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Year C Trinity Sunday : Romans 5:1-5

5 1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

One of my favourite places is St James' Hill, Norwich.  From it you can have a panoramic view of Norwich City and see the Cathedral, Castle, St Peter Mancoft Church, The City Hall, The Forum market and Carrow Road, home of Norwich City F.C.  If you turn 180 degrees, you have a wonderful view of the old Britannia Barracks, which is now a Prison!

If you could be anywhere you wanted, right now, where would you want to be? Ask people.

The best place we can always be is standing in the grace of God, Romans 5.2.  There is no better place to stand.  

Nowhere else is so secure, because it relies upon the one who is faithful, true, just and powerful. God.

Nowhere else has so much love, Romans 5.5 "God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."  

Nowhere else has such peace.  Verse 1, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Not just an absence of war, but positive friendship.

I often define grace as "undeserved favour". Another definition, using its letters is, God's Riches At Christ's Expense.  

When you look at today's epistle and gospel it is God who does the work of saving us.  We have a God who takes the initiative in revealing himself and relating to people.  Our Epistle ended at verse 5, but verse 8 tells us, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

When we were still sinners, cut off from God through our failure to live life His way, he took the initiative. He sent His Son, Jesus to the cross to receive the punishment for our sin so we can be free to know and love God.

Not only did God come to us as a human being, the Christmas event, He died and rise again for us, the Easter event.  He also came to us by His Holy Spirit, the Pentecost event.  The Holy Spirit is responsible for revealing Jesus to someone, convicting them of their sin, giving them trust in Jesus, the power to live for God, and the gifts to serve him.

We have a God who is relational.  It is Trinity Sunday and we remember we have one God with three persons in the Godhead. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit were involved in the creation of the world.  Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2  Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters...  

26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness...

Colossians 1:15 He ( Jesus )  is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him,

In the Old Testament God reveals himself to individuals and a nation.  He talks with Moses, and Abraham, for example.  He delivers his people from the slavery of Egypt and reveals his will for them through his laws.  But they consistently failed to trust Him, relate to Him, and obey Him. So something else was needed.  A religion of the heart, not one written on stone. God prompted Jeremiah to look forward to this, 31:33 "This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time," declares the LORD. "I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.  34 No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, `Know the LORD,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest," declares the LORD.  "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."

When one person of the godhead, Father, Son, or Holy Spirit does something it is always with the co-operation, agreement, and support of the others.  If you read John's gospel, and especially Chapters 14-16 you will discover the unity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

John 10.30 Jesus said, "I and the Father are one."

John 14.20 " On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you...  24 He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me."

John 15:26 "When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me."

John 16. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you."

God is relational, in that there is a perfect relationship within the three persons of the Trinity.  God is also relational because He desires a right relationship with all he has created and, especially humankind.

The New Covenant draws people into a relationship with God the Father, through the death and resurrection of God the Son, by the work of the God the Holy Spirit.  It is as if we are brought into the Godhead through Jesus and the Holy Spirit.  Jesus talked about this, John 14.20 " On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you...

This will this bring us security, peace and love. It will also bring us hope that will enable us to rejoice, whatever may happen to us. Paul writes that even difficulties can help our faith to grow. 3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.  I would suggest that our trust in God is more likely to grow during difficult times, rather than when things are going well. For, when things are difficult we are more likely to trust God and He is able to show that he is trustworthy.  When things are easy we can easily forget God and may even trust in the things we are enjoying, rather than the one who gave them to us.

The gospel readings also tells us that the Spirit will guide believers into truth, v. 13, will speak God's word to believers, revealing things, and bringing glory to God.

The second best place to stand is Norwich, but the best place is in God's grace. Only by wholeheartedly relying upon his undeserved favour can we receive the blessings he wants for us so he can draw us into himself by the Spirit, through what Jesus has done for us.

Some workmen were blasting rock in a Scottish quarry.  One day, after they had attached the fuse and retired to a safe place and gave the alarm, they saw a three year old child wandering across the open space where danger threatened.  Every passing second meant death was closing in on the child.  The workmen called to the child and waved their arms, but he only looked on their strange antics with amusement.  No man dared run forward knowing the explosion was only seconds away.  The child most certainly would have been killed, had not his mother appeared at this moment of crisis.

Taking in the situation at a glance she did what her mother's heart dictated.  She did not run toward her son or yell to frighten him.  Instead, she knelt down, opened wide her arms and smiled for him to come.  Instantly the child ran towards her. Shortly later the area shook with the force of the explosion, yet the child was safe in his mother's arms.

What a picture of the grace of God and of the cross.  With outstretched arms on the cross Jesus gives his gracious invitation to the world.  Indicating we are to come to him for eternal safety, enabled by the Spirit.  Have you come to Jesus? Will you come to Jesus?

Year C Trinity Sunday : Romans 5:1-5

5 1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

We live in a world that assesses people by what they do. Perhaps the first question asked when two strangers meet is, 'What do you do ? ' . After that the relationship may progress so that the people are more concerned with what the other person is like. So if I were to ask someone here what their spouse is like they may tell me that they are a retired hogwasher who likes to garden, but are like a bear with a sore head until they have finally woken up and had their first cup of tea of the morning.

Today is Trinity Sunday, when the church celebrates the one God who can be known to us in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Christians have a relationship with God and we can grow in our love and knowledge in time. Each person of the Godhead has a different role to play in our relationship, as we will see from today's epistle. It is perhaps best that we concentrate on that than to get involved with in-depth Trinitarian doctrine, because with the limitations of our language, minds and experience we will never be able to understand everything about God. We will not be looking at any illustrations either, because these fail too for similar reasons.

Some cults, such as the Jehovah's Witnesses will argue that the word 'Trinity' does not appear in the Bible, but this does not mean that it is not true. In fact, one of the first tests of whether a religion is truly Christian is to ask if it is Trinitarian. That is to say does it believe that Jesus is God and the Holy Spirit is God. Many cults, such as the Jehovah's Witnesses and the Mormons would call themselves 'Christian', but are not because they are not Trinitarian.

5 1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

In Romans, Paul constructs a step-by-step argument much like a legal brief, as shown by his frequent use of the legalese word "therefore" (20 times in all). Step one: no one is righteous and we all need help (3:20); Step two: God has provided that help through the gift of faith in his Son. The blessings of that faith are listed at the start of Chapter 5.

Christians have been 'Justified through faith'. Justified is an expression from the law courts. It could be defined as "The act of God's undeserved favour which restores the sinner to the relationship with God that he would have had if he had not sinned;"

But how can this be, if God is just and sin has to be punished ? Sin was punished when Jesus voluntarily received the punishment for the sins of the whole world on the cross, which is separation from God. We know that God accepted this self-sacrifice because, on the third day, he raised Jesus from the dead to a new life.

Faith, or trust in Jesus is an undeserved gift from God. Those who have this trust in Jesus are united with him and, therefore, viewed by God as perfect or righteous.

One of the benefits that this brings is 'peace with God'. This is not about how we feel about ourselves, a peace of mind, but is about a new relationship with God. Verses 9 and 10 make it clear that, without Jesus, people are objects of God's wrath because they are enemies of him.

Have you ever been in a situation where you have been in a room waiting to see someone in another room. For example : a doctor or dentist's waiting room; or perhaps waiting to be shown into a job interview, or a court of law. In each case someone may come into the room where you are to usher you into the room you are going to.

2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

Jesus ushers us into the presence of God. The heavy curtain of the temple that separated man from God and God from man has been removed allowing believers to have access directly into God's presence

One of the benefits for Christians is that we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

In 3:23 Paul wrote, 'for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God'. God intended man to be the glory of God, the pinnacle of his created order. The glory that man had before the sin entered the world the believer will again have through Christ. This is part of God's re-creative work. We read in Psalm 8 of God's work in creation. A creation that was spoiled by man's sin, but is being restored through God's grace. One day, when Jesus returns and gathers living and dead Christians to be with him, then we will all have glorious resurrection bodies and live with God in all his splendour and glory.

In an interview for the Church Times ( 1st June 2001 ) John Major, the former Prime Minister was questioned about his faith. He was quoted as saying, 'As Prime Minister, I kept my personal beliefs quite separate. I think it is unacceptable for a leader, particularly a prime minister, to be so overt.

To me, such a comment shows a faith so shallow it could not be considered Christian. Jesus said in Luke 9:23: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.

True followers of Jesus will be subject to persecution, suffering and even death because of their faith.

Romans 5:3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.

We can rejoice in our sufferings. Not "because of" but "in." Paul does not advocate a morbid view of life but a joyous and triumphant one. Some Christians may look at suffering for their faith with a 'woe is me' attitude, or one of resignation. But Paul commends the Christian to rejoice in suffering because he knows that it is not meaningless. Jesus told his disciples to rejoice and be glad when they were persecuted because they would receive a great reward in heaven, Matthew 5:12.

There are times when Joshua will ask me what an answer is to his homework. Whilst I may help him by suggesting he thinks about it in a certain way I will not give him the answer because he will not learn through such an experience. God is sovereign and part of his purpose is to produce character in his children. He will sometimes do this through suffering. At these times he will always be with us, and give us what we need to grow.

5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

If I was to say, 'I hope Norwich City win the Premiership and the F.A. Cup next season' this would be an optimistic hope divorced from reality. When Paul wrote 'and hope does not disappoint us,' he was not referring to unfounded optimism. On the contrary, it is the certain assurance of our future destiny and is based on God's love, which is revealed to us by the Holy Spirit and objectively demonstrated to us in the death of Christ.

We are now looking at the other person in the Trinity, God the Holy Spirit. When someone comes to faith in Jesus they do so through the work of God the Holy Spirit. In John 16:13 Jesus said that, he will guide you into all truth' and, v14, 'He will bring glory to me by taking what is mine and making it known to you'.

Part of the work of God the Holy Spirit is to reveal and reconcile God the Father to people through God the Son.

has poured out. The verb indicates a present status resulting from a past action. When we first believed in Christ, the Holy Spirit poured out his love in our hearts, and his love for us continues to dwell in us. Therefore, we have a source of God's love within us. That love will be seen in action, not by private opinions, through our love for God and for people.

In 1 Corinthians, one of the issues that Paul addressed was of the abuse of the gift of tongues by some Christians who thought that this was the sign of being a true Christian. In Chapter 13 Paul wrote that love is the true sign of being a Christian. He concluded the Chapter with, verse 13, And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Paul has moved in Romans 5 from faith (v. 1) to hope (vv. 2,4-5) to love ( v5 ). This grouping of faith, hope and love occurs at least nine times in the New Testament. They are the gift of the Holy Spirit who gives us the power to live for Jesus and to be like Jesus.

God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit can be seen differently in contributing to our salvation and our sanctification. They are united in their qualities, for example in their love and desire to save. They are united in their goal

1 Timothy 2:3 '...God our Saviour, 4 ( who ) wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,'

God wants to save everyone. He has shown us by sending His Son. He has shown us by sending His Spirit.

Earlier we thought about waiting to be brought into a room for an interview. If God were to apply for the job of running somebody's life, this is what he may write...

I heard you were considering a new manager in your life. I would like to apply for the job. I believe I am the most qualified candidate as I am the only one that has ever done this job successfully. I was the first manager of human beings. In fact I made them, so naturally I know how humanity works, and what is best to get people back into proper working condition. It will be like having the manufacturer as your personal mechanic.

If this is your first time considering me, I would just like to point out that my salary has already been paid by the blood of my son, Jesus on the cross of Calvary. What I need from you is the acknowledgement that the price is sufficient to pay for all of your sin and your previous independence from Me. I need you to believe this in your heart and to tell somebody else about your decision with your mouth.

The next thing I ask is the right to change and fix your life by my Spirit so you can learn how to stay close to Me. I will make some major changes and revisions. They are not for you to worry about, though I need your permission to execute these changes in My way and in My time. I will change your desires and give you the strength to make the changes. Please keep your hands out of the way. Don't try to help me and don't resist me. I really do need your full commitment and co-operation. If you give me those, the process can go smoothly, without delays.

Yours Sincerely,

God

( Copyright 1999 Gibson Productions )