Not Ashamed Of The Gospel Of Grace Series

Not Ashamed of The Gospel of Grace Romans 5:1-11

Introduction

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.

In Romans, Paul writes of the Good News of Jesus and his deep awareness of his need for Jesus and gratitude for the gifts of God.

Romans 3:23-24For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.

Paul admitted that he was a sinner, all of us are sinners. The truth about sin makes the truth about grace amazing. Brennan Manning: My deepest awareness of myself is that I am deeply loved by Jesus Christ and I have done nothing to earn or deserve it.

The message of Grace is often strange to religious people.

It seems like permission to sin.

It seems like it lessens the importance of holy living.

It seems like a free pass to live how we want.

It seems like an excuse for immoral behavior.

It seems like a way to let people off the hook.

It seems too easy - pleasing God has GOT to be hard!

But Grace is the most marvelous gift. It is the expression of God’s love for us. And it provides us the most basic treasures we all desire in our lives. When we stand in Grace, we stand …

1. We Stand In Peace (5:1-2)

We finally can have peace when we realize that we are unable to save ourselves - but God is willing and able.

Grace teaches me of my inability – my NEED for God’s work in my life. I cannot accept grace and at the same time hold myself as a righteous individual … grace admits the need for forgiveness. Grace is the source of the peace that passes understanding. We can never have peace without standing in grace. When we stand in grace we …

2. We Stand in Hope (5:3-4)

Through grace we learn to become hopeful as we travel through the hardships we face. It is not easy. We learn to cope with the difficulties and problems of life through struggles. We all have challenges to our faith along the way. May come in the form of our own doubts.

Disappointing relationships w/ brothers and sisters.

Other experiences make it difficult to live by faith.

We can stand in hope because grace comes from God, and not ourselves. Ephesians 2:8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.

When we stand in grace we stand in peace and hope…

3. We Stand in Love (5:5)

The power to love comes from God’s Holy Spirit. It has been poured out into our hearts. This is love for us to receive - do you feel loved by God? It was so important to God that you know His love that he sent his Holy Spirit to pour it … not drip it sparingly … pour it into your heart.

The love of God leads us to love others.

1 Peter 4:8 “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”

1 John 4:7 “Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God.”

When we stand in grace we stand in peace, hope, love

4. We Stand in Jesus (5:6-8)

Love came when we were helpless … while still sinners. That’s how we know grace is really grace. The very best of who we are, is a shadow of Jesus.

5. We Stand in Friendship (5:9-11)

It’s true that God loves all… but he is not in relationship with all. Sin is in the way - it’s a barrier to all of the blessings that God wants to give. When we allow that barrier to remain, we will not have the relationship with God that he offers. But the good news is that its not hard to receive that grace. Through faith accept the new life that God wants to give you. Decide to be baptized today!

Stand in grace and stand in friendship with God. “No not a friend like the lowly Jesus! No Not One!” Grace is God’s friendship, extended freely to all in His son.

Conclusion

Today we have a new day … new opportunities … a new appreciation for God’s grace … and a new resolve to show God’s grace to other sinners such as ourselves.

It is this grace in which we stand … and will continue to and in order to bring glory to God in the church!