Romans, Part 9 Series

Note: Halfway through this message, a video was shown advertising for No Greater Love's Men's Ministry trip to New Orleans, LA. This video can be found on the main NGL website: http://www.nogreaterlove.org

Romans, Part 9 (NGL Ministry Trip Invitation)

Romans 3:21-24

Introduction

- Last week, we concluded the first “section” of our study in Romans

- What Paul has done, is outlined humanity; put it under a microscope

- But, for Paul this was VERY easy – all he had to do was look at a mirror

- There was sin in him; and sin in all of us; and he simply was HONEST about it

- This first section is often very hard to read; hard to be honest with ourselves

- It is in this first section, where we see the need for GRACE; the need for Jesus

- This morning, I’d like to spend a little time talking about sharing Jesus

- I’ll admit, this message is for all – but I am speaking primarily to men today

- Guys, I’d like to openly challenge you to consider something today

-- Ask yourself this question … “Who have I led to Christ?”

-- This is the calling of all believers and as men … we need to be men

-- God used men like Moses (murderer), David (adulterer), Paul (persecutor)

-- These men heard the call of God in their lives, and they obeyed - period

-- We now have a choice; we stand at a crossroad; we can obey or disobey

Stand and read Romans 3:21-24 / Pray

Point 1 – Righteousness is given through Faith (21-22)

- God has revealed His Law, through the prophets, it is what they testify (preach)

- Paul clearly states that there is NO difference between Jews and Gentile

- Remember this letter is to the entire church, and it applies to us today

- God calls us to understand that the Gospel is for anyone who might hear

- 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

- We’ve discussed Grace repeatedly for three chapters now in Romans

-- APP: The very example of Grace is the fact that He calls EVERYONE to repent

- NONE are given a “free pass”; none are absolved from obeying the Word

- It is through FAITH that we accept Jesus Christ; but there is MORE to be done!

- … It is through the Great Commission (Matthew 28) that we must spread it

- Many in the church body will say, “That is not my calling”, or “I can’t do that”

- And to this I simply remind you of Moses, David, and Paul …

-- These were men who had no idea how to live; how to witness; how to serve

-- Through their testimony God strengthened raised them up to be MEN of God

-- APP: It is GOD who does the work, but He needs willing vessels!

- The Marines say they “are looking for a few good men”

- My reply is that God is looking for “ALL” men

- APP: God is looking for men who are willing to be men!!

- John the Baptist was a prophet crying out in the wilderness because God said so

- That’s it! No school; no training; no ministry conferences – JUST GO!

- Are you willing to be that same kind of man that God has called you to be?

- TRANS: I have a short video I’d like to show you (9 minutes)

Point 2 – All have sinned; and ALL need to hear (23-24)

- Play NGL Video

- v23: ALL have sinned and come short – this means that there are none perfect

-- It means that there is not one person who can be considered righteous

-- Not one person that can stand before God and show how good we are

-- Apart from Christ, there is nothing that you and I could ever do to convince

- But consider this for a moment:

-- If no one ever told you about Jesus Christ; you would be going to hell

-- Perhaps it is not something that you can fathom; or even imagine happening

-- Well, the Bible makes it very clear that without Jesus you will be in hell

- Our church sign reads: “Reading the Bible isn’t optional”

- Matthew 28:19 says, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”

- There is no waiting; there is no thinking about it; there is an option to obey

- We have all heard Rom 3:23 before; most can quote it without thinking