The Master Potter Series

Chico Alliance Church

Pastor David Welch

“The Master Potter”

Review

I. Receive the gift of righteousness

Paul spent the first two and a half chapters of his letter cataloging crimes against the righteous King whose anger has been stirred and emphasizing the need for God’s righteousness. Until we appreciate the gravity of our sin against God, we will never fully appreciate the absolute wonder of His mercy and grace and His offer to become a profoundly cherished member not only of His kingdom but His family. Not only does God forgive our arrogant crimes against Him and rewrite our horrific history, but he also credits us with deeds we did not even accomplish; deeds eternally accomplished by His perfect Son. Just as Abraham believed that God does what He promises and God responded to his belief by crediting his life record with all of the righteous actions of His Son…

…so such righteousness will be credited to us as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification. (Romans 4:24-25) This great work of God for us is called justification and it is the theme of this letter.

Justification – God declares guilty sinners “not guilty” and views them as having always done right - all on the basis of

Christ’s substitutionary death and glorious resurrection.

On the basis of this remarkable work, God releases the floodgates of blessing into the life of the believer.

Starting in chapter five and running all the way to chapter eight, Paul touches on numerous spiritual blessings or benefits that come to those who trust Christ as a result of justification. What began in gloom ends in glory. What started out hopeless ends with a deep conviction and anticipation of a glorious future! What opened with screams of doom ends with shouts of delight.

II. Apply the Gift of Righteousness

A. New peace and reconciliation with God (5:1)

Opening up whole new possibilities of relationship with God

B. New hope of a glorious transformation (5:2)

Providing a whole new anticipation of life here and hereafter.

C. New appreciation for the struggles of life (5:3-8)

Enabling a new perseverance under tribulation realizing their divine purpose

D. New guarantee of escape from the coming wrath (5:9)

Freeing us from fear of facing a holy God in future

E. New assurance of our complete salvation (5:10)

Giving us confidence in God’s continued work in us.

F. New excitement concerning our reconciliation with God (5:11)

Encouraging us to tell others and shout about our relationships with God

G. New heritage and connection to Christ’s righteous life (5:12-21)

Freeing us to discard the baggage of our earthly heritage and embrace our new heritage

H. New identification with the death and resurrection of Christ (6:1-14)

Breaking the hold that sin and the law had and assuring resurrection life

I. New master (6:15-23)

Motivating us to think differently about our old ways and walk in the new ways.

J. New relationship to the law (7:1-13)

Freeing us from condemnation of the law to serve God in the newness of our new spirit

K. New Struggle against the flesh (7:14-25)

Demonstrating that God has put new desires that long to serve Him not sin.

L. New Victory in Jesus through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. (8:1-30)

Providing all the help we need to walk in newness of life.

1. The Holy Spirit eliminates condemnation for those in Christ

2. The Holy Spirit establishes His new life in our spirit

3. The Holy Spirit ensures our complete deliverance

4. The Holy Spirit enables us to put to death the works of the flesh and emulate the Father’s nature.

5. The Holy Spirit echoes our sonship

6. The Holy Spirit encourages us in the midst of misery

7. The Holy Spirit edits our prayers in the midst of weakness.

The Grand Conclusion

What shall we say to all this?

Since God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Romans 8:31-32

• No Charges

Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies; Romans 8:33

• No Condemnation

who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Romans 8:34

• No separation from Christ’s love

Who will separate us from the love of Christ?

Paul was thoroughly convinced that absolutely nothing could separate the genuine believer from the intentional love of God demonstrated through Christ Jesus.

Having so powerfully presented a thorough explanation of how a rebellions sinner separated from God can move from separation to embrace, Paul contemplates the state of his own countrymen, the Jewish people in terms of this great salvation. When you run into a great blessing, you want everyone to take advantage of it. The next three chapters express the heart of a passionate man of God concerned for the eternal destiny of those he deeply loves. In some ways, this serves as an “aside”, explaining where Israel or the Jews fit into the purposes of God. These chapters present some difficult concepts and have been known to stir up some lively debate and conversation over the centuries. Without spending to much time in the thinner atmosphere of lofty theological concepts I will try do my best to offer a framework for thinking about some of the things taught by Paul.