By definition, to contrast something means “to set in opposition in order to show or emphasize differences”. When we come to Romans 5:15-21, Paul takes some time to “emphasizes the differences” between Adam and Jesus:
15- Adam’s sin is contrasted with Jesus’ salvation
16- the effect of Adam’s sin is contrasted with the effect of Jesus’ obedience
17- both “reigns” are contrasted
you choose who’s reign was better between Adam and Jesus
I’ll give you a hint, one’s reign brought death and the other’s brought grace
18-19- Both “singular acts” are contrasted
The acts are Adam’s eating of the forbidden fruit and Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection for us
20-21- the law is contrasted with grace
Ok, I may not be greater in contrast to those around me, but this one thing I know….JESUS CHRIST IS GREATER THAN ADAM! These verses contrast this truth so clearly! Through Jesus comes life and grace and joy.
So what’s the point? Pursue Jesus with all of your heart, your mind, your soul and your strength. Get to know Him the way that Paul wanted to know Him (Philippians 3:10) and don’t stop until you see Him face to face.
Food for Thought: Read Romans 5:15-21. Who was better, Adam or Jesus? According to this passage in what ways was He better?
Matthew Anders
Senior Pastor | www.libcky.com
Pastor Matt and his wife, Sheila, have been serving the church family of Landmark Baptist Church since 2007. They have four children - Olivia, Levi, Reid, and Luke.
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Monday, January 13, 2014
Advent Archive: Romans 5:12-14
Although it is never articulated, Romans 5:12-14 speaks clearly of one word: consequences. The effect of Adam’s one sin in the garden was the condemnation under sin of all mankind. If Adam could have seen 7 billion people on the planet today and could have beheld the countless billions that preceded these 7 billion, do you think that he would have disobeyed God, knowing of the subsequent condemnation of all these billions of people? Of course not! He would look at all of mankind and would weigh the one action and the weight of the consequence of that action and would have dropped the apple.
However, it has been said that hind-sight is always 20/20. There is no doubt that knowing the effect might change Adam’s mind. The fact of the matter though, is that Adam was forewarned but neglected the warning in a spirit of disobedience or through a lack of faith in the words of God. Either way, the consequence was the same, even after God had warned him, he sinned. So God punished him (and all of his descendents-us) for that sin. Now open your eyes to your sin. It seems harmless. Maybe even as harmless as eating a fruit, but in the scope of things, your action may hold a powerhouse of consequence that you just can’t envision yet. Listen to and obey the call of God: “be ye holy as I am Holy.” The only consequence of holy, righteous living is joy in Christ and peace with God.
Food for Thought: Read Romans 5:12-14. What was the consequence of Adam’s sin the garden? List out some long term consequences for your sins.
However, it has been said that hind-sight is always 20/20. There is no doubt that knowing the effect might change Adam’s mind. The fact of the matter though, is that Adam was forewarned but neglected the warning in a spirit of disobedience or through a lack of faith in the words of God. Either way, the consequence was the same, even after God had warned him, he sinned. So God punished him (and all of his descendents-us) for that sin. Now open your eyes to your sin. It seems harmless. Maybe even as harmless as eating a fruit, but in the scope of things, your action may hold a powerhouse of consequence that you just can’t envision yet. Listen to and obey the call of God: “be ye holy as I am Holy.” The only consequence of holy, righteous living is joy in Christ and peace with God.
Food for Thought: Read Romans 5:12-14. What was the consequence of Adam’s sin the garden? List out some long term consequences for your sins.
Thursday, January 9, 2014
Advent Archive: Romans 5:1-11
Have you ever stopped and thought about life’s situations and asked, “What if things weren’t the way they are? Like, what if there was no ______?” Our lives really are busy and we often don’t take time to stop and think about the way things could have been. For instance, What if there were no cars? What if there were no houses? What if there were no laws? What if there was no Bible? What if there were no computers? What if…? When I stop and imagine life without something that I currently have, it makes me thankful for those things!
In Romans 4, Paul tells us that no man will be saved apart from faith in Christ as his substitute! Ok, we know that, right? But let’s ask the question, What if there was no faith? What would life look like?
v.1 – without faith we would not be justified, or declared righteous, by God
v.1 – without faith we would have no peace with God; we would be enemies
v.2 – without faith we would have no access into God’s grace
v.2 – without faith we would not be able to rejoice in God; only fear
v.3 – without faith we could not glory in tribulations – In Christ, hard times don’t have to be all bad. They often bring a lot of good with them!
v.9 – without faith in the blood of Christ, we are under God’s wrath
v.10 – without faith we cannot be reconciled to God
v.11 – without faith we would have no joy
I don’t know about you, but Romans 5 excites me! It drives me to be more thankful for Christ and for all I have in Him. Go read Romans 5:1-11 and let it encourage you to pursue Christ more deeply as well!
Food for Thought: Read Romans 5:1-11. What is the key word of Romans 5:1-11. Write two sentences describing what this word means.
Alan Obrien
Assistant Pastor | www.libcky.com
In Romans 4, Paul tells us that no man will be saved apart from faith in Christ as his substitute! Ok, we know that, right? But let’s ask the question, What if there was no faith? What would life look like?
v.1 – without faith we would not be justified, or declared righteous, by God
v.1 – without faith we would have no peace with God; we would be enemies
v.2 – without faith we would have no access into God’s grace
v.2 – without faith we would not be able to rejoice in God; only fear
v.3 – without faith we could not glory in tribulations – In Christ, hard times don’t have to be all bad. They often bring a lot of good with them!
v.9 – without faith in the blood of Christ, we are under God’s wrath
v.10 – without faith we cannot be reconciled to God
v.11 – without faith we would have no joy
I don’t know about you, but Romans 5 excites me! It drives me to be more thankful for Christ and for all I have in Him. Go read Romans 5:1-11 and let it encourage you to pursue Christ more deeply as well!
Food for Thought: Read Romans 5:1-11. What is the key word of Romans 5:1-11. Write two sentences describing what this word means.
Alan Obrien
Assistant Pastor | www.libcky.com
Alan and his wife, Amy, have been serving the church family of Landmark Baptist Church since 2008. They have a daughter, Allison.
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
Advent Archive: Romans 4:16-25
What is true faith? True faith is defined in the character and actions of Abraham. He is the great patriarch “friend of God.” He truly pleased God, not simply because of his doing, but because of his reliance on God for all things. In Romans 4, faith is laid out plainly in verses 18-21. Notice the phrases there, “who against hope believed in hope,” “being not weak in faith…he staggered not at the promise of God,” “being fully persuaded that what He [God] had promised, He was able also to perform.” This is the same theology as Hebrews, “for those that come to God, must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.”
“He is” – His existence, and “He is a rewarder of faith” – His omnipotence and His providence. This is faith. This is the faith of Abraham, who “against hope”, (meaning “when circumstances seemed contrary to having any hope”) still had hope that God had promised something, and that therefore God was going to do it, no matter how impossible it seemed. God has everything under control. God is strong enough to do all things. “For with God, nothing shall be impossible,” was the resounding assurance for Mary in her time of doubt over her pregnancy with Jesus. This now can be our solace and assurance: that when it seems impossible, God can accomplish it. Glory be to His great name!
Food for Thought: Romans 4:16-25. How does this passage describe Abraham’s faith? Give a few key phrases that explain his faith.
“He is” – His existence, and “He is a rewarder of faith” – His omnipotence and His providence. This is faith. This is the faith of Abraham, who “against hope”, (meaning “when circumstances seemed contrary to having any hope”) still had hope that God had promised something, and that therefore God was going to do it, no matter how impossible it seemed. God has everything under control. God is strong enough to do all things. “For with God, nothing shall be impossible,” was the resounding assurance for Mary in her time of doubt over her pregnancy with Jesus. This now can be our solace and assurance: that when it seems impossible, God can accomplish it. Glory be to His great name!
Food for Thought: Romans 4:16-25. How does this passage describe Abraham’s faith? Give a few key phrases that explain his faith.
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Advent Archive: Romans 4:9-15
Have you ever heard someone say, "I can't get saved. I've done too many things wrong. God wouldn't want me." How would you answer them? Maybe they're right...maybe they have done some pretty bad things. But one of the wonderful things about our Savior is His ability to put everyone on the same level--the level of faith alone.
Paul teaches this concept with Abraham in this part of chapter 4. Abraham was a heathen and idol worshipper. He broke the first commandments and did who knows how many other wicked things. Yet God called Abraham and for his faith alone he was counted righteous. Before Abraham even knew about God's law or followed it, he was saved for his faith. That was the Jew's big problem--they followed the law for their salvation, forgetting that their patriarch, Abraham, was saved without the law. It was after his salvation that Abraham followed the law as a sign of his faith.
We are still in the same boat as the Jews. Many still think good people go to heaven and bad people go to hell. That is not the case at all as Paul proves here with Abraham. It is by grace alone through faith alone that we can be saved.
Food for Thought: Read Romans 4:9-15. When did God count Abraham as justified, before he was circumcised or after?
Amber Allen
My Wife and Best Friend
Amber and I have been working together in youth ministry since 2008. We have two beautiful children - Graham and Cecelia.
Paul teaches this concept with Abraham in this part of chapter 4. Abraham was a heathen and idol worshipper. He broke the first commandments and did who knows how many other wicked things. Yet God called Abraham and for his faith alone he was counted righteous. Before Abraham even knew about God's law or followed it, he was saved for his faith. That was the Jew's big problem--they followed the law for their salvation, forgetting that their patriarch, Abraham, was saved without the law. It was after his salvation that Abraham followed the law as a sign of his faith.
We are still in the same boat as the Jews. Many still think good people go to heaven and bad people go to hell. That is not the case at all as Paul proves here with Abraham. It is by grace alone through faith alone that we can be saved.
Food for Thought: Read Romans 4:9-15. When did God count Abraham as justified, before he was circumcised or after?
Amber Allen
My Wife and Best Friend
Amber and I have been working together in youth ministry since 2008. We have two beautiful children - Graham and Cecelia.
Friday, January 3, 2014
Advent Archive: Romans 4:1-8
Understanding ancient Jewish culture is a peculiar thing. You see, before Paul, Jewish scribes and religious leaders meditated through the Old Testament stories and searched for deeper meanings and workings in the relationship between Almighty God and all of mankind. There was no greater figure in the mind of the Jewish scholar than the founding father of the Jewish people, their Patriarch, Abraham. Abraham was the one who God came to and made of him a “chosen people,” the Jews. It was through the family of this relationship that eventually the Messiah would come to save the world. But, according to Paul, almost all of the Jewish theologians had missed a glaring point in the story of Abraham.
Jewish scholars always looked back at Abraham as a friend of God because every time God asked Abraham to do something, he obeyed. He followed the law of God before there was given (through Moses) a law of God. Well, Paul the greatest theologian came in to the story of Abraham and points out something that happened long before Abraham willingly followed God in obedience. “Abraham believed God…” and this is what truly pleased God- Abraham’s faith. The Jews for centuries had chased after the thought that the only way to please God was through the keeping of the law, but now Paul turned that on its head and said, “No, God wants you to trust Him first, obedience will come later. He’s measuring faith, not works.” And this is how God wants you to operate too. Trust Him first, the obedience will come later.
Food for Thought: Read Romans 4:1-8. What does Paul say is the thing that justified Abraham? What reference in the Old Testament does this occur?
Jewish scholars always looked back at Abraham as a friend of God because every time God asked Abraham to do something, he obeyed. He followed the law of God before there was given (through Moses) a law of God. Well, Paul the greatest theologian came in to the story of Abraham and points out something that happened long before Abraham willingly followed God in obedience. “Abraham believed God…” and this is what truly pleased God- Abraham’s faith. The Jews for centuries had chased after the thought that the only way to please God was through the keeping of the law, but now Paul turned that on its head and said, “No, God wants you to trust Him first, obedience will come later. He’s measuring faith, not works.” And this is how God wants you to operate too. Trust Him first, the obedience will come later.
Food for Thought: Read Romans 4:1-8. What does Paul say is the thing that justified Abraham? What reference in the Old Testament does this occur?
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Advent Archive: Romans 3:21-31
The best price is “FREE.” Cheap is good, free is best. This is like going to the grocery store on Saturday with mom and enjoying the delicacies offered up at the little booth with the old lady in a hair net. Row upon row of chopped up treasures wait in their little plastic cups for you to gobble down. Who doesn’t like free samples? Free lunches, free admission, free prizes…the list goes on and on. We love free things. The truth is that at the heart of it, free things are so great because it costs us nothing. Something for nothing. You don’t have to work. You don’t have to pay. It is FREE! And the guy who says he doesn’t like free things, either has issues or isn’t paying attention.
This is what Paul is speaking of in Romans 3. He comes into verses 10-20 talking about some generally ornery people whose throat “is an open sepulcher,” and who are “swift to shed blood,” who have no righteousness whatsoever, and who probably just kick puppies for fun….real bullies. Paul comes into verse 24 and says that these evil types (all mankind) who have all sinned (v.23) are “FREELY” justified by God’s grace through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ. You are redeemed “freely.” Do you see that? You don’t pay for it, you don’t work for it, you can’t even steal it. God gives it away like the goodies on the little toothpick at the grocery store! FREE…and all because Jesus paid for it. Praise be to Jesus for His love wherewith He loved us.
Food for Thought: Read Romans 3:21-31. What does Paul say justifies a man? What specific verses say that?
This is what Paul is speaking of in Romans 3. He comes into verses 10-20 talking about some generally ornery people whose throat “is an open sepulcher,” and who are “swift to shed blood,” who have no righteousness whatsoever, and who probably just kick puppies for fun….real bullies. Paul comes into verse 24 and says that these evil types (all mankind) who have all sinned (v.23) are “FREELY” justified by God’s grace through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ. You are redeemed “freely.” Do you see that? You don’t pay for it, you don’t work for it, you can’t even steal it. God gives it away like the goodies on the little toothpick at the grocery store! FREE…and all because Jesus paid for it. Praise be to Jesus for His love wherewith He loved us.
Food for Thought: Read Romans 3:21-31. What does Paul say justifies a man? What specific verses say that?
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