The Road To Glory
Romans 5:18-21
* We are approaching the time for the next Olympic Games. In this setting we get to witness to most talented, gifted, and disciplined athletes in the world. They have worked, trained, sacrificed, and given their all to reach their goal. Without a doubt it is the goal of every participant is to win the gold medal. Yes, if they take the silver or bronze they will experience some personal satisfaction, but make no mistake they came to WIN!! They have spent their lives “going for the gold” and bringing “Glory” to their country and countrymen. For every Olympic athlete there are several steps or points along the way. First, they begin by a rigid training program. Next, they must try out for and MAKE the team. Then, they must FINISH the event. Then if successful, they win the race and are awarded the medal.
* This morning, I definitely want to challenge us to “Go for the Gold” by getting on the “Road to Glory. “ Turn with me to Romans 5 and let’s continue our study of Romans. We’ll read verses 18-21. Be reminded of a couple of things; 1) Jesus tells us that there is only ONE WAY to God, 2) The Apostle Paul uses every illustration he can think of to point us to that ONE WAY, 3) We can only be free of this world’s pull and discover God when we face the truth, and finally 4) Your eternal existence is in the balance. Let’s Read.
* In 1961 Donald Lee Haskins was hired as the Head Basketball coach at Texas Western College (today UTEP). The team was poor & recruit-ment was hard. Wanting and needing to turn the program around, he did something that no one was doing at that time. He went after the best Afro-American ballplayers in America. In 1966, TWC met Adolph Rupp & the University of Kentucky for the National Championship and won. The big news was; Coach Haskins started 5 black boys in a National Championship. Today, a movie has been made which chronicles this story. It is called “Glory Road.”
* This morning I call each person here to get on the Glory road to become all we can be in God, for God & toward God. Just like any other trip, you must know where you are and where you are going. Let’s draw us a map, chart our course, and see the stops along the way. Let’s take this from where we begin to where we belong.
1. The Starting Point – Condemnation –
* Most of us recognize the truth that if we are going somewhere, we must know where the journey will begin. On the internet is the popular web site named “map quest.” If you want to get written and visual directions to any location, just type in two addresses. You must type in your beginning point and ending point. In our physical world we understand this, however, spiritually we either deny or totally miss this.
* Many times on Sunday mornings as I am in my study, praying for God’s leadership, reviewing the message for the morning that the phone rings and the caller says, “how do I get to your church?” My first question is always the same, “where are you?” If they can tell me, then I can help. If not, then I’m helpless.
* Where do we start on our “Road to Glory?” Look at verse 18 for the answer, “through one trespass (sin) there is condemnation.” Our starting point is termed, “Condemnation.” We are condemned. Left to our own efforts, we have no hope. Why?
* Dating back to the Garden of Eden mankind has been infected by sin. Sin entered the world through one man’s disobedience (sin.) We all know and understand this truth in general terms. The problem comes when one has the audacity to say that this sin leads to condemnation. No one in our culture wants to come to grips with the truth that sin condemns, my sin condemns me and your sin condemns you. We don’t care to admit that we are a condemned people. Yet, the Bible uses the Greek word “Katakrima” which pictures the sentence of damnation which has been given to you. By the way, Paul has just written in Romans 3:23 that “ALL have sinned and fallen short of God’s Glory.”
* I submit we all know about “condemned” people. (I.E. Timothy McVay, Ted Bundy, etc) A condemned person has no hope of survival. Without some extraordinary help—they are doomed.
* From what I read in God’s word, this is us. The Bible says, “no one is righteous, all have sinned, & the wages of sin is death”
* In our feel good society, we want to be better without admitting where we are. The requirement is to admit where we are.
2. The Secondary Point – Justification – This is where the journey really begins!! This is the point of what the Bible calls being “saved.” This is when a person puts his faith in Christ for forgiveness of sin, an abundant life here, and an eternal life in heaven. Being justified means you have been made right before God. Justification does not mean that the law has been changed, relaxed, or overlooked on your behalf. Rather, it means that you punishment has been exacted, your penalty served, and your debt has been paid. In Jesus Christ, all of this has happened and we justified before God. Through one man’s disobedience sin condemnation came to us and through one act of righteousness we are justified and given a place in God’s family.
* Allow me to illustrate how this works; suppose I decided it was time for me to meet President Bush. So I get in my car and drive to the White House. Upon arriving at the gate, the security guard asks, “who are you and what do you want?” “I am Jerry Watts and I came to see the president.” What would be the response? At the least I would not be allowed to see the President, at the most I might be detained for questioning.” However, suppose Governor Bob Riley called me, asked me to go and speak to the president about a particular issue, and make the necessary connections. When I arrived at the gate of the White House, my reception would be entirely different. Why? Because of the one who interceded in my behalf and made the way.
* The only way to be justified before God & put condemnation behind you is to come to Christ and believe in Him by faith. In Act 16 the question is asked, “What must I do to be saved?” Without hesitation or reservation Paul responded, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.” Making this decision leads us down the road to a relationship with God, a full and meaningful life on earth, and an eternal life in heaven.
* May I offer one thought: BEING JUSTIFIED is the difference in HEAVEN AND HELL!!! It is the defining moment of a person’s life. Without coming to Christ, establishing a relationship with Him, and allowing Him to guide your life, there will be no eternity.
3. The Separating Point – Sanctification – Being sanctified is not some alien adventure which means you have been abducted by aliens and returned as some weirdo. It simply means to be set apart or to be consecrated. Admittedly, neither sanctification nor sanctified is an everyday term, yet maybe it should be. Perhaps the very reason that we don’t use this word is because so seldom in our spiritual lives do we practice this concept. Some will even suggest, “I don’t see the word sanctification here.” Let me offer three verses and thoughts for you to consider this point.
* Look in verse 19 where it says, through one man’s obedience the MANY will be made righteous. Now look in Chapter 6 and verse 19 (read). Now let’s read verse 22. Now watch this, when we are saved by faith through Jesus, the Holy Spirit comes into our lives and we become slaves to God and righteousness. This results in bearing Spiritual Fruit. Who can bear spiritual fruit? Only a saved & spirit-filled person!
* Candidly, a person bearing spiritual fruit in this sin sick world will indeed be “set apart” because he or she is different. They will also have to be consecrated for and to the task. They live, walk, talk, and act differently because they are committed to no longer be controlled by sin. To be set apart or sanctified is the natural result of moving from condemnation through justification to sanctification. You have made the journey from “sin reigning” in your life to “the righteousness” or “the rightness” of God reigning in your life.
* Because you moan that you don’t want to be a fanatic and give God your every waking moment, consider this; YOU ARE SET APART FOR SOMETHING. By your choice, you have chosen to give your life to something? The question is; “for what are you “set apart?” Sports, Hobbies, Vacations, gadgets and gismos?
* To be set apart for God’s work is NOT about becoming an isolationist and stop interacting with the world. Too many believers today have taken this approach. The Bible says, “We are to be in and not of the world. But we must be in it if we are to change it.” However, our focus must be on Him.
4. The Supreme Point – Glorification – This is the final stop on the RTG. The last words in Chapter 5 & 6 are essentially the same because Paul wants us to get it!! ETERNAL LIFE – not temporal life, but life with no end. IN JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD – Paul is so forceful that he does not want there to be any doubt about how we get eternal life. It is in and through Jesus.
* Take your Bible & allow me to remind you of the Glorification which waits for those who take the RTG. First, keep in mind that there is a permanent, prepared, personal, picturesque place for those who love God. It is the eternal life that is found in Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 4:13ff. 1 John 3:2. Revelation 4:1-2a. Revelation 21:3-4.
* God’s desire is for you and I to be ON the RTG. He has done everything possible to help us realize that the first point on our journey is to realize we are condemned by nature and choice. He provided us a way to become justified in His presence. He sent Jesus to make our trip possible.
* I offer this; every person here is on a Road of some kind, it’s a spiritual road or journey. In fact, some may be at a crossroad. You know where you are, yet you are not sure where you want to go. This world seems to be offering you other options. IN the eyes of God there exists only 2 road, 2 paths, 2 routes, 2 ways, and only 2 choices. It is the Way of the world or the way of God.
* Shortly after I moved here I had an experience which illustrates the way of the world. I was attempting to discover a shortcut and so thinking I would save some time, I turned on a particular road and drove. Fifteen minutes later and highly frustrated I returned to the same intersection. My shortcut was a circle. This is the way of the world. There is a way which seems right to man, but the end is destruction. What road are you on?
