The scripture we're reading today is in Romans chapter 5, verse 20 and 21. Please follow along as I read God's Word. Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness, leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. This is the Word of the Lord. Amen. You may be seated. Let's pray together, shall we? Our Father, we're so thankful that you, in your providence, in your sovereignty, in your love and mercy, decided to show yourself to us. The Bible says, we love you because you first loved us and gave yourself for us. And so, Father, we're so thankful, our Father, that we can now gather together and open up the Word of God and speak and proclaim and tell us what it says. So Father, today as Your Word goes forth, we're thankful that the Spirit of God can take that Word and make the application to our lives. And as we thought about this last Sunday, Father, as I preach this morning, I can just reach the outer ear. But I pray, Father, through the power of the Holy Spirit, that You would reach the inner ear. and that you would speak directly to the people here today. And so Father, lead God and direct us, and we'll praise you and thank you for it in Jesus' name. Amen. Well, let me remind you that these two verses teaches us about the power of the reign of grace and how it's altogether greater than the weighing of sin. Paul here is concerned with bringing out the much more, the abounding, the superabundance of grace and its reign. And so far, we have looked at the inauguration of the reign of grace. And we said that inauguration took place when? In the eternal counsel of God before the creation of the world. Then we looked at the supreme character of the reign of grace. And we said that supreme character is righteousness. Again, verse 21, so that as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life. And what we learn there is in order for God to be just and perfect, He had to punish sin. And in grace, He punished sin by sending His own Son into the world to become sin for us who knew no sin, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. And then last Lord's Day, we talked about the program of the reign of grace. And we looked in Acts chapter 2 and verse 23, which says this, this Jesus delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God. And so the program of grace from beginning to end is all planned by God. Now this morning, we're going to look at how the power of the reign of grace affects us individually. Let me put it in a form of a question. Since all of mankind is undone or under the reign and dominion of sin and in the power of the devil, How then can any single individual ever be saved? Or let me put it another way, how can anyone ever be redeemed and rescued? And the answer is that nothing can do this but the power of the reign of grace, which is altogether greater even than the power of sin and of the devil. In fact, this might be the sweetest theme in all the Bible, the salvation of our individual souls. So let's then study this reign of grace as it pertains to our individual soul this morning. And the question we're going to ask is, what is it that the power of grace has to overcome? And beyond any question, the first thing is our spiritual darkness. If you was to open your Bible and read Ephesians chapter two and verse one, here's what it would say, and you were dead in the trespasses in sin. So by nature, we are spiritually dead in trespasses and sin. That is the position of the whole of mankind apart from the grace of God in Jesus Christ. We have all died, we have been dead in Adam, all right? And this has been repeatedly said over and over again. If you're in Romans, look with me back at Romans chapter 5 and verse 12. There God's Word says, Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all have sinned. So we're born in this world spiritually dead. There is nothing stronger than death, is there? Death is the end. And death is the last enemy. So the first thing that grace has to deal with is this condition of spiritual deadness in which we find all of us in because of our nature. We're dead to the interests of our souls. We're dead to the life of God. We're dead to spiritual things, so grace has to overcome this state of death, and nothing but the power of grace can do it. But I got good news for you. The Bible teaches us, but grace has done it all, all right? Listen to what the Bible says in Ephesians 2 in verse 5. It says, even when we were dead in our trespasses, God made us alive together with Christ. By grace, you have been saved. So those Ephesians, as all other Christians, have been made alive, and they have been made alive by grace. Now, we must immediately add that there is a second thing that grace must overcome. At first sight, it appears to contradict the first element, But it does not do so. Both things are true. We are not only spiritually dead, but we also are in a state of antagonism to the truth and antagonism to God. And that is the tragedy of the situation of the natural man. Not only does he fail to respond to spiritual truth, he hates it. He spurns it. He opposes it. This is the point that God often makes in His Word. Now, where does that teach that? Well, if you're still in the book of Romans, look with me if you would at Romans chapter 8 and verse 7. Romans 8 and verse 7. Listen to God's Word. It says, For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law, Indeed it cannot. And then let me just read a passage out of 1 Corinthians chapter 2 and verse 14. The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God for they are folly to him and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. So the natural man rejects it altogether. And the Bible teaches that this is the position of all men by nature. Now, what I want to do next is I want to illustrate that for you. And of all people, I'm going to use the Apostle Paul. So if you would, take your Bibles and turn with me to the Book of Acts, Chapter 2. I'm sorry, Book of Acts, Chapter 26. Now listen, I want you to remember as I read this text who's writing it. He says, I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth. And I did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority from the chief priest, But when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them, and I punished them often in all the synagogues, and I tried to make them blaspheme, and in raging fury against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities. Now hear me, this is the Apostle Paul who was saying this. I hated Christianity with a passion and in fury, he says, I tried to abolish it. I tried to make the people blaspheme. I did everything in my power. In fact, when they said some ought to die, I said, yes, they ought to die. Now that was the position of Paul himself while he was still called Saul of Tarsus. How can a man like that become a Christian? How did this man become the great apostle? Well, there's only one answer, and the answer is what? It's the power of grace. It's because the power of the reign of God's grace is altogether greater than the power of the reign of sin. And in order that you and I may be saved and delivered, our spiritual deadness and our antagonism to God and the truth needs to be overcome. And in order that this is to happen, we have to experience what the great theologians of the church call irresistible grace. Now listen, there should be no trouble or difficulty about this. Not only is grace irresistible, it must be irresistible. If it wasn't, no one could ever be saved. How is a dead man gonna respond unless God does a work? So the gospel can be preached, but it needs the power behind it, the power of the Spirit of God Then it becomes irresistible, effectual grace. And then our antagonism is removed, our deadness is overcome. And the point is, grace does not merely help us. Grace does not merely assist us. Man's nature must be changed. I want to go back to our illustration of the Apostle Paul. And so I'm going to ask you to take your Bibles, please, and turn with me to the book of 1 Corinthians, chapter 15. And I'm going to read a few more verses than I actually need to read, but I think these will help set the table. Now remember what Paul is doing here. He's telling us how important it is that we understand that many people saw the resurrected Jesus. But before he does that, he does what? He gives us a really good ABCs of the gospel. So listen to what it says starting in verse 1. He says, Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins in accordance with Scriptures, and He was buried and He was raised on the third day in accordance with Scripture. So what is the gospel? The ABCs, the first importance is what? The death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. That's the gospel. Now, he's going to say, people have seen the resurrected Christ, here's what goes next. He says, And that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. And so the idea is what? If you don't believe me, go ask them, all right? He says, Last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace towards me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I. but the grace of God that is within me." Here Paul is talking about the people to whom the risen Christ appeared. And so we ask the question, how did Paul become an apostle? And what was the answer? His answer was, his grace towards me was not in vain. And as a result of that, I worked harder than any of them. And so the power that took hold of him was so great that it lifted him up out of the condition of being a persecutor and a blasphemer. Then grace then manifests its power in our salvation through the Holy Spirit, and it starts by Him seeking us. Now you know the story about how Paul was saved, right? He was on the road, he's getting ready to persecute some more people. And on the road, all of a sudden he saw a great light, it hit him kind of between the headlights, he fell off his horse, and he had a conversation with God. And God says, Saul, Saul, why persecuteth thou me? And Paul says, who art thou? The Lord? He says, it's hard for you to kick against the goals. Now folks, what happened there was, is grace is more abundant than Satan and the adversaries. Now, go with me if you would to Romans chapter 11 and verse 5. Listen to what this text says. So too, at the present time, there is a remnant. What? Chosen by God. So grace does the electing. Grace, first of all, then seeks us. Then it convicts us of our sin. Now, let me think something through with you folks. During that time, Without the benefit of the grace of God, do you think anybody could talk Saul of Tarsus into becoming a Christian? He'd look at you like you were high or something, right? He'd look at you like, are you kidding me? I hate those people! I persecute those people! I want them all dead! But then all of a sudden, on the road to Damascus, he comes face to face with the resurrected Christ. And what? Everything changes. Instead of being And a hater of Christianity, he becomes one of the greatest defenders and proclaimers of Christianity. And we can read in our New Testament how many books of the Bible he wrote through the power of the Holy Spirit of God. This grace then goes on and persuades us of the truth. And this grace can strike someone right between the headlights. and knock him on his back and get his attention. Now, I'm gonna ask you to take your Bible and turn with me to another passage of scripture to the book of Ephesians. All right, another passage of scripture that the apostle wrote. But go with me if you would to Ephesians chapter one. And I want you to listen to this prayer. And as you listen to this prayer, I want you to see how this twin truths of the effectual call and irresistible grace go together. Listen to what it says, starting in verse 15. He says, For this reason, because I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and your love towards all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the spirit of wisdom and of revelation of the knowledge of Him. Having your eyes in your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which He has called you, what are the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power towards us who believe. according to the working of His great might, that He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead, and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places. Far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the one to come. And He put all things under His feet and gave Him as head over all things to the church. which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. Now did you notice the hope to which He called you? Effectual call. What are the riches of His inglorious saints? Irresistible grace. What is the immeasurable greatness of His power towards us who believe? And then let me ask you, where does this great power come from? Would you look again at verse 20? That He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places. Ladies and gentlemen, that's the power of the reign of irresistible grace. The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit, and so we need the power of irresistible grace. But let's look at another thing that the power of grace must overcome, and that's number four, restraining power. This restraining power of grace is manifested in God's people even before their conversion. They are not allowed to sin to such a degree that they put themselves outside of the scope of salvation. Or we could put it another way, they're not allowed to do the unpardonable sin. And thank God for the power of restraining grace, the grace that holds us back from doing things that would harm or damage our immortal souls. But there's a fifth aspect of this power of grace, and that's sanctifying grace. Here we see the power of grace manifesting itself against indwelling sin, sin of the flesh. Now how many of you know that I always say man has two problems, right? A bad heart and a bad record. And for the bad record he justifies us, right? Just as if we never sinned. We declared righteous in his eyes. And praise God for that. But we still got another problem, it's a bad heart, right? And even though we're saved and we're accepted in the Beloved because of the ministry of Jesus, we still have the flesh and it still wants to do its own thing. And so what does God do? Well, He begins to sanctify us. You remember what the Apostle Paul said in Romans chapter 7 and verse 24? He's talking about sanctification in the process. And he's saying, the things that I don't want to do, I do. And the things I shouldn't do, I should do, I don't do. You ever felt that way? And then what does he say? In verse 24, wretched man that I am, who will deliver me from the body of death? In the very next verse says what? I thank God through Christ Jesus. And so if we're going to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, God is going to have to do that. Sanctification is by grace as well as justification is by grace. And let me give you just a little understanding of what that looks like. And if you would, take your Bibles and go with me to the book of Philippians chapter two. Philippians chapter two, starting in verse 12. Paul says to the church aunt Philippi, Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my present, but much more in my absent, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Now listen to this next verse. For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. So who's working? A, God? B, me? Or C, all of the above? We have the power to work it out because He has already been working it in, you see. And so, for our problem with ongoing sin, He sanctifies us. Then next, the sixth thing, is the supporting grace. Now, we've talked about the power of indwelling sin, but what about the power of the world, the flesh, and the devil? Well, let's look to James for a statement about this problem. James chapter 4, verses 4 through 7. Listen to what this text says. You adulterous people, do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore, whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the scripture says, he yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us? But he gives more grace, therefore it says, God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Submit yourself therefore to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Now what a statement. He says that the spirit that God has put in us as Christians is jealous on our behalf and is fighting for us over against the spirit of the world that is attacking us. And the power of the devil is terrifying and yet James says, resist the devil and he will flee from you. But notice, he says that after saying what? That he, or God, gives more grace. It's only because of the power of the reign of grace in us. You say, but what about the trials and tribulations that come to meet us? Well, let's look at perhaps the best example of that in respect to the power of reigning grace. And I'm going to ask you to turn there with me, if you would, go with me to 2 Corinthians chapter 12. We're going to start reading in verse 7. 2 Corinthians chapter 12. He says, so to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelation, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But He said to me, my grace is sufficient for you. For my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weakness, insults, hardship, persecution, and calamities. For when I am weak, then am I strong. Isn't that something? When I am weak, then am I strong. What is it? It's the sanctifying process of grace. Now this leads us to the last aspect of the saving grace, and that's what I'm going to call persevering grace. And here's something that we constantly need. Listen. We have seen how we have been brought out of bondage and death and antagonism, We have seen how we are restored and how we are sanctified and supported. But how are we to continue the rest of this journey? How are we to hold on the Christian warfare and fight the good fight of faith? Well, the answer is still the same. It is the power of reigning grace alone that makes it possible and guarantees the final perseverance of the saints. Philippians chapter 1 and verse 6 tells us what? He who began a good work in you will continue it until the day of Christ Jesus. There is no teaching that is so contradictory to the whole argument of the reign of grace that is foolish enough to come up with this notion that somehow you and I can fall from grace. Listen. All throughout Scripture, the Bible teaches that can't happen. Let me just give you a couple of for instance. Starting in John 10, verses 27-30, God says, My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father who has given them to Me is greater than all, and no one able to snatch Him out of My Father's hand. I and the Father are one. And so if this reign of grace is taking place in your life, Jesus says, I hold you in My hand, and no one's strong enough to take you out of My hand. And just in case you don't get it, then I'm taking the Father's hand, and He's going to put His hand over My hand, and nobody's gonna take you out of the Father's hand. What else? Well, listen to what it says in Romans 8, 38 and 39. For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate me from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Our Lord, wow, nothing can take you away from that grace. Listen to what He says in Romans 8, 29 and 30. For those whom He foreknow, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, in order that He might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom He predestined, He called. And those whom He called, He also justified. And those whom He justified, He also glorified. They're going to be with Him in heaven for all eternity. And then in Ephesians chapter 2 and verse 6, it says, and He raised us up with Jesus and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Folks, it is as certain as that, preserving grace, enabling grace, keeping grace. And this is all true of us because of God's reign of grace. Now, I know I've spent a lot of time in these verses. I think this is the fourth message on these. But ladies and gentlemen, I don't know what it does for you, but man, I am so thankful that there's nothing that I can do to get myself out of God's love. That He hugs, loves me, and He holds me. And it's not the fact that I'm holding on to Him. The fact is, He's holding on to me. And from beginning to the end, God has a plan and He's going to fulfill that plan in His Son, Jesus Christ. And man, I'm telling you, it's so good just to know that we are part of that reign of grace. And you know, I was praying this morning, a little thought came to my mind. And I thought, you know, what is it that comes next? after He teaches us this glorious thing about the reign of grace and its power. What's the next verse that He mentions in chapter 6 and verse 1? Shall we continue in sin that grace should abound? You see where He's going with that? He's saying, man, that grace is so glorious, you don't have to worry. God's grace has got you. And he said, now somebody's gonna say, well, if that's the case, then I might as well just keep sinning then because God's grace got me. Should I continue in sin that grace may abound? And what does God say? God forbid. And then all of a sudden we get a little class on sanctification. But folks, that makes no sense until we understand the truth. about the glorious reign of Christ in grace. And if anybody could screw it up, yours truly. But hey, it's not me hanging on to Him. It's He hanging on to me, hallelujah. Now can I ask you, what does that grace do for you in your own personal life? Have you experienced? Have you recognized your sin? And you remember the gospel, it was what? The death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, the one of first importance. Have you gone to God and said, God, I'm a sinner deserving of hell and damnation. But I believe you're God's Son and that you took my place on the cross, that you was buried and you rose victoriously, and I believe in you for eternal life, and you've been swept up into this great grain of grace. Well, listen. If you haven't been, listen to what Paul says here in Romans chapter 10. He says this, because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. Have you done that? And then listen, brothers and sisters in Christ. We're secure. Because it's not my hold on Jesus. It's Jesus' hold on me. Let's pray together. Father in heaven, we thank you for your word. We're thankful for this glorious reign of Christ. Father, our desire is that each and every one of us here today would be swept up into this reign of grace. This is something that You inaugurated before the foundation of the world. This is a reign of grace that is characterized by righteousness. This is a reign of grace that You planned through. And this is the reign of grace that you use to get to us individually. Father, our desire is that everybody here would leave here under the reign of grace. So speak to hearts. Speak to the inner ear this morning. Irresistibly, hit them in the forehead, knock them on their back, and help them see you in all your strength and all your glory. Father, for those that are here today and know you and love you, as we meditate on this reign of grace, use it to draw us closer to you. Help us to be more thankful for all that you are and all that you do. Because Father, we know that you are all that you are, to save sinners like us. And once we've been saved, you're gonna take us to glory. And for that, we give you the thanks and praise in Jesus' name.