Hebrews are Unrighteous
5 May 2013 AM – Romans 2:17-3:8 – Scott Childs
Introduction: The Israelite Jewish people are often known as the Hebrews. They are God’s chosen people. It was through their people that God chose to send Christ to this earth to atone for man’s sins. Being God’s chosen people, the Jews often thought they were better than all other people. In fact, many thought that being Jews made them righteous before God.
Transition: This morning we are going to look at the Jew’s standing before God from four perspectives.
I. The Proud Jewish Claims Ro 2:17-20
A. Paul identifies many proud Jewish claims
1. Called a Jew – honoured name
2. Rest in the Law – observed its ceremonies
3. Boast of God – believe in the truth God of heaven
4. Know God’s will – read God’s Word
5. Approve things that are more excellent – knew right
6. Guide to the blind, light to those in darkness, instructors of the foolish, teachers of babes – boasted in their ability to lead those inferior to them
B. The Jews were very proud people
1. They thought they were better than the Gentiles, and overall right with God.
2. Many religious people today have a similar feeling toward the unreligious. They think that being religious makes them right with God and better than others.
II. The Poor Jewish Example Ro 2:21-24
A. Paul highlights five areas of poor example
1. They claimed to be teachers, yet they did not do what they taught others to do.
2. They preached against stealing, yet they were notorious for their dishonesty and greedy lending. Some Jews robbed Him by not tithing (Mal 3:8). Others robbed their own parents of financial support (Mat 15:5-6).
3. They said that adultery was wrong, yet they lusted in their hearts after women, and many were secretly immoral (Mat 5:28).
4. They hated idols, yet they committed sacrilege – depriving something of its sacred character. They had a spirit of idolatry. That spirit consisted in withholding from the true God what was his due, and bestowing the affections upon something else. (Albert Barnes)
5. They boasted that they follow the Law, yet they dishonoured God by breaking the law.
B. By of their poor example, Gentiles blasphemed God
1. Unbelievers are quick to blaspheme God if God’s followers are hypocrites. David’s sin with Bathsheba is an example of this.
2 Samuel 12:14 Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.
2. Many people say, “I do not go to church because the church is full of hypocrites.” That is sad, but often true. Saying one thing and doing another is wrong. We must seek to be good examples for Christ’s glory.
What about your testimony? What about mine? Are we bringing reproach upon the Lord who bought us with His own blood?
III. The Perverted Jewish Reasoning Ro 2:25-29
A. They depended on outward rites
1. They reasoned that God accepted because they were circumcised (25-27)
Baptist pastor, Henry Mahan states, Circumcision was a symbol of the Lord’s covenant and a sign of all the advantages enjoyed by the Jews. They thought that circumcision itself was sufficient to obtain righteousness.
a) Circumcision was an outward label, but it did not guarantee the inward heart was right with God.
Thomas Constable illustrates this well. In our day cans and bottles have labels on them to indicate what is inside. Circumcision was a label and implied that the Jew was obedient to God. However if he was not completely obedient the label was not only worthless but deceptive. The contents of the can are more important than the label. Similarly if a Gentile was completely obedient to God the absence of the label of circumcision was not of major consequence.
b) Many religious people today think that christening or baby baptism will make an infant right with God. That is both faulty thinking and an unbiblical practice. Baby baptism is never mentioned in the Bible. Bible baptism is always by immersion after a person repents of their sin and trusts Christ for salvation.
If you have been saved but have not been baptised by immersion afterwards, you need to be baptised as a testimony of your salvation.
2. They reasoned that being born Jews they were God’s children (28-29)
a) Again, God looks on the heart not on the outside.
b) John tells us in his gospel that salvation is not inherited from our blood relatives.
John 1:12-13 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
B. God requires inward reform
1. Anyone can perform a religious rite. Many professing Christians live no differently than unbelievers except that they occasionally attend church.
2. The Jews mistakenly thought their circumcision and nationality made them righteous. We must not make the same mistake. God wants your heart. Salvation is not an outward act. It is an inward transformation.
IV. The Predicted Jewish Objections Ro 3:1-8
A. Paul knew that Jews would object to his reasoning.
1. Like a lawyer, he is thinking ahead.
2. He is removing the religious man’s arguments.
B. He presented four questions they would ask.
1. If Jews are just as guilty as Gentiles, what advantage is it to be a circumcised Jew? (1-2)
a) God gave the Jews His oracles (the Old Testament scriptures). They knew not only God’s laws, but God’s promised blessings on those who obey.
b) They could learn from the many OT examples.
Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
2. Will God break His promises since some Jews do not believe? (3-4)
a) God will be true even if every man is a liar.
b) God did promise national blessing to Israel, and He will keep His Word. But God ever requires personal, individual faith on the sinner’s part, whether he be Jew or Gentile. (Luis Talbot)
3. If our sins make God’s righteousness look better, isn’t God wrong for punishing us? (5-6)
a) God’s righteousness does shine compared to our unrighteousness, but that does not make our unrighteousness any less worthy of punishment.
b) If it is wrong for God to punish a religious man’s sin, then how could He punish the world for their sin?
4. If my lie exalts God’s righteousness, why punish me? (7-8)
a) If I told a lie about leading a wicked person to Christ and made a big exciting story of it and everyone glorified and praised God, I would still be a liar.
b) God is more concerned about the heart and what takes place inside you and me than he is about outward praise.
Conclusion: Yes, the heathen are unrighteous, the hypocrites are unrighteous, and so are the religious Hebrews.
Is your label false? It is not what you can do that makes you right with God. It is what only Christ can do that can make you right with God. If you, like the Jews, are depending on outward religious rites to make you right before God, you are deceived. Baby baptism, confirmation, going to church, and trying to do good will not make you right with God. Like the Jews, you need to repent of your sin and trust Christ only to save you.
Christian, are you living what you claim to believe?
Song: Are You Washed in the Blood – 208
Hebrews are Unrighteous
5 May 2013 AM – Romans 2:17-3:8 – Scott Childs
Introduction: The Israelite Jewish people are often known as the Hebrews. They are God’s chosen people. It was through their people that God chose to send Christ to this earth to atone for man’s sins. Being God’s chosen people, the Jews often thought they were better than all other people. In fact, many thought that being Jews made them righteous before God.
Transition: This morning we are going to look at the Jew’s standing before God from four perspectives.
I. The Proud Jewish Claims Ro 2:17-20
A. Paul identifies many proud Jewish claims
1. Called a Jew – honoured name
2. Rest in the Law – observed its ceremonies
3. Boast of God – believe in the truth God of heaven
4. Know God’s will – read God’s Word
5. Approve things that are more excellent – knew right
6. Guide to the blind, light to those in darkness, instructors of the foolish, teachers of babes – boasted in their ability to lead those inferior to them
B. The Jews were very proud people
1. They thought they were better than the Gentiles, and overall right with God.
2. Many religious people today have a similar feeling toward the unreligious. They think that being religious makes them right with God and better than others.
II. The Poor Jewish Example Ro 2:21-24
A. Paul highlights five areas of poor example
1. They claimed to be teachers, yet they did not do what they taught others to do.
2. They preached against stealing, yet they were notorious for their dishonesty and greedy lending. Some Jews robbed Him by not tithing (Mal 3:8). Others robbed their own parents of financial support (Mat 15:5-6).
3. They said that adultery was wrong, yet they lusted in their hearts after women, and many were secretly immoral (Mat 5:28).
4. They hated idols, yet they committed sacrilege – depriving something of its sacred character. They had a spirit of idolatry. That spirit consisted in withholding from the true God what was his due, and bestowing the affections upon something else. (Albert Barnes)
5. They boasted that they follow the Law, yet they dishonoured God by breaking the law.
B. By of their poor example, Gentiles blasphemed God
1. Unbelievers are quick to blaspheme God if God’s followers are hypocrites. David’s sin with Bathsheba is an example of this.
2 Samuel 12:14 Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.
2. Many people say, “I do not go to church because the church is full of hypocrites.” That is sad, but often true. Saying one thing and doing another is wrong. We must seek to be good examples for Christ’s glory.
What about your testimony? What about mine? Are we bringing reproach upon the Lord who bought us with His own blood?
III. The Perverted Jewish Reasoning Ro 2:25-29
A. They depended on outward rites
1. They reasoned that God accepted because they were circumcised (25-27)
Baptist pastor, Henry Mahan states, Circumcision was a symbol of the Lord’s covenant and a sign of all the advantages enjoyed by the Jews. They thought that circumcision itself was sufficient to obtain righteousness.
a) Circumcision was an outward label, but it did not guarantee the inward heart was right with God.
Thomas Constable illustrates this well. In our day cans and bottles have labels on them to indicate what is inside. Circumcision was a label and implied that the Jew was obedient to God. However if he was not completely obedient the label was not only worthless but deceptive. The contents of the can are more important than the label. Similarly if a Gentile was completely obedient to God the absence of the label of circumcision was not of major consequence.
b) Many religious people today think that christening or baby baptism will make an infant right with God. That is both faulty thinking and an unbiblical practice. Baby baptism is never mentioned in the Bible. Bible baptism is always by immersion after a person repents of their sin and trusts Christ for salvation.
If you have been saved but have not been baptised by immersion afterwards, you need to be baptised as a testimony of your salvation.
2. They reasoned that being born Jews they were God’s children (28-29)
a) Again, God looks on the heart not on the outside.
b) John tells us in his gospel that salvation is not inherited from our blood relatives.
John 1:12-13 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
B. God requires inward reform
1. Anyone can perform a religious rite. Many professing Christians live no differently than unbelievers except that they occasionally attend church.
2. The Jews mistakenly thought their circumcision and nationality made them righteous. We must not make the same mistake. God wants your heart. Salvation is not an outward act. It is an inward transformation.
IV. The Predicted Jewish Objections Ro 3:1-8
A. Paul knew that Jews would object to his reasoning.
1. Like a lawyer, he is thinking ahead.
2. He is removing the religious man’s arguments.
B. He presented four questions they would ask.
1. If Jews are just as guilty as Gentiles, what advantage is it to be a circumcised Jew? (1-2)
a) God gave the Jews His oracles (the Old Testament scriptures). They knew not only God’s laws, but God’s promised blessings on those who obey.
b) They could learn from the many OT examples.
Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
2. Will God break His promises since some Jews do not believe? (3-4)
a) God will be true even if every man is a liar.
b) God did promise national blessing to Israel, and He will keep His Word. But God ever requires personal, individual faith on the sinner’s part, whether he be Jew or Gentile. (Luis Talbot)
3. If our sins make God’s righteousness look better, isn’t God wrong for punishing us? (5-6)
a) God’s righteousness does shine compared to our unrighteousness, but that does not make our unrighteousness any less worthy of punishment.
b) If it is wrong for God to punish a religious man’s sin, then how could He punish the world for their sin?
4. If my lie exalts God’s righteousness, why punish me? (7-8)
a) If I told a lie about leading a wicked person to Christ and made a big exciting story of it and everyone glorified and praised God, I would still be a liar.
b) God is more concerned about the heart and what takes place inside you and me than he is about outward praise.
Conclusion: Yes, the heathen are unrighteous, the hypocrites are unrighteous, and so are the religious Hebrews.
Is your label false? It is not what you can do that makes you right with God. It is what only Christ can do that can make you right with God. If you, like the Jews, are depending on outward religious rites to make you right before God, you are deceived. Baby baptism, confirmation, going to church, and trying to do good will not make you right with God. Like the Jews, you need to repent of your sin and trust Christ only to save you.
Christian, are you living what you claim to believe?
Song: Are You Washed in the Blood – 208
Hebrews are Unrighteous
5 May 2013 AM – Romans 2:17-3:8 – Scott Childs
Introduction: The Israelite Jewish people are often known as the Hebrews. They are God’s chosen people. It was through their people that God chose to send Christ to this earth to atone for man’s sins. Being God’s chosen people, the Jews often thought they were better than all other people. In fact, many thought that being Jews made them righteous before God.
Transition: This morning we are going to look at the Jew’s standing before God from four perspectives.
I. The Proud Jewish Claims Ro 2:17-20
A. Paul identifies many proud Jewish claims
1. Called a Jew – honoured name
2. Rest in the Law – observed its ceremonies
3. Boast of God – believe in the truth God of heaven
4. Know God’s will – read God’s Word
5. Approve things that are more excellent – knew right
6. Guide to the blind, light to those in darkness, instructors of the foolish, teachers of babes – boasted in their ability to lead those inferior to them
B. The Jews were very proud people
1. They thought they were better than the Gentiles, and overall right with God.
2. Many religious people today have a similar feeling toward the unreligious. They think that being religious makes them right with God and better than others.
II. The Poor Jewish Example Ro 2:21-24
A. Paul highlights five areas of poor example
1. They claimed to be teachers, yet they did not do what they taught others to do.
2. They preached against stealing, yet they were notorious for their dishonesty and greedy lending. Some Jews robbed Him by not tithing (Mal 3:8). Others robbed their own parents of financial support (Mat 15:5-6).
3. They said that adultery was wrong, yet they lusted in their hearts after women, and many were secretly immoral (Mat 5:28).
4. They hated idols, yet they committed sacrilege – depriving something of its sacred character. They had a spirit of idolatry. That spirit consisted in withholding from the true God what was his due, and bestowing the affections upon something else. (Albert Barnes)
5. They boasted that they follow the Law, yet they dishonoured God by breaking the law.
B. By of their poor example, Gentiles blasphemed God
1. Unbelievers are quick to blaspheme God if God’s followers are hypocrites. David’s sin with Bathsheba is an example of this.
2 Samuel 12:14 Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.
2. Many people say, “I do not go to church because the church is full of hypocrites.” That is sad, but often true. Saying one thing and doing another is wrong. We must seek to be good examples for Christ’s glory.
What about your testimony? What about mine? Are we bringing reproach upon the Lord who bought us with His own blood?
III. The Perverted Jewish Reasoning Ro 2:25-29
A. They depended on outward rites
1. They reasoned that God accepted because they were circumcised (25-27)
Baptist pastor, Henry Mahan states, Circumcision was a symbol of the Lord’s covenant and a sign of all the advantages enjoyed by the Jews. They thought that circumcision itself was sufficient to obtain righteousness.
a) Circumcision was an outward label, but it did not guarantee the inward heart was right with God.
Thomas Constable illustrates this well. In our day cans and bottles have labels on them to indicate what is inside. Circumcision was a label and implied that the Jew was obedient to God. However if he was not completely obedient the label was not only worthless but deceptive. The contents of the can are more important than the label. Similarly if a Gentile was completely obedient to God the absence of the label of circumcision was not of major consequence.
b) Many religious people today think that christening or baby baptism will make an infant right with God. That is both faulty thinking and an unbiblical practice. Baby baptism is never mentioned in the Bible. Bible baptism is always by immersion after a person repents of their sin and trusts Christ for salvation.
If you have been saved but have not been baptised by immersion afterwards, you need to be baptised as a testimony of your salvation.
2. They reasoned that being born Jews they were God’s children (28-29)
a) Again, God looks on the heart not on the outside.
b) John tells us in his gospel that salvation is not inherited from our blood relatives.
John 1:12-13 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
B. God requires inward reform
1. Anyone can perform a religious rite. Many professing Christians live no differently than unbelievers except that they occasionally attend church.
2. The Jews mistakenly thought their circumcision and nationality made them righteous. We must not make the same mistake. God wants your heart. Salvation is not an outward act. It is an inward transformation.
IV. The Predicted Jewish Objections Ro 3:1-8
A. Paul knew that Jews would object to his reasoning.
1. Like a lawyer, he is thinking ahead.
2. He is removing the religious man’s arguments.
B. He presented four questions they would ask.
1. If Jews are just as guilty as Gentiles, what advantage is it to be a circumcised Jew? (1-2)
a) God gave the Jews His oracles (the Old Testament scriptures). They knew not only God’s laws, but God’s promised blessings on those who obey.
b) They could learn from the many OT examples.
Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
2. Will God break His promises since some Jews do not believe? (3-4)
a) God will be true even if every man is a liar.
b) God did promise national blessing to Israel, and He will keep His Word. But God ever requires personal, individual faith on the sinner’s part, whether he be Jew or Gentile. (Luis Talbot)
3. If our sins make God’s righteousness look better, isn’t God wrong for punishing us? (5-6)
a) God’s righteousness does shine compared to our unrighteousness, but that does not make our unrighteousness any less worthy of punishment.
b) If it is wrong for God to punish a religious man’s sin, then how could He punish the world for their sin?
4. If my lie exalts God’s righteousness, why punish me? (7-8)
a) If I told a lie about leading a wicked person to Christ and made a big exciting story of it and everyone glorified and praised God, I would still be a liar.
b) God is more concerned about the heart and what takes place inside you and me than he is about outward praise.
Conclusion: Yes, the heathen are unrighteous, the hypocrites are unrighteous, and so are the religious Hebrews.
Is your label false? It is not what you can do that makes you right with God. It is what only Christ can do that can make you right with God. If you, like the Jews, are depending on outward religious rites to make you right before God, you are deceived. Baby baptism, confirmation, going to church, and trying to do good will not make you right with God. Like the Jews, you need to repent of your sin and trust Christ only to save you.
Christian, are you living what you claim to believe?
Song: Are You Washed in the Blood – 208