I invite you to turn to the scripture text for this morning sermon. It's found in Romans

chapter 5 verses 12 through 17. Therefore, just as through one man, sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so

death spread to all men because all sinned. For until the law, sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed

when there is no law. Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the offense of Adam, who is a type of him who wants to come.

But the free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the

transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one man Jesus Christ

are bound to the many.

And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned, for on the one hand the judgment

arose from the one transgression resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free

gift arose from the many transgressions resulting in justification.

For if by the transgression of the one, death reined through the one one much more those who receive the abundance of

grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the one Jesus Christ.

And now, Father, for the third time, we focus our attention on this glorious text from your word.

And we are in need of your help.

It's a challenging word intellectually. It's challenging philosophically for modern

individualists and is challenging spiritually for all of us who are rebellious by nature against you. And so there's no hope for anything significant happening here without you.

And I ask for you to come as you have already come in this room. In the worship of

song and in the worship of communion I ask now for your presence in the

worship of preaching. We love the gospel. This is the

gospel. Make it plain, please. And save. please and save and strengthen and heal and embolden and guide.

In Jesus' mighty name, I pray.

Amen.

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