THE WONDER OF IT ALL
November 4, 2001 AM
Sermon Outline
Rom 5:6-11
INTRO: A book I am reading has some challenging thoughts. In a section which makes some comments about preaching the author comments that preaching needs to occasionally bring us back to joy and wonder of what God has done. If we neglect or forget the amazing acts of God on our behalf , we have eviscerated the faith. Religion becomes rite. Certainly, there is a valid place for the entire spectrum of Bible preaching. But (and I confess inadequacy here) we do need frequent reminders for why we should find joy and wonder in the faith. For example ...
I. THE WONDER OF GODS LOVE
A. 1 Jno 4:19 Here is the great truth in a nutshell
1. ... He first loved us
2. I am awed by the fact that the eternal, almighty God would find anything about mortal man to love!
3. the fact is that He did ... and manifested it
B. Rom 5:8 God loved in spite of our being unlovable
1. God did not stop loving because of mans rebellions
2. He went right on with His plan rooted in love (true, there must be a loving response, etc.)
3. our way is this: if you love me, Ill love you! maybe thats why there is wonder in His love
II. THE WONDER OF THE CROSS
A. Jno 3:16 The golden text of the Bible?
1. He first love us ... and gave His Son as sacrifice
2. there were no options if Holy God was to reconcile unholy man to Himself
3. 1 Jno 2:21-24 only sinless Son could atone
B. Rom 5:10,11 ... reconciled ... by the death of His Son ...
1. now, remember, God took the initiative
2. people were not clamoring for a Savior ... and most obviously rejected Him
3. the cross is a wonder in view of such ingratitude
III. THE WONDER OF GODS FORGIVENESS
A. Rom 3:23-26 through the forbearance of God
1. Ive so often read these wonderful verses
2. but Ive not given enough attention to this little explanatory note!
3. sin should call for swift punishment ... but God (wonder of wonders) sought to forgive
B. Think of Mt 18:21,22
1. does this not help us to appreciate and see the wonder of Gods forgiveness?
2. listen to the wonder: 1 Tim 1:12-17!!!
3. or Heb 10:17 forgiven: forgotten
IV. THE WONDER OF GODS REVELATION
A. Jno 1:1-3,14 Deity mingling with humanity
1. and we beheld His glory
2. 1 Jno 1:1-3 revealed and declared
3. only Christianity has this great blessing - the so-called world religions (pagan, or not) call upon their deities which have not revealed themselves!
B. 1 Pet 1:3,4 ...exceeding great and precious promises ...
1. the written, preserved revelation of God is unparalleled!
2. everything we need for life and godliness God has graciously given us
3. to search seriously for guidance, help in scripture, one cannot help but wonder ... and rejoice
V. THE WONDER OF GODS FATHERHOOD
A.1 Jno 3:1 What manner of love, indeed!
B. To Be owned as Gods child ...
1. is just about more than can take in
2. yet, that is exactly what He chooses to do
3. Rom 8:15-17 here is reason for wonder, awe
CLOSE: If, in these grand initiatives of God, we cannot find wonder and joy, we are sadly deficient in our own relationship to Him. And you can, this morning, begin your spiritual journey of joy by being baptized into Christ.
Cecil A. Hutson
04 November 2001