2. Human Sinfulness: Legalism & Religiousness Romans 2:17 – 3:8 p Romans:

Better than others  Another special group – the earnestly religious  The Jews – feel superior because they have:  The Law (Scripture)  The sign of the Covenant (Circumcision)  Still common today in the same two areas !!

1. Scripture  The one who calls himself a Jew “relies on the Law” (v 17)  Muslim Respect for the Qu’ran  The way we treat the Bible can offend them.  Bar Mitzvah – reverence for the scrolls of Torah  Jews “rely on the Law  BUT they don’t do it !!!  So God’s name is dishonoured in the nations (Is 52:5)

1. Scripture...  Having the Scriptures and knowing them is useless if we don’t do them.  Ritualistic reverence is no substitute for daily obedience.  V 22 “... Robbing temples [committing sacriledge]...” May refer to melting small idols for the metal (Deut 7:25)

2. Sign of the Covenant  Old Covenant: Circumcision (Gen 17:1-14)  New Covenant: Spirit (Ez. 36:27; Jn. 14:17; Ro 8:9; Eph 1:13;...)  Circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit (v 29)  Same for those who think Spirit gifts are signs of spiritual pedigree (1 Cor 13:1-3)  Outward signs are meaningless without transformation of the heart.

– Bringing these two together –  Common ways fro Christians to rank themselves:  Bible knowledge  Spirit manifestations  Often mutually exclusive in churches:  Emphasis on the Word: neglect the Sprit  Emphasis on Spirit: neglect the Word.  Problem is in the human heart

3. Seeking a Sense of Self  Want to belong, feel important, be valued.  Becomes a basis for pride or false humility.  Rightly handled brings penitent “obedience of faith”

The Weak are Made Strong  Using gifts of Word and Spirit to lord it over others we fall into the same trap!  The Jews were not “light to the nations” (Isa 52:6-7)  Western society: treat ourselves as weak/broken  A form of self absoption  Releases us from serving others.  Seems so humble!  In Christ we are made strong! (2 Cor 12:10)

The Weak are Made Strong...  Called to serve and share in spite of our weakness  From our series in John:  God will not override our resistance  God will empower us in our weakness  Faithful to do what God lays before us to do!