ROMANS 5:1-5. THE BENEFITS PACKAGE OF JUSTIFICATION.
I REMEMBER APPLYING FOR A JOB AT THE TOYOTA CAR PLANT IN DERBY AFTER GO THROUGH A RIGOROUS TESTING PROCESS I WAS ACCEPTED ONTO THE STAFF, AS A RESULT I WAS INCLUDED INTO A COMPANY WITH OFFERED GOOD COMPANY BENEFITS WHICH INCLUDED : EXCELLENT SALARY, HEALTH CARE, PENSION PLAN, BONUS SCHEME, NEW CAR LEASE OWNERSHIP SCHEMES, PROMOTION FAST TRACKS, ALL IN ALL IT WAS A WONDERFUL PACKAGE OF BENEFITS FOR THE TOYOTA WORKER. BUT IT ALL PALES INTO INSIGNIFICANCE WHEN I CONSIDER THE BENEFITS RECEIVED THROUGH JESUS CHRIST.
V1 PAUL HERE WILL OPEN UP TO US A PACKAGE OF BENEFITS THAT ALL JUSTIFIED BELIEVERS RECEIVE UPON FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST THESE BENEFITS FAR OUTWEIGHS ANY EARTHLY PACKAGE YOU MIGHT RECEIVE: V1 THEREFORE, SINCE WE HAVE BEEN JUSTIFIED THROUGH FAITH WE HAVE....
1. V1 THE FIRST BENEFIT WE HAVE PEACE WITH GOD... THE PAST FORGIVENESS OF OUR SINS.
THE PURSUIT OF PEACE SEEMS TO BE ON EVERYBODIES AGENDA - FROM WORLD PEACE BETWEEN NATIONS ARE IN TURMOIL TO PERSONAL PEACE – PEOPLE ARE IN TURMOIL . YET MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE ABOVE IS PEACE WITH GOD. PAUL IS NOT REFERING TO A STATE OF MIND HERE, BUT A RELATIONSHIP OF PEACE WITH GOD.
A JUSTIFIED BELIEVER FIRST BENIFIT IS TO BE AT PEACE WITH GOD - RECONCILED TO GOD...... NOTICE ITS ONLY THROUGH THE LORD JESUS CHRIST V1 WHOM RECONCILLED US TO GOD (4:25) V10. HE IS THE ONLY WAY TO HAVE PEACE WITH GOD: HE IS NOT ONE WAY AMONGEST MANY WAYS ANYBODY WHO CONSIDERS THEY HAVE PEACE WITH GOD ANY OTHER WAY ARE DELUDING THEMSELVES.
NT EXAMPLE:JHN 9 : THE BLIND MAN HEALD BY JESUS - THE AUTHORITIES FIRST TRIED TO PERSUADE HIM THAT HE HAD NOT BEEN HEALED AT ALL. THEN WHEN THEY ADMITTED HE HAD BEEN HEALED THE ONE WHO DONE IT WAS A SINNER V24 – THE MAN MAKES A PROFOUND STATEMENT V31 WE KNOW THAT GOD DOES NOT LISTEN TO SINNERS- THE FIRST THING A SINNER NEEDS TO DISCOVER IS A WAY BACK TO GOD HOW TO GET ACCESS WITH GOD...THROUGH JESUS CHRIST. EPH 2:14-16
DR. M. LLOYD JONES WRITES, “ IF YOU ARE ANXIOUS TO OBTAIN SOME BENEFITS FROM THE QUEEN OF ENGLAND, THE FIRST THING YOU HAVE TO DISCUS IS, HOW CAN I GET INTO BUCKINGHAN PALACE? WHAT HAVE I TO DO TO GET ADMISSION? THEN HOW DO I APPROACH THIS GREAT PERSONAGE? IT IS TOO OBVIOUS IN THAT REALM. AND YET WE PAY NO ATTENTION TO THIS WHEN SEEKING BLESSINGS FROM GOD. WE GO TO GOD AND EXPECT TO GET ALL WE ASK FOR AT ONCE. BUT THAT IS NOT POSSIBLE. ALL BLESSINGS COME THROUGH JESUS CHRIST; AND WE MUST FIRST BE AT PEACE WITH GOD. ROMANS CHAPTER 5 P9.
PEACE WITH GOD IS WHAT WE NEED FIRST: ITS IMPORTANT TO REFLECT UPON THIS BECAUSE THERE IS SO MUCH INADEQUATE CHRISTIAN TEACHING TODAY PROCLAIMING THE BLESSINGS FIRST TO PEOPLE COME TO JESUS - DON’T WORRY ABOUT REPENTANCE - DO YOU WANT A FRIEND A BUDDY ? – DO YOU NEED HELP? DO YOU WANT HAPPINESS? DO YOU WANT PROSPERITY? DO YOU WANT PEACE AND JOY? DO YOU WANT TO BE HEALED? THEN COME TO JESUS.
THE PROBLEM WITH THIS TYPE OF TEACHING IS IT ALL STARTS WITH US AND OUR NEEDS, JESUS BECOMES THE ONE WHO WILL SATISFY THOSE NEEDS - HE BECOMES LIKE A BABIES PACIFIER MEETING THE CHILDS TEMPORAY NEEDS TILL IT SQWAKS AGAIN!
BUT BEFORE WE CAN HAVE OUR NEEDS MEET WE FIRST HAVE THE NEED FOR PEACE WITH GOD. WE CAN HAVE NO BENIFITS FROM GOD UNTIL WE HAVE THE BENIFIT OF PEACE WITH GOD FIRST.
V1 THEREFORE SINCE WE HAVE BEEN JUSTIFIED THROUGH FAITH WE HAVE ‘PEACE WITH GOD THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.’
THE PRIMARY FUNCTION OF THE CHRISTIAN GOSPEL IS NOT TO GIVE US BLESSINGS, BUT FIRST AND FOREMOST TO RECONCILE US TO GOD.WHICH THEN PUTS US IN A POSTION TO RECIEVE THOSE BLESSINGS. THE FIRST BENIFIT PEACE WITH GOD AS A RESULT OF OUR PAST FORGIVENESS. V8
2. V2THE SECOND BENEFIT ACCESS TO GOD V2 ..... OUR PRESENT PRIVILEGE
• COULD YOU IMAGINE ANYONE OF US TRYING TO GAIN ACCESS ONTO THE RED CARPET AND INTO THE OSCARS WOULD BE A DIFFICULT TASK FOR ME TO FULFILL - I WOULD HAVE NO CHANCE OF GETTING IN. ON THE OTHER HAND IF I WAS INTRODUCED OR WAS A GUEST OF ANOTHER SAY BRADD PITT THE LIKLEHOOD OF MYSELF GETTING IN WOULD GREATLY INCREASE.
V2 PAUL IS TELLING US HERE THAT CHRISTIANS HAVE NO ACCESS PROBLEM WHEN IT COMES ENTERING INTO THE COURTS OF HEAVEN. THERE WAS A TIME WHEN WE WERE SINNERS AND COULD NOT ACCESS INTO GODS PRESENCE – BUT NOW AS A RESULT OF OUR STANDING BEFORE GOD WE HAVE COMPLETE AUTHORISED ACCESS INTO HIS PRESENCE.
AND THIS BENIFIT COMES TO US V2 THROUGH WHOM (JESUS) THIS WORD ACCESS IS BETTER RENDERED (introduction) WE ARE INTRODUCED BY JESUS... HE IS THE ONE WHO ENABLES US TO ACCESS GOD WHO IS AT THE FATHERS RIGHT HAND – AND IS OUR GREAT HIGHT PRIEST OUR ADVOCATE INTERCEEDING ON OUR BEHALF. EPH 2:18
• WHEN PEOPLE RECIEVE THEIR KNGHTHOOD THEY DONT JUST STROLL INTO COURT AS THEY ARE, BUT CERTAIN FORMALITIES TAKE PLACE YOU CAN BE GAURANTEED TO BE INTRODUCED OR PRESENTED BY ANOTHER INTO THE QUEENS PRESENCE.
ENTERING INTO GOD’S PRESENCE IN THIS MANNER, GOD APPROVES OF US, AND ACCEPTS US, AS WE ARE JUSTIFIED THROUGH JESUS WE HAVE RECIEVED THE ROYAL ROBES OF CHRIST. AS A RESULT WE ARE ABLE TO BE INTRODUCED TO THE KING AND STAND IN THIS GRACE
• SO WERE NOT ONLY DECLARED NOT GUILTY AS WE HAVE PEACE WITH GOD.
• BUT ALSO WE HAVE THE PRESENT PRIVALEAGE OF BEING CLOSE TO GOD NO LONGER ENEMIES BUT FRIENDS IN FACT HIS VERY OWN CHILDREN JHN 15:5- GAL 4: 4-7.1 PET 2:9 BELONGING TO GOD.
• THE 2ND BENIFIT STANDING IN THE GRACE OF GOD - OUR PRESENT PRIVALEAGE.
3. V2 THE BENEFIT OF CHRISTIAN HOPE.... POINTING TO OUR FUTURE INHERITANCE
THIS CHRISTIAN HOPE IS NOT LIKE THE HOPE WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE WEATHER “ I HOPE ITS SUNNY TOMMORROW”, OR ABOUT LEICESTER CITY “ I HOPE WE STAY UP THIS SEASON.” THAT SORT OF HOPE HAS NO REAL FOUNDATIONS (CROSSED FINGERS) BUT THE CHRISTIAN HOPE RESTS UPON THE CERTAIN PROMISES FOUND IN GODS WORD AND THE ACTS OF GOD IN HISTORY WHICH HAVE TAKEN PLACE AND THE ASSURANCE OF GODS SPIRIT IN OUR LIVES THAT ALL THESE THINGS ARE TO COME.
REJOICE IN THE HOPE OF THE GLORY OF GOD. WE CAN SEE THE GLORY OF GOD IN A NUMBER OF WAYS...
• PSALM 19:1 THE HEAVENS DECLARE THE GLORY OF GOD – GODS GLORY IN NATURE.
• JHN 1:14.THE WORD BECAME FLESH AND MADE HIS DWELLING AMONGEST US AND WE HAVE SEEN HIS GLORY – GODS GLORY IN JESUS
• JHN 12:23 IN HIS DEATH AND RESURRECTION.
BUT HERE IT IS REFEERING TO THE CONSUMMATION OF ALL THINGS WHEN GOD WILL WRAP THIS WORLD UP IT MEANS WHEN JESUS COMES AGAIN IN GREAT GLORY MRK 13:26 AND WE WILL SEE HIM , AND BE CHANGEDTO BE LIKE HIM 1JHN 3:2 . WE SHALL SHARE IN THIS GLORY ROM 8:17 -18 EVEN THE CREATION TO WILL BE CHANGED TO V21.
THIS IS THE CHRISTIAN HOPE - THAT WE WILL NOT BE CAST INTO THE PIT OF HELL BUT WILL SEE AND SHARE IN THE GLORY OF GOD. THE HOPE OF OUR FUTURE INHERITANCE
WE HAVE LOOKED AT SOME AMAZING BENEFITS 1. PEACE WITH GOD – WITH THE PAST FORGIVENESS OF ALL OUR SINS.
2. THE PRESENT PRIVALEAGE OF 24/7 ACCESS TO GOD AND
3. THE HOPE OF OUR FUTURE INHERITANCE. BUT IT DOES ALL SEEM A BIT IDYLLIC AT THE MOMENT DOESN’T IT.... IT ALL SEEMS A BIT LIKE ONE OF THOSE...
• HOLIDAY POSTCARD – FROM A FRIEND OR A FAMILY MEMBER ON HOLIDAY – ARRIVED SAFELY - THE SUN IS SHINING - LOADS TO DO - ACCOMMODATION FIRST CLASS - EVERYTHING IS GREAT – ENJOYING EVERY MINUTE - CANNOT FAULT IT – HEAVEN ON EARTH!
• SOME CHRISTIANS ON THE SURFACE APPEAR TO PORTRAY THEIR CHRISTIAN LIVES IN THAT SORT OF MANNER THAT CHRISTIANS ARE SIMPLY MOVING FROM ONE VICTORY TO THE NEXT SOME THINK THAT SHOULD ALWAYS BE THEIR POSITION . BUT IN REALITY PAUL PAINTS A DIFFERENT PICTURE BECAUSE HE HASNT FINISHED YET WITH THE BENEFITS PACKAGE. ROM 5:3-4
4. V3 – 4. THE BENEFIT OF SUFFERING. JHN 16:33.. 2TIM 3:12 JAM 1:2-4
PAUL HERE IS NOT REFERRING TO SUFFERING IN REGARD TO OUR PHYSICAL AILMENTS, OUR FEARS OR PAINS, OUR DISAPPOINTMENTS.
BUT SUFFERING HERE IS IN REFERENCE TO THE PRESSURES (TRIBULATIONS) WE WILL FACE IN THESE LAST DAYS IN A HOSTILE WORLD TOWARDS THE BELIEVER REV 7:14 :THESE ARE THEY WHO HAVE COME OUT OF THE GREAT TRIBULATION - WHICH WE MUST EXPECT TOO. AS JESUS WARNED HIS DISCIPLES JHN 16:33 IN THIS WORLD YOU SHALL HAVE TROUBLE PAUL DOES SO IN ACTS 14:22 WE MUST GO THROUGH MANY HARDSHIPS TO ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
FOR THOSE 1ST CENTURY BELIEVERS FACED ECONOMIC -SOCIAL PERSECUTION AND EVEN DEATH AND THAT IS STILL TRUE TODAY IN MANY PARTS OF THE WORLD CHRISTIANS ARE 2ND CLASS CITIZENS ARE THE POOREST AND THE WEAKEST AND ARE CONTINUALLY BEING PERSECUTED.
BUT WE TOO CANNOT BECOME COMPLACENT IN THE WEST WE MUST LIVE AS JESUS DID AND THAT WILL HAVE ITS CONSEQUENCES TO PAY: BY SERVING OTHERS ( WHERE LIVING FOR SELF IS TOP AGENDA) – BY GIVING UP YOUR OWN RIGHTS (KNOW YOUR RIGHTS) - RESISTING PRESSURE TO CONFORM TO THE WORLD (GODLESS) – BY GIVING UP YOUR ENERGIES AND YOUR FINANCIES TO GODS KINGDOM.
WHAT’ S OUR RESPONSE BE? PAUL TELLS US V3 BUT WE ALSO REJOICE IN OUR SUFFERING.
HOW CAN WE REJOICE ? REMEMBER BEHIND IT ALL GOD IS AT WORK.
ITS PRODUCING.....
V4 PERSEVERANCE (ENDURANCE) WITHOUT SUFFERING THERE IS NOTHING TO ENDURE.
• THE PURITANS SAID OF SUFFERRING, “ RATHER THAN LOOKING AT IT AS A THEIF WHO COMES TO STEAL OUR JOY LOOK AT IT AS A FRIEND WHO TEACHES US PERSERVERANCE.”
NT EXAMPLE PARABLE OF THE SOWER MRK 4:16 SOME GIVE UP AFTER TROUBLES V2 OTHERS PRODUCE FRUIT DESPITE ALL THE CONTDITIONS
V4 CHARACTER (CHRISTIAN MATURITY ) SUFFERING CAN HAVE A POSITIVE EFFECT, MATURING A PERSON THERE IS A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN VETREN AND A RAW RECRUIT THE VETREN HAS EXPERIENCED THE WAR WHERE AS THE RAW RECRUIT AS YET TO FACE IT.
V4 HOPE ( TROUBLES CAUSE US TO LOOK HEAVENWARD) WE KNOW THAT GOD IS AT WORK
• SPOKE TO JEAN IN CHERRY TREES WHO HAD LOST HER HUSBAND ABOUT THE CHRISTIAN HOPE.THAT SHE NEEDS TO CALL UPON GOD AND SHARE THIS HOPE.(HEAVENLY MINDIND DESPITE TRIALS GIVES STREGNTH TO GO ON)
V5 AND HOPE DOESN’T DISAPPOINT US, BECAUSE GOD HAS POURED OUT HIS LOVE INTO OUR HEARTS BY THE HOLY SPIRIT.
THE SUBJECTIVE EXPERIENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN OUR LIVES (A DEEPER ASSURANCE OF GOD’S LOVE TOWARDS US THROUGH HIS SPIRIT IS MANIFESTED.)
ULTIMATLY SUFFERING IS THE PATH TO GLORY ROM 8:17 JESUS WALKED THE PATH OF SUFFERING TO THE CROSS AND UPON IT. AND NO CHRISTIAN WILL BE AMMUNE FROM WALKING THAT SAME PATH OF TAKING UP THEIR CROSS. JAM.1: 2 -4
BUT REJOICE WHEN YOU DO BECAUSE SUFFERING PRODUCES ENDURANCE - WHICH PRODUCES CHARACTER – AND HOPE WITH THE ASSURANCE OF GODS LOVE IN THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL NOT DISSAPOINT US V5.
BECAUSE ONE DAY THE BENIFITS PACKAGE WILL BE COMPLETE AS WE WILL BE PRESENTED COMPLETE IN HIS GLORIOUS PRESENCE.
AUBREY VAUGHAN www..cbchurch.org.uk
