What Does A Good Church Look Like 5b
What Does a Good Church Look Like • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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27 Aug 23
What Does A Good Church Look Like - Romans 5:6-11
Turn to Romans 5. We left off in Romans a couple of week ago talking about virtues. I was going to continue that topic, but we’ll run into virtues again later in Romans – so we’ll move on. As we look at Romans 5, the context is all about what God did for humanity through Christ. Remember, context is paramount to good Biblical exegesis or interpretation. We never want to overlook context, and we’re not, but again for this series we’re asking the question What Does A Good Church Look Like. Of course, the answer is based on the context of the passage. Don’t want anyone to think I’m ignoring context.
As we read this passage
Roman 5:6-11 exposes humanity’s condition without Christ and humanity’s cure in Christ.
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.
For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—
but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.
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.
More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
I want to point out one thing here - the crux of the Christian faith is the work of Jesus Christ. He did it all. He paid it all. We have absolutely no part in our own salvation with the exception of one thing – we receive the free gift of God. All other religions, even ones that are closely related to true Christianity, are works based. Latter Day Saints (Mormons) and JW – Jesus plus. True Christianity is Jesus only.
Back to the passage. Let’s do a kind of contrast between the human condition and the cure. Humans are weak (unable to save ourselves), therefore Jesus died us – He’s the cure. Humans are ungodly, therefore Jesus died for us – He’s the cure. Humans are sinners (law breakers), but God always loves us – He’s the cure. Humans are guilty and deserve the justice of God (i.e. Hell), but God removed our guilt through the blood of Jesus – He’s the cure. Humans are enemies toward God, therefore Jesus reconciled us – He’s the cure. By the way, reconciled means He made us not enemies. Through Christ we have become the friends and family of God.
Now that we know the human condition apart from Christ, and we know the cure in Christ, answer this - when did God provide the cure? While we were ungodly. While we were sinners …. All prior to our salvation. No where in Scripture does God say, “Stop sinning - then come to me. Get your life straightened out - then come to me. Stop using drugs – then come to me. Stop all the sexual immorality – then come to me.” What does Jesus say? “Come to me all who are weary and tired – tired of trying to find your own cure, and I will give you rest for your soul” (Matt. 11:28-30).
Why? Why did God do all this and provide a cure through Christ? Because God so loved the world, right? True. But He also provided the cure out of necessity. Christ died, Christ forgave, Christ justified … and on it goes - why? Because we need His death and resurrection. We need His forgiveness. We need His grace and mercy and it’s all wrapped up in love. We need God’s love!
Therefore,
A good church will love sinners, not only because we’re supposed to, but because they need us to.
Those who don’t know Jesus Christ need us to show compassion and grace and mercy. They need us to forgive them. They need us to love them. They need us to pray for them. We do all this, not because they deserve it or because there’s something in it for us. Yes, we love because Christ first loved us, but again, we love because they need it.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?
You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Think about the differences between “I’m supposed to love them,” and “they need me to love them.”
What does that do for you? How might that change your approach to loving others? How might that address a reluctance to love? Why do they need us to? Because that’s how God loves people – through His Church.
Remember, when we ask, “what does a good church look like” we’re also asking what does a good church member look like. Because if you are in Christ, then as an individual, you are the Church. Not just about what others do – it’s about what I do.
Now, incorporating everything we’ve discussed thus far, here are a few more questions about a good church.
If God demonstrates (not demonstrated – God’s love is always present. The effect of what Christ accomplished and finished on the cross is continuous) -so,
If God demonstrates His love for the ungodly, how should a good church demonstrate His love toward the ungodly?
Write down 1 or 2 …. This is both individual and corporate. Open yourself to the Spirit’s direction. There is probably something larger than us that we need to either be a part of or start that will demonstrate God’s love to those in our community.
This next question is similar but adds another layer to demonstrating God’s love.
If God made reconciliation possible, a good church will make reconciliation possible.
What do we mean by making reconciliation possible?
All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;
that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
The ministry of reconciliation simply means to build bridges between God and sinners.
List 2 or 3 things that do not build bridges. List 2 or 3 things that do build bridges. Share.
If we expand this,
A good church builds bridges that connect sinners with God.
How and where can we / you / I build bridges to connect sinners with Jesus? What talents, skills, hobbies, passions … do you have that can be used as a bridge? Take a moment – think hard. If you don’t know, we have the Ministry Fair on Sep 17. Make an appointment with me – one of my favorite things to do – help people discover their strengths.
Lastly, when a good church loves the ungodly, and builds bridges of reconciliation, and people receive new life in Christ, V11 -
A good church will rejoice in the work of Christ!
If you’ve never received the free gift of salvation, ACT now. Admit you’re a sinner and need a Savior. Confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and that He died and rose again for our sins. Transfer your trust from self to Jesus Christ. It’s all because He loves us.