Romans 5:1-5

Read Romans 5:1-5. There are 3 movements in this passage:

1. Peace & Grace 1-2a
2. Rejoice in Hope 2b
3. Rejoice in Suffering 3-5

First movement: Peace & Grace. Read vs. 1, it does not refer to peace of God meaning peace in hearts not worried or fearful, no it says we have peace with God. Meaning all sins forgiven, right standing with God, we are accepted forever, we are safe secure and loved. Read vs. 2. Now it says we do not just have peace with God but grace from God. That grace is permanent, we cannot fall in and out of favor with God. Both vs. 1-2 say we have peace with God and grace from God through faith.

Second movement: Rejoice in Hope. What does it mean to rejoice? To take joy in, to choose joy, to be glad, give thanks, to praise God. It pleases God and honors God for us to find joy in him. "Joy is the surest sign of the presence of God." Rejoice in hope. We need to have a confident expectation in God. Rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. What is glory? Exodus 33, Moses prayed "Lord, show me your glory." He was asking to see God's greatness, his goodness, his majesty; to see God for who he really is. Read Romans 8:18-25, now we groan inwardly because we are living in a world of sin, heartache, sickness, and death. But one day, no more pain, tears, heartache, sin, cancer, depression, death. Full freedom and joy, that is what rejoice in the hope of the glory of God means!

Third movement: Rejoice in Sufferings. Read vs. 3-5. We need to rejoice not because of our suffering but in our suffering. God is saying "when you experience setbacks, disappointments, heartaches take joy, rejoice, be glad, give me thanks, bring praise to me... don't complain, whine, grumble, grow bitter. But rejoice in the Lord!" In Acts 16, Paul and Silas are in prison and beaten, but what are they doing in the evening: praising God and singing - rejoicing in their suffering! Read James 1:2, I Thes. 5:16-18, Philippians 4:4. Why do we rejoice in our sufferings? The answer is in vs. 3. God uses sufferings to build faith, to shape our souls, to grow our hearts. Overtime God will use suffering to produce endurance, character, and hope. Hope does not put us to shame or disappoint, because of God's overwhelming love for us. (vs.5) God does not drizzle or litely drip his love, he gives us a downpour a flood of his love. It is the Spirit's work to pour out God's love in our hearts!

Discussion Questions
1. Think on this statement and discuss: "It is a Christian duty for everyone to be as happy as he can." Do you choose to be happy or rejoice no matter the circumstances?
2. Do you rejoice in your sufferings? Are you rejoicing or complaining/grumbling about your suffering right now?
3. What is your biggest challenge right now? Are you praises God in it?
4. Are you rejoicing in the glory of the Lord?