Posing When the question of "What if life had no meaning?" was posed, it just threw me for a loop. because I've never really given this question even a moments thought before. When I thought began to think about it, I started wondering what if life had no meaning. What exactly wondered what could we expect be expected from our fellow humankind. family of persons

Romans 5:1-11
1: Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2: through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. 3: And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4: and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5: and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. 6: For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7: For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. 8: But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9: Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. 10: For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11: And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.


God's Wonderful Love
Romans: 5:1-11

I celebrate with you that Thirty years ago I came to Kansas City from Massachusetts to be with you. Before that time then, the furthest West that I had ever gone was New York. I came to Kansas City without a job, a place to live or anyone I knew. The only thing I knew for sure was that God had called me to this place so that I might prepare to be a minister by enduring the rigors of seminary then and trusting after I was done with my education there would be places where I might hone my skills.

The Apostle Paul goes forth into the Christian ministry with similar concerns in the back of his mind. Prior to taking on the role of being a minister, he was faced with going to new places. He was about to deal with persons he never met before. He had no place to call home and over time he became a bi-vocational minister in order that he might be able to help finance his ministry.

I. God's wonderful love was seen in cultivating an environment of faith

There is a calling to be put in a right relationship by faith (I’m not sure what you mean by using this sentence. Especially since the first verse is talking about being “justified by faith” that “we have peace with God”. I’m not sure what you said and what the verse says is the same thing.) Another word for talking about this right relationship is the word "justification". It refers to the fact that God no longer sees us as not belonging to His plan.(If you look at verse 10, it will say that God no longer sees us as “His enemies” because Jesus died for our sins) Paul expresses what this relationship means in Romans chapter four when he talks about Abraham being our father according to faith (This makes is sound as if Paul was saying Abraham was our forefather because of his faith. What Paul was saying was that God saw Abraham as a righteous man because of his faith not because of his works alone). The promise and work of God puts us in a right relationship with our Creator, there is nothing we can do to earn it.
Because of this we can enjoy peace. We do not have to worry about all manner of accomplishments or remedies that will make us right with God. Old Testament characters such as Noah, Samson, and Moses had things like boats (Arks), condition of hair (Samsons strength came from long hair) and tablets (the ten commandments) to signify they were doing what God wanted. We have Jesus Christ. (If you quoted Ch. 4 before then you must recognize that even these men were recognized not just by their works, but that God judged them by their righteousness. Thus this statement is untrue; for even God stated David was a man after his own heart)
Because of this we can glory in the hope of God. (I don’t think it’s the hope of God. The verses…” 3…exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4: and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5: and hope does not disappoint…” Thus it seems it is our own hope in perseverance which brings about the Holy Spirit which God gave to us.) God's grace opens up the way to know the wonder/glory of having hope. We can see this hope as Paul did on the Damascus Road when he was struck with a flash of light.(I talked to my father about this and found that at this moment in his life Saul/Paul was not struck with a “flash of light” but was looking at the full glory of Christ Himself. And I do remember that. If you look at scripture you will see that Saul met Christ on the road that day.) There was nothing he did to deserve God's love. He heard the words "Paul" "why do you persecute me" and responded by trusting in a hope that they were invited to enter into.
There is a calling to see how this is possible in knowing that in life there is trouble and that we can know who God in a real and personal way through these times. In the Greek the word we translate as Trouble in Greek is the word "thlipsis". It means that persons are under any number of pressures/stresses. These pressures test persons to recognize what gives them faith to go on with life.
For We know that trouble or tribulation produces patience. The word in Fortitude in Greek is "hupomene" and can also be translated as fortitude. The word refers to an attitude of knowing victory. Help is on the way.
And patience produces character. The Greek word is "dokimene" and is used in relationship to metals being made pure. We are seen for who we are, not by expectation that we or others have for us.
And character produces hope. Hope is the culmination of all that has gone before. The Greek word is elpis and has the word faith encased within it. It is best identified by the words in verse 5. Because of hope we will no longer know disappointment because the love of God is poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. (5: and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us)

II. There is a Person sent from God to share with us what this wonderful love means. We do not need to figure out what this all means for ourselves. Paul's writing of the book of Romans reflects the challenge of preparing a ministry that would extend into the farthest reaches of the Roman empire. Paul was a pioneer with only one thing in mind and that was to pass on the good news of Jesus Christ love to the world as he knew it.

While we were helpless in God's good time Christ came to die for the ungodly (a better word wording would be… “6: While we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.” Good time suggests there may have been another time Christ could have died for us. And if you left out the word “still” it leaves all sorts of inferences.) The word “helpless” pointed to the fact that out people were without power. Power in the Roman and Christian world meant two different things.
In the To Romans, world it referred to the fact a ruler that was known as a god who had power to put somebody to death if they were a threat to his authority. Rome knew about the tools of intimidation and fear to keep people in their place. Crucifixion was the main source of punishment execution. Jesus known as the Christ experienced this punishmentexecution for himself. (He was also the last person to have been crucified. The Romans had stopped using this form of execution by this time. It was only by the crowd insistence that Jesus was crucified.)
In the To Christians, world view power was looked at from the perspective of being a servant and determining ways to bring people back to life. (Christians did not look at ways of bringing people back to life after Christ died. Healing, maybe, but not actual resurrection. Like us, they looked towards the ability to be with Christ and the Apostles at the end of life. And yes, they wanted to be servants of the Church.) Rome knew about the tools of intimidation and fear to keep people in their place. The Christian knew of someone who could raise a person from the dead to new life.

God demonstrated love in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.

Scarcely would a man die for a just man. There are many that we could think of.

There are persons like Moses who delivered the Israelites out of Egypt.
There are persons like Joseph the dreamer and was instrumental in taking care of people during a time of famine.
There persons like Samson who were was powerful enough to rip apart a lion.
And persons like Mary, as a virgin carried the birth of the our savior in her womb.

Maybe we might die for whatever we might call the good event.

There are events like Purim that required the presence of Esther to save God's people.
There are events like the Exodus whereby Israel escaped oppression
There are events like the life, death and resurrection that spurred on people to share good news.
God shares with us a whole new perceptions and God demonstrated His love to us while we were yet sinners!!!!! How could we not want to do the same?

(I’m not sure why you put the previous two sections in here. The first, maybe. Because the verse talks about … “scarcely would a man die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die.” But it does not talk about events. Only people.)

III. We are called to share this Wonderful love with whoever will hear it. (Ok, I have to say it. If this is a sermon on Romans 5:1-11 you’ve now definitely gone off topic. For me, and I hope you when you read them, they are talking about exulting in the fact Jesus died for us and that He now stands between us and God’s wrath and we no longer have to worry about the trials set before us. And God sent the Holy Spirit to us so we may rejoice even more. In my side notes in my Bible I’ve written “Recipe for living life” in reference to verses 1-5. Because we can’t live life without Jesus who died for us and reconciled us with God. That is the whole message of these eleven verses.) Paul knew about persecution, was imprisoned and was familiar with dealing with the limitations that came his way in the form of a thorn in the flesh. These experiences helped Paul become a more caring presence to others who like him that did not have it all together. Sin meant missing the mark and Paul knew from his life what this meant.

Since we have been brought into relationship with God at the price of his life's blood, there is impetus for us to offer our body in ways that allow for others to have life. We call ourselves the body of Christ, because we want others to know how persons who see themselves as sinners/messed up can feel alive inside. (Actually, the Church calls itself the body of Christ because it literally is the body of Christ. Paul writes that the people are the mortar and stones of the Church. Every person has a purpose. And it’s not so others can feel alive, it’s so we can show them who Christ is, or to serve the Church itself, or serve God in some other you’re your statement makes it sound as if we want sinners to feel guilt over their choices.) More over we are saved from the wrath. What better way to share good news than to share with others that God is not in line waiting to spew wrath toward them. There has to be a better way of sharing love!

For if we are clear in the knowledge that we are reconciled by the death of God's son, how much more being reconciled by Jesus Christ to go on being saved by the life God has sent. (I don’t understand this statement) This is the challenge set before us. We have already talked of the work of justification which means we are put in right relationship with God. There is a further calling to spread this good news into the world of relationships with others. I am saved from sin and death in order that I might live through Christ. be dedicated to a life of loving and learning with others. In essence this is what sanctification is all about. The core word means that I am being made holy. I am sharing with the world what makes a Christian different than everyone else.

The even greater celebration of this wonderful love is that I can be a part of living out how God is at work and true to the Word. (There has to be a better way to say this) The example for this ministry is to be found in seeing how our Lord Jesus Christ ministered while on this earth. Jesus did not look for persons that who had it all together and had nothing better to do than wait until they got to heaven. Jesus He spoke good news to the poor and outcast, healed the leper and others that physicians had given up hope on. In Jesus own words this happened so God could be glorified. Jesus spoke to women, that other religious folk saw more as a nuisance and empowered them to minister, Jesus He spoke to children, and shared with anyone who would listen that the kingdom of God belonged to them. It is the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead that calls to share our spiritual gifts so that we might do some of the same work that Jesus did. If God is for us who can be against us? What can separate from the love of Jesus Christ if we join others in sharing that the Love of God reigns supreme in spite of all manner of trials that might come our way.

Conclusion:
In the year 2000 my dad had died, a church that I had pastored for ten years decided to close and I went through a very painful divorce. I was deep in debt with no job and no home to call my own. God's wonderful love rescued me out of the pit of despair. Since that time I am remarried to a beautiful. loving wife and in April will have seen all three of my children graduate from college. I am excited to be on my way back into professional ministry.
There is nothing more wonderful than knowing God's love. We know this love by faith. We know this love as we come to know that God loves us while sinners. We know this love as we determine to respond with the same spirit through which God delivered us.
How marvelous, how wonderful and my song shall ever be
How marvelous how wonderful is my saviors love for me.

The relationship has become too painful,
You can't love someone who doesn’t love you.
Dysfunction now rears its ugly head.
Mutual shutdown causes no mutual exchange.

The relationship has become sick,
One or both are too needy and life is sucked out,
death is knocking at the door;
It's hard to keep going when nothing is.

The relationship becomes too tired,
Too much work to keep going,
Two people too tired of stress-filled trauma;
Cannot bear the weight, cannot lighten the load.

The relationship has become absurd,
It has no business continuing, everyone knows it,
The ungodly seeking temptation,
Rather than avoiding the snare's ripping bite.

The relationship has become something from outer space,
And no closer to coming home.
Lacking commitment, no place to stand afloat,
Everyone is now game to hunt another.

The relationship cries for closure,
Neither person can fall asleep.
Unraveling every nightmare,
There now is no longer a reason for peace.

"God, why is life so complicated now?
"Stop analyzing life. Just live it. Analyzing is what makes it complicated.

"God, why are we constantly unhappy?
"Your today is the tomorrow you worry about. You are worrying because you are analyzing. It has become a habit and why you are unhappy."

"God, how can we not worry when there is so much uncertainty?"
"Uncertainty is inevitable, worrying is optional."

"God, there is so much pain due to uncertainty."
"Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional."

"God, if suffering is optional, why do people suffer?"
"Diamonds cannot be polished without friction. Gold cannot be purified without fire. People go through trials. With such experience their life becomes better not bitter."

"God, do You mean that experience is useful?"
"Yes. Experience is a hard teacher. She gives the test first and the lessons afterwards."

"God, why should we go through such tests? Why can't we be free from problems?"
"Problems are purposeful road blocks. They offer people beneficial lessons and enhance their mental strength. Inner strength comes from struggle and endurance, not when you are free from problems.

"God, in the midst of so many problems, we don't know where we are heading.."
"If you look outside yourself will not know where you are heading. Look inside yourself. When you look outside, you dream of other things. When you look inside, your heart awakens. Eyes provide sight. Heart provides insight.

"God, if I don't succeed fast enough it seems to hurt more than moving in the right direction. What should I do?"
"Success is a measurement decided by others. Satisfaction is measurement decided by you. Knowing the road ahead is more satisfying than knowing you rode ahead. Work with the compass. Let others work with the clock."

"God, in tough times, how do I stay motivated?"
"Always look at how far you have come, not how far you have to go. Always count your blessing, not what you are missing."

"God, what surprises You about people?"
"When they suffer they ask, 'Why me?' When they prosper, they never do. Everyone wishes to have truth on their side, but few want it."

"God, sometimes I ask, 'Who am I?' and 'Why am I here?'. I don't get an answer."
"Do not seek who you are, but determine who you want to be. Stop looking for a purpose to why you are here but create it. Life is not a process of discovery but a process of creation."

"God, how can I get the best out of life?"
"Face your past without regret. Handle your present with confidence. Prepare for the future without fear."

"God, one last question. Sometimes I feel my prayers are not answered."
"There are no unanswered prayers. Sometimes the answer is NO."

"God, thank you for this wonderful chat. I am happy to start the New Day with a new sense of inspiration."
"Keep faith and drop your fears. Drop your doubts and hold strong your beliefs. Life is a mystery to solve, not a problem to resolve.."
Life ends when you stop Trusting,
Hope ends when you stop Believing,
Love ends when you stop Caring.

So TRUST, BELIEVE and CARE....Life becomes Beautiful.......