ROMANS 5 PT 2 // THE TRUTH ABOUT CHRISTIANS

LAST WEEK

We looked at a Glorious Perspective in the beginning of

We saw what the Gospel is able to produce within the life of a believer

We were encouraged to see things with a Gospel Perspective

You should check out the message online.

THIS WEEK

We are going to look at the Truth about Ourselves

We are going to take a long hard look in the mirror, and allow the truths about who we are to give us fresh vision for others.

Did you know that this is possible?

HOW YOU VIEW YOURSELF CAN DRASTICALLY EFFECT HOW YOU SEE OTHERS.

WHAT YOU KNOW IS TRUE ABOUT YOU, CAN EFFECT YOUR GOSPEL IMPACT.

IN ORDER FOR US TO HAVE THE RIGHT PERSPECTIVE OF OTHERS, WE MUST RECOGNIZE A FEW THINGS ABOUT OURSELVES.

ASK: WHEN YOU REFLECT ON YOUR LIFE, DO YOU FOCUS MORE ON YOUR OPPORTUNITIES OR YOUR SUCCESSES?

Do we see flaws?

Or do we choose to ignore that?

Do we only see the Good?

Is that what defines us?

Do we look at ourselves in such a way, that automatically makes us Jealous of others?

What car they drive

What they wear

The lifestyle they have built for themselves

Whether we like it or not, what we believe about ourselves speaks to how we will see others.

It effects how we see the world

When the Gospel is the lens through which we see people, our perspective reaches its greatest potential.

WHAT DO I MEAN?

What does tell us about how we should view the world?

TURN TO ROMANS 5

ROMANS 5:12-

Romans 5:12–21 NKJV

12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—13 (For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. 15 But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. 16 And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. 17 For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) 18 Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous. 20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, 21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

PRAY

IM GOING TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT TODAY

IN ORDER TO FULLY GRASP THIS IM GOING TO UNPACK VERSES 13-17 FIRST.

THEN COME BACK TO 12, 19-21

ROMANS 5:12

LETS READ VERSE 12

Romans 5:13–17 NKJV

13 (For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. 15 But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. 16 And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. 17 For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.)

Romans 5:12–17 NKJV

12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—13 (For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. 15 But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. 16 And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. 17 For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.)

Romans 5:12–13 NKJV

12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—13 (For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law.

Before we get into the details of , want to refresh your memory a little bit.

Remember in Chapter 4, when Paul reminded us about Abraham

How He believed God and it was accounted to him as righteousness, before righteousness was even a thing?

In the same manner, Adam confirms the existence of sin, before the law was even a thing.

Before the law was given

Before Moses

Before the sacrificial system

Adam was

Adam sinned

Adam introduced Humanity to the consequences of Sin when the Written Law was absent.

Because of Adam’s disobedience, death became a thing

It wasn’t a surprise, it was something that God tried to prevent

Genesis 2:17 NKJV

17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

Because we are all descendants of Adam and Eve

This curse was passed down to all of humanity

Sin and Death Held the longest winning streak ever

They were undefeated

They reigned over all of man

They were the undisputed champion over life

Until Jesus Came

Someone say “Until Jesus Came”

When Jesus came

His Perfect and Sinless Life changed death forever

The Work on the Cross dismantled Death forever

The Empty grave rendered Death powerless forever.

In Adam we all die. But in Jesus, we shall all live!

Romans 5:13 NKJV

13 (For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law.

So how do we reconcile the last part of verse 13?

What does it mean when it says that “Sin is not imputed when there is no law?”

I believe that what Paul is trying to convey is this:

Since the Fall

Humanity has followed a sinful pattern

The Fall gave humanity permission, ability, and the curiosity to sin.

Without a set of rules to govern Adam and his people

They continued to challenge God’s Authority

Adam, in the Garden, questioned God’s Oral Instruction

Though Sin was not imputed, because there was no law

We know there was still consequences in disobedience

We know that

In , we see the consequences of sin

More work. More pain. More death.

For The Wages of sin have and will always bring Death

Though disobedience may not look like sin, disobeying God’s Word is still missing the mark

It is still a sin.

Romans 5:14 NKJV

14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come.

Romans 5:14

This is why Paul then shifts to that reality

Though there was no law, Sin introduced Humanity to the ultimate consequence of their disobedience . . . DEATH

From Adam to Moses, Death Reigned

What does this mean?

It points to the sinfulness of all of humanity

From Adam to Moses everyone sinned

Normally we think of 12 Chapters in Genesis as a span of about 20-50 years . . . .

Can anybody guess the amount of time between the Fall of Adam, and the induction of Moses?

For close to 2400 years

Humanity was in sinful rebellion

Exploring their curiosity

Doing what was abominable before the Lord

However, whenever, whoever you sinned with

Humanity was enslaved to Death

Humanity was mastered by death

Had no real solution for Death

So what did God do about it?

He introduced the Law, to help us realize how far we had departed from what He desired.

He introduced the sacrificial system, to help the Jewish people through the process of Faith

But even this system was exhausted

Humanity continued to sin for another 1600 years before a different solution was presented.

A solution that would fix humanity forever

Where the Fall brought more work, more pain, and more death

Jesus brought less work, less pain, and more life!

Check out how Paul describes it.

It involves

Romans 5:15-

Romans 5:15–17 NKJV

15 But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. 16 And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. 17 For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.)

But the Gift of Salvation, is not like the offense

For if by one man’s offense many died

How much greater is the grace of God?

How much greater is the Gift that comes through Jesus?

How much more does this Gift abound in worth?

This Gift

The Gift of the Good News

Is not like the gift that Adam gave us

Think about it

How crazy is it that one man’s disobedience introduced pain & death

One man’s decision to rebel, introduced a wedge between the Creator and Creation

One man’s questioning of God’s Authority brought Judgement and Condemnation.

One man’s questioning of God’s Authority brought Judgement and Condemnation.

But the gift that God is presenting to us, comes from the reality of our spiritual need.

It comes from our need of a savior because of the abundance of our offenses

In other words, because we are so sinful, God decided to gift us with an exemplary Messiah named Jesus.

This Gift is different from what we inherited

This Gift is different from what we deserved

Instead of resulting in Death

It results in Justification.

For if by one man’s offense, death reigned through the one.

How much more will life reign through Jesus Christ?

How much greater is it for those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness that comes through what Jesus did on the Cross?

This is a glimpse of what God has done for all of Humanity

However, for us to activate this truth, it needs to hurt a little

We need to see ourselves as the reason for the switch

We need to see ourselves as the criminal

We need to see ourselves as the depraved

Now let’s revisit Verse 12,19

Romans 5:12 NKJV

12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—

Romans 5:18 NKJV

18 Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life.

Romans 5:19

CHURCH, WE NEED TO REALIZE THAT WE WERE CONDEMNED PEOPLE

WE NEED TO REALIZE THAT WE WERE ALSO GUILTY & WITHOUT A SAVIOR

WE NEED TO LOOK IN THE MIRROR, AND CONFRONT OUR SINFULNESS

WE NEED TO RECOGNIZE, THAT OUR OFFENSES NAILED JESUS TO THE CROSS.

Though we inherited this sinful nature

“HAS ANYTHING CHANGED”

Most of us will realize that we are in dyer need of Jesus

Though we inherited Judgement, Condemnation, and Guilt

Most of us will realize that we still struggle

Because of the love that God has for us

Because of the unity between the Father and the Son

Most of us will admit that we need more resurrection power

Because of the obedience that Jesus lived out here on earth

Because of the one righteous act

Of an innocent man being crucified for Guilty Humanity

The Free Gift has come to all men

Not resulting in Death

But in Justification of Life!

Romans 5:19–21 NKJV

19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous. 20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, 21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

CHURCH, THIS IS SUCH A MIND BLOWING TRANSACTION

THAT THE CURSE OF ADAM THAT REIGNED FOR SO LONG

Would effect so many people

It would define all of humanity

We fit right in with all of humanity

This is what we are born with

No matter what it looks like

We are born sinners

I am a straight sinner

I am a conservative sinnner

Cursed unto death.

I am a legalistic sinner

I am a self righteous sinner

I am a gay sinner

I am a liberal sinner

I am a depressed sinner

I am an anxious sinner

I am an idolatrous sinner

THOUGH THIS UNDEFEATED STREAK CONTINUED TO RIDDLE HUMANITY WITH DEFEAT

THE STORY DOES NOT END THERE

When Humanity thought it couldn’t get any worse, God presented the law

When Humanity thought it couldn’t get any worse, God presented the law

To point us to our utter need of a Savior

To point us to how far we had been separated from Him

To allow that truth to sting a little.

When the offense abounded in power and condemnation

Grace was presented that forgiveness and justification would render the offense powerless.

As we read last week

While we were weak . . .

While we were sinners . . .

Christ died for the ungodly

Though we were cursed by our ancestors

THE PERSON AND WORK OF JESUS CHRIST FLIPS THE SCRIPT ON THE CURSE

Romans 5:20–21 NKJV

20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, 21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

MUCH MORE THAN THAT

AFTER ADAM CAME MOSES

WE WERE INTRODUCED TO THE LAW

THIS DRASTICALLY DECREASED OUR SPIRITUAL WORTH

THIS BROUGHT A DEEPER SENSE OF DEFEAT

THIS MADE IT CLEAR THAT OUR OFFENSES WERE ABOUNDING

BUT JESUS . . .

CAN SOMEBODY SAY “BUT JESUS”

THE PERSON AND WORK OF JESUS CHRIST FLIPS THE SCRIPT ON THE CURSE

YES, SIN ABOUNDED

YES, DEATH REIGNED

YES, WE WERE DESTINED TO HELL

BUT GRACE ABOUNDED ALL THE MORE

When the Veil was torn

When access was given

When payment was made in full

GRACE ABOUNDED ALL THE MORE

As sin reigned in death

So now, Grace reigns through our righteous standing provided by the righteous act of One Man.

GRACE DEFEATED DEATH FOREVER

HOW SHOULD THIS EFFECT YOU?

YOU MIGHT LOOK IN THE MIRROR AND NOT LIKE WHAT YOU SEE

YOU MIGHT LOOK IN THE MIRROR AND BE PLEASED

BUT IF YOU LOOK LONG ENOUGH

YOU WILL REALIZE A TRUTH THAT IS AS TRUE AS THE SUN

YOU ARE NOT WHAT YOU USED TO BE, BUT YOU ARE YET TO BE WHO GOD DESIRES YOU TO BE

In Christ you are a new Creation

A Masterpiece that is not yet Finished

A work in progress

Though this speaks to your imperfection

At the end of that self reflection

You should always end with a smile.

Why?

Because you are worth it

You have value

You are loved by the most high God

No one can take that away

No one can devalue that

This should cause your countenance shine like the Glory of God that is working in you.