Righteousness Revealed

Romans 3:21-31

OCC VIDEO

Main Idea: The Full Righteousness of God has been revealed through Christ

Today we see hat through Christ Righteousness has been fully revealed. We will see how Jesus has brought us redemption.

1. Behavior to Believing (vs 21-23)

This beginning verse is a reminder of the importance of God’s word- There seems to be a notion that we need to add to it or found hope somewhere else- There are to many that are looking at the actions of men and then relating those mistakes to God- God has revealed himself throughout history- it is the wickedness of men that has been so prevalent- do not remove God’s word from your life. You will find yourself lacking!

But Now- God has shown His righteousness-God righteousness Has been revealed many ways - Behaving VS 21

His Law-

Exodus 20:1–7 “Then God spoke all these words, saying, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. “You shall have no other gods before Me. “You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments. “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain.”

His Judgement against sin

Exodus 32:31–35 “Then Moses returned to the Lord, and said, “Alas, this people has committed a great sin, and they have made a god of gold for themselves. But now, if You will, forgive their sin—and if not, please blot me out from Your book which You have written!” The Lord said to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book. But go now, lead the people where I told you. Behold, My angel shall go before you; nevertheless in the day when I punish, I will punish them for their sin.” Then the Lord smote the people, because of what they did with the calf which Aaron had made.”

His appealing of the prophets to the people

Amos 3:7 “Surely the Lord God does nothing Unless He reveals His secret counsel To His servants the prophets.”

His blessing on the obedient

Psalm 24:4–5 “He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood And has not sworn deceitfully. He shall receive a blessing from the Lord And righteousness from the God of his salvation.”

Before Jesus Righteousness was all about behaving- This was not a bad thing it just was not complete- the offerings. They were commendable but not complete.

God’s revealing concerning righteousness was pointing to Jesus. There was so much hope to look forward too.

There is something truly important here- Why do we behave?

I believe there are so many reasons to behave,

Fear

Gain

But what about in the kingdom of God- what is the reason for us to behave?

It is authentic and genuine if Christ has changed your life.

We do not behave for any other reason than the work that God has done in our life.

This should speak to out thoughts on the outside world- their behavior is all in vain if their life has not been transformed by Christ!

All of these pointed to the complete revelation of Jesus- The Gospel- Believing

Romans 1:16–17 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “But the righteous man shall live by faith.””

All of these pointed to the complete revelation of Jesus- The Gospel VS 22-23

The Gospel is an honest proclamation of God’s righteousness and love for us.

God’s righteousness demands the sinner’s death, but His love desires the sinners eternal happiness- William Macdonald

Faith in Jesus Christ- Jesus is the object of our faith. We can spend our entire christian relationship thinking it is about our faith.

it is all about who are faith is in. Do you find yourself lacking faith? Let this be a reminder it isnt about you. It is about Jesus.

We can easily make faith about you and me. All things are possible not cause we are faithful- all things are possible because it is Jesus. This answers the question of how could Jesus save me- You do not know Jesus all things are possible not because of our faith. It is Jesus!

Do not dispair today- Jesus is the object of our faith. A mighty warrior, a compassionate Savior- a wonderful counselor!

2. Death to Life VS 24-26

Justification is a gift from God- vs 24

You and I do not deserve it- but I am hoping by now all of us are aware this has nothing to do with us but it has everything to do with what God has done.

God’s grace! This is not a feeling it is a certainty

He has taken us from death to live. Through Christ

There should be an eagerness for the Gospel- this is the starting place for all we need!

1 John 2:2 “and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.”

1 John 4:10 “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

Propitiation- OT equivalent Mercy Seat- cover of the ark of the covenant- Day of atonement Blood sprinkled of a sacrificial victim Cover the errors of the high priest ad the people were atoned for. Jesus propitiation went so much further

Christ has done away with our sin completely!

Christ is the object of our faith

Luke 18:13 “But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’”

What about the OT men and women of faith?

Genesis 15:6 “Then he believed in the Lord; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness.”

They looked forward we look back

God is able to cover the sins of the past and the present because of the work of Christ!

Albert Midane- The perfect righteousness of God is witnessed in the Savior’s Blood; Tis in the cross of Christ we trace His righteousness, yet wondrous grace. God could not pass the sinner by, His sin demands that he must die; But in the cross of Christ we see how God can save, yet righteous be. The sin is on the Savior laid, Tis in His blood sin’s debt is p[aid; Stern justice can demand no more, and mercy can dispense her store. The sinner who believes is free, Can say The Savior died for me. Can point to the atoning blood and say, That made my peace with God

We have gone from death to life not on our own doing but by the free gift of God, Jesus is the object of our faith and therefore we have life!

3. Works to Faith VS 27-31

Did you know you are unable to help yourself! We can say this but do you know this. Christians wake up stop seeking self help. There will never be a time where we do not need Jesus redeeming work in our lives.

John 6:63 “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.”

I did all the sinning Jesus did all the saving

Galatians 3:3 “Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?”

We live in a world where we are so self focused we think we can help ourselves and we do no need Christ but because of Jesus we turn all our works over to him that even means helping yourself.

Jeremiah 17:5–8 “Thus says the Lord, “Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind And makes flesh his strength, And whose heart turns away from the Lord. “For he will be like a bush in the desert And will not see when prosperity comes, But will live in stony wastes in the wilderness, A land of salt without inhabitant. “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord And whose trust is the Lord. “For he will be like a tree planted by the water, That extends its roots by a stream And will not fear when the heat comes; But its leaves will be green, And it will not be anxious in a year of drought Nor cease to yield fruit.”

God is the only way! I repeat God has made the way to Salvation for all. vs 28-30

There are not many ways to be justified. God has given us the perfect gift that is available for all

Faith in Jesus only establishes they law 31

The penalty of breaking the law is death, Christ has paid that penalty in full, Christ death only far recognizes the legitimacy to the law, therefore one who breaks the law and places their faith in Christ is now free as his payment has been paid forever!

Application. How do we apply this text to our lives

Its time to believe

You can do nothing and thats a good thing- we believe in Jesus as the fullness of Righteousness

Receive the gift

God’s grace is a certainty for us!

Its not about you

How is God calling you today to die to your self preservation

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