March 7, 2021

The Foundation of Discipleship

Preacher:
Series:
Passage: Romans 5:1-21
Service Type:

Introduction

  • Do we need a balance of grace and law
    • We have been 'singing' about grace all morning
  • Paul starts with how we can have Peace with God
    • v1 - those who are justified by faith have peace with Jesus Christ
  • Romans 1-4 - what it means to be made right with God
    • Are you right with God?
      • If you are not a believer, then you are under God's wrath
    • Paul has been explaining who people can get right with God
      • We are all under God's righteous anger
    • God has made a way that we can be at peace with Him
    • Through the Lord Jesus Christ
      • We have been justified through faith
      • What He has done has been accounted to us
      • God declares us not guilty - because the Lord Jesus Christ has taken on Himself the righteous judgment of God
      • This is the only was we can have peace with God
  • v2 - we stand in grace

We stand in grace

  • Example
    • We are given a ticket by God
    • There is only one turnstile to enter the stadium of grace
    • Entrance is given as a free gift
  • Example
    • Faith allows us to enter grace and to stand in faith
  • Psalm 24:3
    • We cannot simply stand in God's presence
    • We can gain access through grace
  • We must stand firm until the end
    • Standing in the face of adversity
    • Personal example
    • Not to retreat
  • 2 Corinthians 8:1-2
    • If our finances are difficult we might reduce (not increase) our giving
    • The Macedonian church was generous in the face of extreme poverty
    • v6-7 - your grace in giving is spurred by the grace of Jesus Christ
  • Not standing stationary / passive but being active
    • We go (in grace) in the same way we began
    • We are no longer aliens and strangers from grace
  • Prophecy
    • We are 'holy to the Lord'
    • We glow with the righteousness of Christ
    • We are in a state of grace
    • God's free grace does not stop giving
  • v20-21
    • Quote from 'Amazing Grace'
  • Grace is how we enter into and continue on in the Christian life
  • How is your prayer life?
    • Have you been in a situation where you have been driven to prayer?
    • Do we think that our 'goodliness' will cause God to intervene in our situation?
      • This is not standing in grace, but in our performance
    • We stand in grace full stop!
    • Grace is not based on works
      • We cannot contribute to our salvation
    • Personal example
    • God does not leave us to 'get on with Christian life'
      • We did not start in the Spirit to finish in the flesh
      • Acting in the flesh is in rebellion to God
      • Acting in the Spirit
  • v18-19
    • Justification and sanctification
    • Not just saved from death but saved for life
    • v9-11
    • Our grace continues in Jesus Christ
    • Therefore we can 'boast' in the Lord Jesus Christ
    • Do not boast in yourself but in the Lord Jesus Christ
    • God answers our prayer in grace, not in the strength of our discipleship
  • What motivation is there to be holy?
    • Rom 6:1
    • Grace and law
    • v2 - Real faith is faith that expresses itself in love
      • for God
      • to be obedient
      • for His people
      • for your neighbours
    • 1 John 1:5

Closing Remarks

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