EXPOSITORY SERMON: ROMANS 5: 1-21

I. INTRODUCTION

A. What have we learned from Paul so far?

1. The whole world is guilty of sin.

2. Our own works will not save us.

3. God's plan for our salvation is "by grace, through faith."

4. Abraham is our example of how God's plan works.

5. We need to be saved and have that opportunity.

B.What else do we need to know about justification by faith?

1. Can we be sure it will last?

2. How can God save a sinner through Christ's death on the cross?

C. Paul will use chapter 5 to explain two basic truths concerning:

1. the blessings and

2. the basis of our justification.

II. DISCUSSION

A. The Blessing of Our Justification (1-11)

1. Paul accomplishes two purposes in listing these blessings:
a. He told how wonderful it is to be a Christian.
b. He assures us that our justification can be a lasting thing.

2. Seven spiritual blessing that accrue to us through our justification:
a. Peace with God (1) - because we are righteous in our justification, we are not under condemnation and therefore at peace with God. (Isa. 48:22; 32:17)
b. Access to God (2a) - the word access implies entrance to God through favor of another. Jesus tore the veil that separated the Jews from God and broke down the wall that separated God and the Gentiles.
c. Glorious hope (2b) - Peace with God clears the past, access to God takes care of the present, but what of the future. The hope of the glory of God settles the future for the obedient son.
d. Christian character (3,4) - tribulations work for the true child of God, not against him. Suffering for Christ builds our Christian character. Tribulation builds patience which in turn builds proven character which builds hope. As gold is purified by fire, as wheat is separated from chaff by threshing, so is our Christian character proven by tribulation.
e. God's love within (5-8) - If God sent Christ to die for us while we were still in our sins, how much more will he love us as obedient children? We are sustained through our tribulations by this love. The unbeatable combination of faith, hope and love give the believer patience to withstand the trials of life (Jas. 1:1-4)
f.Salvation from future wrath (9-10) - (1 Thess. 1:9,10; 5:8-10) By His death which put his testament in force and by His life when he rose from the dead to be executor of His own will.
g.Reconciliation with God (11) - Christ has brought us into agreement with God. (Eph. 2:11-18) He died for us, He lives for us and He is coming back for us!

B. The Basis of Our Justification (12-21)
Paul spends the majority of his time in this section drawing contrasts and comparisons between Adam and Christ.

1. As we study these verses please note the following :
a. "one" - used eleven times.
b."reign" - used five times.
c. "much more" - repeated five times.

2. General comparisons of the kingdoms of Adam and Christ:
a. Adam - old kingdom lost through his sin.
b. Christ - new kingdom gained through His righteousness (8 Cot. 5:17)

3. Verses 12 and 18, without the parenthesis. Christ is the source of all justification and benefits, while Adam is the source of hardships and condemnation.

4. Adam's offense contrasted with Christ's free gift. (15) Physical and spiritual death came into the world through Adam, spiritual and everlasting life returned to man through Christ. (Jn. 10:10)

5. Effect of Adam's sin contrasted to the effect of Christ's obedience (16) - Adam was declared unrighteous and condemned. Today we can be declared righteous in Christ.

6. The Two Reigns (17) -
a. When we read the book of the generations of Adam in Gen. 5 note the phrase, "and he died." Adam's reign was over a kingdom of spiritual and physical death. If the wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23) and sin is reigning in our lives, then indeed death reigns.
b. But what of Christ's kingdom? (Rom. 14:7) - It allows us to reign with Him. (read v. 17).

7. The Two "One Acts" (18,19) -
a. God drew the line and warned Adam not to cross it. (Gen. 2:16,17) Adam failed his test through this one act of trespass.
b. The one righteous act of Christ's sacrifice made possible justification that was lost in Adam (Phil. 2:5-12).

8. Law contrasted with grace (20-21) - Grace has always been in God's plan. The Law "re-revealed" to man the need for this grace. No matter how high man piles up the sins, God's grace is more than adequate to cover it.

III. CONCLUSION

A. Even after God anointed David King of Israel, some chose to follow Saul. Those who trusted David, shared his kingdom of peace and joy. Those who trusted Saul ended in shame and defeat. Today, Christ is our David and Satan is our Saul. Both are free to work in this world and seek man's allegiance.

B. If we join Christ, we can begin to reign with Him in His kingdom even now.

1. Adam came from this earth, Jesus came from heaven.

2. Adam was tested in the garden, Jesus was tempted in the wilderness.

3. Adam stole and was thrown out of Paradise; Jesus told the thief on the cross" today thou shalt be with me in Paradise."

4. The book of the generations of Adam (OT) concludes with a curse, Mal. 4:6. The book of the generations of Christ (NT) ends with no more curse, Rev. 22:3.

5. You are born to become as Adam, for all men have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. But you can avoid remaining as Adam through the new birth in Jesus Christ. Jn. 3:7: "You must be born again."