Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our  Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into grace herein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.                                                                                                              Romans 5:1-2

Last week I preached why we have a Christ to worship.  By one man's sin, sin entered into the world.  Thus, sin became a problem.

This week I want to preach the message on God's plan to deal with sin.  Let me tell you this -- God loves you.  He loves us all!  I will show you through Scripture how much God loves us.  We need to be loved.  We try to plug into different things that fill a missing void in our hearts; but the truth is that the only things that fits that void is the love of God.  Because we are sinners we need a Savior.  Sin broke fellowship with God.  That is what sin does; it breaks our fellowship with God.  However, I have good news for you

There is a steep penalty for sin.  Death!

It is God's plan through Jesus Christ that we are reconciled back from sin -- by which we also have access to grace.  It is by grace that we are allowed back to where we belong.  Grace is not about anything that we have done; it is about what Jesus has done for us.  That is why I celebrate Christmas.  It's not about the packages under the tree.  Although, I am not knocking presents.  You continue to buy presents for your family but just remember -- the season is still all about Jesus.  Sin broke fellowship with man from God, but Jesus is the bridge back.

Romans 5:6:  For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.  "Without strength" means we were unrecognized to God.  "Without strength" means that we were unable to have the gift of eternal life.  "Without strength" means we were unfit for heaven.  In due time Christ died for the ungodly.  In due time Christ died for ME!  When I need help the most, help arrives on the scene.  When you need Him the most, He is there.  I need something more than 911 can give me.  I need what God can and does give me.

What is God's plan?  He took my penalty and put it upon Jesus Christ -- Jesus, who knew no sin!  Instead of JR Fields paying my debt, Jesus said, "I'll do it; I'll die for you."

I have good news for you this morning.  Jesus is not a baby lying in a manger.  He is not walking the streets of Bethlehem.  He is on the right hand of God the Father making intercession for you and me.

Romans 5:8: But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, when we were sinners, Christ died for us.  When no one else loves you, God does.  Others may  offend us.  We say, "I don't love that person anymore because they offended me."  I wonder how many times we have offended God.

Romans 5:9:  Being justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.  Sin requires a payment, death.  Because of what He did on the cross I am saved from that wrath.  The problem is sin; the plan is grace.  Does the Christmas story begin to make sense?  Jesus didn't come because He felt like it.  He came for a purpose.  There were not enough devils in Hell to keep Him from the grave and one day He will step out on a cloud and take His chosen people home.  Jesus said, "For whosoever shall call upon my name shall be saved."  Who is "whosoever"? Everyone!! No person is exempt.

Brother JR Fields........December 10, 2006.

Sermon edited by Mary King

To read excerpts from other sermons, click on this link to the
Archived Sermons Page