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Hopeoffaith
2. Romans 5:1-5 (ESV)
1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we
have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Through him we have also obtained access by
faith into this grace in which we stand, and we
rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only
that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that
suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance
produces character, and character produces
hope, 5 and hope does not put us to
shame, because God’s love has been poured into
our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been
given to us.
3. 20No unbelief made him waver concerning the
promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he
gave glory to God, 21 fully convinced that God was
able to do what he had promised. 22 That is why his
faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” 23 But
the words “it was counted to him” were not written
for his sake alone, 24 but for ours also. It will be
counted to us who believe in him who raised from
the dead Jesus our Lord, 25 who was delivered up for
our trespasses and raised for our justification.
Romans 5:1-5 (ESV)
1Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we
have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
4. Romans 5:1-5 (ESV)
1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we
have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Through him we have also obtained access by
faith into this grace in which we stand, and we
rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that,
but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that
suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance
produces character, and character produces hope,
5 and hope does not put us to shame, because
God’s love has been poured into our hearts through
the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
5. Romans 5:1-5 (ESV)
1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we
have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Through him we have also obtained access by
faith into this grace in which we stand, and we
rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that,
but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that
suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance
produces character, and character produces hope,
5 and hope does not put us to shame, because
God’s love has been poured into our hearts through
the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
6. Romans 5:1-5 (ESV)
1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we
have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Through him we have also obtained access by
faith into this grace in which we stand, and we
rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that,
but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that
suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance
produces character, and character produces hope,
5 and hope does not put us to shame, because
God’s love has been poured into our hearts through
the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
7. Romans 5:1-5 (ESV)
1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we
have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Through him we have also obtained access by
faith into this grace in which we stand, and we
rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only
that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that
suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance
produces character, and character produces
hope, 5 and hope does not put us to
shame, because God’s love has been poured into
our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been
given to us.
Notas del editor
Reading of Psalm 13Opening prayerPeace for the WeaversCare for BFC missionariesWisdom in deciding new pastorHelp to preachAcknowledge hurt, pain, suffering, loss. Divorces, prodigal children, health issues.Story of Iraq depressionRomans 5 is crossroads text. We are sitting at a banquet table and only have 30 minutes to eat.
ReadingHave to stop because of the word “therefore”, it builds on a previous argument. We need to read the end of chapter 4.
Text is talking about Abraham’s faith. Fully convinced that God was able to do what He promised.v22 – Faith was counted as righteousness. The theme of the book of Romans is “The righteous shall live by faith”. God’s righteousness enables us to live righteously!v25 – Double imputationWe are helplessly lost in sin. Sin is not what we do, it is our identity – who we are. We hate God and don’t want anything to do with Him.Last 100 years of human history is very bloody. Hitler, Mao, Stalin. We admit the presence of evil “out there” but not “in us”. Civil rights?If your thoughts were on the screen you would never come back. We want justice, but God is an impartial judge, and motivations of the heart matter – because sins are against God.We made a dark exchange: the truth about God for a lie. “Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.” (Romans 1:24–25, ESV)Evangelicalism typically only covers half of the message, saying “Jesus died for all your sins”, which has the connotation of resetting your sin meter.On the cross, Jesus takes your sin and gives to us His perfect righteousness. Called double imputation, or the Great Exchange.Jesus suffered for us, and because of us.“Delivered for our trespasses” (Romans 3:9-20 has the indictment). “Raised for our justification” this was accepted by God the Father. The check cleared. The transaction posted. The exchange finished.Christian life is not a one time “getting saved” but “getting saved”, “are being saved”, and “will be saved”. Justification establishes our right standing and gives us a hope and a future.“Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:1–2, ESV)If you think that saying some magic words gets you into heaven, you couldn’t be more wrong. It’s a trajectory, a path, a destination, brought about by Christ’s work on the Cross.Christ’s righteousness imputed to you is what will allow you to be in the presence of God forevermore.“For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:20, ESV)God is not a schizophrenic, or someone who has good days and bad days. He is always the same. So how will we be in His presence?We must “put on Christ” in order to withstand God’s presence.“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” (Romans 13:14, ESV)“For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” (Galatians 3:27, ESV)
So since we have been justified by faith in Christ, we have peace with God.There’s a cosmic difference between feeling at peace with yourself because you have a little money in the bank and feel healthy, and having a lasting, transcending peace with your Creator.“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7, ESV)“justified by faith…through our Lord Jesus Christ” references sola fide, by faith alone, and Solo Christo, in Christ alone.“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8–9, ESV)
Faith is the channel through which we receive God’s grace.“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1, ESV)Faith is an assurance, not a blind hope.“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6, ESV)How do you get faith? Where does it come from and how do you get more?“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17, ESV)Proverbs 2 is a great discourse on how to build faith and wisdom.“My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.” (Proverbs 2:1–5, ESV)
The concept of rejoicing in suffering is completely foreign to our culture. The world has a spectrum between poverty, sickness, depression ------- riches, health, hugs & high-fives.The Bible bends that spectrum on itself and says you can have joy, regardless of external circumstances.This isn’t a fool’s joy. Later in Romans we are freed to rejoice and to weep.“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” (Romans 12:15, ESV)Jesus wept over Jerusalem and over the death of Lazarus.The defense of why we can have steady assurance amid suffering is in the verse. Because we know that suffering is in a chain that ends in hope.“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” (James 1:2–3, ESV)But this is bold claim, is it not? That suffering and being crushed would end up in hope?! I meditated on how to open these verses and understand it.I believe the key is between suffering and endurance. When we suffer we realize that we can’t do it anymore on our own. And when we get to the point that we admit we can’t, that is when God shows up and shows His faithfulness. And upon seeing our faithful God, the product is endurance. We then build character, which leads to hope.Ultimately, suffering serves to get you home.“Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction.” (Isaiah 48:10, ESV)God is melting off the dross.You have tools in sufferingJob 1 – satan is on a leashReports before God like a military private - “Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them.” (Job 1:6, ESV)God brings up Job - “And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?”” (Job 1:8, ESV)God imposes limits on suffering “And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.” (Job 1:12, ESV)God will never give you more thanHe can handle.Fellowship of the saints, given to you.
How do we know the claims of Romans 5 are true? Because of the Holy Spirit.“In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1:13–14, ESV)“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” (Ephesians 4:30, ESV)God is trustworthy and true. The ongoing presence of the Holy Spirit guarantees and marks our salvation.Greek indicates -> ownership and security, together with destinationClosing PrayerPray for sufferers who are without hopeThat those in the room would come to know youWe can never pay God back for His grace, but we are debtors to our fellow manReading of Revelation 21:1-5Worship (Rock of Ages)