A Complete Salvation in God

[0:00] We turn now to our Bible reading in the book of Romans. This is our last visit to Romans chapter 5, as Willie concludes his series looking at verses 1 to 11 of chapter 5 of Romans.

[0:15] You can find it in the blue church Bibles on page 942, and I'll be reading verses 1 to 11 of chapter 5. But before we read chapter 5, I'm going to read a couple of verses from Romans chapter 3.

[0:31] I'll read from Romans 3 verse 20, and then we'll jump into Romans chapter 5. So let's turn now to God's words. For by works of the law, no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

[0:54] But now, the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the law and the prophets bear witness to it. The righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe.

[1:12] And now flick on to chapter 5. Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

[1:25] 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.

[1:35] For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.

[2:10] For one will scarcely die for a righteous person. Though perhaps for a good person, one would dare even to die. But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

[2:26] Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.

[2:36] For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.

[2:50] More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

[3:01] May God bless to us the reading of his words. Well, let's turn, shall we, in our Bibles to Romans chapter 5.

[3:20] And these great fruits of a great Savior's grace. This is the last in our short series here in these verses, where we've been looking at the fruits of the grace of God to us in Jesus.

[3:37] The wonderful guarantees that belong to every true believer in Christ. Just because our righteousness before God, our justification before God, as verse 1 says, is by faith.

[3:54] That is, by faith alone, as the gift of God's grace to us. In other words, it's a sovereign work of God for us and in us.

[4:07] And it's not in any way at all due to our human works or our worthiness or even our worship being right. All human religion, we've said many times, is seeking for a stairway from earth to heaven.

[4:24] Just as the old rock song sang. Seeking right worship of God or of the gods, which in the end will win us a path to heaven. But the Christian gospel turns that absolutely upside down.

[4:40] It tells us that God himself has already made a stairway from heaven to earth. What do we sing at Christmas in the carol? He came down from heaven to earth.

[4:52] And through his atoning death himself for our sins, he has already won for us a path to life. A path to heaven's glory. Not because of our right worship, but it's only because of that that we can worship God rightly at all in the first place.

[5:10] So yes, in one sense, it's true to say all religions are the same, as people sometimes say. Just different versions of the same thing. People seeking a pathway to God, winning their way to heaven.

[5:22] But what many, many people have never understood, because they've never been told properly. Perhaps even though they have gone to church for much of their lives, find only muddle and confusion and tedium.

[5:37] What they've never grasped is that true Christian faith is in total contrast to all human religion. It's totally different.

[5:48] It's all about faith. Not faith in terms of believing some make-believe ideas. Believing in things that we hope were true, but aren't really true. Not at all.

[5:59] But faith in the Bible's use of that word, which means solid trust. Trust in what God has himself already done for our salvation.

[6:10] And therefore trust in something that can and indeed has been guaranteed to us. Something sure and certain for everyone who trusts in it and everyone who acts upon it.

[6:24] When I pay for something in a shop, I hand over my credit card. And the shop hands over the item to me. And what I'm doing in doing that is guaranteeing that the shop will be paid.

[6:36] Another person up there might take one look at me and say, well, he doesn't look at all as though he's good for that amount of cash. Happened to me once in a very embarrassing way. I was buying a piece of jewelry for my wife.

[6:47] I only do it so rarely. But the credit card company put a stop on it and the chap had to ring up and there was all kinds of kerfuffle. You obviously didn't think that this was a normal behavior for my card at all.

[7:02] Because it wasn't. But as long as they ascertain that it is my card, then it doesn't matter.

[7:13] Even if I'm bust. That's not the shop's problem. The payment is guaranteed. So it can believe the guarantee and it can act on it.

[7:24] Not because of any trust in me, but because trust is in the Visa logo on that card. And the whole might of Visa International, with all its funds, stands behind that transaction.

[7:36] Well, it's God's guarantee. The guarantee of the sovereign creator and Lord of the universe that stands guarantor for our salvation.

[7:49] Because he has already accomplished it in Jesus Christ, his son. Because the price has already been paid. And that means that all of these wonderful fruits of salvation are guaranteed to us.

[8:04] Just because it is. All by his grace. All by his mercy. Not at all by our performance, by our cooperation, or anything else at all.

[8:15] Let's just remind ourselves then of these fruits of our Savior's grace that we've seen in this chapter are guaranteed to us. First, we have a certain status with God.

[8:25] Our personal righteousness is guaranteed. Because we're righteous through our great Savior alone, by grace. Not by our religious performance or pedigree. Verse 1.

[8:36] We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Not because we've made peace with God and reconciled ourselves to him. Verse 11.

[8:47] No. Through our Lord Jesus alone we have received reconciliation. And so we stand justified. Right with God. A certain status of acceptance with God.

[9:00] Once and for all and forever. And that means, Paul says, that we have also continuous access to God. We have a continuing standing with God. Verse 2. Our personal relationship with God is guaranteed.

[9:14] Again, because we're reconciled by a great Savior alone. By his grace. By his faithfulness in relating to us. Not by our faithfulness. Not even by our fruitfulness.

[9:26] And that means nothing can stop our access to God in fellowship and in prayer. Through him we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we stand.

[9:37] Always, forever. In the peace of God our Father. And Paul says we have a wonderful ongoing assurance that is guaranteed. We looked at this last time.

[9:48] And we have the confirming Spirit of God. Our personal rescue by God is guaranteed. Because we're rescued by God's Spirit alone. Poured into our hearts.

[10:02] Not because we were worthy. Not because we cooperated. Tells us that it was when we were helpless. When we were ungodly. When we were enemies. He showed us that God's love is real.

[10:16] By leading us to the cross. To grasp that Christ died there for us. For me. Even for me. And we have the assurance also of the Holy Spirit as our conforming Spirit.

[10:31] Shaping us by grace for glory. Our personal renewal into the likeness of Christ is guaranteed. Because we're being renewed by the Spirit of our great Savior alone.

[10:44] By grace. Not by our piety. Not by our performance. That means we can rejoice. Even in sufferings. Paul says. Because he's shaping us in love.

[10:56] To conform us into the image of his Son. And we have all this already. Says Paul. Since we have been justified by faith.

[11:08] And yet there's more. And indeed verses 9 and 10 of Romans chapter 5. Shows us that Paul is clear. That the best is yet to be.

[11:19] The very best guarantee of God's grace to us. Is about something that still lies in the future. Not only do we stand already in God's grace now.

[11:29] In the peace of God the Father. Not only are we being shaped. Even now by God's grace. For glory. By the presence of God the Holy Spirit. But we shall certainly.

[11:40] Says Paul. Share in the glory to come. In the perfection of God the Son. Yes. Says Paul. We've made a great entrance already.

[11:51] We stand in grace. And yes. We have a great encouragement now. In the Holy Spirit. We're being shaped by God's grace. But we still have an even greater expectation.

[12:05] To share in God's glory forever. In the likeness of his Son. Our great expectation. Says Paul.

[12:16] Is for a full salvation. Not yet our possession. But our complete salvation. Is nevertheless guaranteed.

[12:26] Because. You guessed it. It's all the fruit of our great Savior's grace. Because it's all from Christ alone. It is certain.

[12:36] But I want you to see. That the essential thrust. Of this whole passage. We've been studying. This whole wonderful paragraph. Is. About the certainty.

[12:46] Of our future hope. Look at verse 2. We rejoice. In the hope. Of the glory of God. What is that glory? Well.

[12:57] It's the permanent. Complete salvation. God has promised. The fullness. Of eternal life. Which still lies. In the future. That's what God's promise. Has been about.

[13:07] From the very. Very beginning. Of the story of the Bible. Nothing less. An eternal life. In a world. Without end. A renewed world. A glorious world.

[13:20] That's what God promised Abraham. Look back up. Just to chapter 4. Verse 13. Of Romans. It's very plain. God promised. Abraham. And his seed. That he. Notice he.

[13:31] Not just his descendants. That he. Would be heir. Of. The world. Literally. The cosmos. The entire created order. The universe. That's what Abraham.

[13:43] Hoped for. That's what Abraham. Looked for. With certainty. Not just an earthly. Promised land. Not at all. Hebrews 11. Is absolutely. Plain about that.

[13:54] Abraham hoped. For. A better country. That is. A heavenly one. Along with all the great. Saints of old. We're told. He reckoned. That God could raise the dead. So he knew.

[14:06] That although he was. A stranger. An alien. Here on earth. He knew. That God would be true. To his promise. He knew. That God would bring him. At last. To an everlasting city.

[14:18] To a city built. By God himself. That would never. Ever. Decay or fade. That's what Abraham. Longed for. And hoped for. And so do we. Says Paul. Otherwise.

[14:30] If. If this world. Is as good as it gets. Well frankly. Our salvation. Would hardly be worth it. I suppose you could say.

[14:42] Well yes it is. Being a Christian. Is wonderful. It's so good. It's so fulfilling. It's such a blessing. That even if we're wrong. Even if we're wrong. And it is just for this life.

[14:53] It's still worth it. I'm still glad. I'm a Christian. He's on those here Christians. Say things like that. And maybe there's something in that. Being a Christian is wonderful.

[15:04] But you see. That is not what the Bible says. Paul says the very opposite. In 1 Corinthians chapter 15. He says. If we're wrong about the resurrection of the dead. Then we are a totally. Pitiable bunch.

[15:16] We're to be pitied more than anyone. He says. One of my favorite films. Is that film. As good as it gets. With Jack Nicholson. Who plays a character.

[15:27] With all sorts of psychological hangups. And there's that wonderful scene. Those of you who have seen the movie. Know. When he's in the middle of the. Psychiatrist waiting room. And he comes out. And throws his hands up. And just looks around. At all these other needy people like him.

[15:38] And says. What if this is as good as it gets? And you see. Sometimes I think that. As Christians. In our heart of hearts.

[15:50] We can start to think like that. Our expectation of the gospel. Shrinks. Becomes. Just. Some kind of personal tonic.

[16:02] Some kind of crutch. To help us. Through this life. This life alone. Becomes the horizon. Of our Christian faith. No. No.

[16:12] No. Says the apostle Paul. This is not. As good as it gets. Not at all. Not ever. Indeed. Paul says. What we have already.

[16:24] All these wonderful fruits of God's grace. As justified believers. Filled with the Holy Spirit. With access to God. Rejoicing in God. None of this. Is even yet.

[16:36] Salvation. At all. According to Paul. It's not how the New Testament. Understands our salvation. We need to grasp this. It's so.

[16:46] So important. I wonder if I. Asked you all to put your hands up. And said. Hands up. All of you here tonight. Who have already been saved. As Christians. I wonder. How many hands would go up.

[16:57] Don't put your hands up. I suspect. A lot would go up. But listen. According to Paul here. In Romans chapter 5. In fact. According to Paul. And the other New Testament writers.

[17:07] In many places. None of us. Christians. Believers. Here tonight. None of us. Have been saved. Not yet. Look at verse 9.

[17:19] If you don't believe me. We have been. Now. Justified by his blood. Past tense. That's true. By the way. Look at the language. Verse 1.

[17:30] Tells us that we're justified by faith. But what that means. Of course. Is that we have received. By faith. The justification. That comes. Only by the propitiation. Of God's wrath.

[17:42] By the blood. Of Jesus. We are justified. By his blood. Romans 3. 25. So we've been justified. By the blood of his cross.

[17:53] Says verse 9. And therefore. We can be assured. Look. That we shall be saved. By him. From the wrath of God.

[18:05] That is saved from the judgment. That is still to come. And verse 10. That we shall be saved. In. It should be in.

[18:15] Not by. In his life. That is in the risen. Everlasting life. Of Jesus Christ. Our Lord. But that is still in the future. Is it not? See.

[18:26] He's talking about. The great day of wrath. The day of judgment. The wrath to come. But now. What he's saying to us. Is that the thought of that day. Doesn't terrify us. No.

[18:36] Verse 2. It makes us rejoice. Makes us celebrate. Confidently. Because. We hope for glory. Not for wrath. On that day. You hope for glory.

[18:50] Is that all? You hope. It will turn out glorious. On that terrible day. What's so special about that? Surely everybody hopes that. I'll do my best.

[19:01] And I hope that God will accept me. In the end. Isn't that what all religions. Say and teach. Oh yes. That is. What all mere religion says.

[19:14] Sadly. It's what a lot of so-called. Christianity. But very. Very confused. Christianity says. But listen. Our hope. Is not.

[19:25] That kind of hope. At all. At all. Christian hope. Is quite. Quite different. It's a certain hope. It's a guaranteed.

[19:36] Certainty. Because it is. All. From our Savior's grace. It's an expectation. That is sure. That is certain. Verse 5 says.

[19:47] Will never. Put us to shame. It will never. Prove us wrong. To have believed it. See. If I say to you. I hope. That Scotland. Will win.

[19:57] The next match. At Murrayfield. You see. That is the opposite. Of biblical hope. That is a hope. That nearly always. Puts to shame. You know it.

[20:07] And I know it. We've experienced it. Many times. Which is why yesterday. Was such a wonderful bonus. Wasn't it? In Rome. When do we ever win a game. With a drop kick. In the last minute. Of the game. It's extraordinary. That is not biblical hope.

[20:20] Though. Do you see what I mean? But if I say. I am really tired. This week. I'm exhausted. And I'm just clinging on. In hope. For Friday night.

[20:32] And a chance to relax. And put my feet up. You see. That is quite different. Isn't it? Because Friday night. Will certainly come. Friday night. Has always come. In the past. And until the world end.

[20:44] Friday night. Will always come. In the future. Even though. On Monday morning. It often seems. As though it never will. Isn't that right? That. Is biblical hope.

[20:56] It's a coming. Sure. And certain. Of the day. That will. Vindicate us. As having been. Absolutely. Right. To wait.

[21:07] For a sure. And certain. Fulfillment. Of God's promise. That is hope. Hope. And our hope. Is for a complete. Salvation. For a permanent. Salvation. Which means.

[21:18] Not the wrath of God. And eternal death. Excluded from God. But rather. Says Paul. Being saved. In his life. A life. That is the life.

[21:28] Of God's son. That we shall one day. Share in his risen life. Forever. Forever. In Romans 1 verse 4. We're told that Jesus.

[21:39] Was declared. That he was appointed. To be the son of God. In power. By his resurrection. From the dead. That is. He was declared. To be the true. Heavenly man.

[21:50] At last. The man that God. Destined man to be. From the very beginning. Adam was created. Wasn't he? To be God's son. That's why the genealogy. In Luke chapter 3.

[22:00] Goes all the way back. To Adam. The son of God. But of course. Adam rebelled. He became weak. He became ungodly. He became a sinner.

[22:10] He became an enemy of God. Verse 12 here. Tells us that. Through him. And through his sin. Death came into the world.

[22:23] But the end of verse 14. Tells us that Adam. Was a type. He was a foreshadowing. Of. The one who was to come. The Lord Jesus. A second man. The last Adam.

[22:33] As Paul calls him in Corinthians. The life giver. Not the life destroyer. He says there. For since by a man came death. By man. Has also come.

[22:44] The resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam. All die. So also in Christ. Shall all. Be made alive. That is all who believe in him. Look at the last verse.

[22:56] Of Romans chapter 4. Before the beginning. Of our passage. He. Jesus. Was raised. For our justification. And that's why Paul says here.

[23:07] In verse 10. At last. We shall be saved. In his life. We shall share in his life. In a resurrection life. That will be eternal.

[23:18] Everlasting. Salvation is all about life. Life eternal. That is still to come. But is guaranteed. Through the gift of God's grace.

[23:30] To us in Christ. Look down to chapter 6. Verse 23. For the wages of sin. That is the payment. That we deserve.

[23:40] From the old master of our life. The power of sin. The wages of sin. Is death. Eternal death. Exclusion from God. But. But. The free gift of God.

[23:52] The gift of his grace alone. Is eternal life. In Christ Jesus our Lord. We shall be saved. In his life. Life that will never end.

[24:05] That is our. Great expectation. That is our full salvation. Nothing less. It is not yet our possession. Paul says later.

[24:17] In Romans 13. Our salvation is nearer today. Than it was when we first believed. Every day. Our complete salvation. Is drawing nearer.

[24:30] That means doesn't it. That the passing calendar. For the Christian. Doesn't. Or shouldn't strike dread. Into our hearts. It should strike joy. Because. Even growing bodily decay.

[24:44] Is just a passing phase. It's a painful phase. But it's passing. But we're going to share. In the glory to come. Share in a bodily perfection.

[24:56] With the Lord Jesus Christ. Every day. We're drawing nearer. And nearer. To that permanent home. Paul says to the Philippians. That our citizenship is in heaven.

[25:07] And from it. He says. We await a savior. The Lord Jesus. Who will transform. Our lowly bodies. To be like his glorious body. By the power. That enables him. To subject.

[25:18] All things to himself. See when at last. He comes in glory. We shall be saved. In his life. That's.

[25:30] Our hope in Jesus. But can we be really sure of that? That's a very important question. Isn't it? Especially if you are conscious of getting older.

[25:44] And frailer. When you look in the mirror. And you find yourself singing that verse of the hymn. Earth's joys grow dim. Its glories pass away. Change and decay.

[25:54] All around I see. Depressing isn't it? When you look in the mirror. And you realize. You look so much better. With your clothes on. Than with your clothes off. And you thank God.

[26:05] For clothes. Which cover a multitude of skin. But. But seriously. It's not easy.

[26:15] Is it? It's not easy. To face. Failing health. It's not easy. To know that you are. Drawing nearer to death. It's not easy.

[26:27] To face death. With a steady eye. Either yourself. Or for loved ones. Death is an enemy. It's a great enemy. It's the last enemy.

[26:39] The Bible calls it. And fear of death. Is a power. That the devil uses. To enslave. And torment. Human beings. And when death starts.

[26:51] Shatter is encroaching. On your life. Perhaps in the form. Of a recent diagnosis. Or. Maybe an established illness. That you know is terminal. For us. Or for a loved one of ours.

[27:03] It's very. Very hard. And we find ourselves asking. Can we be sure. Of this hope. Can we be sure. Of this full salvation.

[27:14] And his risen life. In this everlasting life. Well friends. The message of the Christian gospel. Is an emphatic. Yes.

[27:25] Yes we can. Emphatically. Certainly. And unquestionably. As sure. As it's true. That already we stand in grace.

[27:36] In fact. Paul says here. More sure. Do you see that? Twice. Verse 9. If we have been justified. By his blood. Much more. Shall we be saved.

[27:48] From him. From the wrath of God. By him. Much more. Verse 10. If for we were enemies. We were reconciled. By the death of his son. Much more.

[27:59] Shall we be saved. In his life. Do you see? God has already done. The extraordinary thing. He's already done. The apparently. Impossible thing. The unthinkable thing.

[28:11] He has sent his son. To die. Says Paul. For whom? Verse 6. For the weak. Who couldn't cooperate with him. For the ungodly. Who wouldn't cooperate with him. Verse 7.

[28:22] For sinners. Who deserve nothing. Verse 10. For enemies. Who opposed. And fought against. God's offer of mercy. He has done.

[28:34] All of that. Already. Already. So how then. Can he possibly fail. To bring his friends. Those. Who he is now at peace with. Reconciled with.

[28:45] Rejoicing with. Who being renewed. By his own spirit. Within. How can he possibly fail. To bring them. To his full salvation. His complete salvation.

[28:55] Of life. How can his power. Which has. Overcome all the sin. And rebellion. And evil. How shall it. Possibly fail. To bring to completion.

[29:06] That which he has. Already guaranteed. In the death of his son. Of course. It can't fail. But in fact.

[29:18] It's not just. His power. And his love. That will do this. Paul. Is clear. That his justice. Demands it. Because his.

[29:28] Wrath. His judgment on sin. Has already fallen. On our sin. In the person of Jesus. In the person of the Passover lamb. And therefore. That wrath. Cannot ever. Come to threaten. Us again.

[29:42] Jesus has paid it all. Completely. Fully. Forever. That's why John. In his letter. Says that. The blood of Jesus.

[29:53] Cleanses us. From all sin. And that God. Is faithful. And just. To forgive. Our sins. He must. He must. Save us. For life. On the day of his wrath.

[30:04] And judgment. His justice. Demands. That that sin. Cannot be. Punished. Ever again. For us. It is a blasphemy. Against the cross. Of Jesus Christ.

[30:16] His beloved son. And so. Because. We are forgiven already. Much more. Can we be sure.

[30:26] That we will be saved. By his life. That's our full salvation. That's our certain hope. Full salvation. Full salvation. Raised in Christ. To life divine.

[30:38] Care and doubting. Gloom and sorrow. Fear and shame. Shall reign no more. Faith knows not. Of dark tomorrow. For my savior. Goes before. Full salvation.

[30:49] Full salvation. Full and free. Forevermore. We shall be saved. Fully saved. That last forever. In his life. The streams.

[31:02] On earth. I've tasted. We sang. More deep. I'll drink above. There to an ocean. Fullness. His mercy will expand. With glory. Dwelling.

[31:13] In Emmanuel's land. We've tasted so much. Of God's grace already. But there is more. So much more. That is still to come.

[31:23] Much more. Now that we are reconciled. Shall we be saved. In his life. Just turn with me.

[31:36] As we draw to a close. To chapter 8. Once again. Where. We see so clearly. What this full salvation. That we still long for. That we hope for. With great certainty. What it really is.

[31:47] Life. In all its fullness. Let's look at Romans 8. Verse 11. If the spirit of him. Who raised Jesus. From the dead. Dwells in you. He who raised.

[31:59] Christ Jesus. From the dead. Will also give life. To your mortal bodies. Through his spirit. Who dwells in you. You see. That is nothing less. Than full salvation.

[32:10] Life to our mortal bodies. Just like Jesus body. Look at verse 18. For I consider the sufferings. Of the present time. Are not worth comparing.

[32:21] With the glory. That is to be revealed. In us. For the creation. Waits with eager longing. For the revealing. Of the sons. Of God. A glorious bodily life.

[32:32] For the sons of God. In a wonderful. Remade world. When we are revealed. To be. Like Jesus. Sons of God. In power. By our resurrection.

[32:43] Human beings. Made new. That's. Complete salvation. Nothing less. Just as we have born. The image of the man of earth.

[32:54] Says Paul. So also. We shall bear the image. Of a man of heaven. Only then. Is our salvation complete. Not floating around.

[33:04] As disembodied spirits. In the air. Playing harps. Or any foolish nonsense. Like that. Isn't that ridiculous? That's what some people. Seem to think. Christians mean. When we talk about heaven.

[33:15] And glory. It's not even right. Is it? To say that our goal. Is that we should at last. Reach heaven. What the Bible says. Is when the glory of Christ. Is revealed.

[33:25] The whole of the new creation. Heaven. Will come to earth. And this whole world. World will be transformed. It's not heaven. That's the shadow lands. It's this fallen world.

[33:36] That is the shadow lands. As C.S. Lewis. So memorably put it. It's this world. It's in bondage. Under the curse of sin. But not forever. Look at verse 20. For the creation.

[33:49] Was subjected to futility. Not willingly. But because of him who subjected it. In hope. That the creation itself. Will be set free. From its bondage to decay.

[34:00] And obtain the freedom. Of the glory. Of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation. Has been groaning together. In the pains of childbirth. Until now.

[34:11] That's our hope. The hope of a whole creation renewed. No more groaning world. An end at last. To all the pain.

[34:21] All the suffering. In this creation. No more devastating earthquakes. And tsunamis. And things. No more deadly illnesses. And disease. No more strokes.

[34:32] No more cancer. No more terrible dementia. And all of these things. That blight our lives. No more decay. No more danger.

[34:43] No more groaning world. Because verse 23. Do you see? No more groaning bodies. Of human sin. Not only the creation. But we ourselves.

[34:55] Who have the first fruits of the spirit. Grown inwardly. As we wait. Eagerly. For the adoption of sons. The redemption of our bodies. New bodies.

[35:06] Bodies. Everlasting bodies. An end at last. To all. Human sin. And all the sickness. All the sorrow. All the suffering.

[35:16] That is a result of our human sin. Will be delivered at last. From these bodies of death. These bodies that make us so wretched.

[35:27] Because they drag us down. Because our sinful nature. Drags us down. Even though we are reconciled to God. Even though we are being renewed. We still groan. Says Paul. We groan.

[35:40] Because we haven't yet got. Our full salvation. Our resurrection bodies. Don't you find yourself groaning. As a Christian. Because of the struggles of life.

[35:53] In a world so full of suffering. Because of the struggles of sin. In a body that is so full of sin. And still so tempted to sin. Don't you long for that day.

[36:05] The end. The end of tears. Of grief and loss. The end of a pain. Of illness. Weakness.

[36:15] The end of the shame. The end of the shame. That you feel in your heart. Because of your own sin. Your own failures. We long. For that. Don't we?

[36:28] And Paul says. That day. That day. Is coming. Because we believe. In the forgiveness of sins. That has already. Brought us peace with God.

[36:40] Then much more. We can believe. In the resurrection of the body. And the life everlasting. I can never recite the apostles creed.

[36:51] Without a thrill in my heart. A sense in my chest. When we come to that great crescendo. In the end of the creed. I believe in the Holy Ghost. In the Holy Catholic Church.

[37:02] In the communion of saints. In the forgiveness of sins. In the resurrection of the body. And the life everlasting. We will have a complete.

[37:13] Salvation. A real salvation. Not yet. But it's sure. It's certain. It's guaranteed.

[37:27] Because it's not in any part our doing. But it's all. The fruit of our great Savior's grace. C.S. Lewis put it this way once.

[37:38] In a letter to someone. Think of yourself. He says. Just as a seed. Patiently wintering in the earth. Waiting to come up. A flower in the garden. As good time.

[37:48] Up into the real world. A real waking. I suppose that our whole present life. Look back on from there. Will seem only a drowsy. Half waking.

[37:59] We are here. In the land of dreams. But cock crow. Is coming. It's nearer now. Than when I began this letter. That's right.

[38:10] Says Paul. That's right. We await. Eagerly. And yet still with groaning. The full salvation. The redemption of these.

[38:22] Our bodies. But our salvation. He says. Is nearer now. Than when we first believed. The guaranteed fruit.

[38:33] Of our great Savior's grace. Since we have now been justified. By his blood. Much more. Shall we be saved by him.

[38:44] From the wrath of God. Since we are now reconciled. Much more. Shall we be saved. In his life. Hallelujah.

[38:56] Amen. Let's pray. Heavenly Father. How we rejoice. In the greatness. The grandeur. The wonder.

[39:08] Of your great salvation. Secured for us. In history forever. The cross of our great Savior. And now our sure.

[39:20] And certain hope. Come Lord Jesus. Come we pray. For his glory.

[39:31] And for ours. Amen.