Chico Alliance Church
September 16, 2001
Pastor David Welch
“Bragging Rights”
Romans 5:11
Review
Nearly two thousand years ago, Paul presented the plan of salvation to the people of Rome in a systematic manner that stands as the core of the Bible’s teaching on the subject to this day.
Having introduced the theme of God’s righteousness and his own passion for the Gospel in the first 17 verses, Paul proceeded to demonstrate the total failure of all humans to conform to perfect standard of God of God’s righteousness at any level, thus deservedly incurring the wrath and condemnation of God.
There is none righteous, no not one!
So in chapter three, Paul unveils God’s perfect plan to remedy man’s most difficult dilemma without compromising God’s magnificent divine nature.
The dilemma relates to man’s complete violation of God’s standard.
The remedy is forgiveness and justification.
Forgiveness by reason of the ultimate sacrifice of Christ on the cross
Justification or imputation of the righteousness of Christ came as a result of both his death and subsequent resurrection.
In Chapter 5 Paul touched on some of the ramifications of God’s gift of righteousness to man or justification.
Having been justified through faith in Christ…
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Enjoy peace with God
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; Romans 5:1-2
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Exult in hope of reflecting the glory of God in the future.
and we exult in hope of the glory of God.
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Exult in present tribulations that produce future character
And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
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Your justification guarantees salvation or rescue from the coming wrath
Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.
Your justification guarantees your complete salvation or rescue to eternal life
For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life
There is one more response to this great truth of justification by God mentioned by Paul.
Paul again returns to the present having glanced into our future rescue from wrath and the completion of our full salvation.
We were justified, we are reconciled, we have peace, we now exult in future hope of glory, we now exult in tribulation knowing that we are being developed into the likeness of Christ, we will be saved from wrath, we will be completely saved, we now exult in God through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. Romans 5:11
We exult in God
This is now the third time Paul has urged or highlighted “exultation” in this chapter.
The word means to boast, verbalize one’s delight or pleasure in something or in someone, to enthusiastically describe the virtues or merits of someone or something.
Illustration
My father only missed two days of work for sickness in 35 years working for St Regis.
The Mariners have the best record in baseball and still can achieve a new record for all time.
My children…
My wife…
We exult in things everyday.
What are some of the things that elicit a verbal exclamation?
This boasting or exulting can either be a good thing or a destructive thing depending on the object of our boast and the motive behind it.
Man critically errors when he exults with reference to his own merits, when he fails to realize the true source of all ability.
He who toots his own horn generally plays off tune.
Paul urged the Romans to exult or verbalize their enthusiastic delight in the hope of one day fully reflecting the character of God. “Exult in hope of the glory of God.”
Paul also urged the Romans and us to verbalize or reflect delight and enthusiasm for tribulations by focusing on their end result – spiritual growth and maturity.
Here Paul focuses on declaring or verbalizing our enthusiasm and personal delight in God Himself.
And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
Our exultation or boasting is in God but God is inseparably linked to what He does.
The catalyst for exultation is that through God we have now received the reconciliation.
It was through God’s initiative.
It was on account of His love.
It was made possible through his great plan of salvation.
Once we have been properly reconciled to our Creator we have a whole new motivation to talk about him.
God designed our salvation as a free gift motivated by His great love and received by faith so that no man can glory or boast in regard to his own thing but in God alone.
Most all religions promote self-boasting.
It is pride that brought sin into the world.
It is humility that will remove it.
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If My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chron. 7:14
This enthusiastic outburst is equal to what we might expect when we meet someone that captures our heart and in whom we come to delight.
You find little difficulty talking (exulting or boasting) about them.
When the reality of what God did to restore relationship with us sinks in and the reality of restored fellowship with the Creator of the universe grips us, we can’t help but tell someone.
It is the nature of community to verbalize the things that delight us or disturb us.
It is only naturally to exult in God when you really come to realize who He is.
Worship is all about such boasting and praise and exultation of our delight in the relationship with God.
The problem lies in our personal experience of that relationship.
When the reality of Christ in you does not fully grip your heart you will not enjoy worship.
Your enjoyment of worship will necessitate a fleshly stimulus rather than a response to a heart impacted by the person, presence, power and purpose of God.
Scripture encourages human exultation all through.
We have a multitude of examples of those whose heart was eternally gripped by the reality of relationship with God.
Often times the word for boasting or exulting is translated “praise” in the Old Testament.
Listen to David!
My soul will make its boast in the LORD; the humble will hear it and rejoice.
O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together. Psalm 34:2-3
In God we have boasted all day long, and we will give thanks to Your name forever. Psalm 44:8
With my mouth I will give thanks abundantly to the LORD; and in the midst of many I will praise Him. Psa 109:30
Some boast in chariots and some in horses, but we will boast in the name of the LORD, our God. Psalm 20:7
My soul will make its boast in the LORD; the humble will hear it and rejoice. Psalm 34:2
Every day I will bless You, and I will praise Your name forever and ever.
Great is the LORD, and highly to be praised, and His greatness is unsearchable.
One generation shall praise Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts.
On the glorious splendor of Your majesty and on Your wonderful works, I will meditate.
Men shall speak of the power of Your awesome acts, and I will tell of Your greatness.
They shall eagerly utter the memory of Your abundant goodness and will shout joyfully of Your righteousness.
The LORD is gracious and merciful; slow to anger and great in lovingkindness.
The LORD is good to all, and His mercies are over all His works.
All Your works shall give thanks to You, O LORD, and Your godly ones shall bless You.
They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom and talk of Your power;
To make known to the sons of men Your mighty acts and the glory of the majesty of Your kingdom.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion endures throughout all generations.
The LORD sustains all who fall and raises up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food in due time.
You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.
The LORD is righteous in all His ways and kind in all His deeds.
The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth.
He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He will also hear their cry and will save them.
The LORD keeps all who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy.
My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD, and all flesh will bless His holy name forever and ever.
Psalm 145:2-21
What causes exultation in the writer of this Psalm?
God’s greatness
God’s works
God’s splendor
God’s power
The glory and majesty of God’s eternal kingdom
God’s righteousness and kindness
God’s compassion
God’s loving protection
There are few things more emotionally devastating that ripped relationships.
There are few things more emotionally gratifying than reconciled relationships.
You watch the hatred between people, the prejudice.
The anger directed at the United States just because we are Americans.
The reconciliation offered by God ought to generated continual boasting.
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Listen to Paul!
But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Galatians 6:14
And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 2 Cor. 12:9
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But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, "LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD."
1 Cor. 1:30-31
So then let no one boast in men. For all things belong to you, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things to come; all things belong to you, and you belong to Christ; and Christ belongs to God.
1 Cor. 3:21-23
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for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh, Philip. 3:3
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Thus says the LORD, "Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things," declares the LORD. Jeremiah 9:23-24
How excited are you about knowing God?
There are many things in the world to boast about or glory in.
Wisdom, education, mental acuity, strength, physical power, money.
The only thing that delights the Lord and lasts for eternity is really knowing and understanding God.
Do you know Him?
If you do, does it excite you and motivate you to know Him more?
Is your relationship such that you desire to enthusiastically tell others about it?
Paul indicates in this passage that we not only boast in hope of the glory of God and in tribulations that produce spiritual maturity, but we also boast or exult in God.
Our relationship with God causes us to enthusiastically verbalize the wonders of our God.
Oh give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples.
Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; speak of all His wonders.
Glory in His holy name; let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Seek the LORD and His strength; seek His face continually.
Remember His wonderful deeds which He has done, His marvels and the judgments from His mouth, 1Chr16:8-12
Sing to the LORD, all the earth; proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day.
Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples.
For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; He also is to be feared above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the LORD made the heavens.
Splendor and majesty are before Him; strength and joy are in His place.
Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; bring an offering, and come before Him;
Worship the LORD in holy array.
Tremble before Him, all the earth; indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved.
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; and let them say among the nations, "The LORD reigns."
Let the sea roar, and all it contains; let the field exult, and all that is in it.
Then the trees of the forest will sing for joy before the LORD; for He is coming to judge the earth.
O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; for His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Then say, "Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us and deliver us from the nations,
To give thanks to Your holy name, and glory in Your praise."
Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting even to everlasting.
Then all the people said, "Amen," and praised the LORD. 1 Chron. 16:23-36
Praise the LORD!
Exult in God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty expanse.
Exult in Him for His mighty deeds; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness.
Exult in Him with trumpet sound; Praise Him with harp and lyre.
Exult in Him with timbrel and dancing; Praise Him with stringed instruments and pipe.
Exult in Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with resounding cymbals.
Let everything that has breath exult in the LORD.
Exult in the LORD! Psalm 150:1-6
Not only shall we be saved from wrath by his death and saved by his life, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
Conclusion
If you have never received the reconciliation offered by God Himself, you have no cause for exulting in God or in life.
God has done all he can do to
Rejected Love
Her mother and daddy disowned her. She did all she could do. When Elizabeth Barrett married the famous poet Robert Browning, her parents were so upset they disowned her. She and her husband settled far from home in Florence, Italy. Elizabeth loved her mother and father and did everything she could to be reconciled with them. Several times a month she wrote expressive, loving letters. After 10 years without any response, finally, a package came from her parents. It was a happy moment for Elizabeth as she opened it. But inside she found all of the letters she had sent—unopened. Like her husband, Elizabeth was a poet and her letters of reconciliation were eloquent. They have been called “some of the most beautiful and expressive in all English literature.” But her parents never read them. Jesus Christ, like Elizabeth, went to extreme measures in a reconciliation attempt. He died so sinful men could be reconciled to God. It breaks His heart that many refuse to even read the letter of Calvary’s love. Moody Adams Update
Those of us who have already been reconciled can sometimes forget who did the reconciling.
We think that God is lucky to have us on his team.
We begin to focus on ourselves.
Have you been boasting in yourself?
Do you draw your glory or enthusiasm for living from fleshly things?
Remember!
But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, "LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD."
for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh, Philip. 3:3
Like Paul, let us consider everything else not worthy to even be considered for the sake of the far surpassing ultimate value of knowing Christ.
It is time to exult in God.
Let us not boast in our wisdom or our might or our riches; but let us boast of this, that we understand and know God; that he is the infinite eternal God who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth. Jeremiah 9:23-24
God wants you to know the wonder of reconciliation with Him made possible through the death of Christ and subsequent justification.
God wants you to know it so well that it stirs you up to boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
Blessing and Benediction
In light of the events of this week may God give you an inner peace that comes from the knowledge of your justification and reconciliation with Him!
May God give you a renewed sense of urgency as ambassadors for the heavenly kingdom called to beg men on behalf of Christ to be reconciled to God!
May God stir within you a new experience of the reality of His presence in and around your life so that you will overflow with joy and enthusiastic exult Him to others!
May you not boast in your own might, wisdom or riches but in the fact that you know and understand God, that he is the infinite eternal God who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth!
Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 2 Cor. 13:11
Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. 1 Tim. 1:17
