Text: Romans 5:1-2

1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Introduction:

John Newton wrote the song “Faith’s Review and Expectation” (Amazing Grace).

The New Testament contains 155 references to grace; 130 of them come from the pen of Paul. It defines his teachings.

The grace that transformed Saul a persecutor of Christians into Paul a lover of Christians, the same grace transformed John Newton a ruthless slave trader into a devote child of God.

1.                  Precious Grace – I First Believed

a.       (verse 2 – last part)

How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed 

b.      Woman at the well

John 4:28-29

28 The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men,

29 Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?

c.       David

Psalms 51:12

12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

d.      Blind Man

John 9:25

He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.

e.       Paul

Acts 7:58 (observing)

And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.

Acts 8:1 (consenting)

And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

Acts 8:3 (committing)

As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.

Acts 9:1 (slaughtering – murdering)

And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter (murder) against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

f.       Listen to Paul’s description of himself

Acts 22:4-5

4 And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.

5 As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished.

Acts 26:11

And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.

1 Corinthians 15:9

For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

1 Timothy 1:13-15

13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

g.      Paul’s Confrontation

Acts 9:3

And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:

h.      Paul’s Conviction

Acts 9:4

And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

i.        Paul’s Conversion

Acts 9:5

And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

j.        Paul’s Commitment

Acts 9:6, 18

6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

18 …and arose, and was baptized.

k.      Paul’s new name

Acts 13:9

Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,

Revelation 2:17

17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

2.                  Grace Teaching us

a.       (verse 2 – first part)

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved

Titus 2:11-12a

11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

12 Teaching us …

WE used 12 times in Romans 5:1-11

b.      We Were

Romans 5:6, 8, 10

6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

c.       We have

Romans 5:1-2, 11

5 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

3.                  Closing

Ephesians 2:8-9

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Galatians 2:21

I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.