The Problem Of Sin Series

THE PROBLEM WITH SIN

Text: Rom. 3:9-20

Introduction

1. Illustration: One of the greatest powers of rationalization ever seen is the ability of people to explain away their sin. Our society finds all types of excuses, like poor parenting, social disadvantages, mistreatment by others and so on. Very few admit the truth we are all guilty and accountable for our actions" (Grant Osborne, 85).

2. Not only do we excuse our sin, but we brag about it! And if you don’t believe me go watch the Super Bowl half-time show.

3. Proposition: Paul’s point in our text today is that when it comes to sin, we are all in it together. We are all sinners and stand guilty before God.

4. Paul talks about…

a. The Inclusion of Sin

b. The Reprobation of Sin

c. The Solution of Sin

5. Let’s all stand together as we read Rom. 3:9-20.

Transition: First, Paul talks about…

I. The Inclusion Of Sin (9).

A. Under The Power Of Sin

1. Paul states, as he has several times already in this letter, that Jews and Gentiles are all in the same boat. We are all sinners and stand guilty before God.

2. In v. 9 he says, “Well then, should we conclude that we Jews are better than others? No, not at all, for we have already shown that all people, whether Jews or Gentiles, are under the power of sin.”

a. Paul begins with another rhetorical question, Well then, should we conclude that Jews are better than others?

b. Paul said in v. 2 that there is benefit in being a Jew, but he has made clear numerous times now that there are not better than others because, in the end, we are all in the same boat.

c. So, in answer to the question he says, No, not at all, for we have already shown that all people, whether Jews or Gentiles, are under the power of sin.

d. Just because there is benefit in being a Jew does not mean they are not held accountable for their sins.

e. In fact, it's just the opposite, the words of God have shown that they are just as guilty before God as the Gentiles.

f. Paul here describes sin as having a power over all people.

g. A British Bible scholar, John Stott, puts it this way, he says sin is a "cruel tyrant who holds the human race imprisoned in guilt and under judgment. Sin is on top of us, weighs us down, and is a crushing burden."

h. There is no getting around it, or away from it, we are all sinners.

i. We cannot help ourselves, and we are all the same in this regard. We are all sinners in need of God's grace and forgiveness.

B. Prisoners Of Sin

1. Illustration: Our sins are debts that none can pay but Christ. It is not our tears, but His blood; it is not our sighs, but His sufferings, that can testify for our sins. Christ must pay all, or we are prisoners forever (Thomas Brooks)

2. We are all locked in the prison of sin; Jesus holds the key.

a. Galatians 3:22 (NLT2)

22 But the Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ.

b. It doesn’t matter who your parents are.

c. It doesn’t matter how good of a job or how much money you own.

d. It doesn’t matter how old or how young you are.

e. It doesn’t matter how much education you have or have not achieved.

f. We are all sinners and stand guilty before a holy and just God.

g. Not only are we all sinners, but we are all in bondage to our sins.

h. There is only one key to your prison, and Jesus holds it!

Transition: Next Paul talks about the…

II. The Reprobation Of Sin (10-18).

A. No One Is Righteous

1. In this section Paul a list of OT Scriptures that verify the sinfulness of the human race with his typical as the Scriptures say...

2. In vv. 10-12 it says, “As the Scriptures say, “No one is righteous— not even one. 11 No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God. 12 All have turned away; all have become useless. No one does good, not a single one.”

a. He begins with the fact that none of us is righteous.

b. What he means by this is that given the choice between God and our own selfish desire we are always going to choose ourselves.

c. He also says, no one is truly wise; no one is seeking God.

d. The idea of seeking here is a way expressing what is really important to us.