Sunday, May 19, 2019, Evident Grace Fellowship looked at Romans 5.1-11:

 

Romans 5.1 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 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

 

Big Idea:  Lavish Love

 

Lavish Stands in Grace

Lavish Love is Sacrificial

Lavish Love Reconciles

 

Lavish Love Seeks Peace

 

Romans 5.1 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.

 

By faith, the Christian is justified before God.  In addition, we have peace before God through Jesus Christ.  The gives a real hope, a hope that we can count on.  And if you lack hope, Romans tells you how to get it.  Suffer.  Suffer trusting God.  That produces perseverance and a hope you can count on.

 

Lavish Love is Sacrificial

 

6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.

 

There is no love that isn’t sacrificial.  By definition, if it is not sacrificial it is selfish and therefor some form of lust.  But when we didn’t’ deserve it, when we were weak, when we were ungodly Christ died for us.  While that was who we are, God sacrificed His son, Jesus.  That is sacrificial love.

 

Lavish Love Reconciles

 

10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

 

God’s sacrifice is not for no reason.  The sacrifice of Jesus reconciles us to God.  As a result, as we explore and grow in our understanding of the reconciliatory love of Jesus, we can seek reconciliation with others.

 

Big Idea:  Lavish Love

 

Lavish Love Stands in Grace

Lavish Love is Sacrificial

Lavish Love Reconciles

 

Truth:  The sacrificial love of Jesus enables all of His children to peacefully stand before God (and others) by grace.

 

Application: Live knowing that your repaired relationship with God is intended to propel you into the world to play a part in repairing both earthly and heavenly relationships.

 

Action:  Seek reconciliation with someone with whom you used to be close.