SERMON OUTLINE:
• One man’s failure brought mankind’s fall (vs 12-14)
• One man’s fix bought mankind’s favour (vs 15-21)
SERMON BODY
ill:
• I have a list of opposites,
• I will give you a word and collectively shout out the opposite.
• Happy x sad
• Above x below
• Broad x narrow
• Ability x inability
• Import x export.
• Interior x exterior
• Optimist x pessimist
• Maximum x minimum
• Include x exclude.
• Majority x minority
• Superior x inferior
• Accept x refuse.
• Difficult x easy
• Bright x dim
• Acquire x lose.
• Ancient x modern
• Confess x deny.
• Admire x despise.
• Blunt x sharp
• Death x birth
• TRANSITION: This passage is about opposites, comparisons, contrasts.
• Adam and Jesus.
• Adam is a man of guilt and failure, and Jesus a man of grace and accomplishment.
Note:
• Most people today do not believe in a historical Adam and Eve,
• Because that would mean believing in the creation,
• When our schools, universities and media all teach evolution.
• When I was at school it was referred to as, ‘The theory of evolution.’
• They seemed to have dropped the words, ‘theory’ today and teach it as fact,
• But as far as I can see it has yet to be proven!
Quote: C.S. Lewis
“If you are really a product of a materialistic universe, how is it that you don't feel.
at home there?”
• As believers, we should hold a teleological viewpoint:
• That is, if something looks like it's been designed, there's a designer behind it!
• Wherever there is a thing, there must have been a preceding thought.
• Wherever there is a thought, there must have been a thinker!
• If a historical Adam does not represent mankind in sinfulness,
• Then a historical Jesus could never represent mankind in righteousness.
• One requires the other.
If you deny a real Adam,
• Then you will have problems with a number of important Biblical doctrines.
• And also, with Jesus and the apostle Paul who believed in a historic Adam and Eve.
• Consider the following passages that refer back to a historic Adam and Eve.
• e.g., Jesus affirms the special creation of Adam and Eve at the beginning.
• (Mark chapter 10 verse 6).
• e.g., Luke connects the human lineage of Jesus to Adam
• (Luke chapter 3 verse 38).
• e.g., Jesus links the doctrine of marriage to Adam and Eve
• (Matthew chapter 19 verses 4–6).
• e.g., Paul connects the doctrine of the church to Adam and Eve
• (Ephesians chapter 5 verses 30–32).
• e.g., Paul argues for family order because of Adam and Eve
• (1 Corinthians chapter 11 verses 8–12).
• e.g., Paul attaches the origin of sin in the world to Eve.
• (1 Timothy chapter 2 verses 13–14).
• e.g., Paul also connects death from sin to Adam.
• (Romans chapter 5 verses 12–14).
• It seems clear to me that the New Testament,
• Overwhelmingly affirms the historicity of Adam and Eve.
• If a historical Adam does not represent mankind in sinfulness,
• Then a historical Jesus could never represent mankind in righteousness.
• One requires the other!
In today’s Bible section the apostle Paul teaches by way of similarities and contrasts.
• In other words, Adam and Jesus are alike in some ways,
• And yet they are very different in other ways.
• 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 thing 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.
NOW BEFORE WE DIVIDE THE PASSAGE UP UNDER TWO HEADINGS.
• 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.
• e.g., we have one man, one sin, one trespass, one wrong choice.
• But we also have one man, one sacrifice, one right choice.
• Adam opened the door for corruption.
• Jesus opened the door to salvation.
• SECOND: note the repetition of the little word, “reign”.
• It is used 5 times in these verses.
• Not rain from Heaven, R-A-I-N, but reign like a king reign, R-E-I-G-N.
• The apostle Paul sees two men reigning over a kingdom.
• Adam reigning over the kingdom of death,
• Jesus’ reigning over the kingdom of life.
• THIRD: note the repetition of the words, “much more”.
• They are used 5 times in these verses.
• This is telling us that in Jesus Christ,
• We have gained much more than we ever lost in Adam.
• We have an expression is 'you look like you've lost a pound and found a penny’.
• It's something you say when someone is looking glum, to cheer them up.
• TRANSITION: In Christ the opposite is true,
• 'You have lost a penny and found a pound.’
(1). One Man's Failure Brought Mankind's Fall (vs 12-14)
“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—
13 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.
14 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.”
Question: When did sin begin?
Answer: According to verse 12, it all started with ‘one man’ – who we call Adam.
• When did sin begin?
• According to this verse it started with ‘one man’ – who we call Adam.
• Verse 12 is so clear,
• "Therefore, just as through one man, sin entered the world."
• The bottom line is this-- Adam blew it for everyone.
• What Adam did affect every single person who has or who will live!
• That's where the problems all started.
• Through one man, sin entered the world.
• He opened that door. And when he opened that door, a deadly virus infected humanity.
• Since Adam, every human being is born S-I-N-positive!
Note:
• It might come as a surprise to some people,
• That sin started with Adam and not with Eve!
• If you know the story it was Eve who was the first to eat the forbidden fruit!
• But remember Eve was deceived by the serpent.
• But Adam chose willingly to disobey God.
• He knew exactly what he was doing,
• Adam, was also the firstborn, remember Eve came from Adam,
• Therefore, he is the head of the human race!
• And as the expression goes, “The buck stops with him!”
Question: Who is affected by Adam's sin?
Answer: every single person one is affected by Adam’s sin (vs 12-14)!
“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—
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.”
Notice we have a progression in these verses.
• #1: Sin entered.
• #2: Death entered.
• #3: Death spread.
• #4: Death reigned.
• So, one man's action brought results so catastrophic,
• That we are still to this day experiencing the repercussions.
• When Adam sinned, he generated a constitutional change in his character.
• He acted as the federal head of humanity.
• That's what theologians call it,
• The federal head of humanity, passing on his nature throughout history.
• Federal headship 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 (the fans) 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.
• TRANSITION: Adam, the first man, is 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:
• Now don’t miss the main idea,
• Sin entered the world through one man and that effected all humanity.
Ill:
• Let me try one more illustration,
• We know that in human reproduction,
• We get physical characteristics from parents and grandparents.
• Things are passed down, e.g., eye colour, hair colour, body type, height.
• All of that gets passed on genetically in the genetic code all the way down the line.
• TRANSITION:
• In the same way, sin is a matter of spiritual genetics.
• We inherit a fallen nature.
Remember the progression:
• #1: Sin entered.
• #2: Death entered.
• #3: Death spread.
• #4: Death reigned.
• Death in the Bible is two-fold.
• Physical and spiritual.
• Physical: everyone who has a birthday will also have a death day!
• Spiritual: sin cuts us off relationally from God (Isaiah chapter 59 verse 2).
Well, that’s the bad news,
• And I can tell you are glad you took the time to be here this morning to hear that!
• But in Jesus Christ there is a contrast,
• And there is good news!
one man’s fix bought mankind’s favour (vs 15-21)
“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! 16 Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. 17 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!
18 Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. 19 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.
20 The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Ill:
• 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 led 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:
• Charles Dickens in his book: 'A Tales of two cities'.
• Is a story 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!
• Today, 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 today:
• 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 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=DvXNuq4QbLNLAyz9liHLSsUXnfSivqQr&fmode=download
SERMON VIDEO:
https://youtu.be/ACSk9yu8590
