This is the twenty-second in a series of verse-by-verse expositions of the book of Romans. This message was delivered at Hillcrest Baptist Church on the morning of August 25, 2013. This message deals with Christ as our savior, which is motivated by His great love. This post contains an audio recording of my message, along with my sermon notes and a study outline. Please note that the sermon notes are not a full transcript.
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Romans 6-11
v.6:
In our most helpless state, is when the power of God’s love shines the brightest.
When we were weak, is when God displayed His power of salvation.
It didn’t come because we were strong enough to earn it, but because were too weak to attain it.
When we were helpless, God rescued us.
Christ, the hero of our story, came at exactly the right time to rescue us from the clutches and bondage of sin. Not one moment late or early, but in “due” time.
Galatians 4:4
vv.7-8:
Christ demonstrated that His love was superior to man’s love.
Man might die for a righteous or a good man, but definitely not for the despised and rejected.
Keep in mind that in this instance, Paul is not using the terms “righteous” and “good” in their theological sense, in the sense of being justified.
Paul is using these terms as we would use them when we recognize kindness in one another.
Christ’s love is superior, because He died for the sinner.
He died for those who had rejected Him. Jesus demonstrated perfect love.
Behind the death of Christ for sinners is the love of God: God loved; Christ died.
John 15:12-13
Christ was motivated by a love for the lost.
God sent Jesus Christ to die for us, not because we were good enough, but just because he loved us.
Whenever you feel uncertain about God’s love for you, remember that he loved you even before you turned to him.
v.9:
Justification means more than just forgiveness. It carries the benefit of escaping God’s wrath.
This verse is a good evidence in favor of the pre-tribulation rapture.
Those who are born again believers will never have to experience the fulness of God’s wrath.
They will be removed from this earth before that happens.
Nor will we have to endure hell.
Christ bore the full fury of God’s wrath in the believing sinner’s place, and there is none left for him. Christ took it all.
Romans 8:1
1 Thessalonians 1:10
1 Thessalonians 5:9
v.10:
The importance of the resurrection cannot be overstated.
Jesus’ death brought forgiveness, and His resurrection brought eternal life, and demonstrates His power to keep us.
It is, in fact, His present life in which He intercedes on our behalf.
Hebrews 7:25
v.11:
God is holy, and he will not be associated with sin. All people are sinful and so they are separated from God.
In addition, all sin deserves punishment. Instead of punishing us with the death we deserve, however, Christ took our sins upon himself and took our punishment by dying on the cross.
Now we can rejoice in God.
Through faith in Christ’s work, we become close to God (friends) rather than being enemies and outcasts.
The fact that we have received atonement through Christ is the source of greatest joy.
The benefits of salvation should bring joy to any Christian, even in the toughest situations.
In Defense: The Blog 
Posted on August 31, 2013
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