(Romans 5:1) Peace for the Outlaw!

Nathan Sehi

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If no one can stand before God based on the Law (Romans 3:20); then we are all outlaws to God. This would be a hopeless and painful way to live. However, the propitiation of Christ (Romans 3:21-25) has purchased us peace with God. This means we have freedom from guilt, wrath, and are bestowed with the Spiritual blessings of God. (Romans 5:1-5) In particular, to verse 1, we should rejoice at the incredible hope we have in Christ. We have found peace with God by faith in Christ.

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INTRODUCTION:

Wyoming is known for many things.… Where known for our fishing, our hunting, our big sky, our mountains, and our outlaws.

What might not be the first, an

However, one that might surprise you

- The Grand Tetons and Yellowstone are the treasured Jems of the country.

Yet, those of us who live in Wyoming know they're far more wonderful sites to see.

Yet, those of us who live in Wyoming no they're far more wonderful sites to see.

- From our own snowy range to the wind River range to the Bighorn basin.

There are wonderful places to see in the State of Wyoming.

Would it surprise you if I called you an outlaw this morning?

Outlaws are sometimes romanticized

{{{As you can tell - I got the Wyoming bug - I love it here}}}}

As I consider our great state,

Wyoming is known for many things - it’s scenic mountains, great fishing, great hunting, the Oregon Trail, and It’s Outlaws.

However, Our vast and rugged country is not only famous because of its beauty but because of its outlaws.

In fact, the famous outlaws -

- Butch Cassidy and the Sundance kid went throughout Wyoming on the run from the law.

Part of Wyoming's history is an illustrious history of outlaws.

- And there many other less famous outlaws who roam through the territory of Wyoming.

In fact, the famous outlaws -

Part of Wyoming's history is an illustrious history of outlaws.

In fact, Butch Cassidy and the Sun Dance Kid hid out in many parts of Wyoming.

>>>>And there were many others.

I Want you to imagine what it must've been like to be Butch Cassidy on the run.

The Great False cliché about outlaws is that >>>>> it's all fun, full of money, and free.

Those people because of their rebellious nature – are often romanticized as being free to do as they please whenever they please.

But every outlaw – had his day in court.

But may I say >>>> every outlaw – had his day in court.

Every Outlaw was only free to run.

The reason there outlaws is because they broken the law and there on the run from the law.

Which means every hole they hid in,

every town they walked into,

every open prairie they crossed –

They always had to be looking for the law man who was coming out to get them.

The constant fear

the constant going and moving around

the constant sleepless nights because you were afraid you would be ambushed.

Can be an exhausting prison sentence in its own right.

Despite all the romanticized books and movies about Butch Cassidy – I'm not sure it would've been that great of a life to live like Butch Cassidy did; free and on the run

free and on the run

But I want to talk about a different outlaw this morning.

Sometimes Butch Cassidy as romanticized as a free Spirit, but I am not sure being chased by the Law is really that free.

However, this morning, I would like to talk about a different outlaw.

- You and me and everyone in the world.

- One that might surprise you.

You, and me.

- I contend that we are all outlaws to God this morning.

If you recall, Paul says in -

I contend the were all outlaws this morning.

Not outlaws from the human governments, but outlaws from God.

You see, every one of us has broken God's law.

Romans 3:20 ESV

20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

- Which means the law man is on our trail and one day we will have our day in court.

Which means the law man is on our trail and one day we will have our day in court.

Between now and then, in a sense were free to roam, and have fun. But it's really a prison sentence in itself.

But it's really a prison sentence in itself.

Because every day we walk around,

every morning we wake up and look at the sun,

we have gambled whether the law man was going to capture us.

Guilt can be a powerful powerful reality in our lives.

>It leaves us on edge,

>causes us to feel shame and despair.

>and it’s victims are utterly exhausted from running.

>Never-mind it’s legal consequences - God’s Eternal Judgement in the Lake of Fire.

Just like I wouldn’t want to be Butch Cassidy –

Being outlaw to God is not that great of a life;

Being free and on the run from God - isn’t as romantic as it sounds.

However,

(EXPLANATION_

On the run from Guilt and Wrath is

- a sad,

- depressing,

- horrible way to live.

In no way does the pleasures of sin

>>>>>outweigh a peaceful life with God.

And being an outlaw means there's no hope.

What hope does an outlaw have when he is captured and hung?

>>>> He has none – because the guilty will receive their day in court.

- They have no choice except to run from the law forever.

What hope does an outlaw of God have when he stands before his judgment?

We have none because we are doomed.

He has none – because the guilty will receive their day in court.

- They have no choice except to run from the law forever.

They have no choice except to run from the law forever.

- if we asked Butch Cassidy if he could take it all back

- if we offered him a way to pay for those crimes he had commited and live a peaceful life>>>>> would he take it?

But I wonder,

If Butch Cassidy could have had a way to start over?

A Way out of a hanging - would he have taken it?

(TRANSITION TO PERSONAL REFLECTION)

What if I could give you hope?

What if I could tell you there was a way to have peace with God?

What if I could promise to you away not to be an outlaw from God?

What if I could tell you away to make peace with God?

It is with great joy, I share with you this morning .

This morning I would like to share with you how you can have peace with God!

Romans 5:1–2 ESV

1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Romans 5:1 ESV

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

Romans 5:1 ESV

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

Romans 5:1 ESV

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

Romans 5:1–3 ESV

Romans

According to ,

PROP: We Should Look to Christ for our Peace with God.

TRANS: And our text answers two questions about finding Peace with God.

The two questions we are going to ask this morning from our text is -

1) How do we get peace with God?

2) What does it mean to have peace with God?

and we will look at -

How do we get peace with God?

What it means to have peace with God?

So first,

1) How do we get peace with God?

How do we get peace with God?

It is one thing to wish you had peace with God, it's another thing to obtain peace with God.

We must consider what it is like to stand before a Holy and Just God.

Isaiah - one of God’s great prop

And may I point us to Isaiah - when one of God’s prophets stood before God.

Isaiah 6:1–5 ESV

1 In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” 4 And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. 5 And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”

Isaiah 6:15

Paul concluded in -

What can we learn from Isaiah 6?

And the first step

Romans 3:23 ESV

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Rom

To be honest - Something we could figure out from Creation;

What every person should know if they looked at the world- even the person who has never read their Bible - we can’t stand before God.

The fallen, disease stricken, sin infested world we live in should teach us about our basic problem we have - we can’t stand before God.

But what about Good works?

Could we do enough good to earn the right to stand before God?

Many places in the world still live in idolatry.

Places in China, Asia, Australia, and Africa.

You get peace with God by trying to appease them.

but may I say

If I can simply appease my God, then I can have peace with God.

Which means we all have a

If you recall the South American mission work by Jim Elliott; he was reaching a culture that believed in appeasing God's.

The problem with that system:

Negatively - what does it take for a holy and just God to forgive you of your sins?

and Positively - what does it take to stand in good standing before God?

You could summarize all religions besides Christianity this way -

You have to earn your peace with God.

You have to earn your eternal life.

But Isaiah teaches us that; there is no good work that will help us be able to stand before God.

Nevertheless, reminds us that there is no good work that will help us be able to stand before God.

If you've ever spent time with someone who grew up in India; they will eventually talk about a caste system.

He is Holy and Just -

Based on your birth – you're born into a cast.

And that caste determines your relationship with God.

Peace with God is obtained by dying and being reborn into a higher caste system.

Many places in the world still live by the old idolatry system.

Even, teaches us -

Places in China, Asia, Australia, and Africa.

You get peace with God by trying to appease them.

If I can simply appease my God that I can have peace with God.

If you recall the South American mission work by Jim Elliott; he was reaching a culture that believed in appeasing God's.

The problem with that system:

Negatively - what does it take for a holy and just God to forgive you of your sins?

and Positively - what does it take to stand in good standing before God?

Romans 3:20 ESV

20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

In fact, most religions can fit in this basic category -

You have to earn your peace with God.

You have to earn your eternal life.

In , Paul has dealt multiple times with the person who thinks he can earn his way to Heaven.

Thinking

But

So the first necessary step to peace with God is -

a) Obtaining Justification.

In India you obtain peace with God by having the right social class.

If you've ever spent time with someone who grew up in India; they will eventually talk about a caste system.

Based on your birth – you're born into a cast.

And that caste determines your relationship with God.

Peace with God is obtained by dying and being reborn into a higher caste system.

Because we are sinners; we don’t have access to God.

We don’t even have peace with God.

In fact,

Romans 1:18 ESV

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.

reminds us - that we are outlaws to God.

We are under the judgement of God.

So we are in desperate need for someone to, make us righteous.

Many places in the world still live by the old idolatry religious system.

Places in China, Asia, Australia, and Africa.

You get peace with God by trying to appease them.

If I can simply appease my God that I can have peace with God.

Trusting in God’s Love (rather than dwelling our guilt/shame)

If you recall the South American mission work by Jim Elliott; he was reaching a culture that believed in appeasing God's.

The problem with that system:

Negatively - what does it take for a holy and just God to forgive you of your sins?

We need someone to justify us before God.

and Positively - what does it take to stand in good standing before God?

In fact, most religions can fit in this basic category -

That means to make us righteous before God.

You have to earn your peace with God.

You have to earn your eternal life.

In , Paul has dealt multiple times with the person who thinks he can earn his way to Heaven.

We cannot stand on our own - because we are sinners under God’s anger.

Something that can take away our sins,

and give us the good works that make us worthy to stand before God.

Thinking

So how do we get the peace of God - if we can justify ourselves.

>>>>> How do you obtain justification - if you can’t earn it?

There is the crux of our problem.

That is why we are outlaws - because the debt of our sin makes us outlaws to God without hope.

I said a few minutes ago - all other religions in the world can be summarized as an attempt to earn your right to stand before God.

But Isaiah - God’s own prophet couldn’t.

In fact, Paul is teaching us in that none of us can stand before God.

Again, He summarizes this in -

Romans 3:23 ESV

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 3:20 ESV

20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

So how do we get justification without earning it?

Paul answered that in -

Romans 3:21–25 ESV

21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.

So we need justification - and as summarizes; it must come by faith.

And may I say - it is through faith, and through Christ.

summarizes what he introduces in .

Romans 3:21–25 ESV

So how do you get

So summarizes what teaches - peace with God comes by faith.

b) Through Faith

Romans 5:1 ESV

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

What does it mean to be justified by faith?

The original word behind “faith” here, can also be translated belief or trust.

And we have to keep that in mind.

How do we get peace with God?

We do that by placing our trust in God's work and not our own.

At the most basic level, the gospel is about us realizing we can't earn our salvation;

The most basic level, the gospel is about us realizing we can't earn our salvation;

So we trust God to accomplish what we cannot earn.

We trust God to give mercy when we deserve wrath.

We trust God to to declare us righteous enough to stand before him (the meaning of justification)

[[[[[[This is all by faith and not by good works. () ]]]]]]]]

But what are we believing in?

- It is one thing to say you must be justified

- it is another thing to say you must be justified by faith

But then question we must ask – is what are we required to believe?

We must believe that our peace with God comes -

c) Through Jesus

Romans 5:1 ESV

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

Justification comes by our belief in Jesus.

This is not simply believing in the name of Jesus.

When Paul says it comes through our Lord Jesus Christ – he doesn't mean you simply have to chant his name.

Matthew 7:21 ESV

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

So, simply chanting the name of Jesus does mean you trust in Jesus.

May I dare say, not every person who claims Jesus, the Gospel, or Christianity - is actually a follower a Christ.

Because our use of Jesus’s name must be more then a chant.

Instead that is to be a reference to the whole hearts trusting in the Work of Jesus Christ..

Remember, Paul As already defined what it means to be justified by faith through Jesus.

He's summarizing what he is already taught in a short sentence.

If you recall –

Romans 3:25 ESV

25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.

In Other words,

justification comes by trusting in the death and shedding of Christ’s blood for the forgiveness of sin.

So I ask you – how do you get the peace of God?

Every religion who says you must earn your salvation is dead wrong.

What makes Christianity different is not about you earning your salvation; it's about you believing in what God has already done for you.

{{{Literally Christianity is the opposite of every other religion out there.}}}}

So as the verse goes, Let God be true and everyone else a liar.

As we consider the tenants of the Reformation -

I think it's instructive for us to remember what the Reformation believed –

The Reformation consisted particularly of the belief that salvation comes

By Christ alone

by faith alone

by grace alone

Faith alone

How did the Protestant churches come up with those ideas?

Christ alone

It wasn't the invention of man.

It wasn't the invention of man >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> After all - our natural logic says you must earn your salvation with good works.

Man's logic says you must earn your salvation with good works.

grace alone

Instead it started with Martin Luther sitting down and reading the book of Romans.

And while sitting in a Catholic monastery, which taught you had to earn your way to heaven -

And then he read these words in .

He read these words in .

Romans 1:17 ESV

17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

Romans 3:21 ESV

21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—

In that moment, Martin Luther understood what Paul was trying to say.

- We can’t earn our salvation.

- We can’t justify ourselves.

It comes - by faith alone, grace alone, and Christ alone.

May I contend,

Martin Luther reading romans - came to believe.

Sitting in a Catholic Church, “Christian Church, believing he need to earn enough works to get to heaven.

And read these words and realized - it didn’t come by good works, but by faith, by trust, by belief.

Reformation centered

that any other belief is not Christian.

As we consider the tenants of the Reformation -

Whether -

Faith alone

Catholic

Christ alone

Mormon

grace alone

Muslim

Eastern Religions

paganism

Or your own self-righteousness

None of those can give you peace with God;

because they are all about you earning your salvation.

But teaches - justification comes by faith through Jesus alone.

May I phrase it this way -

We are all outlaws to God - we all have broken his Law.

And - I promised peace with God to every outlaw this morning.

I promised peace with God to every outlaw this morning.

So we have asked the question - How do you get peace with God?

- You don’t trust in your salvation.

How does an outlaw to God - get peace with the judge of the World?

- You don’t trust in your salvation.

- You trust by Faith in Christ to give you peace with God.

Romans 5:1 ESV

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

So we have asked the question - How do you have peace with God?

But ,

2) What does it mean to have peace with God?

I want to go back to Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

and consider Is being an outlaw really that great?

and

I want to go back to Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

Is the outlaws life - really that great.

Is it really a life free to do whatever you want.

Being an outlaw meant,

- Always looking over your shoulder.

>>>>Every valley, every town, every canyon.

- It meant never living in one place;

>>> Not a nice RV, but a tent on horseback.

>>>> It means having no friends - so it was a lonely life.

- It meant never getting a good night sleep, for fear of being ambushed.

When all considered - I wouldn’t want be Butch Cassidy.

I wouldn’t want be Butch Cassidy.

Always having to look over shoulder.

But,

Just like I wouldn’t want to be Butch Cassidy –

Being outlaw to God is not that great of a life;

Being free and on the run from God - isn’t as romantic as it sounds.

(EXPLANATION_

We could make a point about how much sins costs,

a) Freedom from Guilt and Shame.

But we must also consider that being

On the run from Guilt and Wrath is

- a sad,

- depressing,

- horrible way to live.

In no way does the pleasures of sin

>>>>>outweigh a peaceful life with God.

Further, being an outlaw means there's no hope.

What hope does an outlaw have was when captured and hung?

What hope does an outlaw of God have when he stands before his judgment?

In fact, that is the deception of sin.

>>>> He has none – because the guilty will receive their day in court.

- They have no choice except to run from the law forever.

That somehow living a life of sin is a more pleasurable life.

But a life of lawlessness-

is really a prison sentence in itself.

We have already said that and read .

Romans 3:20 ESV

20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

Yet,

- Which means the law man is on our trail and one day we will have our day in court.

Hebrews 9:27 ESV

27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,

- Between now and then, in a sense were free to roam, and have fun.

But it's really a prison sentence in itself.

Because every day we walk around,

every morning we wake up and look at the sun,

we have gambled whether the law man was going to capture us.

May I say - peace with God means -

a) Freedom from God’s Wrath.

Remember,

Hebrews 9:27 ESV

27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,

Revelation 20:11–15 ESV

11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. 13 And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. 14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Romans 1:17 ESV

17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

Peace with God means we are no longer under the wrath of God.

But Further,

Peace with God means -

b) Freedom from Guilt and Shame.

Guilt can be a powerful powerful reality in our lives.

>It leaves us on edge,

>causes us to feel shame and despair.

>and it’s victims are utterly exhausted from running.

I think of Ezra and his shame.

Ezra 9:6 ESV

6 saying: “O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift my face to you, my God, for our iniquities have risen higher than our heads, and our guilt has mounted up to the heavens.

Or more famous, David and his shame.

Psalm 51:1–3 ESV

1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.

Guilt can be an imprisonment,

Guilt can feel like a 1000 pound weight on our shoulders.

And -

>Never-mind it’s legal consequences - God’s Eternal Judgement in the Lake of Fire.

Revelation 20:11–15 ESV

Just like I wouldn’t want to be Butch Cassidy –

Being outlaw to God is not that great of a life;

But what this text promises -

Being free and on the run from God - isn’t as romantic as it sounds.

Is freedom from God’s guaranteed punishment.

(EXPLANATION_

It is freedom from living in guilt over our sin.

Because I know all of us are sinners, I also

On the run from Guilt and Wrath is

know all of us have sin we regret.

- a sad,

We all have sin we wish we could change or forget.

But

- depressing,

I know many of us have

Look at the wonderful hope in your text this morning -

But what if I told you - That if we trust by faith alone that Christ

- horrible way to live.

Romans 5:1 ESV

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

In no way does the pleasures of sin

>>>>>outweigh a peaceful life with God.

- We no longer have to feel like our sin is higher then our heads.

- We no longer have to feel like we can never get past our sin.

Further, being an outlaw means there's no hope.

Because those who trust in the Gospel of Jesus Christ - have been given peace with God.

It is like an outlaw being told you are pardoned.

What hope does an outlaw have was when captured and hung?

Oh, what great news that is.

What wonderful hope we now have in Christ.

What hope does an outlaw of God have when he stands before his judgment?

You no longer have to be on the run.

Instead you can live at peace with God.

>>>> He has none – because the guilty will receive their day in court.

I imagine - you were Butch Cassidy - you would have been jumping for you to know that you no longer have to run from the Law.

- They have no choice except to run from the law forever.

We should be overjoyed - that through Christ we have peace with God.

Think about that.

CONCLUSION:

Rest in that truth today.

I wonder,

Jesus said -

Matthew 11:28–30 ESV

28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

If you feel guilt today - Then look to Jesus.

>>>>> He is the one who brings our broken souls peace with God.

This is one of the many truths that we should wake up every day and remind ourselves of.

This is one of the many truths of the Gospel - that I think we should wake up everyday and remind ourselves of.

I challenge us today,

>>> Those who have faith in Jesus - have peace with God.

- if we asked Butch Cassidy if he could take it all back

I challenge us today,

PROP: We Should Look to Christ for our Peace with God.

- if we offered him a way to pay for those crimes he had commited and live a peaceful life>>>>> would he take it?

We look at - how to have peace with God?

There is nothing greater to

What if I could promise to you away not to be an outlaw from God?

What if I could tell you away to make peace with God?

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Related Sermons

(Romans 5:1) Peace for the Outlaw!

PROP: We Should Look to Christ for our Peace with God.

TRANS: And our text answers two questions about finding Peace with God.

1) How do we get peace with God?

a) Obtaining Justification.

b) Through Faith

c) Through Jesus

2) What does it mean to have peace with God?

a) Freedom from Guilt and Shame.

​

a) Freedom from God’s Wrath.

b) Freedom from Guilt and Shame.