1 Introduction

Difference between hype and hope

Romans 5:1-5

Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of God's glory. 3 Not only this, but we also rejoice in sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance, character, and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Romans 5:6-11

6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 (For rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person perhaps someone might possibly dare to die.) 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, because we have now been declared righteous by his blood, we will be saved through him from God's wrath. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more, since we have been reconciled, will we be saved by his life? 11 Not only this, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received this reconciliation.

Structure

• 5:1-11 - boasting or exulting
  • (1-3) Exulting in our hope of the glory of God
  • (4-10) Exulting in our tribulations
  • (11) Exulting in God, through Jesus Christ
• "having been justified" (1, 9)
  • (1-8) benefits of justification by faith
  • (9-11) more benefits of justification

2 Benefits of Justification
by Faith (5:1-8)

Summary

• God in his righteousness
  • provided for our salvation
  • through the person and work of Jesus Christ
• "Wait, there's more!"
• accompanies justification by faith
• salvation and every spiritual blessing
  • begins with peace with God (1)
  • ends with praise of God (11)
  • begins with redemption Christ accomplishes on the cross
  • ends with eternity
  • our escape from God's wrath (11)
  • our enjoyment of the kingdom of God (2)

The Benefit of Peace with God (1)

• different from the "peace of God" (Phil 4:7)
  • inner tranquility in spite of external turmoil
• peace WITH God
  • end of our hostility between God and us (Eph 2)
  • similar to propitiation
  • God's animosity has been appeased
  • God now deals graciously with those justified
• sigh of relief
  • peace has been declared

Standing in Grace (2a)

• opens door for God to deal with us
  • on the basis of grace
  • not on works (4:16)
• justification based on Jesus' sacrificial death
• now we are in a place of security
• no more "ifs"
• contingent not on our performance but His grace
• this is just the introduction

Jubilant Hope of a Glorious Conclusion (2b)

• confident assurance
• joyfully exult in the "hope of the glory of God"
• promised blessing of enjoying eternity
• in the presence and glory of His kingdom
• reward offered to the righteous (2:5-10)
• the paradise lost by sin is now a certainty

Jubilant Hope in Present Tribulations (3-8)

• confident hope in the present
• no promise of peace, prosperity, health, wealth
• only tribulation

Tribulations

Matthew 13:21 But he has no root in himself and does not endure; when trouble or persecution comes because of the word, immediately he falls away.

John 16:33 I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble and suffering, but take courage—I have conquered the world."

Tribulations

Acts 14:22 They strengthened the souls of the disciples and encouraged them to continue in the faith, saying, "We must enter the kingdom of God through many persecutions."

Colossians 1:24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I fill up in my physical body—for the sake of his body, the church—what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ.

Tribulations

1 Thessalonians 1:6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, when you received the message with joy that comes from the Holy Spirit, despite great affliction.

Hebrews 10:33 At times you were publicly exposed to abuse and afflictions, and at other times you came to share with others who were treated in that way.

Tribulations

2 Timothy 3:12 Now in fact all who want to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

2 Corinthians 4:17; 6:4; 7:4; 8:2

What does Tribulation produce? (3b-4)

• PERSEVERANCE
• staying power
• this produces CHARACTER
• this in turn produces HOPE
• we are certain of the future
• God sustains us even in the most difficult circumstances

Exercising

Tribulation also…

• develops our character
• also reveals God's character
• thus our hope will neither disappoint or fail
• God's love was "poured out within our hearts" (5)
• this is by the Holy Spirit

Timing

• it was the "right time"
• we were "helpless" and "ungodly" (6)
• "while we were YET sinners"
• God's incomprehensible love

3 More Benefits
of Justification (9-11)

Transition in 9

• "Therefore having been justified" (1)
• "Much more then, having now been justified" (9)
• based on benefits in vv 6-8
• NOW in v 9 furthers the same argument
• these benefits are a certainty

Some changes

• first
  • justification as the result of faith (1)
  • exultation in the hope of heaven (2)
  • positive hope in heaven (2)
  • believer's peace with God (1)
  • hope in present tribulations
• now
  • justification as the result of the redemptive work of Christ
  • being spared from "the wrath of God" (9)
  • the avoidance of hell (9)
  • believer's exulting in God
  • hope in deliverance from the tribulations of God's future wrath

Basis of Confidence

• v 10
  • reconciled with God
  • now free to enjoy the benefits of His life
  • sin caused us to avoid God
  • the death of Christ removes this fear