Main Idea: You cannot pull yourself out of sin.
Verse: “…no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law…” (Romans 3:20 NIV).
Illustration: A little monkey fell in the quicksand. As he was sinking into the sand, a monkey on the bank started giving him advice. He said, “Pull yourself out.” The little monkey started trying to pull himself out of the quicksand by pulling on his own hand. The monkey on the shore said, “Try pulling your self out by your ears.” The monkey pulled on his ears but he was not able to get out of the sand. The truth is that you can never pull yourself out of sin, you need help. Only Jesus can save you. You cannot save yourself.