Man’s Final DiagnosisMan’s Final DiagnosisRomans 3:19-20Romans 3:19-20

Grace Community ChurchGrace Community Church12/3/200612/3/2006

Romans 3:19-20Romans 3:19-20

19Now we know that whatever the law says, 19Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. the whole world held accountable to God. 20Therefore no one will be declared 20Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. conscious of sin.

How We Justify Our SinHow We Justify Our Sin

ExcusesExcuses Blame Others…Blame Others… Blame Environment…Blame Environment… Blame God…Blame God…

Comparison – Show and Tell…Comparison – Show and Tell… Show everyone our good deeds…Show everyone our good deeds… Tell everyone our neighbors faults…Tell everyone our neighbors faults…

Make God Our DebtorMake God Our Debtor

Romans 3:19Romans 3:19

19Now we know that whatever the law says, 19Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. whole world held accountable to God.

God will hear no excuses.God will hear no excuses. God will not stand for our vain comparisons. God will not stand for our vain comparisons. God will not be our debtor…God will not be our debtor…

What good is the law then?What good is the law then?

Romans 3:20Romans 3:20

20Therefore no one will be declared 20Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, law; rather, through the law we become through the law we become conscious of sinconscious of sin. .

How deep is sin?How deep is sin? I am a sinner because I sin.I am a sinner because I sin. I sin because I am a sinner.I sin because I am a sinner.

Our problem is sin, not sins…Our problem is sin, not sins…

Galatians 3:19-24Galatians 3:19-2419What, then, was the purpose of the law? It was added because of 19What, then, was the purpose of the law? It was added because of

transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was put into effect through angels by a mediator. come. The law was put into effect through angels by a mediator. 20A mediator, however, does not represent just one party; but 20A mediator, however, does not represent just one party; but God is one.God is one.

21Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely 21Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. 22But the righteousness would certainly have come by the law. 22But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.might be given to those who believe.

23Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up 23Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. 24So the law was put in charge to until faith should be revealed. 24So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith.

Galatians 5:22-24Galatians 5:22-2422But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy,

peace, patience, kindness, goodness, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.passions and desires.