In this enlightening episode, we delve into the profound truths of Romans 5, emphasizing the severity of sin and the unparalleled solution offered through Christ’s sacrifice. Our exploration reveals how the cross of Christ stands as the ultimate remedy, demonstrating God’s immense love and the singular path to salvation. As Jeff Archie expertly guides us through biblical passages, we uncover the necessity and uniqueness of Christ’s offering and the deep peace it brings.
The text of Romans 5 reads, Still without strength, still sinners. Letting us know how severe sin truly is. But thanks be to God, sin is dealt with. And that is our study today from the International Gospel Hour. Be right back.
SPEAKER 01 :
It’s time for our broadcast from the International Gospel Hour. I’m Jay Webb, and welcome to our study today as we embrace God’s Word to help us meet the challenges of today. Let’s open our Bibles and open our heart for this time of Bible study with our speaker Jeff Archie of International Gospel Hour, a broadcast of the Churches of Christ. Here’s Jeff.
SPEAKER 02 :
Well, thank you always to our J-Web, and greetings to all of you. Great having you with us today, and how thankful we are for you, our listeners. You know, in John 8, verses 31 and 32, Jesus said to those Jews who believed him, If you abide in my word, you are my disciples indeed, and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. So, dear listeners, we are grateful when you join us. You have a desire to pursue and to know the truth that makes men free. We trust that our studies will be of help to you, and we trust that our studies will be of challenge to you to help you in your study of the Word of God and to seek and always pursue the things that be of God. As we begin talking about without strength, or began, if you will, talking about being without strength and still sinners, Let’s look at Romans 5 beginning with verse 6 when Paul says, For when we were still without strength in due time, Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die, yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, and that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more, then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 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. Without Strength Ungodly Still sinners, wrath upon us, enemies. Oh, friends, do you suppose by chance that sin is severe, horrible, just plain bad? Oh, friends, without a doubt. But praise be to God, there is hope. There is an answer to the severity of sin. And that is our study today. And we’ll be back in about 30 seconds for that study.
SPEAKER 01 :
World Video Bible School is at wvbs.org. That’s wvbs.org. You can check out over 2,400 videos on a number of biblical subjects, and you can also enroll in their online school and work at your pace. And friends, it’s absolutely free. That’s wvbs.org. Again, that’s wvbs.org.
SPEAKER 02 :
Friends, sin is so severe that there is only one cross that could bear it and defeat it. You know, in our lesson text of Romans 5, 6-10, one cannot help but to see the death of Christ and the shedding of His blood needed to address the severity of sin. In John 12, 32, Jesus said, And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. He was lifted to lift me and you. And the closer one draws to the cross of Christ… the further one draws away from sin. In 1 Peter 2.24, who his own self bear our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness, by whose stripes you were healed. You see, he removes the sin and removes the source. The countless number of the crosses removed that condemned people. For example, the thieves that were condemned in Matthew 27 and Mark 15 and Luke 23, those were crosses of punishment, but the cross of Christ was priceless. I mean, ask the thief who went from punishment to paradise, from broken legs to the place wherein he could stand. I mean, no other cross… could deal with the severity of sin, only the cross of Christ. Second, sin is so severe that only one offering was worthy enough to get the job done. The demonstration of God in giving Christ. How it is expressed so clearly from our lesson text of Romans 5, 6 through 10. And we look back at the Old Testament and I think about the scapegoat. You know, in Leviticus 16, verse 10. But the goat on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat shall present it alive before the Lord to make an atonement with him and to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness to lay the sins upon that goat and send him away. But oh, how better it was with Christ. For in 1 John 2 and verse 2, He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. You know, there was no other appeasing. There was no other way to redeem. This word, propitiation, is specific in the eyes of the Greeks then. And it really attacked the false doctrine about Christ during this time of the writing of John. How those Gnostic false teachers who said Jesus had not really died. But you see, that word propitiation is a strong word. It’s a declarative word. It declares thoroughly and strong that Christ was the only, the only worthy sacrifice to address the sin of man. You know, Hebrews 10 and verse 4 says, The blood of bulls and goats could not take away sin. Sin is so severe only one offering was worthy. Here’s a third one. You know, friends, sin is so severe that only one death could address it. Now, we’re going to build on what we just mentioned. But only one death could take care of it. You know, transgression is a rebellion against the rulers. There’s no allegiance to the rulers. It goes clearly against God’s commands. and what He commands, but His great love expresses direction and salvation from this type of living, of living in sin. In biblical times, to rebel against authority had strong and deadly consequences. But we note from 1 Peter 3, 18, For Christ also has once suffered for sins, but just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh. but quickened or made alive by the Spirit. And no other one could bring one to Christ after such a life like Christ. You know, I love this thought, how this eliminates someone who is despondent, thinking nothing can be done for their souls. I’ve known of individuals who say, Jeff, I’m too wicked. I’m too bad. I just don’t believe God can forgive me with all that I have done. Friends, we’re putting more trust in our doubts than we’re putting faith into the Savior who can make it happen. Because Christ is the only death that could address the severity of sin. And friends, your sin can be addressed. And we want to help you toward that end. Are you looking at your life thinking, I am seeking and I want to know more? Friends, that’s why we offer our Bible study courses by mail. They’re always available and we want to send one to you. Here is our J-Web with those details.
SPEAKER 01 :
Our long-time free Bible study course by mail is always available. Have you tried it yet? Just call us toll free at 855-444-6988. and leave your name, address, and just say, Home Study. That’s it. You may also go to our website at internationalgospelhour.com, click on the Contact tab, and leave us the same information, name, address, and type Home Study in the message box. Study the Bible at your own pace. Again, it’s free from your friends here at International Gospel Hour.
SPEAKER 02 :
Friends, sin is so severe that only one peace could cease it. Our correction from rebelling against God and the iniquities that enhance the transgression fell exclusively upon the Christ, and without Christ there is no chance to address our sins. Simply put, concerning Christ? How did Paul put it in Ephesians 2 and verse 14? He is our peace. Let’s look at Colossians 1, 20-22. And having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself, By him I say, whether they be things in earth or things in heaven, and you that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death to present you holy and unblameable and unreprovable in his sight. Only one peace could cease it, friends. Peace through the blood of His cross. Yes, friends, the severity of sin is there. It is strong. It is powerful. But thanks be to God for the cross of Christ, for the offering on that Christ, His death, and the peace that was made possible through the blood of His cross. Thus, friends, let us, as Paul said in 2 Corinthians 6, 2, Let us plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says, In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you. Behold, now is the accepted time. Behold, now is the day of salvation. Friends, he’s telling the Corinthians, those who had obeyed the gospel, This is your day, and you can do the things that are needful for you. Friends, sin is so severe, and we want no one to walk in that life of sin, and we should not have to. Please let us help you with your study of your soul and your life. We always offer our free Bible study course by mail. It doesn’t matter to us what church you may attend or even what you might believe. There’s nothing wrong with challenging what we believe when we study the Scripture. When we hear something that, well, wait a minute, that doesn’t sound quite right, let us take the Scripture and search those Scriptures to see whether those things be so. That’s what they did in Acts 17, 10, and 11. It’s a noble approach. It’s fair-minded. It’s the way to do it. And friends, we would love for you to study and to see those things that are needful for your life and make those changes. And here at International Gospel Hour, we want to help you toward that end. So reach out to us once again before we get off the air, 855-444-6988. Let us know how we can be of help to you. We’ll continue our studies together at another time. Thank you for joining me today on the International Gospel Hour. I’m Jeff Archie, and friends, keep listening.
SPEAKER 01 :
Thank you for listening today to God Be the Glory, and we hope that our study today will draw you closer to His Word to walk in His way. Feel free to listen to our other programs at our website at internationalgospelhour.com and join us next time.
