SERMON OUTLINE:
• What’s the point of the law? (vs 1-8)
• What’s the state of humanity? (vs 9-18)
• What’s the conclusion of the matter? (19-20)
SERMON BODY:
Ill:
• There is a story told about a Dublin theatre manager named James Daly,
• (the story well may be apocryphal).
• But James Daly wanted to convince his friend,
• That he could introduce a new word into the English language.
• He chose at random 4 letters from the alphabet.
• The letters Q-U-I-Z.
• He then paid several men some money,
• To go throughout the streets of Dublin,
• And wherever they went they were to chalk on walls and on the pavements,
• Those letters
• The next morning when the city woke up,
• Everyone was baffled by this unusual expression - Q-U-I-Z.
• People would see it and ask one another, “What does it mean?”
• Soon the newspapers took up the story,
• And eventually this strange- sounding word was on the lips of everyone.
• And thus (say some) the term “quiz” was born,
• And incorporated into the language as a synonym for “questioning.”
TRANSITION:
• Now the section before us this morning:
• Is a series of question and answers.
• That have come out of what Paul taught in chapter 2.
• So, in this chapter the apostle Paul is addressing these hypothetical questions.
Question: What are these hypothetical questions?
Answer: There are lots of them.
• So, I have narrowed these many questions,
• Down to three main questions for us to consider today.
• So I am going for the big thought and not the details.
Ill:
• A Father and his small son were out walking one day;
• When the lad asked his dad a question;
• “How can electricity go through the wires stretched between the telephone poles?”
• His father replied; “I don’t know, I’ve never knew too much about electricity.”
• A few streets farther on, the boy asked another question:
• “Dad, what causes lightning and thunder?”
• His dad replied.
• “I don’t know, that too has always puzzled me!”
• The youngster continued to inquire about many things,
• None of which the father could explain.
• Finally, as they were nearing home, the boy said,
• “Dad, I hope you don’t mind me asking all those questions.”
• “Not at all,” replied his father.
• “If you don’t ask, how else are you going to learn?”
• TRANSITION:
• Chapter 3 is a serious of hypothetical questions.
• Note: Chapter 3 is also the seedbed for the rest of the book:
• Verses 1-4 deals with Israel’s unbelief;
• And this is his subject matter in chapters 9-11.
• In verse 8 he mentions the question of living a life of sin.
• And he deals with this in greater detail in chapters 6-8.
• Verse 21 brings up the topic of justification by faith;
• Again he will deal with this in greater detail in chapters 4-5.
• Finally in verse 32 he mentions establishing and obeying the law;
• This is his theme in chapters 12-16.
• So, chapter 3 is a very important chapter,
• That should whet your appetite for what is to come!
• Well, this morning let’s ask 3 main questions,
• Remember I am going for the big thought and not the details.
Question #1: What’s the point of the law? (1-8)
“What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? 2 Much in every way! First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God.
3 What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness? 4 Not at all! Let God be true, and every human being a liar. As it is written:
“So that you may be proved right when you speak
and prevail when you judge.”
5 But if our unrighteousness brings out God’s righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.) 6 Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world? 7 Someone might argue, “If my falsehood enhances God’s truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?” 8 Why not say—as some slanderously claim that we say—“Let us do evil that good may result”? Their condemnation is just!”
If you were here for the previous studies in chapters 1 and 2,
• You will have noted the apostle Paul pointing out to his readers,
• That the Jews are not made right with God because they have the Law.
• The Law mentioned here is the Torah (the first 5 books of the Bible).
• Hoping you are saved because you have the Law,
• Is the equivalent of hoping you are saved because you went to Church,
• Or got baptised/christened as a baby.
• You can come to faith at Church,
• But Church attendance never saved anyone!
Ill:
The old Keith Green quote was,
“Going to Church makes you no more a Christian than going to McDonalds makes you a hamburger!”
• TRANSITION: Just having the Law,
• In of itself does not save us from our sin.
• That results in outward conformity but does not change the heart!
Note:
• Now don’t misunderstand me,
• The apostle Paul is not saying that having the law is a waste. No!
• Instead, in verse 2 he says that “…they were entrusted with the very words of God.”
• The law of God is a blessing, not a curse.
• It cannot and does not save us.
• The Law does point out and explain to us our great need to be saved.
• And the Law does point us to the God who can save us!
These verses give us examples of how the Law cannot save.
Example #1: circumcision (vs1-2).
“What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision?
Much in every way! First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God.”
• If you were a Jew reading this letter, you might be thinking,
• What is the advantage of being a circumcised Jew?
• Surely Jews are different to Gentiles.
• If they are not, why did God give us bother with 100’s of years of heritage?
• Why did God bother giving circumcision as a visible sign to all Jewish men,
• If both Jew and Gentile are the same
Ill:
• We might say; “Is there an advantage in growing up in a Christian home?”
• By Christian home we don’t mean Dr Barnardoes but Christian parents.
• You may have been taught the value of both the Bible and prayer,
• You had a lifestyle example in your godly parents.
• Now although that privilege does not save you.
• You still had to figure things out for yourself.
• It did give you a head start in your spiritual life,
• You are one step closer than the person who knew nothing of God or the Bible.
Here’s the point:
• My wife comes from a Christian home; I came from a non-religious home.
• Before our conversions both of us were guilty sinners before God.
• The privileges of her upbringing (regular times of prayer& Bible study);
• No more saved her than my lack of regular times of prayer& Bible study
• Until our conversions we were equal;
• We were guilty sinners, who needed saving!
• That is the point the apostle Paul is making in this letter.
• Being a Jew is a privilege, but it is no guarantee of salvation.
Example #2: Unfaithfulness (vs 3-4).
“What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness? 4 Not at all! Let God be true, and every human being a liar. As it is written:
“So that you may be proved right when you speak
and prevail when you judge.””
Ill:
• Sir Christopher Wren was a great the Architect,
• His masterpiece was designing St Paul's Cathedral, London.
• But after the Great Fire of London in 1666
• He was responsible for rebuilding 52 other churches and other buildings.
• He designed the interior of Windsor Town Hall near London in 1689,
• He built a ceiling supported by pillars.
• After civic authorities had inspected the finished building,
• They decided the ceiling would not stay up and ordered,
• Wren to put in some more pillars.
• England's greatest architect didn't think the ceiling needed any more support,
• So, he pulled a fast one.
• He added four pillars that did not do anything,
• They don't even reach the ceiling.
• The optical illusion fooled the civic authorities,
• And today the four sham pillars amuse many a tourist.
• TRANSITION:
• He apostle Paul is saying to his readers,
• That often God’s people the Jews were hypocrites.
• Like Wren’s pillars, they looked the part outwardly but had no connection!
The apostle Paul goes on to point out.
• That that just because God’s people are unfaithful doesn’t mean that he is unfaithful.
• God is always faithful, even when we are unfaithful.
• When we are liars, God is still truthful.
• When we are sinners, God is still holy.
• When we are hateful, God is still loving.
Ill:
• The apostle Paul quotes from Psalm 51 verse 4.
• Which is a Psalm that records David's experience.
• In this Psalm David (human) owned up to his own lying and unfaithfulness.
• Yet, David discovered and declared God to be faithful & true.
• TRA|NSITION:
• Even though the Jews did not follow God’s ways,
• He was still faithful to his covenant with them.
• The greatness and faithfulness of God is never compromised,
• Even when we are weak and unfaithful.
Example #3: Does our sin make God look even greater (vs 5-8).
“But if our unrighteousness brings out God’s righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.) 6 Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world? 7 Someone might argue, “If my falsehood enhances God’s truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?” 8 Why not say—as some slanderously claim that we say—“Let us do evil that good may result”? Their condemnation is just!”
Someone might listen to the apostle and say:
• In that case,
• “My lies show up God’s truth,”
• “My unfaithfulness shows God’s faithfulness,
• Therefor my sin is not bad it is good because;
• It gives God the opportunity to show how good he is!”
Ill:
• The argument is as daft as me saying,
• I am going to crash my car and get injured;
• That will show to everyone how good the surgeon at the hospital is!
• Crazy thinking!
Ill:
• Or another illustration:
• This would be like a child saying to their parent,
“Every time you forgive my disobedience and disrespect, it makes you look like a better parent. Therefore, I think I’ll be more disrespectful and more disobedient so that you can look like a better parent.”
• Ridiculous logic.
• Crazy thinking!
In verse 6 the apostle says, “You have a wrong understanding of God.”
“Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world?”
• The words translated “Certainly not!” are very forceful in the Greek,
• It is like our saying; “Never in a million years”
• That type of logic shows you don’t understand God’s character.
TO CONCLUDE VERSES 1-8:
• The point of the Law is not to save us,
• But to point us to our need to be saved.
• The Law of God is a blessing to us in that it shows us God and God’s ways,
• As well as our great need for God.
• Circumcision does not save the Jews,
• But it shows them and reminds them that they are to be God’s covenant people.
• The Law gave the Jews a great spiritual advantage,
• It allowed them to stand in the front of the waiting line,
• When it came to those who had access to God’s grace.
• The Law showed them where the line was,
• Showed them how to get there,
• And told them what they would receive,
• Once they made it to the head of the line:
• That is God’s grace and forgiveness.
(2). What’s the state of humanity? (vs 9-18)
“What shall we conclude then? Do we have any advantage? Not at all! For we have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin. 10 As it is written:
“There is no one righteous, not even one;
11 there is no one who understands;
there is no one who seeks God.
12 All have turned away,
they have together become worthless;
there is no one who does good,
not even one.”
13 “Their throats are open graves;
their tongues practice deceit.”
“The poison of vipers is on their lips.”
14 “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”
15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16 ruin and misery mark their ways,
17 and the way of peace they do not know.”
18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.””
These verses do not make easy reading.
• We all tend to compare the sin in our lives with the sin in the lives of those around us.
• We are not as bad as the people on the TV news or in newspapers.
• We feel we are not as bad as our neighbours,
• We can always find someone out there who is far worse than I am.
• We can somehow feel justified,
• Because overall we are pretty good, we are nice people!
• It’s everybody else who is the problem!”
Ill:
• Golf Net Fails and Window Gets Smashed Meme
• YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/RnCsEN1BUzI?si=4ebGG5th5KwQ_nWI
• Love this clip,
• (love it because it didn’t happen to me!)
• A guy practicing in his garden and his golf ne t failed,
• And so the very large glass window is smashed.
• He looks a teenager so maybe his mother comes out the house and says,
• “Idiot, you broke the window, it’s gonna cost you, it will be expensive to replace it”
• The teenager replies,
• “My golf balls diameter is only 1.68 inches in size,
• Therefore I will only pay for a piece of glass 1.68 inches in size!”
• You know how exactly his mother’s predictable response,
• “No, you broke the window, you buy the whole window.”
• TRANSITION:
• God’s law is like that plate-glass window.
• One small hole is all it takes to ruin the whole window,
• And the one who broke it is responsible to pay for a new window!
• We might not make as many holes in the window as some people,
• But that misses the point.
• Break it in one place and you have ruined it all!
Note: The big idea in these verses.
• The apostle Paul says in verse 9,
• “…both Jews and Greeks are all under sin.”
• The apostle Paul says in verse 10,
• “There is no one righteous, not even one.”
In verses 10-17 the apostle Paul illustrates this truth:
• He does so by using some horrible descriptive words,
• i.e. open grave, viper’s venom, cursing, bitterness, blood, ruin and wretchedness,
• i.e. and no fear of God.
• The apostle Paul is not out to win friends and influence people.
• When it comes to the human race, he is not an optimist!
• There is no self-help course or best selling book gonna sort out this mess!
Quote: D.L. Moody:
“If they invented a camera that could photograph the human heart, we would all have our pictures taken, but we wouldn’t dare show them to anyone!”
• The state of humanity is that we are totally depraved without God!
• We have no ability to enter into God’s kingdom by our own merits!
• We are totally helpless!
Note:
• What the apostle Paul does in these verses,
• Is what Jewish Rabbis routinely did;
• Rabbis often strung together a collection of Old Testament verses to make a point.
• It was known as ‘charaz’,
• Which literally means 'stringing pearls'.
• The apostle Paul strings together verses from the Psalms, Isaiah & Ecclesiastes;
• To make his point.
• By quoting verses outside the first five books of the Bible,
• The section of the Old Testament normally referred to as 'the Law'.
• Paul is widening the term 'Law', beyond the first 5 books of the Bible,
• To mean the whole of the Old Testament.
To the Jews the word Law has 3 meanings.
• It can refer to, ‘The Torah.’
• It can refer to, ‘The Ten Commandments.’
• It can refer to, ‘The whole of the Old Testament.’
Quote: Somebody has said.
“When it comes to standing before God based on your own merit you are not only up the creek without a paddle, your canoe is upside down, you’re surrounded by alligators, and there’s a deadly waterfall straight ahead!”
The root of the problem is always a wrong attitude ‘self before God.’
Ill:
• You no doubt will argue but I’m not that bad!
• Question: When you see a group photo of family or friends,
• Who do you look for first?
The fruit of the problem is always ‘wrong actions.’
• Because our roots are in self & sin rather than in God & righteousness;
• We produce fruit that reflects that (vs 11-18).
• A corrupt mind (vs 11) “no-one that understand”.
• A corrupt heart (vs 11) “no-one seeks God”.
• A corrupt will (vs 12) “no-one does good, not even one”
(3). What’s the conclusion of the matter? (19-20)
“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. 20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.”
• If you are still foolish enough to think that being religious can save you,
• In this case being a Jew or by keeping the law will save you.
• The apostle Paul will say, “Think again!”
The apostle Paul informs his readers that idea is wrong.
• The law does not save it only informs.
• It only shows to us our weaknesses and our sinfulness.
• It cannot save us from them.
Ill:
• Mirror is good for seeing if you have a dirty face,
• But the mirror cannot remove the dirt.
• A thermometer will tell you if you have a fever,
• But swallowing the thermometer will not cure the fever.
• TRANSITION:
• In the same way the law is good to inform, to produces conviction of sin,
• But the law is worthless as a saviour from sin.
• Quote: Martin Luther:
• “Its function is not to justify but to terrify”.
• Then, in verse 20, Paul gets to the heart of this passage.
• "What is the conclusion of the matter?”
• Whoever you are (Jew or Gentile),
• You cannot be justified by the law!
• No human being can obverse enough religious rules to save themselves,
• Your bad deeds will always outweigh your good deeds!
Note: This passage leaves me as a frustrated preacher!
Ill:
• In many TV shows they always have a cliff hanger.
• A dramatic ending and you need to watch the next show to find out what happens!
• That is what happens in this chapter,
• Muggings here has got the bad news,
• And next weeks speaker gets to share the good news!
• Well not quite,
• Lem me conclude with this…
Quote:
• John Newton, English evangelical Anglican cleric and slavery abolitionist.
• And of course hymn writer.
“Although my memory's fading, I remember two things very clearly: I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior.”
Ill:
• His most famous hymn is Amazing grace.
• Download YouTube Video Testimony:
• https://youtu.be/c7M-5CuqJiw
“Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found.
Was blind, but now I see.”
TRANSITION: God’s grace is big enough to cover and cleanse your sin!
• Admit your need.
• Humble your heart.
• Ask Christ to forgive you.
• Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
• And live for Christ (make him Lord).
• And you too can be saved today!
SERMON AUDIO:
https://surf.pxwave.com/wl/?id=yRbrpHCqVbPvk6xB1PDho1JIe4QQSVXj
