SERMON OUTLINE:
(1). We have peace with God (vs 1)
(2). We stand in grace (vs 2a)
(3). We have hope (vs 2b).
(4). We have daily confidence (vs 3-4).
(5). We rejoice in God (vs 5-11).
SERMON BODY
Ill:
• In his book, ‘Disorder in the American Courts’,
• Marcelle Boren list things the true people actually said in court,
• Here are a few of my favourites.
(1).
• ATTORNEY: What is your date of birth?
• WITNESS: July 18th.
• ATTORNEY: What year?
• WITNESS: Every year.
(b).
• ATTORNEY: What gear were you in at the moment of the impact?
• WITNESS: A Gucci sweater and Reeboks.
(c).
• ATTORNEY: What was the first thing your husband said to you that morning?
• WITNESS: He said, "Where am I, Cathy?"
• ATTORNEY: And why did that upset you?
• WITNESS: My name is Susan.
(d).
• ATTORNEY: Were you present when your picture was taken?
• WITNESS: Would you repeat the question?
(e).
• ATTORNEY: Doctor, how many of your autopsies have you performed on dead people?
• WITNESS: All my autopsies are performed on dead people.
(f).
• ATTORNEY: ALL your responses MUST be oral, OK?
• Now what school did you go to?
• WITNESS: Oral.
• TRANSITION: In case you are wondering why I am telling you this nonsense;
• The word “justify” is borrowed from a court of law,
• So that is my feeble connection (although I hope it made you smile)
• So, now to the serious stuff:
• The apostle Paul ended chapter 4 with the words;
• “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.”
• Chapter 5 verse 1 starts with;
• “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith”.
• So “justify” or “justification” in both those verses,
• And they are the foundation to what he shares in verses 1-11.
Note:
• Now as I mentioned earlier, the words “justify” or “justification” is legal jargon,
• In a court of law.
• When someone has been accused of a crime,
• A trial is held and the accused will either be found guilty or innocent.
• If found innocent, the accused is declared justified.
• That person can walk out of the courtroom a free or woman;
• Because they have been declared right before the law;
• And therefore the law has no claim of punishment on them.
Now there is a spiritual parallel to that scenario and it is this:
• God declares or pronounces every true believer to be justified before him;
• That is God sees them, ‘Just as though they had never sinned’
• He can do that, not because they are perfect,
• But because Jesus Christ is perfect and we are made right through him.
Ill:
• To change the illustration:
• Before conversion we were in debt to God;
• And we had no means of ever clearing that debt.
• Jesus who was in credit,
• Willingly took on our debts and paid them,
• But he also transferred his credit into our accounts.
• So that we can never be in debt again!
• Now in these verses of Romans chapter 5;
• The apostle Paul will explain the benefits of justification.
• The benefits of being in credit with God.
(1). We have peace with God (vs 1).
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, WE HAVE peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,”
Ill:
• While Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq are well known conflicts,
• There are more than 40 active conflicts around the world at the moment.
• From Yemen to the Ogaden,
• Question: Anyone know where Ogaden is?
• Answer: Ogaden (Somali: Ogaadeen) is the official name of the Somali Region,
• So from Yemen to the Ogaden, from Kashmir to Western Sahara;
• The horrors of war is devastating for the people who live there.'
• Quote: IRIN says.
“The number of people affected by humanitarian crises has almost doubled over the past decade.”
• Source:
• https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-4453666/The-world-war-Interactive-map-reveals-conflicts.html
• TRANSITION: Did you know that the Bible speaks of humanity as a whole,
• Being at war?
• The war is between mankind and God.
• e.g. Verse 10: “…we were God’s enemies…”
• e.g. Colossians chapter 1 verse 21:
• “…alienated and hostile…” towards him.
• People are in a state of militant hostility towards the God of the universe,
• One day we will realise what a mismatch this situation is.
• Mankind might appear to win the battles but God will ultimately win the war!
Yet:
• Every Christian ‘through faith’ in Jesus Christ (i.e. Conversion)
• Has raised the white flag of surrender,
• And ironically when we dropped to our knees in defeat,
• We actually gained the spiritual victory.
• We are no longer at war against God,
• But we are now willing conscripts in God’s army fighting against unrighteousness.
Now this word translated as ‘peace’:
• Means much more than the cessation of hostilities,
• The word parallels the Old Testament word ‘Shalom’
• Which implies a relationship of wellbeing, prosperity and good intentions.
Quote: I love what John Witmer says:
“A believer is not responsible for having peace in the sense of making it but in the sense of enjoying it
Ill:
• In St Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin;
• Stands what is known as the "Door of Reconciliation".
• Back in 1492 this door was all that separated two feuding Irish families;
• As the Butlers of Ormon? sought sanctuary from the Fitzgeralds of Kildare.
• Realizing that the fighting had been getting out of control,
• Gerald Fitzgerald pleaded with "Black James" Butler to accept a truce.
• But suspecting treachery,
• Black James refused to open the door.
• In response Gerald proceeded to hack a hole in the door;
• And then thrust his arm through as a pledge of his goodwill.
• It was a daring gesture as Gerald risked his arm being hacked off,
• Instead Butler took his hand and peace was restored.
• The door was opened and the feuding families were reconciled.
• From that incident comes the expression; ‘To chance your arm’.
• These two families went from “enmity to friendship”.
• Their relationship was changed and transformed.
• TRANSITION: God offers us his hand in friendship,
• ‘By faith’ in Jesus Christ, this morning you have the chance to take it.
• And move from hostilities to friendship.
(2). We stand in grace (vs 2a).
“through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.,”
Ill:
• Long ago, a poor woman from the slums of London;
• Was invited to go with a group of people for a holiday at the ocean.
• She had never seen the ocean before, and when she saw it, she burst into tears.
• Those around her thought it was strange that she should cry,
• When such a lovely holiday had been given her.
• So they asked her: "Why in the world are you crying?"
• Pointing to the ocean she answered,
• “This is the only thing I have ever seen that there was enough of."
• TRANSITION: When it comes to grace, God has more than enough of!
• In fact the Bible says three things concerning God’s grace.
FIRST: We are SAVED by grace (Ephesians chapter 2 verse 8)
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God”
SECOND: We are SUSTAINED by grace (2 Corinthians chapter 12 verse 9)
"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
THIRD: We STAND in grace (Romans chapter 5 verse 2).
“through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.,”
Ill:
• Story of the prodigal son (Luke chapter 15)
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/kfDfMZ6MTJs
• (email me if you want an edited shorter version).
• TRANSITION: At the end of the story the son is ‘standing in grace’,
• He came home with nothing,
• Even the clothes he was wearing were filthy rags that needed burning.
• i.e. "Bring the best robe and put it on him"
• By placing the best robe on him,
• The Father was telling the Prodigal as well as all observers,
• That his position as son was being restored.
• i.e. "Put a ring on his finger"
• In ancient times, presenting a ring to someone was a sign of great affection,
• But also a symbol of being placed in an office of authority;
• This son is receiving back all the rights he lost when he rebelled and went away.
• i.e. "Put sandals on his feet"
• The prodigal returned home without shoes,
• In ancient biblical times only servants and slaves went barefoot.
• When the Father ordered shoes to be brought out and put on the Prodigal's feet,
• He is saying for the third and final time,
• The Prodigal son was not to be treated as a servant but as a son with all entitlements.
• That is what it means to stand in grace;
• He lost everything, but now he has more than he could have ever imagined!
(3). We have hope (vs 2b).
“through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.”
Ill:
• In an old Calvin and Hobbes comic strip - this conversation takes place.
• In the first frame Calvin speaks to Hobbes and says:
• "Live for the moment is my motto. You never know how long you got".
• In the second frame he explains
• "You could step into the road tomorrow and WHAM, you get hit by a cement truck!
• Then you’d be sorry you put off your pleasures.
• That’s what I say - live for the moment."
• And then he asks Hobbes: "What’s your motto?"
• Hobbes replies: "My motto is - Look down the road."
• TRANSITION: Every believer has hope!
• Question: Did you notice how these first three benefits link together?
• Answer:
• FIRST: ‘Peace with God’ – takes care of the past.
• God no longer holds our sins against us.
• SECOND: ‘Standing in grace’ – takes care of the present.
• As sons we have access to God. We can come to him at any time.
• THIRD: ‘Hope of the glory of God’ – takes care of the future.
• One day we will share in his glory.
• Wow! We can rejoice and boast about what God has done for us.
(4). We have daily confidence (vs 3-4).
“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
Ill:
• Corrie ten Boom in her book ‘The Hiding Place’
• Relates an incident that taught her always to be thankful.
• She and her sister, Betsy, had just been transferred to Ravensbruck.
• This was the worst German prisoner of war camp they had ever seen.
• As they entered the barracks, they noticed two things;
• It was extremely overcrowded and it was infested with fleas.
• That morning, their Bible reading was in 1 Thessalonians and the passage they read had said;
• “Rejoice always, pray constantly, and give thanks in all circumstances”.
• Betsy told Corrie to stop and thank the Lord for every detail of their new living quarters. Corrie at first flatly refused to give thanks for the fleas,
• But Betsy persisted, and Corrie finally succumbed to her pleadings.
• During the months spent at that camp,
• They were surprised to find how openly they could hold Bible study & prayer meetings;
• Without the guards interference.
• It was not until several months later that they learned why;
• The reason the guards would not enter the barracks was because of the fleas.
• TRANSITION: to rejoice is to recognize in trials that God is in control;
• He has not forgotten you,
• He is able to use all things to work out his glory in your life.
Note:
• The apostle Paul tells us that, trials in life are really working for us, not against us.
• They are allowed to happen by God not because he does not care,
• But because he does care!
• The apostle Paul says, he knows what He’s doing.
• God loves us and he allows trials to come into our lies;
• Because they are one of the ways we will grow (put on spiritual muscle);
• And become more godlike in our character.
Ill:
• Remember the words of Job in the Old Testament (chapter 23 verse 10):
• Job recognised God’s purposes in His sufferings.
• He could testify:
“But he knows the way that I take;
when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.”
Ill:
• No goldsmith would deliberately waste the precious ore.
• Instead He puts it into the smelting furnace;
• But only long enough to remove the cheap impurities;
• After this he pours out the pure molten ore to make a beautiful article of value.
• It has been said that the Eastern goldsmith;
• Kept the metal in the furnace until he could see his face reflected in it.
• TRASNSITION: God allows his people to go through the furnace of suffering;
• Until we reflect his glory and beauty.
(5). We rejoice in God (vs 5-11).
“And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! 10 For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”
Ill:
• I'm sure most of you have seen those vacuum storage bags advertised on TV,
• Some of you like my wife may even have purchased one.
• In case you don’t know they are these thick plastic bags;
• That you stuff clothes, quilts, pillows etc into the bag,
• You then hook up the vacuum cleaner to a valve,
• And it sucks the air out of the bag causing it to compress to a much smaller size.
• The result is that you end up with more stuff in a smaller space.
• Here’s my point;
• If you did not know everything that was in the bag to start with,
• You might be surprised when it is unpacked.
• TRANSITION: This cluster of verses are like one of those bags,
• In these 11 verses or 165 words are contained so much stuff!
• The problem for me as a preacher is what to pull out and mention,
• And what to overlook because of time!
Let me focus our thoughts on two things.
• We noticed that in times of suffering it is easy to doubt God’s love,
• Many people ask the question, “Why me?” – “Why am I suffering like this?”
• What the apostle Paul does in these verses,
• Is to remind us the Jesus Christ is the portrait and proof of God’s love.
• Quote: Verses 6-8:
“And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
• We have a saying that actions are louder than words;
• And if we ever doubt God’s words to us, he says then look at my actions;
• “While you were an enemy, ungodly” God sent his son Jesus!
• Every time we think of the cross it shouts out to us God is love!
Ill:
• When a gift is given.
• You can measure the degree of love behind the gift in two ways..
FIRST: the cost of the gift.
• Maybe in monetary terms (its price);
• Or it may be in the time it took to make that gift.
Ill:
• A woman missionary in the South Pacific Islands,
• Once received a gift from a young native boy.
• He pulled from a straw basket the most beautiful shell she had ever seen.
• As she admired its beauty,
• She recognized it as a special shell only found on the far side of the island,
• A half day's walk from the village.
• When she asked the boy about this,
• He smiled and said, "Long walk part of gift!"
• TRANSITION: Love is proved by the cost of the gift.
• Maybe in monetary terms (its price) or maybe in the time it took to make that gift.
SECOND: Love is proved by the worthiness of the one receiving the gift.
• Maybe you have been given a gift and your response was;
• “It’s too much” or “I don’t deserve that”
• But the gift is all the more valuable when you appreciate those truths.
• When Jesus Christ died on the cross the cost could not have been higher,
• And humanity could not have been less worthy of his love.
• Wow! No wonder we can rejoice in love!
• We rejoice in all that God has given and done for us!
In Conclusion:
• The benefits of being justified are:
• Faith (vs 1), Hope (vs 2), Love (vs 5).
• These combine to help us grow though the trials of life.
• We rejoice because we have salvation from future wrath (vs 9-10).
• We rejoice because we have reconciliation with God (vs 11).
SERMON AUDIO:
https://surf.pxwave.com/wl/?id=5QmLIQBwe4Tt5wX3O8TeXjOcee37LLHc&forceSave
