Scripture References: Romans 5:1-11 (Context: Romans 1-4)
Intro: Welcome to this sermon on Romans 5. This chapter begins with "Therefore," signaling it builds directly on Romans 1-4. Those chapters establish our universal predicament: no one is righteous, all are guilty before God, and the Law only reveals our sin. But God provided His righteousness through faith in Jesus – this is justification. Now, we explore the amazing results.
Key Points:
- The Background (Romans 1-4 Recap): All humanity falls short of God's glory and faces judgment. Our own efforts, goodness, or religious observance cannot make us righteous. Justification is God's act of declaring us righteous, not based on our works, but solely through faith in Christ's sacrifice.
- Justification Explained: God's Work, Not Ours: Christianity uniquely declares that acceptance with God comes not from our performance offered to Him, but from His perfect performance (Christ) offered to us. Righteousness is a gift received freely by grace through faith in Jesus' death and resurrection. God remains just while justifying the ungodly who trust in Jesus.
- The Glorious Fruit (Romans 5:1-5): Being justified produces profound benefits:
- Peace with God: We were enemies, now reconciled. Hostility is replaced by peace.
- Access to God: We have ongoing, secure entrance into God's presence and favor (grace) through Jesus.
- Hope in Glory: A confident expectation of sharing God's future glory, giving purpose and meaning now.
- Hope in Suffering: Even trials have purpose, producing endurance, character, and deeper hope, knowing suffering leads to glory.
- God's Love Experienced: The Holy Spirit pours God's love into our hearts, giving subjective assurance.
- The Secure Foundation (Romans 5:6-11): How is this possible? Because God acted decisively: "While we were still sinners [weak, enemies], Christ died for us." God demonstrated His love objectively at the cross. If He reconciled us through Christ's death then, He will certainly complete our salvation now through Christ's life.
Conclusion: This news can be hard to believe, feel, or even receive (it requires humbling ourselves). We might prefer to earn our way or maintain control. But the gospel invites us to stop striving and rest entirely on Christ's finished work.
Call to Action: Where do you stand today? Doubting? Not feeling it? Resisting grace? Whatever your struggle, make a "trust transfer." Acknowledge your need. Shift your reliance fully onto Jesus. Ask the Holy Spirit to make God's love real to you, anchoring your hope not in feelings, but in the historical event of the cross. Find rest in Him.
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