Justified by Faith vs. 1-11

• The benefits of being Justified by Faith… vs. 1-2
  • Paul draws the conclusion to the first 4 chapters of Romans – we are justified by faith
  • We are not saved by any action or good works that we do – simply by faith in Jesus
  • Our salvation by faith has three benefits….
  • Past – Peace with God…
    • Before we had faith – we were enemies of God – we were destined for wrath and hell
    • But when we believed in Jesus – justified by faith – we received peace with God
    • We were no longer enemies – but friends – out relationship with God restored
    • You would not go to your enemy for help – or look to him for encouragement
    • You would go to a friend for help in times of trouble – a kind word – helping hand
    • Because we now have peace with God – through the cross of Jesus Christ
    • We can look to the Lord for help and comfort – we receive peace from God!
  • Present – Access to God’s grace…
    • Having been saved by faith – we are also able to stand for Jesus in faith…
    • By faith we have access to God’s grace – His infinite strength and resources!
    • We cannot live the Christian walk – live for Jesus – in our own strength…
    • We stand for Jesus – live for God – through the power of the Grace of God
    • II Corinthians 12:9 – “My grace is sufficient, My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
    • It is when we realize we cannot live for God – that we look to God for His grace to stand
  • Future – Rejoice in hope of the Glory of God…
    • Rejoicing because of the hope of Glory – the hope of eternity with God in heaven!
    • Out great hope! One day we will stand before the father in heaven and hear the words
    • ‘Well done good and faithful servant – enter into the Joy of your Lord…’
    • Not because we are such wonderful people – we are no good dirty rotten sinners!
    • But we have been saved through grace by faith in Jesus!
      
• In life there will be challenges – but we can still rejoice… vs. 3-5
  • Tribulation – thilipsis – the crushing of a grape till the juice flows out
    • This is counter intuitive – it seems to make no sense we would rejoice in hardships…
    • We understand rejoicing in heaven / salvation – but in hardships??
  • A means to an end…
    • I recently spent a week in the Hospital – dengue – it was far from a pleasant experience
    • Yet I could rejoice in being there – because I knew it served a purpose…
    • In the same way we rejoice in tribulations/hardships – because they serve a purpose
    • Tribulations = perseverance = character = hope…
      • When we face trials/tribulations in life – we get to see God’s faithfulness
      • When we have no money – and we see the Lord provide for all our needs
      • When we are sick – and we see the Lord miraculously heal
      • If the Children of Israel had not been caught between Egypt and the Red Sea…
      • They never could have seen their God was able to part an ocean!
      • If there were never any challenges – we would never get to see God do a work!
    • Perseverance/patience – hupomone – patient endurance and abiding…
      • As we experience God taking care of all our needs – looking out for us
      • We gain confidence that He will take care of us the next time as well…
      • Why do we believe the sun will rise tomorrow morning – maybe it will fail…
      • We are confident the sun will rise – because it always has – it has never failed!
      • It is not that we are men of great faith – we have just seen God’s great faithfulness!
      • We are confident the Lord will take care of us – cause He has never failed us
    • Character – experience – proven through challenges or trials
      • Our confidence in the Lord’s faithfulness – gives us a godly character
      • We become known as those who trust in – rely on the Lord
      • Men who do not panic in the trials – men who patiently wait on the Lord
      • Who trust in the Lord – depend on Jesus – cause we have learned He is trustworthy
      • So we can rejoice in trials and tribulation because we know they make us Godly men
    • Godly character gives us Hope – that does not disappoint…
      • We have the hope of eternity with God in heaven
      • We are confident of our hope cause – the Love of God is poured out in our hearts…
        
• Defining God’s Love… vs. 6-11
  • When did Jesus die for us – while we were weak (still in bondage to sin)…
    • Few men would be willing to die in place of another…
      • Would you be willing to die in place of a murderer / drug dealer / child molester…
      • The simple answer is no – let them pay their own penalty for their crimes…
    • Perhaps for a VERY good man – someone might be willing to die…
      • History shows there’re some ‘extraordinary men’ others have been willing to die for
      • But they are exception – and few and far in between…
  • Yet1 Jesus shows us His love – He died for us while we were still sinners (bad people)!
    • Jesus did not die for noble men – or VERY good men – He died for sinners!
    • He loved us so much He was willing to die – while we were still His enemies!
  • If Jesus’ death was our justification – how much more His life our salvation!
    • Out hope – since Jesus was willing to die for us while we were still enemies of God…
    • How much more will He save us – bring us to heaven – now that we are called friends!

No longer under sin – under Grace… vs. 12-21

• One sinned – Adam – so all were under sin… vs. 12-14
  • When God created the world – it was perfect – sinless…
    • Adam choose to eat of the forbidden fruit – because he sinned – sin entered the world
    • The result of sin – was death – immediate spiritual death / eventual physical death
    • All men since have ‘inherited’ from Adam – sin and death….
    • Every man has sinned and fallen short of God’s perfect standard – Romans 3:23
    • Every man pays the penalty for that sin – all men will one day die – Romans 6:23
  • Sin was in the world – even before the Law of God was given to Moses…
    • But where there is no law – sin is not counted…
    • The purpose of the law is to bring the knowledge of sin – show us we are sinners
    • If there is no established law – then there is not way to enforce the law…
    • Even through there was no ‘established law’ until Moses – the penalty was still there
    • All men paid the penalty for sin – death – from Adam to Moses

Where sin abound – Grace is right there to forgive us any debt – making us righteous

One saved – Jesus – so all can be forgiven… vs. 15-21

In contrast to Adam – Jesus Christ…

In Adam’s sin –

All men were condemned to death – death reigned

All men came under judgment – resulting in condemnation – hell

Through Adam’s disobedience – men were made sinners

In Jesus’ free gift –

All men had the opportunity to receive Grace and life!

All men had the opportunity to receive justification (just as if they’d never sinned)

Through the abundance of grace – Jesus’ gift of righteousness – life reigns!

Through Jesus’ obedience – many will be made righteous!

We were once under Adam – cursed – destined for death and hell

But now we are under Jesus – blessed – destined for life and heaven!

The Law vs. Grace…

The Law was given so that sin might abound – be more apparent/clear

But where sin abounded – Grace was MUCH MORE abundant!

Under Adam – the Law was our judge – condemning us – revealing our sin…

Under Jesus – Grace sets us free – for every sin was covered at the cross of Christ

The more the sin – the more the grace God gives…