Sermon Notes
Romans 5:1-5 – “The State of the Nation”
A Sermon Series on Faithfulness & Growth
July 3, 2016
Introduction
1) Are you angered, grieved, anxious, troubled or concerned about our nation?
2) Most Christians are. Numerous theologians, intellectuals and political leaders are warning
we are heading to a new dark age.
a) To give three examples from just this week:
i) The government approved that transgenders can openly serve in the military,
and that tax payer dollars will pay for sex change operations.
ii) The Supreme Court ruled that the fiction right to murder an unborn baby in the
womb is more important than the Constitution right of freedom of religion.
iii) A bill is working its way through the California legislature which will essentially
outlaw Christian colleges in that state, all in the name of tolerance and diversity.
b) This is simply madness; a bizarre combination of lawlessness and tyranny.
3) The nations of western civilization are committing suicide.
a) The majority of citizens seem to have no problem with, or even are celebrating, that the
West is rejecting the very moral and intellectual foundation of our great culture; i.e.
Christianity.
b) We are giving up the very core of our culture, which stood for a millennia and half, in favor
of a radical secularism that revels in lawlessness, perversion and tyranny.
c) In the name of some insane notion that one has a civil right to sexual perversion (such as
homosexuality and transgenderism) the state is more and more denying Christians their
constitutional rights of freedom of speech, assembly and religion.
4) Though our country has been through difficult times before, never has such insanity been
tried in human history. (Ex: Using the terms “male” & “female” is hate speech!)
The State of the Church
1) Though the current direction of the country, and western civilization itself, is terrifying,
there is great hope for the church.
2) The church is at her best when she is lacking in worldly power, persecuted and thus has to walk
by faith.
a) She will be purged of false and halfhearted believers.
b) Such as is taught in the Parable of the Sower.
c) For God refines those whom He loves.
Rev 3:15-17
Matt 13:1-23; Mark 4:1-25; Luke 8:4-15
Ps 66:10; Is 48:10; Zech 13:9; Mal 3:3; 1Pet 1:7
d) Which will lead to greater unity and purer love for Christ and the saints.
3) We might be returning to New Testament times, and the period of the ancient church.
a) When there was great persecution and hatred of Christians, including by the government.
b) But it will make us understand all those passages that speak about suffering from Christ,
which are ignored and/or make no sense to modern Christians.
i) Matthew 5:39 – “But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you
on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.”
ii) Philippians 1:27-29 – “Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of
Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that
you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of
the gospel; in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for
them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God. For to you it has been granted
for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,”
iii) 1Peter 2:20b-21 – “But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently
endure it, this finds favor with God. For you have been called for this purpose, since
Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps,”
iv) Also see: Matt 5:1-12; 6:25-34; Mark 10:28-31; John 15:18-24; 16:31-33;
Acts 14:21-22; Rom 5:3-5; Phil 1:27-30; 4:4-9; 1Thes 3:1-5; 4:9-18;
2Tim 3:10-17; James 4:6-10; 1Pet 2:19-25; 5:6-11
4) This is not some masochistic martyr complex, but learning to walk by faith.
Romans 5:1-5
1) Romans is the Apostle Paul’s magnum opus, easily one of the top five most important books
in the Bible, if not the most important.
2) It is the most detailed description of the Gospel, given over the first eight chapters.
3) After describing the problem of sin (chapters 1-3) and justification by faith alone (chapters 3-4), in
chapter 5 he begins the discussion of sanctification, one’s lifetime walk in Christ by grace.
4) This transition is seen in Rom 5:1, that through justification (declared righteous) we have
complete peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
5) Rom 5:2 – We have received His grace (unmerited favor) because of the faith given to us by God.
a) It is in this complete forgiveness and mercy in which we stand.
b) Not only stand, but exult (boast & glory) in hope (desire with certainty of a good outcome)
in the glory of God.
6) Rom 5:3 – Not only this, but we also exult (boast & glory) in our tribulations.
a) It is interesting that we moderns usually think of tribulations today as individual suffering
because of worldly difficulties.
b) The suffering in Romans, and most of such similar texts in the Bible, however, is the church
enduring tribulation because of Christ. Being hated and persecuted by the world.
c) If our country continues to become more anti-Christian, then we will have a much
better understanding of these texts; praise the Lord!
7) Why? Rom 5:3-4 – Tribulation brings about perseverance, which brings about proven character,
and proven character hope.
a) When the world and the powerful are against you, where can you go?
b) Only to Christ, and to trust in Him and His promises.
c) This is real biblical faith, which creates willful trust.
James 1:3-2:26
8) Rom 5:5 – And hope doesn’t disappoint.
a) This is not the weak modern understanding of hope, as wishful thinking.
b) But the biblical concept of hope; the desire with certainty of a good outcome.
c) Why? Because this hope is from the Holy Spirit.
d) To respond with faith in the face of persecution is a sure sign the Holy Spirit is with us!
Conclusion
1) It is understandable to be distressed, saddened and even angry about the state of our nation.
a) It is appropriate that Christians be active in politics.
Matt 8:5-10; Acts 10:1-2
b) However, it is a sin to be anxious or worry, which is a lack of faith.
c) We submissively pray and work for the good of our country.
2) But whatever happens to our nation it is by God’s decree.
Matt 6:25-34; Phil 4:6
Rom 13:1-7; 1Pet 2:13-17
Deut 32:8; Job 12:23; Acts 17:26; Rom 9; Eph 1
a) If there is repentance and reformation, then we praise God for His mercy.
b) If there is lawlessness and tyranny, then we praise God for His justice.
c) Either way, our response is the same: to walk by faith and love God and our neighbor.
3) Remember the words of Abraham Lincoln in his Second Inaugural Address about the crisis that
was the American Civil War:
“Fondly do we hope - fervently do we pray - that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass
away. Yet, if God wills that it continue, until all the wealth piled by the bond-man's two hundred
and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash,
shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it
must be said ‘the judgments of the Lord, are true and righteous altogether.’ (Ps 19:9) With malice
toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us
strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall
have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan--to do all which may achieve and cherish
a just and lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations.”
4) Do you have worry, anxiety, and anger about the state of our nation? Then confess your sins and
come to Christ’s table and receive His Gospel and do not worry, but be fed in hope.