Sometimes understanding what we are reading helps us to understand what is actually written. Because of that we are going to do a bit of teaching today as well as the normal preaching.
There are those passages that seem to need a little structural explanation to get a better grasp on what the original author is trying to get across.
Now if you’re like me sometimes you look at a passage and you are kind of confused. Never fear you are not alone. Today might be one of those days be don’t fear we are going to get through this together. Let me just set the scene…
We have discussing Romans chapter 5 and today we will bring chapter 5 to a close. (37.5% completed) To bring everyone up to speed, I will take a moment to remind us where we left off. We had discussed how because of God’s grace (the cross) 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. Then last week we learned that to rejoice in our sufferings is to hope in Christ. Jesus is our example demonstrates for us that we can persevere through our sufferings because we have faith that there is a greater purpose involved for those who believe in Christ Jesus. That our hope in Christ does not disappoint because of God’s love for us. God’s love was poured out in us through the Holy Spirit. God’s love was poured out for us on the cross. While we were yet sinners Christ died for us.
That our hope in Christ does not disappoint because of God’s work in us. We were justified in his blood. And we were reconciled back to God through the death of his son.
My prayer for us today is both practical and supernatural. That by hearing this message, we would leave here today closer to God with a greater understanding of his love, and more confident in our ability to navigate the word of God. Amen?
Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned—
Romans 5:12
Now I’m going to pause right here for a moment. Because Paul seems to pause here as well. Instead of continuing his thought it appears that he pauses to back track and further explain his previous remarks. He will continue this sidebar through verse 17 then in verses 18-19, Paul will continue in his original train of thought. Let’s continue.
13 To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone’s account where there is no law. 14 Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come.
Romans 5:13-21
15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! 16 Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. 17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!
18 Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. 19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.
20 The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Today I have prepared this message into 3 parts to illustrate the main points of what the Apostle Paul was trying to get across. Let’s go.
Paul Introduces The Parallel Of Adam And Christ
Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned
Romans 5:12
Paul introduces the parallel of Adam and Christ, but he stops short… Paul steps back for a moment to explain is first comment. Right in the middle of his point he is compelled to address the sin, death and condemnation of all humanity that has come through Adam. Sin through one man. Death through sin In this way Death came to all people, because all have sinned.
To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone’s account where there is no law. 14 Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come.
Romans 5:13-14
The pattern of one to come, meaning Christ.
The pattern deals primarily the influence of one man and a single choice that has created a situation for the multitudes of humanity.
Adam through his disobedience ushered in sin and death and condemnation for all mankind. Christ was obedient in his single act of righteousness brought life and justification. A single deed for a single deed. One good act to cancel and surpass the destruction caused one bad act.
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 4:22-24
If we are to really get this right here today where we live, we would see that our only real response to the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the acceptance of this gift of grace. We would put of the old self of Adam And we would put on the new self of Christ Jesus.
Paul continues to draw this parallel, let’s move on to my 2nd point.
Paul Contrasts Adam And Christ
But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! 16 Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. 17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!
Romans 5:15-17
This is the where we really begin to see that the parallel becomes an antithesis. Christ is the antithesis of Adam. The second Adam/Christ Surpasses the first. Adam brought sin and death, Christ brought righteousness and eternal life. Adam is the poison, And Christ is the antidote.
But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!
Romans 5: 15
The trespass has earned a consequence. If many died from that trespass as the passage indicates, Indeed, the wages of sin are death. …how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! Adam turned from God in disobedience. While Christ, looked forward to the will of God and was obedient even unto death.
Let’s look at the result of each action:
Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. 19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.
Romans 5:18-19
We see on one hand condemnation for all people, On the other hand, we see justification and life for those who are in Christ Jesus. Through one: Adam’s deed made many sinners, Through one: Christ made many righteous.
For us today this is an invitation to receive the gift of grace that is Christ Jesus.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16-
If you’re like me you have heard many times, Why would a loving God send people to hell? We, by our fallen nature are destined to hell. An eternity separated from God. Our Loving God has put into action the largest rescue mission in all of history. It is yours if you desire to be saved. I know what some of you are thinking. Well Pastor, then what’s the problem? I’m so glad you asked, here is the problem, I our world today we think we got it all together and we don’t really need anyone’s help. Sure, you don’t want to think of yourself as a lost sinner going to hell so you’ll go along with it as long as you can do it on your own terms. Let me ask you this, is your own foolish pride preventing you from experiencing God? Or, have you asked him to forgive you of your sins and received His gift of grace? Have you made Jesus Christ the Lord of your life? You can do it today.
Let’s move to my final point.
Paul Compares Adam And Christ
The comparison of Adam and Christ (the second Adam) flows in concert with general theme of the Bible.
In every biblical foreshadow (as Adam was the pattern of one to come, namely Christ) the first is subordinate to the second. In this point is that in each segment of comparison Christ is supreme. We can consider that by the mention of different ages “From the time of Adam to the time of Moses” and so on, it was intentional to imply the effects of sin and death are temporary and only for an appointed time.
‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’[a] or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
Revelation 21:4
Everything in Christ is superior,
There are three other elements that the Apostle Paul uses to illustrate the supremacy of Christ in this passage. First, Paul uses this kingdom language—He uses the reign of life to compare with the reign of death, the reign of grace over the reign of sin. Second, Paul uses superlative language as he attaches to God’s provision of grace, righteousness and life. Words like abound, abundance, overflow, surpass, and even greater abundance. Finally, to indicate the supremacy of Christ in the scope of this passage Paul uses the “how much more” statements in verses 15 and 17.
This is Paul pulling out all the stops to remind the Christians in Roman to cling to their faith in Christ Jesus. He is laying down his best explanation to encourage the church in Rome to sound and accurate doctrine so that they would have the solid foundation in Jesus Christ for their own understanding and also so they would not be misled.
There are 3 things I would you to take away from this.
First, the sin of Adam has already condemned us, for all have sinned, so there is no such thing as good people go to heaven. We must be justified through Faith in Jesus Christ; we must be born again in His righteousness.
Second, God has made a way for you to overcome sin and death and you can live in eternity with Him.
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
Finally, everything is better in Jesus, The Bible teaches us the eternity in inevitable.
You see you soul is eternal and it will return from this life and you will be held accountable for your life. If you have asked Jesus into your heart and asked him to forgive you of your sins. He will declare you innocent and welcome you. If you are not in a relationship with Christ, he will say depart from me, I never knew you. You decide on this side how you would like to spend eternity. A loving God has invited you to be with him in eternity, but he will respect your decision to decline. The choice is yours.
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 speak life into this today. 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? Will you bow your heads with me? 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 6:24-26
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.”’