By The Rev. Dr. Paul A. Leggett
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Sermon Text: Romans 5:12-21
Sermon Theme
In this section of Romans, Paul presents the first of several summaries of his teaching on salvation. He places all humanity in the context of following Adam in disobedience to God. This disobedience has effects well beyond individual human beings. It has led to the dominion of death over all aspects of life. All humanity therefore stands condemned in sin under the power of death. However, God has done something radically different than could ever have been imagined under the Law of the Old Testament. Through Jesus Christ, the free gift of grace and righteousness has been given to humanity. The power and reality of this grace is “much more” than the impact of sin and death. All who receive this gift of grace are under a new power that is vastly greater than death. We are in Christ. We cannot return to life under Adam. We need to lay hold of the truth that grace is “much more” than sin, guilt, judgment or death.
Sermon Outline
- The Rebellion of Adam. In this chapter, Paul is focusing on the theme of human rebellion. What does it mean to say, “all have sinned”? The defining character of human life going all the way back to Adam (whose name in Hebrew literally means, “man” or “humanity”) is disobedience to God. This disobedience was not what we would call a serious crime such as we encounter later in the Book of Genesis in the form of murder, sexual depravity or violence. Sin began with eating fruit from a tree. However, this seemingly innocuous act was humanity’s attempt to be like God. We have followed this pattern ever since.
- The Reign of Death. The pattern of Adam leads us all to sin, death and condemnation. Sin is not just an act. For Paul, it is a power which leads to the dominion or reign of death. Death and the law become powers that overcome us. Yet we have willingly followed Adam’s example. Death rules over all that we are and all that we do. Its power is based on sin and the inevitable condemnation which the law places on all sin. We can’t escape these powers. The reign of death stands over us all.
- The Rule of Grace. God’s grace is “much more” than sin, death or the law. It is given freely in Jesus Christ. In Adam, we are under the authority of sin and death. In Christ, however, we are “much more” under the rule of grace. This has been accomplished in us and for us solely by the free gift of grace given us in Christ Jesus. We are now free from self-delusion, false hope, anxiety and pride. We can say with Paul, “where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.” As we grasp this truth, our lives with be free, faithful and fruitful.
Questions for Us
- Do we have a tendency to minimize sin? What are some of the ways we can identify the power of sin in our lives?
- What does it mean to speak of the "free gift" of grace and righteousness? What should this say about our view of ourselves and of others?
- How can we both better understand and better communicate the truth that grace is so "much more" than sin, condemnation and death?
- Why do you think non-Christians tend to see us concentrating more on condemnation than on grace?
