Two Men, Two Destinies Series

Sermon Notes January 13, 2008

Two Men, Two Destinies

Romans 5:12-14

“Was it fair for God to condemn the whole world just for one man’s disobedience?”

The SCOFFER objects that if there was such a God, he would not be worthy of worship.

The SCEPTIC wonders how such conferred guilt can be fair

The BELIEVER worships God for His amazing grace in rescuing sinners.

Romans 5:12–14 "Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned— for before the law was given, sin was in the world. But sin is not taken into account when there is no law. 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 was a pattern of the one to come."

In these three verses, we will discover three important truths

“sin entered the world” - Sin’s ORIGIN

“through one man” - Sin’s OWNERSHIP

“And death through sin” - Sin’s OUTCOME

These verse are part of a significant passage dealing with the nature of man. We will examine the entire passage in three messages:

5:12-14 Two Men, Two Destinies

5:15-19 Where Would We Be Without Jesus?

5:20-21 God’s Super-abundant Grace

From the CONTEXT: Adam Brought SIN, Christ Brought RIGHTEOUSNESS

As fitting with the greater theme of Romans as described in 1:16-17, the theme is not the GOSPEL. It is the theme is the RIGHTEOUSNESS of GOD.

That righteousness is described in the first major section of Romans which explains our sinful condition and need for God’s righteousness (Romans 1:18-3:20).

Our verses in Romans 5:12-14 are part of the second major section of Romans which explains The doctrine of JUSTIFICATION, more simply, “how sinners can be made righteous. It is in this second section that we discover the following:

In Romans 5:12-21, we discover that the SOURCE of sin = ADAM

Romans 5:12-21 SOURCE of Justification = JESUS

We see this from REPEATED WORDS in Rom 5:12-21

A. Sin (10x)

B. One (13x)

C. Reign (5x)

D. Much More (5x in 5:9-21)

Let us not think that sin’s entrance into the world somehow caught God by surprise. God did not view Adam and Eve from heaven and think, “OK, they failed, so now let’s come up with an alternative plan.” SIN and SALVATION both bring GLORY to GOD.

Both Old and New Testament scriptures point to the fact that although God is not the author of sin, he is still in control and is working all things out to an end in which he is glorified.

"The Lord works out everything for his own ends— even the wicked for a day of disaster." (Proverbs 16:4)

"What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God’s faithfulness? Not at all! Let God be true, and every man a liar. As it is written: “So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge.”" (Romans 3:3-4)

"Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge." (Psalm 51:4)

Adam’s disobedience brought DEATH for ALL. When Adam sinned, he SINNED for all of us. Adam was our representative.

Hebrews 7:9-10 explains this by demonstrating that Levi, who is regarded as the first of the priests and therefore responsible to uphold the law, was in the “body” of Abraham when Abraham paid tithes to Melchizadek.

This demonstrates the superiority of Melchizedek in that Levi (and Moses too), predates the Law. The fact that Christ’s priesthood is based on the model of Melchizedek demonstrates that Christ is superior to Moses.

“This is important, because ADAM’s sin is the most fundamental problem, not our sins- just as Christ’s righteousness is the most fundamental solution, not our righteousness.” John Piper, 8/27/2007 desiringgod.org

The result of Adam’s sin is described in Romans 5:12

Sin brought Death.

This is made clear in Genesis 5:1-5 which says “. . . and he died. . .”

This verdict of death is UNIVERSAL (death came upon all men) (1 Cor 15:22) "For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive."

Sin is the reason for suffering in the world.

Sin is the reason for Crime.

Sin is the reason we must labor for our food.

Sin is the reason for pain in child bearing

Sin is the reason for disease

Sin is the reason for conflict

Sin is the reason God’s WRATH will be poured out on the world

Just a few weeks ago I conducted a funeral for 33 year old Michael. He died because of the curse of death upon the world. He was addicted because of his own sinful choices, which started in the garden through his father Adam. The enemy is SATAN. All of this is the result of SIN.