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Therefore, being justified by faith, we have
peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access
by faith into grace herein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Romans 5:1-2
Last week I preached why we
have a Christ to worship. By one man's sin, sin entered into the world.
Thus, sin became a problem.
This week I want to preach
the message on God's plan to deal with sin. Let me tell you this -- God
loves you. He loves us all! I will show you through Scripture how
much God loves us. We need to be loved. We try to plug into
different things that fill a missing void in our hearts; but the truth is that
the only things that fits that void is the love of God. Because we are
sinners we need a Savior. Sin broke fellowship with God. That is
what sin does; it breaks our fellowship with God. However, I have good
news for you
There is a steep penalty for
sin. Death!
It is God's plan through
Jesus Christ that we are reconciled back from sin -- by which we also have
access to grace. It is by grace that we are allowed back to where we
belong. Grace is not about anything that we have done; it is about what
Jesus has done for us. That is why I celebrate Christmas. It's not
about the packages under the tree. Although, I am not knocking presents.
You continue to buy presents for your family but just remember -- the season is
still all about Jesus. Sin broke fellowship with man from God, but Jesus
is the bridge back.
Romans 5:6: For
when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
"Without strength" means we were unrecognized to God. "Without strength"
means that we were unable to have the gift of eternal life. "Without
strength" means we were unfit for heaven. In due time Christ died for the
ungodly. In due time Christ died for ME! When I need help the most,
help arrives on the scene. When you need Him the most, He is there.
I need something more than 911 can give me. I need what God can and does
give me.
What is God's plan? He
took my penalty and put it upon Jesus Christ -- Jesus, who knew no sin!
Instead of JR Fields paying my debt, Jesus said, "I'll do it; I'll die for you."
I have good news for you this
morning. Jesus is not a baby lying in a manger. He is not walking
the streets of Bethlehem. He is on the right hand of God the Father making
intercession for you and me.
Romans 5:8: But God
commendeth His love toward us, in that, when we were sinners, Christ died for
us. When no one else loves you, God does. Others may
offend us. We say, "I don't love that person anymore because they offended
me." I wonder how many times we have offended God.
Romans 5:9: Being
justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. Sin
requires a payment, death. Because of what He did on the cross I am saved
from that wrath. The problem is sin; the plan is grace. Does the
Christmas story begin to make sense? Jesus didn't come because He felt
like it. He came for a purpose. There were not enough devils in Hell
to keep Him from the grave and one day He will step out on a cloud and take His
chosen people home. Jesus said, "For whosoever shall call upon my name
shall be saved." Who is "whosoever"? Everyone!! No person is exempt.
Brother JR Fields........December 10, 2006.
Sermon edited by Mary King
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