Embracing the Tensions of the Gospel

Devotional

Day 1: Resurrection—Raised from Death into Newness of Life

The gospel is not about making bad people good, but about making dead people alive. Through Christ, believers are identified with His death and resurrection, meaning that just as Jesus was raised from the dead, so too are we raised to walk in newness of life. This resurrection is not merely a future hope but a present reality for all who trust in Him; we have already been made alive with Christ, freed from the power and penalty of sin, and brought into covenant relationship with God. This transformation is both spiritual and relational, restoring us to the life God intended, and empowering us to live in the fullness of His grace each day. [53:49]

Romans 6:3-4 (ESV)
"Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you most need to embrace the reality that you have already been raised to new life in Christ, and how might living from that truth change your actions or attitudes today?

Day 2: Election—Chosen by Grace, Responding in Faith

God’s election and predestination are profound mysteries, yet Scripture holds them in tension with our call to actively respond to His invitation. While God has chosen and called a people from every nation by His grace, each person is also invited to respond by believing and confessing Jesus as Lord. This means that our salvation is both a gift of God’s sovereign choice and a result of our willing response; we are chosen, and we choose. The assurance that we are part of God’s elect brings comfort, while the call to respond keeps us engaged and active in our faith journey. [01:03:00]

Romans 10:9-13 (ESV)
"Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, 'Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.' For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For 'everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'"

Reflection: What does it mean for you personally to know that you are both chosen by God and called to actively respond to Him—how might this shape your prayers or your sense of purpose today?

Day 3: Consecration—Set Apart to Know and Show God

Consecration, or sanctification, is both a completed work and an ongoing process in the believer’s life. We have been set apart—declared holy and dedicated for God’s special purpose—not just to know Him, but to show Him to others. This means living out our identity as God’s children, cooperating with His Spirit to become more like Jesus in character and in empowered contribution. Our consecration is not just about ethical conduct, but about being vessels through whom God’s presence and power are made known in the world, as we offer ourselves daily for His purposes. [01:10:44]

Romans 12:1 (ESV)
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."

Reflection: What is one practical way you can intentionally set yourself apart for God’s purposes today—either in your thoughts, your actions, or your relationships?

Day 4: Distribution—Empowered to Contribute Uniquely in the Body

God has distributed gifts and measures of faith to each believer, empowering us to participate uniquely in the life of His body, the Church. Each person has a “grace space”—a combination of gifts, abilities, capacity, and passions—that enables them to make a meaningful contribution. Recognizing and embracing your unique role, while honoring the gifts in others, allows the body to function in unity and effectiveness. Whether your contribution is seen or unseen, large or small, it is vital to God’s purposes and brings life to the community. [01:25:15]

Romans 12:4-8 (ESV)
"For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness."

Reflection: What is one gift, ability, or passion God has given you that you can use to serve others this week, and how might you take a step to use it intentionally?

Day 5: Adoration—Let Theology Lead to Worship

All the profound truths of the gospel ultimately lead us to adoration—worshiping God for who He is and what He has done. Our knowledge of God is meant to overflow in praise, honor, and enjoyment of Him, not just in private devotion but in every aspect of life. True theology leads to doxology; as we grasp the depths of God’s wisdom, grace, and love, our hearts are moved to exalt Him. The chief end of our lives is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever, letting every revelation of His goodness draw us into deeper worship and joyful relationship with Him. [01:43:12]

Romans 11:33-36 (ESV)
"Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! 'For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?' 'Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?' For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen."

Reflection: How can you intentionally turn your understanding of God’s truth into heartfelt worship today—whether through song, prayer, gratitude, or another act of adoration?

Sermon Summary

The book of Romans stands as a profound revelation of the gospel, a message not born of human invention but revealed from heaven itself. Through Romans, we see the gospel as a tapestry of divine tensions—truths that must be held together, not resolved or simplified. The journey begins with the revelation that the gospel is God’s initiative, a mystery unveiled to us, not something we could have discovered on our own. This revelation leads to salvation: God has not merely made bad people good, but has made dead people alive, freeing us from the penalty and power of sin, just as Israel was freed from Egypt.

Justification is at the heart of this good news. It is not only that our debts are forgiven, but that Christ’s righteousness is credited to us. God sees us not just as if we’d never sinned, but as if we had always obeyed—clothed in the very righteousness of Jesus. Yet God is more than a judge; He is a Father who reconciles us to Himself, adopting us as His children and making us new creations. This is not a theoretical change, but an ontological one: we are literally made new by His Spirit, driven by His deep affection for us.

Resurrection is another tension: we have already been raised to new life with Christ, experiencing a spiritual resurrection from the death of sin into covenant life. The Bible speaks of both physical and relational death, and in Christ, both are overcome. Our salvation is a present reality—we are alive with Christ now, not just in the future.

Election and free will are held in tension. God has chosen a people from every nation, yet we are called to actively respond, to “walk through the door” of faith. On one side, the invitation is open to all; on the other, we discover we were chosen. This mystery is not meant to be solved, but embraced.

Consecration and glorification are both gifts and processes. We have been set apart, made holy, and glorified in Christ, yet we are called to live out these realities, cooperating with God to show His character and power to the world. Our purpose is not just to know God, but to make Him known.

Distribution of gifts is God’s way of empowering each believer to participate uniquely in the body of Christ. Each of us has a “grace space”—a combination of God’s calling, our reputation, abilities, capacity, and what energizes us. We are not just receivers of good news, but transmitters, called to contribute to the life of the church and the world.

All of this leads to adoration. The ultimate purpose of all theology is worship. Our knowledge of God must lead us to praise, for the gospel is ultimately about the honor of His name. As we embrace the tensions of the gospel, we are drawn into deeper worship, glorifying and enjoying God forever.

Key Takeaways

1. The gospel is a divine revelation, not a human invention. We could never have discovered its truths on our own; God chose to unveil the mystery of His grace, both in the content of the message and in the character of the Messenger. This revelation is the foundation of our faith and sets Christianity apart from every other religion. [47:36]
2. Justification is more than forgiveness; it is the imputation of Christ’s righteousness. God does not merely bring us from debt to zero, but credits us with the full obedience of Jesus, so that we are seen as if we had always obeyed. This transforms our identity and gives us confidence before God, not based on our performance but on Christ’s finished work. [47:36]
3. Resurrection is both a past and present reality for the believer. We have already been raised from spiritual death into newness of life, experiencing a relational restoration with God. This resurrection is not just a future hope, but a present transformation that empowers us to live in the reality of our union with Christ. [57:54]
4. The mystery of election and free will is to be embraced, not explained away. God’s sovereign choice and our active response coexist in the gospel; we are both chosen and choosing. This tension invites humility and gratitude, reminding us that salvation is entirely by grace, yet calls for our wholehearted participation. [70:44]
5. Consecration and glorification are both accomplished and ongoing. We have been set apart and honored by God, yet we are called to cooperate with His Spirit to live out our sanctification and to display His character and power. Our purpose is to know God deeply and to show Him to others, not just through ethical conduct but through empowered contribution and miraculous living. [85:15]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Introduction: The Tensions of the Gospel
[03:30] - The Uniqueness of Romans and the Reformation
[07:10] - Revelation: The Gospel Unveiled
[10:55] - Salvation: Freedom from Sin
[14:20] - Justification: Credited Righteousness
[18:40] - Reconciliation: Adoption and New Birth
[23:00] - The Affection of God: Fact and Feeling
[27:15] - Resurrection: Raised to New Life
[38:00] - Two Types of Death and Resurrection
[47:36] - Election: Chosen and Choosing
[57:54] - Consecration: Set Apart for God
[70:44] - Glorification: Esteemed and Honored
[85:15] - Distribution: Gifts for Participation
[97:23] - Adoration: Theology Leads to Worship
[103:12] - Embracing the Gospel’s Tensions
[104:05] - Closing and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Romans 6:3-5, 11 (ESV) — > Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his... So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Romans 8:28-30 (ESV) — > And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

Romans 12:3-8 (ESV) — > For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

Observation Questions

According to Romans 6, what does it mean to be “baptized into Christ Jesus”? What is the result of being united with Christ in his death and resurrection?
In Romans 8:28-30, what are the steps Paul lists that God takes in the life of a believer? How do these steps relate to each other?
In Romans 12:3-8, what instructions does Paul give about how we should view ourselves and our gifts within the church?
The sermon described justification as not just forgiveness, but being credited with Christ’s righteousness. How does this go beyond simply having our sins wiped away? [[47:36]]

Interpretation Questions

The sermon talks about the “tensions” of the gospel—truths that are held together rather than resolved. Why do you think God allows these tensions (like election and free will, or being both justified and called to live holy lives) to exist in the Christian life? [[01:10:44]]
How does understanding justification as being “clothed in the righteousness of Jesus” (not just forgiven, but seen as if we had always obeyed) affect a believer’s confidence before God? [[47:36]]
The sermon says resurrection is both a past and present reality for believers. In what ways can someone experience “newness of life” now, not just in the future? [[57:54]]
Paul says each believer has a unique “grace space”—a combination of calling, reputation, abilities, capacity, and what energizes us. How might recognizing your own “grace space” change the way you participate in church life? [[01:25:15]]

Application Questions

The gospel is described as a divine revelation, not a human invention. Are there areas of your faith where you tend to rely on your own understanding rather than God’s revealed truth? How can you grow in trusting God’s revelation? [[47:36]]
The sermon says God has not just made bad people good, but made dead people alive. In what practical ways can you live out your new identity as someone “alive to God in Christ Jesus” this week? [[57:54]]
Justification means God sees you as if you had always obeyed. Is there an area of your life where you struggle to accept this truth? How might believing this change the way you approach God in prayer or worship? [[47:36]]
The tension between election and free will is described as a mystery to be embraced, not solved. How do you respond to the idea that you are both chosen by God and called to actively respond to Him? Does this bring you comfort, confusion, or something else? [[01:10:44]]
Consecration and glorification are both gifts and ongoing processes. What is one area where you sense God calling you to “cooperate” with His Spirit to live out your new identity? What step could you take this week? [[01:10:44]]
The sermon encourages each believer to discover and use their unique gifts (“grace space”) in the body of Christ. What is one gift, ability, or passion you have that you could use to serve others in the church or community? [[01:25:15]]
The ultimate purpose of all theology is worship. How can you intentionally let your knowledge of God lead you to deeper adoration and enjoyment of Him this week? Is there a specific way you want to express worship—through music, prayer, service, or something else? [[01:37:23]]

Sermon Clips

All this was done for us because God so loved the world that he offered us his gospel. This is all because of the affection of Christ, of God through Christ. And of course, we said last night that that revelation of all the affection of God, we can know that he loves us by both the demonstration once for all time at the cross. You never have reason to doubt God loves you, despite your feelings, because as you look back at the fact of history, Jesus died for you while you were still an enemy of his. Wow, what an amazing grace that that just proves God loves you no matter how you feel. [00:48:40] (38 seconds) #UnfailingLoveProven

The gospel of grace is not about God making bad people good, it's about him making dead people alive. Okay? God making the dead come alive. [00:52:09] (16 seconds) #GraceGivesLife

There are two types of death, so to speak. And so there are also two types of resurrection. And Jesus experienced both of them. When he died, his physical, literal, biological body actually died. I believe in the death of Jesus. Okay. And that self -same body came out of the tomb. Hands there, the whole thing, he was wrapped. He took that off. That Jesus was physically raised, dead and physically raised. Yet he also experienced a death in the invisible realm. Where Jesus descended into the realm of the dead. [00:57:22] (35 seconds) #DualDeathDualResurrection

Holiness means to be consecrated. It means to be set aside for a special function or for a special purpose. And when spoken of in scripture, consecration or sanctification is both past tense and present ongoing tense for the believer. Sanctification is both a gift that has been given to you and it is a gift that will continue to work its way through you as you walk with him. [01:12:07] (32 seconds) #SanctificationJourney

Legally I have Christ likeness. I can't become any more like Christ than I already am in the heavenly realms because I'm hidden in him. Literally I've been born again. I have an ontological change. I've become a son of God. I am like my dad. I've got his DNA in this. That is a reality, and I want to live out those realities here on planet earth, and I do that by cooperating with him in consecration and sanctification. [01:17:20] (30 seconds) #OntologicalSonship

In the gospel we experience a consecration has happened and will continue to happen and that consecration means we are set apart, we are honored and distinguished for a special purpose: to know him and to show him. On one hand it has been done to us already that we can know him, and on the other it is a process we partner with so that we can show him to others. [01:24:18] (25 seconds) #ConsecratedToKnowAndShow

Our theology must lead to doxology. Our knowledge of God to worship of God. The Father seeks those who worship in spirit and truth, not just know the truth, but worship in response. See, if we have doxology, if we have worship without theology, we will have idolatry. Okay. Because we will worship something that's not the true God. We don't want that. And yet, if we have theology without doxology, we actually have hypocrisy. To say that we know God, but do not honor and worship Him, well, it makes us like the Pharisees and Sadducees that Jesus didn't think too highly of, doesn't it? [01:43:25] (50 seconds) #WorshipBeyondKnowledge

The Scriptures are not given to us as an end in themselves. I love the Bible, but the Scriptures are not given to us as an end in themselves. They are to draw us into an experiential knowing of Christ as our Saviour and Lord, that we would adore Him, adoration, we would receive His love, and that we would adore Him in return. [01:44:14] (23 seconds) #GlorifyAndEnjoyForever

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