I would like to start today’s sermon with a question. Are you beginning to feel the pressure of this Shelter in place order? As Americans, we do not like being restricted. As Christians, we obviously do not like being kept from our fellowship. And as families, we do not like being kept from the ones we love. Are you beginning to feel the pressure of this Shelter in place order?
One of my mentors posted a little play on the phrase “Shelter in Place”
He posted “Shelter in Grace”
This got me thinking, with everything that is happening in our world today, what does this have to do with my relationship with God? Our health is threatened! Our livelihood is threatened! And as a result, our ability spend time with other family members is restricted. Church, and nearly every other aspect of our lives is going through some form of adjustment or change. Yet my question begs to be answered… What does this have to do with my relationship with God? Has any of these circumstances changed God? Has any of these circumstances changed God’s love for you? Has any of these circumstances changed what God has done for you?
The answer to these questions is no.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Hebrews 13:8
In fact, God has created our relationship to be dependent on Him. Its God Centered by design.
“I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.
Malachi 3:6
Our text demonstrates that if we remain focused on God and continue to pour into the relationship, we will be preserved. Additionally, we will have grown through the process and we will emerge with a greater faith.
Now to catch us all up, We come through Resurrection Sunday, Having participated in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ Jesus… And understanding that because of God’s grace we have been Justified of our sins and are now Rejoicing in that fact that we are at peace with God. Remember, we are now boasting/rejoicing in the glory of God by which we have full access to God through faith.
As we move into our main text, my prayer for us today is that together/you/me will be able to recognize God’s path for our own individual spiritual growth. In such a manner that we will be driven to the alter of God with a desire to become more Christlike.
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. 6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! 10 For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Romans 5:3-11
Remember that when we see phrases like “Not only so,” or Therefore we must stop and look for our context in the previous verses.
As usual, I have prepared this message into 3 sections or points in order to share them with you today. Let’s begin with our 1st point.
To Rejoice In Our Suffering Is To Hope In Christ
Suffering is a natural part of our earthly life.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
Jesus himself dealt with suffering. As did he share in the sufferings of others. But rejoicing in our suffering is about how we respond to God in the midst of our pain.
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.
Luke 22:42-44
Jesus, in His suffering knew his response to God demanded obedience. I believe that in His consideration of everything, Jesus knew that eternal rejoicing at the salvation of humanity grossly outweighed temporary suffering.
Consider this, Christ is our model/our teacher. He expressly expected something valuable would result from his suffering. A debt would be paid. Sinners would be justified We would be at peace with God. As disciples of Christ, ours is to emulate Christ just as he represented the Father in his own ministry.
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.
Romans 5:3-4
As Children of the Most High God we should resist the idea that suffering in our lives is all negative and start rejoicing with expectation that God is on the move in our lives and He is setting up something great in your life.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
And in turn God is using you to bring good into others because of your testimony. Your suffering is not in vain. God is refining you and building your faith as you learn to persevere. It is through those moments of holding fast in our faith and weathering the storms, Your Christian character is being forged And God is preparing you to speak into someone else’s storm. When we can rejoice in our suffering are becoming more like Christ. Church you cannot expect to bring someone through a place you have never been.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:2-4
My Dad was an incredible worker. As I grew up working with him, he did his best to impart that characteristic to me. I remember him sending me into what I perceived to be impossible situations. Each time I would object we would look at me and jokingly say, “c’mon it’ll build character” and laugh. What I came to realize, some time later, is that although he was poking fun at me, He was teaching me a valuable lesson. I learned to trust him. And I learned that almost anything was possible. The same principals apply with our relationship with God. Our struggles should never dictate our relationship with God Our struggles should never dictate our response to God If our focus remains on Him, our struggles will only strengthen our faith and bring us closer to him.
Let’s move on to our second point.
Hope In Christ Does Not Disappoint Because Of God’s Love For Us
And hope does not put us to shame{disappoint}, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
Romans 5:5
God’s love here is demonstrated by pouring out. Did you catch that? God’s love in not metered out sparingly. The use of this phrasing point to the recall of Joel 2:28-
“And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.
Joel 2:28
And again fulfilled in Acts chapter 2 Church, Paul is pointing us to the Holy Spirit dwelling in the hearts of all believers. This is how God chooses to demonstrate his love. Never in the history of humanity and its gods has there ever been a scenario of a deity acting to ensure a relationship like this.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!
Romans 5:8-9
God continues to demonstrate his vast love. He sends his Son Jesus Christ to die for the same people who refused to worship him in the first place. Hope In Christ Does Not Disappoint Because Of God’s Love For Us.
5 Love languages by Gary Chapman: words of affirmation, acts of service, receiving gifts, quality time , and physical touch.
God demonstrates each of these aspects with us.
Let me move on to my final point.
Hope In Christ Does Not Disappoint Because Of God’s Work For Us
Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! 10 For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!
Romans 5:9-10
There are 2 key actions here. Frist, is justified by his blood. And second, is reconciled to him through the death of his Son. We continue to see these parallels drawn out for 2 reasons one, because these elements are essential to salvation and their depth is enormous. And 2, because their great importance requires emphasis. To justify is the Judicial aspect of declaring innocent. And reconcile is the relational aspect God accepting us. He absolves us of our punishment…Then he reconciles us be removing the hostility between humanity and Himself because of our sin.
Imagine realizing that there were some heavy charges against you, And you were facing a life sentence. Then you find that the judge has offered to pay your penalty/to be punished in your place for your crime. Just as you are taking a deep breathe the Judge announces that he wants to adopt you and share his enormous inheritance with you.
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die.
Romans 5:7
This is a very curious verse. How I have come to understand it is like this: the righteous man is likened to one whom you might respect. While, the good person is likened to one you might love. It is rare that someone would die for someone they respected, but they might dare to die for someone they loved. This is how awesome God’s love is that even in our rebellious state he poured out his love on the cross. While we hated Him he died for us. Don’t ever doubt God’s love for you. And don’t you dare forget that he loves that unlovable person in your life. Hope In Christ Does Not Disappoint Because Of God’s Work For Us Paul then asks an interesting question…
…”how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him?”
This is why we can have confidence in our final salvation because God has already brought us back for Himself.
A world without the hope of God is a dark and terrible place. I was driving around the Sacramento area and as you drive, If you pay attention you can see the evidence of people who are crying out for hope. “I don’t even know why I’m so angry” “Save our city”
Images of distorted faces seemingly in anguish. But Jesus is the light of the world. Have you put your hope in Jesus Christ today? Have you been justified in the Blood of Jesus? Have you been reconciled back to God? Its so simple friends, and begins with acknowledging that you don’t have all the answers. And asking God to help you. I want you to be encouraged today. There is great reason to rejoice in our suffering. There is joy in being refined in the Lord. Someone once told me that I had to trust the process. Actually, the process belongs to God. Trusting the process of Jesus Christ will not disappoint but will bring much needed hope.
How will you respond?
Will you open your hearts today and receive what God has for you?
Will you ask Him to Help your unbelief today?
Many of you need a fresh touch from God today. Is there some form of hindrance or bondage in your life or your relationships today? God wants to redeem and restore those areas of your life? He wants to restore Joy and hope for you today You’re hearing this now and the Holy Spirit has brought someone or something to mind. He wants to resurrect this in your life. He wants to bring healing in this area today. There are areas of deep regret when it comes to your relationship with God and you have rejected Christ as your savior …It’s not too late It’s not too late to humble yourself before him today, hold out your arms and open your hands to receive from him today. Will you say yes to Jesus, today?
Some of you already know the Lord, but maybe he’s put something on your heart that you need to deal with, you need to ask his forgiveness today. If that’s you will you just acknowledge that to him today. This is just you and God here. Now someone here may not have that relationship with Jesus and today you’ve felt him tugging at your heart, you’ve been hurt, and you’re guarded, I know. Jesus is here and wants set things right in your life. If you’ll say Pastor, I want Jesus to be my Lord and savior. Remember, it’s just you and God here. Will you pray with me today, We’ll pray here as a family and you can repeat after me.
Jesus, I know that I’m a sinner. I ask you today for your forgiveness. I believe that you died for my sins and on that 3rd day, you rose from the dead. I ask you to come into my heart today. I trust and follow you as my Lord and savior. Guide me and help me to do your will. In Jesus’ name Amen.
“‘“The Lord bless you
Numbers 6:23-26
and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”’