"Being Forgiven" (Romans 5:1-11)

Community Question

• What are the marks of a Christian?
• What depicts, distinguishes or differentiates a Christian (or Jesus-follower) from the crowd?
• What makes a Christian … a Christian?
• How should a Christian stand out?
• What allows a Christian to be seen in a positive light?
• What is special about being a Christian? 

Introduction



When Paul gets to chapter 5 of his letter to the Romans, he starts to lay out how a life is changed (from old to new) – which carries on through a number of chapters. And, we read a sort of Gospel summary statement in verse 8 … “But God proves his love for us, in that while we still were sinners, Christ died for us”. There is the Gospel – God’s unconditional love … reaching out to sinful human beings … through the most remarkable voluntary sacrificial act!



Earlier, in verse 6, in a similar vein, Paul wrote, “For while we were still weak, at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly”. This is how God reacted to our separation from him – NOT with disdain … no way! Quite the opposite – with compassion! When God could NOT stand this state of separation any longer, God sent Jesus into the world, who would ultimately die to take away the burden of guilt and judgement from those that he loved (i.e. all of us – everybody). There would be an open offer, from this day forward, to each human being, to respond in humility, gratitude, repentance and commitment.



Therefore, a key marker of being a Christian, is that we are a “forgiven people”. And as this passage, and the whole of the new testament points out – we are NOT forgiven simply for our own (eternal) sake, but rather to follow Jesus (in this life), engage in all of God’s intentions for the world, be led by the Holy Spirit, and make new disciples for Jesus – baptising and teaching them (Matt 28:18-20). As we shall see, the earlier verses in this Romans 5 passage, show the sort of new demeanour that an experience of forgiveness brings about.



Needing Forgiveness (vs 6-9)



God proved his love, by reaching out, in a way we might see as remarkable. Even though, from a human point of view it is rare, it might have made sense if Jesus died for those considered good. Yet, Jesus didn’t just die for good people … just to put some icing on the cake. Jesus didn’t particularly die for those who already felt justified or “righteous” in themselves. God was actually responding, in love, to … WHO?? The “ungodly” (v 6), the “sinners” (v 8), and his “enemies” (v 10). Remarkable … extraordinary love!



And, God didn’t just love us when we turned to him, that love was well in place … all the way back (in time). Love is Who God Is!! Jesus died for everybody … Jesus died with everybody in mind, because everybody has sinned. Jesus died so that ‘sin’ could be positively dealt with! Each of us has made wrong choices that has led to various consequences for ourselves and others. These were anti-God decisions that led to alienation from God. I don’t think any fair-minded person anywhere, would suggest that they hadn’t ‘sinned’ – either by something they had done, or something they had failed to do! Often we would have to admit to quite a list of transgressions.



We have here (in verse 8) a historical statement – “Christ died”, accompanied by the best theological statement of all – “for us”. That Divine sacrifice on a cross recorded in the annuls of history, counts for us today! Here was our salvation forged in the cut and thrust of human history. This sacrificial death (of Jesus), takes effect, for anyone who will admit their sin and sincerely want to change (despite the number and depth of their sins). So, we come to the foot of the cross, and admit our fault, and our need, and become a forgiven person.



The Bible leaves us in no doubt, that at this point, a transaction takes place. We read in 1 John 1:9 these words: “If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just {faithful enough to die for us, and completely righteous or just in his purposes}, will forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness”. Wow!! That is really something! The One whose standard we have offended … died himself to save us!!! In this way, any [real or perceived] punishment or penalty is dispensed with!



But we do need to actively say ‘Yes’ to Jesus … for ourselves – receiving the gift (into our own hands), and saying thank-you to Jesus … that you did all this for me. Jesus is seeking to deliver us from the mistakes of the past, from the power that sin can have over us, from the evils in the world, and from any negative judgement. Also, we have to say, that Jesus died to change everything about the world!! Jesus died to bring light into the darkness! Jesus died to defeat the plans of the enemy! Jesus died so that all injustice would bow to him!



Receiving Salvation (vs 10)



As sin once separated, because of accepting what Jesus has done for us – we are now reconciled as children and friends of God. This is, of course, the beginning, not the end – a new beginning! Our future begins with this step of repentance and commitment. We have indeed committed ourselves to a process of change. This is the process of salvation. We are being saved. As we read in verse 10 … “For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, MUCH MORE SURELY, having been reconciled, will we be saved through his life”.



Within three short days, Jesus’ death on a cross was turned on its head … through his resurrection to life again! In the same way, we are being drawn from an experience of death  (i.e. in our sin) … into new life (through our forgiveness). This is what ‘baptism’ represents – a dying of the old, and the beginning of something ‘new’! We are invited to experience the power of Christ’s resurrection. So, we now engage in the life of Jesus, led by the Holy Spirit (which is on-gifted to us – refer v 5), growing each day, expressing the fruit of the Spirit, learning to contribute the spiritual (and other) gifts we have been given to the local (church) body (for the common good).



Each time we fail to produce that fruit – we return to that cross where we continue to find a tender hand of mercy. [Communion provides us this regular opportunity.] It is important to remember that Christmas didn’t immediately become Easter! Between Jesus’ birth, and the events of the first Easter, were three years of considerable and significant ministry to people. The life Jesus lived through 3 years of ministry (on earth) has been completely vindicated by his resurrection. So, Jesus’ ministry is the sort of ministry … that we are called and empowered to emulate. This is the life … that we are saved INTO! Jesus should change our perspective on everything that happens in life.



Entering Celebration (vs 11)



Verse 11 suggests even more … from forgiveness to salvation … to even more than that! “We even boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ”. What does this mean? Obviously, we are NOT boasting about anything we have achieved. And, we would NEVER say … look what we’ve got and you haven’t. We are NOT bragging about God in any impersonal or abstract way. We ARE ‘boasting’ though … about our (special) relationship with God … achieved by Jesus – and how this has changed everything for us! And, we ARE ‘boasting’ about the mercies of God. The NIV and NLT helpfully translate this word “rejoice”. We are ‘rejoicing’ in now knowing Jesus as our friend and Lord.



We are ‘rejoicing’ with the full understanding of where we have come from – lostness and deep need. We are saying, look! Look … what the Lord has done in me!! We are being verbal about our growing relationship with God. We are testifying publicly to our friendship with Jesus. So, we ARE unapologetically worshipping the God who, while we were caught up in sin, provided a way out for us – and gave us a new future. We will celebrate this. There is an old saying … about “joy” … that “joy” … is peace {that inner peace that comes from God alone} dancing!! In this, as John Stott suggests – we would be revealing our humble confidence … that God will complete what he has begun.



Sometimes we might think worshipping with enthusiasm, misses the fact that there is so much unresolved trouble in the world. I sometimes feel that. But that is possibly thinking backwards. It is in celebrating what God has done, and is doing, that we can actually encourage and enlighten the world around us … about the reality of God, and about the wonderful grace of God!! This is why worship must always be God-centred – expressing all thankfulness to Jesus. We still, of course, take time to mourn, and pray for all those areas of concern that crop up on a daily basis – but at the same time … as enthusiastically and faithfully worshipping the God … who can bring about tremendous change. Therefore, we sing LOUDER!



Growing Character (vs 1-4)



There is an earlier reference to “boasting” or “rejoicing” … in verse 2 – which carries on into verse 3. We “rejoice” in “our hope of sharing the glory of God”, and also we “rejoice” in our “sufferings”. This all comes out of … the changing nature of our lives, because of the peace … with God … that we now enjoy. We are no longer at war with God or ourselves, because we have been forgiven … and reconciled with our Creator. One definition of this “peace” that I read this week went … “a condition free from [all] obstacles in [our] relationship with God” (J R Edwards).



To be “sharing the glory of God” – is to be regarded as a child of God, and to be thus … realising the potential of what we were created to be. We can be pleased that we are now participating in the life of God. And, because our lives are changing under the influence of this new sense of peace, all our suffering has a new perspective – and so we even come to ‘rejoice’ over that. That sounds a big leap – but that’s the power and potential of the Gospel. We should be the most joyful and positive people in the world!



So, as we reflect on verse 3, we come to look at our “suffering” much differently – as something NOT just ours – but something intrinsic to a broken world. Also, the new testament generally, sees suffering as normal or inevitable for the Christian. Despite our pain, we consider what this “suffering” is teaching us; and to where, and to whom, this “suffering” is leading us. Easy to say, I know … but where scripture teaches it, we have to come to grips with it.



Suffering is taking us on a journey towards endurance – which is much more than just putting up with it. Today, we might use the word ‘resilience’. All of that suffering Jesus endured on the cross – lest it be wasted, lest it become cheap – was designed to create resilient, joyful, peace-filled, new creations in Christ!! In our own suffering, we can experience again and again … the intimate presence and strength of the One who knows all about suffering (Hebrews 2:17-18; 4: 14-16).



This is all about the (re)forming of our “character”: who we are becoming! ‘Character’ has been described as, “the quality of a person who has been tested … and has passed the test” (Stott). Such ‘character’ brings “hope” – ‘hope’ that all is NOT lost, ‘hope’ that things can be better … no matter how life currently looks – ‘hope’ that we can live into our neighbourhoods; serious and significant ‘hope’ … that can go wherever we go.



As we said last week, it is NOT our ability that changes things around us for the better, but rather allowing God’s strength to enter our weakness. This is also part of the process of salvation – our discipleship, i.e. our lives coming under the discipline and teaching of Jesus. In the old words – this is our justification (and reconciliation) turning towards our sanctification – or our forgiveness taking root in the conduct of our daily lives – God renewing us towards his purposes for us.



Conclusion



We are forgiven people! This is a key marker of being a Christian. This is something that has happened to us on the inside, that then is lived outwards. We are ‘forgiven people’ gathered together, so that we can encourage the best out of each other. This won’t necessarily always look as wonderful as it should, if we are honest – but there should always be the hope of growing character, that will bring all those around us closer to the possibility … of also experiencing that great gift of grace – that God continues to lovingly offer to all humanity. We are being saved! “God proves his love for us, in that while we still were sinners, Christ died for us”! Amen.

Sunday message - "Bouncing Back" (Mark 1:29-39)

Introduction



From the very beginning of Jesus’ three-year ministry … he was busy. We see this in Mark chapter 1 verses 29-39. Jesus went to a private home, was confronted with a very ill host, and healed Simon Peter’s mother-in-law. A crowd then gathered … expecting Jesus to meet all their needs (we read “the whole city” in fact) … and Jesus cured the sick and cast out the demons. Wherever Jesus went, people were searching for him (v.37). Despite being the Son of God, we should never underestimate the toll this would have taken on Jesus. Jesus was facing off against immense evil.



So, we should definitely note the central part of this passage – verse 35. Jesus withdrew to a quiet place to rest and spend time with God. This was clearly necessary, and clearly related to the busyness of his ministry and the many challenges ahead of him. This all shows that Jesus was fully human – that he needed to step aside, be quiet, rest, and spend quality time with God … no doubt for all sorts of reasons.



We note that Jesus withdrew for prayer when it was still dark. Now this is often related to the benefit of early morning prayer, which is true. But the mention of “darkness” in the gospels … is also related to strong and significant challenges that need to be faced. Jesus was certainly wanting to do some serious work with God. The very presence of many illnesses and deep spiritual needs, and the expectations around Jesus to bring healing, would certainly be enough to bring Jesus to his knees. The time taken up by this would have likely been exhausting. Let alone all the decisions that needed to be made … around where he and the disciples would have to travel in sharing the Gospel.



This also shows, that, if Jesus needed to quietly withdraw to rest and pray, then, we would certainly need to do that very same thing – for all sorts of reasons. Jesus, being Jesus, being God, was able to rebound quickly (really quickly)! We could say that, when the disciples found Jesus – he wasn’t really given much choice (but to reengage). Probably, Jesus’ disciples did not yet understand this crucial need of quiet times of prayer. Jesus was able to get straight back into it; we, however, at times, are likely to need longer serious periods of special time with God.



Life’s Bumpy Road



Life is complex; life is often complicated. Pressures can come from many directions … sometimes all at once. Just think of the various struggles that come across your path at any given time!! Anyone, at any time, can just need to find space to be with themselves … and with God. Life can seem unfair. We can feel battered, bruised and broken. The world can seem to be moving too fast. There is too much happening. There are too many voices (which can tend to block out the voice of God). We can easily become tired, overwhelmed, reactive, disappointed – spinning out, and second-guessing everything.



Just recently, 5 or 6 weeks ago, this happened to me. There was a lot happening, my mind was full (cluttered), I could no longer think clearly, I was basically spent of all energy. In hindsight, this would have been building for a while, but crept up on me, and then hit hard. I needed to go away. I needed to take stock and clear my mind, and make sure that I could get some clear perspective. There were certain issues that I needed to deal with, and for this I needed some time, and some measure of quiet.



For me to leave suddenly, and go on leave, would not be ideal. It certainly wasn’t ideal for those, like John and Adam, who would have to pick up a lot of the slack. Yet, it was necessary for me. I regret those who may have been disconcerted by this, at the same time as appreciating all those who understood my need of rest. I thank all those who have taken on extra responsibilities; and you would have seen more of what team ministry looks like.



The lesson is, of course, to recognise the need to balance and blend our lives well – always taking time to withdraw into sacred spaces of prayer and encouragement and refreshment. Any of us who are giving out, in any sphere of ministry or community or family, must have resources coming back in. We should not ignore the signs of needing quiet rest or special time with God.



The disciples of Jesus’ day would have to learn … that ministry into their community … would require significant pressing into the empowerment and wisdom of God. So let us NEVER try to do things alone, or simply in our own limited strength, or according to our own views of what is right or important – but rather withdraw into an undistracted conversation with God.



Sometimes we can be so badly affected, that we can’t find the way, or the words, to get out of this situation and go forward. Let’s then remember that Jesus promised to be with us forever and everywhere. God’s Spirit is close to us. The Holy Spirit is breathing in us and through us! Our deepest needs are known to God. And that’s not about parking places, or areas of comfort – but rather about what really is happening in the depths of our being. God’s Spirit will speak the words that will be divinely interpreted toward our good. We just need to put ourselves in this Divine space – withdrawing, like Jesus, to be with God!



Divine Resources



Sometimes we will also need that great and abiding resource of Scripture. That reads like a complete understatement! For instance, Paul writes about seeing our weakness as an opportunity to experience God’s strength. We should not fight against our human frailty, but rather embrace God working in our lives (bringing us to the completion God wants to bring). In the context of Paul desiring his “thorn in the flesh” (that was tormenting him) to be taken away, he writes (in 2 Corinthians 12:8-10):

Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, but He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness”. So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.

Paul seems to have taken some time to come to this conclusion. Yet, it was probably the single most important concept Paul had to learn! God’s grace is an extraordinary (yet often untapped) resource for us to experience. It should NOT be our last resort to withdraw and pray for God’s grace to fully fall upon us – this is the most sensible, humble, proactive, life-giving, effective … thing we can do! Our own abilities will NOT change the world, but rather … making ourselves available for God’s grace to work through us.



The biblical psalms can help us a whole lot here. Various psalms can lead us into prayer, and then, when we seem short of words to express ourselves, speak the words that we feel. Let me share with you four different segments from the Psalms that I have recently found helpful. In any search for guidance, reassurance, security and healing … these words are remarkably powerful.



Psalm 121 verses 1-2 & 8 … brings an invitation to pray, and gives a sense of the guidance we will receive from such prayer:

I lift up my eyes to the hills – from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore.

Now, we are not short of hills to look towards here, from where we appreciate the greatness of our Creator. We might sometimes forget who we can go to for help, or life’s disappointments lead us to ask the question. But having coming to faith … we soon answer in the affirmative … that God will help us! We are being encouraged to bring to God the areas of life that worry us, or cause us to feel alone, or where we feel weak and lack hope; and it is an act of both humility and maturity to do so! Where we put our trust firmly and resolutely in God … ultimately we will never be disappointed. Even when a (certain) door closes, another one is sure to open!



Psalm 3 verses 3-5 … brings a reassurance that God hears and addresses our needs:

But you, O Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, and the One who lifts up my head. I cry aloud to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy hill. I lie down and sleep; I wake again, for the Lord sustains me.

From those “hills” that we have cast our eyes towards, comes a Divine response. It might not be always instantly clear, but it is coming! It might not always be what we expected or wanted, but it will be the best available!! God knows what we need most. God understands what we face. We may not always understand what God is up to, but God is undoubtedly working away in our best interests – good things will happen just at the right time! And … here … is a great image for me to hold on to – God is the One that lifts my head … whenever something goes wrong. Because God accepts me [and you], and values me [and you], and I belong to Jesus – my head is lifted!!



Psalm 34 verses 4-6 … reflect on a total turnaround in the way life looks, and brings a new security:

I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed. This poor soul cried, and was heard by the Lord, and was saved from every trouble.

Not only can our head be lifted, but once again our face can be radiant i.e. light-filled. This is, again, because of God’s grace (the Divine favour that comes upon us) … which leads to forgiveness – the lifting of all guilt and shame. The trouble … that our own minds keep rewinding back to … and even predicting to reoccur … is quelled by the loving presence of God in our lives – that brings a peace that surpasses all understanding. Fears are dealt with … such that our faith has space to grow! Whenever trauma reappears, our resilience and daily coping mechanisms have grown to higher levels.



Psalm 147 verse 3 – in the context of the verses 4 & 5 … reminds us of God’s desire and availability and power to heal us:

He heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names. Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.

The God who created the universe out of nothing so long ago, and knows everything in creation intently and intimately – cares for me and for you … and will not stop at anything to see us redeemed, healed, and in relationship with Jesus. As each of the stars are named, so God surely knows our name (and all about us). God continues to love us, despite anything and everything, and continues to seek us out. We might scratch our heads about what is happening to us and around us – but we can know that God understands all the complexity of this world, and will respond in exactly the right ways.



Conclusion



The question is: why is all this so important? Especially to me … maybe to you to. Yes, we need to keep growing in our relationship with Jesus and dependence upon God. Yes, we need to become more resilient, and develop in character that aptly represents the character of Jesus. Yes, we need to be enjoying God, and growing into maturity … into the image of Christ. And yes, we need to recognise the lost world around us – that needs to know about Jesus – that needs to be offered a witness to the wonderful things Jesus can do in life when given the opportunity. And yes, we need to maximise the potential of the church to change outcomes for people.



Everything we do … needs to be firmly rooted in, and grow out of, our relationship with God. Jesus was quickly able to bounce back into his life of service … each and every time that ministry was available to him. As we saw earlier in Mark chapter 1 – when his disciples came to him with any particular need, Jesus was able to respond in the best possible way. That was because Jesus was wholly focussed on God, God’s Kingdom on earth, and God’s will; and Jesus maintained that focus through withdrawing into God’s intimate presence whenever he needed to.



Now, we might take a little longer to bounce back than Jesus did. But, bounce back we can. Bounced back … I have. Let us always remember to press into God. And let us be God’s people together, God’s church in this locality, God’s body in this place – that will be prepared to love and encourage one another enough … that we can each (freely) withdraw into that special place of healing, security, reassurance and guidance … that is, God’s wonderful presence. Amen.