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Benefits of Justification (Part 2) Hope for the ungodly Grace Community Church March 18, 2007

What causes people not to have a firm hope? Suffering Suffering Pleasures Pleasures Our own flesh Our own flesh

As Paul grew he became increasingly aware of his own sinfulness In I Corinthians 15:9 “least of the Apostles” In I Corinthians 15:9 “least of the Apostles” Ephesians 3:8 “least of the saints” Ephesians 3:8 “least of the saints” I Timothy 1:15 “Chief of all Sinners I Timothy 1:15 “Chief of all Sinners As we become secure in our foundation in Christ – we become free to admit our performance failures

Predominant Pronoun Change Chapter 1 I “I am not ashamed” Chapter 1 I “I am not ashamed” Chapter 2 YOU (the moralizer) Chapter 2 YOU (the moralizer) Chapter 3 THEY (whole world accountable) Chapter 3 THEY (whole world accountable) But it is in first half of chapter 4 and into 5 Paul changes to the first person plural - WE But it is in first half of chapter 4 and into 5 Paul changes to the first person plural - WE Why significant? The following affirmations are true for ALL who are part of the justified community of faith in Jesus Christ

To have a firm hope you must embrace three certainties of justification

Romans 5:6-8 “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.”

Our Characteristics God had to work with Powerless (v.6a) Powerless (v.6a) Ungodly (v.6b) Ungodly (v.6b) Sinners (v.8) Sinners (v.8) Enemies (v.10) Enemies (v.10) To have a firm hope you must embrace the certainty of his love.

Romans 5:6-8 “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.”

Romans 5:9-10 “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!” To have a firm hope you must embrace the certainty of his salvation.

I John 3:2-3 “Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.”

Romans 5:11 “Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.” To have a firm hope you must embrace the certainty of his satisfaction.

“…the major work of the justified believer is joy, especially joy in God himself. We should be the most positive people in the world. For the new community of Jesus Christ is characterized not by a self-centered triumphalism but by a God-centered worship.” ~John Stott

A firm hope (for the ungodly) is possible when we embrace 3 certainties of justification The certainty of His love The certainty of His love The certainty of His Salvation The certainty of His Salvation The certainty of His satisfaction The certainty of His satisfaction