But Now

About this sermon

Introduction: We said that beginning with Romans 3:21 we are introduced to the doctrine of justification by faith. We took time to describe the doctrine of justification by faith and to see how it is emphasized throughout the book of Romans. We said that a person would never submit to God’s righteousness for salvation until they are completely through with the idea that they have a righteousness that will save them, or that they are capable of a righteousness that will save them. NAS Romans 10:3 For not knowing about God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God. Beginning tonight I want us to walk through these verses carefully and take note of some things that we didn’t point out this morning and remind ourselves of some things that we did. I. OUR SALVATION IS BASED ON HISTORICAL EVENTS This section begins with two important words. “But Now” “But now” the righteousness of God, the righteousness that is required for a man to be saved, has been MANIFESTED, has been REVEALED, apart from the law, although the law and the prophets bear witness to it. Now we explained most of this verse last time. The fact that in justification God gives the sinner who believes HIS OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS. The righteousness of God, the righteousness of Jesus Christ, is imputed to the individual’s account before God. This righteousness is not given based upon performance, but rather through faith, and yet it is a way of salvation that was testified to throughout the Old Testament revelation. *All of the ceremonial sacrifices *Many of the deliverances that came by faith (Passover; the deliverance through the sea) All of this spoke of the way that God would deliver, the way that God would save, His grace, His provision, and the salvation coming to the individual by faith. But why, if the Law and Prophets witnessed to salvation by grace through faith, does Paul write in this verse, “BUT NOW”. Why does he say NOW it has been manifested? 2 And realize that he is talking about something new in terms of time. Not just a transition in subject matter, though that is included, but what he has to declare, in the preaching of the gospel, is something that has just come. He is saying that we are now living in a new time, a new age. **What he’s referring to is the fact that the Messiah had actually arrived, and the price for sins has actually been paid, and the resurrection from the dead has actually occurred, and the ascension has taken place, and Christ is seated in the heavenly places, and nothing needed for salvation to be given has to be done in the future. Yes, there is still a future aspect left in our salvation, but it will be given based upon what happened 2,000 years ago, and what Paul was saying had NOW BEEN REVEALED. **All that the Old Testament pointed to, hinted at, in types and shadows and ceremony, had now been accomplished in time, and in history, by the coming of Jesus the Christ. It is the same reference to this historical, saving act of God in Jesus Christ that other verses point to. VERSES 23-26 (READ) NAS Hebrews 1:1 God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, 2 in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. 3 And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high; 4 having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they.