MANKIND AND THE WAY OF THE GUILTY ROMANS MANKIND AND THE WAY OF THE GUILTY ROMANS 3:9-24

“What then?” 9 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;

KEY POINT How can anyone ever see their need for Christ if they can’t first see that their sins make them needy?

KEY POINT Christian, because we have forgotten the exceeding wickedness of sin we have failed to recognize the value of mercy. Because we have forgotten the value of mercy we have forgotten how great a salvation we have in Christ.

“What then?” Galatians 3:22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

#1 Wandering is Their Nature 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. Psalm 14:1 ; Psalm 55:1

#1 Wandering is Their Nature 10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: - Righteousness or “right-ness”, Justness, clean before God. - mankind is not in a “right standing” with God

#1 Wandering is Their Nature We aren’t righteous and we don’t even know that it matters!!! We are without understanding, blind….

Rev. 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: John 9:39 And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind. 1 John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding (sight), that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

Rev. 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: John 9:39 And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.

2 Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

#2 Bankruptcy in Their Deeds 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Everyone wants their life to be valuable

KEY POINT Without acknowledging sin there can be no pardon, without a pardon there is no part, without a part there is no purpose and without purpose there can be no profit.

#3 Death in Their Words 13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: 14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:

#3 Death in Their Words James 3:8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. 11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?

#3 Death in Their Words For the lost person their words can only be vain. Vain words distract from the knowledge of God and condemn those we engage.

#4 Destruction is Their Pursuit Prov. 1:6; Isa 59:8 15 Their feet are swift to shed blood: 16 Destruction and misery are in their ways: 17 And the way of peace have they not known: 18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.

#4 Destruction is Their Pursuit Mat 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

#5 Guilt is Their Verdict Rom 3:19 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.

#5 Guilt is Their Verdict Isa 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Rom 3:21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 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: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: