The Depth, the Glory, and the Wonder of God's Love [ 35:09 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (59)An exposition of Romans 5:6-8. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist on Sunday morning, March 31, 2013.
Intro: Today is Easter Sunday. Resurrection Day. We’ve come to sing and celebrate the fact that Christ has risen from the dead. I know that sounds strange to many. After all, dead people don’t just get up and walk out of cemeteries! The whole thing sounds far fetched. It seems absurd that we would gather week after week and sing songs about the glory and wonder of an instrument of death. “I cherish the old rugged cross?” Really? “There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Immanuel’s veins?” Are you serious? What seems strange to many and down right weird to others is, in fact, the heart and soul of our lives. The story begins in the heart and mind of God as He decided to create a world. He spoke and the universe came into being. The crowning moment of creation is when He made man in His own image and likeness. Human beings were created to have the capacity to relate to God. To commune with Him as friend with friend. That’s how it was in the beginning. Adam and Eve walked with God in sweet, loving relationship. There was no fear, no awkward silence or strain in the relationship. Just love and devotion. It was literally, paradise. Until everything changed through that one act. That one act of defiance. That moment when Adam was not satisfied with living in dependence and he chose to act independently of God. He could decided for himself – right and wrong. Immediately he knew things were different. He heard the voice of God and rather than delight there was fear. Instead of running toward the voice he ran from the voice. Yet, as Adam hid, God sought. “Adam! Where are you?” Contrary to popular opinion our story, the story of the Gospel, is a love story. While it is true all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and the wages of sin is death; the story of the Gospel is the story of God’s loving pursuit of sinful men and women. I’m sure you are aware of the facts surrounding the Easter story. Jesus rode into town on a donkey on Palm Sunday. He rode in to the cheers of an adoring crowd shouting, “Hosannah! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” Within days that adoring crowd had become an angry mob shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” Through trumped up charges, false witnesses and political maneuvering Jesus was tried, convicted and sentenced to die. He was taken just outside the city walls to Golgotha and there he was crucified. It seemed like such a tragic waste. It was so unjust. How could God allow it to happen? Ah, that’s just it. God allowed it to happen because as tragic, ugly and disgusting as it was…it was the eternal will and purpose of God. For, in eternity past, before Adam and Eve were created, God knew Adam would rebel. He saw our need of a Savior. He lovingly provide one in the person of his Son, the Lord Jesus. This morning I was us to go behind the events of that Passion Week and understand the love story that drives it all. Our text is found in Romans chapter 5.
Text: Romans 5:6-8
As we work our way through this great text we are reminded that… Thesis: The glory of the cross is its profound demonstration of the love of God for sinners. There are 3 things I want to point out quickly.
- The depth of God’s love is expressed through its extravagant cost. (5:6-8)
- The wonder of God’s love is found in the object of His affections. (5:6-10)
- The glory of God’s love is revealed in the benefits secured by the cross. (5:9-10)