Sermon Study Guide

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God’s Answer To Our Rebellion From the Advent Series: “Worship the King” Romans 5:12-21 December 10, 2017 BIG IDEA Jesus, the King, came as an answer to the rebellion of man. Romans 5 paints a vivid picture of the life that Jesus brought in order to defeat the death wrought by Adam.

REVIEW These are some of the main ideas we discussed last week:    

Jesus is a king and always has been a king (John 1:1-5). Jesus is the “Word,” which means his personhood and actions are God’s revelation to us. After the incarnation, presently, Jesus reigns as our high priest and mediator. Jesus will proclaim victory over his enemies and reign forever (Revelation 19:11-16).

THIS WEEK’S SCRIPTURE Context: The incarnation happened because mankind rebelled against God. Therefore, Jesus needed to become like us in order to save us from our sin. Romans 5 offers a contrast between Adam (the one that rebelled and brought death to the entire human race) and Jesus (the one that brings righteousness and eternal life).

Romans 5:15-21 (ESV) But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. 16 And the free gift is not like the result of that one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. 17 For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.

Ridgewood Church www.myrwc.org

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Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. 19 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. 20 Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

MAIN IDEAS   

Adam sinned and his rebellion infected the entire human race, which is punishable by death (spiritual and physical). Jesus came as a baby in Bethlehem because he would defeat this enemy and reconcile us to God. Put simply: Adam = Death; Jesus = Life.

DISCUSSION & APPLICATION 1. The Incarnation of Christ is An Answer to Sin Romans 5:12-14 - Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—13 for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. 14 Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come. The incarnation is when a “divine person is united with a human nature.” They are not just mixed together. Jesus literally became fully human and fully God—the God-man. And he had to, because sin had destroyed all that God intended for the human race. Rebellion meant death, and if something didn’t change all would be lost. So God answered with the incarnation. a. In verse 12, Paul states that “death spread to all men because all sinned.” Are you held responsible for Adam’s actions? Why or why not? Hint: Look at verse 14 for clues.

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b. Why do you think it is so important that Jesus became fully God and fully man?

2. Adam’s Sinful Rebellion Brought Death Romans 5:12 - Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned. Death was not meant to be part of our experience. But because of sinful rebellion against God, death came. That’s why Jesus had to come. That’s what the incarnation is all about. It is God’s answer to rebellion. And it would give us a chance to be free from this terrible consequence. a. Paul is referring to physical and spiritual death. Can you explain the difference between the two? Why do we die?

b. Christ came to defeat the enemy of death and to quench our rebellion. What does that say about your ability to be free from shame and guilt?

3. Sinful Rebellion is Part of Our DNA Romans 5:13-14 - For sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. 14 Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come. The incarnation of Christ, which we celebrate this month, is an answer to this dark cloud of sin that hangs over mankind. Despite well-meaning descriptions of humans as “basically good,” the Bible paints a different picture. Yes, we are made in the image of God, we are loved by God, and we are the pinnacle of his creation. Still, scripture is clear that, “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 6:23). We cannot appreciate the lifegiving gift of Jesus until we come to grips with sin and its consequences.

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a. God knew exactly what we needed. Why do you think he sent his only Son into the world to do this very difficult task?

b. What would have happened to us if Jesus wouldn’t have come and sin would’ve been left unchecked?

4. The Gift of Christ Brings Grace in Abundance Romans 5:15 - But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. The point of the contrasting parallel in verse 15 is the degree—how much more the “free gift” is worth. The trespass of the one man brought physical death to the man (in this case, the entire human race to date with two exceptions—Enoch and Elijah). By contrast, God’s grace— and the gift that came by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ—abounded for many. a. Can you describe the significance of Adam and Jesus representing the human race?

b. Do you believe that there is abundant grace for you?

5. Paul Contrasts Two Men: Adam (death) and Jesus (life) Romans 5:16-21 - And the free gift is not like the result of that one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. 17 For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. Ridgewood Church www.myrwc.org

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Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. 19 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. 20 Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Put simply; it was through the sin of one man, Adam, that all of us are worthy of God’s punishment and wrath. Thus, the solution to our rebellion is Jesus, the “second Adam,” whose righteousness will save all who follow him in faith. a. The Bible speaks of God’s wrath (1 Thessalonians 1:10) as a real and coming event. Can you think of ways to tell other people about Jesus so they, too, can be saved by following Jesus?

6. The Incarnation Can Save You From Sin: Will You Let It? Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Jesus brought good news of eternal life. But failure to follow him brings death. The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life. But only if you:    

Believe that he is the Son of God. Understand that it is your own personal sin that has caused you to face spiritual and physical death. Tell God that you are sorry for your sin. Invite him to be the head of your life.

And you will have eternal life. Hope. A future! That’s the power of the incarnation—God’s answer to our rebellion. a. Have you chosen today to follow Christ? If so, we encourage you to talk with a Christian friend, a pastor, or your community group leader about your decision.

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b. Pray that the Lord would bring people into your life with whom you can build relationships and share your faith story. Is there anyone specific that the Lord is bringing to your mind right now? How can you be intentional about developing a deeper connection with that person?

PRAY Dear Jesus, thank you for coming to give me life. Thank you for substituting yourself and dying on the cross to pay for the sins that I have committed. I am deeply grateful for your actions. I look forward to spending eternity with you! Amen.

DIG DEEPER For further study this week: 

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Romans 1-7 For You: For reading, for feeding, for leading (God's Word For You - Romans Series) – by Tim Keller (The Good Book Company) Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine - by Wayne Grudem (Zondervan)

NEXT WEEK’S BIG IDEA “The Humility of the King Regarding the Incarnation” - from the Advent series: Worship the King

Ridgewood Church www.myrwc.org

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