Sermon, July 3, 2011 - The Mark of the Christian: Peace
Romans 5.1-5 PEACE WITH GOD
Therefore, having been justified by faith,
we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ…
Peace with God means:
A. WE HAVE ENTERED A WORLD OF GRACE
…through whom also we have obtained
our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand;
1. This is where we now live
2. This is where we now stand
3. This is where we will always be welcome
B. WE LOOK FORWARD TO A WORLD OF GLORY
…and we exult in hope of the glory of God.
1. This is something we now rejoice in
2. This is something God has for us in the future: our hope
1 Peter 1.3-5
3. This is something wonderful: the glory of God
Romans 6.4; 8.16-18, 21, 23
C. WE CAN REJOICE IN THE MIDST OF A WORLD OF GRIEF
And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations…
1. The Christian will run into trouble
2. The Christian life is characterized by joy
3. The Christian can rejoice in the midst of trouble
a. The Christian KNOWS something
…knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;
and perseverance, proven character;
and proven character, hope;
b. The Christian SENSES something
…and hope does not disappoint,
because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts
through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Romans 8.14-16
For the Christian, suffering is precisely the point
where the power of hope most clearly proves itself. - Anders Nygren
John Olson
