Series: The Cure [#9]
JESUS THE CLEANER
Romans 5:12-21
Introduction:
At this point in Romans, we have proven that Jesus is the cure to all of our problems. Jesus is our Savior, our Creator, the Light, our Healer, etc… We could go on and on. This morning we are going to look at a title of Jesus that we don’t hear about very often, if at all- Jesus is our Cleaner. Now, before you are offended about that title; think about it.
Romans 5:12-14 (NIV)
“Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned-- for before the law was given, sin was in the world. But sin is not taken into account when there is no law. Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who was a pattern of the one to come.”
Jesus…
1. Cleaned up after Adam.
Let’s start this off by noting that there should be a correction here. Sin entered the world through 1 woman, not man. After all, it was Eve that took the apple and was tricked by the serpent- Right? Well that has never worked for me in the past, so I didn’t figure it work this time either.
This whole sin thing started with Adam. The problem is that it has been passed from generation to generation. Even before the Law had been given to Moses, man was guilty. How is that? Each person has been born into a nature of sin. If you don’t believe that, just watch young children. Do you have to teach a child how to lie? No, they just figure it out- Sin nature.
The consequence of Adam’s sin was death. Not only has the nature of sin been passed from generation to generation; but so has death. We all die a physical death thanks to Adam.
God knew before He had even created Adam that he would sin and that this sin would lead to death. God also loved us even before we were created and knew that there was going to be a divide put between us and Him. When Jesus came to this Earth, He knew that the plan was to have victory over sin and death so that we could once again have fellowship and a relationship with God.
Romans 5:15-21 (NIV)
“But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man's sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous. The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Jesus…
2. Cleaned up after you.
Because you are a sinner, you were destined to eternal punishment in Hell; but through the grace of God, you have been justified. Jesus, the second Adam, has given us eternal life if we will accept the gift.
Conclusion:
Because of one sin, all of mankind has been condemned; but because of one man, we have been given grace. Regardless of how terrible you have been, the blood of Christ can change you forever. Christians, if you haven’t been obedient; confess that to God and get moving in the right direction.
