2:23 Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? 24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written. 25 For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law (if you are an obedient follower): but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision. 26 Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?

27 And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law? 28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

KEY POINT The only true righteousness is righteousness of the heart. (Rom 10:10)

OPPOSING OUR ATTEMPTS TO JUSTIFY SIN ANSWERING HYPOCRISY OPPOSING OUR ATTEMPTS TO JUSTIFY SIN ROMANS 3:1-8

QUESTION #1 Romans1:1 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? The Motive: Seeking privilege while neglecting responsibility

Deut. 7:6 For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.

QUESTION #1/ Response 2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God. The Great Advantage of God’s Words Psalm 147:19 He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel. 20 He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the LORD.

“The Jews were the Christians' library-keepers, were entrusted with that sacred treasure for their own use and benefit in the first place, and then for the advantage of the world; and, in preserving the letter of the scripture, they were very faithful to their trust, did not lose one iota or tittle, in which we are to acknowledge God's gracious care and providence” - Matthew Henry

QUESTION #1/ Response The advantage is also the danger. Luke 12:48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

KEY POINT If you have God’s Words and you don’t obey them or handle them rightly then you are wasting God’s mission.

QUESTION #2 Romans3:3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? In other words, if someone doesn’t believe the promises does that negate the promises? The Motive: Testing the surety of God’s Promises in the midst of insecurity

QUESTION #2/ Response 4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. (Psalm 51:4) When Others Fail, God Can’t & Won’t Psalm 89:34 My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.

KEY POINT When the promises and comforts of people fail us God’s Word is always true.

KEY QUESTION Are you failing to put your life in his hands because of fear? Which of God’s promises do you need to trust him for today?

QUESTION #3 Romans3:3 5 But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man) In other words, if someone sins, doesn’t that mean that God’s grace is on greater display. The Motive: Religious people just wanting to sin a bunch

QUESTION #3/ Response Romans 3:6 God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world? 7 For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner? 8 And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.

QUESTION #3/ Response Don’t Tempt the Living God With Your Vulgarity 1 Cor 10:5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. 6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. 8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. 9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.

KEY POINT Our lives best demonstrate Christ when we exemplify forgiveness through our willingness to obey. (Rom 6:1-4)