Reformation

Reformation

October 31, 2004

Romans 5:1-11

What Christ Has Made Possible

INTRODUCTION: Today is Reformation Sunday. A day for us to celebrate the freedom we enjoy through the Gospel of Christ. To fully understand and appreciate what Christ has made possible for us we need to remember four specific realities.

I.   Remember what we once were.

A.       Without strength “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” (Vs. 6)

“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abides in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

“I can do all things through Christ which strengthened me.” (Philippians 4:13)

B.       Ungodly “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” (Vs. 6)

C.       Sinners “But God commended his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Vs. 8)

D.       Enemies “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” (Vs. 10)

TRANSITION: We remember what we were but we also recall what God in Christ has done for us.

II.        Remember what Christ did for us.

A.       He died for us. “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” (Vs. 6)

“But God commended his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Vs. 8)

1.   He didn’t have to; He wanted to! “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11)

2.      He gave us life. “Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” (1 Timothy 2:5)

B.       He Justified us [“to declare or pronounce us as righteous before God”]

1.          This we could never do. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;” (Titus 3:5)

2.          Justified us “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (vs. 1)

3.          Reconciled us to the Father “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” (Vs. 10)

TRANSITION: Now we can better appreciate what Christ has made possible for us to have.

III.   What we have now

A.       Peace “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”(Vs.1)

B.       Access to grace “By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand,” (Vs.2)

C.       Hope “and rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Vs.2b)

D.       The Holy Spirit “And hope makes not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” (Vs. 5)

TRANSITION: As an added benefit – as if He had not done enough for us – we have something to look forward to in the future.

IV.   What we will have in the future

A.     Salvation – from the wrath which is to come “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” (Vs.9)

B.     Eternally saved through His life “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23)

CONCLUSION: Past, present, future – they all have God’s mark on them- a blessed Reformation in Christ!