Adam – A Pattern Of The One To Come

SERMON OUTLINE:

Truth #1: Sin and its origin.

Truth #2: Sin and its effects.

Truth #3: Sin and the Law.

Truth #4: Sin and the Two Adams.

SERMON BODY

Ill:

• Not far from where we live is the birthplace of Charles Dickens.

• He was an English writer,

• Who created some of the world's best-known fictional characters

• And is regarded by many as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era.

• One of his books (A Tale of Two Cities);

• Starts off with the classic line;

• “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times”.

• The book not only chronicles the history of two cities,

• But also the lives of two men (Sydney Carton, Charles Darnay );

• Whose paths crossed during the French revolution.

• TRANSITION: In Romans chapter 5, the apostle Paul also tells of two men:

• Adam, a man of guilt, and Jesus a man of grace.

• If Charles Dickens were to paraphrase the apostle Paul,

• He might say that Adam represents the worst of times and Jesus the best!

• In this chapter the apostle Paul teaches by way of similarities and contrasts.

• In other words, Adam and Jesus are alike in some ways and very different in others.

• i.e. They are alike in that each of them was the first of his kind.

• They were both sinless (one created perfect one conceived by the Holy Spirit)

• i.e. They are also alike in that great things came from a single deed of each of them.

• (Human race through Adam and the family/race of believers through Jesus).

• Apart from these similarities, however,

• Adam and Jesus are as different as night and day.

• i.e. From Adam came the certainty of death;

• i.e. While from Jesus came the hope of resurrection to life.

You might be surprised to know:

• That the Old Testament says very little about Adam!

• Obviously he is mentioned in Genesis chapters 1-3,

• Another mention in Genesis chapter 5 verse 5 were we are told:

• Adam lived 931 years and then he died

• Then not much else is said about Adam in the Old Testament,

• Apart from the prophet Hosea who mentions him in his book;

• (Hosea chapter 6 verses 4-7).

“‘What can I do with you, Ephraim?

What can I do with you, Judah?

Your love is like the morning mist,

like the early dew that disappears.

5 Therefore I cut you in pieces with my prophets,

I killed you with the words of my mouth –

then my judgments go forth like the sun.[a]

6 For I desire mercy, not sacrifice,

and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.

7 As at Adam,[b] they have broken the covenant;

they were unfaithful to me there.”

• Well maybe we should not be surprised,

• That not much is said about Adam in the Old Testament,

• Because Adam was no hero, no positive example of anything good.

Ill:

• Hebrews chapter 11

• This chapter has been described as the Westminster Abbey of the Bible:

• Because here we find enshrined here the great heroes of faith.

• It has also been called:

• God's hall of fame, or Gods hall of faith:

• We have a listed the names of 17 men & women from the Old Testament:

• For us to observe, reflect upon and to admire the way they lived,

• And even the way the died.

• But no mention of Adam,

• The last starts with his son Abel.

Now in contrast to the Old Testament:

• The New Testament has a great deal to say about Adam,

• Some of which is not very complimentary to him.

• The apostle Paul contrasted Adam with Jesus;

• Both here in Romans and also in 1 Corinthians chapter 15 verses 45-50.

• In order to show the difference between the two,

• And to explain some interesting things about Jesus.

NOTE:

• The problem with verse 14 from a preachers perspective:

• It is unpacked and explained in verses 15-21,

• Which I assume is your next week’s sermon.

• So I feel a bit like a chef who has to talk about a dish;

• But cannot give you the recipe or allow you to taste it,

• Until the next programme!

• So if we cannot go forward, then let’s go back,

• And remind ourselves of three key truths that the apostle has taught already.

But before we do go back, I want to whet your appetite for next week:

• Let me point out three key phrases in verses 12-21.

• Repetition is a good teacher and the apostle uses it to highlight certain key truths.