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A Story of Comparisons (Romans 5:12-21)

First Baptist Church https://fbcbartow.org

“A Story of Comparisons”

(Romans 5:12-21)

Series: Romans – United in the Gospel [on screen]

Rev. Matthew C. McCraw, EdD

First Baptist Church, Bartow, Florida

April 3, 2022

Introductory Comments:

Think with me for a moment about some of the greatest comparisons and contrasts in history. I asked some folks to help me with this on Facebook yesterday. Here are some that we came up with. Coke VS Pepsi. Chevrolet VS Ford. The Gators VS the Seminoles. Living in the city VS living in the country. Mac VS PC or Apple VS Android. The beach VS the mountains. Capitalism VS Communism. David VS Goliath. Backstreet Boys VS Nsync. Night VS Day. Warm VS Cold. Sweet VS Sour. You see, with some of these comparisons, one can make a case why they think one is better than another. They may have their preferences, traditions, and biases. Sometimes the one that is better is not so obvious. 

Today, Paul is going to set up some comparisons for us in this passage and there will be no doubt which one is better. In fact, today’s sermon is entitled, “A Story of Comparisons.” [on screen]

Before we dive into this passage let’s go to God in prayer and ask Him to speak to us powerfully and miraculously. 

(prayer)

Paul has just spent some time in last week’s passage, Romans 5:1-11, showing us how great and powerful faith is. Now, Paul is going to set up some contrasts to show even more how great faith in God is. 

We’re going to look first at some consequences and then a set of two contrasts. 


First, let’s look at . . .

I. The sin and the sickness (12-14) [on screen]

Paul starts off this passage with the word, “Therefore.” This “therefore” basically applies to everything Paul has said thus far in the entire letter. As Paul gives us these contrasts, he’s also giving us a recap of much of what he’s already said. 

So, then. Let us look at this passage. Look at Romans 5:12-14:

12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, in this way death spread to all people, because all sinned. 13 In fact, sin was in the world before the law, but sin is not charged to a person’s account when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who did not sin in the likeness of Adam’s transgression. He is a type of the Coming One.

Verse 12 gives us a reminder of what has already been said in Romans: all of us have sinned. Paul points out here in chapter 5 where it all began: with Adam. 

Adam was sort of a representative of all of humanity in that when he sinned a sickness came upon all of us. We too were struck with the sickness of sin in our lives. 

Now, some of us may immediately start to think, “Well, it’s not fair that I would be charged with sin simply because Adam sinned.” To be clear, as our representative, Adam brought sin into the world. However, we also sinned as well. I like to say that Adam brought sin into the world but we have kept it in the world. 

Paul said very clearly in Romans 3:10, “There is no one righteous, not even one.” [on screen]

He says also in Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” [on screen]

Sin started with Adam but it continued with all of us. 

The sickness that came as a result of sin is death. Well, how do we know that sin has affected all people? Paul tells us, “ . . . in this way death spread to all people, because all sinned.”

In other words, death is the proof that the sickness of sin has affected all of us. Everyone since Adam (with a few miraculous exceptions) has experienced death because we have all been affected by sin. 

Even Jesus suffered death as a result of sin. Now, the difference is that we suffer death as the result of the sickness of sin in our own lives, whereas Jesus suffered death as a result of the sin of others. Jesus paid the death penalty so that we could live again (more on that later). 

Paul points out that death reigned from Adam to Moses; that is from the time the earth was created to the time of the coming of the law, death reigned, which is evidence that sin reigned in the hearts of humanity. 


So, even though not everyone understood the specificity of their sin because there was no law, they still sinned and therefore, still suffered death. 

Let me give you an example that may help understand this idea of people sinning without the law. If I were driving through a community with lots of houses in an area with which I was unfamiliar, I may not be aware of the speed limit. However, if I am driving 90 miles per hour past homes, children playing, schools, parks, and the like, I can be pretty sure that I’m sinning. So also, those who sinned before the law of God delivered through Moses were definitely in sin even if they didn’t know the specifics of their sin. Now, if I pass a speed limit sign that says “Speed Limit 30,”[show picture on screen]now I know the specifics of my sin and the specifics of what the law requires of me in that situation. So also, when God gave us His law, we were able to know the specifics of our sin and why breaking the law of God leads to death. 

Paul says that some of these others did not sin in the likeness of Adam. Remember, Adam broke a specific law. He ate of the one tree from which he was not supposed to eat. Many who lived after Adam but before the law was given through Moses, sinned even if they didn’t break a specific law. They were still sick with sin and rejected God’s rule and reign over their lives. 

This reality is why Paul can say, “ . . . sin is not charged to a person’s account when there is no law. Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses.” Sin was present, even when the specifics of the sins were not yet articulated by the law of God. 

So, we are made aware of the sin and sickness that was or is present in our lives.

Now, let us look at two contrasts. First, let us see . . .

II. The trespass and the gift (15-21) [on screen]

Let’s look at verses 15-21 and we’re going to notice two contrasts from this section. The first contrast we will see is the trespass and the gift. 

15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if by the one man’s trespass the many died, how much more have the grace of God and the gift which comes through the grace of the one man Jesus Christ overflowed to the many. 16 And the gift is not like the one man’s sin, because from one sin came the judgment, resulting in condemnation, but from many trespasses came the gift, resulting in justification. 17 Since by the one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive the overflow of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.

18 So then, as through one trespass there is condemnation for everyone, so also through one righteous act there is justification leading to life for everyone. 19 For just as through one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so also through the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. 20 The law came along to multiply the trespass. But where sin multiplied, grace multiplied even more 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace will reign through righteousness, resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Ok, let’s talk about this passage. There’s a lot going on here. However, it has to do with two main contrasts. Again, first, we’ll look at the trespass and the gift.

First of all, when we use the word trespass we’re talking about a violation of God’s law. We’re talking about sin. When we talk about the gift, we’re talking about the gift of the sacrifice of Jesus for the forgiveness of sins. 

The trespass was brought through Adam. Just as Adam trespassed, death came through that trespass and death came to all humanity because all of us have trespassed against God’s rule and reign in our lives. 

The gift was brought by God through Jesus. 

Paul says that the gift is not like the trespass. 

Mankind brought the trespass. God brought the gift.

You see, the trespass brings death to us. The gift brings life to us. 

In the trespass, God gave Adam life and Adam brought death

In the gift, God the Son suffered death and He brought us life

The sin of one man led to sin and sickness being multiplied to many people leading to many trespasses. The righteousness of one man, the God-man, led to one act of sacrifice that would cover the trespasses of many people. 

Paul points out that death reigned through the trespass but life reigns through the gift. 

Listen, church: the trespass is terribly widespread and terribly dangerous for all of humanity. However, the gift is wonderfully available for all and wonderfully effective in bringing new life to any and all who receive it. 

Paul says in verse 20, “ . . . where sin multiplied, grace multiplied even more.” Sin is powerful but God’s grace is more powerful. No matter how much sin you deal out to God He’s got more than enough grace to cover it all. 


No matter how far you have run from God or will run from God, He is always there waiting for you just around the corner with open arms to receive you as His child. He will overwhelm you with His lovingkindness and welcome you home. He wants to give you the gift and take away the trespass; and the gift is so much better than the trespass in every way! 

So, understand the contrast of the trespass and the gift. 

Finally, see . . .

III. The disobedient one and the Obedient One (15-21) [on screen]

Again, let’s look at the passage again. Let’s look for the contrast between the disobedient one and the obedient one. Look at verses 15-21 again:

15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if by the one man’s trespass the many died, how much more have the grace of God and the gift which comes through the grace of the one man Jesus Christ overflowed to the many. 16 And the gift is not like the one man’s sin, because from one sin came the judgment, resulting in condemnation, but from many trespasses came the gift, resulting in justification. 17 Since by the one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive the overflow of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.

18 So then, as through one trespass there is condemnation for everyone, so also through one righteous act there is justification leading to life for everyone. 19 For just as through one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so also through the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. 20 The law came along to multiply the trespass. But where sin multiplied, grace multiplied even more 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace will reign through righteousness, resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Now, remember that Paul said back in verse 14, of Adam, “He is a type of the Coming One.”

To say that Adam is a type of the Coming One (who, by the way, is Jesus) is to say that Adam is somehow like the coming one. 

Well, how is Adam like Jesus? Adam is like Jesus in that he is a representative of humanity. Adam represented humanity by bringing sin and the sickness into the world. Jesus represents humanity in that all who trust in Him will receive the gift of forgiveness and new life that He earned on our behalves. 

That is why Paul says, “ . . . by the one man’s trespass the many died . . . ”

. . . and . . . “ . . . the gift which comes through the grace of the one man Jesus Christ overflowed to the many.”

The act of the disobedient one is powerful but it is not as powerful as the act of the Obedient One. 

Paul says in verse 19, “For just as through one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so also through the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.”

The disobedient one brought the reign of death. The Obedient One brought the reign of life!

Church, the gift of the Obedient One, Jesus Christ, is so much more powerful than the trespass brought on by the disobedient one, Adam. 

There is dynamite power in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

That takes us nicely to our bottom line:

Bottom Line: Sin is powerful but grace is more powerful. [on screen]

(repeat)

Sin is, or was, a reality for all of us. Grace can be a reality for any of us who trust in Jesus Christ as our Lord!

Jesus is better than Adam. The gift is better than the trespass. Grace is better than sin. 

Let the truth of this passage permeate your hearts this week. Challenge yourself in the following ways as you reflect upon this passage:

Weekly Challenge: [on screen]

1. Determine if death is reigning over you or if grace is reigning over you. [on screen]

Where do you stand in your spiritual life? Is death reigning or is grace reigning?

Ask yourself who is king in your life. Is sin king in your life? Are you king in your life? Or, is Jesus king in your life?

2. Embrace the greater power. [on screen]

Jesus is more powerful. Life is more powerful. Grace is more powerful. 

Never forget that reality, church. Take some time this week and embrace that which is more powerful. Remind yourself daily. Write it down in stone. Love is better. Peace is better. Forgiveness is better. Joy is better. Grace is better. The gift is better. Life is better. Jesus is better. 

Closing:

The truth is, like Adam, we too were, or are, the disobedient ones. We need the Obedient One to rescue us. We’ve brought many trespasses, we need the gift. We need to be set free from sin and its sickness. We need the gift and its blessings. 

As Paul said in verse 20: “ . . . where sin multiplied, grace multiplied even more.” [on screen]

Have you experienced the power of grace?

(Gospel presentation)

(closing prayer)

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