From Adam's Fall to Christ's Redemption: Reigning in Grace

 

Summary

In Romans 5:16-17, we explore the profound contrast between the consequences of Adam's sin and the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Adam's single transgression led to judgment and condemnation for all humanity, illustrating the pervasive impact of sin. However, through Jesus Christ, we receive an abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness, which leads to justification and life. This contrast highlights the superiority of Christ's work over Adam's failure. While Adam's sin brought death, Christ's obedience brings life, allowing believers to reign in life through Him.

The Apostle Paul emphasizes the legal nature of justification, contrasting it with condemnation. Justification is not about our moral state but a legal declaration of righteousness through Christ. This righteousness is not merely a return to Adam's pre-fall state but an imputation of Christ's righteousness, clothing us in His perfection. This gift of righteousness is freely given, underscoring the grace of God.

Moreover, the reign of death through Adam is replaced by the reign of life through Christ. This reign is not just a future promise but a present reality for believers. We are delivered from the fear of death, the dominion of sin, and the tyranny of life itself. In Christ, we are more than conquerors, reigning in life even now. This reign will be fully realized when we share in Christ's glory, judging the world and angels, and reigning with Him eternally.

The message is a call to recognize our identity in Christ, to live as those who are already seated with Him in heavenly places, and to anticipate the fullness of our reign with Him. It is a reminder of the abundant grace available to us and the transformative power of Christ's righteousness in our lives.

Key Takeaways:

- The contrast between Adam's sin and Christ's obedience is profound. Adam's sin brought judgment and condemnation, while Christ's obedience brings justification and life. This highlights the superiority of Christ's work and the abundance of grace available to us. [03:10]

- Justification is a legal declaration of righteousness, not based on our moral state but on Christ's righteousness imputed to us. This gift of righteousness is freely given, emphasizing the grace of God and our new standing before Him. [16:29]

- The reign of death through Adam is replaced by the reign of life through Christ. This reign is a present reality for believers, delivering us from the fear of death, the dominion of sin, and the tyranny of life itself. [37:02]

- In Christ, we are more than conquerors, reigning in life even now. This reign will be fully realized when we share in Christ's glory, judging the world and angels, and reigning with Him eternally. [41:37]

- Our identity in Christ calls us to live as those already seated with Him in heavenly places, anticipating the fullness of our reign with Him. It is a reminder of the abundant grace available to us and the transformative power of Christ's righteousness in our lives. [47:33]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:15] - Introduction to Romans 5:16-17
- [01:00] - Contrast Between Adam and Christ
- [02:35] - The Impact of Adam's Sin
- [04:16] - Judgment and Condemnation
- [06:06] - The Legal Nature of Justification
- [08:53] - The Free Gift of Righteousness
- [11:42] - Many Offenses Justified
- [14:21] - The Abundance of Grace
- [18:43] - Death Reigned Through Adam
- [23:03] - The Tyranny of Death
- [27:25] - The Fear of Death in the World
- [30:05] - Reigning in Life Through Christ
- [33:25] - The Gift of Righteousness
- [37:02] - Present Reign in Life
- [42:03] - Future Reign with Christ

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Romans 5:16-17
- Ephesians 2:6
- Hebrews 2:14-15

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Observation Questions:

1. What is the main contrast presented in Romans 5:16-17 between Adam's sin and Christ's obedience? How does this contrast highlight the impact of each on humanity? [03:10]

2. According to the sermon, what does the Apostle Paul mean by the "legal nature of justification"? How is this different from our moral state? [16:29]

3. How does the sermon describe the reign of death through Adam and the reign of life through Christ? What are the implications of this reign for believers? [37:02]

4. In what way does the sermon suggest that believers are already reigning in life through Christ? How is this reign both a present reality and a future promise? [41:37]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of justification as a legal declaration affect a believer's understanding of their relationship with God? What does it mean to be clothed in Christ's righteousness? [16:29]

2. The sermon mentions that believers are delivered from the fear of death and the dominion of sin. How might this deliverance change a believer's perspective on life and death? [38:39]

3. What does it mean for believers to be "more than conquerors" in the context of reigning in life through Christ? How does this concept challenge or encourage a believer's daily walk? [41:37]

4. How does the sermon encourage believers to recognize their identity in Christ and live as those seated with Him in heavenly places? What practical steps can be taken to embrace this identity? [47:33]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on the contrast between Adam's sin and Christ's obedience. How does understanding this contrast impact your view of grace and righteousness in your life? [03:10]

2. In what ways can you remind yourself daily of your justified status before God, especially when you feel condemned by your own shortcomings? [16:29]

3. How can you live out the reality of reigning in life through Christ in your current circumstances? What specific areas of your life need to be brought under Christ's reign? [37:02]

4. Consider the fear of death and the dominion of sin. Are there specific fears or sins that you need to surrender to Christ to experience the freedom He offers? [38:39]

5. How can you practically live as someone who is seated with Christ in heavenly places? What changes might you need to make in your daily routine or mindset to reflect this truth? [47:33]

6. Identify a situation where you can demonstrate being "more than a conqueror" through Christ. What steps will you take to approach this situation with faith and confidence? [41:37]

7. How can you encourage others in your community to recognize their identity in Christ and live out the abundant grace available to them? What role can you play in supporting their spiritual growth? [47:33]

Devotional

Day 1: The Superiority of Christ's Obedience
The contrast between Adam's sin and Christ's obedience is profound. Adam's single transgression led to judgment and condemnation for all humanity, illustrating the pervasive impact of sin. However, through Jesus Christ, we receive an abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness, which leads to justification and life. This contrast highlights the superiority of Christ's work over Adam's failure. While Adam's sin brought death, Christ's obedience brings life, allowing believers to reign in life through Him. [03:10]

Romans 5:18-19 (ESV): "Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous."

Reflection: In what ways can you actively embrace the life that Christ's obedience offers you today, rather than living under the shadow of Adam's sin?


Day 2: The Legal Declaration of Justification
Justification is a legal declaration of righteousness, not based on our moral state but on Christ's righteousness imputed to us. This righteousness is not merely a return to Adam's pre-fall state but an imputation of Christ's righteousness, clothing us in His perfection. This gift of righteousness is freely given, underscoring the grace of God. The Apostle Paul emphasizes the legal nature of justification, contrasting it with condemnation. This new standing before God is a testament to His grace and love for us. [16:29]

2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV): "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."

Reflection: How does understanding justification as a legal declaration change the way you view your relationship with God today?


Day 3: The Present Reign of Life Through Christ
The reign of death through Adam is replaced by the reign of life through Christ. This reign is not just a future promise but a present reality for believers. We are delivered from the fear of death, the dominion of sin, and the tyranny of life itself. In Christ, we are more than conquerors, reigning in life even now. This reign will be fully realized when we share in Christ's glory, judging the world and angels, and reigning with Him eternally. [37:02]

Colossians 3:1-3 (ESV): "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can begin to live out the reality of reigning with Christ today?


Day 4: More Than Conquerors in Christ
In Christ, we are more than conquerors, reigning in life even now. This reign will be fully realized when we share in Christ's glory, judging the world and angels, and reigning with Him eternally. The message is a call to recognize our identity in Christ, to live as those who are already seated with Him in heavenly places, and to anticipate the fullness of our reign with Him. It is a reminder of the abundant grace available to us and the transformative power of Christ's righteousness in our lives. [41:37]

1 Corinthians 6:2-3 (ESV): "Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life!"

Reflection: How can you begin to see yourself as more than a conqueror in Christ, and what steps can you take to live out this identity today?


Day 5: Our Identity in Christ
Our identity in Christ calls us to live as those already seated with Him in heavenly places, anticipating the fullness of our reign with Him. It is a reminder of the abundant grace available to us and the transformative power of Christ's righteousness in our lives. This identity is not just a future hope but a present reality that shapes how we live and interact with the world around us. [47:33]

Ephesians 2:6-7 (ESV): "And raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus."

Reflection: What practical steps can you take today to live out your identity in Christ, knowing you are seated with Him in heavenly places?

Quotes


The Apostle is asserting here that as the result of one Adam's once in condemnation judgment a sentence of condemnation has been passed upon the whole world of men but thank God we can turn to the other side not as it was by the one that sinned so is the gift. [00:11:07]

The free gift is of many offences unto justification now notice these contrasts they really are most important and the contrast is complete and therefore we must look at it and work it out in detail you see it's the contrast between whether Adam's disobedience has produced for us and Christ's obedience has produced false. [00:11:28]

The free gift is the opposite to the judgment then notice the second cultures here he says what we've got is that many offenses have been justified in spite of our many offenses we have been justified now as I was saying the many offenses are the contrast to the one offense of ever. [00:13:33]

In the work of Christ we are not only delivered from what we've inherited in Adam we are delivered and we are cleared from all the sins and offenses we ourselves have ever been guilty on what a large what a free what a glorious salvation this is all our sins were laid upon him all the sins of all his people. [00:14:48]

Justification must never be thought of in terms of our state and condition never be thought of in terms of our sanctification I emphasized that I've gone on emphasizing that justification is a legal or a forensic term it's a judgment delivered by a judge upon the bench. [00:16:13]

The righteousness of Jesus Christ is put to our account it is put upon us we are clothed with the righteousness of Jesus Christ much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness you're not merely told that your sins are forgiven but left as you were not at all. [00:32:50]

We reign in life by Jesus Christ partly even here and now in this present well you will find that the Apostle Paul in his epistle to the Ephesians in the second chapter says this even when we were dead in sins hath quickened us together with Christ and hath raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. [00:37:56]

The Christian should be delivered from the fear of death Christ delivers him from it so he's no longer under that bondage and tyranny of the fear of death he's reigning in it reigning over he's got a victory over death already before he's made it but not only that sin doesn't reign over him either. [00:38:41]

We have lost the fear of death we are no longer under the Dominion of sin where as we once were we are no longer under the Dominion of the devil we can resist him and make him flee indeed we are no longer under the tyranny of life itself in the eighth chapter the Apostle will say having given a list of the things that are set against us. [00:40:04]

In all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us we are more than conquerors we are reigning in life and he says the same thing you remember in that glorious statement of his in the fourth chapter of the Epistle to the Philippians in verses 9 to 11 he says here that he is not that I was it. [00:40:39]

It is when the Lord returns and when we shall be with him that we shall really know what it means to reign in life fully what is it well he's already hinted at it in verse in chapter 2 in verse 7 and verse 10 where he says we are looking for glory and honor and immortality and peace our Lord Himself has already told us about it. [00:42:05]

We shall not only have that back we shall have infinitely more we shall share the throne with the son of God who shares the throne with his father that's the prospect awaiting us is it surprising he talks about much more and about abundance and about the freeness and the fullness of it all in all Kings reigning in life by one Jesus Christ. [00:46:04]

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Transcript
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