Benefits of Following Jesus

Chapter 5 of Romans is rich with life-changing truth. Paul writes it with an air of excitement. After clearly explaining how we are saved, he now focuses on the results of justification by faith.

Romans 5:1–11 NIV84

1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. 6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! 10 For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

I. Key Words

Peace

Access

Grace

Hope

Love

Saved

We

II. The Benefits of Believing

1. We have peace with God. (vs 1)

Romans 5:1 NIV

1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

Romans 1:1 NIV

1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God—

2. We have access to God. (vs 2) (; Heb 4:14-16)

Romans 5:2 NIV

2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.

Romans 1:2 NLT

2 God promised this Good News long ago through his prophets in the holy Scriptures.

Luke 23:45 NIV

45 for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two.

Hebrews 4:14–16 NIV

14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Luke

3. We have a hope in life. (v 2b) (Col 3:4)

Romans 5:2 NIV84

2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

Romans 5:2 NIV

2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.

Colossians 3:4 NIV

4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

4. Our problems take on a new purpose. (vs 3-4)(, )

Romans 5:3–4 NIV84

3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Romans 8:28 NIV84

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

2 Corinthians 4:16–18 NIV84

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

God’s Purpose for my Life: To Make You Like Jesus.

God’s Maturing Process

A. Suffering

B. Perseverance

Patience or Endurance.

C. Character

D. Hope (; )

1 Peter 1:6–7 NLT

6 So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. 7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

James 1:2 NLT

2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.

5. We are given God’s love through the Holy Spirit. (vs 5)

Romans 5:5 NIV84

5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

What’s the proof of God’s Love (Rom 5:6-8,10)

Romans 5:6–8 NIV84

6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:10 NIV84

10 For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!

v6 - “while we were powerless”

v8 - “while we were still sinners”

v10 - “while we were His enemies”

6. We are saved through Jesus. (vs 9-10; ; ; )

Romans 5:9–10 NIV84

9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! 10 For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!

Jude 24 NLT

24 Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault.

John 10:27–29 NLT

27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, 29 for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand.

John 10:27-

Romans 8:15 NIV

15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”

John 10:27

Romans 7:24–25 NLT

24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? 25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.

III. How Should We Respond to All That God has Given us? (vs. 11)

Romans 5:11 NIV84

11 Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.