All Roads Leads Through Christ

Romans Exposition Student Ministry  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented
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Romans 3:1–8 (ESV)

Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? 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.”
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.) By no means! For then how could God judge the world? But if through my lie God’s truth abounds to his glory, why am I still being condemned as a sinner? And why not do evil that good may come?—as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just.
Main Proposition:
Statement of Doctrine or Application (SILVER BULLET)
All Roads lead through Christ.
Intro:
Statement of proposition
As we are reading through these verses we see the questions that are being asked. Well, if we can only be saved through faith alone in Jesus Christ the Son of God then what is the point of being Jewish? What are the genuine advantages if being given the law doesn’t save, if circumcision doesn’t save, if works doesn’t save? what is the point?
Paul is setting up hypothetical questions that he knows some Jews will ask. We have to remember Paul lived that life of a Jewish elite he was the up and coming guy, so he knows how they think, their presuppositions and he wanted to get ahead of it.
So he points out very clearly as we are about to get into it: There are salvific advantages of being a Jew, but they aren’t what you think.
As we see, Paul is making a shift as he anticipates backlash from his Jewish opponents. He is going to try and get ahead by asking and answering questions that he knows are coming.
In this entire Epistle Paul is driving everybody to Christ. He wants them to realize their sin, he wants them to realize their depravity and inability to save themselves and while doing this he points at Christ. At every single turn he is pointing to the only true redeemer for humanity and that is the Son of God the full deity in the flesh.
Other texts that support
John 3:16 ESV
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
John 10:25–30 ESV
Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”
Why does this matter?
This is important because we know that the way to salvation is faith in Christ. We all know that, but what we also understand is that God will use scripture, preaching, teaching, hearing of the word to save.
There is a huge advantage of being a Jew because they have been given God’s laws and His word.
Illustration:
Be thankful for your parents. Your parents faith will NOT save you, but because your parents are saved they teach you God’s word, they bring you to a church that teaches you God’s word and God can use that to bring someone to saving faith. That is a huge advantage. That doesn’t mean that every kid that has believing parents will be saved, but it is an advantage.
Main Point #1: Do Not Waiver from what Scripture Says
Statement:
Here Paul imagines someone breaking into his argument and saying well then, if it is being a Jew inwardly that counts, if it is that “Circumcision” of the heart that matters, is there any advantage in belonging to the Jewish nation, or in being physically circumcised?
What is our expected answer? “None at all”, but Paul replies “Much in every way.” Think of all the privileges granted by God to that nation - privileges in which other nations had no part.
Jews are the Custodians of the “Oracles of God” and with that comes a great responsibility as we have learned over the last few passages.
Romans 3:1–2 ESV
Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God.
Prove
Verse 1:
Jewish Question: What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision?
It is a tremendous privilege, for they were given: adoption, glory, covenants, giving of the law, service of God, the promises,
It has abundant belief, but not an ultimate, guaranteed, salvific benefit before God.
Verse 2:
“Oracles of God”
It contained the truth about salvation
What matters is being a Jew internally and experiencing internal circumcision of the heart
Paul’s answer: Much in every way? Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God
In the goodness of God to them, the Jews received the sacred OT Scriptures.
They have been made the beneficiaries of God’s special revelation.
There is a significant advantage, for they were given the Scriptures, which promise future salvation
The answer that are expecting to hear is no, there is not a saving advantage of being a Jew, but his answer is “Much in every way”
Is there any advantage in being a church member if you are not a sincere church member?
Now, of course, the church does not extend membership to those who profess to be unbelievers; the church only has on its roll those who make professions of faith, those who claim to be believers. But we know that not everyone who professes to believe in Christ really does believe.
Flowers in texts:
2 Timothy 3:15 ESV
and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
Having access to scripture is not salvific in itself, but God can use the access that you have to save you.
Romans 9:4–5 ESV
They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.
Their advantage is that they have been entrusted with the oracles of God
Illustrations
So the “Oracle of God” is the supreme advantage has of the Jew. Does that surprise you at all? There is no higher privilege that can come to any human being than to be spoken to directly from God. People go absolutely insane when they walk by, meet or have a quick chat with a professional athlete, Singer, Actor, President, etc.
Multiply that by infinity and that is the “Oracles of God” to the Jews.
If God is talking to you, you better not go against what he says. Just a heads up.
Do we realize the advantage and privilege of having an open Bible?
Apply or Confront
There are a lot of false religions out there that will focus on what the individual person does for salvation. They look at how much they donate, they don’t murder, they work hard, they don’t cheat on their spouse and they cross everything off the list, but the one thing that they DO NOT think about How salvation starts with faith in Christ. It is the inward circumcision of the heart.
Main Point #2: Salvation is individually based
Statement
Paul anticipated the arguments that the Jewish readers would disagree with the previous statements. If one or a majority of people are disobeying God’s laws, if a majority people are not following God’s scripture wouldn’t that cancel out God’s faithfulness, grace and mercy?
Romans 3:3–4 ESV
What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? 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.”
Prove
Verse 3:
What we see in verse 3 is that Paul is really focused on the salvation of Israel. It is on his mind and his heart which is why he is addressing it over and over again. Trying to break through and get these Jews to see and realize what they are missing.
Paul is saying that the advantage should not be restricted merely to the possession of the scriptures.
This advantage should go much deeper than that.
In these scriptures is the Hope and Promise of the Messiah.
The Question in Verse 3: What if some were unfaithful? Would that nullify or void the promise and faithfulness of God?
But Paul’s reply is that a man’s faithlessness never alters God’s faithfulness or frustrates his purpose
The gospel of justification by faith, apart from “works of righteousness”
This shows us how much grace and mercy God has for us
The difference between man and God. As men we are imperfect, covenant and law breakers, we do not always tell the truth or keep promises.
We are imperfect people, that no matter how hard we try will never do righteous works that live up to Christ’s standard.
Yet God still keeps his promises.
Go back and look through the OT and if you read it properly this is the conclusion you will come to: not that the failure of the Jews has brought God’s purpose to nothing, but that in spite of that failure God’s purpose still goes on.
Verse 4:
Their objection: “If my faithlessness sets God’s faithfulness in bolder relief, if my unrighteousness establishes his righteousness, then why should he find fault with me?
Another objection: “If my falsehood makes God’s truth shine more brightly by contrast, why then does he insist of condemning me as a sinner? The end- God’s glory is good. Why is my sin counted wrong? Surely the end justifies the means?
Paul’s answer: Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written: “That you may be justified in your words, and may overcome when you are judged”
Even with all of this God has and will continue to save a remanent of Jewish people through Jesus.
The faithlessness of men will never cancel out the faithfulness of God
What does this prove? Even if all the people on earth are liars and that God is true.
If all mankind were to agree that God had been unfaithful to His promises, it would only prove that all are liars and God is true Titus 1:1
Titus 1:1 ESV
Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness,
Knowledge of the truth not just in our minds, but also our hearts. How does the Holy Spirit work in our hearts?
God remains true to his promises even if the Jews are in bondage to sin
Psalm 51:4 ESV
Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.
Since David sinned against God, any judgment imposed on him is just
Psalm 51:10 ESV
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Here it becomes clear that David is seeking God to do inner work on his heart
Even though God has promised salvation to the Jews, no individual Jew should presume upon those promises and think their salvation is guaranteed.
The difference between man and God. As men we are imperfect, covenant and law breakers, we do not always tell the truth, keep promises.
Psalm 51:16–17 ESV
For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
David recognizes that the sacrificial system is inadequate and insufficient. That repentance is required, but ALSO a deeper spiritual cleansing of the heart was also needed.
As we see in these past few verses David looks past the law to God himself.
Flowers in texts
Matthew 1:21 ESV
She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
Isaiah 59:20 ESV
“And a Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who turn from transgression,” declares the Lord.
John 1:11 ESV
He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.
All of these verses have one thing in common: They all point to the Son of God. the only one that is righteous and obedient
None of what we said is going to happen because we are part of a particular group. Salvation is based on faith. Tim is my friend and he is saved, but just because He is saved and he is my friend doesn’t mean my heart is regenerated.
Illustrations:
The Invisible V. Visible Church
The visible Church is composed of all the members listed on its rolls.
The invisible Church refers to all the church members that actually believe in Christ.
Our hearts are invisible to everyone except to God
What advantage does someone that is not a true believer have being a member of a visible church
Members of the covenant community. They have made their profession, they have gone through the rites of entrance into the community. In the Old Testament they would have been circumcised Jews who were not true believers, and in the New Testament be baptised Christians who were not true believers in Christ.
Apply or Confront
We have to get out of the mindset of just because my parents are (Fill in the blank) or my pastor is (Fill in the blank) or I am from(Fill in the blank) matters. Paul wants to hit home that as a nation Israel has failed, but there is a remanent of people that still had faith in Jesus Christ. It is individual salvation.
Main Point #3: Saving Faith = A Fruitful life
Statement
What Paul implies is that in Romans 1-3 is that human beings are unable to keep God’s law and God’s electing grace is their only hope for salvation.
The apostle’s gospel message of salvation by grace through faith alone had been challenged by his opponents who argued it provided not only a license to sin, but outright encouragement to do so.
Romans 3:5–8 ESV
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.) By no means! For then how could God judge the world? But if through my lie God’s truth abounds to his glory, why am I still being condemned as a sinner? And why not do evil that good may come?—as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just.
Prove
Verse 5:
There were those who argued that God is absolutely perfect, and when we sin, our sin, in a certain sense, bears witness to the greatness of God, for the more we sin, the more righteous God appears by contrast. So there is a certain sense in which by sinning we are exhibiting the righteousness of God.
If we give God a platform to set forth himself as righteous through our sin, then should we sin even more and make him look even better? They are trying to make it seem unjust for God to punish sinners.
My question to you is what does God say about keeping his commandments?
He doesn’t say continue to break it so I shall be glorified further.
Verse 6:
If our unrighteousness were justified on the grounds that it makes all the more clear and vivid the righteousness of God, then God would have no reason to judge us. Instead he should reward us, compliment us.
Paul’s counter: If you are correct, then God could not possibly judge the gentile world because they don’t have access to God’s laws therefore they do not break them.
If Gentiles don’t have the law they don’t have the judgment of God in the terms of the Jews.
Paul’s point is that God will condone sin.
Verse 7:
Jewish objection from verse 5 is restated in verse 7
If God is glorified when I do wrong, when I sin then why am I still considered a sinner?
We are sinners because we break God’s laws. We are not obedient to God. It doesn’t matter what the outcome is. If someone drunk drives, gets into a car accident and kills a thief do the ends to justify the means.
What is the heart posture behind our actions.
Verse 8:
The Jewish mindset is that okay well the more evil I practice the more God is glorified
Paul’s Answer: Whoever believes this theology is justly condemned
Anybody that thinks that they should do evil, that good may come from it absolutely deserve judgment of God.
Because in Paul’s theology the Jews just like the gentiles have no ability to keep God’s law and everything depends on God’s sovereign election
God will judge sinful Jews the same way he judges sinful gentiles.
There is a clear teaching in Scripture that God can bring good out of evil. Everything in this world brings glory to God.
No matter what God can bring glory out of any scenario whether it is good, happy or sad.
Flowers in texts:
Illustration:
God brought the redemption of the world through the treacherous act of Judas.
Can Judas stand at the judgment seat and say, ‘God, give to me a great reward because no one has ever done a greater kindness to the human race than I. I delivered Jesus to be crucified and if it wasn’t for me there would have been no atonement’?
Application Points:
Thank your parents
You have been given the great advantage of having parents that teach you the gospel and bring you to a church that teaches the gospel and truly is a salvific advantage
We cannot fall back on our family, church or origin to bring us salvation
Salvation is individual based, we need to accept Christ as our Lord and Savior for ourselves.
We must act like Christians
Our chief end is to glorify God and the only way we can do that is to the best of our abilities keep his laws, not break his laws, but to keep his laws and to be fruitful.
God can use every situation to glorify His name and bring people to Him, but that does not give us free range to sin or break God’s laws.
Discussion Questions:
What is the advantage of having knowledge of God’s Word?
Is there any advantage in being a church member if you are not a sincere church member?
How is God still just and righteous if every man proves to be a liar?
4. What did you learn in Romans 3:1-8 tonight that will help you further glorify God and enjoy Him forever?
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