Faith Triumphs in Trouble

Romans 5:1-5

Romans 5:1–5 (NKJV)

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

A London-based diamond retailer launched a 1.14-carat diamond into the air attached to a weather balloon. For the promotion, they announced that whoever found the diamond could keep it. Then things went a little haywire. It drifted off course and the tracking system failed. For several months, people carefully searched the presumed landing area, all without success.

Imagine the surprise when four months later Allan Bell was walking his springer spaniel, Rosie, some ten miles from the original search site. Rosie was nosing under a hedgerow when she discovered the package containing the $19,000 diamond. Bell plans to sell the diamond and use the proceeds to take his wife on a cruise for their 25th wedding anniversary.

Such a discovery pales in significance to the people who—consumed by guilt and at war with God—discover they can have peace with God through the free gift of Jesus Christ.

Imagine fighting your who life trying to find peace and peace as bee right there

Paul is urging the believer to have peace with God .

The Believer is not responsible for making peace with God but enjoying peace with God.

AMP [ We have the peace of reconciliation to hold and to enjoy]

- Let us keep on having peace with God .

The Christian life should be one of Joy and excitement .

You ever see a Christian who is always miserable . If you never seen a Christian that is always miserable then maybe ;)

Have you ever seen a Christian who’s always complaining ?

Psalm 3:3 “But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head.”

In Psalm 3:3 David fled from his palace he was surround by enemies and hiding from his own son Absalom .

When David is making this prayer He is saying , though thats a very real reality by God is the lifter of my head.

That speaks about restoration of Dignity, authority, and position.

God will restore our dignity and He has restored our position .

He is the lifter of our head .

This peace isn’t peace like the world gives .

Jer. 6:14 “They have also healed the hurt of My people slightly, Saying, ‘Peace, peace!’ When there is no peace.”

Not only do we get the privilege of having peace with God through Jesus Christ; but in Romans 5:2 we have access to God .

Eph 2:18 “For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.”

Jew and Gentile have access by One Spirit unto The Father .

Eph. 3:12 “in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.”

Christ is our means to have access to God . No other means no other alternative, its Christ .

Imagine having access to a person of High rank. The president of Sierra Leone , you have access !

In Romans 3:23 it says we fall short of the glory of God

Romans 5:2 - It says let us rejoice in the glory of God .

Once we did fall short of His glory

But now we can rejoice in His glory .

Eph 2:12-13 “that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”

we have a new position corporately

Because of the circumision there was great social and spiritual boundaries between the Jews and the Gentiles .

There are five privileges listed that Israel had.

first, They where separated from Christ . They had no national hope of a Messiah .

second, The where excluded from the citizenship of Israel Romans 9:4 . They where alienated

Third , they were foreigners to the covenats of promise. They were deprived of direct participation in Gods covenats and thus had no hope of future glory and blessing as Israel did.

forth, the gentiles where without hope. Gentiles had no expectations of a personal Messiah - Deliverer and the Messianic age.

fifth , They were without God in this world . The gentiles where in a desperate situation . They had no meaning , hope, purpose , or direction .

No nation hope of a Messiah, excluded from citizenship, foreigners , without hope , with out God . But now you have been brought near!

Eph 2:14 “For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation,”

Christ has made both Jew and Greek both one .

Christ destroyed the spiritual seperation , that some of the Jews paraded over the gentiles . This enmity is what caused the seperation.

The Spirit of God is what makes the church and Unifies the church .

Because we have access lets us rejoice !!

Romans 5:3-5 “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

You remember the game flappy birds ?

It was a very difficult game . But at the same time very addictive . People would post there video about there progress in the game . the more they lost the more they persevered .

Its the same with us persevering it produces in the believer hope