The Sinner and the Savior

March 8, 2014

Opening Hymns:
399 Take My Life and Let it Be http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh399.sht

Scripture Reading:
Romans 5:12-19
5:12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death came through sin, and so death spread to all because all have sinned-

5:13 sin was indeed in the world before the law, but sin is not reckoned when there is no law.

5:14 Yet death exercised dominion from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sins were not like the transgression of Adam, who is a type of the one who was to come.

5:15 But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died through the one man's trespass, much more surely have the grace of God and the free gift in the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abounded for the many.

5:16 And the free gift is not like the effect of the one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brings justification.

5:17 If, because of the one man's trespass, death exercised dominion through that one, much more surely will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness exercise dominion in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.

5:18 Therefore just as one man's trespass led to condemnation for all, so one man's act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all.

5:19 For just 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.

Message:
The scripture reading for today connects the past two scriptures that we read. It gives of summary of what Adam’s sin brought the world, and what Jesus’ righteousness brought the world in return.

Adam’s sin is like a contagious plague infecting all mankind. He and Eve are thrown out of the garden, and God becomes more distant throughout the rest of the Old Testament. No longer do we hear how God is walking on earth, as he had walked in the garden. He speaks to those who He sees are righteous. He reveals Himself in miraculous wonders, and Moses is even able to see God's back (Exodus 33:22-23)… For most people, however, there is a great separation from God. That is, until Jesus Christ, the Son of God comes to earth to teach, heal, and save us.

Jesus’ sacrifice blots out our transgressions, and cures the disease of sin. We no longer need to feel that separation from God. The little girl in me wonders why we can’t just go back to the Garden of Eve. If Jesus’ obedience makes sinners righteous, then shouldn’t the story be done? Haven’t we reached that happy ending? No, there is still more work to do, and there are still more wounds that need to be healed.

Though we are forgiven, sin is still a part of all of our lives. There are so many heartbreaking things going on in the world. Wars still continue. People continue to starve. Through all the chaos that life can bring we must stand strong, and bring our own light to this broken world. We have lessons of our own to learn, and we also have lessons to teach and share with others. Lessons of love, strength, and forgiveness. We need to act on what Jesus taught us, and share what we’ve learned.

Time of Prayer
Dear Lord, thank You so much for Jesus’ sacrifice, and the forgiveness of our sins. Help us now to share the love that You’ve given us with others, that we may help heal this broken world. Amen

The Lord’s Prayer

Closing Hymn
469 Jesus is all the World to Me http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh469.sht

May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace." Amen.

Go in peace, serve the Lord
Thanks be to God