2020-05-10 Romans 5.15-17
Notes
Transcript
15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if by the one man’s trespass the many died, how much more have the grace of God and the gift which comes through the grace of the one man Jesus Christ overflowed to the many.
16 And the gift is not like the one man’s sin, because from one sin came the judgment, resulting in condemnation, but from many trespasses came the gift, resulting in justification.
17 Since by the one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive the overflow of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.
I. Jesus has changed everything.
I. Jesus has changed everything.
15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if by the one man’s trespass the many died, how much more have the grace of God and the gift which comes through the grace of the one man Jesus Christ overflowed to the many.
A. We begin with the world of brokenness around us.
A. We begin with the world of brokenness around us.
15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if by the one man’s trespass the many died, how much more have the grace of God and the gift which comes through the grace of the one man Jesus Christ overflowed to the many.
Illus: I began this series through Romans 5 to highlight what scripture says about living in a world of death. With the Coronavirus causing both physical and economic havoc in our country, I thought it was important to answer the question of how things like the coronavirus could exsist with a sovereign God.
Today is mother’s day. It is a day where we celebrate the joy of motherhood and specifically pray over the new life God has brought to our church over the last year.
On this mother’s day, death has reared it’s ugly head. Today we are having to dedicate babies virtually. They can’t be here, and even even if we waited for the church to open, I would not dare place that many young families in close proximity on the stage. An unknown virus, a symptom of the world of death, has affected this holiday for countless young moms.
On this mother’s day, death has reared it’s ugly head. For many here today, Mother’s day is a day of sorrow. Perhaps you have lost your wife, or your mom. No matter how old the were, it will feel too soon.
On this mother’s day, death has reared it’s ugly head. One of greatest heartaches on this holiday are the young families who are struggling with fertility. Within the past year you may have lost a baby, have miscarried, or have even longed and tried unsuccessfully for a child. Today is not a joyous day, but a day when you sit in sorrow.
On this mother’s day, death has reared it’s ugly head. We mourn today with our community over the passing of a high school senior lost in a tragic car accident.
On this mother’s day, death has reared it’s ugly head. We mourn with our African American brothers and sisters over a man gunned down for simply taking a jog. How many mothers within our community worry at night over whether their son will be the next statistic.
Death has reared it’s ugly head and is on full display today.
Last week I made the case that these are not odd days, but instead the days we are living in are normal for a world of death.
As long as we live in this broken world, we will continue to see experience death and destruction.
12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, in this way death spread to all people, because all sinned.
13 In fact, sin was in the world before the law, but sin is not charged to a person’s account when there is no law.
14 Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who did not sin in the likeness of Adam’s transgression. He is a type of the Coming One.
B. The world of death will in no way compare to the glory of God’s world of life.
B. The world of death will in no way compare to the glory of God’s world of life.
15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if by the one man’s trespass the many died, how much more have the grace of God and the gift which comes through the grace of the one man Jesus Christ overflowed to the many.
Illus: Looking at the sting of death, there should be apart of us which says… it shouldn’t be this way. Our souls should ache for a freedom from death.
I want to give you hope today.
In spite of the sting you feel. In spite of the pain of loss, death, infertility, miscarriage, and wickedness, a day is coming where those things will be no more.
Notice the wording in verse 15 HOW MUCH MORE.
No matter how bad the pain you are feeling today is, the grace and gift of God’s new world will be exponentially more wonderful than the death we now face.
That is why I want to give you hope. Hope is not blind. Hope does not pretend that everything is ok right now. In fact, hope is realistic, it says things are not ok right now.
In that realism, hope looks forward. It says, even though I live in a world of death, even though I experience the world of death, I know that God’s world of life is coming.
It is in hope that you look forward, believing that God will make all things new, and all things right.
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us.
19 For the creation eagerly waits with anticipation for God’s sons to be revealed.
II. Big word: Justification.
II. Big word: Justification.
16 And the gift is not like the one man’s sin, because from one sin came the judgment, resulting in condemnation, but from many trespasses came the gift, resulting in justification.
A. Sin brings judgement. It brought death.
A. Sin brings judgement. It brought death.
16 And the gift is not like the one man’s sin, because from one sin came the judgment, resulting in condemnation, but from many trespasses came the gift, resulting in justification.
Illus: I want to be careful in what I say here...
There is a false causality that if you live a good life then you will experience worldly ease, where as if you are dealing with the pain of the world, you have obviously done something wrong.
That is hogwash straight from the pits of hell through the mouths of false teachers and televangelists.
What the bible teaches is that as sin came into this world at the beginning of time, this world came under judgment and death. Just as death reigned over the first humans, the world of death continued to spread because every person sins.
This world is hard wired to produce death.
Death does not look at virtue or goodness, it ravages wherever it can.
When the bible says that the enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy, know that it is happening today.
In death, in judgment, we are hopeless. No matter the innovations with health and technology, we are still plagued by the original foe.
This is why our hope cannot be in our ability to master death, but in God who will destroy death.
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
B. God brought the gift of the gospel. The result is justification.
B. God brought the gift of the gospel. The result is justification.
16 And the gift is not like the one man’s sin, because from one sin came the judgment, resulting in condemnation, but from many trespasses came the gift, resulting in justification.
Illus: Justification is built on the idea that you are a sinful broken person.
Justification does not pretend that you are good. It does not leave room for you making God happy.
Justification begins with the understanding that you can’t fix yourself.
Since you can’t fix yourself, you need a substitute. Jesus Christ.
Justification is Jesus declaring you righteous because he lived and died in your place.
Justification is Jesus being the perfect life in your place so you won’t have to live eternally in the world of death.
23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
24 They are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
II. Embrace the gift of righteousness and life.
II. Embrace the gift of righteousness and life.
17 Since by the one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive the overflow of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.
A. You were born into death, but God is ready to give you life and righteousness.
A. You were born into death, but God is ready to give you life and righteousness.
Illus:Today I want to give you the opportunity to experience justification. I want to experience God declaring your righteous.
Jesus is ready to be the perfect substitute for you so that you can step into a new world not bound by death, but instead life.
Jesus is ready to give you the hope of a new life. The hope of a eternal life .
The gospel is not about anything you do, but instead about what God has done.
My hope is that you would embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ.
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us,
5 made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace!