Romans 3:9-20

Once upon a time, there was a duck in Toronto. The duck came to be called Ringo, made her home at a park lake. One day, she accidentally poked her bill through the ring of a pull tab from a pop can and was not able to free herself. She was unable to eat and would soon starve to death. When her situation was noticed by some park visitors, she became something of a celebrity. Park personnel and animal experts tried numerous ways to catch Ringo so she could be helped. They even called in a champion duck caller. People tried to lure with food but without success. Unfortunately, the frightened Ringo mistook all the efforts to help her as being threats. The rescuers lost sight of her and never did catch her. It is unknown if Ringo eventually dislodged the pull tab before she died.

Sinfulness causes similar confusion. People trapped in sin often see the gospel as a threat to their lifestyle rather than a blessing. Because it is a threat, they make efforts to escape the very thing that will rescue and redeem. The Lord graciously provides salvation and the reality of rejection is all too visible.

MAIN IDEA: Sharing the gospel is a beautiful demonstration of love toward another person.

1. Without the power of the gospel, all people fail their spiritual fitness test.

Romans 3:9–12 “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, as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.””

Look at verse 9. Are we better off than other people? There was a sense in Jewish times that religious people were better than non-religious people. There is a sense in modern America that many religious people think they are better than non-religious people.

I’m going to call that spiritual arrogancy and it is communicated by creating false levels of sin. Your sin is so much worse than my sin. I will love you always and forever until you commit that sin, walk away from Jesus, or embrace certain lifestyles. The inability to love a person without affirming sin communicates that a person is worthless. We need to be careful how we apply verse 12 when it says “they have become worthless.” When a person is walking the path that leads to spiritual death, there is no spiritual value. They aren’t contributing in a way that benefits people spiritually. This reality should never equal that a person does not have physical value. Friends, be very careful that you do not discount the value of a sinful unbeliever. If you are a Christian, there was a time when you were a sinful unbeliever and Jesus didn’t discount you or throw you away. He introduced you to the power of the gospel because he knew all men, women and children are fundamentally sinful and the greatest needs our lives is to have our sin redeemed through placing our faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.

None is righteous - all men are sinful

No one understands and seeks God - spiritually ignorant

All have turned aside - spiritually wandering

they have become worthless - spiritually useless

No one does good - morally corrupt

Write down these verses, Jeremiah 29:13 and Matthew 7:8.

I remember visiting a cancer patient who was looking death in the eyes. He was at the cancer center for what would be one of his final appointments. Oddly, on the bench near the entrance was another patient. His frailty and an oxygen tank were clues that he should not have been smoking, yet he was. He was holding on to the thing that was killing him. Even though, he knew where the truth could be found - it is possible that he wasn’t interested.

Even though God will be found by those looking him, some aren’t looking because they’re more interesting in the sin that is killing them.

2.Without the power of the gospel, all people bring chaos and conflict into human relationships.

Romans 3:13–18 ““Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.” “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.” “Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known.” “There is no fear of God before their eyes.””

Look at verses 13-14. Jot down Matthew 15:18, Proverbs 10:31-32 and Proverbs 15:2. Our heart is the greenhouse of our tongue. The words and attitudes that come out of our mouth reveal the stench of our heart OR the righteousness of Jesus Christ.

“The venom of the asp is under their lips.” The asp is either a viper or a cobra.

A Forest cobra injects 1100mg of venom in one bite - enough to kill 65 people.

A Caspian cobra gives 590mg of venom in one bite - enough to kill 42 people.

A Russell’s viper - 268mg, enough to kill 22 people.

A King Cobra - 100mg, enough to kill 11 people.

An Indian cobra - 610mg - enough to kill 10 people

The Cape Cobra sends 250mg, enough to kill 9 people.

Look at verses14-15. Certainly, we would agree that killing without cause is evil. We call it assassination. Sometimes, we miss the connection between verses 14-15. Jesus said in Matthew 5:21-22 that the person who is angry without cause is guilty of murder. Resentment. Bitterness. Gossip. Slander. Unforgiveness. Destroying another person with words. Character assassination.

Look at verses 16-17. Without the gospel, it is normal to cause harm and destruction to other people’s lives.

Look at verse 18, Without the gospel, people are not afraid of God’s authority. They aren’t afraid of consequences because unrighteousness rewrites the rules to remove consequences.

3. Without the power of the gospel, all people live without true hope.

Scripture Text: Romans 3:19–20

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

Friends, it is likely you know somebody that needs the power of the gospel to invade their lives and break their stubborn heart. You know they are on a path that leads to eternity without Jesus. If you are in this room and you need the power of the gospel to redeem you through the blood of Jesus Christ, I would love to talk to you before you leave. Today can be the day of salvation for you. If you are watching online or listening to my voice, would you reach out to the church so we can help you. If you send the church a text message to 517-263-0345, we would love to share with you how to become a Christian today.

This passage isn’t just for the unbeliever. It’s for the believer with a calloused heart. It’s for the believer that carries chaos and conflict with you. It’s for the believer that might be angry. It’s for the believer that needs to extend forgiveness. It’s for the believer that speaks venomously about other people. It’s for the person that believe the power of the gospel is strong enough to cover your sin.

Today, the Lord Jesus can redeem you from your sin. If you will seek him, you will find him.

If you knew that 2024 was your personal farewell tour, would you _______ the power of the gospel differently?