Outline for CBF AM September 6, 2009
Intro.
L Explain that reading v. 5 we know that our text is dealing with hope and that the conjunction "For" in v. 6 tells us that Paul is giving us more reasons why hope does not disappoint.
L Hope for what?
That ultimately we’ll be alright.
Based on "stand" in v. 2 and vv. 4-5 we know that Paul is talking about hope through difficulties.
Jesus’ said in John 16:33
"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
L The hope of God’s child is that He will do His good work in us, through us, for us and for His own glory; and that no challenge, weakness on our part, nor difficulty in life shall deter Him.
What are some things which can challenge our hope?
Conflict
Health problems
Persecution
Personal weakness (my self!)
Addictions
Finances
Can you think of more? I bet you can!
God knows this. He knows how fragile we are. Hence, in this section (5:1-11) in which He applies "justification" to the life of God’s child, He speaks much of hope.
TS. Today, as we examine Romans 5:5-11 we’re going to find four reasons, why the hope of those who are in Christ shall not be disappointed.
TS. Let’s examine v. 6.
I. God is the primary mover in your spiritual life, 6.
A. What God did for our salvation, He did when we were incapable of helping ourselves.
TS. Notice Paul tells us "in due time Christ died for the ungodly."
B. God planned our salvation when we had neither interest nor respect for God.
1. He decided to justify us way before we were even born!
2. He decided to justify us when we had neither interest nor respect for Him!
TS. Why should this encourage us?
3. God has determined to work even on our hearts and minds.
a. He had to do this in order for us ever to have come to Him, cf. v. 6.
b. Once we’re in His family He continues this work. See Php 2:12-13
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Php 2:12-13
What does this mean for me in my journey through life?
1. God assured the lion’s share of our salvation, past, present & future before we were even born.
Quote Eph 2:10 "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."
2. He certainly wasn’t motivated by anything we might have done. We hadn’t even been born!
3. And we know, that He doesn’t change, nor quit on that which He begins.
"being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;" Php 1:6
L So... Be encouraged! (Here’s the point!)
4. We just need to trust Him and keep our eyes on Him, and not so much on ourselves.
II. God’s love for us is "off the charts!" 7-9
A. Who dies for a bad person? 7
B. Who would send their own Son to die for a bad person?! 8
C. After justification (salvation) God has all the more reason to finish what He’s begun! 9
1. He says so! "Much more..."
2. See Romans 8:29-30
The question on your sheet reads: "How likely is it that God’s love for me will run out?"
3. If He did everything in order to bring us to perfection, and that, before we had anything to do with the matter, how likely do you think it, that He give up on us now?! Not very, as in IMPOSSIBLE!
III. Christ’s death on the cross was only the beginning of God’s work on our behalf! 10
L Notice the contrast, here, between what we were and what we are (in Christ)!
A. We were enemies (hate)
B. We have been reconciled.
This is the natural consequence of justification. Being in Christ there’s nothing between us and God. Hence, we have been brought into a good, right relationship!
C. Why is it that we shall be saved by His life?
Some texts to consider:
Hebrews 7:25 "Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them."
LJesus lives to continue ministering on our behalf!
Colossians 3:2-4 "2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory."
L Jesus Himself is intimately wound into the very substance of our life!
Look at Philippians 1:19-21 LPaul found this to be foundational for hope!
19 For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. 21For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain."
Bulletin: What else has God done for those who trust in Jesus?
1. We’ve been placed into God’s family (right relationship)
2. We actually have Jesus Christ!
3. He is so much embedded in our person that the Scriptures call Him "our life!"
Application
1. Are you trying to get reconciled to God? Stop it!
2. If you have placed your faith in Jesus, are you trying to keep in His good graces? Stop it! ~ Get your focus off yourself and onto Jesus, where it belongs!
Heb 12:2 says "looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,..."
3. When you consider the spiritual battle before you, are you thinking about the basis upon which one can hope to live the Christian life. You have Jesus! He is your life!!!
IV. Christ’s work in us runs far deeper than just the forgiveness of sins, 11.
L Notice anything really different between the child of God and one who has yet to trust in Jesus?
A. vv. 8,11 in contrast with v. 11 ’We rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ!
L (in bulletin) What fundamental change does God work in the one who is born into His family?
B. God has done much more than simply forgive sins!
1. 2Cor 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."
2. He has given us a new heart: Eze 36:26 "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh."
3. He has given us the mind of Christ! (a new mind) 1Cor 2:15-16
"15 But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is [rightly] judged by no one. 16 For "who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ."
4. And, in the next passage we’re to see that we have even been born into a new family!
Conclusion:
1. Have you come to the point of abandoning any faith you might have in your own ability to somehow "get it right?"
2. Have you come to the point of placing your whole trust in Jesus Christ, whom the Father has sent?
TS. If you have, where is your focus, as you go through life?
Are you trusting in God, who is the one who works in you, both to will and to do?
Are you reminding yourself of His great love (and investment) in you?!
Are you harried by doubts that perhaps, if you yourself can’t measure up, He’ll abandon you? Can those doubts! They’re a lie!
Do you come to God, recognizing that, in Christ, you have His favor?
Have you made a study of the N.T. to see, to dwell on, the riches of His redeeming work in us, for us, through us, and for His own glory?
4But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Eph 2:4-7
