The Death of Jesus Applied

Preached Sunday, April 12, 2009, Grace Family Church of Americus

Romans 5:6-8

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You can download the complete sermon manuscript by clicking here. Here is an excerpt:

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Notice what the Scripture teaches in verse 7. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die…

For a long time, this verse was a little of an enigma for me. I thought it was strange, even a bit out of place. It was one of those that we often read over, and don't take much from. But let me give you an illustration here that may help bring it to light….and remember that the context here is the doctrine of Christian Assurance:

Perhaps, in your mind, you can imagine a great historical figure who has made a distinct impression on you, and been the result of a great life change, or a person that has been helpful or kind to you. That person has been held hostage, and the moment comes where you could place yourself in harm's way on his behalf, to help him escape. You might do that. You might even die for such a person.

Or, imagine that there is a person in a similar situation, who may not be as influential to you, but is otherwise a good and decent person. The criminal has him by the throat and is about to execute him, and suddenly, you have that window of opportunity to save him, but it might cost you your own life. It is not out of the realm of possibility that someone might do such a thing for an otherwise innocent person.

But then the same situation comes up. You see a man who is being held at knifepoint, his life threatened by an attacker. All of the sudden, there is a window of opportunity to rescue him, but it might cost you your life. In that instant, you look into the eyes of the hostage….and you remember his face. There with his life hanging in the balance is the man who killed your wife in cold blood. There is the man who raped you. There is the man who drowned your child. There is the man who stole your life savings. There he is, the one who murdered your parents. And you have the ability to prevent his death, at the risk of your own life. Now that is a different situation indeed. But hear the Word of God this morning…..YOU are that criminal….and CHRIST died for YOU anyway.

You were the enemy of God, and God demonstrated His love for you. He showed you His love, in that He gave His Son for you, not when you were a good person, or a righteous person, or even an otherwise innocent person….but while you were a sinner. An enemy. You hated God, and rebelled against Him……

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8, NKJV)