I Know He's All Right

What does it mean to say that God is Good?

1. Christ Died at the Right Time (v.6)

The saints used to say, and it is also in song, “he may not come when you want him but he’s always right time”. Jesus came at the right time. All of the societal conditions where just right, the political conditions where just right, the religious conditions were just right, the human conditions were just right. Rome was prototypical of militarized Empire colonialism, Greece was prototypical of ethnocentrism, Pharisees were prototypical Religious hypocrisy, Monarchies were prototypical of patriarchy, and the inability of humanity to correct any of that stuff is the epitome of fallen human nature. But what is of more concern for Paul here is that were still hopeless, powerless, weak. Imagine being caught in a trap that a first seems like you can escape, only to find out that the more you struggle the more trapped you become. The more seek to get free the more entangled in the trap you become. Eventually you are going to run out of strength, eventually you will run out of hope and there you will be, stuck in the trap/mess you ended up in with nothing to show for it. Paul is saying that “we”, both his people and humanity were caught in inescapable trap of sin, hopelessness, death, trauma, pain, suffering, and all things bad, but just when we realized that things couldn't’ get any worse....Jesus died at the right time!

The right time for God should be the right time for us but it is difficult to understand God’s timing. The right time might not be the most convenient time. The right time might not be the most opportune time. But God does God’s best work at the right time. So, principally, I think it makes sense to trust God all of the time. Jesus died at the right time, the kairos, the opportune, time, the right time and God sovereignty orchestrated that time. Because, even when we are in difficult times, Jesus died at the right time. So when it has not happened it might not be the right time. (Preach)

2. Christ Died for the Right People (v.7-8)

“us” That sounds good to me (Preach).

The truth is people can be messy. People can be wrong and evil. Bottom line people are undeserving. James 1:17 says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” All of the good things in our life is a gracious gift from God. All of the good things in our lives are gifts because we didn’t earn them. So it boggles the mind that God went to such great lengths to demonstrate his love for us.

Paul says “for one would hardly die for a righteous man;..” because chances are you are not in any hurry to die for even the most likable person. I mean, there are some good people in this world that I admire and would take risk to make sure they could lead a good life. But, If it comes down to me dying for them, well, I’ts good to know Jesus.

But God…I’m so glad that God is no like us. But God demonstrates his love toward us that while we were still sinners he died for us.

If you want to know how much something is worth you check the price tag. Gifts come with receipts (elaborate) God’s price tag says “death” and Jesus paid it all.

3. Christ Died for the Right Reasons (v.9-11)

God is not arbitrary. Jesus didn’t just die because he wasn’t liked. There were serious issues that needed to be resolved that only God could accomplish through Jesus.

Justify us by his Blood

Save us from Wrath

Reconcile

Rejoice

Jessica McClure-18 month old trapped in a well, 56hrs in Midland TX. She was reconciled back to her parents.