Romans 5:1-11 The Gospel - Gods offer of peace and growth

Theological Proposition/Focus: In the Gospel, we have God offering both peace and the opportunity to grow in Christlikeness. In this passage, Paul explains how through faith in Christ, believers have been justified, which brings peace with God. He elaborates that this peace leads to hope, suffering that produces perseverance, character, and ultimately hope.

Christ Focus: The passage emphasizes Christ as the central figure in our reconciliation with God. He is the peace-bringer who justifies and sanctifies us, providing the foundation upon which we build our faith and character. Ultimately, Christ's sacrifice is the means through which we experience the fullness of God's love and growth in our spiritual lives.

Homiletical Proposition/Application: This sermon can help Christians recognize their position of peace with God and encourage them to embrace their suffering as a means to grow in Christlikeness. Understanding that trials are part of the Christian journey can empower believers to face life's challenges with a hopeful perspective, knowing they are being shaped into the image of Christ.

Introduction

Image: Yoda and Luke, in the moment

We can and should look forward to heaven, but as we do so, we must never forget that we are alive right here and now and that salvation has deep implications for the present as well.

In "The Empire Strikes Back", during Luke Skywalker’s Jedi training on Dagobah, Yoda imparts a crucial lesson about mindfulness and being present. As Luke struggles with his training, his mind constantly drifts toward his concerns about his friends and the greater conflict against the Empire. Observing this, Yoda rebukes him, saying,

"All his life has he looked away… to the future, to the horizon. Never his mind on where he was! Hmm? What he was doing!"

This moment encapsulates one of Yoda's deepest teachings: that a Jedi must be fully present in the moment, rather than being consumed by fear, longing, or uncertainty about what lies ahead.

Yoda's words highlight Luke's greatest weakness—his impatience and emotional turmoil prevent him from truly learning and growing. The Jedi Master stresses the importance of discipline and focus, explaining that the Force is best wielded by those who live in the present. Yoda's lesson is not just about training Luke as a warrior but shaping him into a wise and self-aware individual.

Setting the Stage:

• In Romans 1:18-3:20, Paul argued that everyone was guilty of rebelling against the creator of the universe and deserved their just dues for such rebellion.

• In Romans 3:21-4:25, Paul presented faith as the means by which God justifies the guilty.

• Now starting in Romans 5, Paul digs into a second phase or benefit of the Gospel, post-salvation life.

We don't talk enough about sanctification!

I don't think we use or talk about sanctification enough. Sure, we talk about growing in Christlikeness, but I think we need a robust theology of sanctification so that we can recognize our personal strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats when it comes to our personal sanctification.

So today we start into the topic of sanctification—a topic that will take us all the way from 5:1 to 8:39.

As we dig into the first few verses of chapter 5, we are going to find that paying special attention to verb tenses is critical. We can learn much about the here and now by carefully looking at how the Gospel should be changing each of us here and now.

Body

Peace: Our New Foundation — Peace with God is the first benefit the Gospel provides (1-2).

Justification by faith establishes peace with God. These verses set the foundation for understanding the transformative power of the Gospel. Through Christ, we have access to grace, which leads to rejoicing in hope. The peace experienced here is not just the absence of conflict but a deep, reconciled relationship with God.

A consequence of justification is peace (1).

The conjunction therefore means that what follows has to do with post-salvation life.

Paul begins with the conjunction "therefore," followed immediately by the participial clause "δικαιωθέντες" that we translate as "since we have been justified." In other words, everything here about the post-salvation life is based on salvation.

That is, today's sermon is directly applicable to those who have accepted Christ as Savior.

Let me be a little more explicit. Today, much of what I am going to say applies to those who have accepted Jesus as Savior. If you have never made that decision, then you are in a position where this does not apply to you. It can, but you must take the first step and accept Jesus as Savior first.

So what are the benefits of salvation? Well, we have that big benefit of justification, but there is so much more.

The first big benefit: peace with God.

First, we have peace with God. This is itself huge. Sin places us at odds with God, but through Christ, we can have peace.

Image: Being at war with God, observing an apologetics discussion.

The display of anger after Frank Turek's presentation.

Back in February, I had the opportunity to attend a presentation by Frank Turek, an apologist. Turek spoke for a little over 90 minutes and then opened up the room for questions. As I watched people come to the mic to ask their questions, it was striking. For a few of the people, they had no interest in having their questions answered; they simply wanted to air their grievances with the God of the universe.

Have you ever been around what is best described as a gossip session? You know, Sally gets in a fight with Kim, the argument ends, but Sally is still upset, so Sally goes around telling anyone who will listen to her how bad Kim is.

This is exactly what I was witnessing at the end of Turek's presentation, and it struck me. These people coming forward are at war with God. It was weird and hard to describe, but you could see anger in these kids' faces, and it made me incredibly thankful for the peace that I have with God.

We further have unprecedented access to God (2).

Image: A ship needs a harbor to access the nation (NZ has 9000 miles of coastline but only a few harbors).

When we were in Wellington, New Zealand, I spent several days walking along the harbor just exploring. Here is the thing: New Zealand has a lot of coastline. In fact, the country has over 9000 miles of coastline, making it the ninth longest in the world! But guess what? Across most of the coastline, if you tried to bring in a big ship, you would be crushed against the rocks. A big ship needs a harbor.

The word "προσαγωγὴν" (we have gained access)—the word used for a ship that was granted access to a city.

The word "προσαγωγὴν" that is translated as access in verse 2 is the word that would be used for a ship that was granted access to a city through a harbor. That is, access is a privileged position. Through the resurrection of Jesus, the believer has access to the favor of God. Specifically, Christ is seated at the right hand of the Father, where He intercedes on behalf of His own.

We just sang "Before the Throne of God," Jesus gives us access!

Before the throne of God above I have a strong and perfect plea A great High Priest whose name is love Who ever lives and pleads for me My name is graven on His hands My name is written on His heart I know that while in heav'n He stands No tongue can bid me thence depart Now take a second and let's look at verb tenses.

Finally, we boast (present tense) in the hope of the glory of God.

Imagine that you were formerly at war with a king, but now the war is over, and you have been invited not just to cease hostility but to have unlimited access to the king to bring your requests. This is what we have in our salvation.

Salvation is so much more than fire insurance; it is direct access to God.

MTR: Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16

• Remember we memorized this last week.
• How, take real requests to God not just fluff but tell God what is really happening in life.

Perseverance: Shaped by Struggles — Hope is the second benefit the Gospel provides (3-5).

Suffering is not futile but purposeful. Through trials, believers develop endurance, character, and ultimately hope. These challenges can deepen our faith and shape us into Christ's likeness, showcasing the Gospel's transformative power. We need to see suffering as a divine molding process.

Suffering is not futile but purposeful (3).

The phrase "Not only so, but we also" is a Pauline favorite to help us move from the specific to the general case.

Paul likes to use the phrase "οὐ μόνον δὲ, ἀλλά" and uses it here in verse 3. We translate it as "Not only so, but we also." Paul uses this phrase four times in Romans and once in 2 Cor. 8:19. Paul uses this phrase to move from a specific case to a general principle.

Boasting in God's glory allows the general boasting in all things, including suffering.

In the case of this passage, the specific case is the case in which a Christian is able to boast in the hope of the glory of God. Based on that specific case, Paul says that generally, the Christian is able to glory in sufferings.

Here is something to think about: the hope we have of God's glory is, in fact, the daily practice that prepares us to endure life's trials. And then it turns full circle because we learn that suffering results in something else—perseverance. That is, the capacity to hold out or bear up in the face of difficulty.

We start and end with hope—the hope for God's glory, not to become little gods but rather the ability to represent God to creation.

Let me just pull some things together for a second. We started with hope, and we are going to end with hope, but before we get too far, I want to talk about the object of hope. Romans 5:2 says that we hope in the glory of God.

We are not going to become little gods, but God's glory is our object of hope. In fact, back in Romans 3:23, when talking about falling short of the glory of God, we discussed two realities. First, the glory of God seems to be a fundamental trait of God; it is something that Jesus shares in. Second, we are headed for a state that includes the glory of God. As I have contemplated this, it occurs to me that part of representing God to creation is likely representing God's glory to creation.

So, I wonder, when we talk about the hope of the glory of God, perhaps we should be considering our prime directive, our fundamental purpose. I suppose that what I am saying is that we hope in the reality that one day we will be able to bear God's image as He originally intended. One day we will accomplish the purpose for which we were created, and if it takes enduring a little suffering to get there, believe me, it will be worth it.

Perseverance practiced becomes a character trait (4).

Image: Researching grit at UNL.

When I was at UNL, I was part of a team researching what key indicators determined a student's success or failure at the university. We learned that there were really two things that determined if a student would be successful. First, their performance in math (yes, I am sorry to say it, but when your teachers told you that one day the math would matter, they were right; you may not need to memorize the quadratic formula, but your ability to use it is a strong predictor of your ability to succeed in college). But the second factor was this nebulous thing that eventually we began to call grit. We were not the first to coin that term, but what we found was that a key indicator of success in college was perseverance—the ability to buckle down and determine to do it no matter what.

Paul calls for grit, or perseverance, in the midst of suffering.

But here is something really cool. Paul calls for perseverance in the midst of sufferings. In life, you are going to face trials, and Paul tells us how to get through those trials: hope in eternity and persevere. Sorry, but sometimes there is no silver bullet; the way through a trial is sometimes simply forward while looking way ahead.

But here is what I think is so cool. When you persevere, when you do power through it, eventually it becomes a character trait.

The Greek word "δοκιμή" (character) does not show up much in extant literature until Paul.

Here is a fun fact: the Greek word "δοκιμή" (character) does not show up much in extant literature until Paul. In a very real sense, Paul is the one who makes this word popular. The word itself carries the idea of something being tested or proven.

The sufferings of life are building within you something special—a proven trait that will be with you for eternity. For eternity, you might say, isn't that a stretch? Bear with me for just a minute.

I once had a theology professor who argued that God could just take us to heaven the moment we accepted Christ as Savior, but didn't because the faith we learned post-salvation would be useful in eternity. I want to adjust that just a hair. What I see here is that the sufferings we experience are aimed at building within us a hope. What is that hope? That hope is God's glory. I think that God is building perseverance, character, and ultimately hope that we might better image Him in eternity.

Hope, the product of character, is assured through the Holy Spirit (5).

In verse 5, we are given the ultimate reassurance. This is not just pie-in-the-sky hope. We already have the seal of the Holy Spirit expressing God's love and provision.

Proof: God's Love Demonstrated — God's love is the driving force (6-8).

The profound love demonstrated in Christ's sacrifice while we were still sinners underscores God's love as both the motivation for and the means of salvation. Such love is the assurance of our hopeful journey. Believers should trust in God's unwavering commitment to their growth.

God's love, and plan, are carried out with intentionality (6).

Before we talk about love, we should talk about timing. In a relationship, timing is everything.

We talk a lot about God's love, but I want you to notice that before we even get to the act by which God showed us His love, we see something incredibly important: timing.

Love without intentionality is somewhat of an oxymoron.

Those of you who have been in a deeply loving relationship know how important timing is in expressing love. Really, I guess it ultimately comes down to intentionality. Love without intentionality does not get someone very far! In fact, love without intentionality is somewhat of an oxymoron. Love is naturally selfless and seeks the good of the other, which results in intentionality.

God didn't just offer salvation while we did nothing to earn it; God offered salvation despite the reality that we did everything to disqualify ourselves from it.

God's love was expressed with great intentionality. In our imperfection, when we were powerless to do anything on our own, in our ungodliness, Christ died for us. We talk about grace and say that grace is God's unmerited favor, and it is. However, there is even more. God didn't just offer salvation while we did nothing to earn it; God offered salvation despite the reality that we did everything to disqualify ourselves from it. It is not just that we lack qualification for salvation (what we might call unqualified). It is that we have taken actions that disqualify us, but even in that state, Christ died.

Consider the idea of disqualification for just a minute.

Image: Pete Rose was disqualified from the Hall of Fame.

Suppose you were a professional baseball player. You might set your sights on the baseball Hall of Fame. Sure, you might not have the stats now, but maybe you could work hard enough to earn that position.

Pete Rose's career was a relentless display of grit, hustle, and sheer determination, earning him the nickname "Charlie Hustle." Debuting with the Cincinnati Reds in 1963, he became the embodiment of hard-nosed baseball, amassing a record 4,256 hits over 24 seasons. A switch-hitter with a relentless work ethic, he won three batting titles, an MVP award in 1973, and played a pivotal role in the "Big Red Machine" dynasty that secured two World Series titles. His versatility allowed him to excel at multiple positions—first base, second base, third base, and the outfield—earning 17 All-Star selections across five different spots. With a headfirst slide and an insatiable drive to win, Rose became a symbol of blue-collar excellence in America's pastime, leaving behind an unparalleled statistical legacy.

However, Pete Rose had a problem. Pete Rose's betting wasn't a whispered suspicion—it was a documented reality. Evidence showed that while managing the Cincinnati Reds, he placed wagers on his own team, sometimes daily, using middlemen and coded conversations to conceal the transactions. Though he never bet against the Reds, his actions compromised the integrity of the game, raising questions about bullpen management, lineup decisions, and whether his financial interests ever influenced his strategy. The bets weren't casual flutters; they were methodical, calculated, and often high-stakes. When investigator John Dowd compiled a 225-page report detailing Rose's gambling, the weight of proof was undeniable.

Pete Rose was not merely unqualified for the Hall of Fame—he was disqualified. Unlike a player who falls short on stats or accolades, Rose's banishment was a verdict, a consequence of his own actions. With 4,256 hits, his talent was unquestionable, but the shadow of gambling loomed too large. Baseball's golden rule—never bet on the game—was not just broken but trampled, and in 1989, the lifetime ban sealed his fate. His exclusion wasn't a matter of oversight or omission; it was an expulsion, a red line drawn by the sport itself. The Hall of Fame ballots never even reached him—because they were never meant to.

God's love: not truly reckless but certainly radical, maybe even scandalous (7-8).

Verse 2 of the song "Reckless Love" by Cory Asbury states: When I was Your foe, still Your love fought for me You have been so, so good to me When I felt no worth, You paid it all for me You have been so, so kind to me

The chorus is: Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God Oh, it chases me down, fights ‘til I'm found, leaves the ninety-nine I couldn't earn it, and I don't deserve it, still, You give Yourself away Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God.

Here is the problem. The definition, according to Webster, of reckless is "marked by lack of proper caution: careless of consequences." God knew exactly what He was doing, and it was because of the consequences that God carried out the plan. The love of God is not reckless but rather scandalous.

MTR: Take some time to celebrate God's love!

How: Pick a praise song this week and play it every day as you celebrate God. At the end of the service, we are going to sing "Glorious Day;" maybe consider that song.

Promise: Real Life — Real life is the third benefit the Gospel provides (9-11).

The assurance of our justified status and reconciliation through Christ's death and life emphasizes that this secure position brings joyful confidence amid trials. Reconciliation isn't just about past salvation; it assures present and future transformation, reinforcing the big idea of continual growth and hope in Christ.

Justification brings about life free from the wrath of God (9).

Here is an important truth we cannot ignore. There is coming a day when God will pour out His wrath on sin. But no matter what one has done, if one is justified in Christ, one does not need to worry about that day.

You have probably heard it a million times, but we need to remember and live it. No matter what you have done, if you have accepted Christ as Savior, you will not have to experience the full wrath of God poured out on your sin.

If you are one who struggles with the sins of your past, please remember this: since you have been justified by the blood of Christ, you have a guarantee, a promise. You do not need to worry about the future and God's day of wrath.

Justification brings about life that can be lived without the fear of the end (10).

We were enemies with God, but at great cost—the death of His Son—we have been reconciled to God. We don't need to live in fear, for we have been saved.

We don't need to fear the end of this life, because we know that what is to come is real life.

Justification brings about life as reconciled children of God (11).

We do not boast in ourselves, but we boast in our God. Why? Because we have been brought into a relationship with the God of the universe. We have been adopted!

MTR: Enjoy justified, reconciled life.

• How? Not by indulging in sin, but rather by indulging in the good things that God has provided without fear of what is to come.

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