“That Grace Might Reign,” romans 5:12-21

Open:  Luke 2:11 and the three aspects of Jesus’ birth

            The mysterious and bonding “We” of professional sports.  Go, Pack!

I.        Sin Entered the World

          A.     I am peeved with Adam and Eve for their carelessness and with God for his allowance.

                  1.      (v12) “Just as sin entered the world through one man and death through sin…”

                  2.      Genesis 2:17 warning is transmitted as a virus or genetic marker in Adam’s descendants.

          B.     (v13) “Sin is not charged against anyone’s account where there is no law.”

                  1.      If there is no speed limit you cannot be ticketed for driving 30.  The law came with Moses.

                  2.      (v14) “Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam…”

                  3.      Don’t kid yourselves==Death continues to reign: wars, race riots, greed, corruption.

II.       “The Gift is not like the Trespass”

          A.     (v15) “For if the many died by the trespass of the one man [Adam],

                  1.      “…how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!”

                  2.      (v16) “The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification.”  And what is justification?

          B.     (v17) “For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned…”

                  1.      “…how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!”  Immunity.

                  2.      Adam’s sin changed our nature; Jesus’ gift of life changes our nature [2 Corinthians 5:17]

                  3.      Hebrews 2:14-15, “Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil.”

          C.     (v20) “The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase.”

                  1.      “BUT where sin increased, grace increased all the more.”

                  2.      Like the alcoholic, like the compulsive gambler, our total ruin causes us to cry for help.

                  3.      (v21) “Just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness.”

Conclusion:  “…to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ.”

         Hebrews 2:17, “a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.”