God's Unbelievable Love 

Scripture Reading: Romans 5:1-11.

Memory Verse: "But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us . . . " (Ephesians 2:4).

Introduction: "There is in a simple story about Abraham Lincoln an illustration of what we have a right to expect [concerning the way in which God accepts us into His presence]. A Southern soldier, who had been freed from prison camp because he was wounded too sorely to return to active duty, was seeking access to the President in order to intercede for his brother, the sole support of their mother, who was then in a prison camp. The soldiers on guard at the White House would not let him in. One day as little Tad Lincoln, the President's son, was walking near the White House, he observed the crippled veteran seated on a bench, crying. The boy asked what the matter was. The man explained that he wanted to see Mr. Lincoln to tell about his brother but the soldiers would not let him in. Tad took the man by the hand and led him past the guards into the presence of his father.
  "When I was desolate and alone, wounded by sin and mourning my lost state, the Son of God . . . died to pay the debt of my sin, and was raised from the dead in order that He might take me by the hand and lead me to the throne, past angel guards that might have barred the way, and in spite of the forces of the enemy of souls who would love to keep me from the place of comfort and blessing. The Son of God is my access into the grace where I now stand, and I need no other. I need not His mother. I need not any of the others for whom He died. I need only Jesus, and praise God, I have Jesus--the Lord Jesus Christ--my Jesus."--The Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible, Romans, Volume 7, p. 82.

Not all the blood of beasts
On Jewish altars slain
Could give the guilty conscience peace
Or wash away our stain.

But Christ the Heavenly Lamb,
Takes all our sins away:
A sacrifice of nobler name,
And richer blood, than they.

My faith would lay her hand
On that meek head of Thine,
While as a penitent I stand,
And there confess my sin.

Believing, we rejoice
To feel the curse remove;
We bless the Lamb with cheerful voice,
And trust His bleeding love.

--Isaac Watts, original version.

Lesson Questions:

1. What is the first result of justification mentioned by Paul? Romans 5:1; Ephesians 2:14,15; Colossians 1:20; Isaiah 27:5.

2. What is the second result of justification given in this passage? Romans 5:2a; John 10:9; Ephesians 2:13,18; 3:12; Hebrews 10:19;            1 Peter 3:18.

3. Discuss the new hope that comes to us by the forgiveness of our sins. Romans 5:2b; Hebrews 6:18-20; 1 Peter 1:3,4; 1 John 3:1-3; Colossians 1:5; Romans 8:23,24.

4. Examine the spiritual benefits derived from rejoicing in tribulation. Romans 5:3-5a; 8:18; 2 Corinthians 4:17; 1 Thessalonians 3:3; 1 Peter 1:6,7; James 1:2-4.
The Greek word rendered "experience" in Romans 5:4 literally means "proof of genuineness, trustworthiness. It has a reflexive sense, hence, it must be either the experience itself, or the fact that one has proved oneself true, or the act of proving oneself true." The exact use in this verse is ". . .  to prove ourselves true." Tribulation works patience, and patience will bear the fruit of faithfulness.--Donald Grey Barnhouse, God's River, (Romans 5:1-11), p. 39.

5. How is God's love communicated to those who are justified? Romans 5:5b; John 14:21; 2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13,14; Titus 3:5-7.

6. Consider the miracle of God's love that made a way of salvation for any man. Romans 5:6,7; Ephesians 2:12; Galatians 4:4,5; 1 Timothy 2:5,6.

7. In what ways did God commend His great love for us? Romans 5:8,9; Isaiah 53:5; John 15:13; 1 John 3:16; Colossians 1:20; Hebrews 9:14; John 3:16,17,36; Galatians 3:13.
"But why should God go about to prove His love toward us? Or why should God set forth a recommendation of His love? And once more the answer comes that perfect love must manifest and demonstrate itself, must set itself forth, since it knows that our good is in receiving the benefits of that love. The verb is in the present tense. We do not read that God 'commended' His love. It is a present going forth of that love in proof and recommendation. It is as modern as today and as alive as now."--Hebrew-Greek Key Study Bible, #1382, Lexical Aids to the New Testament, p. 1708.

8. What certainty of deliverance does a believer possess and experience in Christ? Romans 5:10,11; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 5:9; Ephesians 2:1-7; Romans 14:17; Psalm 16:11; Isaiah 35:10; 12:3.