Romans #5

April 11-16, 2011

Romans 3:1-20

1 Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision?

2 Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God.

·       The Jews were not instantly saved because they were God’s chosen people. They still had to put their trust in their creator, center their lives around Him, and proclaim Him as Lord, just as the gentiles.

·       Although, the Jews had a ridiculous advantage in the oracles of God. Not that He showed favoritism, but they were given an advantage.

·       The oracles refers to the Old Testament.

·       It translate logion...similar to logos...which means “word.”

·       The Jews received the very words of God. They received the truth of salvation first. Unreal.

·       This reminds me of how many resources the US has that we don’t utilize well. There are people groups without THE BIBLE. Yet, we have at least 10 in our home, and don’t read them everyday. We don’t seek out what God has given us. I suppose we’ve followed right in the Jews’ footsteps. We are entrusted with the gospel, just as the Jews were the oracles. 

3 What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God?

4 By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written,

“That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged.”

·       We have nothing to do with God’s perfection. NOTHING we do can change who He is. He is the one who is able to change us.

·       God will do the justifying. He has kept his promises to them, even through their unfaithfulness.

·       If my unfaithfulness affected God’s faithfulness to me, I would be a looooooser! I’m pretty sure my punch card would have run out a long time before now.

·       There is so much hope in our unwavering King.

5 But if our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unrighteous to inflict wrath on us? (I speak in a human way.)

6 By no means! For then how could God judge the world?

7 But if through my lie God's truth abounds to his glory, why am I still being condemned as a sinner?

8 And why not do evil that good may come?—as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just.

·       God is righteous and just. He can’t be one without the other. He judges the world because we deserve to be judged. He is our master and we are His subjects.

·       Our sin does not bring God glory. Although, He works it out for our good, our sin never becomes righteous. It is never cancelled out.

9 What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin,

·       Jews and Gentiles both struggle with sin. We are all dominated by it without Christ.

10 as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one;

11 no one understands; no one seeks for God.

12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”

·       Psalm 14:1-3 and 53:1-3

·       No one, without Christ, does good. No one can seek Christ. The good things that unbelievers do are because we were made my God, but does not credit God. We do not acknowledge God without Christ.

·       We are naturally selfish. We only seek the things that we want. Christ must seek man and work in his heart.

·       We are all equal without Christ. We worked together to turn and reject Christ. No one is able to save themselves.

13 “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.”

14 “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”

·       Psalm 5:9 and 10:7

·       The sins of the tongue. The grave could refer to the deadly effects of sin. Also, I think an open grave would STINK. And that’s exactly what our mouth is like when we talk garbage. A person’s speech is a very easy way to tell if they have Christ.

·       We are FULL of evil speech, so it’s not just a rare occurrence. It’s the norm for someone without Christ. They curse people, which speaks of HATE… publically wanting the WORST for someone.

·       When people hear me talk, do they hear words that glorify God?

15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood;

16 in their paths are ruin and misery,

17 and the way of peace they have not known.”

·       Isaiah 59:7-8

·       This world is CRAZY. The world doesn’t know how to walk in peace and harmony. Sin affects society big time. People lash out their anger physically with murder and warfare.

·       We damage and destroy…and leave a nasty trail.

18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

·       Psalm 36:1

·       Root cause of sin.

·       The world does not stand in awe of the glory of God or dread the wrath that will be poured out on those who do not submit to his holiness.

19 Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God.

·       No one has an excuse. We are all held accountable to God. There will be no chance to change your mind before you meet with the sovereign Lord of the universe. Jews and Gentiles alike will be judged. All are guilty; all need Christ to live. Even that “innocent” man on the island that has never seen a bible or heard the word gospel. He’s not innocent and He needs to follow Christ.

20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

·       The law alone will not save. The law only helps us to see our sin and run to Christ for salvation.

·       The deeds the law requires will not save you or keep you on judgment day.

·       LawàKnowledgeàPlea for forgiveness.