Full Salvation Series

Scripture

In Romans 5:1-11 we read of several blessings of justification. Let’s read Romans 5:1-11, paying special attention to verses 9-11, which is our text for today:

"1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

"6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation." (Romans 5:1-11)

Introduction

Paul wrote the fifth chapter of Romans to teach those who have been justified by God through faith in Jesus Christ that they also have the blessings of justification.

We have already examined five blessings. They are peace with God, standing in grace, rejoicing in hope, rejoicing in suffering, and God’s love demonstrated. Today, we examine a sixth (and final) blessing, which is full salvation.

Review

Before we explore the fullness of our salvation, let’s briefly review what we have learned so far. (You can learn more by reading or listening to my previous sermons, which can be accessed on our church’s web page at www.tampabaypresbyterian.org.)

I. Our Position in Christ (5:1a)

Let us notice in the first place our position in Christ.

The apostle Paul said in Romans 5:1a, “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith. . . .”

The apostle Paul begins by stating our position in Christ. If we are Christians, then we have been justified by faith.

II. Our Possessions in Christ (5:1b-2)

But what are the blessings of our justification? What are our possessions in Christ?

The apostle Paul said in Romans 5:1b, “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have. . . ” certain possessions.

A. Peace with God (5:1b)

Our first possession in Christ is peace with God.

The apostle Paul said in Romans 5:1b, “. . . we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

B. Standing in Grace (5:2a)

Our second possession in Christ is standing in grace.

The apostle Paul said in Romans 5:2a, “Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand.”

C. Rejoicing in Hope (5:2b)

Our third possession in Christ is rejoicing in hope.

The apostle Paul said in Romans 5:2b, “. . . and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

D. Rejoicing in Suffering (5:3-5)

Our fourth possession in Christ is rejoicing in suffering.

The apostle Paul said in Romans 5:3-5, “More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”

E. God’s Love Demonstrated (5:6-8)

Our fifth possession in Christ is God’s love demonstrated.

The apostle Paul said in Romans 5:6-8, “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Lesson

Today, in Romans 5:9-11 we come to a sixth blessing of justification, a sixth possession in Christ.

F. Full Salvation (5:9-11)

Our sixth possession in Christ is full salvation.

The apostle Paul said in Romans 5:9-11, “Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”