusted to be for your good, your life and freedom, now and forever”?

If this is you this morning, I’d love to speak with you about how to receive, as verse 17 says, “this abundant provision of grace and the gift of righteousness.” If you know God is speaking to YOU, drawing you to Christ. Then DO respond.

Let’s pray.