10/8/23 - Salvation Leads To Exaltation - Romans 5:1-11 - Pastor Jason Fritz

Romans chapter five contains the famous passage commonly referred to as “the chain of salvation.” Imagine Paul linking together five amazing blessings that come into your life as a result of trusting in Jesus. Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1-2 First, we have peace with God. What does it mean to have peace with God? What is the opposite of peace? War. The believer was once an enemy of God and under his wrath. We can be thankful that one of the names of Jesus is, “Prince of Peace.” At the birth announcement of Jesus we read this in Luke 2:14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” People are desperately searching for peace of mind today. Here are some current headlines: From the CDC, May, 2023: "One in four Americans has received mental health treatment in the last four months." Statista, July, 2023: "We now have the highest number of adults seeking mental health help ever recorded at almost 48 million."  Let’s talk about our kids: American Psychological Association, January, 2022: "Children’s Mental Health Is In Crisis." Updated: June, 2023: "Child Psychologists are sounding the alarm bell saying they are overwhelmed  by the number of counseling needs for ages 8-15."  New York Times, May, 2022: "Anxiety is filling our kids." What Paul highlights is what the world needs. We wrestle with what others think of us. Social media can be a platform feeding narcissistic tendencies. We struggle to live in a world filled with uncertainties. There is division caused by the many polarizing viewpoints which lead to family and friendship separation. There is very little civility in this world. Meanwhile Jesus says, “Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.” It’s a beautiful invitation. The peace Jesus brings doesn’t have to do with your feelings, rather it has to do with your relationship.  Here is where your peaceful rest begins... Your greatest problem has already been solved. You were at war with God but you didn’t know it. But Jesus has brought you peace with God. Once you have peace with God then you can be at peace with others even though they might continue to be hostile toward you. Let’s not be naive. When you are no longer at war with God you do take on a couple of new wars. There is a war against your flesh and there is a war against the powers of darkness. God’s Spirit and His Word and His people are the weapons we use to fight against these new enemies.