Rags to Riches

Notes: Rags to Riches

Romans 5

SPEAKER:

Jeff Lasseigne

WORSHIP TEAM:

Harvest Worship Band

Becoming a Christian represents the ultimate 'Rags to Riches' story; a person moves from spiritual poverty to spiritual wealth when the receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. In today's message, Pastor Jeff Lasseigne speaks on the spiritual riches that a Christian possesses because of Christ's love.

Sunday, March 13, 2016 — 10:00 a.m.

A lot of people in life today miss the point.

Many got the point last week at Harvest America. It is a real rags to riches story for us.

Cinderella is the most common rags to riches story we know. That doesn't touch what we experience in the riches Christ gives us.

Romans 5:1-11 NKJV

[1] Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, [2] through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. [3] And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; [4] and perseverance, character; and character, hope. [5] Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. [6] For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. [7] For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. [8] But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. [9] Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. [10] For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. [11] And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

5 points from Romans 5:

1. Eternal Peace

Romans 5:1 NKJV

[1] Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

This is the "Therefore" of justification, the peace with God

The peace of God is different, that is Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV

[6] Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; [7] and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Every unsaved person is not at peace  with God; even further, the unsaved person is the enemy of God.

We are either for God or we are against God.

There is no such thing as a spiritually neutral person, it's not even an option that is given to us.

Someone has to pay for your sin. Either you do, or you take the payment that Jesus has paid for you on the cross.

Colossians 1:21 NKJV

[21] And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled

James 4:4 NKJV

[4] Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

As a Christian we have been reconciled with God, He died for us even as sinners.

2. Eternal Access

Romans 5:2 NKJV

[2] through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

We now have access to Christ. Before the tearing of the veil, that was not the case.

Your prayers will immediately take you into the presence of God.

3. Eternal Hope

Romans 5:3-5 NKJV

[3] And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; [4] and perseverance, character; and character, hope. [5] Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

We can rejoice because of our eternal perspective.

Romans 8:18 NKJV

[18] For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

The hope we have will never disappoint us.

Mother Teresa stated that the spiritual poverty in the western world was much greater then the physical poverty she was helping with in the east.

At first glance the suffering and abuse of Christ is a terrible thing. Yet if it wasn't for that event, we wouldn't have the hope that we have today.

If we were never sick a day in our lives, God is good. If we were sick every day, God is good.

4. Eternal Love

Romans 5:6-10 NKJV

[6] For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. [7] For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. [8] But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. [9] Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. [10] For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

Our sins were transferred to Jesus on the Cross. On the Cross, Jesus' righteousness was transferred onto us.

Jesus took our punishment upon himself while we were still His enemies.

5. Eternal Joy

Romans 5:11 NKJV

[11] And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

Joy might not be the most important part of our salvation, but it is the most beautiful.

Jesus was willing to go from riches to rags for our salvation.

2 Corinthians 8:9 NKJV

[9] For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.

Are you a child of God or is your sin still separating you from God?