Series: 3:16- Numbers That Bring Hope [#34]
THE HOPE THAT COMES FROM REALITY
Romans 3:16
Introduction:
We live in a time when everyone is expected to be politically correct. If we call something sinful, sinful; then we are intolerant. If we tell somebody that “will power” is not enough for them to do right; then we are negative. If we tell people that Jesus is the only way to salvation; we are “closed-minded”.
16 years ago, our Nation experienced a horrific attack by Muslim extremist. Many people died and our Nation quickly turned to God for help. There were prayer services all over the Nation. Last week, upon the request of President Trump, we participated in a National Day of Prayer for those in Texas dealing with Hurricane Harvey. As we speak, Florida is dealing with Hurricane Irma; and Hurricane Jose is following in her path. With all of these disasters, one would think that our Nation would be paying attention to what God is trying to show us. By the way, I left this out earlier- If you say that God is using all of these disasters to wake us up spiritually; then you are a “religious nut”.
What Christians all over the world need to do is face reality- God punishes sin and our only hope is salvation through Jesus Christ.
Romans 3:9-18 (NIV)
“What shall we conclude then? Are we any better? Not at all! We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin. As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one." "Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit." "The poison of vipers is on their lips." "Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness." "Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery mark their ways, and the way of peace they do not know." "There is no fear of God before their eyes."
The reality is that we are all…
1. Sinners.
Paul gets right to the point. He lets the Jews know that everyone has sinned and they are not any better than anyone else.
There is no one…
? Who is righteous.
? Who understands.
? Who seeks God.
? Who does good.
Instead of following the ways of God, we all…
? Turn away.
? Become worthless.
? Run our mouths.
? Have no fear of God.
Romans 3:19-20 (NIV)
“Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.”
The reality is that we are all…
2. Held accountable to God.
God is a just God. He cannot change the rules, let things slide, or act like He didn’t notice. Each of us will stand before God and be judged. That judgment will be either the Great White Throne Judgment or the Bema Seat Judgment. The Great White Throne Judgment is for all of those who were not saved. They will be judged according to all of their sins. The Bema Seat Judgment is the refiner’s fire judgment for those who are saved.
Romans 3:21-24 (NIV)
“But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
The reality is that we are all…
3. Made right only through Jesus Christ.
There is only one way to eternal salvation and that is through faith in Jesus Christ. We have all sinned and fallen short of God’s glory; but we can be justified by God’s grace through the price that Jesus paid for our sins.
Conclusion:
In the world that we live in with death, destruction, and evil, we have only one hope, that is Jesus.
