Desperate Need for the Gospel: A Heart's Verdict
Summary
In this sermon, I explored the verdict on the human heart as presented in Romans chapter 3. I began by discussing the concept of superficial Christianity, using the character Shirley from the TV series "Community" as an example. I then delved into a real-life example of judgment and the human heart, discussing the case of Carolyn Dunham and Emmett Till. I highlighted the irony of Yvette Nicole Brown's judgmental tweet about Dunham, pointing out that the Bible teaches us that all of us are in desperate need of the gospel. I then moved into a discussion of Romans chapter 3, emphasizing our desperate need for the gospel and the verdict on the human heart.
In the second part of the sermon, I discussed the concept of judgment and how we often judge humanity according to our own standards of good and bad. I pointed out that the Bible divides humanity into two groups: those who have heard the great news of Jesus and put their trust in it, and those who stand under judgment. I then discussed the concept of sin and the misunderstanding of the gospel that leads some to believe that sin doesn't matter. I emphasized that all sin is dealt with by the death of Jesus, and that understanding this should not give us a license to sin, but rather a profound sense of the weight of our actions. I concluded the sermon by discussing the role of the law in revealing our sin and our need for the gospel.
Key Takeaways:
- The Bible teaches that all of us are in desperate need of the gospel, regardless of our actions or perceived righteousness. This is a reminder to avoid judgment and to recognize our own need for grace. #!!03:36!!#
- The Bible divides humanity into two groups: those who have heard the great news of Jesus and put their trust in it, and those who stand under judgment. This challenges our usual ways of categorizing people and calls us to a different standard of judgment. #!!27:32!!#
- Understanding the gospel should not give us a license to sin, but rather a profound sense of the weight of our actions. This challenges the misunderstanding that grace means sin doesn't matter. #!!09:36!!#
- The law reveals our sin and our need for the gospel. This challenges the idea that we can achieve righteousness through our own efforts. #!!25:36!!#
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Romans Chapter 3 - #!!00:40!!#
2. Genesis 12 - #!!21:04!!#
3. Psalms (Various) - #!!22:27!!#
Observation Questions:
1. In Romans Chapter 3, what is the verdict on the human heart and our need for the gospel?
2. In Genesis 12, how does the story of Abraham illustrate the concept of seeking God?
3. What do the various Psalms reveal about human behavior and our perception of God's judgment?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Romans Chapter 3 challenge our understanding of our own righteousness and need for salvation?
2. How does the story of Abraham in Genesis 12 demonstrate the idea that we only seek God because He first sought us?
3. What do the Psalms teach us about the consequences of living as if God's judgment is not real and personal?
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt like you were trying to outrun God's command or presence in your life, similar to Abraham before God called him. How did you respond and what did you learn from that experience?
2. Can you identify a situation in your life where you acted as if God's judgment was not real or personal? How can you change your perspective and actions in light of this?
3. How can you demonstrate your faith through your actions to someone you want to share the gospel with, inspired by the story of Abraham?
4. In what ways can you cultivate a deeper fear and respect for God's judgment in your daily life, as taught in the Psalms?
5. How can you apply the teaching from Romans Chapter 3 about our need for the gospel in your interactions with others?
Devotional
Day 1: The Verdict on the Human Heart
The human heart is in desperate need of the gospel. We often judge others without realizing our own deep need for the gospel. This is a reflection of our human nature, which is inherently sinful and in need of redemption. We must recognize this need and seek God's grace and mercy. [07:40]
Romans 3:23 - "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you judged someone else. How can you apply the gospel to this situation and seek God's forgiveness?
Day 2: The Law and Judgment
The law is not meant to justify us, but to make us aware of our sin. It is through the law that we understand our desperate need for God's grace and mercy. The law is not for those who are righteous, but for those who are sinful and in need of redemption. [23:43]
Romans 3:20 - "Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin."
Reflection: How has the law made you aware of your sin? How can you seek God's grace and mercy in light of this awareness?
Day 3: The Motives of Our Hearts
Our motives are often driven by selfishness and self-interest, rather than by a desire to glorify God. Even our seemingly good deeds can be tainted by these impure motives. We must seek to purify our hearts and align our motives with God's will. [19:51]
Jeremiah 17:9 - "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?"
Reflection: Reflect on a recent good deed. What were your true motives behind this action? How can you align your motives with God's will?
Day 4: Misunderstanding the Gospel
The gospel does not encourage sin, but rather offers redemption from sin. If we misunderstand the gospel and think that it gives us a license to sin, we have not truly grasped the cost of our salvation. The gospel calls us to turn away from sin and seek God's forgiveness. [08:51]
Romans 6:1-2 - "What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?"
Reflection: Have you ever misunderstood the gospel as a license to sin? How can you correct this misunderstanding and live in accordance with the gospel?
Day 5: All Humanity is Under Sin
All of humanity, both Jews and Gentiles, are under sin. We are all born into sin and in need of redemption. This is why we need the gospel - to save us from our sin and bring us into a right relationship with God. [10:45]
Romans 3:9 - "What shall we conclude then? Do we have any advantage? Not at all! For we have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin."
Reflection: How does the reality of being "under sin" impact your understanding of your need for the gospel? How can you live in light of this truth?
Quotes
1. "When Paul says all Humanity are alike under sin he's saying all Humanity were born on the wrong side of the tracks. It's a positional you we're in this position and it's not just that people on the wrong side of the tracks commit sin it's something bigger he's saying when he says we're under sin he's saying we are enslaved to sin we are born on the wrong side of the tracks and we live out that reality." - 11:16
2. "If we recognize that we are alike under sin and it works powerfully in our own lives then we're not actually going to look for false explanations that aren't going to help us we actually will see the true issue the problem that we're enslaved under sin." - 15:57
3. "The Bible says that maybe apart from the first motive it happens to some people that every other motive that how we appear before others are assuaging our own guilt uh serving ourselves making ourselves feel better actually those motives drive us and we might be just driven by the glory of God but it's actually it's not what drives us it's not what motivates us it's not what pursues us." - 19:51
4. "There is no one righteous not even one there is no one who understands there is no one who seeks God all have turned away all alike have become worthless there is no one who does good not even one their throat is an open grave they deceive with their tongues vipers Venom is under their lips their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness their feet are Swift to shed blood ruin and wretchedness are in their paths and the path of peace they have not known there is no fear of God before their eyes." - 16:40
5. "What's the Bible say about the human heart it says all of us are in desperate need of the gospel and then if we understood that if Shirley understood that she would stand very differently in a very different position to thinking about Carolyn and even Emmett." - 03:36
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