2. The Gospel According to Paul

3. A faith decision has a two fold consequence… Spiritual consequences AND temporal

4. Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1) We are justified by faith… like Abraham Romans 4:3-5 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.”… 5 And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,

5. Romans 5:6-9 6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God..”

6. Romans 3:23 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 6:23 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

7. Romans 5:10 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 1) We are justified by faith… like Abraham 2) Peace With God, from reconciliation

8. Romans 5:2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 1) We are justified by faith… like Abraham 2) Peace With God, from reconciliation 3) We stand in grace (grace = forgiveness)

9. Titus 2:11-14 11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

10. Romans 5:2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 1) We are justified by faith… like Abraham 2) Peace With God, from reconciliation 3) We stand in grace (grace = forgiveness) 4) We rejoice in our hope, an “inner” joy

11. Romans 5:3-5 3 More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. 1. In suffering we see endurance

12. Romans 5:3-5 3 More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. 1.In suffering we see endurance 2.In endurance we develop character

13. Romans 5:3-5 3 More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. 1.In suffering we see endurance 2.In endurance we develop character 3.Character (inner strength) produces hope

14. Romans 5:3-5 3 More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. 1.In suffering we see endurance 2.In endurance we develop character 3.Character (inner strength) produces hope HOPE = Desire + Expectation

15. Romans 5:4b-5 …character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. 1) We HAVE hope

16. Colossians 1:13 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,

17. Ephesians 2:1-3 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

18. Romans 5:2 …we rejoice in hope of the glory of God Romans 5:3 More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, Romans 5:11 …More than that, we also rejoice in God 1) We HAVE hope 2) With hope comes inner joy

19. Romans 5:3-4 More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,… 1) We HAVE hope 2) With hope comes inner joy 3) With inner joy comes perseverance

20. Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

21. Romans 5:4 KJV - experience; Williams – tested character Beck – proven strength; NEB – proof that we have passed the test 1) We HAVE hope 2) With hope comes inner joy 3) With inner joy comes perseverance 4) With perseverance comes proven character The basis for wisdom, knowledge, confidence, and growth

22. Romans 5:4b-5 …character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. 1) We HAVE hope 2) With hope comes inner joy 3) With inner joy comes perseverance 4) With perseverance comes proven character 5) This is a hope which does not disappoint/put to shame

23. Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places In God’s justification and righteousness there is offered not just far off promises, but the grace of every blessing both spiritual and temporal that He has to offer in Jesus Christ. Have you grasped hold of these blessings?