Entrusted With the Words of God
Notes
Transcript
Romans 3:1-20.
In the previous chapter, Apostle Paul insists that the Gentiles have equal opportunity as the Jews, to be declared righteous in God’s eyes- Based on their personal conviction of obedience of God’s law, which is supernaturally written on the hearts of all of mankind.
In Romans 3:1-20, we are confronted with the profound truth that all of humanity stands equally in need of God's grace.
This passage challenges us to examine our hearts and recognize our shared condition of sinfulness.
As we look into Paul's words, we're reminded that being entrusted with God's Word is both a privilege and a weighty responsibility.
Just as the ancient Jews were given the 'oracles of God,' we too are called to be faithful bearers of His truth in our world today.
This message invites us to reflect on how we're stewarding this sacred trust. Are we, like the faithful servants of old, carrying God's Word with accuracy and conviction?
Or have we, perhaps, become complacent in our calling?
As we consider these questions, we are drawn into a deeper appreciation of God's unwavering faithfulness in the face of our human shortcomings.
This passage ultimately points us towards the transformative power of faith in Christ, reminding us that it's not our own righteousness, but God's grace that justifies us.
The supposed advantage the Jews had is something the Jews never really fully grasped or took advantage of.
The privilege of being entrusted with the Word of God- His Law’s, also came with a tremendous responsibility.
Their response to Gods trust in them was to shirk the responsibility, becoming puffed up with pride as opposed to walking in humility.
This example is a continuing reminder of two things-
1- The complete trustworthiness of God’s Word
And
2- The universal nature of sin that has stained all of mankind
The prophet Jeremiah, tasked with delivering God’s messages to a rebellious nation, illustrates the heavy burden of being entrusted with divine words.
He often faced rejection and opposition, yet he pressed on, knowing the importance of his mission.
When we embrace our role as bearers of God’s word, we might feel the weight of the world’s skepticism, but we are reminded of the great honor and responsibility it is to speak for God.
The history of ancient Israel and the Jewish people, right up to all of humanity today, serves as a constant reminder that in spite of our continual failures-
God has never failed us, nor has He ever turned His back on us and rejected us.
He has remained faithful in the face of our unfaithfulness.
This should bring us to the realization of our lost and sinful state-
And see the unmerited fullness of grace and mercy open to all through Jesus Christ.
Much like the Ancient Jews, Christian believers today carry out the same role:
History tells us that-
In ancient Greece, a trusted servant would carry the messages of the king, ensuring that every word was relayed accurately and faithfully.
The weight of this responsibility was immense. Much like that servant, we are entrusted with the sacred words of God.
Each scripture we share is a divine message meant to transform lives.
Just as the servant was accountable to the king, we are accountable to God for how we communicate His truth.
So let’s begin with examining that Privilege and responsibility...
1- Privilege and Responsibility
1- Privilege and Responsibility
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.”
Paul builds up a sense of anticipation for a listing of advantages to being Jewish.
Then what advantage has the Jew?
To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God.
But then he stops. He will pick this point up again in the letter, but not until Chapter 9.
Having been entrusted with the Revelation of the blessing of Salvation through Christ, we also have a responsibility to represent that blessed promise to the lost world around us.
We dont assume or take a stance that because we KNOW that Christ died for our sins- We are somehow okay in God’s eyes...
To be faithful carriers of the Good News of Christ, we must also be honest representatives of what that looks like in our lives...
And the positive impact that Good News has had on our lives.
Also understanding that Forgiven does not mean perfect-
Yet even when we fail, our Heavenly Father is forever faithful to forgive us of our failings- As long as we come to Him with humble and contrite hearts.
Just as King David, so eloquently penned in Ps 51, After being confronted by the Prophet Nathan in regards to David’s adultery with Bathsheba...
Against you, (God), you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight...
Questions to ponder:
How does Paul address the concept of God's faithfulness in relation to human unfaithfulness?
In what ways can recognizing our own sinfulness deepen our appreciation for God's grace?
So we have examined the Privilege and Responsibility that comes from being a follower of Christ, Now lets look at how God’s Righteousness is revealed.
Paul’s format of rhetorical “Question and Answer” was typical of the teaching styles of the Jewish Rabbi’s of the day.
It was a format that the Jewish converts in Rome would have been familiar with- Having been exposed to it in the Temple and their local Synagogues.
It mimics the OT style of Deuteronomy’s If/Then scenarios of the Blessings and curses.
2-Righteousness Revealed
2-Righteousness Revealed
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.
With these questions asked and the provided answers, Paul compares the Righteousness and Holiness of God against the perpetual state of sin and evilness that envelopes humanity.
The main point of impact is that Paul comes against the teachings of some in the church then, that in a very perverse way...
It is better to live in sin, that God’s grace be revealed more fully.
And, The more that one lies and spreads falsehoods, the more God’s Truth is revealed.
And finally, the ultimate absurd construct, “It is good to do evil, that good will be the result.”
The twisted thinking was that, “The more you live in the darkness, the more you will appreciate the light.”
Paul refutes these claims aggressively, adding that those who teach such heresy bring condemnation on themselves- And deserve every bit of it.
The conclusion can only be that it is God that sets the standard, and it is only God that has the Authority to judge the actions of mankind- And His judgement will be fair and impartial.
It is not our place to try to rationalize or apply our own ideas of relativity to God’s rules.
Sadly, what would seem like extreme sarcasm on Paul’s part is more common than we probably care to admit.
Those living un-Christ like lives often resort to the same types of personal reasoning to justify their lifestyle choices.
Comments such as, “The Devil made me do it...” or “After all, I’m just human...”
These are feeble attempts to blame God for creating us this way.
God created mankind as the crowning achievement of the Creation process-
But He also gave us the opportunity to think for ourselves and to make our own choices.
If not, God would simple have a bunch of robots at His disposal- Not the intelligence and independence of mankind, that God could interact with.
Giving us options was His ultimate step in extending Trust to us- And we failed, miserably.
The consequences of that failure being the Fall from Grace and living in a sinful state, outside of God’s grace and mercy.
Which brings us to our next point.
3- For all Have Sinned
3- For all Have Sinned
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.”
The totality of the nature of sin leads us to the reminder that all have sinned.
Under the lens of God’s Holiness, there is no one else in the universe capable of coming close to matching God’s Righteousness.
Coming to the self-awareness that we are all a lost depraved creation, without our Creator...
Is the first step towards finding reconciliation with our Creator.
God desires that His creation share or commune with Him.
He cannot remain in the place of sin, so to fulfill our purpose in creation, we must acknowledge our sinful state and repent of it, turn aside from it and seek the redemptive power of our Lord and Saviour.
And therein lies the struggle… The Grip of Sin
4- Sin’s Grip of Power
4- Sin’s Grip of Power
“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.”
These verses are taken from OT Scripture, that Paul uses as a rapid fire expression of how sin holds a death grip on every aspect of an unrepentant heart.
Specifically, Is 59:7,8
The way of peace they do not know, and there is no justice in their paths;
they have made their roads crooked;
no one who treads on them knows peace.
And
See, this alone I found, that God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes.
Consider the descriptors Paul uses here:
Their throats are open graves and their tongues deceive...
They spread poison with their lips
Their mouths utter curses and bitterness
With their hands and feet they are quick to shed blood,
In their path is ruin and misery
There is not peace in their ways
AND
There is NO Fear of God in their eyes.
These verse paint a picture of our sinful state in the darkest of colors.
With emphasis on the death grip of sin on humanity- In very vivid terms this is the end result a life of sin.
Which leads to Paul’s final solution for overcoming the grip of sin in our lives.
5- Justified through Faith
5- Justified through Faith
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.
It is God’s law that exposes us to our sin- But the Law cannot save us from our sins.
What the law accomplishes is that we become conscious of sin-
This applies to all of humanity- Jew and Gentile alike.
The mission of Jesus Christ was, first to the Jew, as their promised Messiah-
To bring God’s chosen people back into right relationship with Him.
By Christ’s fulfillment of the law- The Ultimate and final sacrificial lamb- His shed blood being the last and lasting blood sacrifice required by the Law-
Jesus threw open the gateway to salvation and unity in Christ for all Believers-
Reaching beyond ethnic roots, cultural norms and societal practices-
With only one requirement- That we- In Faith- Believe in Him.
We need only to put our trust and faith in Christ, confess it with our mouths and live a life that glorifies the Father in everything that we do.
Consider the early church leaders who risked their lives to share the Gospel.
They were entrusted not just with words but with the hope of salvation. Their journey was filled with trials—imprisonments, persecutions, and challenges.
Yet, out of deep love and devotion, they shared God’s word boldly.
This illustrates that being entrusted with God’s message may involve sacrifice, but the promise of eternal life is worth every struggle.
Two closing questions:
1-How can we actively demonstrate our role as faithful stewards of God's words in our daily lives?
2-What actions can we take to share the truth of God's word with those who may feel excluded or lost?
As we embrace our calling as bearers of God's Word, let us never forget the immense privilege and responsibility we carry.
May we approach this task with humility, faithfulness, and a deep appreciation for the unmerited grace we have received.
In doing so, we become living testimonies to the power of God's truth, bringing hope and light to a world in desperate need of both.
Remember, every word we share, every act of kindness we perform, and every life we touch has the potential to echo into eternity.
Let us be faithful with the divine trust placed upon us, knowing that our labor in the Lord is never in vain.
