ROMANS 4:23-25
THEME:
we
can be delivered from eternal suffering in the lake of fire for our sin by
accepting God’s provision of a substitute and sacrifice –Jesus Christ. For
indeed Christ was delivered for our offenses and then raised again from the
dead for our justification– salvation.
Because of faith in the resurrected Christ we are made acceptable to God.
INTRODUCTION:
Now
it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; 24, But
for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up
Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25, Who was delivered for our offences, and
was raised again for our justification.
(Romans 4:23-25, KJV)
Christ
died in our place, bore our sins, paid the penalty due our sins; and all this
not by force, but willingly (Jn. 10:17, 18). The blessed truth is that something happened to Christ,
and because it happened to Christ, it need not happen to us. Jesus Christ died
for our sins; we need not die for them if we accept His sacrifice.
Christ
was also raise again and we are identified with Him and represented by Him as
Winners and Victors over Satan, sin, death, hell, and the grave. The Lord Jesus
has a central place in God’s program of providing righteousness for sinful people
by grace through faith. Both Christ’s death and His resurrection are essential
to this grand work of justification (Rom.
4:23-25).
MESSAGE:
It
will continue to be as long as people are born sinners, as long as Hell burns
hot, as long as death is a threat, and as long as the grave persists. But, not
everyone who claims to be ‘Christian’ believes this….
SOME REJECT THE SIGNIFICANCE OF CHRIST’S
RESURRECTION!
1.
Some So-Called Theologians and Scholars Believe that the Resurrection is
Not Important to Modern Man in this Technologically Advanced and
Hyper-Computerized Age.
A)
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America "theologian" Reginald
Fuller makes the following statement in his book The Formation of the Resurrection Narratives.
Not only is the assertion of the resuscitation of a corpse incredible, as Bultmann pointed out, but still more pressing is the question, So what? Suppose a first-century Jewish prophet did in fact, incredible though it may seem, rise from the grave? What difference can that make to my existence or to the social, political, and environmental problems of contemporary man?
B)
The first mistake of this poor
misguided man was that he overlooked volumes of evidence from the Scriptures to
dismiss the Lord’s resurrection as insignificant and irrelevant for
contemporary man. Then secondly, he is confused on what is the
most ‘dangerous threat’ to mankind; it is not man’s social, political, and
environmental problems that are his most pressing concerns. Intimidating as
they may be, and as grim as the future on earth may appear to be in light of
these ills, still mankind’s ‘greatest threat’ is Satan, Sin, Death, the Grave,
and Hell.
2. Such Men Have Failed To Realize the Far
Reaching Implications of our Lord’s Empty Tomb! Through the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus all of these ‘real
threats’ were rendered powerless for the Believer in Christ. Yes, the
resurrection of Christ is extremely relevant for today!
1. The
Scriptures Teach that the Resurrection of Christ Will Always Be a Current
Significant Factor With Eternal Relevance. Death and resurrection were the portion of
the Savior (Rom. 4:25). One can hardly fail to notice the carefully balanced
character of this statement, relating as it does the death of the Lord Jesus to
our sins and His resurrection to our justification.
A)
Christ Was Raised for Our Justification. Rom. 4:24-25
1) Condemnation—“Who was delivered”, to
death; compare Acts 2:23. Sin deserves
death (Rom. 6:23).
2) Substitution –“For our offences,” Christ
died on account of our sin crimes. He was delivered over to death in order to
make the payment required (satisfactory solution to remove sin’s penalty by
punishment) for our sins.
3) Resurrection –“And was raised again” from
the dead. Christ Jesus lives forever more!
4) Justification –“For our justification” in
order that we may be justified.
The
word “justification” means acceptance with
God; including not only the formal act by which God forgives sins, and by
which we become children of God, but also the completion of the work—the
treatment of us as righteous, and raising us up to a state of glory. By the
death of Christ the atonement for sin was made. His death and resurrection
alone provides our acceptance with God. The resurrection of Christ was essential for
the exercise of our faith in Him as the Savior, since Christ’s continuance
under the power of death would create serious doubts about the effectiveness of
His sacrificial death on the cross. Furthermore, justification also involves a
living relationship with God through Jesus Christ (Gal. 4:4-7).
O’
Beloved, receive the Lord Jesus Christ as your very own personal Savior, there
is NO other means of being forgiven of sin, an eternity with God in Heaven, nor
life after life without Him. Trust Christ today!
B) His
Resurrection Is the Main-spring (Origin) of All Our Hopes and Final Salvation.
2
Tim. 1:9-10, Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not
according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was
given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, [10] But is now made manifest
by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death,
and hath brought life and immortality
to light through the gospel:
(Death, Burial, Resurrection of Christ)
1) Christ’s Resurrection Anticipates
Our Personal Hope & Resurrections.
Life and
immortality are brought to light by
resurrection, 2 Tim 1:10. God “hath begotten us again
to a lively hope (a living, active, real
hope), by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from
the dead,” 1
Peter 1:3. Thus, the fact that he was raised
becomes the basis of hope that
we shall be raised and accepted of God.
2) Christ’s Resurrection Encourages
Our Personal Salvations.
The
fact that Christ was raised give real incentive to salvation! The reality that
all who believe on Him shall be raised also is one of the most powerful
motivators to seek God’s justification through Christ.
a) Life After Life Through the
Resurrection is an Outstanding Reason for Getting Saved!
There
is no greater incentive to be shared to encourage someone to seek salvation
than the fact that he maybe raised up from death and the grave, and made
immortal to share eternity with God (1 Cor.
15:1-4, 48-57).
b) Christ’s Resurrection Serves
as a Powerful Guarantee That Believers Will be Raised Also!
There
is no other viable proof that man can be raised from the dead, but through the
resurrection of Jesus Christ. In His resurrection we have a promise that all
his people will rise. “For if we believe that
Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God
bring with him,” 1 Thess. 4:14. “Because I live,” said the
Redeemer, “ye shall live also,” John 14:19; compare 1 Peter 1:21; Jn.
11:25-26.
2. Christ’s Cross and Resurrection Transcends
the Concerns of This Life and World! Therefore,
regardless of what the political pressures may be, and in spite of the ever
growing environmental concerns, and regardless of the social frustrations of
our day, we still have a hope in Christ that sustains us through the
difficulties of this life and will deliver us safely into the next.
II. The Resurrection Of
Christ Assures Us Of Our Justification!
Romans
4:24-25, But for us also, to whom it
shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the
dead; [25] Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
1Cor. 15:4 . . . and that he
rose again the third day. . .
Christ’s
death as God’s sacrificial Lamb (John 1:29) was to pay the redemptive price for the sins of all
people (Rom. 3:24)
so that God might be free to forgive those who respond by faith to this
provision. Christ’s resurrection was the proof (or demonstration and
vindication) of God’s acceptance of Jesus’ sacrifice (Rom. 1:4). Thus because He
lives, God can credit His provided righteousness to the account of every person
who responds by faith to this offer. (Wiersbe)
TRUST THE RISEN CHRIST TO BE SAVED TODAY!
1. Without The Resurrection of Christ Salvation
Would Be Impossible.
1
Cor. 15:12-20, Now if Christ be preached
that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no
resurrection of the dead? [13] But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: [14] And if
Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
[15] Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of
God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead
rise not. [16] For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: [17] And if Christ be not raised, your faith is
vain; ye are yet in your sins. [18] Then they also which are fallen asleep
in Christ are perished. [19] If in
this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. [20] But now is Christ risen from the dead, and
become the firstfruits of them that slept.
Romans 10:9-10, That if
thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine
heart that God hath raised him from the
dead, thou shalt be saved. [10] For with the heart man believeth unto
righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
2. Christ’s Resurrection Is Important Because
the Same Savior Who Died for Our Sin Is Alive Today to Save Us. We can
trust a Living Savior: a living
Savior can call sinners unto himself. While a dead savior cannot save anyone, a
living Savior can save all who receive His forgiveness and accept His life. We
simply cannot receive Eternal Life from a dead man. We can only have assurance
and hope beyond death because we have a relationship with the One who conquered
death through His resurrection. Clearly Christ is the only one that can
by His finished work bring sinful humanity back into a right relationship with
a Holy God.
A) Christ’s Work of Redemption Was Completed in His Resurrection. His death would have been unavailing; his work would have
been imperfect, if he had not been raised up from the dead. He submitted to
death as a sacrifice, and it was needful that he should rise, and thus conquer
death and subdue our enemies, that the work which he had undertaken might be
complete. (Wiersbe & MacDonald)
B) The Resurrection of Christ Is God’s Endorsement of Christ’s Perfect
Life, and Atoning Death! His resurrection was a proof that his work was
accepted by the Father. What he had done, in order that sinners might be saved,
was approved. Our justification, therefore, became sure; as it was for this reason
He gave himself up to death.
ACCEPT THE TRUTH THAT JESUS LIVES TO SAVE.
1. Because Christ is Alive, God Has a Basis for
Saving and Justifying the Repentant Sinner who Believes. We are viewed by God as
just as righteous as the Risen Christ is!
Romans
8:33-35, Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. [34] Who is he
that condemneth?
It is Christ that died, yea rather, that
is risen again, who is even at the right
hand of God, who also maketh
intercession for us. [35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?
shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or
peril, or sword?
When a sinner trusts Christ as their personal Savior
and Lord, she or he will receive the credit of being righteous, alive, and assured
of acceptance by God because they are identifying with the resurrected Christ. For
the sinner who believes on Christ, there remain no more obligations to sin and
death. We are freed from such obligations
so that we can serve our Lord with our new lives (See Rom 6:4-13).
2. Jesus Christ is Literally “the Resurrection
and the Life;” You Need to Believe on Him.
John
11:25-27, Jesus said unto her, I am the
resurrection, and the life: he that believeth
in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: [26] And whosoever
liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? [27] She saith
unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
All
hope of eternal life and resurrection power point to faith in Jesus Christ. He
died in our place, was buried and on the third day He arose from the dead. By
doing so He demonstrated that sin had been paid for completely, and that
salvation could be obtained through faith in Him and His monumental achievements!
Like Martha, we need to confess that Jesus Christ is The Lord God of the Old Testament
who became a man to die for our sins. This same Son of God arose again in the
power of eternal resurrection life and is able to save anyone who will repent
believing the good news. Truly Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life,
and He conquered death, the grave, and Hell on our behalf. Turn to Him for
salvation life, forgiveness of sin, and an eternity with God.
CONCLUSION:
CONCLUSION:
1.
Today you too can experience the Life giving power of the Risen Christ by
believing on Him as your personal Savior. He is the resurrection, both
spiritually and physically. Trust Him; believe on Him today.
2.
Christian, recognize that you are free from death and sin through the Risen
Christ, therefore serve God with your new life in Christ. The same power that
saved you is available to empower you to live out God’s plan for you. Choose
life after life.
3. Stand on the promises of God without
staggering and doubting with full persuasion that God is able to do what He
promised. Remember strong unwavering faith glorifies God! (Rom. 4:20-21)
4. Do not be confused as to what the most
pressing current threats are to mankind. It is not the environment; it is not
our social troubles; it is not our political frustrations that are most
pressing. No, it is our spiritual deadness, the threat of Hell, eternal separation
from God, spiritual bankruptcy, and the need for the life of God through faith
in Jesus Christ.
5. Exercise serious caution about who you read
after and what you watch on television! This is especially needful when it
comes to reading Christian books, periodicals, and watching major new network documentaries
about Jesus. There are many false teachers in the world today. Beware of the
fact that the fundamental teaching of the resurrection of the Savior is under
sore attack by the wicked one and his crowd.
The Scriptures Teach that the Resurrection of Christ Will Always Be a Current Significant Factor With Eternal Relevance. Death and resurrection were the portion of the Savior (Rom. 4:25). One can hardly fail to notice the carefully balanced character of this statement, relating as it does the death of the Lord Jesus to our sins and His resurrection to our justification.
ReplyDeletehttps://maxevangel.blogspot.com/2015/03/what-jesus-resurrection-means-to-you.html
#Faith #Hell #Justification #Resurrection #Salvation #EternalLife #Grave #Faith
The Scriptures Teach that the Resurrection of Christ Will Always Be a Current Significant Factor With Eternal Relevance. Death and resurrection were the portion of the Savior (Rom. 4:25). One can hardly fail to notice the carefully balanced character of this statement, relating as it does the death of the Lord Jesus to our sins and His resurrection to our justification.
ReplyDeletehttps://maxevangel.blogspot.com/2015/03/what-jesus-resurrection-means-to-you.html
#Faith #Hell #Justification #Resurrection #Salvation #EternalLife #Grave #Faith
Christ died in our place, bore our sins, paid the penalty due our sins; and all this not by force, but willingly (Jn. 10:17, 18). The blessed truth is that something happened to Christ, and because it happened to Christ, it need not happen to us. Jesus Christ died for our sins; we need not die for them if we accept His sacrifice.
ReplyDeletehttps://maxevangel.blogspot.com/2015/03/what-jesus-resurrection-means-to-you.html
#Faith #Hell #Justification #Resurrection #Salvation #EternalLife #Grave #Faith #MaxEvangel