Romans Series: Romans Road

Book Of Romans Series: Romans Road

August 27, 2023/Casey Middle School

Romans Series: The Gospel through the lens of Romans

1. Saved
2. Sanctified
3. Sent

Opener: Luggage Illust:

Some things in the bag, we want to keep hidden. It’s embarrassing to open luggage in public. Luggage isn’t only sin, but maybe there’s something in there.

I want to take the next few minutes to share with you from Romans how the resurrection of Jesus Christ changes everything about our lives, and points us to a reality much bigger than ourselves!

The Gospel = Good News!

Passage: Romans 3:23-24 CSB

23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; 24 they are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

Background: This is a unique letter of Paul’s. He’s not writing to a particular church that he has visited or one that he planted, as are the other Pauline epistles. But Paul is writing a full doctrinal thesis of the Gospel, starting from the beginning, so that both the Jews and non-Jews would see clearly the weight of God’s grace.

Main Points: How the resurrection of Jesus Christ makes it possible for us to have a relationship with God.

1. The Problem Is Sin
   1. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God;

   2. Sin = Hebrew word khata and Greek word hamartia

      1. The meaning is that of missing the mark.

      2. Sin is failing at loving God and failing at loving people. Addressed in the Ten Commandments, the first four are sins against God and the other six are sins against people.

         3. I’ve had very little debate in my conversations with people as to whether or not sin exists or whether or not people would identify as sinners. I doubt there’s a person in the room that would label themself as being “The perfect one”. Unless you’re a first born of course. :) We have all sinned against God and we all fall short of His glory.

      3. WE ARE ALL SINNERS…

      4. “There is no one who does what is good, not even one.” - Romans 3:12
      5. Isaiah 64 speaks of the reality that even our good efforts are as filthy rags.

      6. The question then is, sinned against who?

         4. The very thing that so many believe will bring them joy and satisfaction, can eventually become the thing that destroys them.

      7. Perfectionism or the pursuit of being a morally good person

      8. Both bring us to the reality that we are in desperate need of Jesus! Both should bring us to the pursuit of a righteous and holy life before a holy God.
      9. The goal is not a moral or sinless life, but communion with a holy God.
         5. Postures of Sin:
      10. Intelligence - Thinking you are living a pure and holy life in order to achieve or earn salvation on your own apart from Jesus. I’ve checked all the boxes. I’m a good and moral person. I have figured out my sin and I can overcome it.
      11. Ignorance - Having not studied the Word of God to know what is disobedience and rebellion against God. Deep down we have a sense of right and wrong, but many have not taken the time to hear or read God’s Word and the pursuit of Him that we are called to live.

      12. Indulgence - the practice of allowing enjoyment of whatever is desired and embracing the consequences. It’s why we keep eating cookies, ice cream, and cake! I know it isn’t good for me, but I want it! “I know, but I’m going for it anyways”

          1. “I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.” Romans 7:15 NLT 4. Impenitence - the trait of refusing to repent. Bullheadedness, self-will, or stubbornness. “I know, but I’ll never do anything about it”
             6. Sin will take you further than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay.

      13. “Now the mindset of the flesh is death, but the mindset of the Spirit is life and peace. The mindset of the flesh is hostile to God because it does not submit to God’s law. Indeed, it is unable to do so.” - Romans 8:6-7 CSB

          7. God is perfect and holy, therefore our sin separates us from a holy God.

      14. Sin creates separation from God. Sin breaks communion with God.

          8. Question: What good has sin produced in your life? Think with me for a minute.

      15. Think of lying… who benefits when someone lies about you or when you lie about someone in your life?

      16. What about pride… are prideful people not the hardest people to get along with?
      17. Anger? Nobody has ever said, “I’m living my best life when I am angry”
          9. The reality is that sin never leads to an abundant and a joy filled life, am I right? There’s something else sin does that’s worse than any physical consequence we can experience on this earth, it separates us from God.

      18. The Penalty Is Death

          1. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” - Romans 6:23
          2. Sin has consequences. Living a life against the calling and direction of God will result in consequences.
          3. The Bible says the payment for sin is death – eternal spiritual separation from God. (Rom. 6:23)
          4. “For the wages of sin is death.” The penalty of our sin, is death. Our sin not only results in death in our physical lives, but in our spiritual as well.
          5. Christ as our atonement: Imagine that you commit a crime and you are facing a judge. You know there is a penalty for your crime and you acknowledge your guilt… then all of a sudden somebody steps in and says “I’ll take his punishment.” This is what Jesus did for you on the cross. Jesus said “I’ll take your pain, I’ll take your guilt, I’ll take your sin, I’ll take your condemnation on myself!”
          6. There’s the penalty of sin and the power of sin

      19. The penalty of sin was settled on the cross

      20. The power of sin was settled in Christ’s resurrection
      21. We are no longer bound to our sin, and we are no longer on trial for our sin, but in Jesus Christ He has given us new life!

      22. The Provision Is Jesus

          1. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; 24 they are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” - Romans 3:23-24
          2. Question: What killed Jesus? Sin.

      23. “He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” - 2 Corinthians 5:21 CSB

          3. “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace 8 that he richly poured out on us with all wisdom and understanding.” - Ephesians 1:7-8
          4. Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” - John 14:6
          5. Christ has paid the penalty for our sin by His death on the cross. (Rom. 5:8)
          6. The cross delivers you from your sin. Jesus can deliver you from your circumstances, but He died first to deliver you from your sin.
          7. “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” - Romans 5:8
          8. When Jesus said “It is finished” on the cross, the work was complete. Our debt was “Paid in full!” Our penalty was paid in full on the cross!
          9. 3 days later Jesus rose from the grave. Defeating sin, death, and the enemy for all eternity.
          10. There’s an empty grave for that…

      24. Guilt, shame, fear, sin, death, unforgiveness, bitterness, loneliness, doubt, anxiety, depression, addiction, broken marriage, broken relationships, pride, envy… there’s an empty grave for that!

          11. “Now if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, then he who raised Christ from the dead will also bring your mortal bodies to life through his Spirit who lives in you.” - Romans 8:10-11 CSB
          12. Sin has me captive. Sin has a hold on me. My sin is too great for God… no!

      25. “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” - Romans 8:37-39 CSB

The resurrection gives us a… hope for heaven, freedom in Christ, a mission to live for, purpose in every circumstance, an example to follow, joy in our trials, comfort in our pain, strength in our weakness, a foundation on which to build our lives, power to overcome the enemy, a friend that sticks closer than a brother, and so much more! Aren’t you glad today that He is not dead, but He is alive and victorious today!

Closing: God loves you so much! And He desires a relationship with you. Will you go to God?

If you feel in chains, He’s a chain breaker

If you feel sick, He’s the great physician

If you feel addicted, He’s freedom and abundant life

If you feel lost, He’s a way maker

If you feel anxious, He’s the peace that transcends all understanding

If you feel condemned, He’s the grace giver

If you feel hopeless, He’s your living hope

Invitation:

1. Confess your sins to Him today

   1. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

   2. Put your faith in Him today

   3. “If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9

   4. Walk in freedom in Him today

   5. “For freedom, Christ set us free. Stand firm then and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery.” - Galatians 5:1

“For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” - Romans 10:13 NLT