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Sermon Outline Prepared by Dr. Joseph P. Metoyer, Jr., Pastor/Teacher November 18, 2001 Text: Romans 5:12-21 Subject: The
Basis of Justification Introduction: This passage contrasts the actions of two men, and the results of their actions. Adam disobeyed and brought death to all humanity. Jesus, the Lord from Heaven, obeyed and brought life to all who become His reconciliation. Thus, as we were one with Adam in sin, we are one with the Lord Jesus Christ in righteousness… Here justification is joined to sanctification.[1] I. The ContrastsPaul is explaining here how it is that all men are sinners, and how it is that one Man’s death could give an ungodly sinner a right standing before God. When God looks upon the human race, He sees but two men – Adam and Christ. Every human being is either in Adam and lost or in Christ and saved: there is no middle ground.[2] (v. 14) states that Adam is a type (figure) of Christ; he is the “First Adam”, and Christ is the “Last Adam”. (I Cor. 15:45) And so it is written, the first man Adam became a living being. The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. A. The First Adam vs. the Last Adam – Christ The first Adam was made from earth but the last Adam came from heaven. The first Adam was the king of the old creation, while the last Adam is King-Priest over the new creation. The first Adam was tested in the perfect garden and disobeyed God, while the last Adam, “Christ”, was tested in a terrible wilderness and obeyed God; in the Garden of Gethsemane, He surrendered His will to God. The disobedience of the first Adam brought sin, condemnation and death upon the human race, but the obedience of the Last Adam brought righteousness, salvation and life to all who will believe. 1. (Vv.14, 17,21) Through the first Adam, death and sin reign in this world; 2. (V.21) But through the Last Adam grace reigns, and believers can reign in life (v. 17). 3. Paul’s argument in (vv. 12-14) goes like this: “We all know that a man dies if he disobeys God’s law. But there was no law from Adam to Moses, yet men died. Why? The fact that Adam died because he disobeyed God and there was no law between Adam to Moses death must have another cause. That cause is Adam’s sin. Because we are born in Adam we inherit his sin and condemnation. But in His grace God has give us a Last Adam, a new Head who has by His life and death undone all that Adam did in sin. B. To be born into the human race means that we have inherited sin and the only way to escape the penalty of sin (which is death) is to be born again. (5:18-19)… but (8:1)… Let me ask a question; which are you, in Adam or in Christ? How are you walking these days? 1. Paul presents several contrast between salvation and sin: a. (vv.15-16) The offense vs. the free gift: Adam’s offense brought condemnation and death, while the free gift of God’s grace brings justification and life. b. (v.17) Death vs. life: Death reigned as king because of Adam, but now believers reign in life (right now, not only in the future) through Christ, and we have abundant life. c. (v.18) Condemnation vs. justification: Adam’s sin plunged the human race into condemnation; Christ’s death brings right standing with God. Adam hid from God; in Christ we have free access to God! d. (v.19) Disobedience vs. obedience: Adam disobeyed God and made us all sinners; Christ obeyed God and, through faith in Him, we are made righteous. e. (v.20) Law vs. grace: God did not give the law to save mankind, but rather to reveal sin. But God’s super abounding grace met the demands of the Law when Christ died, and then supplied what the law could not supply – salvation from sin. |
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