God’s Great Solution For Our Sin

God’s Great Solution for Our Sin

Rom 2:1-4, Rom 3:19-26, Rom 5:1-11 and Rom 12:1-2

Sermon by Rick Crandall

McClendon Baptist Church - July 19, 2009

*If you took a survey at Wal-Mart this week, and asked people about their worst problem, most people would say something like this: “It’s my job” or “my spouse” or “my kids” or “my health.”

-But the truth is that our worst problem is sin. There is not even a close second.

*Christian Communicators Worldwide gives us 35 great reasons not to sin. And here are just 5 of the most important reasons for a Christian not to sin:

-Because the time spent in sin is forever wasted.

-Because others, including my family, suffer consequences due to my sin.

-Because my sin may keep others from knowing Christ.

-Because sin makes light of the cross.

-Because I promised God he would be Lord of my life. (1)

*Christians, without a doubt, our biggest problem is sin.

-And how much more so for those who don’t know Christ!

-They are facing everlasting punishment from the Judge of all mankind.

*Our biggest problem is sin. -- But God has a great solution for our sin.

1. And a big part of this solution is our repentance.

*This is the message for all people in Rom 2:1-4:

1. Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.

2. But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things.

3. And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?

4. Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

*The goodness of God leads us to repentance. Think about God’s goodness. God is good all the time!

1-His goodness is universal. We can find it everywhere. Psalm 33:5 tells us that the Lord, “loves righteousness and justice; The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

2-His goodness is universal, but it is also personal. The Lord cares about you as an individual. The Bible tells us that His eye is on the sparrow, and you can be sure that He is watching over you.

*When Stanley Baldwin was a little boy, his family took a trip to the Pacific Coast. This was during World War II, and fear of a Japanese attack had led to a strict lights-out policy after dark.

*Stanley and his family stopped at a motel along the beach to spend the night. They decided to take a quick walk along the darkened beach to get some fresh air. Little Stanley ran ahead of his parents and sister, and he came to a barricade wall blocking his way further. Like any other boy, he decided to climb the wall and explore the rest of the beach.

*But just as Stanley reached the top of the wall, his sister called out and stopped him. In the blink of an eye, some soldiers drove up, guns aimed right at the Baldwin family. The squad leader chewed them out and sent them back to the motel.

*The next morning, the family returned to the barricade wall to look at the beach. Imagine their horror when they looked over the wall and saw a 40-foot drop to the rocks below! If Stanley’s sister hadn't called for him when she did, if the soldiers hadn't shown up when they did, Stanley might have jumped over that wall to certain death. (2)

*I don’t believe that was a coincidence at all. God was watching over Stanley Baldwin. And He is watching over you!

3-God’s goodness is personal, and it is eternal. It’s something you can depend on today, tomorrow and forever! As David said in the 23rd Psalm: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”

4-God’s goodness is eternal, and it is most helpful. God’s goodness helps us turn away from sin, and turn to God. That’s why in vs. 4, Paul asked, “Do you despise the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?”

*The goodness of God leads us to repentance. Think about repentance. We all need to turn away from bad actions and attitudes. The first word Jesus ever preached was “repent!” “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

*Paul Decker tells us that repentance means we have a necessary change of mind. Our views change. Our values and goals change. The way we live changes. Repentance means that we turn away from sin and turn to God. (3)