Uncommon Grace for the Common Man
Uncommon Grace for the Common Man
Romans 3:21-26 (NIV)
21 But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement,a through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26 he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.
I. Introduction: It seems God has always had a great interest in the common man. King David in the Old Testament was a shepherd boy before he became king over Israel. He had the testimony that he was a man after God’s own heart. Gods heart was matched with that of a shepherd. A common man. In God’s great plan of redemption, lowly Shepherds were told of the birth of the Christ child, born in a stable of all places. When choosing a woman who would conceive and give birth to the Son of God, there were many noble women that he could have chosen, but God chose a young maiden with no glorious title, an unknown, engaged to wed a carpenter. God identifies with common people.
Jesus himself was a carpenter’s son. He surrounded Himself, not with royalty and the socially elite, but with smelly fishermen, despised tax collectors, and common citizens. He came to touch the lives of prostitutes, lepers, and outcasts. As the lamb of God, He did not turn away the black sheep. There was no man that was beneath his love and care. His death was not a private affair reserved for a select few, but he suffered death for all mankind hanging between two common criminals.
Jesus came to the common man to answer two problems that all men have in common. Sin and death. He died to pay for our sins. By faith in Him we can have a new life. He was raised from the dead so that we who were cursed by death could share eternal life with Him. The common man shares a common problem. All have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God. Jesus came to common people to offer uncommon grace. This grace makes the sinner righteous, and delivers life to the dead.
II. Death Is Common To All Men Because Of Sin.
A. Death Deserved Because Of Sin
B. Heaven Missed Because Of Sin
III. Grace Is Extended To All Men On The Basis Of Faith.
A. A Great Sacrifice
B. A Great Salvation
Conclusion: Just as Jesus came to the common man in Palestine, so He comes to the common man in Pennsylvania. He is no stranger to the farmer, mechanic, truck driver, or steel worker. He walks with the construction worker in high places, and in the depths of the earth with those who mine coal. He comes as the one who truly knows us, and truly cares about us. He offers himself as an answer to sin and death for all who believe. He seeks to share His life with the common man. We all have death in common. He offers uncommon grace so that we can overcome sin and death.
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a 25Or as the one who would turn aside his wrath, taking away sin