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
-- The challenge though is have we listened to what we are saying?
-- APP: It is because ALL have sinned and fallen short that we MUST tell
-- It must be what drives our lives; drives us to spread the Gospel … daily!
- MAIN Application:
-- The same grace that was applied to your life in Christ; should drive you
-- The same grace that set you free from sin; should motivate you
-- The same grace that brought you to this place; must inspire you
- What does it cost?
-- Friday March 4 through Tuesday March 8
-- $175 per man (covers food and places to stay) – money is NOT an excuse
-- Willingness to submit to Christ - and the leaders over you
-- Time to hear from God, and be refreshed in His presence
- Last year NGL had 87 churches from 17 states represented to spread Christ
- Romans 10:13-15, “… everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
- Isa 52:7, “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news …”
Conclusion
- Analogy: Let’s say that a man is to be executed this Thursday, but the Governor pardons him from this punishment. The Governor signs the pardon, hands it to YOU for delivery, and entrusts you to take it to the prison. Well, the week goes by and you get busy, you keep remembering the pardon but figure that you will just do it later … and then you wake up Friday morning to read the paper and see that the man has been executed. Looking in your jacket pocket you see the pardon that you never delivered to the prison … how does it make you feel?
- The pardon we possess is Jesus Christ, because we are all under a death sentence
- Men, this morning we have two choices that we are presented with:
-- 1. We can obey Christ and follow in His footsteps to GO and MAKE disciples
-- 2. We can disobey Christ and in turn tell him that His Grace is not worth it
- If you are willing, come down here after church and Chris and I’d love to talk
- What a shame to look upon the cross, and tell Him “No thanks, it’s not for me.”
- Pray
