So, It’s the week after the resurrection and I hope that you are all feeling refreshed in your spirit.
When I was a teenager, our youth group would go to camp and we would have great and powerful time in the Lord. Many of us were filed with the holy Sprit and there were miracles being witnessed every night. Our Youth Pastors called these mountaintop experiences. Because we would eventually come down from the mountain and reenter the reality of our world and gradually the memory of what God did on that mountain would begin to fade. We would begin to settle back into regular life. I think that many of us have that same problem as we watch Resurrection Sunday come and go. Boy, we are so pumped up with anticipation, We buy a new outfit, We invite our friends and neighbors, maybe even invite our family members.That special Sunday comes and goes… and everyone is feeling good about themselves. Here is the real question: So, what now? No seriously, What now? As a young person growing up in the church, there were many concepts that I did not understand. It never caused me to doubt God, but It did hinder me in expressing my faith and or taking ownership of spirituality. Still I wondered, what do we do after Resurrection Sunday? The Bible tells us in many ways but I suppose like most young people I needed someone to teach me and help me dig down deep.
Our text today finds its context in the previous verse.
He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.
Romans 4:25
This is the essence of Passion week and the crux of the resurrection. Jesus gave himself to be crucified for our sin, And was raised to life on that third day. And as a result of this miracle we are told that somethings have happened/changed. And in turn, we are given cause to look at life in a different manner. We are given cause to see God in a larger and more complete way. In our main text today, the Apostle Paul is informing us on what we can expect in our faith moving forward out of the resurrection. He is teaching us how to adapt in the light of the new covenant. The rules have changed, and Paul is reminding the Christians in Rome, How they are to live in light of the resurrection.
My prayer for us today is that would not just bounce from Sunday to Sunday without any real understanding of what God is doing , but we would be folded into the work of the Holy Spirit. My hope is that we would be used by God with a clarity and understanding of His mission and our role in it every day.
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.
Romans 5:1-2
Today I have prepared 3 aspects of our faith that we must learn to embrace if we are to be victorious in this life for the Kingdom of God.
Through Christ Jesus, We Now Have Peace With God
Having Peace with God is not a static relationship, like you might have with a neighbor you don’t really know. You don’t have a problem with them you just don’t engage. With God there is never that neutral space.
You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
James 4:4
This is our condemned condition. We are either for God or against God.
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.
John 3:36
Having peace with God means that the enmity between our sin and God’s holiness has been removed and the righteousness of Jesus Christ takes its place. Righteousness has become the buffer that makes us right with God.
This peace with God is characterized by the Jewish concept of “Shalom” In essence it means peace. However, it denotes a sense of harmony with God. It is not just a lack of hostility between God and humanity. Rather a wholeness and complete sense of unity and communion with God.
Church what this means for us today is that God has given us the ability to enter into his holy presence. We need to make God the center of our entire life, not just saying that we are Christians, but spending time in his presence. Prayer, worship, and reading His word. Did you know today that you can do your daily living in his presence. It’s all about the choices that we make. Let me ask you this, Are you living your life like Jesus is in charge? Jesus reminds us of the exclusivity of our calling.
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
Matthew 6:24
If money doesn’t ring your bell, you can feel free to fill in the blank. Defeat, fear, lust, envy, your politics. You name it! If our focus is in these areas, it becomes more and more difficult to live in the peace of
God. Church, it is impossible to live for Christ if we are not embracing and making the most of the Peace we have with God.
The next aspect that we Christians must learn to embrace if we are to be victorious in this life for the Kingdom of God.
Faith In Christ Has Gained Access Into God’s Grace
In the old testament access to God meant going thru the priests and the temple rites. In the New Covenant, Christ has become our mediator. Christ has become our Prophet, Priest and, King. By His work on the cross, he has paid our debt in full and has been exalted to the right
hand of God. As a result of this we have full access to God.
In Isaiah 6 God gives Isaiah prophetic access to his throne room.
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” 4 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with
Isaiah 6:1-8
smoke. 5 “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty. 6 Then one of the 6seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” 8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
This is how God demonstrated, through his prophet, what would happen in the future.In the New Covenant or the church age as we are today. Through Christ Jesus we see the fulfillment of this prophecy in…
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. We no not just have free access to come and go in and out of God’s presence…
Philippians 4:6
through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand…
Romans 5:2
In most cases, Paul speaks of grace as the way in which God freely chooses to bless his creation, but in this case Paul is speaking about a state in which the believer may live. **Come on people can you get excited with me today about what God has done! We have access to live in his grace. Church, this is a result of your justification in Jesus Christ.
This is so important for us to get today… So many believers never seem to get to the point where they are living in victory. There’s always some area where they are miserable or defeated. It seems as though they never get to the point of rest or refreshing in there walk with God Church we have something very unique, in that the Spirit of the Living God dwells within us and our access to Him is only hindered by our disbelief. Here’s what I know, the Holy Spirit is a truth telling Spirit that testifies the truth about Jesus. Amen? However, the only force on this earth that would tell you something contrary is the devil. If there is something in your life that is causing you doubt and hindering you from living in the grace of God. You better identify it and get rid of it. God has more to offer you than what you are currently receiving.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 6:3
Everything will fall into place. My walk with God changed radically when I stopped praying for the solution for my problems, and I started praying for more Jesus.
The Final aspect that we Christians must learn to embrace if we are to be
victorious in this life for the Kingdom of God.
In Christ We Have The Hope Of Glory
The remainder of Verse 2…
…And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.
Romans 5:2
Other translations use the verb “rejoice.” Our hope is that all believers with share in God’s glory.
And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of
1 Peter 5:4
glory that will never fade away.
The value of this glory is not measured by your popularity or earthly wealth, but by eternity in God’s presence.
Just like with all things in the Bible there is a foreshadow that has happened
that is simultaneously pointing to something that will come later. In our case God has given us internal access to His presence through Faith in Christ Jesus. I believe that God is pointing us to something ahead. As we follow Christ, He is working through us and as we learn to commune with God we
become more like Christ. Friends, A day is coming when our Lord returns and we will be with him, sharing in His glory. Living with God in Eternity
‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
Revelation 21:4
All of this Bible is pointing us to a new season in God’s presence. We should be rejoicing in the hope of his glory. Moving forward in his presence. And embracing the peace of God we have through Jesus Christ.
Today as we move through Resurrection Sunday and on to the rest of the year. I want to remind you that after Jesus ascended back into heaven, He told his disciples that the Holy Spirit was coming. And because of this they would have power to do all that Jesus had done and more. Remember our text today isn’t just some nice words but it is like a mandate for Christians to live in victory of Christ Jesus, complete with directions.
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.
Romans 5:1-2
This is a statement of facts church.
So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
Revelation 3:16
We must not just pass over these words lightly but know that Christ is coming back for his church that is without spot or wrinkle.
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.
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 and keep you;
Numbers 6:24-26
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.”’