Unwrapping The Perfect Gifts
About This Series:
In Romans chapter 5, the apostle Paul unwraps six priceless, perfect gifts that God freely gives to every believer in Jesus Christ. These gifts are not earned or deserved—they are lavish expressions of divine grace. In this series, Stephen Davey walks us through each one, helping us discover how these gifts transform our daily walk, fuel our faith, and anchor our assurance in Christ. From peace with God to the presence of the Holy Spirit, this series invites you to unwrap—and enjoy—the incredible treasures God has placed in your hands.
Sermons In This Series
Peace
(Romans 5:1) True peace has always eluded humanity. From the collapse of the League of Nations to the short-lived Pax Romana, we’ve promised peace but failed to produce it. The prophet Jeremiah said it well: “Peace, peace, but there is no peace.” But in Romans 5:1, Paul tells us that peace with God is now a fact—freely given through justification by faith. Though we were once in open rebellion—every sin a missile against heaven’s holiness—Jesus offers us peace through His cross. This is not just the peace of God, but peace with God. Our response? Accept Jesus as our peace treaty and, as ambassadors, offer the same to a world in desperate need of it.
Grace
(Romans 5:2) Through Christ, we’ve been given access into grace—a place we now stand. In the Old Testament, access to God was restricted by walls and veils. Only one man could enter once a year. But when Jesus cried, “It is finished,” the curtain was torn. God opened the way Himself. We now live in the presence of God, with no human mediators required. This is the individual priesthood of the believer. Grace is not just our position—it’s our calling. We’re part of a community shaped by grace, extending it in how we speak, forgive, and live. If you’ve received this gift, live like it: be a safe harbor, cheer on the advance of grace, and let your words drip with it.
Pain
(Romans 5:3–4) Surprisingly, pain is one of God’s perfect gifts. Paul says we “exult” even in suffering. Why? Because God uses it. Like physical pain alerts the body to danger, spiritual suffering shapes the soul. The Greek word thlipsis means pressure or crushing weight—and yet, God uses it to build us. Pain produces perseverance. Perseverance produces purity—like gold refined in fire. And purity produces perspective: eternal hope. God is not handing us a cruel gift. He’s forming Christ in us. Our response is to surrender to His refining process and trust His purpose in every trial.
The Holy Spirit
(Romans 5:5) God didn’t just give us gifts—He gave us Himself. The Holy Spirit is not a mystical force but a divine Person, who lives within every believer from the moment of salvation. He has a mind, a will, and emotions. He can be grieved—and He can guide. To be “filled” with the Spirit means to be led by Him, not topped off like a gas tank. He affects your walk, your words, and your worship. Our response? Listen to His voice through Scripture, learn from His guidance, and lean on His help. Without Him, there’s no power, no progress, and no peace.
The Love of God
(Romans 5:6–8) God’s love is not based on our loveliness—it’s based on His will. Paul describes us as helpless, sinful, and hostile. And yet, Christ died for us while we were still sinners. That’s agape love: not earned, not deserved, not explained by human logic. Our response to this love is twofold: receive it with humility, and rely on it as your unshakable anchor. In seasons of doubt or failure, remember—God didn’t start loving you when you improved. He loved you at your worst. And that love will never let you go.
Assurance
(Romans 5:9–11) God’s final gift in this passage is assurance. We are not only justified by Christ’s death—we are saved by His life. That means we are secure, not because of our grip on Him, but because of His ongoing intercession for us. Assurance brings safety from wrath, certainty of salvation, and the joy of worship. Paul says we “exult in God”—the highest calling of a redeemed heart. You’ve been saved from sin, and saved for praise. So rejoice. Celebrate your security. Worship your Savior—not just for what He’s done, but for who He is.