SERMON OUTLINE:
Truth #1: Sin and its origin.
Truth #2: Sin and its effects.
Truth #3: Sin and the Law.
Truth #4: Sin and the Two Adams.
SERMON BODY
Ill:
• Not far from where we live is the birthplace of Charles Dickens.
• He was an English writer,
• Who created some of the world's best-known fictional characters
• And is regarded by many as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era.
• One of his books (A Tale of Two Cities);
• Starts off with the classic line;
• “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times”.
• The book not only chronicles the history of two cities,
• But also the lives of two men (Sydney Carton, Charles Darnay );
• Whose paths crossed during the French revolution.
• TRANSITION: In Romans chapter 5, the apostle Paul also tells of two men:
• Adam, a man of guilt, and Jesus a man of grace.
• If Charles Dickens were to paraphrase the apostle Paul,
• He might say that Adam represents the worst of times and Jesus the best!
• In this chapter the apostle Paul teaches by way of similarities and contrasts.
• In other words, Adam and Jesus are alike in some ways and very different in others.
• i.e. They are alike in that each of them was the first of his kind.
• They were both sinless (one created perfect one conceived by the Holy Spirit)
• i.e. They are also alike in that great things came from a single deed of each of them.
• (Human race through Adam and the family/race of believers through Jesus).
• Apart from these similarities, however,
• Adam and Jesus are as different as night and day.
• i.e. From Adam came the certainty of death;
• i.e. While from Jesus came the hope of resurrection to life.
You might be surprised to know:
• That the Old Testament says very little about Adam!
• Obviously he is mentioned in Genesis chapters 1-3,
• Another mention in Genesis chapter 5 verse 5 were we are told:
• Adam lived 931 years and then he died
• Then not much else is said about Adam in the Old Testament,
• Apart from the prophet Hosea who mentions him in his book;
• (Hosea chapter 6 verses 4-7).
“‘What can I do with you, Ephraim?
What can I do with you, Judah?
Your love is like the morning mist,
like the early dew that disappears.
5 Therefore I cut you in pieces with my prophets,
I killed you with the words of my mouth –
then my judgments go forth like the sun.[a]
6 For I desire mercy, not sacrifice,
and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.
7 As at Adam,[b] they have broken the covenant;
they were unfaithful to me there.”
• Well maybe we should not be surprised,
• That not much is said about Adam in the Old Testament,
• Because Adam was no hero, no positive example of anything good.
Ill:
• Hebrews chapter 11
• This chapter has been described as the Westminster Abbey of the Bible:
• Because here we find enshrined here the great heroes of faith.
• It has also been called:
• God's hall of fame, or Gods hall of faith:
• We have a listed the names of 17 men & women from the Old Testament:
• For us to observe, reflect upon and to admire the way they lived,
• And even the way the died.
• But no mention of Adam,
• The last starts with his son Abel.
Now in contrast to the Old Testament:
• The New Testament has a great deal to say about Adam,
• Some of which is not very complimentary to him.
• The apostle Paul contrasted Adam with Jesus;
• Both here in Romans and also in 1 Corinthians chapter 15 verses 45-50.
• In order to show the difference between the two,
• And to explain some interesting things about Jesus.
NOTE:
• The problem with verse 14 from a preachers perspective:
• It is unpacked and explained in verses 15-21,
• Which I assume is your next week’s sermon.
• So I feel a bit like a chef who has to talk about a dish;
• But cannot give you the recipe or allow you to taste it,
• Until the next programme!
• So if we cannot go forward, then let’s go back,
• And remind ourselves of three key truths that the apostle has taught already.
But before we do go back, I want to whet your appetite for next week:
• Let me point out three key phrases in verses 12-21.
• Repetition is a good teacher and the apostle uses it to highlight certain key truths.
• FIRST: note the repetition of the little word, “one”.
• It is used 11 times in these ten verses.
• The key idea is identification;
• We are identified with both Adam and Christ.
• SECOND: note the repetition of the little word, “reign”.
• It is used 5 times in these verses.
• The apostle sees two men both reigning over a kingdom.
• THIRD: note the repetition of the words, “much more”.
• They are used 5 times in these verses.
• Thus is telling us that in Jesus Christ;
• We have gained much more than we ever lost in Adam.
• Now I will resist the urge to say anything else about this section (vs 12-21);
• But you will know doubt enjoy studying it next week.
• So if we cannot go forward, then let’s go back,
• Because you have had a short break in these studies,
• So this is a chance to refresh your memories.
• And remind ourselves of some key truths that the apostle has taught.
Truth #1: Sin and its Origin.
Answer: Through one man (vs 12).
“Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned”
• When did sin begin?
• According to this verse it started with ‘one man’ – who we call Adam.
• Question: How do you know he is talking about Adam?
• Answer: Look at verse 14:
• “Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses,
• It might come as a surprise to some people,
• That sin started with Adam and not Eve.
• Even though Eve was the first to eat the forbidden fruit!
• But remember Eve was deceived by the serpent
• But Adam knew exactly what he was doing,
• He chose willingly to disobey God.
• So even though Eve ate of the forbidden fruit first,
• Sin did not enter the world until Adam,
• Who was the firstborn, the head of the human race ate the fruit.
Now if you’ll follow the context through to verse 21,
• The apostle Paul is compares Adam and what he did;
• And how it affected the human race,
• With Jesus;
• And what He did and how that affected the human race.
• Every human being is affected by Adam:
• Because (to quote C.S. Lewis from the Narnia books):
• Every human being is “A son of Adam.
• And like Adam we are “of the dust” (1 Corinthians chapter 15 verse 47)
• Jesus was different in that although fully human
• (conceived in the womb of Mary, born after a full-term pregnancy etc.),
• He was not fathered by a human being as we were but by the Holy Spirit.
• He is “Son of God”.
• Or as the apostle Paul writes “the heavenly man” (1 Corinthians chapter 15 verse 48)
Now because they were different:
• The apostle Paul is able to compare Adam and what he did;
• And how it affected the human race,
• With Jesus;
• And what He did and how that affected the human race.
Note:
• In our culture of personal rights and individualism;
• We will probably think it is unfair,
• That we should be penalized for the failure of another.
• Theologians call what I have described as ‘the federal headship of Adam’,
• That is a bit of a mouthful, what does it mean?
• It simply means that Adam stood in as our representative.
• And so when he fell the whole of humanity fell as well.
• Let me illustrate it.
Ill:
• In sports and war. If my team wins, then we have won.
• But if my team lose then so do I.
• If the army of my nation wins a battle or the war, then I share in the victory.
• But if my nation loses a battle or the war then so do I.
• Adam, the first man, our representative head,
• By his disobedient actions he brought sin and corruption into the world.
• And as sons of Adam that means we have all lost!
Now I am trying to explain complex truths with simple illustrations:
• The difficulty with this passage is not with the main idea,
• That is fairly clear,
• Sin entered the world through one man and that effected all humanity.
• So the main idea is fairly clear,
• The difficulty is with the many details.
• Just about every word or phrase can generate pages of discussion and debate.
• And so I am not going to try explain every detail,
• One I haven’t got the time and two I haven’t got the ability or skill needed!
• But hopefully at the end of my talk, you will get the big picture.
• And hopefully leave here with a better understanding and some food for thought.
Truth #2: Sin and its Effects?
“Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned”
ill:
• In that classic book by Rudyard Kipling - ‘The Jungle Book’,
• Mowgli, the man cub, asks the animals a question.
• He enquires, “What’s the most feared thing in the jungle.”
• He is then told that when two animals meet on a narrow path;
• That one must step aside and let the other pass.
• The animal that steps aside for no one would then be the most feared in the jungle.
• Mowgli wants to know what kind of animal would that be?
• One tells him it’s an elephant. Another tells him it’s a lion.
• Finally the wise old owl exclaims,
• “The most feared thing in the jungle is death. It steps aside for no one.”
Ill:
• Years ago Steve Turner wrote a poem called ‘Death Lib’
• And it still holds true and makes a rather sobering point.
“The liberating thing about death
Is in its fairness to women
its acceptance of blacks,
its special consideration
for the sick.
And I like the way
that children aren’t excluded,
homosexuals are welcomed,
and militants aren’t banned.
Con men can’t con it
Thieves can’t nick it
Bullies can’t scare it
Magicians can’t trick it.
Boxers can’t punch it
Nor critics dismiss it
Don’t knows can’t not know
The lazy can’t miss it.
Governments can’t ban it
Or the army defuse it
Judges can’t jail it
Lawyers can’t sue it.
Capitalists can’t bribe it
Socialists can’t share it
Terrorists can’t jump it
The Third World aren’t spared it.
Scientists can’t quell it
Nor can they disprove it
Doctors can’t cure it
Surgeons can’t move it.
Einstein can’t halve it
Guevera can’t free it
The thing about dead
Is we’re all gonna be it.”
• TRANSITION: Sin brings death to everyone!
• And the apostle Paul teaches in these verses that death was both a physical event.
• But it was also a spiritual event.
• Death is a consequence of sin.
• To put it simply death means separation.
Ill:
• I have recently taken two funerals,
• One for family who have a lose link with the Church I help to lead,
• And one funeral for a lady who was the oldest member of our assembly;
• She died 106 years old!
• Funerals are always sad occasions because when a person dies;
• And is then buried or cremated;
• They are separated from their loved ones,
• The family and friends of the deceased realise the finality of the situation;
• They know that they will not see or hear from their loved ones again.
• Death means physical separation.
• But before physical death takes place,
• Death for every human being born,
• Means they are born spiritually dead, born separated from God.
Ill:
• Think back to Genesis chapter 3.
• Question: What were God’s first words to Adam after the fall?
• Answer: “But the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?”
• (Genesis chapter 3 verse 9)
• Now don't take that geographically,
• The omniscient God knew exactly where Adam was.
• He could have pinpointed the exact bush Adam was hiding behind!
• So the question is not geographical,
• i.e. “I am in the Garden of Eden”
• Or even “I am hiding behind the big bush on the left of the fig tree”.
• Rather the question asked by God is spiritual;
• “Adam where are you?
• We were so close and know you are so far away from me!”
Quote The great preacher G. Campbell Morgan used to say:
“This is not the call of a policeman arresting the criminal.
It was rather the wail of a father, who had lost his child”
• This is a heavenly Father heartbroken at his child’s rebellion;
• “Adam where are you! We were so close and know you are so far away from me!”
When Adam sinned he did not realise at first exactly what death meant:
• But he was soon to find out,
• His actions affected the whole created world that we are living in,
• It affected the animal life.
• It affected the plant life;
• It affected nature itself.
• But above all Adam’s sin affected all human kind.
• Because with the sin came the consequence of that sin:
• "and so death spread to all men, because all sinned."
This is not just a New Testament idea:
• We have many verses in the Old Testament that also teach this truth,
• For example Isaiah chapter 59 verses 1-2:
“Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save,
nor his ear too dull to hear.
But your iniquities have separated
you from your God;
your sins have hidden his face from you,
so that he will not hear.”
• In one sense it is impossible to be separated from an omnipresent God;
• Therefore spiritual “separation” between God and humanity is metaphorical.
• By that we mean that we are separated from God relationally.
Ill:
• In marriage wives and husbands can give each other ‘the silent treatment’
• The couple may be living in the same house,
• They may be sitting next to each other in the same room,
• But for whatever reason the relationship has (in a sense) been cut off!
• The communication, the friendliness, the companionship, the love has been lost.
• Now hopefully in that relationship (between hubby & wife),
• The partner who is in the wrong will apologise and sort it out quickly.
• And then the relationship is close again.
• TRANSITION: Our relationship with God is spiritually dead,
• We are separated from God relationally.
Quote: Phil Drysdale:
“When considering sin it’s a great idea to remember that Adam & Eve hid from God,
not the other way around.”
• So, sin separates us relationally from God.
• As a result of sin coming into the world through Adam,
• All human beings will physically die;
• And all human are spiritually dead, that is cut off from God.
Truth #3: Sin and the Law.
Answer: Sin affects all mankind (vs 13-14).
“To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone’s account where 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 is a pattern of the one to come.
• Some bright spark who was raised in the Jewish religion,
• Might say to the apostle Paul.
"Now wait a minute. Sin is something you do. Therefore, there has to be a Law to tell you not to do it. If there’s no Law to tell you not to do it, then you can’t charge it against somebody’s account."
• So the apostle Paul answers that objection by saying:
• "Sin was in the world from Adam until Moses before the Law ever even came."
• The apostle Paul is teaching that sin is not what you do,
• Sin is what you are! We are sinners by nature as well as by practice.
• The Law only reveals that truth,
• That we are sinners because we break it,
• But sin existed before the law the evidence of that is people died.
• Every time you see a grave yard or pass by a tomb;
• It is a reminder that sin is not what you do, sinful is what you are!
• We are sinners by nature as well as practice.
Ill:
• As parents at some time I can almost guarantee you have uttered these words;
• Maybe when someone is looking after your children,
• Or they are going to a friends for tea or a sleepover,
• We say to our children, “Remember to be bad!”
• Of course not, we say; “Remember to be good!”
• Because all humans even cute children, are sinners by nature as well as practice.
Truth #4: Sin and the Two Adams.
• One of the titles of Jesus is ‘The last Adam’.
• He is not the second Adam,
• Because if he was then you could have a third Adam and a fourth Adam etc.
• But the title ‘The last Adam’ reminds us that we do not need a third or a fourth etc.
• Because in Jesus Christ we have fulfilment and completion!
In verse 14-17: the apostle Paul starts to contrast the two Adam’s:
• FIRST: Jesus differs from Adam in the nature of his actions (vs 15).
• Adam disobeyed while Jesus Christ obeyed.
• i.e. Heaven opened on a number of occasions and God spoke,
• “This is my beloved Son in whom I delight” (Mathew chapter 3 verse 1)
• i.e. Jesus could say: “I always do what pleases him."
• (John chapter 8 verse 29).
• While Adam disobeyed, Jesus Christ obeyed perfectly!
• SECOND:
• Jesus differs from Adam in the spiritual consequences of his actions (vs 16).
• Adam’s sin lead to condemnation, Christ’s sacrifice led to justification.
• In Adam we are all guilty before a holy God.
• In Christ we are all justified (just as if I never sinned).
• THIRD: Jesus differs from Adam in the experimental results of his actions (vs 17).
• Adam’s sin resulted in death, Jesus Christ obedience resulted in life!
• In Adam we inherit death and separation from God.
• In Christ we inherit eternal life!
• Spiritual life here and now;
• And one day even physical life as God gives to every believer;
• A new immortal gloried resurrection body like Jesus.
• (read about it in 1 Corinthians chapter 15 verses 45-50).
Now as we draw to a conclusion:
• Please note that there is one likeness that stands out from the two Adam’s.
• Both of them were representative of the human race.
• Adam made a selfish decision:
• And cast the world into sin and death.
• Jesus (last Adam) made a selfless decision,
• That can cast a person into righteousness and life!
Adam actions affected all people, and Jesus can potentially affect all people.
• The difference is Adam’s penalty was imposed upon man.
• We weren’t even born but we are affected by his actions.
• But when it comes to Jesus:
• You must put your faith in him before he can affect you for eternal life.
• Each person is either IN Adam or they are IN Christ.
ill:
• I started this sermon with a quote from Charles Dickens: 'A Tales of two cities'.
• Let me finish by illustrating from it.
• The story is set in the French revolution,
• It is the story of two friends: Charles Darnay & Sydney Carton,
• Darnay is a young Frenchman:
• Who has been thrown into a dungeon, & faces the guillotine the next morning.
• Carton is a wasted English lawyer,
• Whose life has been one of loose living.
• When Carton hears of his best friend Darnay's imprisonment:
• He decides to rescue him, he manages to slip into the dungeon,
• The two men look alike and Carton tricks Darney;
• He persuades him to exchange clothes and to escape,
• And so carton remains I prison while Darney goes free without any alarm being raised.
• The next morning,
• Sydney Carton makes his way up the steps that lead to the guillotine.
• Ans his final speech are words of triumphant:
"I see the lives for which I lay down my life,
peaceful, useful, prosperous and happy,
in that England which I shall see no more.....
It is a far, far better thing I do, than I have ever done;
it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known".
• And at this point in the story Charles Dickens inserts a quote from the Bible:
• (John chapter 15 verse 13):
• "Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends".
• And so Carton demonstrates his love for his friend Darney,
• By voluntarily ‘laying down’ his life for his friend.
• TRANSITION:
• Now you folk have already made the application,
• You are one step ahead!
• Tonight we can be IN Christ:
• Because Jesus Christ broke into our world,
• Jesus Christ clothed himself in flesh and blood,
• And was willing to lay down his life as a sacrifice for sin.
• So that we could clothe ourselves in his righteousness and be set free.
• He stood in our place,
• He became our substitute,
• The Price of our freedom, our forgiveness,
• Was his blood shed on the cross.
• Forgiveness is free,
• But never cheap!
• And what was lost in that first Adam,
• Was redeemed by the second Adam!
So tonight:
• If you are in Christ then be thankful!
• And if you have yet to receive Jesus Christ as your saviour, then do so now.
• I often say it’s as easy as A.B.C.
• A = Admit – Like Adam I am a sinner by nature and by practice.
• And I know my sin is an offence to a holy God.
• B = Believe – that the last Adam Jesus bore your sins when he died on the cross.
• Put your faith and trust in him and his finished work and not your good works.
• C = Consider – am I willing to make Jesus Christ Lord of my life,
• Am I will to repent, turn from living for self and start to live for him?
• D = Do – will you do that now as I lead you in a short prayer of commitment to Christ.
• Let’s pray.
SERMON AUDIO:
https://surf.pxwave.com/wl/?id=7LU7VSJgWeHYbfKDTQsJIMinP1Vna0v1
