Well I have to admit that this study from the book of Romans have roughed us up a little. So far Paul has definitely shown the reality of our sin problem. But before we dive in to our text I feel we need to quickly review what Paul has said up to this point in regard to our condition before. We are immoral, self-righteous, depraved and in danger of God’s wrath. However, Paul has showed us that there is a ray of hope in this dismal picture. Our sinful condition can be cured by Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. Reader’s Digest published this true story. A woman called the police department and complained, "People are speeding on our street, endangering the lives of children walking to school." The next morning, she herself was stopped for speeding. "But officer," she pleaded, "I’m the person who called yesterday to tell the police about these speeders." "Well then, ma’am," he replied, handing her a ticket, "you should be happy we caught one." As we come to the text today Paul is going to present one final round of evidence that shows our depravity before God. To the Jew, Paul shows that the Law cannot provide salvation. To both the Jew and Gentile, Paul shows that the Law does successfully condemn us for our sins. In fact, he presents his conclusion that no one is above the Law and we are all put in the same boat by the Law. Paul concludes that we are totally lost and totally helpless to do anything to help ourselves. God’s grace is mankind’s only solution to this sin problem. As we examine this third round of evidence our goal is to discover the lessons that we can take away from Paul’s words.
I. Sobering words for those who place their trust in their own righteousness.
A. Traditions and heritage will never give us a leg up on anyone else.
1. Paul presents the fact that there are two things seriously wrong with some the Jews.
a. The Jews were guilty of unbelief. They were only believing the parts of God’s Word that they wanted to.
b. The Jews felt because of their heritage they were exempted from God’s judgment.
2. The most amazing thing Paul presents is that despite man’s unfaithfulness God remains faithful to His promises.
3. Although God handpicked the Jewish people to be His possession, this did not give them an automatic place in Heaven.
4. The bottom line of Paul’s message is that regardless of whether we are a Jew or Gentile, we stand before God condemned because of our sin.
B. God’s nature will not allow Him to give anyone a free pass in regard to sin.
1. The Jewish leaders failed to understand that it wasn’t about maintaining the ceremonies, God demanded obedience to His Law.
2. Paul in no way is diminishing the privilege of being one of God’s chosen people, he wants the people to realize that being entrusted with the Law doesn’t give you the right to pick and choose the ones you obey.
3. God is holy and righteous by nature and if He would overlook the disobedience of the Jews simply because they were His chosen people, this would violate His own nature.
4. 11 Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; 12 if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; 13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself. (2 Timothy 2:11-13—NIV 2011)
5. Each and every person regardless of who they are will stand before God on the Day of Judgment to be judged on their obedience to Him.
C. There are many times when human logic makes no sense.
1. The objection presented to the case Paul was making was this: Since God promised to always be faithful to Abraham’s descendants, does it not make God unfaithful if He brings judgment upon them.
2. Paul shows that God stated that there would be consequences for disobedience and by judging the Jews’ disobedience God is actually showing His faithfulness.
3. The second objection is: Since sin gives God an opportunity to extend mercy, should we sin more to give God more opportunity to extend mercy.
4. Paul makes it clear this logic is completely wrong. This would mean that God was encouraging sinful behavior and if this was true He would no longer be Holy and righteous and no longer qualified to judge mankind.
II. Paul presents his most dismal picture of mankind’s condition before God.
A. Paul makes an all-inclusive statement in regard to mankind’s condition before God.
1. The only advantage that the Jews have is that they had access to God’s special revelation and to the blessings that come from being obedient to Him. Now everyone has this available through Jesus Christ.
2. The fact is that no one is superior, everyone regardless of their heritage stand before God condemned as sinners.
3. This completely proves the statement, “I am not too bad, I’m a pretty good person,” to be completely false.
4. This hopeless condition that we have before God is exactly what points us toward Jesus Christ.
B. The entire human race stand before God as sinners in danger of His wrath.
1. Paul affirms that the sin problem is universal and it impacts every area of life.
2. When we fail to seek God all that we do ends up worthless. However, the good news is the even though we may not seek God, He still seeks us.
3. Paul’s indictment of the human race was without a doubt difficult for the Jews to stomach much like it is for us today. “No one is righteous, all have turned away.”
4. Human sin effects the totality of the human race because society can be no better than the ones who make it up.
C. There is no amount of human effort that can allow us to become righteous before God.
1. The very Scriptures that the Jews put their hope in condemns the entire human race because of their sin.
2. What Paul shows that the condemnation in the Old Testament is not primarily directed to the Gentiles it includes the Jews as well.
3. No excuses will be accepted by God, every man stands guilty of their sins.
4. The Law was not meant to be boasted about it was given to allow man to understand what God considered to be right and wrong and to remind man of the constant need for God’s grace.
III. There are some vital lessons that we can take away from today’s text.
A. We are incapable of earning our salvation.
1. We have made the point over and over again throughout this series, we are incapable of saving ourselves.
2. The Law shows us where we do wrong but it does not enable us to do what is right or provide us with a way to be saved.
3. The Law holds up God’s moral standards before us and shows us exactly how far we fall short of them.
4. The Law doesn’t extend mercy, it provides us with a measurement of God’s justice and righteousness.
B. There is only one solution to our sin problem.
1. The Law makes it clear that there needed to be a solution for our sin problem and that it was not it.
2. Since we could not live up to God’s righteous requirements, Jesus came and provided a way for us to be made righteous before God.
3. Paul’s teaching constantly reaffirmed the words Jesus said in regard to the Law.
4. “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” (Matthew 5:17—NIV 2011)
5. God’s mercy has always been present but it was brought to light through Jesus Christ.
C. Eventually God’s patience with us will run out.
1. God has made the offer of Salvation a reality through Jesus Christ and He is giving us every opportunity to accept this gift of grace and mercy.
2. 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. (2 Peter 3:9—NIV 2011)
3. God is being patient at the present time but God has no intention of waiting forever, eventually the Judgment will be a reality.
4. The question that is left to answer is this: “If God decides to stop waiting today, are you prepared to stand before Him?”
Closing:
R.C. Buckner, a big, bold and brash man, lived about 100 years ago in Texas. This imposing figure had a very tender heart for children, starting Buckner’s Children’s Homes all across the state. The children affectionately called him “Papa Buckner” and would run up to him every time he visited. He would always take the time to pick up each and every child and give them a hug.
One day he was visiting one of the homes and was hugging all the children gathered around him when he noticed a little girl who was standing with her face against the wall. He discovered that she had been seriously burned in an accident, and had a terrible scar on her face. He went over to her and asked, “Sweetheart, don’t you want Papa Buckner to hug you?” Without turning around she snarled, “No, I’m too ugly.” Papa Buckner knelt down, picked her up in his burly arms, turned her face gently toward his, looked right into her eyes and then planted a tender kiss right on the burned portion of her face. After he kissed her, he said, “Sweetheart, you are beautiful to me, and you are beautiful to God.”
