Proof That You Are Not A Good Person Series

Proof That You Are Not A Good Person

Chapter 3:1-8

1 What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision?

2 Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God.

3 For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect?

4 Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written: "That You may be justified in Your words, and may overcome when You are judged."

5 But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unjust who inflicts wrath? (I speak as a man.)

6 Certainly not! For then how will God judge the world?

7 For if the truth of God has increased through my lie to His glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner?

8 And why not say, "Let us do evil that good may come"?-- as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say. Their condemnation is just.

So why a Jew?

-God is no respector of persons, would shock a Jew who considered themselves very special people. We think the same today of the Jews’ special status.

They focused much attention on their priveledges not their responsibilities.

1. What advantage than has the Jew?

V2 they have the word of God first

2. Will Jewish unfaithfulness cancel God’s faithfulness?

V4 It will establish it (Chapter 9-11)

3. Does our unreighteousness make God more righteous?

V6 He is absolutely righteous.

Rom 3:9-20

9 What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin.

10 As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one;

11 There is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God.

12 They have all turned aside; they have together become unprofitable; there is none who does good, no, not one."

13 "Their throat is an open tomb; with their tongues they have practiced deceit"; "The poison of asps is under their lips";

14 "Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness."

15 "Their feet are swift to shed blood;

16 Destruction and misery are in their ways;

17 And the way of peace they have not known."

18 "There is no fear of God before their eyes."

19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Verse 9. What shall we conclude then? Where have we got to? What can we say?

Well, when it comes to Jew verses Gentile - and Paul’s a Jew himself - he asks the question, can we Jews say we’re any better than anyone else? And it’s a question you might like to rephrase for us Baptists too. ARE WE ANY BETTER? And the answer is, NOT AT ALL!

People like to believe that we are basically good. But men feel guilty because they are guilty. Unless his sin is removed his guilt will remain.

He says, that’s exactly what I’ve just been talking about. Follow in verse 9. We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are under sin.

under - a heavy load that you can not escape from. Also includes under the power, authority and control of something.

And that means ALL OF US. And then Paul goes on to quote the Old Testament, cause it makes the same point over and over again. And you want to know the problem of the world?

Three categories:

1. Character - v10-12 Mind (None understand)

2. Conversation - v13-14 Heart (None seek)

3. Conduct - v15-17 Will (None do good)

The Cause: v18 no fear of God

Ps 14:1-3

1 The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none who does good.

2 The LORD looks down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there are any who understand, who seek God.

3 They have all turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is none who does good, no, not one.

Contrast:

Prov 9:10

10 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

God seeks the sinner -

So a Seeker Sensitive service is when God is pleased.

Gen 3:8-10

8 And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.