ROMANS 5:1-9

LIFE ESSENTIALS

Survival Kit

Supplies needed:

Toothpick, Rubber band, Band aid, Pencil, Eraser, Chewing gum, Mint, Candy Kiss, Tea Bag

How to use the supplies:

·        Toothpick - to remind you to pick out the good qualities in others...Matt 7:1

·        Rubber band - to remind you to be flexible, things might not always go the way you want, but it will work out...Romans 8:28

·        Band Aid - to remind you to heal hurt feelings, yours or someone else’s...Colossians 3:12-14

·        Pencil - To remind you to list your blessings everyday...Ephesians 1:3

·        Eraser - to remind you that everyone makes mistakes, and it’s okay...Genesis 50:15-21

·        Chewing gum - to remind you to stick with it and you can accomplish anything with Jesus...Phil 4:13

·        Mint - to remind you that you are worth a mint to your heavenly father...John 3:16-17

·        Candy Kiss - to remind you that everyone needs a kiss or a hug everyday... Romans 16:16, 1John 4:7

·        Tea Bag - to remind you to relax daily and go over that list of God’s blessings...1 Thessalonians 5:18

http://www.bible.org/illus/s/s-209.htm#TopOfPage

 

There are certain physical things that we need as human beings in order to survive.  They would include things like food, water, clothing, and shelter. They are life essentials.

 

In order for a person to survive emotionally, there are some other things that are needed.  These life essentials for emotional well being would include, love, security, a sense of self-worth, and a sense of belonging.

 

In order for a person to survive spiritually in the next life and in this life, there are also some life essentials needed.  They center around a person's faith in Christ as personal Savior.  In fact, when a person comes to Christ, believing in Him as the Son of God who died for His sins, was buried and rose again, that person becomes a "new creature" or a "new creation" according to 2 Corinthians 5:17.  This person who is new in Christ has all the life essentials for making it in this life and the next!

 

In Romans 5:1-9 there is a list of life essentials that are given to us when we trust Christ as Savior.

 

In this passage, Paul keeps adding things that we get when we place our faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior.  They are all included in the one decision to accept Christ as Savior. Each one of these things is a "life essential" which allows us to live a productive spiritual life now!

 

In part Romans 4 tells us about one of the great men of God, Abraham.  The Jewish people considered Abraham the greatest of all men. 

 

Many Jews thought that Abraham had earned his way into Heaven, but Paul makes it very clear that Abraham was right with God because of his faith.

 

Romans 4:3 - For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

 

Romans 4:20-21 - He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

 

Now, because of the faith which gives eternal life, we look at the life essentials found in Romans 5:1-9.  They are:

 

PEACE - Vs. 1

POSITION - Vss. 2

PROGRESS - Vss. 3-5

PARDON - Vss. 6-9

 

PEACE - Vs. 1

 

I was not around for the end of World War II.  Thousands upon thousands of people died.  It was a terrible struggle.  But when the war was over, and peace was declared, there was great joy and celebration. Churches had services, and businesses shut down in celebration. My parents got married that day.  The businessman who provided the flowers gave his employees the day off, and took care of the flowers himself. There was great relief. There was peace with the enemy.

 

We do not think of it this way, but before a person is justified, or declared righteous by faith, that person is an enemy of God!

 

Ephesians 2:2-3 - Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:  Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

 

Romans 1:18-19 - For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;  Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed [it] unto them.

 

Psalm 7:11 - God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.

 

Jesus had some very strong words for some unsaved people in  his day.

John 8:44 - Ye are of [your] father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

 

A person without Christ is God's enemy.

But what a change happens when a person puts his trust in Christ!

On the cross, Jesus endured the wrath of God's punishment for sin.

The terrible punishment you deserve was taken by Jesus on the cross.

Faith in what He has done, means there is now peace with God for you!

 

God is no longer your enemy. The price for your sin is paid, and God is now your friend instead of your enemy!

 

Colossians 1:20-22 - And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, [I say], whether [they be] things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in [your] mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled.

 

If you are saved this morning, God is not your enemy.  He is your friend, and all hostilities cease.  At the end of World War II hostilities ceased, but it took time because not everyone got the message the war was over.  When hostilities cease between you and God, the war is over immediately.

 

Say, when World War II was over, didn't Harry Truman adopt the Japanese Emperor and bring him to the White House to live?  Of course not!  But when your war with God is over, God allows you to be born into His family.  Your ultimate home is Heaven, the home of your former enemy! 

 

John 1:12-13 - He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.  He came unto his own, and his own received him not.  But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

 

By the way there is a difference between peace with God and the peace of God.  Peace with God is based on our faith in Christ for salvation. The peace of God is what will rule in our hearts to give us a peaceful feeling.  Peace with God is a "given". 

 

The peace of God is conditional.

You must have peace with God to have the peace of God but also, you must be looking to Him in faith.

 

Isaiah 26:3-4 - Thou wilt keep [him] in perfect peace, [whose] mind [is] stayed [on thee]: because he trusteth in thee.  Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH [is] everlasting strength:

 

Philippians 4:6-7 - Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

 

And don't expect God's peace to fill your heart if you are being disobedient!  You still have peace with God when you fail as a Christian. God does not kick you out of the family.  But God can't fill you with His Spirit and His peace when you have been or are being disobedient.  1 John 1:9

 

As a result of faith in Christ, the first life essential we have is PEACE.

As a result of faith in Christ, the next life essential we have is

 

POSITION - Vs. 2

 

Most of us have a position.  For some of you, your position is student.

For others, it is retired.  For others it is owner.  For others, it is some sort of title as an employee.  For others it is the position of housewife. My position is pastor.

 

Read Vs. 2 Those who come to Christ by faith have a position.

We have a standing before God which we didn't have before.

 

The Old Testament Jew, for all his religion was not allowed into the very presence of God. 

 

There was only one person allowed into the place where God dwelled on earth.  That was the holy of holies, which was first found in the tabernacle, and later the temple. Only the high priest was allowed in that place, and only once a year, in order to bring a blood sacrifice. 

 

The holy of holies was surrounded by a gigantic, extremely thick curtain, called the veil.  The veil kept all of Israel but the high priest out!

 

But when Christ died for our sins, something remarkable happened.

Mark 15:38 - AND THE VEIL OF THE TEMPLE WAS RENT IN TWAIN FROM THE TOP TO THE BOTTOM.

 

The separation is over.  You and I have access into the very presence of God, based on our faith in Christ.  You and I don't need a priest, we are priests!  And we come into his presence as His children!

 

Imagine a little girl, riding her bike to a huge metropolitan bank.  She brings her bike into the lobby, and no one has a word of complaint.

She makes her way past several customers, tellers, and security guards.

She walks past the most important secretary in the building, and then brazenly opens the door of the bank president.  Not one person stops her.  She then walks right around the president's desk, and climbs into the lap of the president and says, "HI, DADDY!" (source unknown)

 

This is similar to the position that we have in Christ.

Romans 8:15-16 - For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 

 

Notice in our text that this is a position in which we stand.

It is not a temporary position. 

It is not a precarious position.

It is a permanent, secure position.

Why is this position so secure?

Because I am standing in God's grace, God's unmerited favor, not in my own merit.

 

This does not mean I can live as I please.  Because I stand as His child, and in His favor, as a believer, I should want to please Him!

 

And note, when I have access to God's presence, and stand in His grace, there is joy.  I rejoice in hope of the glory of God!  You and I as Christians have a great hope.  One day, we will be glorified.  That is, we will be like Jesus in such a way not possible now.

 

1 John 3:1-3 - Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

 

Christian, because of your position, your standing in grace as a child of God, rejoice in the hope of His glory!

 

So far we have seen two life essentials that come with faith in Christ.

PEACE

POSITION

PROGRESS Vss. 3-5

 

When our children were born, they were very cute.  It was nice to have a baby in the house.  But now that our children are 27, 25, and 23, we are glad that they have made progress so they can be on their own.

Just as we are concerned when children do not develop and grow up physically, and mentally, we should be concerned when we do not progress Spiritually as children of God.

 

God wants his children to grow up.  He wants them to become stronger in their Christian lives, the longer they know him.  God wants us to progress.  So, God in his love allows things to happen so we can "grow up".  When the things mentioned in these verses happen, we should rejoice. It means that God is helping us to gr9ow up!

 

Vs. 3 - God allows trials in our lives. Trials are pressures.

When we have trials, the pressures are on.

God allows the pressures, so we will learn patience, or endurance.

We don't learn how to endure, unless we have troubles.

Endurance teaches us to keep working, keep progressing, in spite of the obstacles.

 

Vs. 4  - Patience leads to experience.  Experience is "proven character".

God allows the tribulation, so your Christian character will                                                                                                                                                                                                    develop.  If you respond properly to your trials, you grow up.

You will see things that don't belong in your life, and get rid of

them. 

 

You will also see Spiritual things that do belong in your life,

and add them!

 

Dr. M.R. DeHann was a great Bible teacher.  One time, when traveling through the mountains of Montana, he was detained for an hour while a flock of thousands of sheep crossed the highway.  The animals wanted to rest, but the shepherds kept driving them.  Dehann asked if these sheep were on the way to the slaughter house.

 

The answer was "OH NO, MISTER, NOT TO THE SLAUGHTER HOUSE. WE ARE JUST CHANGING PASTURES!  AS THE SNOW ON THE MOUNTAIN MELTS, WE MOVE THE SHEEP FROM THE LOWER LEVELS WHERE THE HOT SUMMER SUN DRIES UP THE WINTER GRAZING AREAS, AND WE LEAD THEM TO NEW AND HIGHER GROUND WHERE THE BETTER PASTURES LIE."

 

When trials come, you may think that God is leading you to the slaughterhouse.  In reality, he is leading you to higher pastures where you have developed proven character.  Also God is leading you so that with each trial you successfully navigate, you learn to have hope, that God will get you through!  For experience teaches you to have hope in God.

 

Vs. 5 - As God successfully brings you through trials, you will not be ashamed.  That's because God's love is being poured into your                                                                                                                                                                                                  life through the Holy Spirit. 

 

When you sense the love of God in your life, especially during a trial, you know that the Spirit of God is doing His work!

 

We don't know the joy and greatness of God's love, until we experience the burden of life's trials.  It is here that God's love works the hardest.

 

LIFE ESSENTIALS:

PEACE

POSITION

PROGRESS

PARDON Vss. 6-9

 

You have undoubtedly offended, hurt, or sinned against several people in your life time.  It is wonderful when that person no longer holds it against you, and treats you as if nothing happened.  Of course, that often requires an apology on our part.

 

When you trusted Christ as Savior, you received a full pardon for your sins.  God no longer holds you accountable.  It is as if, you are sentenced to die in the electric chair.  You are strapped in, and the warden is ready to pull the switch.  Someone rushes in, pushes you out of the chair in the nick of time and takes your punishment for you.

That's exactly what Jesus did for you.

 

Vs. 6 – When we were helpless to help ourselves and at just the right time Christ died of our sins.

 

Vs. 7 – It is unusual that men would give their lives for others, even good or righteous men.

 

Vs. 8 – The remarkable thing is that God’s Son gave his life for us who sinners. This is God showing his love for us.

 

Vs. 9 – Those of us who have trusted Christ are not only justified by faith (Vs. 1), but on the basis of His shed blood for us.  We are exempt from the wrath of eternal judgment through Jesus Christ. 

 

So, in Christ we have received these life essentials which help us in this life and the next:

 

PEACE

POSITION

PROGRESS

PARDON