The Message of Grace #6-Grace Is Triumphant

“THE MESSAGE OF GRACE #6-GRACE IS TRIUMPHANT” ROMANS 5:15-21 INTRO: Because of Adam’s sin all men are born sinners. Romans 5:12 says, “wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin: so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” Because of Adam’s sin all men are under the condemnation of sin and death. All men are sinners by birth and by choice. David said in Psalm 51:5— “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.” David said, “I was born a sinner.” Why? Because of Adam’s sin. Because “…by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin: so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” All men stand in need of the grace of God because of sin. God’s grace triumphs over sin. God’s grace brings salvation. From start to finish salvation is all of grace! Romans 5:20 tells us, “where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” The emphasis here is on the activity of grace not the quality of grace. Note the words, “…did much more abound,” it means grace “super abounded.” It means that the pardoning mercy of the gospel greatly triumphed over sin (Albert Barnes’ Notes on The Bible). Guilty sinners are beneficiaries of this activity of grace. There is no one too sinful, too vile, too wicked that grace cannot save them! Paul said in 1 Timothy 1:15-16—“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.” Paul said “I obtained mercy….for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.” The grace which saved Paul settled the question forever that the greatest sinners might be pardoned; for as he was “the chief of sinners,” it proved that a case could not occur which was beyond the possibility of mercy. (Albert Barnes’ Notes on The Bible). Grace is triumphant over sin! Because GRACE IS TRIUMPHANT we as believers enjoy great encouragement and assurance as we walk in this sinful world. We can rest assured that when we sin “…we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1), all because of grace! Friends, grace is not only sufficient, but grace is enough! Think about this with me: “…Grace overshadowed sin; it outranked it and thereby brought hope.” (Charles R. Swindoll, The Grace Awakening. p. 26). Notice Romans 5:19-20—“For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Moreover the law entered, that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” Where sin overflowed, grace flooded in. Where sin measurably increased, grace immeasurably increased. Where sin was finite, grace was infinite. Where sin was colossal, grace was supercolossal. Where sin abounds, grace superabounds. The sin identified by the Law no way stopped the grace of God. Jesus’ death on the cross was the sufficient payment for sin, putting grace into action that was not simply adequate but abundant. (Charles R. Swindoll, The Grace Awakening. p. 26). Notice with me three things as we think on the subject, GRACE IS TRIUMPHANT: (1) GRACE TRIUMPHS OVER SIN AND DEATH ROMANS 5:12-19—“ Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. But not as the offense, so also is the free gift. For if through the offense of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offenses unto justification. And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offenses unto justification. Therefore as by the offense of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.” A. WHAT THE LAW COULD NOT DO. Paul said in v20—“… the law entered, that the offense might abound.” When the law came it did not halt sin’s progress, but the result was that sin abounded. Paul says, “sin abounded” because “the law entered.” How could the perfect law of God cause sin to abound? :  THE LAW GAVE MAN A GREATER KNOWLEDGE OF SIN. Romans 3:20 says, “…by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” Paul said in Romans 7:7—“ What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.” The law defined sin and exposed it to man. The result was that man had a greater awareness of his sinfulness. The law convinced man that he was a transgressor. And that he was guilty and under the sentence of condemnation and death.  THE LAW CONVICTED MAN OF HIS SINFULNESS. The law gave no remedy but revealed man for the sinner he is. Romans 3:19 says, “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.” Romans 5:13 tells us, “For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.” The people before Moses were not charged with sin by the law, for they did not have the law in a permanent and written form. What was it then that was causing the people between Adam and Moses to sin and die? It was nature, the sinful, corruptible nature of man, the nature that every child inherited from his father; and the process began with Adam. Adam was the first man created by God, and he was the first to sin and become corruptible and bear the punishment of death. (Preacher’s Outline and Sermon Bible, New Testament. Volume 7, Romans Commentary).  THE LAW’S PROHIBITION FREED MAN’S INHIBITION. This was not the fault of the Law but further showed the sinfulness of man. When God says, “Don’t do this” men’s rebellious and sinful response is, “Yes, I will!” Paul said in v20—“Moreover the law entered, that the offense might abound.” The effect of the Law’s entrance was that offenses abounded. Is it not true in our lives that the more we are told not to do something the more we want to do it? ILLUS: In Tampa, Florida, Antonio Valdez Jr. was charged with driving without wearing his glasses. A few weeks later, on his way to court to face the charges, Antonio crashed his car ... because he wasn't wearing his glasses. – "Strange World," Campus Life, Vol. 55, no. 9. B. WHAT THE LORD DID. Sin had the entire human race under its power before God’s grace was bestowed. Paul says, “death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression…”. Sin and death are pictured by Paul as a king that reigns over man. The reign of sin results in death. Its end result is always death, both physical and spiritual. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death…”. But thank God, Grace triumphs over sin and death on our behalf! God’s grace has dethroned sin and death. Paul says in Romans 5:17 —“For if by one man's offense death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.” Those who receive God’s gift of grace “shall reign in life by…Jesus Christ.” ILLUS: The term “reign in life” means to dwell and rule in eternal life. Note two glorious truths. 1) Believers “reign in life” while on this earth. They receive the abundance of God’s grace. a) There is the gift of abundant life. “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). b) There is all sufficiency in all things. “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8). c) There is great power. “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us” (Ephesians 3:20). d) There is the supply of all needs. “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). e) There is an abundant entrance into heaven. “For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:11). f) There is abundant satisfaction. “They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures” (Psalm 36:8). 2) Believers shall “reign in life” throughout all eternity. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life” (John 5:24). “Do ye not know that the saints shall judge [govern, rule, manage] the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge [govern, rule, manage] the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?” (1 Corinthians 6:2-3). (Preacher’s Outline and Sermon Bible, New Testament. Volume 7, Romans Commentary). GRACE TRIUMPHS OVER SIN AND DEATH and… (2) GRACE TRIUMPHS SUPERABUNDANTLY ROMANS 5:18-20—“Therefore as by the offense of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Moreover the law entered, that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” A. WHAT MAN LOST BECAUSE OF SIN. Paul shows us some things that man lost because of Adam’s sin:  In Adam Man Lost His Innocence. “By the offense of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation.” (v18a). Innocence is the absence of transgression. In the Garden of Eden Adam did not possess true righteousness but he was innocent before God until he fell through sin. Adam’s sin brought condemnation to all men. All men have been brought under the reign of death because of Adam’s transgression. Now because of Adam’s offense “There is none righteous, no, not one” and “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:10, 23).  In Adam Man Lost Access to Eternal Life. “By one man's disobedience many were made sinners” (v19a). Adam in the Garden had access to the Tree of Life but never had eternal life. Eternal life is more than just living forever. It is a quality of life that only God can give. It is precisely because of the eternity outside time that everything in time becomes valuable and important and meaningful. Therefore, Christianity ... makes it of urgent importance that everything we do here (whether individually or as a society) should be rightly related to what we eternally are. "Eternal life" is the sole sanction for the values of this life. -- Dorothy L. Sayers in Dorothy L. Sayers: Her Life and Soul. Christianity Today, Vol. 41, no. 11.  In Adam Man Lost His Place in The Garden of Eden. When Adam sinned paradise was lost. The sweet fellowship with God was lost. His relationship with God changed.

B. WHAT MAN GAINED BECAUSE OF THE SAVIOR. The believer gains more in Christ than he ever lost in Adam. The grace of God exceeds all expectations! Grace gives us more than sin ever took away! The hymn writer put it this way: Grace Greater than Our Sin Text: Julia H. Johnston Music: Daniel B. Towner Tune: MOODY, Meter: 99.99 with Refrain ------1. Marvelous grace of our loving Lord, grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt! Yonder on Calvary's mount outpoured, there where the blood of the Lamb was spilt. Refrain: Grace, grace, God's grace, grace that will pardon and cleanse within; grace, grace, God's grace, grace that is greater than all our sin! 2. Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold, threaten the soul with infinite loss; grace that is greater, yes, grace untold, points to the refuge, the mighty cross. (Refrain) 3. Dark is the stain that we cannot hide. What can avail to wash it away? Look! There is flowing a crimson tide, brighter than snow you may be today. (Refrain)

4. Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace, freely bestowed on all who believe! You that are longing to see his face, will you this moment his grace receive? (Refrain)  In Christ Man Has Gained Divine Righteousness. Notice vv. 17-19. There we read, “much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ… by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life… by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.” Righteousness is truly the gift of God. We are not righteous in ourselves. But we have Christ’s righteousness put to our account. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” Truly as Paul said in Colossians 1:27 —“Christ in you, the hope of glory.”  In Christ Man is Given The Gift of Eternal Life. “By the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.” (v18b). Jesus said in John 10:28—“And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”  In Christ Man Gains Heaven. Paradise lost becomes Paradise regained in Christ Jesus! In Heaven we will enjoy the ultimate fellowship with God! Jesus said in John 14:1-3—“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (3) GRACE TRIUMPHS THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST ROMANS 5:20b-21—“But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” A. THE SOURCE OF GRACE’S TRIUMPH. The Lord Jesus Christ purchased all of grace’s gifts through his death on the cross. His righteousness has bestowed to all who believe the forgiveness of sin, the gift of His righteousness, and eternal life. The source of all our blessing is the rich and free grace of God. Ephesians 1:7 says, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.” B. THE SADNESS OF GRACE’S REJECTION. You cannot know the triumph of grace unless you have received Him as your Lord! When you receive Him He gives to you forgiveness, righteousness and eternal life. Christ’s triumph of grace is a matter of history but can only become part of your experience when you receive Him as your Lord and Savior. CLOSING: GRACE IS TRIUMPHANT because GRACE TRIUMPHS OVER SIN AND DEATH, GRACE TRIUMPHS SUPERABUNDANTLY, and GRACE TRIUMPHS THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. Grace reigns, triumphs, holds authority, and leads to eternal life. My question to you today is, “Have you received the grace of God?”