Jr High Tuesday Night

Intro

define Justify: To Declare Someone Righteous

Has anybody seen a courtroom scene before? Maybe on the news, or Judge Judy, or a movie, or some other TV Show? Have you ever seen someone taking the defendant stand before? Taking the defendant stand is a very serious thing, and it is something that can make you very anxious. Obviously what is at stake can make the scene more intense. Someone standing trial for a speeding ticket isn’t going to be nearly as nervous as someone who is accused of killing someone. Tonight I want you to do an exercise with your imagination, I want you to imagine that you are a defendant on trial.

*Place Mic Stand*

Did you know the Bible says you have an accuser? You do. Your accuser is the Devil, and he has dragged you before God with an accusation against you. You are standing trial and you are accused of breaking the Law of God. You are accused of living an unrighteous life. If you are found guilty, the punishment associated with this crime is death and the pains of hell forever. If you are found innocent, you may walk free as a child of God and enjoy his presence forever in the Kingdom of Heaven, where every tear is wiped away, hunger and thirst no longer exist, and nobody ever dies.

So, the stakes are pretty high. In fact, the stakes could not possibly be any higher.

but here’s the deal: the Scriptures are going to give you two options for how To proceed with this trial. You can take the stand yourself, or you can call in a substitute.

So, without further adieu, let the court hearing proceed. Let’s take a look at the evidence in light of the Word of God.

Impossibility of Justification by Works

First, you take the stand. Paul shows us what happens when we take this approach.

Necessity of Justification by Faith

Ruth 3:10–13 ESV

And he said, “May you be blessed by the Lord, my daughter. You have made this last kindness greater than the first in that you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich. And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you ask, for all my fellow townsmen know that you are a worthy woman. And now it is true that I am a redeemer. Yet there is a redeemer nearer than I. Remain tonight, and in the morning, if he will redeem you, good; let him do it. But if he is not willing to redeem you, then, as the Lord lives, I will redeem you. Lie down until the morning.”

Romans 4:1–5 ESV

What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,