Title: “Great News!” Script: Rom. 5:1-11
Type: Expository/series Where: GNBC 4-11-21
Intro: A large, two-engined train was making its way across America. While crossing the Western mountains, one of the engines broke down. “No problem, we can make it to Denver and get a replacement engine there,” the engineer thought, and carried on at half power. Farther on down the line (if you didn’t guess by now), the other engine broke down, and the train came to a standstill in the middle of nowhere.
The engineer needed to inform the passengers about why the train had stopped, and always trying to look on the bright side of things, made the following announcement: “Ladies and Gentlemen, I have some good news and some bad news. The bad news is that both engines have failed, and we will be stuck here for some time until the additional engines arrive. The good news is that you didn’t take this trip in a plane!” Now even that bad, in light of the engineer’s insight, was good news. The 1st 4 chapters of Romans seems to state a lot of bad news. However, all of that bad news is there to put us in the right frame of reference to receive the Great News of Romans 5:1-11.
Prop: Examining Rom. 5:1-11 will demonstrate 2 Pieces of Great News!
BG: 1. Romans 5:1 begins with a major change from the previous 4 chapters. Good News!
2. Rom. 5 begins w/ the great benefits of being declared righteous by God. Good News.
Prop: Let’s joyfully examine Rom.5:1-11 to see two pieces of Great News!
I. The First Piece of Good News: Peace with God vv. 1-5
A. Romans 5:1-5 Announces the End to Hostilities.
1. Romans 5:1-5 announces that in Christ we have Peace with God.
a. The pursuit of peace is a universal human obsession. Illus: WWI was billed as the “War to end all Wars”, yet more people died due to war in the 20th century than in all the previous centuries combined! Neville Chamberlain, in an attempt to appease Nazi aggression landed at the Heston Aerodrome and announced to the eager British people the solution to the Czech problem: “We have peace in our time.” Yet roughly a year later the German Panzers would roll in Poland and France. On an individual level, anti-anxiety medication use is at an all time high in American as we struggle for relief from the pace of life and focus of our society.
b. Yet, fundamental to world as well as individual peace is recognizing that the human condition longs for peace with God. The first 4 chapters of Romans tells us that man’s willful rebellion has placed us at enmity with God. We are literally at war with Him and He with us. Yet, into this realm of hostility Jesus Christ entered as a propitiation to turn God’s wrath, and Rom. 5:1 proclaims: (READ). PEACE WITH GOD! John Stott said of this verse: “God does not confer the status of righteousness upon us w/o at the same time giving Himself to us in friendship and establish peace b/t Himself and us.” (Romans, p.139)
2. Paul tells us where this peace comes from.
a. “Through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ” – The world looks for peace to come through a UN decision of Force, a government action or program, a relief agency, a doctor or counselor’s appointment. However, the Bible tells us that true and eternally lasting peace comes through only One source, faith in Christ!
b. Peace with the Father comes when we accept what the Son did on our behalf.
B. Through Faith in Christ We are Standing in Grace. V.2 a
1. Through Christ we have access to the Father. Illust: Have you ever had someone say: “Feel free to use my name…” Maybe for an interview or application or to get a better deal. Why do we do it? Because we hope the existent relationship between those two individuals will positively benefit us. My friend, that is exactly what Christ has done for us. We were alienated, separated, hostile towards God and through faith in Christ and dependence upon the eternal relationship b/t Jesus and His Father, we have been ushered into a relationship of peace given by grace.
2. Illust: “introduction” – prosagoge – Place where ships could go a shelter in a storm. A harbor or a haven. IN Christ we find a haven of rest, as shelter from the storm. What Paul is saying here is that when we attempt to work our righteousness in the flesh with our works we are storm tossed by the tempest of life. But through Christ we find a permanent harbor of safety and security through Christ our Lord.
C. We Rejoice in Our Hope. V. 2b
1. It is very telling that, in modern English, we frequently speak of our “hopes and dreams,” treating the two words as virtual synonyms for outcomes we would like to see happen but which may or may not come about. As today’s passage shows, this is not the way the word hope is used in Scripture at all. Our Biblical hope is no dream.
2. “Through Christ, “we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand.” There are many interesting nuances to this statement. First, the verb have should be translated in the past perfect tense, as have had. Second, access means “right to enter.” Third, “this grace” refers not to God’s grace in general but to a particular manifestation of His grace, in justification itself. Fourth, stand has to do with position. Therefore, Paul is reminding us here that, when we placed our faith in Christ, we entered into the gracious state of justification. We are in a new relationship with God, and we have complete assurance. The God who has justified us will complete His work in us, even unto our final glorification.” (“Our Cherished Hope”, Ligonier Ministries)
D. We Rejoice in Our Sufferings vv. 3-5
1. Paul tells us that our Suffering as Christians is Purposeful. It’s not for nothing.
a. Paul clearly states that there is a spiritual benefit in the sufferings we face. In v. 3 he refers to the “tribulations” we face in this life. Greek word, thilipis – literally means “pressure”. It is true that the Christian life is glorious, but it’s twin truth is that it is also hard. It is hard to live a life of obedience to Christ in a culture that is becoming dead-set against Christ, just as we face in IC today. But let me inform you brother, it was harder for Paul living in Rome! Uncertainty, persecution, troubles, loneliness, health concerns, unpopularity, were just as difficult for the Apostle then as is for us today.
b. Yet, the Apostle tells the Christian that all of this pressure has a goal: “perseverance”. Hupomone – fortitude- its more than endurance, it is an undaunted spirit even in the face of the tribulation. “It overcomes the world. It means a spirit which does not passively endure but which actively overcomes the trials of life.” (Barclay, p. 75) Illust: When Beethoven, one of the greatest composers of all time was diagnosed with hearing loss that would eventually lead to total deafness, instead of languishing in defeat and self pity, the master resoundingly stated: “I will grasp my life by the throat…and make the most of it.” That my friend is “hupomone”. When wounded veteran comes home an amputee and determines to not only walk again but run a marathon, that’s “hupomone. When a businessman loses his/her company due to government policy during a pandemic and declares: “I will start again.” That is “hupomone”. And when you and I face the pressure of living life for Christ in a hostile world and we say: “The world behind me, the cross before me…” That, dear ones, is hupomone.
2. What is the Result of Overcoming Attitude?
a. Paul tells us that this overcoming attitude results in producing “character” – dokime – in the life of the believer. Dokime was word for metal which has been passed thru the fire so all impurities would be purged. Illust: Forged in Fire – In the process of making a blade the heat treat and quench is essential to get the steel hardened to point can put an edge that will withstand trials they put their knives through.
b. Every time you and I obey the Word of God when it would be easy or convenient to “go with the flow” or “look the other way”, the Lord is building “character” in our lives. The metal, the steel, of who you are as a person is getting stronger, your witness and testimony is getting sharper. Your life is being honed to a finer point, all for the glory of Christ. Illust: When a blade is tested it either withstands the pressure of the test or it shatters. When this happens the bladesmiths are usually crushed, because they know that they didn’t carefully remove impurities or properly treat/quench the blade. It was their fault for taking a short cut. Illust: Friend, when we see some high (or low) profile Christian caught in immorality, adultery, stealing, divorcing, we realize they have failed the test of character, they have taken the easier, quicker path and their character is exposed.
3. The End Result of Christian Character is Hope. V. 2&4 -5
a. What is “hope”? It’s a future expectation not yet presently realized. “and hope does not disappoint” – I love that phrase! Illust: Earlier this year we were all pretty hopeful of the Hawk’s chances in the NCAA tournament. Highest seed in 15 years. With Garza, Iowa was seeded #2. Along came Oregon, lowliest of 7th seeds. And for the first time in history a Duck killed a Hawk, in Oregon’s 15 point blowout of Iowa! Iowa basketball fans were disappointed.
b. Paul clearly states our hope does not disappoint! The reason our character is different is because we know there is a righteous standard. We know God is keeping score. We know there will be a judgment. We know there will be a heaven! Why is this? Because as he says, the hope of glory will not let us down because we have already tasted the love of God in our hearts through the Spirit.
E. Applic: Good news my friend! In Christ you have peace with God!
II. 2nd Piece of Good News: God Loves You! The Proof of God’s Love. Vv.6-11
A. Paul Points to the Actions of Our Savior.
1. Christ died for us when we were Unlovely.
a. Illust – Yesterday, I performed the wedding ceremony for Luke and Laura, now Lawson. At a certain point, after the pledging of the couple’s vows, I turned and said to Luke: “Luke, what symbol do you give of these promises?” (A ring) “Laura, this ring is a symbol/pledge of my love and faithfulness and I give it to you in the Name of the Father, Son, and HS.” Why? Why the symbol? The ring? Evidence or proof of the professed love.
b. Friend, to the world, the cross was an implement of Roman cruelty. To those who are saved it is the symbol of God’s great love for you and me. Let me just say, the world is full of bad news today. But there is good news and His Name is Jesus Christ.
2. Paul Gives 4 Epithets Describing our Condition when Christ died for us that further Proves His Love Towards us now. Paul tells us that Christ died for us when we were:
a. Helpless – v.6 - In our culture, we often hear about God’s “unconditional love” for humanity, but the notion of God’s unconditional love is frequently misunderstood. The Lord does love sinners unconditionally in that nothing in ourselves moves Him to love us. We do not meet a condition that makes us lovable; in fact, He loves us when we are most unlovable. That is Paul’s point in Romans 5:6–8: God loved us to such an extent that Christ died for us when we were set against Him in our sin. Still, God’s saving love is not wholly unconditional. It is conditional in one important respect: God cannot show love and mercy to sinners at the expense of His holy justice.
b. Ungodly – v.6 Isn’t that amazing to think about? Instead of loving God with all of our being, we have rebelled against Him with that same zeal. Results: ungodly
c. Sinners – vv. 7-8 – We have all missed God’s standards. We have all fallen short of God’s required perfection. Notice v. 7. It lays the condition of the human experience. If someone appears to be a good person, we may venture to help. But a rotten person, well, they’re getting what they deserve. No remorse. Illust – TE Lawrence was the famous British officer who rallied and led Arab forces in WWI. Lawrence of Arabia’ exploits were legendary and his military instinct was genius. During a 1915 campaign, Lawrence’s unit was out of food, down to last drops of water, facing a sandstorm. One Arab cried out: “Where is that worthless man, Jasmin?” His camel was riderless in the line. Another Arab cried “Forget him. Jasmin was a criminal when he came to us. He had murdered a merchant in Turkey.” A third cried out: “Jasmin is an awful man, comes from the worthless town of Maan.” A final Arab called out: “Jasmin is neither right in the body or the head. Leave him to die.” Lawrence, however, turned his camel, and proceeded to plod back in direction from which came. Miles later found Jasmin who was at death’s door. Gave him the last of his water, loaded him on his camel and walked back to his unit. Lawrence’s efforts pale by comparison
d. Enemies – v. 10 Someone at war with. Someone hostility or enmity. (Christ saved you when you were His enemy!)
B. 2nd Proof – We are Saved from God’s Wrath vv. 9-10
1. Christ’s Justification Delivers us from the Wrath of God.
a. So far the Apostle has declared to us what’s done: we have peace, he have been justified, we rejoice, we stand in grace. In vv.9-10 we see the tension between what is already and that which is not yet. Between our past, our present reality, and our future hope.
b. This justification has taken place through Christ’s blood. He made the eternal sacrifice. “God does not forgive us unilaterally; He requires repentance.” We must recognize that we owe God everything and yet cannot pay. We must see that He owes us nothing but wrath, that our only hope is in His mercy. Those who approach the Lord in such a way, receiving His forgiveness,
2. Although we are Reconciled through Christ’s Death We Shall be Saved by His Life.
a. Again, a beautiful twin truth is displayed for us. We have been reconciled/justified thru the death of the Son, yet we “Shall be saved” by His life. The death of Christ paid the penalty of God’s wrath, the bodily resurrection of Christ as the 2nd Adam secures our eternal life!
b. Illust: The inevitability of death casts a growing shadow over lives of most people. The internationally renowned British artist Damien Hirst, worth more than $300 million, told the Daily Telegraph Review: “Death is definitely something that I think about every day…. You try to avoid it, but it’s such a big thing that you can’t.” The Bible speaks of many who “through fear of death” are “subject to lifelong slavery” (Heb. 2:15). Their chains are forged by fear of the unknown. As Professor Edgar Andrews puts it, “Uncertainty breeds fear. And fear brings mental bondage, casting its inescapable shadow over life and robbing man of lasting peace or joy.” Yet this sobering scenario ought not to include Christians, supremely because they can have the assurance of being “in Christ” (2 Cor. 5:17), the One who brought about what John Owen memorably called “the death of death.” Because Christ lived so shall we.
C. What should our response to this news be? REJOICE!
1. We rejoice in Christ’s provision. “Exult” – ““Exulting in Christ is evidence of the Spirit’s work! The focus of the church is not on the dove but on the cross, and that’s the way the Spirit would have it. As J. I. Packer puts it, “The Spirit’s message to us is never, ‘Look at me; listen to me; come to me; get to know me,’ but always, ‘Look at him, and see his glory; listen to him, and hear his word; go to him, and have life; get to know him, and taste his gift of joy and peace.” – (MacArthur, Strange Fire) Triumphant rejoicing with confidence!
2. Curiously, if we were to look back to Romans 2:17 there we would see that Paul criticized his countrymen for their boasting about God. Yet here in 5:11 he says “We boast in God”. The verb, the noun, and the proposition all exact same. Yet, the intention is very different. In 2:17 the point was boasting or bragging, here it is exulting or rejoicing in. What’s the difference? The Jews boasted as if God was their exclusive property and they held a monopoly interest on Him. Christian exultation in God begins with the shameful recognition that we have no claim on or to Him, realizing that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us! All we can do is rejoice.
3. D. Applic:
