I’m Not Okay, You’re Not Okay
# 6 Right In His Sight Romans 2:1-3:31
Introduction
Most People Think They Are Right In God’s Sight.
- Somehow God is going to smile on them.
* But, what is our true condition before God?
We cannot appreciate the Good News until we fully understand the Bad News.
Total Depravity - = perverted or crooked. Rom. 1:28
"Not standing the test"
- the corruption of sin extends to every part of our nature and there is nothing in us that can commend us to a righteous God.
Who’s Okay and Who’s Not
I. The Down And Outers Are Not Okay 1:18-32
Down and Outers Are Those Who Have Obviously Either Rejected God and/or Are Living in Open Defiant Sin.
God’s description of sinners is not a pretty picture.
1. Pagans Are Not Okay
1:18-23
2. The Openly Sinful Are Not Okay
1:24-32
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men (Rom. 1:18)
* Paul gives long list of ungodly and unrighteous sinful behaviour.
Romans 1:25-32
In most societies of the world, even those considered uncivilized, most of the sins in Paul’s list are considered wrong and many are held as crimes.
Illustrate: - (Peter) - Good living ex-Mountie came to church about 6 months. Heard the gospel - good news of How To Be Right In God’s Sight. - One day said, "Let me get this straight. If a guy like Allan Legere (a murderer) confesses his sin and receives Jesus Christ as his Lord, he will be forgiven and go to heaven."
"Yes that’s right."
"I can’t accept that." ---- Problem was, he saw himself as better than Allan Legere.
** Those Who Have Twisted The Truth About God or Are Living As If There Is No God Are Not Okay, and Come Under the Just Condemnation of God.
II. The Up And Outers Are Not Okay 2:1-16
But Easy for us to see the Down and Outers as worthy of God’s Judgement. But we have a more difficult, actually, a very difficult time to see that Up and Outers are not Okay.
Up and Outers Are Those Who Are Seeking To Live A Good Moral Life.
- They may or may not be particularly religious but have a respectable sense of right and wrong.
- This is the group of people Paul talks about in 2:1-16 - The Moral Good-living Person.
Surely, they are Okay. Or are They?
1. They Don’t Live Up To Their Own Standard
You may be saying, "What terrible people you have been talking about!" But you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you do these very same things. And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. Do you think that God will judge and condemn others for doing them and not judge you when you do them, too? (Rom. 2:1-3 NLT)
2. They Fail To Understand Their Own Sin
Don't you realize how kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Or don't you care? Can't you see how kind he has been in giving you time to turn from your sin?
But no, you won't listen. So you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself because of your stubbornness in refusing to turn from your sin. For there is going to come a day of judgment when God, the just judge of all the world... (Rom. 2:4-5 NLT)
2 Errors of Up And Outers
1. They Underestimate the Height of God’s Standard of Righteousness
God’s Righteousness = perfection. He cannot tolerate sin.
* Hope of the Up and Outer is that God judge him by a standard lower than perfect truth and righteousness.
- Want to be judged by appearances rather than on condition of the heart.
* If understood Height of God’s standard it would lead to repentance. Vs. 4
2. They Underestimate The Depth Of Their Own Sin.
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; Who can know it? (Jer. 17:9)
3. They Fail To Understand The Insufficiency Of Their Deeds
* Most people counting on their good deeds to Make Them Right In God’s Sight.
* Note: Need to Carefully Understand What Bible says about our good deeds.
- Vs. 6-11 - Some May Misunderstand These Verses to Teach Salvation By Works
- Totally contrary to everything else in scripture.
- Might think Paul teaching salvation by your deeds.
- Salvation is by Grace Through Faith
- faith alone.
- When Saved – demonstrate Your Salvation through Good Works.
- Judgement is according to works.
Judgement By Works Is Not The Same As Salvation By Works.
2 Judgements
1. Judgement Seat Of Christ - Believers
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. (2 Cor. 5:10)
2. Great White Throne Judgement - Unbelievers
Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. (Rev. 20:11-12)
* If Up And Outer Wants To Be Judged According To His Deeds = Insufficient - condemnation.
** Up And Outer Stands Justly Condemned Before A Holy God.
III. The Outright Religious Are Not Okay 3:1-8
1. Their Religious Heritage Cannot Save Them
- religious Jews thought their heritage would save them.
2. The Law Cannot Save Them
3. Their Religious Rituals Cannot Save Them
2:25-29
Circumcision was supposed to be a sign of faith. What's the point of having the symbol if you don’t have the reality. i.e. If you don’t have faith.
Illustrate: Death of Pope – Extreme Unction - Mass for Dead etc.
* Religion Without Relationship.
RICH YOUNG RULER - Luke 18:18-23
IV. I’m Not Okay, You’re Not Okay 3:9-20
Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. (Rom. 3:20)
** ILLUSTRATE: Court Room – Paul has brought 3 groups of people before the Judge. All are guilty and found wanting and under the sentence of death.
THIS IS THE BAD NEWS - EVERYONE COMES SHORT OF GOD’S RIGHTEOUS STANDARD. NO ONE IS RIGHT IN HIS SIGHT.
There is only one way to be right in God’s sight.
Conclusion
How in the world can you and I be okay?
1. It Is Apart From the Law 3:21
2. It Is Through Faith In Christ 3:22
3. It Is For All Who Believe 3:22
4. It is By Grace 3:24
5. It Is At A Great Price 3:24-25
Propitiation:
Propitiation Video.
Are you okay?
