WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.760 Good morning, everyone. 00:00:04.160 --> 00:00:12.380 There is a psychological phenomenon, if I can say that word, phenomenon called illusory superiority. 00:00:13.359 --> 00:00:18.980 It's a mental bias where a person overestimates their own qualities or abilities. 00:00:19.980 --> 00:00:23.960 And so surveys have been done where a hundred people were asked a question 00:00:23.960 --> 00:00:30.660 and the vast majority of people rated themselves as better than average as drivers, 00:00:31.620 --> 00:00:34.219 which just can't be true if you ask a hundred people. 00:00:34.899 --> 00:00:38.000 The same goes if you ask people to rate their own intelligence 00:00:38.000 --> 00:00:43.340 or rate themselves how funny they are or how attractive they are 00:00:43.340 --> 00:00:45.700 or how charitable or generous they are. 00:00:46.159 --> 00:00:49.740 The vast majority of people rate themselves as better than average. 00:00:51.179 --> 00:00:53.760 Positive traits like these are often hard to define. 00:00:54.160 --> 00:00:57.140 And there's often this wiggle room to make us think, 00:00:57.299 --> 00:00:58.780 oh yeah, I think I'm a pretty good driver. 00:00:58.880 --> 00:01:00.380 I reckon I'm better than everybody else. 00:01:00.780 --> 00:01:04.900 But it means that we end up building an over-inflated sense of self. 00:01:05.980 --> 00:01:07.780 There's one group that's immune to this. 00:01:08.379 --> 00:01:11.819 Those that are depressed or have anxiety. 00:01:11.819 --> 00:01:15.920 They often rate themselves the opposite way, lower than the average. 00:01:16.980 --> 00:01:18.680 Now, we're not going to do a survey here. 00:01:18.799 --> 00:01:19.939 You know, we could do a quick survey. 00:01:20.099 --> 00:01:21.719 You know, pull out your phones, rate yourself. 00:01:21.719 --> 00:01:25.439 If you think you're better than everybody else at driving, we're not going to do that. 00:01:26.500 --> 00:01:29.640 But it points to how we view ourselves. 00:01:30.659 --> 00:01:34.060 We have a skewed sense of self. 00:01:34.840 --> 00:01:40.460 And I wonder if it's possible that we bring this skewed sense of self before God. 00:01:40.459 --> 00:01:47.179 I wonder if we compare ourselves to others when we're thinking about our place before God. 00:01:47.879 --> 00:01:53.659 Would we think that we are more deserving of God's love and his forgiveness than other people? 00:01:53.659 --> 00:02:00.739 Is it possible then that we even extend this illusory superiority to other people and think, 00:02:00.840 --> 00:02:01.579 Oh, well, do you know what? 00:02:02.060 --> 00:02:03.620 You know, I'll point at James Cason. 00:02:03.700 --> 00:02:05.099 I often like to pick on James Cason. 00:02:05.280 --> 00:02:06.159 So I'll pick on James Cason. 00:02:06.239 --> 00:02:07.700 He's a pretty good bloke. 00:02:08.419 --> 00:02:10.460 You know, he seems to be a good young husband now. 00:02:10.579 --> 00:02:10.800 Do you know what? 00:02:10.800 --> 00:02:13.019 I reckon he's right with God too. 00:02:13.180 --> 00:02:15.079 Because he seems to be a pretty good bloke. 00:02:15.080 --> 00:02:22.760 We are swimming in a culture which tells us that we can have it all. 00:02:23.260 --> 00:02:25.760 Not only that, but we actually deserve it all. 00:02:26.040 --> 00:02:28.560 We deserve to have everything good. 00:02:29.120 --> 00:02:33.680 I was walking home the other day and I saw a sign that said, 00:02:34.580 --> 00:02:35.680 You deserve a break. 00:02:36.040 --> 00:02:36.939 Have a Kit Kat. 00:02:37.840 --> 00:02:38.640 And I thought, you know what? 00:02:38.640 --> 00:02:41.520 I think I've already had three Kit Kats today, so I probably shouldn't have another one. 00:02:41.520 --> 00:02:52.760 So when it comes to righteousness with God, is it possible that we view ourselves and we view others as deserving of righteousness? 00:02:53.640 --> 00:02:55.840 Deserving of good things from God? 00:02:56.000 --> 00:02:56.740 Because, you know what? 00:02:56.900 --> 00:02:58.040 We're pretty good people. 00:02:59.860 --> 00:03:02.680 So not only culture tells us that, you know, we're deserving. 00:03:03.000 --> 00:03:05.740 Every other religion says you can do it. 00:03:06.200 --> 00:03:08.340 You can deserve good things. 00:03:08.340 --> 00:03:13.659 Other religions build up performance records so you can be right with God. 00:03:13.939 --> 00:03:21.599 Whether it's following the eightfold path or removing suffering or doing the duty of your caste. 00:03:22.539 --> 00:03:30.280 Each is something that goes on a performance record that we hold in our minds or on our souls that we present to God on the day of judgment. 00:03:30.280 --> 00:03:37.620 So when it comes to the good news of the gospel, there can be this expectation that it is earned. 00:03:38.620 --> 00:03:40.680 We can hold this view that, do you know what? 00:03:41.520 --> 00:03:43.840 Good from God must be earned. 00:03:44.560 --> 00:03:47.520 But also, I'm a pretty special person. 00:03:48.300 --> 00:03:49.340 I'm a good guy. 00:03:49.800 --> 00:03:50.900 You know, I'm just like James. 00:03:50.960 --> 00:03:51.759 I'm a good husband. 00:03:52.599 --> 00:03:56.340 And, you know, God deserves, he really should take care of me because I've earned it. 00:03:56.340 --> 00:04:04.659 And so when we hear the Bible read by Tanya just a moment ago, when it says that we are justified freely by God's grace, 00:04:05.300 --> 00:04:07.199 we think, yeah, sure. 00:04:08.199 --> 00:04:11.319 But doesn't everybody have something to offer God? 00:04:11.400 --> 00:04:13.520 Doesn't everybody deserve something good from God? 00:04:14.920 --> 00:04:16.680 We're continuing in the book of Romans. 00:04:16.680 --> 00:04:25.160 And the first two chapters have really presented a radical opinion, something very contradictory to that worldview, 00:04:25.500 --> 00:04:27.300 that we all deserve something good from God. 00:04:28.160 --> 00:04:36.680 And Paul in Romans 3 is really going to just nail home this view that we actually do not deserve anything good from God. 00:04:37.560 --> 00:04:44.259 And we come to what Martin Luther of the Reformation called the center of the Bible, which is a big claim. 00:04:44.259 --> 00:04:47.339 And so we're going to see if it actually holds up to that. 00:04:47.719 --> 00:04:54.839 And the challenge for us today will be to see what we actually deserve from God and what he gives us and how. 00:04:55.420 --> 00:04:57.740 And a thing called justification by faith. 00:04:58.560 --> 00:05:03.060 And how wonderful it is that we do not deserve it, but it is offered to us freely. 00:05:03.480 --> 00:05:05.480 So let me pray for us as we look at Romans 3. 00:05:05.579 --> 00:05:09.199 Heavenly Father, we thank you for this chance to look at your word this morning. 00:05:09.199 --> 00:05:16.060 Heavenly Father, we have mixed expectations when it comes to you. 00:05:16.500 --> 00:05:21.360 In the one sense, we expect good because we think we are good. 00:05:22.039 --> 00:05:30.800 But Lord, we also know we are full of sin and can struggle and feel anxiety when it comes to what we deserve from you. 00:05:31.560 --> 00:05:35.480 Help us to know how to be right with you today, Lord. 00:05:35.899 --> 00:05:36.300 Amen. 00:05:36.300 --> 00:05:36.340 Amen. 00:05:37.160 --> 00:05:39.860 So please have Romans 3 open. 00:05:40.920 --> 00:05:44.420 Firstly, we'll see that from what Paul says, we deserve nothing. 00:05:44.939 --> 00:05:48.900 If you've got the St. Paul's app there, you can follow along in the points. 00:05:48.939 --> 00:05:52.360 And if you don't have the app, there should be a little QR code in front of you on the seats. 00:05:52.439 --> 00:05:54.660 You can follow that to get the St. Paul's app. 00:05:56.019 --> 00:05:59.800 And Paul builds up a big argument about what we deserve from God. 00:06:00.340 --> 00:06:01.699 And it's not pretty. 00:06:02.080 --> 00:06:02.819 It's not pretty at all. 00:06:02.819 --> 00:06:10.180 Paul has been cutting away any ground to think that we are above average in God's sight. 00:06:11.180 --> 00:06:13.740 And it's made for uncomfortable listening in those first two chapters. 00:06:14.740 --> 00:06:20.500 And in the first 20 verses of chapter 3, which we're going to look at briefly, Paul moves forward to the conclusion. 00:06:20.500 --> 00:06:26.259 At the end of verse 20, no one will be declared righteousness in God's sight. 00:06:27.240 --> 00:06:28.800 So he's going to build up this big picture. 00:06:28.939 --> 00:06:29.779 And that's the spoiler. 00:06:29.839 --> 00:06:30.500 That's the end point. 00:06:30.639 --> 00:06:31.639 No one is righteous. 00:06:33.259 --> 00:06:35.519 Paul goes back and forward in the first nine verses. 00:06:35.639 --> 00:06:37.259 We're not going to look at the first nine verses in detail. 00:06:37.259 --> 00:06:39.379 But Paul has this argument with himself. 00:06:39.899 --> 00:06:41.680 He asks this question and then he answers it. 00:06:41.719 --> 00:06:42.939 He does this several times. 00:06:43.500 --> 00:06:47.920 But they amount to being, well, isn't there an advantage for the Jew? 00:06:48.639 --> 00:06:54.139 The Jew has been part of God's people for centuries and generations. 00:06:54.519 --> 00:06:56.199 They've had God's word for so long. 00:06:56.480 --> 00:06:57.939 Don't they get some benefit? 00:06:58.759 --> 00:07:03.939 Don't they have some advantage to having the very words of God, the Old Testament? 00:07:03.939 --> 00:07:06.719 And it's this comparison question. 00:07:08.199 --> 00:07:11.160 Comparatively, shouldn't the Jews deserve more from God? 00:07:12.079 --> 00:07:13.120 They've been God's people. 00:07:13.639 --> 00:07:14.519 They've had his law. 00:07:14.879 --> 00:07:20.159 Surely God is going to judge them more favorably than those who've been far away from him. 00:07:20.600 --> 00:07:22.980 Surely the Jews are closer to God. 00:07:23.699 --> 00:07:25.180 They're closer to righteousness. 00:07:25.579 --> 00:07:27.819 They're closer to being accepted by God. 00:07:28.920 --> 00:07:32.180 But it's not about comparing ourselves to others. 00:07:32.180 --> 00:07:35.079 It's our position before God. 00:07:35.180 --> 00:07:36.480 It's a legal position. 00:07:37.259 --> 00:07:40.939 Verse 9 describes us as all under the power of sin. 00:07:42.540 --> 00:07:45.100 Is there anybody here that likes to do lap swimming? 00:07:46.100 --> 00:07:47.540 Anybody that likes to have a good swim? 00:07:48.120 --> 00:07:50.240 Paul, what is a long distance to swim? 00:07:51.780 --> 00:07:52.920 For you? 00:07:53.780 --> 00:07:54.920 Two Ks. 00:07:55.360 --> 00:07:56.379 Okay, two Ks. 00:07:56.379 --> 00:07:58.060 That sounds like a very long way for me. 00:07:58.759 --> 00:08:00.439 Two Ks sounds good. 00:08:00.519 --> 00:08:01.600 So Paul can be our benchmark. 00:08:01.600 --> 00:08:04.740 Now, imagine if there was a couple of us going for a swim. 00:08:05.420 --> 00:08:09.320 They were going to swim from Sydney to New Zealand. 00:08:09.840 --> 00:08:10.100 Okay? 00:08:10.240 --> 00:08:11.120 We've set ourselves a goal. 00:08:12.020 --> 00:08:12.720 There's three people. 00:08:13.540 --> 00:08:15.800 There's one who can't swim at all. 00:08:16.760 --> 00:08:18.439 And they get out into Sydney Harbour. 00:08:18.800 --> 00:08:21.100 And because they can't swim, they go straight down. 00:08:21.240 --> 00:08:22.600 They sink and they drown. 00:08:23.720 --> 00:08:25.660 The next swimmer, let's say it's Paul. 00:08:26.020 --> 00:08:27.280 We'll use Paul as an example. 00:08:27.400 --> 00:08:27.939 Thank you, dear brother. 00:08:28.200 --> 00:08:28.620 Let's say it's Paul. 00:08:28.879 --> 00:08:29.600 Pretty good swimmer. 00:08:29.600 --> 00:08:31.300 Paul's pretty fit. 00:08:31.520 --> 00:08:32.399 Liked to swim regularly. 00:08:32.860 --> 00:08:33.940 He gets out in the harbour. 00:08:34.320 --> 00:08:35.040 He swims. 00:08:35.200 --> 00:08:36.960 He gets out of the harbour, out of the headlands. 00:08:38.340 --> 00:08:40.080 And he's doing really well. 00:08:40.600 --> 00:08:42.500 He beats his PB of 2K. 00:08:42.700 --> 00:08:44.120 He actually gets 5K. 00:08:44.580 --> 00:08:46.120 And then he sinks and he drowns. 00:08:46.560 --> 00:08:46.960 Sorry, Paul. 00:08:47.060 --> 00:08:47.779 Nice knowing you, dear brother. 00:08:47.779 --> 00:08:52.620 The last person, well, let's say this third person is a champion swimmer. 00:08:53.360 --> 00:08:55.159 Champion Olympic level swimmer. 00:08:56.139 --> 00:08:58.679 Swims easily past Paul's PB. 00:08:59.059 --> 00:09:00.839 Does a little bit of wave on the way past. 00:09:01.860 --> 00:09:03.679 Gets 50 kilometres out. 00:09:04.100 --> 00:09:04.699 Straightforward. 00:09:05.059 --> 00:09:07.039 The next 100 kilometres is a struggle. 00:09:08.199 --> 00:09:11.019 The next 50 kilometres, they're just trying to stay afloat. 00:09:11.019 --> 00:09:13.699 And then finally, they drown. 00:09:14.480 --> 00:09:17.840 And falling short by only 2,000 kilometres. 00:09:20.399 --> 00:09:25.379 Is that last Olympic swimmer who got closer more or less drowned than the others? 00:09:25.379 --> 00:09:28.279 It doesn't matter. 00:09:28.419 --> 00:09:30.759 None of them get anywhere near their destination. 00:09:31.399 --> 00:09:34.159 The person who considers themselves moral and good. 00:09:34.960 --> 00:09:39.279 And the person who indulges in every fleeting sin and pursues everything. 00:09:39.779 --> 00:09:44.720 Neither of them come even anywhere close to being righteous. 00:09:46.240 --> 00:09:48.000 They are equally alike. 00:09:48.399 --> 00:09:49.320 Far from God. 00:09:49.879 --> 00:09:54.379 There is such a gulf between righteousness and unrighteousness. 00:09:54.379 --> 00:10:01.379 That our moral standing, all of our good works, have no ability to contribute anything to our salvation. 00:10:02.460 --> 00:10:05.620 And Paul gives a full picture of what it means to be far from God. 00:10:05.879 --> 00:10:07.179 And how fully we sin. 00:10:07.460 --> 00:10:08.980 And the reality of our sinfulness. 00:10:10.080 --> 00:10:12.740 He says, there is no one righteous. 00:10:13.120 --> 00:10:14.059 Not even one. 00:10:15.139 --> 00:10:17.179 It is this legal standing. 00:10:17.939 --> 00:10:21.240 It is like saying a person is innocent or guilty. 00:10:21.240 --> 00:10:24.879 You can't be a little bit innocent or a little bit guilty. 00:10:25.259 --> 00:10:26.600 It is one or the other. 00:10:27.960 --> 00:10:28.759 And then verse 11. 00:10:29.279 --> 00:10:31.759 It says that our minds are corrupt. 00:10:31.940 --> 00:10:33.879 No one understands God. 00:10:34.220 --> 00:10:37.060 No one seeks his truth. 00:10:37.539 --> 00:10:42.899 We can see, Romans has told us in chapter 1, that we can see God's goodness to us around us. 00:10:42.899 --> 00:10:49.079 We can see it in his rising sun, in the fact that he provides us rain so that plants grow. 00:10:49.159 --> 00:10:51.579 Even if I wanted God to provide a little bit less rain. 00:10:52.899 --> 00:10:55.720 But Paul says we can't actually see God's goodness. 00:10:55.879 --> 00:10:56.620 We're blind to him. 00:10:57.120 --> 00:10:59.699 We can't see the reality of God around us. 00:10:59.740 --> 00:11:01.220 Our minds are darkened. 00:11:01.500 --> 00:11:02.259 We don't understand. 00:11:02.759 --> 00:11:04.480 Secondly, we don't seek God. 00:11:04.480 --> 00:11:07.980 Our motives are twisted. 00:11:08.980 --> 00:11:11.080 None of us really want to find God. 00:11:12.519 --> 00:11:17.399 Our will, we've actually chosen to turn away. 00:11:18.840 --> 00:11:22.779 And there's this horrible picture in verse 13 of our mouths. 00:11:23.080 --> 00:11:24.700 Our throats are open graves. 00:11:24.800 --> 00:11:26.240 Our tongues practice deceit. 00:11:26.800 --> 00:11:28.500 Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness. 00:11:28.500 --> 00:11:33.240 It's this picture of our mouths as an open grave, as in just rotten. 00:11:33.779 --> 00:11:36.159 Only rottenness comes out of our mouths. 00:11:36.600 --> 00:11:37.639 It's this horrible picture. 00:11:38.940 --> 00:11:43.100 Our relationships with people are damaged because we shed blood. 00:11:43.799 --> 00:11:44.840 There is no peace. 00:11:46.379 --> 00:11:49.519 And finally, our relationship with God, well, we don't fear him. 00:11:50.659 --> 00:11:51.879 We don't fear God. 00:11:51.960 --> 00:11:52.940 We think we are God. 00:11:53.019 --> 00:11:54.159 We think we are in control. 00:11:55.159 --> 00:11:58.259 It is a detailed and depressing list. 00:11:59.379 --> 00:12:02.320 But this is all people before God. 00:12:03.159 --> 00:12:05.960 All people in a position of unrighteousness. 00:12:06.379 --> 00:12:09.539 But also people who expect the very best from God. 00:12:10.840 --> 00:12:15.220 It is that illusion, illusionary superiority again. 00:12:16.039 --> 00:12:19.440 Where we view ourselves as actually being better than we really are. 00:12:21.279 --> 00:12:25.600 Can you imagine if Paul was writing a dating profile for all of humanity? 00:12:26.639 --> 00:12:27.940 Well, pick on me at this point. 00:12:27.940 --> 00:12:30.480 Let's say, you know, this person in the dating profile. 00:12:31.000 --> 00:12:32.460 I never had to write a dating profile. 00:12:32.560 --> 00:12:33.580 I'm really thankful for that. 00:12:34.100 --> 00:12:36.440 Because I probably wouldn't write it like this. 00:12:36.520 --> 00:12:39.820 But let's say, writing a dating profile, okay, the person's 5'11". 00:12:40.460 --> 00:12:43.480 They have whatever color hair this is. 00:12:43.820 --> 00:12:44.940 Orangey, blondy, brown. 00:12:45.700 --> 00:12:46.680 Like walks on the beach. 00:12:47.080 --> 00:12:47.640 Good so far. 00:12:47.639 --> 00:12:50.699 This person is guilty and condemned. 00:12:52.259 --> 00:12:54.620 His mind is twisted and deranged. 00:12:55.000 --> 00:12:57.000 His heart cries out. 00:12:57.199 --> 00:12:58.240 His heart is selfish. 00:12:59.159 --> 00:13:00.819 He only ever chooses himself. 00:13:01.860 --> 00:13:05.019 Whenever he speaks, he puts down all of those around him. 00:13:05.259 --> 00:13:07.159 He's a bully and he belittles people. 00:13:07.539 --> 00:13:09.159 He's full of cursing and bitterness. 00:13:09.819 --> 00:13:11.500 He's brought shame to his family. 00:13:12.059 --> 00:13:16.419 He's destroyed all his relationships, some by shedding blood, and he thinks he's God. 00:13:18.019 --> 00:13:19.860 Would you want to be with that kind of person? 00:13:20.940 --> 00:13:25.379 Would you want a family member to be dating that kind of person? 00:13:26.860 --> 00:13:31.419 And yet this is the person that Paul describes all of us to be. 00:13:31.419 --> 00:13:34.099 No one seeks God. 00:13:34.779 --> 00:13:35.719 No one does good. 00:13:37.439 --> 00:13:42.299 And yet the wonderful truth is that God chooses to have a relationship with this kind of person. 00:13:43.559 --> 00:13:45.719 How very thankful we should be. 00:13:46.679 --> 00:13:50.379 God chose to send his own Jesus for a despicable people. 00:13:51.639 --> 00:13:54.479 This is the theology of total depravity. 00:13:54.819 --> 00:13:57.039 That we are totally depraved people. 00:13:57.699 --> 00:13:58.620 Completely sinful. 00:13:58.620 --> 00:14:02.679 Even when we do good, it is twisted by our sin. 00:14:04.120 --> 00:14:04.360 But. 00:14:06.240 --> 00:14:06.720 But. 00:14:06.860 --> 00:14:08.060 Verse 21. 00:14:08.340 --> 00:14:09.100 But now. 00:14:09.500 --> 00:14:11.820 It's one of my favorite buts in the Bible. 00:14:11.919 --> 00:14:14.419 There's another really great but in Ephesians 2. 00:14:14.500 --> 00:14:16.419 Go and read that one as homework when you get home. 00:14:17.080 --> 00:14:17.379 But. 00:14:18.679 --> 00:14:21.019 In contrast to what Paul has just said. 00:14:21.539 --> 00:14:23.100 But now it is different. 00:14:23.799 --> 00:14:24.360 But now. 00:14:25.000 --> 00:14:25.940 Second point today. 00:14:25.940 --> 00:14:27.980 We get everything from God. 00:14:29.620 --> 00:14:30.799 Verse 21. 00:14:32.000 --> 00:14:33.080 But now. 00:14:34.019 --> 00:14:35.179 Apart from the law. 00:14:35.500 --> 00:14:38.560 The righteousness of God has been made known. 00:14:38.960 --> 00:14:40.120 But now. 00:14:40.600 --> 00:14:42.740 In contrast to all that Paul has said. 00:14:43.019 --> 00:14:45.399 About how he's described us to be before God. 00:14:45.759 --> 00:14:48.200 Now God has made his righteousness known. 00:14:49.080 --> 00:14:51.220 Before we were in a position of condemnation. 00:14:51.980 --> 00:14:53.639 But a new position is offered. 00:14:53.639 --> 00:14:56.319 We spoke earlier about. 00:14:56.319 --> 00:14:59.819 How we often build up a performance record. 00:15:00.100 --> 00:15:01.879 Of good things that we do. 00:15:02.779 --> 00:15:04.699 To make us think we deserve God. 00:15:04.759 --> 00:15:05.220 But now. 00:15:05.639 --> 00:15:07.439 Instead of our own performance record. 00:15:07.559 --> 00:15:10.059 God says there is a new performance record for you. 00:15:10.319 --> 00:15:11.100 Here you go. 00:15:11.939 --> 00:15:14.100 It's a totally unheard of approach. 00:15:15.220 --> 00:15:17.399 The good looking resume that we thought we had. 00:15:17.559 --> 00:15:18.879 Just totally didn't work. 00:15:18.879 --> 00:15:21.259 The righteousness of God. 00:15:21.799 --> 00:15:23.419 The right performance record. 00:15:23.419 --> 00:15:24.740 Is given to us. 00:15:24.919 --> 00:15:25.600 Verse 22. 00:15:27.220 --> 00:15:32.840 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. 00:15:33.519 --> 00:15:36.679 What an amazing, ridiculous and radical thing. 00:15:37.399 --> 00:15:38.519 Given freely. 00:15:39.220 --> 00:15:40.220 Offered, not earned. 00:15:40.980 --> 00:15:43.720 You know we might think we can try and swim to New Zealand. 00:15:43.720 --> 00:15:46.420 But God is gifting us a plane ticket there. 00:15:46.940 --> 00:15:47.759 Here you go. 00:15:48.420 --> 00:15:49.279 You're just there. 00:15:50.500 --> 00:15:52.440 There is no comparison. 00:15:52.639 --> 00:15:55.080 We can try and fail. 00:15:55.800 --> 00:15:57.420 Or have it given for free. 00:15:58.440 --> 00:16:01.879 And we come to the part of the Bible that Luther argued was the center. 00:16:02.540 --> 00:16:05.480 And this is a part of the Bible that is worth meditating on. 00:16:05.580 --> 00:16:06.899 It is worth memorizing. 00:16:07.220 --> 00:16:10.580 If you're going to go from here and memorize one part of the Bible this week. 00:16:10.639 --> 00:16:11.440 It would be this. 00:16:11.440 --> 00:16:13.760 Romans 3.23 and 24. 00:16:14.440 --> 00:16:17.540 For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. 00:16:18.620 --> 00:16:22.660 And all are justified freely by his grace. 00:16:23.180 --> 00:16:26.340 Through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 00:16:27.580 --> 00:16:29.400 All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. 00:16:29.860 --> 00:16:32.900 And all are justified freely by his grace. 00:16:34.600 --> 00:16:37.120 How horrid would it be if Paul didn't have that and. 00:16:37.320 --> 00:16:38.680 If he just had the first part. 00:16:38.960 --> 00:16:40.920 All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. 00:16:41.440 --> 00:16:44.780 But there is grace for all. 00:16:45.200 --> 00:16:47.000 Rather than us paying the penalty. 00:16:47.600 --> 00:16:49.420 The judge's son took our place. 00:16:50.380 --> 00:16:52.260 And we are given freedom. 00:16:53.260 --> 00:16:55.760 It's the beautiful scandal of the cross. 00:16:56.400 --> 00:17:00.140 That the one who was not deserving of anything in verse 23. 00:17:00.139 --> 00:17:03.480 Is given everything. 00:17:04.480 --> 00:17:07.519 By the one Jesus who does not do verse 23. 00:17:07.639 --> 00:17:08.960 He has not sinned. 00:17:09.019 --> 00:17:11.180 Jesus has not sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. 00:17:11.259 --> 00:17:13.379 He is the very glory of God. 00:17:14.160 --> 00:17:15.660 And yet he takes our place. 00:17:17.559 --> 00:17:19.519 This beautiful undeserved joy. 00:17:20.019 --> 00:17:21.259 Has layers to it. 00:17:21.359 --> 00:17:21.900 Verse 22. 00:17:21.900 --> 00:17:24.560 Says that it is presented. 00:17:26.240 --> 00:17:28.660 By Jesus's shedding of his blood. 00:17:31.120 --> 00:17:33.480 Belief in God is not good enough. 00:17:33.720 --> 00:17:35.040 It's actually specific. 00:17:36.080 --> 00:17:38.500 It has to be belief in Jesus. 00:17:38.500 --> 00:17:40.759 Some might say. 00:17:40.920 --> 00:17:42.420 I'm so glad you have faith. 00:17:42.799 --> 00:17:45.259 But it's not just faith in something. 00:17:45.559 --> 00:17:47.200 It is faith in Jesus. 00:17:48.980 --> 00:17:50.680 Received in Jesus. 00:17:51.960 --> 00:17:53.579 And as Paul has made painfully clear. 00:17:53.839 --> 00:17:55.420 It has nothing to do with us. 00:17:57.420 --> 00:17:58.380 As Paul said. 00:17:58.380 --> 00:17:59.240 Oh let me go back. 00:17:59.559 --> 00:17:59.779 Back. 00:17:59.940 --> 00:18:00.240 Back. 00:18:01.279 --> 00:18:02.000 There we go. 00:18:02.319 --> 00:18:04.380 Justified freely by his grace. 00:18:04.380 --> 00:18:07.160 Some of us can think of faith. 00:18:07.740 --> 00:18:09.320 As an intense attitude. 00:18:09.580 --> 00:18:10.840 I have to think really hard. 00:18:11.020 --> 00:18:12.180 I have to work really hard. 00:18:12.240 --> 00:18:13.880 I have to trust God really hard. 00:18:13.920 --> 00:18:14.620 To be justified. 00:18:15.460 --> 00:18:18.020 I have to have 100% certainty. 00:18:18.420 --> 00:18:19.620 That Jesus has saved me. 00:18:19.680 --> 00:18:21.300 That's what it means to be justified by faith. 00:18:21.480 --> 00:18:22.740 I need to work really hard. 00:18:22.740 --> 00:18:24.160 To make sure that I'm trusting him. 00:18:24.160 --> 00:18:24.960 At every moment. 00:18:26.220 --> 00:18:27.160 I know he did. 00:18:27.280 --> 00:18:28.260 I sometimes have doubts. 00:18:28.320 --> 00:18:29.400 And I've got to get rid of those doubts. 00:18:30.420 --> 00:18:31.980 But that kind of faith. 00:18:32.160 --> 00:18:34.160 Just ends up becoming another work. 00:18:34.380 --> 00:18:40.320 It's not that faith in and of itself saves us. 00:18:40.780 --> 00:18:43.420 It is the one who our faith is in. 00:18:44.280 --> 00:18:45.560 And it's freely given. 00:18:49.060 --> 00:18:50.200 From verse 25. 00:18:51.200 --> 00:18:54.020 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement. 00:18:54.120 --> 00:18:55.300 Through the shedding of his blood. 00:18:56.240 --> 00:18:56.940 His death. 00:18:57.040 --> 00:18:58.240 His blood instead of ours. 00:18:58.960 --> 00:19:01.000 This free gift of grace is given. 00:19:02.320 --> 00:19:03.280 Freely to us. 00:19:03.279 --> 00:19:04.440 And received by faith. 00:19:05.160 --> 00:19:05.839 Now imagine. 00:19:06.500 --> 00:19:08.420 That we still need to get to New Zealand. 00:19:09.220 --> 00:19:09.460 You know. 00:19:09.500 --> 00:19:10.779 We saw Paul try and swim. 00:19:11.000 --> 00:19:11.660 Did no good. 00:19:12.059 --> 00:19:12.539 And we thought. 00:19:13.180 --> 00:19:14.160 We need to get there. 00:19:14.500 --> 00:19:15.980 So flying is the best option. 00:19:17.079 --> 00:19:18.559 I don't know of anybody that has a boat. 00:19:18.639 --> 00:19:20.099 So we'll go with flying as the best option. 00:19:20.420 --> 00:19:22.480 And there's a spot that has been freely offered. 00:19:23.680 --> 00:19:26.339 And it's not just believing in flying. 00:19:26.339 --> 00:19:27.500 As the best option. 00:19:27.500 --> 00:19:28.839 That will get us to New Zealand. 00:19:29.000 --> 00:19:30.699 Because if I thought it was just believing. 00:19:31.179 --> 00:19:33.000 If I thought it was just having faith in flying. 00:19:33.119 --> 00:19:33.699 As the best option. 00:19:33.959 --> 00:19:34.639 Do you know what I could do? 00:19:34.819 --> 00:19:36.439 I could strap on some wings. 00:19:36.839 --> 00:19:38.659 And try and flap myself to New Zealand. 00:19:39.799 --> 00:19:40.980 It's not just believing. 00:19:41.500 --> 00:19:42.379 In something. 00:19:42.379 --> 00:19:43.480 That is going to save me. 00:19:43.559 --> 00:19:44.119 It's believing. 00:19:44.559 --> 00:19:45.619 In the right thing. 00:19:45.619 --> 00:19:49.859 The place of our faith is important. 00:19:50.919 --> 00:19:53.559 Saving faith is only faith that is placed in Jesus. 00:19:54.539 --> 00:19:56.759 Has anybody actually been on a plane recently? 00:19:56.879 --> 00:19:58.279 Has anybody started flying again? 00:19:59.119 --> 00:19:59.979 A couple of us. 00:20:01.639 --> 00:20:03.899 Is anybody a particularly bad flyer? 00:20:05.019 --> 00:20:06.459 Anybody really stressed by flying? 00:20:06.500 --> 00:20:07.379 There's one person down the front. 00:20:07.859 --> 00:20:10.319 Flying can be very stressful for some of us. 00:20:10.459 --> 00:20:11.459 Imagine you're on that plane. 00:20:11.939 --> 00:20:13.359 And some turbulence hits. 00:20:13.559 --> 00:20:14.399 And it's pretty bad. 00:20:14.400 --> 00:20:15.840 And you're worrying. 00:20:15.940 --> 00:20:17.840 Am I going to make it out of this alive? 00:20:18.340 --> 00:20:19.920 And you're breathing into that bag. 00:20:20.000 --> 00:20:21.400 So you don't hyperventilate. 00:20:21.700 --> 00:20:23.820 You've got white knuckles at every bump. 00:20:24.240 --> 00:20:25.360 Every gust of air. 00:20:25.820 --> 00:20:29.000 Your faith in the airplane is very weak. 00:20:29.000 --> 00:20:31.759 And your faith in the pilot is very weak. 00:20:32.900 --> 00:20:33.880 And then sitting next to you. 00:20:33.940 --> 00:20:34.840 There's someone else on the plane. 00:20:35.840 --> 00:20:37.220 And their faith in the plane. 00:20:37.259 --> 00:20:38.220 And their faith in the pilot. 00:20:38.360 --> 00:20:39.300 Is very strong. 00:20:41.380 --> 00:20:42.519 I love flying. 00:20:42.720 --> 00:20:43.860 Because it's just. 00:20:43.859 --> 00:20:44.419 You know. 00:20:44.500 --> 00:20:45.500 I get X amount of hours. 00:20:45.500 --> 00:20:46.879 To sit and read. 00:20:47.059 --> 00:20:47.919 To sit and watch movies. 00:20:48.019 --> 00:20:49.039 And to do whatever I like. 00:20:49.639 --> 00:20:50.799 The last flight I took. 00:20:50.859 --> 00:20:51.259 I remember. 00:20:51.479 --> 00:20:52.419 I was doing this. 00:20:52.459 --> 00:20:52.959 I was reading. 00:20:53.179 --> 00:20:54.359 Before the plane took off. 00:20:54.500 --> 00:20:54.859 And I'm like. 00:20:54.899 --> 00:20:55.599 Oh we're taking off. 00:20:56.500 --> 00:20:57.839 Not even aware. 00:20:57.839 --> 00:20:58.839 That we were taking off. 00:20:58.959 --> 00:20:59.599 And we landed. 00:20:59.779 --> 00:21:00.119 It's just like. 00:21:00.139 --> 00:21:00.559 Oh we're landing. 00:21:00.639 --> 00:21:00.879 Great. 00:21:01.279 --> 00:21:01.639 And you know. 00:21:01.699 --> 00:21:02.419 You see other people. 00:21:02.519 --> 00:21:03.159 White knuckles. 00:21:04.759 --> 00:21:05.759 For some of us. 00:21:05.759 --> 00:21:08.200 We can enjoy the journey. 00:21:09.400 --> 00:21:10.640 Trusting in the aeroplane. 00:21:10.779 --> 00:21:11.319 And the pilot. 00:21:13.099 --> 00:21:14.960 For the person whose faith is weak. 00:21:15.039 --> 00:21:16.019 And really stressed. 00:21:16.220 --> 00:21:17.339 The entire flight. 00:21:17.599 --> 00:21:19.980 And the person who is totally relaxed. 00:21:20.500 --> 00:21:22.420 They both actually get to the same destination. 00:21:23.759 --> 00:21:26.180 The captain doesn't actually come back to the person who's stressed. 00:21:26.319 --> 00:21:27.359 And hyperventilating. 00:21:27.440 --> 00:21:27.879 And freaking out. 00:21:28.000 --> 00:21:29.160 The captain doesn't come back and say. 00:21:29.220 --> 00:21:30.100 Oh I'm sorry sir. 00:21:30.140 --> 00:21:30.740 I'm sorry ma'am. 00:21:31.540 --> 00:21:33.160 You can't actually be on this flight. 00:21:34.940 --> 00:21:36.120 You don't have enough faith. 00:21:36.120 --> 00:21:37.200 To keep this plane up. 00:21:37.800 --> 00:21:38.800 We're actually going to have to. 00:21:39.400 --> 00:21:40.500 Throw you out the exit door. 00:21:41.720 --> 00:21:43.140 You don't get to go to the destination. 00:21:43.140 --> 00:21:44.620 Because you don't trust enough. 00:21:46.860 --> 00:21:49.140 It is the power of God to save. 00:21:49.259 --> 00:21:52.320 Not my power of my faith. 00:21:53.740 --> 00:21:55.900 We fix our eyes on Jesus. 00:21:56.300 --> 00:21:57.000 The pilot. 00:21:57.440 --> 00:21:58.580 Who is pointing us to God. 00:21:58.579 --> 00:21:59.500 He doesn't say. 00:21:59.599 --> 00:22:00.579 Oh look you're on the plane. 00:22:01.319 --> 00:22:03.339 But you must also flap your wings. 00:22:03.659 --> 00:22:04.460 Or you're not going to make it. 00:22:04.980 --> 00:22:06.240 You've got to be doing something. 00:22:06.339 --> 00:22:07.939 You've got to be really active while you're on the plane. 00:22:08.000 --> 00:22:08.919 Or you're not going to be saved. 00:22:11.000 --> 00:22:13.480 Jesus is the object of our faith. 00:22:13.539 --> 00:22:14.319 He is the one. 00:22:15.000 --> 00:22:16.240 Our faith is placed in. 00:22:17.859 --> 00:22:18.619 Not us. 00:22:19.619 --> 00:22:21.619 And this faith is a wonderful gift that has been given. 00:22:22.679 --> 00:22:25.399 This is what justification by faith is. 00:22:25.400 --> 00:22:28.780 I'm saved by what Jesus has done. 00:22:28.780 --> 00:22:32.640 And this is a very important piece of theology for us Christians. 00:22:33.519 --> 00:22:36.160 And it's not just important for our minds. 00:22:36.320 --> 00:22:37.540 It's important for our hearts. 00:22:37.640 --> 00:22:38.980 It's important for us to know. 00:22:39.360 --> 00:22:41.840 Because it's intensely personal for us all. 00:22:41.839 --> 00:22:45.659 The person who goes through life struggling. 00:22:46.740 --> 00:22:48.919 Believing that they're right with God. 00:22:49.059 --> 00:22:50.419 The person who is anxious. 00:22:50.899 --> 00:22:55.059 The person who is worried that they're saved. 00:22:56.059 --> 00:23:00.819 Well this piece of theology actually helps us to grow in God confidence. 00:23:00.819 --> 00:23:02.899 God I don't need to be anxious. 00:23:02.939 --> 00:23:04.139 I don't actually need to be worried. 00:23:04.359 --> 00:23:05.460 Because you have saved me. 00:23:05.700 --> 00:23:07.159 It is not my faith. 00:23:07.339 --> 00:23:08.939 It is where my faith is placed. 00:23:09.539 --> 00:23:12.000 Even if I have a tiny amount of faith in you. 00:23:12.139 --> 00:23:13.079 It is still in you. 00:23:13.399 --> 00:23:14.839 And I will still get to the destination. 00:23:17.339 --> 00:23:20.919 We don't need to compare ourselves to other Christians. 00:23:20.919 --> 00:23:22.939 Oh that Christian has so much faith. 00:23:22.940 --> 00:23:30.160 This theology of justification by faith is a wonderful assurance to us. 00:23:31.160 --> 00:23:33.620 That it is not our performance. 00:23:33.820 --> 00:23:35.420 It is not how strong our faith is. 00:23:35.420 --> 00:23:37.400 It is where our faith is placed. 00:23:37.480 --> 00:23:38.000 In Jesus. 00:23:39.220 --> 00:23:41.620 Because all of us are going to stand before God one day. 00:23:43.299 --> 00:23:48.539 And justification by faith tells us we don't need to appeal to our performance record. 00:23:48.759 --> 00:23:49.779 To our works. 00:23:49.940 --> 00:23:51.160 To the things we've done. 00:23:51.160 --> 00:23:53.360 We can't point out that. 00:23:53.480 --> 00:23:56.320 Well look at least I'm better than 50% of everybody else. 00:23:58.860 --> 00:24:00.580 Justification by faith is vital. 00:24:00.580 --> 00:24:01.880 Because it reminds us. 00:24:02.180 --> 00:24:03.600 The very heart of the gospel. 00:24:04.600 --> 00:24:07.060 That our standing and acceptance before God. 00:24:07.340 --> 00:24:08.960 Is entirely from God. 00:24:10.320 --> 00:24:12.140 And so Paul says in verse 27. 00:24:12.300 --> 00:24:13.160 That there is no boasting. 00:24:13.259 --> 00:24:14.500 We don't boast about this. 00:24:14.940 --> 00:24:16.220 Instead we have joy. 00:24:17.180 --> 00:24:17.740 Thankfulness. 00:24:18.660 --> 00:24:20.519 Because our destination is sure. 00:24:21.460 --> 00:24:21.980 So. 00:24:21.980 --> 00:24:24.580 If we were going to survey everyone here. 00:24:24.720 --> 00:24:26.279 If we were going to survey a hundred Christians. 00:24:26.700 --> 00:24:30.240 Whether we're more deserving of salvation than the person sitting next to you. 00:24:31.759 --> 00:24:33.320 Justification by faith tells us no. 00:24:33.680 --> 00:24:35.180 I am not more deserving. 00:24:36.200 --> 00:24:36.920 It's not me. 00:24:37.120 --> 00:24:38.380 I don't deserve anything. 00:24:38.660 --> 00:24:39.620 But brothers and sisters. 00:24:39.619 --> 00:24:45.500 Justification by faith teaches us that we are so richly blessed by God. 00:24:46.179 --> 00:24:49.559 Freely through God's grace to us in Jesus' blood. 00:24:50.719 --> 00:24:55.459 This theology of justification by faith helps us to grow in God confidence. 00:24:55.460 --> 00:24:56.460 And that's what we're doing. 00:24:56.460 --> 00:24:56.759 And that's what we're doing. 00:24:56.759 --> 00:24:57.340 And that's what we're doing. 00:24:57.340 --> 00:24:58.500 Maybe over the last year. 00:24:58.559 --> 00:24:59.360 The last two years. 00:25:00.220 --> 00:25:02.579 You've been feeling slack as a Christian. 00:25:02.920 --> 00:25:03.880 You've been feeling like. 00:25:04.019 --> 00:25:04.519 I just. 00:25:04.980 --> 00:25:07.340 I don't feel like I'm doing the right things. 00:25:07.440 --> 00:25:07.579 You know. 00:25:07.980 --> 00:25:08.299 The church. 00:25:08.460 --> 00:25:08.620 You know. 00:25:08.619 --> 00:25:10.879 People at church keep encouraging me to read my Bible. 00:25:11.000 --> 00:25:11.079 You know. 00:25:11.119 --> 00:25:13.839 I've heard Steve and Dan talk about it this morning. 00:25:13.879 --> 00:25:14.779 And I want that. 00:25:14.859 --> 00:25:17.279 And I don't feel like I'm a good Christian. 00:25:17.459 --> 00:25:19.079 Our destination doesn't change. 00:25:20.139 --> 00:25:21.539 Because of where our heart is. 00:25:24.299 --> 00:25:25.000 It doesn't. 00:25:25.000 --> 00:25:26.099 It doesn't mean that. 00:25:26.339 --> 00:25:26.639 Oh look. 00:25:27.039 --> 00:25:27.679 I'm not going to. 00:25:27.759 --> 00:25:28.979 I'm not going to be with God. 00:25:29.039 --> 00:25:29.559 Because I don't. 00:25:29.679 --> 00:25:31.459 I'm not feeling like I'm doing the right thing. 00:25:32.719 --> 00:25:33.979 This teaches us that. 00:25:34.419 --> 00:25:36.159 We don't need to have anxiety. 00:25:36.319 --> 00:25:38.199 We don't need to worry about our destination. 00:25:38.200 --> 00:25:38.600 Instead. 00:25:39.000 --> 00:25:40.140 This is a wonderful call. 00:25:40.220 --> 00:25:41.660 That we can draw closer to him. 00:25:43.000 --> 00:25:44.360 Reminds us that our faith. 00:25:44.519 --> 00:25:46.519 Is not based on our own ability. 00:25:46.620 --> 00:25:47.340 To fly. 00:25:47.480 --> 00:25:48.940 Or to swim to New Zealand. 00:25:49.920 --> 00:25:51.420 But we're able to rest in. 00:25:51.500 --> 00:25:52.640 And trust in God. 00:25:52.720 --> 00:25:53.420 For our salvation. 00:25:54.279 --> 00:25:55.660 So that as we journey. 00:25:56.539 --> 00:25:57.759 That we would grow. 00:25:58.240 --> 00:25:58.960 In believing. 00:25:59.799 --> 00:26:01.480 That we would be able to place our faith. 00:26:01.559 --> 00:26:02.039 In him. 00:26:02.100 --> 00:26:03.559 As the object of our faith. 00:26:04.240 --> 00:26:05.500 And when we do that. 00:26:06.600 --> 00:26:07.860 We can have a journey. 00:26:08.200 --> 00:26:09.080 To him. 00:26:09.180 --> 00:26:09.660 That is. 00:26:10.660 --> 00:26:11.180 One. 00:26:11.259 --> 00:26:12.400 That's not white knuckled. 00:26:13.360 --> 00:26:14.240 But trusting. 00:26:14.360 --> 00:26:15.480 Even when turbulence hits. 00:26:15.799 --> 00:26:16.819 We can rest assured. 00:26:16.819 --> 00:26:17.500 That God. 00:26:17.900 --> 00:26:19.259 Has our destination. 00:26:19.480 --> 00:26:19.740 Sure. 00:26:20.160 --> 00:26:21.380 And he is taking us there. 00:26:21.779 --> 00:26:22.319 Let me pray. 00:26:25.920 --> 00:26:26.759 Heavenly Father. 00:26:27.640 --> 00:26:29.019 We thank you for Romans 3. 00:26:29.019 --> 00:26:30.539 We thank you. 00:26:30.539 --> 00:26:31.299 That even though. 00:26:31.940 --> 00:26:32.819 It points out. 00:26:33.220 --> 00:26:34.599 A hard and painful truth. 00:26:34.599 --> 00:26:35.500 About who we are. 00:26:36.619 --> 00:26:38.160 That it also points out. 00:26:38.339 --> 00:26:39.500 The wonderful good news. 00:26:39.599 --> 00:26:40.079 Of the gospel. 00:26:41.420 --> 00:26:42.619 That you have chosen. 00:26:42.759 --> 00:26:44.200 To justify us freely. 00:26:45.480 --> 00:26:46.799 In Jesus's death. 00:26:46.900 --> 00:26:47.500 And resurrection. 00:26:48.779 --> 00:26:49.279 Heavenly Father. 00:26:49.359 --> 00:26:50.660 Help us not to trust. 00:26:51.000 --> 00:26:52.160 In our own ability. 00:26:52.160 --> 00:26:53.299 To do anything good. 00:26:53.299 --> 00:26:55.779 But help us to place. 00:26:56.200 --> 00:26:57.639 Our faith in Jesus. 00:26:58.279 --> 00:26:59.839 We ask this in your son's name. 00:27:00.339 --> 00:27:00.700 Amen.