Rejoicing in God's Complete Work of Salvation
Summary
In Romans 5:10-11, we find a profound argument about the nature of our salvation and reconciliation with God. Our salvation is entirely initiated and completed by God, who never starts anything without finishing it. This assurance is rooted in the fact that God has already accomplished the most difficult task—reconciling us to Himself through the death of His Son. If God has done the hardest part, He will surely complete the rest of our salvation journey. The death of Jesus on the cross is the ultimate manifestation of God's love, and there is no greater proof of His love than this sacrifice.
Being reconciled to God means we are now incorporated into Christ, which guarantees our salvation. This incorporation is not just about future glory but also about our present reality. We are called to glory in God, not just in the hope of future glory but in God Himself. This joy and glorying in God is a present experience, rooted in our reconciliation through Jesus Christ.
The Apostle Paul emphasizes that true Christian faith should lead to rejoicing in God. This joy is not optional but a commandment, as seen in Philippians where Paul exhorts believers to "rejoice in the Lord always." Failing to rejoice in God is a sin, as it reflects a lack of understanding or belief in the completeness of Christ's work. To truly glory in God, we must meditate on His nature, His works, and the finished work of Christ. This involves reasoning and arguing from the Scriptures, drawing deductions from God's revelation, and trusting in His promises.
Key Takeaways:
- God's Complete Work: Our salvation is entirely of God, who never starts anything without finishing it. The reconciliation through Christ's death is the most difficult part, and having accomplished that, God will surely complete our salvation. This assurance is rooted in the character of God, who is faithful and unchanging. [01:26]
- Joy in God: We are called to glory in God Himself, not just in the future glory we will share with Him. This joy is a present reality, rooted in our reconciliation through Jesus Christ. It is a commandment to rejoice in the Lord always, reflecting a true understanding of our salvation. [09:03]
- Meditation and Contemplation: To truly glory in God, we must spend time meditating on His nature, His works, and the finished work of Christ. This involves deep reflection and contemplation, moving beyond superficial reading of Scripture to a profound understanding of God's love and grace. [27:40]
- Reasoning from Revelation: Faith involves reasoning and arguing from the Scriptures, drawing deductions from God's revelation. It is not about relying solely on human reason but reasoning in faith, trusting in God's promises and His unchanging nature. [37:32]
- Balance of Humility and Rejoicing: True self-examination should lead us to Christ, resulting in rejoicing in God. Humility and rejoicing are not opposites but go hand in hand. Recognizing our own sinfulness should drive us to glory in the finished work of Christ and the assurance of our salvation. [44:19]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:15] - Introduction to Romans 5:10-11
- [01:07] - God's Complete Work in Salvation
- [02:04] - Reconciliation Through Christ
- [03:15] - The Ultimate Proof of God's Love
- [04:13] - Being in Christ: Our Guarantee
- [05:04] - Joy in God: Present Reality
- [06:12] - Glorying in God Himself
- [07:53] - Difference Between Future and Present Glory
- [09:03] - Enjoying God: The Chief Delight
- [10:06] - The Meaning of Glorying in God
- [11:08] - Biblical Examples of Rejoicing in God
- [12:57] - The Test of True Understanding
- [14:33] - The Command to Rejoice in God
- [16:07] - The Sin of Not Rejoicing
- [19:36] - Causes of Failure to Rejoice
- [27:40] - The Importance of Meditation
- [32:08] - Reasoning and Arguing from Scripture
- [37:32] - Faith and Reasoning from Revelation
- [44:19] - Balance of Humility and Rejoicing
- [48:42] - Final Exhortation to Rejoice
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Romans 5:10-11
- Philippians 4:4
- Psalm 33:1-3
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Romans 5:10-11, what is the significance of being reconciled to God through the death of His Son? How does this reconciliation assure us of our salvation? [02:04]
2. In the sermon, it was mentioned that true Christian faith should lead to rejoicing in God. How does Philippians 4:4 support this idea? [15:29]
3. The sermon discusses the concept of "glorying in God." How is this concept illustrated in Psalm 33:1-3? [11:08]
4. What does the sermon suggest is the relationship between humility and rejoicing in God? [44:19]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the assurance of salvation, as discussed in Romans 5:10-11, impact a believer's daily life and faith journey? [02:04]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of meditating on God's nature and works. How might this practice deepen one's understanding and experience of joy in God? [27:40]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that failing to rejoice in God is a reflection of unbelief or misunderstanding of Christ's work? [16:07]
4. How does the sermon explain the balance between humility and rejoicing, and why is this balance crucial for a believer's spiritual life? [44:19]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current understanding of salvation. How does the assurance of being reconciled to God through Christ influence your confidence in your faith journey? [02:04]
2. The sermon calls for rejoicing in God as a commandment. What practical steps can you take to cultivate a habit of rejoicing in God daily, even amidst challenges? [15:29]
3. Consider your current practice of meditation and contemplation on God's nature and works. What changes can you make to deepen this practice and experience greater joy in God? [27:40]
4. The sermon highlights the importance of reasoning from Scripture. How can you incorporate this practice into your Bible study routine to strengthen your faith? [37:32]
5. Identify an area in your life where you struggle with unbelief or misunderstanding of Christ's work. What specific actions can you take to address this and grow in your trust in God? [16:07]
6. Reflect on the balance between humility and rejoicing in your spiritual life. How can you ensure that your self-examination leads to rejoicing in the finished work of Christ? [44:19]
7. Think of a recent situation where you found it difficult to rejoice in God. What can you learn from this experience, and how can you approach similar situations differently in the future? [16:07]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Unfinished Work is Never Incomplete
Our salvation is a testament to God's unwavering commitment to His promises. He initiates and completes the work of salvation, ensuring that what He starts, He finishes. This assurance is rooted in the fact that God has already accomplished the most challenging task—reconciling us to Himself through the death of His Son. If God has done the hardest part, He will surely complete the rest of our salvation journey. This is a reflection of His faithful and unchanging nature, providing us with the confidence that our salvation is secure in His hands. [01:26]
"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:6, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to trust that God will complete His work? How can you remind yourself of His faithfulness today?
Day 2: Rejoicing in God is a Present Command
We are called to glory in God Himself, not just in the future glory we will share with Him. This joy is a present reality, rooted in our reconciliation through Jesus Christ. It is not merely an option but a commandment to rejoice in the Lord always, reflecting a true understanding of our salvation. Failing to rejoice in God is a sin, as it reflects a lack of understanding or belief in the completeness of Christ's work. [09:03]
"Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory." (1 Peter 1:8, ESV)
Reflection: What is one practical way you can choose to rejoice in God today, even amidst challenges or uncertainties?
Day 3: Deep Meditation Leads to True Glorying in God
To truly glory in God, we must spend time meditating on His nature, His works, and the finished work of Christ. This involves deep reflection and contemplation, moving beyond superficial reading of Scripture to a profound understanding of God's love and grace. By meditating on His word, we allow His truths to transform our hearts and minds, leading us to a deeper appreciation and joy in Him. [27:40]
"My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promise." (Psalm 119:148, ESV)
Reflection: Set aside a specific time today to meditate on a passage of Scripture. How does this practice deepen your understanding and joy in God?
Day 4: Faith Involves Reasoning from Revelation
Faith involves reasoning and arguing from the Scriptures, drawing deductions from God's revelation. It is not about relying solely on human reason but reasoning in faith, trusting in God's promises and His unchanging nature. This process of reasoning from revelation helps us to understand and apply God's truths in our lives, strengthening our faith and trust in Him. [37:32]
"Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool." (Isaiah 1:18, ESV)
Reflection: How can you incorporate reasoning from Scripture into your daily routine to strengthen your faith and understanding of God's promises?
Day 5: Humility and Rejoicing Go Hand in Hand
True self-examination should lead us to Christ, resulting in rejoicing in God. Humility and rejoicing are not opposites but go hand in hand. Recognizing our own sinfulness should drive us to glory in the finished work of Christ and the assurance of our salvation. This balance of humility and rejoicing allows us to live in the fullness of God's grace and love, continually pointing us back to the cross. [44:19]
"Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you." (James 4:10, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you practice humility today that leads you to a deeper rejoicing in the finished work of Christ?
Quotes
Our salvation is entirely of God. He started it, and God never starts anything without finishing it. It would be utterly inconsistent with his character for him ever to fail to complete anything which he has ever begun. That's the essence of the argument. [00:01:23]
Our reconciliation to God is the biggest thing and the most difficult thing, but God has actually done that. Now, he says, being reconciled, having been reconciled, that was the most difficult thing of all, and God in his love and in his great purpose has already done that for us. [00:01:57]
No greater manifestation of the love of God is conceivable than that. There God has, as it were, revealed and poured out upon us who believe his Everlasting and eternal love. There is no greater proof of the love of God than the death of the Lord Jesus Christ, his only begotten son on the cross on Calvary's hill. [00:03:10]
We are now in the Life of Christ. We are parts of him, of his flesh and of his bones, members of his body. We are in Christ, that great New Testament phrase that's to be found running everywhere through these Epistles in Christ, and it therefore is, as he argued, is the final guarantee of the certainty of all these things. [00:03:57]
We also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have received the atonement. Now then, here is this further thing, and it's an important and a glorious thing to look at. Take this word here. It is in the authorized as joy in God. [00:05:56]
True Christian faith, I say, should always lead to this. I'll go further. A true Christian faith always does lead to this. That is why I ask my question: are we glorying, rejoicing, exalting in God? [00:14:33]
Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say unto you, rejoice. It's a commandment. This, I say, is the norm of the Christian Life. This should be the chiefest characteristic of the Christian believer. It is the Hallmark of a true Christian faith: rejoice in the Lord always. [00:15:32]
Not to Rejoice into glory in God through Christ is to be guilty of sin. Not only so, but we do glory in him, says the Apostle, and we all should glory in God in this way. [00:20:08]
We don't spend enough time in looking at this kind of Doctrine. Our reading of the scriptures is too superficial, just a few verses and a little meditation and prayer, rushing off. Oh, you've got to spend time with these things. You've got to meditate upon them. [00:27:40]
Faith means arguing on the basis of Revelation. Faith means not that I'm trying to reason myself to God, but that being given the Revelation from God, I reason from it. That's Faith: arguing from Revelation or on the basis of Revelation. [00:37:32]
True self-examination should drive us to Christ, and there we see the finished work and that God sent him to do it, and we end by rejoicing. If your self-examination doesn't end in rejoicing, it's wrong. It's false. There is a balance in these matters, and we must have the two sides. [00:44:19]
If we really believe these things, we must glory in him and rejoice in him. Not only so, but we glory in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have received the atern glory be to God the Father, glory be to God the son, glory to the Holy Spirit, great Jehovah three in one. [00:49:33]
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