I. The Person of Christmas (vs. 6 & 8)

Transcription

1 The Christ of Christmas Romans 5:1-11 PREFACE Martyn Lloyd-Jones is one of the greatest verses in the whole bible. I do not hesitate to assert that there is no greater statement of the love of God than in that verse. We can describe it legitimately as the Apostle Paul s exposition of John 3:16. Romans 5: 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 rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given 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 man, though for a good man 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, when 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 rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. INTRODUCTION C. Perverted People (vs. 8) D. Partisan People (vs. 10) III. The Plan of Christmas (vs. 6) IV. The Paradox of Christmas (vs. 7) V. The Proof of Christmas (vs. 8) I. The Person of Christmas (vs. 6 & 8)

2 William Dix What child is this? What child is this, who laid to rest on Mary s lap, is sleeping. Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, while shepherds watch are keeping? John 1:41 41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, "We have found the Messiah" (that is, the Christ). Romans 1:4 4 and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. II. The People of Christmas (vs. 6, 8,10) Romans 5:10 10 For if, when 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 1: The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. A Powerless People II. The People of Christmas (vs. 6) John 3:16 16 "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.

3 Matthew 1: This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." Genesis 2: The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.16 And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die." Ephesians 2:1-5 1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved. 1Corrinthians 2:14 14 The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned John 6:44 44 "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. John 6:65 65 He went on to say, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him." Donald Gray Barnhouse Evangelists and pastors should stop telling unsaved people to give their hearts to God, and instead, tell them to receive the grace that God gives because His very being is love. B. Pagan People (vs. 6) Romans 1: The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

4 Mark 2: While Jesus was having dinner at Levi's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. 16 When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the "sinners" and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: "Why does he eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?" 17 On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." C. Perverted People (vs. 8) 1Timothy 1:15 15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst. Titus 3:3-5 3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewably the Holy Spirit, C. Perverted People (vs. 8) D. Partisan People (vs. 10) Romans 5:10 10 For if, when 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! Matthew 12: "He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters. 31 And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. James 4:4 4 You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Romans 5:1 1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

5 C. Perverted People (vs. 8) D. Partisan People (vs. 10) III. The Plan of Christmas (vs. 6) Galatians 4:4 4 But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, 1Peter 1: For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Acts 2: "Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. 23This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. Revelation 13:8 8 All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast--all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world. III. The Plan of Christmas (vs. 6) IV. The Paradox of Christmas (vs. 7) Romans 5:7 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. Matthew 5:46 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? Charles Hodge If God loved us because we loved Him, He would love us only so long as we love Him, on that condition; and then our salvation would depend on the consistency of our treacherous hearts. But as God loved us as sinners, as Christ died for us as ungodly, our salvation depends, as the Apostle argues, not on our loveliness, but on the consistency of the love of God. III. Powerless People (vs. 6) A. Pagan People (ungodly) (vs. 6) B. Perverted People (vs. 8) C. Partisan People (vs. 10) D. The Plan of Christmas (vs. 6) IV. The Paradox of Christmas (vs. 7)

6 V. The Proof of Christmas (vs. 8) 1John 4: This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Romans 4:25 25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. CONCLUSION Isaac Watts told us what he felt, When I survey the wondrous cross, on which the Prince of Glory died, my richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride. See, from His head, His hands, His feet, sorrow and love flow, mingled down! Isaac Watts in this great hymn tells us what our response should be to such love. Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were an offering far too small; love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul my life my all. Romans 10: That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11 As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."