Book of Romans: Good News About Bad News

Jim Keena | Guest Speaker | March 3, 2024

The Charge: Romans 3:9 (NIV)
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.

The Evidence: Romans 3:10-18 (NIV)
As it is written:
“There is no one righteous, not even one;
there is no one who understands;
there is no one who seeks God. (Ecclesiastes 7:20)
All have turned away,
they have together become worthless;
there is no one who does good,
not even one.” (Psalms 14:1-3 & 53:1-3)
“Their throats are open graves;
their tongues practice deceit.” (Psalm 5:9)
“The poison of vipers is on their lips.” (Psalm 140:3)
“Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.” (Psalm 10:7)
“Their feet are swift to shed blood; (Proverbs 1:16)
ruin and misery mark their ways,
and the way of peace they do not know.” (Isaiah 59:7-8)
“There is no fear of God before their eyes.” (Psalm 36:1)

The Verdict: 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 God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.

“The essence of sin is man substituting himself for God, while the essence of salvation is God substituting himself for man. Man asserts himself against God and puts himself where only God deserves to be; God sacrifices himself for man and puts himself where only man deserves to be. Man claims prerogatives that belong to God alone; God accepts penalties that belong to man alone.” — John Stott, Romans: Good News for the World

 

Reflection Questions:

1. What was something that captured your attention from the sermon?

2. According to Romans 2:1 & 3:1, it appears the Jewish Christians at times felt superior to the Gentiles. What does Paul identify in 3:9 that they have in common with them? How does this shape your perspective of others and yourself?

3. In Romans 3:10-18, Paul strings several Old Testament verses like a pearl necklace. How do these verses describe humanity’s mindset, direction, words, and actions? What is the main point that Paul is making in these verses?

4. If the letter to the Romans closed at verse 20, how would you feel about yourself and God Has there been a time when you truly sensed your sin and need for God?

5. Augustine wrote, “So anyone who thinks that he has understood the divine scriptures or any part of them but cannot by his understanding build up this double love of God and neighbor, has not yet succeeded in understanding them.” How is Romans 3:9-20 designed to increase your love for God and others?

6. Romans 6:13, in the New Living Translation, reads, “Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So, use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.” How could you use your “whole body” to bring God glory this week?

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Notes Page: https://journeybozeman.com/sermons/notes/2024.03.03.pdf