ROMANS Our Problem Romans 3:9-20 & Selected Cross Creek Community Church, Pastor Dave Martin – July 12, 2015

The entire world is found guilty before God, 3:9-20 Our Problem: 1:18-3:20 The entire Gentile world is guilty before God, 1:18-32 The entire Jewish world is guilty before God, 2:1-2:8 Today – The entire world is found guilty before God, 3:9-20

Background: Man believes they are basically good…

Background: Man believes they are basically good… But… Man has guilt feelings which is the symptom of sin…

Background: Man believes they are basically good… But… Man has guilt feelings which is the symptom of sin… Man is fundamentally “under” sin needing God’s forgiveness

Romans 3:9 What shall we conclude then. Are we any better. Not at all Romans 3:9 What shall we conclude then? Are we any better? Not at all! We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin.

“… Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin” Greek word for under, ‘hupo’ means totally under the power, authority and control of something or someone… Every human being is subservient and in bondage to the dominion of sin.

I. God’s 14 count indictment against the human race:

A. The Character of the Accused, 3:10-12 Universally Evil – “no one righteous, no not one”

A. The Character of the Accused, 3:10-12 Universally Evil – “no one righteous, no not one” Spiritually Ignorant – “no one who understands”

A. The Character of the Accused, 3:10-12 Universally Evil – “no one righteous, no not one” Spiritually Ignorant – “no one who understands” Defiantly Rebellious – “no one who seeks God”

A. The Character of the Accused, 3:10-12 Universally Evil – “no one righteous, no not one” Spiritually Ignorant – “no one who understands” Defiantly Rebellious – “no one who seeks God” Naturally Wayward – “all have turned away”

A. The Character of the Accused, 3:10-12 Universally Evil – “no one righteous, no not one” Spiritually Ignorant – “no one who understands” Defiantly Rebellious – “no one who seeks God” Naturally Wayward – “all have turned away” Spiritually Useless – “all become worthless”

A. The Character of the Accused, 3:10-12 Universally Evil – “no one righteous, no not one” Spiritually Ignorant – “no one who understands” Defiantly Rebellious – “no one who seeks God” Naturally Wayward – “all have turned away” Spiritually Useless – “all become worthless” Morally Corrupt – “no one does good, not one”

B. The Conversation of the Accused, 3:13-14 Spiritually Dead – “throats are open graves”

B. The Conversation of the Accused, 3:13-14 Spiritually Dead – “throats are open graves” Deceitful Words – “tongues practice deceit”

B. The Conversation of the Accused, 3:13-14 Spiritually Dead – “throats are open graves” Deceitful Words – “tongues practice deceit” Deadly Words – “poison of vipers on their lips”

B. The Conversation of the Accused, 3:13-14 Spiritually Dead – “throats are open graves” Deceitful Words – “tongues practice deceit” Deadly Words – “poison of vipers on their lips” Hostile Defamation – “full of cursing & bitterness”

C. The Conduct of the Accused, 3:15-18 Innately Murderous – “feet swift to shed blood”

C. The Conduct of the Accused, 3:15-18 Innately Murderous – “feet swift to shed blood” Wanton Destructiveness – “ruin & misery in their ways”

C. The Conduct of the Accused, 3:15-18 Innately Murderous – “feet swift to shed blood” Wanton Destructiveness – “ruin & misery in their ways” Chaotic Violence – “way of peace not known”

C. The Conduct of the Accused, 3:15-18 Innately Murderous – “feet swift to shed blood” Wanton Destructiveness – “ruin & misery in their ways” Chaotic Violence – “way of peace not known” Arrogant Pride – “no fear of God before their eyes”

The seeds for all of these sins are planted deeply in every fallen human heart...

Ephesians 2:1-3 1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of [God’s] wrath. (Study: 1Co 6:9-10, Titus 3:3, Ps 14:1-3, Col 2:13, 1Peter 4:3, Jer 17:9, etc…)

II. The Verdict: All mankind stands guilty before God

BAD NEWS PROBLEM: Whole world lost in sin Romans 3:19-20 19 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. 20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.

GOOD NEWS SOLUTION: God provides righteousness Romans 3:21-22 21 But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe…

The decision to believe is yours!