Greater Than Adam

History is a conveyor belt of corpses History is a conveyor belt of corpses because of Adam's sin. because of Adam's sin. because of Adam's sin. And I want to look at this text And I want to look at this text And I want to look at this text to see how God is thinking about that to see how God is thinking about that to see how God is thinking about that and how he is putting Christ in and how he is putting Christ in and how he is putting Christ in relationship to Adam and that horror relationship to Adam and that horror relationship to Adam and that horror that was unleashed by Adam's fall and that was unleashed by Adam's fall and that was unleashed by Adam's fall and sin. Because I believe the point of this sin. Because I believe the point of this sin. Because I believe the point of this text is to say that God was not taken text is to say that God was not taken text is to say that God was not taken off guard by Adam's sin and that Christ off guard by Adam's sin and that Christ off guard by Adam's sin and that Christ and his relationship to Adam is designed and his relationship to Adam is designed and his relationship to Adam is designed by God to magnify his glory in this by God to magnify his glory in this by God to magnify his glory in this fallen world. fallen world. fallen world. Have you ever thought about how much of Have you ever thought about how much of Have you ever thought about how much of your life [music] has been shaped by your life [music] has been shaped by your life [music] has been shaped by something that happened long before you something that happened long before you something that happened long before you were born? The Bible says [music] every were born? The Bible says [music] every were born? The Bible says [music] every funeral, every graveyard, every reminder funeral, every graveyard, every reminder funeral, every graveyard, every reminder that this world is not the way it's that this world is not the way it's that this world is not the way it's supposed to be traces [music] back to supposed to be traces [music] back to supposed to be traces [music] back to Adam's first sin. I'm your host, Dan Adam's first sin. I'm your host, Dan Adam's first sin. I'm your host, Dan Kruever. In this episode of Light and Kruever. In this episode of Light and Kruever. In this episode of Light and Truth, John Piper opens Romans 5 to show Truth, John Piper opens Romans 5 to show Truth, John Piper opens Romans 5 to show why Adam's disobedience was so [music] why Adam's disobedience was so [music] why Adam's disobedience was so [music] devastating and yet why God's work in devastating and yet why God's work in devastating and yet why God's work in Christ was greater still. This message Christ was greater still. This message Christ was greater still. This message was originally delivered at Bethlehem was originally delivered at Bethlehem was originally delivered at Bethlehem Baptist Church on August 26th, [music] Baptist Church on August 26th, [music] Baptist Church on August 26th, [music] 2007.

and the furnace and the furnace is for gold. is for gold. is for gold. And the Lord tries the hearts. So, Father, I pray that you would come So, Father, I pray that you would come now. I invite you, I plead with you to now. I invite you, I plead with you to now. I invite you, I plead with you to come come come with whatever fiery form with whatever fiery form with whatever fiery form you choose to refine you choose to refine you choose to refine our hearts and to burn the dross of sin, our hearts and to burn the dross of sin, our hearts and to burn the dross of sin, even the sin we're not aware of, out of even the sin we're not aware of, out of even the sin we're not aware of, out of our hearts. our hearts. our hearts. I ask and I say it with some trembling I ask and I say it with some trembling I ask and I say it with some trembling that you would do whatever you must do that you would do whatever you must do that you would do whatever you must do to make us clean, to make us clean, to make us clean, to make us walk in a manner worthy of to make us walk in a manner worthy of to make us walk in a manner worthy of the gospel, to make us become the gospel, to make us become the gospel, to make us become more conformed to to who we are in more conformed to to who we are in more conformed to to who we are in Christ.

and help me now to be faithful and help me now to be faithful to this word of scripture and the scope to this word of scripture and the scope to this word of scripture and the scope of the Bible in your revelation to us so of the Bible in your revelation to us so of the Bible in your revelation to us so that this sermon would be an instrument that this sermon would be an instrument that this sermon would be an instrument of refining and purifying, hopegiving, joy producing sin defeating hopegiving, joy producing sin defeating mission mobilizing relationship ship reconciling, family relationship ship reconciling, family sustaining, sustaining, sustaining, loneliness overcoming loneliness overcoming loneliness overcoming word. word. word. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen. One of the aims of this series is to One of the aims of this series is to One of the aims of this series is to impress upon our minds, that is push by impress upon our minds, that is push by impress upon our minds, that is push by the word of God into our minds more the word of God into our minds more the word of God into our minds more firmly the truth that Jesus Christ is firmly the truth that Jesus Christ is firmly the truth that Jesus Christ is the most important person in the world the most important person in the world the most important person in the world in the universe. Whoever lived lives in the universe. Whoever lived lives in the universe. Whoever lived lives now, ever will live with two exceptions.

now, ever will live with two exceptions. now, ever will live with two exceptions. God the father and God the Holy Spirit. God the father and God the Holy Spirit. God the father and God the Holy Spirit. He is not superior or more important He is not superior or more important He is not superior or more important than them. He is equal with them in than them. He is equal with them in than them. He is equal with them in worth and truth and justice and grace worth and truth and justice and grace worth and truth and justice and grace and mercy and wisdom. In every divine and mercy and wisdom. In every divine and mercy and wisdom. In every divine perfection, the three persons of the perfection, the three persons of the perfection, the three persons of the Trinity are equal and one. But aside Trinity are equal and one. But aside Trinity are equal and one. But aside from that great equality, Jesus is from that great equality, Jesus is from that great equality, Jesus is superior to every other person that has superior to every other person that has superior to every other person that has ever lived or ever will live. Whether ever lived or ever will live. Whether ever lived or ever will live. Whether kings or commanders or scientists or kings or commanders or scientists or kings or commanders or scientists or artists or philosophers or athletes or artists or philosophers or athletes or artists or philosophers or athletes or movie stars or anybody else now until movie stars or anybody else now until movie stars or anybody else now until forever, forever, forever, he is supreme. So that's one of the he is supreme. So that's one of the he is supreme. So that's one of the points of this series to so display the points of this series to so display the points of this series to so display the glories of Christ against the backdrop glories of Christ against the backdrop glories of Christ against the backdrop of the spectacular sins of the universe of the spectacular sins of the universe of the spectacular sins of the universe that he would shine the more brightly we that he would shine the more brightly we that he would shine the more brightly we would love him the more admire him the would love him the more admire him the would love him the more admire him the more follow him the more earnestly more follow him the more earnestly more follow him the more earnestly delight in him more treasure him more delight in him more treasure him more delight in him more treasure him more obey him more make him more known.

obey him more make him more known. obey him more make him more known. Aim number two in this series is to show Aim number two in this series is to show Aim number two in this series is to show from the Bible that everything exists, from the Bible that everything exists, from the Bible that everything exists, including evil, including evil, including evil, and is ordained and is ordained and is ordained by an infinitely wise and holy God, to by an infinitely wise and holy God, to by an infinitely wise and holy God, to make the glory of Christ shine more make the glory of Christ shine more make the glory of Christ shine more brightly. Everything exists, including brightly. Everything exists, including brightly. Everything exists, including evil, evil, evil, by God's design, in order to serve the glorification of in order to serve the glorification of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ. Some of us at Bethlehem read the Bible Some of us at Bethlehem read the Bible Some of us at Bethlehem read the Bible through in a year on the disciplehip through in a year on the disciplehip through in a year on the disciplehip journal reading plan. journal reading plan. journal reading plan. This week, those of us who were doing This week, those of us who were doing This week, those of us who were doing that read that read that read Proverbs 16:4, Proverbs 16:4, Proverbs 16:4, which says this, which says this, which says this, "The Lord has made everything for its "The Lord has made everything for its "The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked purpose, even the wicked purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble."

God has done that God has done that in his own mysterious way such that the in his own mysterious way such that the in his own mysterious way such that the wicked are really guilty and really wicked are really guilty and really wicked are really guilty and really accountable and really worthy of accountable and really worthy of accountable and really worthy of judgment. judgment. judgment. And God is totally without sin. That's And God is totally without sin. That's And God is totally without sin. That's the way he does it in great in great inscraability. Last week, no, the week before last, we Last week, no, the week before last, we said from Colossians 1:16, said from Colossians 1:16, said from Colossians 1:16, all things were made through Christ and all things were made through Christ and all things were made through Christ and for Christ, for Christ's glory and for Christ, for Christ's glory and for Christ, for Christ's glory and honor. all things. honor. all things. honor. all things. And then we saw And then we saw And then we saw it was followed by four things, it was followed by four things, it was followed by four things, whether thrones or dominions or rulers whether thrones or dominions or rulers whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. or authorities. or authorities. All things were made for him. And they All things were made for him. And they All things were made for him. And they show up again in chapter two at the show up again in chapter two at the show up again in chapter two at the cross where they are nullified because cross where they are nullified because cross where they are nullified because they're wicked.

All things are made through him and for All things are made through him and for the glory of Christ. So one of the the glory of Christ. So one of the the glory of Christ. So one of the points of this series is to impress upon points of this series is to impress upon points of this series is to impress upon us the truth that Christ's glory shines us the truth that Christ's glory shines us the truth that Christ's glory shines off of and in contrast to all things off of and in contrast to all things off of and in contrast to all things including sin. and it happens by God's including sin. and it happens by God's including sin. and it happens by God's design. Thirdly, this series is designed to Thirdly, this series is designed to solidify the conviction in our minds solidify the conviction in our minds solidify the conviction in our minds that Christianity is not a series of of that Christianity is not a series of of that Christianity is not a series of of thoughts, ideas, feelings, practices thoughts, ideas, feelings, practices thoughts, ideas, feelings, practices which aim to enhance your psychological which aim to enhance your psychological which aim to enhance your psychological well-being. well-being. well-being. Not by God, not by man. That's not what Not by God, not by man. That's not what Not by God, not by man. That's not what Christianity is. Christianity is. Christianity is. Christianity begins Christianity begins Christianity begins with the great conviction that quite with the great conviction that quite with the great conviction that quite apart from my ideas and my feelings and apart from my ideas and my feelings and apart from my ideas and my feelings and my thoughts and my desires, there is my thoughts and my desires, there is my thoughts and my desires, there is objective reality objective reality objective reality defined by God.

defined by God. defined by God. God absolutely is. I grew up in the 60s. God absolutely is. I grew up in the 60s. God absolutely is. I grew up in the 60s. That's where I became an adult. That's where I became an adult. That's where I became an adult. And shining brightly for us young stupid And shining brightly for us young stupid And shining brightly for us young stupid existentialists existentialists existentialists was the pole star of Francis Schaefer. And Francis Schaefer was writing books And Francis Schaefer was writing books with the title like and giving lecture with the title like and giving lecture with the title like and giving lecture series at Weeden College with the title series at Weeden College with the title series at Weeden College with the title like the God who is there. like the God who is there. like the God who is there. That was simple [snorts] English for That was simple [snorts] English for That was simple [snorts] English for anti-existentialism. anti-existentialism. anti-existentialism. What he meant by that and what I mean by What he meant by that and what I mean by What he meant by that and what I mean by this point is outside of me quite apart this point is outside of me quite apart this point is outside of me quite apart from anything I want to be true is truth from anything I want to be true is truth from anything I want to be true is truth that I got to deal with. Existentialists that I got to deal with. Existentialists that I got to deal with. Existentialists thought we put existence before essence thought we put existence before essence thought we put existence before essence and we will our existence into being and and we will our existence into being and and we will our existence into being and we create reality and we will things to we create reality and we will things to we create reality and we will things to be and what we are we make ourselves to be and what we are we make ourselves to be and what we are we make ourselves to be wrong.

be wrong. be wrong. God is we deal with it or not. He God is we deal with it or not. He God is we deal with it or not. He defines reality. We don't. He decides defines reality. We don't. He decides defines reality. We don't. He decides what you're like. You don't decide what what you're like. You don't decide what what you're like. You don't decide what he's like. And my aim in putting up he's like. And my aim in putting up he's like. And my aim in putting up spectacular sins and their global spectacular sins and their global spectacular sins and their global purpose in the glory of Christ is to purpose in the glory of Christ is to purpose in the glory of Christ is to confront us confront us confront us with a world view that is outside with a world view that is outside with a world view that is outside ourselves, smacks us in the face and ourselves, smacks us in the face and ourselves, smacks us in the face and says, "Deal with it." And confronts us with the question, are And confronts us with the question, are we doing Christianity? because we're we doing Christianity? because we're we doing Christianity? because we're just spitting it out of our brains, just spitting it out of our brains, just spitting it out of our brains, making it what we want, and then being making it what we want, and then being making it what we want, and then being happy with it. Or are we meeting happy with it. Or are we meeting happy with it. Or are we meeting Christianity, rising to us, out of this Christianity, rising to us, out of this Christianity, rising to us, out of this book, smacking us sometimes right in the book, smacking us sometimes right in the book, smacking us sometimes right in the face, then getting underneath us and face, then getting underneath us and face, then getting underneath us and holding us up. One of the ways One of the ways to to to inform ourselves inform ourselves inform ourselves and and and strengthen our conviction that this is strengthen our conviction that this is strengthen our conviction that this is so, so, so, namely that God namely that God namely that God governs all things, including the rise governs all things, including the rise governs all things, including the rise and extent of evil, is to look at the verses in the Bible is to look at the verses in the Bible that describe describe that describe describe that describe describe the death of the son of God for sin

I have five written down here. I have five written down here. Let me read you one of them. Let me read you one of them. Let me read you one of them. This is Revelation 13:8. This is Revelation 13:8. This is Revelation 13:8. John says, referring to those who John says, referring to those who John says, referring to those who worship the beast, worship the beast, worship the beast, "Everyone whose name "Everyone whose name "Everyone whose name has not been written before the has not been written before the has not been written before the foundation of the world foundation of the world foundation of the world in the book of the life of the lamb who in the book of the life of the lamb who in the book of the life of the lamb who was slain." Staggering Staggering that verse. Not not that there's writing and not Not not that there's writing and not writing, but that there's a book writing, but that there's a book writing, but that there's a book before the foundation of the world with before the foundation of the world with before the foundation of the world with a name. a name. a name. And the name of the book before Adam was And the name of the book before Adam was And the name of the book before Adam was created is the book of the life of the created is the book of the life of the created is the book of the life of the lamb who was slain. That's the name of lamb who was slain. That's the name of lamb who was slain. That's the name of the book before creation.

Jesus Jesus was not an afterthought to the fall. God planned to magnify the mercy and God planned to magnify the mercy and grace and patience and kindness and grace and patience and kindness and grace and patience and kindness and goodness and wrath and justice of his goodness and wrath and justice of his goodness and wrath and justice of his son before Adam ever existed. son before Adam ever existed. son before Adam ever existed. through the cross, through the cross, through the cross, which was because of sin, which was because of sin, which was because of sin, which means that the plan included sin which means that the plan included sin which means that the plan included sin without God being the least sinful without God being the least sinful without God being the least sinful and with all sinners being totally and with all sinners being totally and with all sinners being totally guilty guilty guilty in God's inscrable in God's inscrable in God's inscrable ways. Oh, how deep is the wisdom of God. ways. Oh, how deep is the wisdom of God. ways. Oh, how deep is the wisdom of God. How unsearchable are his ways. How How unsearchable are his ways. How How unsearchable are his ways. How inscrable are his judgments. Who has inscrable are his judgments. Who has inscrable are his judgments. Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? Or who has ever been his counselor? Or who has ever been his counselor? Or who has ever given a gift to him that he should be given a gift to him that he should be given a gift to him that he should be repaid? For from him and through him and repaid? For from him and through him and repaid? For from him and through him and to him are all things to him be glory to him are all things to him be glory to him are all things to him be glory forever. Do not presume to figure God forever. Do not presume to figure God forever. Do not presume to figure God out totally. Just read this book and out totally. Just read this book and out totally. Just read this book and believe it all.

One of the reasons I stress this One of the reasons I stress this third reason for the series third reason for the series third reason for the series is that wimpy worldviews is that wimpy worldviews is that wimpy worldviews produce wimpy Christians. produce wimpy Christians. produce wimpy Christians. And wimpy Christians will not survive And wimpy Christians will not survive And wimpy Christians will not survive the days that are coming. It would be piece of cake to pastor a It would be piece of cake to pastor a church and produce wimpy Christians. church and produce wimpy Christians. church and produce wimpy Christians. Just constantly coddle you. Just do a Just constantly coddle you. Just do a Just constantly coddle you. Just do a little survey every week about what you little survey every week about what you little survey every week about what you want to hear and then tell you what you want to hear and then tell you what you want to hear and then tell you what you want. Producing wimpy Christians is want. Producing wimpy Christians is want. Producing wimpy Christians is easy. You can make money at it. You can easy. You can make money at it. You can easy. You can make money at it. You can get a big church. get a big church. get a big church. That's not what I'm called to do. That's not what I'm called to do. That's not what I'm called to do. I want to produce Christians who stand I want to produce Christians who stand I want to produce Christians who stand in the last day. in the last day. in the last day. I don't know if you see the world the I don't know if you see the world the I don't know if you see the world the way I see it these days. Flooding. There will be floods.

Flooding. There will be floods. Minnesota to North Korea. Minnesota to North Korea. Minnesota to North Korea. Forest fires from Forest fires from Forest fires from California to Greece. California to Greece. California to Greece. pestilence. You know what that old word pestilence. You know what that old word pestilence. You know what that old word means? It means means? It means means? It means East Asian bird flu. That's what it East Asian bird flu. That's what it East Asian bird flu. That's what it means. It means West Nile virus. That's means. It means West Nile virus. That's means. It means West Nile virus. That's what it means. From Canada to Germany. Terrorism. Terrorism. From New York to Hyderabad yesterday. This is a strange world we live in. This This is a strange world we live in. This is a dangerous place and becoming is a dangerous place and becoming is a dangerous place and becoming increasingly tense. Wimpy Christians won't last Wimpy Christians won't last and wimpy world views produce wimpy and wimpy world views produce wimpy and wimpy world views produce wimpy Christians. Christians. Christians. And so in this series, I want to lift up And so in this series, I want to lift up And so in this series, I want to lift up a reality, a biblical reality that just a reality, a biblical reality that just a reality, a biblical reality that just hits us in the face. spectacular sins hits us in the face. spectacular sins hits us in the face. spectacular sins and their global purpose in the glory of and their global purpose in the glory of and their global purpose in the glory of Christ. I want Christ to be massive for Christ. I want Christ to be massive for Christ. I want Christ to be massive for you. Not just massive in the sweet easy you. Not just massive in the sweet easy you. Not just massive in the sweet easy times. Not just massive because he's times. Not just massive because he's times. Not just massive because he's warm and cuddly, but massive because he warm and cuddly, but massive because he warm and cuddly, but massive because he triumphs over all evil triumphs over all evil triumphs over all evil and nothing takes him off guard.

and nothing takes him off guard. and nothing takes him off guard. So let's focus for a few minutes on So let's focus for a few minutes on So let's focus for a few minutes on Romans 5 12- 21. Romans 5 12- 21. Romans 5 12- 21. Seven years ago Seven years ago Seven years ago in the summer of the year 2000, I in the summer of the year 2000, I in the summer of the year 2000, I preached five messages on this paragraph preached five messages on this paragraph preached five messages on this paragraph on our way through Romans. Took us eight on our way through Romans. Took us eight on our way through Romans. Took us eight years to get through Romans. You can see years to get through Romans. You can see years to get through Romans. You can see why. Five sermons on one paragraph. why. Five sermons on one paragraph. why. Five sermons on one paragraph. They're all online. desiring God.org can They're all online. desiring God.org can They're all online. desiring God.org can read them. Which means I feel a freedom read them. Which means I feel a freedom read them. Which means I feel a freedom here to tackle this paragraph from a here to tackle this paragraph from a here to tackle this paragraph from a peculiar angle. One angle, not every peculiar angle. One angle, not every peculiar angle. One angle, not every angle, angle, angle, leave out a lot of things. leave out a lot of things. leave out a lot of things. And here's the angle. I want to look at And here's the angle. I want to look at And here's the angle. I want to look at this text to see how the fall of Adam and all the horror that came from it. I and all the horror that came from it. I was just reading through a calendar this morning. I have a prayer calendar this morning. I have a prayer calendar on China.

Did you know that in 19 I think it was Did you know that in 19 I think it was 34, the Yellow River flooded in China 34, the Yellow River flooded in China 34, the Yellow River flooded in China and 1 million people died. And I think it was eight years later, And I think it was eight years later, the dam that they built in response to the dam that they built in response to the dam that they built in response to that collapsed and 900,000 that collapsed and 900,000 that collapsed and 900,000 people died. I only pause to mention people died. I only pause to mention people died. I only pause to mention that so that you know I'm aware that that so that you know I'm aware that that so that you know I'm aware that when I say the misery unleashed from when I say the misery unleashed from when I say the misery unleashed from Adam's sin, I don't mean small things. Adam's sin, I don't mean small things. Adam's sin, I don't mean small things. History is a conveyor belt of corpses History is a conveyor belt of corpses History is a conveyor belt of corpses because of Adam's sin. because of Adam's sin. because of Adam's sin. And I want to look at this text And I want to look at this text And I want to look at this text to see how God is thinking about that to see how God is thinking about that to see how God is thinking about that and how he is putting Christ in and how he is putting Christ in and how he is putting Christ in relationship to Adam and that horror relationship to Adam and that horror relationship to Adam and that horror that was unleashed by Adam's fall and that was unleashed by Adam's fall and that was unleashed by Adam's fall and sin. Because I believe the point of this sin. Because I believe the point of this sin. Because I believe the point of this text is to say that God was not taken text is to say that God was not taken text is to say that God was not taken off guard by Adam's sin and that Christ off guard by Adam's sin and that Christ off guard by Adam's sin and that Christ and his relationship to Adam is designed and his relationship to Adam is designed and his relationship to Adam is designed by God to magnify his glory in this by God to magnify his glory in this by God to magnify his glory in this fallen world. So that's where we're fallen world. So that's where we're fallen world. So that's where we're that's where we're going. Let's read that's where we're going. Let's read that's where we're going. Let's read verses 12- 14. Therefore, just as sin verses 12- 14. Therefore, just as sin verses 12- 14. Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man,

came into the world through one man, came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and death through sin, and death through sin, and so death spread to all because all and so death spread to all because all and so death spread to all because all sin, for sin was indeed in the world sin, for sin was indeed in the world sin, for sin was indeed in the world before the law was given before Moses, before the law was given before Moses, before the law was given before Moses, in other words. But sin is not counted in other words. But sin is not counted in other words. But sin is not counted where there's no law. Yet where there's no law. Yet where there's no law. Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, death reigned from Adam to Moses, death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not even over those whose sinning was not even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, like the transgression of Adam, like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to who was a type of the one who was to who was a type of the one who was to come. come. come. Now there is Paul's setup. Now there is Paul's setup. Now there is Paul's setup. How shall we think about Adam and How shall we think about Adam and How shall we think about Adam and Christ? Answer type antipified Christ? Answer type antipified Christ? Answer type antipified the type pointing the type pointing the type pointing Adam the type Christ the one of whom he Adam the type Christ the one of whom he Adam the type Christ the one of whom he is a type that's the way Paul's thinking is a type that's the way Paul's thinking is a type that's the way Paul's thinking he wants us to join him in that for a he wants us to join him in that for a he wants us to join him in that for a reason reason reason because if we understand what he does in because if we understand what he does in because if we understand what he does in the remaining verses we will glorify the remaining verses we will glorify the remaining verses we will glorify Christ as like and vastly unlike in his Christ as like and vastly unlike in his Christ as like and vastly unlike in his superiority superiority superiority Adam.

Adam. Adam. What's a type? What's a biblical type? What's a type? What's a biblical type? What's a type? What's a biblical type? You know what that that word in verse 14 You know what that that word in verse 14 You know what that that word in verse 14 means? It means a foreshadowing means? It means a foreshadowing means? It means a foreshadowing of something to come. of something to come. of something to come. And the foreshadowing is like it. That's And the foreshadowing is like it. That's And the foreshadowing is like it. That's how it can be a foreshadowing. And it is how it can be a foreshadowing. And it is how it can be a foreshadowing. And it is very unlike it. That's why it's only a very unlike it. That's why it's only a very unlike it. That's why it's only a shadow. shadow. shadow. So, it's a foreshadowing and like it and So, it's a foreshadowing and like it and So, it's a foreshadowing and like it and yet unlike it. And it's the unlikeness yet unlike it. And it's the unlikeness yet unlike it. And it's the unlikeness that Paul is hammering on in these that Paul is hammering on in these that Paul is hammering on in these verses. But he's able to hammer on it verses. But he's able to hammer on it verses. But he's able to hammer on it because he can do it against the because he can do it against the because he can do it against the backdrop of the type of Adam. backdrop of the type of Adam. backdrop of the type of Adam. And so Adam here is a [snorts] shadow, a And so Adam here is a [snorts] shadow, a And so Adam here is a [snorts] shadow, a foreshadowing, a type of of Christ. foreshadowing, a type of of Christ. foreshadowing, a type of of Christ. Now the question I ask at this point is Now the question I ask at this point is Now the question I ask at this point is why did Paul why did Paul why did Paul insert at this particular point the insert at this particular point the insert at this particular point the statement statement statement a type of the one who was to come?

Let's read verse 14. And you ask that Let's read verse 14. And you ask that question as I read it. question as I read it. question as I read it. Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam. And then he inserts it, who is a type. And then he inserts it, who is a type. Right at that point, right at the point Right at that point, right at the point Right at that point, right at the point where he says, where he says, where he says, even though they didn't all sin like even though they didn't all sin like even though they didn't all sin like Adam, they all died like Adam. Adam, they all died like Adam. Adam, they all died like Adam. Right at that point, he says type. Right at that point, he says type. Right at that point, he says type. Why? Why? Why? Because that's the essence of it. Here's the parallel. Here's the parallel. Adam sins. Human race in him Human race in him dies. Why? dies. Why? dies. Why? Because of connection with him. We're Because of connection with him. We're Because of connection with him. We're united. He is our representative head.

united. He is our representative head. united. He is our representative head. God is so constituted humanity that we God is so constituted humanity that we God is so constituted humanity that we are one. And what happens to our head are one. And what happens to our head are one. And what happens to our head happens to us happens to us happens to us type. type. type. And then you put Christ over that. And then you put Christ over that. And then you put Christ over that. Christ, Christ, Christ, my obedience my obedience my obedience is not like Christ's obedience. Just is not like Christ's obedience. Just is not like Christ's obedience. Just like their trespass was not like his like their trespass was not like his like their trespass was not like his trespass. My obedience, what's my trespass. My obedience, what's my trespass. My obedience, what's my obedience like? Crummy, obedience like? Crummy, obedience like? Crummy, imperfect, falling short. every day of my life. falling short. every day of my life. So Christ So Christ So Christ and [snorts] those whose obedience and [snorts] those whose obedience and [snorts] those whose obedience is not like his which was perfect is not like his which was perfect is not like his which was perfect live with his life forever.

live with his life forever. live with his life forever. Why? Because we're connected to him. Why? Because we're connected to him. Why? Because we're connected to him. He's the representative head of his new He's the representative head of his new He's the representative head of his new humanity. And faith is the one link humanity. And faith is the one link humanity. And faith is the one link between us and that union. So here's the between us and that union. So here's the between us and that union. So here's the here's the parallel. Adam Christ Adam's here's the parallel. Adam Christ Adam's here's the parallel. Adam Christ Adam's [snorts] sin Christ perfect obedience [snorts] sin Christ perfect obedience [snorts] sin Christ perfect obedience fall of all who are united to Adam into fall of all who are united to Adam into fall of all who are united to Adam into the consequence of his sin. Rise of all the consequence of his sin. Rise of all the consequence of his sin. Rise of all those who are united with Christ in the those who are united with Christ in the those who are united with Christ in the consequence of his obedience death consequence of his obedience death consequence of his obedience death [music] [music] [music] eternal life. eternal life. eternal life. That's the way it is set up by the That's the way it is set up by the That's the way it is set up by the Apostle Paul. Apostle Paul. Apostle Paul. I I I >> want to thank you for listening to this >> want to thank you for listening to this >> want to thank you for listening to this episode of Light and Truth. As you know, episode of Light and Truth. As you know, episode of Light and Truth. As you know, we are committed to providing God- we are committed to providing God- we are committed to providing God- centered preaching to help you see centered preaching to help you see centered preaching to help you see Christ clearly and treasure him truly. Christ clearly and treasure him truly. Christ clearly and treasure him truly. I'm your host, Dan Kruever. On our next I'm your host, Dan Kruever. On our next I'm your host, Dan Kruever. On our next episode, John Piper continues our episode, John Piper continues our episode, John Piper continues our 13-part series, The God Who Orders 13-part series, The God Who Orders 13-part series, The God Who Orders [music] [music] [music] Evil, with a message titled Grace Reigns Evil, with a message titled Grace Reigns Evil, with a message titled Grace Reigns Through Christ. I hope you'll join us.

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