Romans 5 v 6 ¡V 8.
Introduction.
Read Ch 5: 1-5. Recap from last week, focusing on two issues:
i) Peace. We¡¦re at peace with God through faith in Jesus Christ.
ii) Sufferings. Obviously being experienced then (and now) but Paul highlights God use of these sufferings „_ perseverance „_ character „_ hope.
Q. What do we hope for?
Christian hope:
i) present ¡V God¡¦s love given now, God¡¦s grace imparted now, refined. All free
ii) future ¡V heaven. What¡¦s this like? Do we have this hope? What¡¦s it based on? Any verses?
Verses 6 ¡V 8.
Read the verses. As we¡¦ll see these verses link in with verses 1 ¡V 5 (¡K.you see¡K)
Verse 6. Paul starts here with what we were. Scriptures paint a stark picture: powerless, helpless, asleep, dead, captives, imprisoned, enslaved.
¡§Time Gentlemen Please¡¨
¡Kat just the right time¡K. Paul shows that Christ¡¦s death with all under his timing.
Mark 1:15
Gal 4:4
Eph 1:10
Q. Why did this all take place 2000 years ago? Why not now?
Example of Esther. Read Esther 4:12-14.
Christ died for the ungodly.
Verse 7 unpacks all this.
-unrighteous man (ungodly)
-righteous man (cold, clinical)
-good man (warm, appealing)
Not only was Jesus prepared to risk dying but was willing to knowingly die.
Verse 8: God¡¦s love (a summary of verses 1-7).
Paul now reaches the conclusion of his teachings: here is God¡¦s love demonstrated. Christ dying for the ungodly. Faith. Hope. Love.
John 3:16 (faith, hope, love)
John 15:13
1 Pet 3:18
1 John 3:16 (note example to us)
1 John 4:10
Is this all dry theory or is there a purpose to all this? This all refers back to verse 3¡Kour sufferings. Paul has expanded his teaching here to encourage us.
-objectively in history
-subjectively in our own experience.
Suffering is the proving ground, the arena, in which God¡¦s love is shown, evidenced, experienced.
Q. Can you give an example where God has revealed his love to you through suffering?
