Romans, Part 16 Series

Romans, Part 16

Romans 5:9-21

Introduction

- If we read the Bible, we see example after example of God’s love for us

- But, why does He love us so? Are we not full of sin, rage, anger, and malice?

- Do we not disobey at every turn and adopt the “if it feels good do it” lifestyle

- BUT -- This is the VERY reason we needed a Savior; this is why God loved us

- Very rarely, actually never, will a sinner be willing to die for another sinner

- But God shows us how much He loves us by sending His son to die for us

- Read Romans 5:9-21 / Pray

Point 1 – We Have a NEW Assurance (9-11)

- Christian hope is not wishful thinking, nor is it built on empty foundation

- God took this action not because we were good; not because we deserved it

- But we were actually considered enemies with Him; separated eternally

- Colossians 1:21, “Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.”

- Because of the disobedience we had with God, our hearts were against Him

- But, at no time did He ever turn His back on you and I, nor will he

-- Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

- But there is a portion that we must act upon today as well:

-- Psalm 119:9, “How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.”

APP: Let me give you something to consider that must sink in:

-- If God did this while we were at our worst; how much could He do for us

-- If we are right with Him, does this not bring incredible hope to our lives?

- We rejoice because of who God is, and what God has done, and only about Him

-- It is not our place to rejoice about ourselves; for we have done nothing

- Rejoicing about ourselves is to allow the sin of PRIDE to rule the day

-- 1 John 2:16, “For all that is in the world -- the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life -- is not of the Father but is of the world.”

- APP: A proud person blames someone else -- the fault is never theirs! And, they refuse to admit anything they are doing could be a failure.

-- Amos 6:8, “The Lord God has sworn by Himself, the Lord God of hosts says: I abhor the pride of Jacob, and hate his palaces; therefore I will deliver up the city and all that is in it.”

- APP: Taking stock in our accomplishments puts us in direct opposition to God

- TRANS: What God provides is not because of who we are, but who He is!

Point 2 – Righteousness is a Gift from God (12-14)

- Some may wonder about the time between Adam and Moses

-- What about those people who had sinned, were they given righteousness?

- Adam was considered the “first man”, Jesus is considered the “second man”

-- There is a direct tie in between Adam and Jesus that we must grasp tonight

- V13 – “For before the law was given, sin was in the world. But sin is not taken into account when there is no law.”

- APP: This verse means that humanity was not charged for their sin; without Law there can be no judgment from God. They were separated but not forsaken.

- V14 – “Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come.”

- Humanity headed by Adam was characterized by sin and death before the Law

- But v14 is extremely important for us; it transitions into an important analogy

- TRANS: In order to fully understand Jesus, we must look at our needs now

Point 3 – Why do we Compare Adam and Jesus? (15-21)

Paul gives us 5 parallels between Adam and Jesus that we must see and understand

1. There is a contrast between Adam’s trespass, through which many died, and the free gift of God’s grace in Christ; which has abounded for many (15)

- Because of the sin Adam committed; God alone provided a way to be reconciled

2. There is a contrast between the condemnation that followed Adam’s trespass and the justification that follows the free gift of God’s grace (16)

- Adam’s sin drove a wedge between us and God; Jesus built a bridge across it