Sermon Theme
It is not fair when a teacher or employer sets up a student or employee for failure..
Consider a trucking firm that sets an journey time that can’t be met if mandated rest stops are taken or speed limits observed.
It is not fair if a teacher sets an exam for subject matter that has not be adequately covered
It is this subject of unfairness that is left hanging in LD 2 QA. 4, 5
There we learnt about the summary of the Law i.e what God’s law requires of us QA. 5 ➔ Can you live up to all this perfectly?
Answer = No. I have a natural tendency to hate God and my neighbour
d
LD 3 & 4 speak to why God is not unjust as to holding the sinner accountable for sin
Sermon outline
- MAN’S PERFECT BEGINNING
- THE ORIGIN OF MAN’S FALL AND ITS EXTENT
- GOD’S ANSWER A DEMONSTRATION OF ASTOUNDING GRACE
Readings reproduced on this page:
The Holy Bible: New International Version. 1996, 1984. Grand Rapids: Zondervan
Sermon Outline
Readings
Romans 5:12–21 (NIV84)
12Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned—
13for before the law was given, sin was in the world. But sin is not taken into account when there is no law.
14Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who was a pattern of the one to come.
15But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!
16Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification.
17For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.
18Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men.
19For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.
20The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more,
21so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Heidelberg Catechism: Lord’s Day 3, QA 6-8
QA.6 Did God create people so wicked and perverse?
No. God created them good1 and in His own image, that is, in true righteousness and holiness, so that they might truly know God their creator, love Him with all their heart, and live with Him in eternal happiness for His praise and glory.
QA.8 Then where does this corrupt human nature come from?
From the fall and disobedience of our first parents, Adam and Eve, in Paradise.
This fall has so poisoned our nature that we are born sinners__ corrupt from conception on.
QA.9 But are we so corrupt that we are totally unable to do any good and inclined toward all evil?
Yes, unless we are born again, by the Spirit of God.
Text
1 Corinthians 15:20–23 (NIV84)
20But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
21For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man.
22For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.
23But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.
