The Blessings of Justification

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April 27, 2003 Northwest Bible Church Worship Service Alan Conner
Rom. 5:1-5
The Blessings of Justification

INTRO
Blessings resulting from justification by faith, 5:1-11,
1- peace with God (v. 1)
2- paradise with God (v. 2)
3- providential problems from God (vv. 2-5)

I. BLESSING #1 - PEACE WITH GOD.

1) Subjective peace - Phil. 4:6-7, peace that "surpasses all understanding." But this is not the primary peace in view for it is usually called "the peace of God" not "peace with God."

2) Objective peace – not a feeling but a fact. This peace results when hostilities are removed between two people. Paul develops this theme more in vv. 9-11 so we will discuss this peace more then.

- "through our LJC" - it was his blood that established the peace treaty of the New Covenant.

- "through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace" - The "grace" probably has the "peace" in view. The point is that there is no other way to enter into the blessing other than through Jesus.

- "we have obtained our introduction (access) . . . in which we stand" – perfect tense meaning that it is our permanent possession.

II. BLESSING #2 – PARADISE WITH GOD

A. Our blessed duty. We are to boast, exult in the hope of the glory of God.

B. What does "the glory of God" refer to? This "glory" is the future eschatological glory that awaits all believers in heaven. Cf. Rom. 8:17-23, 30.

C. This hope described:
Living hope – 1Pet. 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

Exclusive hope – 1Pet. 1:13 Therefore, gird your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Blessed hope – Titus 2:13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus; blessed hope imparts blessings to those who have it now, and greater blessings to come.

Purifying hope – 1John 3:3 And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

Invisible hope – Rom. 8:25 But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.

Joyful hope – Rom. 5:2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.

Heavenly hope – Col. 1:5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel.

Salvific hope – 1Th. 5:8 But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.

Predestined hope – Eph. 1:18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.

III. BLESSING #3 - PROVIDENTIAL PROBLEMS FROM GOD

A. What are the "tribulations" here?

B. Why exult in our tribulations?

1) Tribulations produce perseverance –

2) Perseverance produces proven character –

3) Proven character produces hope -

4) Hope does not disappoint -

CONCLUSION