Guilty Man
Notes
Transcript
Text
Text
What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: Their feet are swift to shed blood: Destruction and misery are in their ways: And the way of peace have they not known: There is no fear of God before their eyes. Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.
Introduction
Introduction
When I was in 7th grade the whole country watched as O.J. Simpson led police on a chase in his now infamous white bronco which eventually led to his arrest and subsequent trial for the murder of his ex-wife and her boyfriend. Months later we were again tuned in as his trial came to a close and the judge was about to read the verdict reached by the jury. I remember sitting in the cafeteria in middle school and the place was packed. On most days we would head out to the playground after lunch to play football or some other activity, but on this day we were all glued to the television. The adults in the room seemed to be in tense anticipation as they waited for what was about to take place.
As we waited the tension built and eventually the judge opened the little piece of paper and read the verdict... “Not Guilty”. I remember the shock that overtook the room and the outrage by almost everyone. The whole world, it seemed, thought the man was guilty and it just didn't seem fair that, in this case at least, justice would not be served.
Human beings have an innate distaste for injustice. We see it all around us and even more so in the day in which we live. It seems like every group, no matter the relative insignificance of their proportions, has a representative calling for JUSTICE!! So when we see a situation where we feel it has been subverted, we usually groan together in disgust.
In the third chapter of Paul’s letter to the Romans we find a summary of the verdict against mankind in the court of God as the Apostle plays the part of prosecuting attorney. When the verdict is read not a single person escapes the pronouncement… “guilty as charged”.
What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;
Transition
Transition
The reason for the pronouncement of guilt against mankind is simple, it is because of his sin. No one is exempt. From the heathen that flat denies his creator to the Hebrew that exalts his religion, all are in firmed by the same damnable condition, the condition of sin.
As we look at Paul’s description of sin we will notice 3 highlighted truths:
The commonality of sin - it affects all
The criminality of sin - sin is serious
The culpability of sin - it bring a sentence - it has consequences
First we will look at
I. The Commonality of Sin
I. The Commonality of Sin
As we look at these verses we see words like… “none” and “all”. We see phrases like “no not one”
10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
A. The Commonality of man’s unrighteousness
A. The Commonality of man’s unrighteousness
As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
righteousness - refers to innocence and following God’s law - being right according to God
men are incapable in their own strength of producing righteousness -
In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.
B. The commonality of man’s unreasonableness
B. The commonality of man’s unreasonableness
There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
Men do not understand God or his ways apart from his Spirit -
He cannot reason in his mind the truths of God - he does not understand
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
C. The commonality of man’s unresponsiveness
C. The commonality of man’s unresponsiveness
There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
“…there is non that seeketh after God”
God has given ample opportunity and evidence of his involvement in the affairs of men
while the world does seek after religious appeasement, it is empty and void
God does desire that we would seek him
And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
D. The commonality of man’s unrepentant heart
D. The commonality of man’s unrepentant heart
They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Men will boast of what they have accomplished but God’s word is clear - man is unprofitable
4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
The commonality of sin but also...
II. The Criminality of Sin
II. The Criminality of Sin
The challenge with sin is that we like attempt to lessen its effects by using softer terminology to describe it. But when we really get honest sin is criminal and separates us from God.
Illustration: The more light that is shed onto the situation the darker and more deplorable man’s condition seems. Like a bright light in a bathroom - the brighter it gets the more imperfections you can see in your face!
A. The criminality of man’s words
A. The criminality of man’s words
Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:
Words like “vile” and “venom” are used to describe man’s words
36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
How about our speech? While the saved are no longer under the curse of sin we can exhibit the same characteristics of a lost world in our speech
B. The criminality of man’s works
B. The criminality of man’s works
Their feet are swift to shed blood: Destruction and misery are in their ways: And the way of peace have they not known: There is no fear of God before their eyes.
Murder is in the heart of man if it is not restrained - just look at what is happening in Americas larger cities
No “fear of God before their eyes” - this is really the same issue that plagues the world today!
So we have looked at the commonality of sin, the criminality of sin and finally we see ...
III. The Culpability of Sin
III. The Culpability of Sin
19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them 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 there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
It was at one time a common thing to teach a child about consequences & responsibility. If a wrong was committed- punishment was swiftly carried out. This is observed less and less in our world today and unfortunately we are paying the price. No one wants to take responsibility for anything. In the garden God approached Adam about his sin and he blamed Eve. Then he approached Eve and she blamed the serpent.
A. The culpability leaves man hopeless
A. The culpability leaves man hopeless
19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
Man’s answer to the sin problem is always to try harder and do better - bit Paul makes it clear - this is folly!
But under the law - this is impossible. All the law can do is reveal sin and pronounce GUILT!
B. The culpability leaves man helpless
B. The culpability leaves man helpless
20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
Here is the culmination of Paul’s argument - Man is guilty and religion can do nothing for him
Conclusion
Conclusion
The Bible paints a very dark picture of the human condition. It also paints a dark picture of the consequences of our sin.
Sin is common - it affects every single person that has ever existed
Sin is criminal - it is serious and offensive to a Holy God - Do we take our sin seriously?
Sin is culpable - man is responsible - Do we take responsibility for our sin?
Final Application
The real issue of course is our response to this realization.
And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Do we bow in humility before God as the publican “be merciful to me a sinner” or do we stand in a position of pride and arrogance like the Pharisee “I am not as other men are”. The truth is we are exactly as other men are. Unless of course we have been to the Cross of Jesus Christ.