Peter Barnes | Romans 5:3-5
SERMON NOTES
GOD’S LOVE THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT
(Romans 5:3-5)
– 2 Cor.4:17
1. We rejoice as we understand how God works in us.
– 5:3; this is even in suffering and struggle.
2. Suffering leads via perseverance and character to hope.
(a) suffering produces perseverance (5:3b); see Matt.13:21; God aims at our holiness (Heb.12:11)
– see John 16:33; Acts 14:22; 2 Tim.3:12
(b) perseverance produces character (5:4a); we are tested (1 Pet.1:6-7); see Daniel 3:8-11, 16-18
(c) character produces hope (5:4b)
3. This hope is sustained by the Holy Spirit.
– 5:5; Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones says that this refers to after conversion, but not necessarily so.
– as Calvin put it, this love ‘like a sweet seasoning gives a loveliness to our tribulations.’