Sermon Tone Analysis
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Introduction:
A few years ago I sat in Judge Ted Poe’s court downtown.
When a defendant would stand before him, he would ask a series of questions and he would eventually come to the toughest question each defendant had to face, “Why should I not find you guilty on this charge?”
Excuses.
No good answer.
Jesus was fully human and yet, we also believe he was fully God.
He was tempted as we are tempted, but he did not sin.
He was uniquely qualified to be the spotless, innocent lamb who would be the final sacrifice that would be the once-and-for-all payment for sin, our sin.
But you still have to ask yourself, “Why would God do this?”
The Bible points to two things: the love and the justice of God.
When we see the cross we see the love of God:
But the justice of God also requires a payment for the penalty of our sins.
Sin cannot stand in the presence of God.
I picture us standing before God and him asking, “Why should I not find you guilty on this charge?”
And like those helpless ones in Ted Poe’s court, there is no justification we can propose which comes solely from us.
If it is based on who we are or what we have done, we are lost.
But the good news is we don’t have to stand there condemned, Paul tells us the righteousness of God is available to each and everyone of us.
We Need It
He doesn’t leave us there
Our justification is a gift.
God so loved, He gave.
He didn’t offer a pathway of works.
God so loved… Paul goes on to say
He Gives It
Through Jesus’ taking our sin on himself and dying for us, He paid the price for all sin.
Jesus is the justifier.
When God asks the question, “Why should I not find you guilty on this charge?”
there is only one answer.
“Because Jesus, my savior has paid the price and I trust wholly in Him.” Jesus paid the price and he died for all sinners.
There is not a person who has lived who his blood cannot redeem.
(The elect or everyone?)
Paul does say however, that Jesus is the justifier of the one who has faith in Him.
Through Jesus’ taking our sin on himself and dying for us, He paid the price for all sin.
How can we say he died for all, and then in the same breath say he the justifier only for those who have faith in Him?
My local store runs an ad that states, “Everyone receives 50% off of their purchases this Saturday.”
We have all seen ads like this.
Who is the promotion limited to?
There is no limit.
They have provided a 50% discount for anyone who wants it.
they have not limited it by race, wealth, intelligence, national origin.
It is available to all.
But we know not everyone come in the store and take advantage in it.
Some won’t believe the offer is true.
There is no way they will give every person 50% off.
So, they don’t even bother.
But those who believe it is true and want what the store has to offer will come.
They will come trusting that everyone will receive it.
God’s offer is extended to everyone.
It is not limited to the first 144,000 customers.
You don’t have to camp outside overnight to make sure you get in before everyone else.
You simply accept the offer.
You can’t earn it.
You Can’t Earn It
Paul, speaking to his Jewish hearers, tells them you cannot brag about being one of the chosen ones.
First, you didn’t do anything to brag about.
And you certainly cannot claim special privilege from the Law.
If they think they can follow this set of rules and that will provide salvation, they are just wrong.
They cannot keep the Law, never could.
There is nothing they could do and there is nothing we can do to earn our way.
It is only by faith we are justified.
A man is justified by faith apart from the works of the Law.
We cannot earn our way to Heaven.
There are not enough good things out there for us to do earn our way.
We can put on our clothes and list every good thing we have ever done, but it all pales in comparison to the righteous of God.
What do is like filthy rags.
Now, this doesn’t discount works and be sure to understand this doesn’t say that our deeds are filthy.
It is just they do not compare to the righteousness of God.
Our works and deeds don’t buy us God’s love, they are evidence of how His love affects us.
Works are not required, but they are valued by God.
What can you give to God that will make you right with Him? Nothing.
What can you give God that is not already His?
Nothing!
This isn’t about what we can give God.
It is about what He has already given us.
When we have faith in Jesus as our savior He gives us justification.
He counts us as righteous.
I like the word Paul uses in our passage today.
When Paul says we are justified, he is saying we are reckoned as righteous.
Good old Texas word, “reckoned.”
I reckon he is righteous.
Even though we stand before God like a ragamuffin off of the street, God is willing to look past all of that because of what jesus has done and because of our faith in Him.
He is willing to look past what the world sees and he says, “I reckon you are righteous.”
Always Been About Faith
Paul answers a question he knew his hearers would be asking.
“What about the Law?” does this mean the Law is no longer valid?
Rom
The Law was not the path to salvation.
It was never about works or checking all the boxes.
It has always been about faith.
Paul uses Abraham as his example.
Well, what about Abraham and all the things he did?
Abraham had no room for boasting.
He didn’t trust God in how he would be given a child.
He didn’t trust God to protect his wife before a foreign king.
It wasn’t about what Abraham did, it was about what Abraham believed.
Rom 4.
It was because of Abraham’s faith God reckoned him as righteous.
It has always been about faith.
Rom 4.4
If you work, then what you receive is due you.
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