But Now
Journey's Road Map • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Sermon Title: But Now
Sermon Title: But Now
Series Title: Journey’s Road Map
Series Title: Journey’s Road Map
Text: Romans 3:21–31 (ESV)
Text: Romans 3:21–31 (ESV)
Introduction
Introduction
A man once told his doctor, “I broke my arm in two places.” The doctor replied, “Well, then, stop going to those two places.”
A man once told his doctor, “I broke my arm in two places.” The doctor replied, “Well, then, stop going to those two places.”
That’s about as helpful as human wisdom is when it comes to sin. But Paul begins this section with two of the most hope-filled words in Scripture: “But now…” After the darkness of universal guilt in 3:1–20, Paul unveils the light of God’s saving grace. Lets read!
That’s about as helpful as human wisdom is when it comes to sin. But Paul begins this section with two of the most hope-filled words in Scripture: “But now…” After the darkness of universal guilt in 3:1–20, Paul unveils the light of God’s saving grace. Lets read!
21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
27 Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30 since God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. 31 Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.
27 Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30 since God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. 31 Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.
Point 1: Righteousness Apart from the Law (vv. 21–23)
Point 1: Righteousness Apart from the Law (vv. 21–23)
Paul writes: “But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law… the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe.”
Paul writes: “But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law… the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe.”
The righteousness we need doesn’t come from keeping the Law. It comes from God, through Christ, received by faith. And it’s available to everyone because “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
The righteousness we need doesn’t come from keeping the Law. It comes from God, through Christ, received by faith. And it’s available to everyone because “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Joke: A teacher asked her class who the greatest man who ever lived was. One boy shouted, “Michael Jordan!” Another said, “Abraham Lincoln!” A little girl said, “Jesus!” The teacher smiled and said, “That’s right. Why did you choose Him?” The girl said, “Because I knew it was the right answer, even though I think my dad’s better at basketball.”
Joke: A teacher asked her class who the greatest man who ever lived was. One boy shouted, “Michael Jordan!” Another said, “Abraham Lincoln!” A little girl said, “Jesus!” The teacher smiled and said, “That’s right. Why did you choose Him?” The girl said, “Because I knew it was the right answer, even though I think my dad’s better at basketball.”
We know the “right answers,” but Paul is reminding us of the real answer—our righteousness is not in us, but in Christ.
We know the “right answers,” but Paul is reminding us of the real answer—our righteousness is not in us, but in Christ.
Application: Stop trying to earn God’s approval by performance. His righteousness is given, not earned.
Application: Stop trying to earn God’s approval by performance. His righteousness is given, not earned.
Point 2: Redemption Through Christ’s Blood (vv. 24–26)
Point 2: Redemption Through Christ’s Blood (vv. 24–26)
Paul goes deeper: “and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood.”
Paul goes deeper: “and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood.”
Three words shine here:
Three words shine here:
Justified – declared righteous, a courtroom term.
Justified – declared righteous, a courtroom term.
Redemption – freedom purchased, a marketplace term.
Redemption – freedom purchased, a marketplace term.
Propitiation – wrath satisfied, a temple term.
Propitiation – wrath satisfied, a temple term.
At the cross, Christ took our guilt, paid our debt, and bore God’s wrath. God remained just, punishing sin, and the justifier, making sinners righteous.
At the cross, Christ took our guilt, paid our debt, and bore God’s wrath. God remained just, punishing sin, and the justifier, making sinners righteous.
Joke: A little boy was asked to define “grace.” He said, “Grace is when you get dessert even though you didn’t eat your vegetables.” Not bad! That’s what Paul is saying here—grace is a gift, not something we earn by eating our “vegetables” of good works.
Joke: A little boy was asked to define “grace.” He said, “Grace is when you get dessert even though you didn’t eat your vegetables.” Not bad! That’s what Paul is saying here—grace is a gift, not something we earn by eating our “vegetables” of good works.
Application: The cross is not just a symbol; it is the very center of history. Trust not in your works, but in Christ’s blood.
Application: The cross is not just a symbol; it is the very center of history. Trust not in your works, but in Christ’s blood.
Point 3: Boasting Is Excluded (vv. 27–31)
Point 3: Boasting Is Excluded (vv. 27–31)
Paul ends with this: “Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith.”
Paul ends with this: “Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith.”
Since salvation is by grace through faith, no one can boast. Jew or Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised—salvation is the same for all. Faith alone silences pride.
Since salvation is by grace through faith, no one can boast. Jew or Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised—salvation is the same for all. Faith alone silences pride.
Joke: Two brothers were arguing about who was the better preacher. Their mother said, “Boys, remember, pride goes before a fall.” The younger one smirked, “Good thing I don’t have any pride—I’m just better than he is.”
Joke: Two brothers were arguing about who was the better preacher. Their mother said, “Boys, remember, pride goes before a fall.” The younger one smirked, “Good thing I don’t have any pride—I’m just better than he is.”
Paul would laugh and say, “That’s exactly the point—faith kills boasting.”
Paul would laugh and say, “That’s exactly the point—faith kills boasting.”
Application: Humble yourself at the foot of the cross. Salvation is not a trophy for the strong but a gift for the needy.
Application: Humble yourself at the foot of the cross. Salvation is not a trophy for the strong but a gift for the needy.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Romans 3:21–31 is the pivot of the gospel story. After chapters of indictment, Paul declares: “But now…”
Romans 3:21–31 is the pivot of the gospel story. After chapters of indictment, Paul declares: “But now…”
Righteousness is given, not earned.
Righteousness is given, not earned.
Redemption is in Christ’s blood, not our works.
Redemption is in Christ’s blood, not our works.
Boasting is silenced, for salvation is by grace through faith.
Boasting is silenced, for salvation is by grace through faith.
C.S. Lewis once wrote:
C.S. Lewis once wrote:
“No man knows how bad he is till he has tried very hard to be good.”
“No man knows how bad he is till he has tried very hard to be good.”
That’s why we need this passage. Our best efforts fall short, but God’s righteousness is given freely in Christ.
That’s why we need this passage. Our best efforts fall short, but God’s righteousness is given freely in Christ.
So the question today is simple: Will you keep trying to argue your case before the Judge, or will you accept the Advocate who already paid it all?
So the question today is simple: Will you keep trying to argue your case before the Judge, or will you accept the Advocate who already paid it all?
Amen.
Amen.
