WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.099 Let me invite you to take your copy of God's Word and join me in Romans chapter 3. 00:00:07.160 --> 00:00:11.179 Our text for today as we continue to make our journey through the book of Romans. 00:00:11.179 --> 00:00:15.220 ! 00:00:15.220 --> 00:00:23.280 We find in this morning's text the doctrine of total depravity. 00:00:24.539 --> 00:00:29.240 Put simply, this is the teaching that mankind lacks any spiritual good 00:00:29.239 --> 00:00:33.159 and lacks the ability to do good before God. 00:00:34.460 --> 00:00:37.119 I haven't stated this doctrine by its name, 00:00:37.119 --> 00:00:42.200 but in our study of Romans, this has been the driving point that Paul has been making 00:00:42.200 --> 00:00:46.200 from chapter 1 and verse 18 where he states, 00:00:46.939 --> 00:00:54.299 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men. 00:00:54.299 --> 00:00:59.379 And it concludes at verse 20 of today's text. 00:01:00.839 --> 00:01:06.780 He wants to be so clear that anyone, whether of Jewish descent or otherwise, 00:01:07.299 --> 00:01:10.519 lives under the curse of sin. 00:01:11.179 --> 00:01:16.539 He wants us to be clear that this is true of us. 00:01:16.540 --> 00:01:20.000 Romans chapter 2 and verse 12. 00:01:20.000 --> 00:01:20.920 There he writes, 00:01:21.140 --> 00:01:25.219 For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law. 00:01:25.480 --> 00:01:31.140 And all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. 00:01:31.860 --> 00:01:35.840 And he's doing all of this because this is the reasonable starting point 00:01:35.840 --> 00:01:40.719 from which to prove his thesis for the entirety of this book, 00:01:40.800 --> 00:01:44.100 which we will do throughout the rest of the letter. 00:01:44.099 --> 00:01:49.679 And he states that thesis in chapter 1, verse 16 and 17, 00:01:49.879 --> 00:01:50.859 where there he says, 00:01:51.059 --> 00:01:54.199 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, 00:01:55.019 --> 00:01:59.419 for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, 00:01:59.899 --> 00:02:03.259 to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 00:02:03.879 --> 00:02:09.039 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, 00:02:09.039 --> 00:02:10.599 as it is written, 00:02:10.900 --> 00:02:14.319 the righteous shall live by faith. 00:02:15.319 --> 00:02:20.599 Why might we care to pay attention to Paul's writing? 00:02:20.919 --> 00:02:23.959 He tells us in verse 18 of chapter 1, 00:02:24.120 --> 00:02:26.620 because of wrath. 00:02:27.359 --> 00:02:29.759 He's saying, listen to what I have to say. 00:02:29.879 --> 00:02:32.060 He's setting up the problem for us, 00:02:32.180 --> 00:02:35.099 the due penalty for our sin. 00:02:35.099 --> 00:02:39.939 All of mankind has a huge problem 00:02:39.939 --> 00:02:45.459 that only finds its remedy in the person and work of Jesus Christ. 00:02:46.699 --> 00:02:53.340 Now, I have a note hanging taped to the wall in my study above my desk that reads, 00:02:54.299 --> 00:02:55.319 and I picked this up somewhere. 00:02:55.419 --> 00:02:56.199 I can't tell you where, 00:02:56.400 --> 00:02:58.280 but I'm not going to take credit for it. 00:02:58.500 --> 00:02:59.280 But it says this, 00:02:59.280 --> 00:03:01.580 When preparing to preach, 00:03:01.960 --> 00:03:03.960 remember the weary, 00:03:04.659 --> 00:03:06.199 the wayward, 00:03:06.699 --> 00:03:08.219 the proud, 00:03:09.159 --> 00:03:09.920 the lazy, 00:03:10.460 --> 00:03:11.840 and the lost. 00:03:13.580 --> 00:03:15.520 Admittedly, I don't always remember, 00:03:16.080 --> 00:03:17.520 and when I do remember, 00:03:17.659 --> 00:03:19.520 I don't always do a good job 00:03:19.520 --> 00:03:23.460 of applying a text to each of these categories of individuals. 00:03:24.219 --> 00:03:25.099 So this morning, 00:03:25.240 --> 00:03:27.319 I want to tackle the task up front, 00:03:27.319 --> 00:03:28.319 and be sure. 00:03:29.280 --> 00:03:31.759 To address each of these categories of people 00:03:31.759 --> 00:03:35.920 in the hopes of preparing you for today's study. 00:03:37.120 --> 00:03:38.360 So first, this morning, 00:03:38.479 --> 00:03:40.819 you might find yourself weary. 00:03:42.020 --> 00:03:45.599 Do not allow a text like this to beat you down. 00:03:46.580 --> 00:03:50.560 If you are weary because you have been laboring to be accepted by our God, 00:03:51.000 --> 00:03:56.620 be reminded today that you cannot be accepted by God by your works. 00:03:56.620 --> 00:03:58.780 You are right to be worn out, 00:03:58.860 --> 00:04:01.020 if that is what you have been up to this past week. 00:04:01.719 --> 00:04:06.340 But you can be accepted by God through the works of another. 00:04:07.539 --> 00:04:09.580 Rest today in the truth of the gospel, 00:04:09.819 --> 00:04:13.640 even as we consider how wicked you once were. 00:04:13.639 --> 00:04:19.219 Maybe this morning you are fit in the category of the wayward. 00:04:19.719 --> 00:04:22.599 Perhaps God is already drawing you back to himself 00:04:22.599 --> 00:04:25.699 as you find yourself here in my listening. 00:04:26.740 --> 00:04:29.899 Maybe you have drifted in your faith. 00:04:29.899 --> 00:04:33.979 This text should remind you of the folly of sin. 00:04:34.939 --> 00:04:36.959 It can be so enticing on the front end, 00:04:37.019 --> 00:04:39.879 but it leads nowhere but to destruction. 00:04:41.120 --> 00:04:42.299 Return to your God. 00:04:43.259 --> 00:04:46.859 He knows how feeble and easily tempted you are, 00:04:47.339 --> 00:04:50.359 and stands ready to grant you grace in your repentance. 00:04:50.360 --> 00:04:54.860 Maybe this morning you are proud. 00:04:56.240 --> 00:04:59.980 Perhaps you have forgotten who you once were. 00:05:01.080 --> 00:05:05.520 Be humbled that God saved one such as you. 00:05:06.199 --> 00:05:08.580 Every one of us identifies with this text, 00:05:08.699 --> 00:05:12.600 either as who we once were or who we now are. 00:05:13.800 --> 00:05:16.939 Perhaps you think a text like this has nothing to teach you, 00:05:16.939 --> 00:05:20.459 that you are so familiar with the doctrine of total depravity 00:05:20.459 --> 00:05:22.779 that you need not hear it. 00:05:23.500 --> 00:05:26.379 Be grateful that God has led you into this truth, 00:05:26.959 --> 00:05:28.620 and rejoice in its declaration, 00:05:28.860 --> 00:05:32.019 because other people may need to hear it. 00:05:33.980 --> 00:05:37.399 Perhaps you find yourself lazy this morning. 00:05:38.860 --> 00:05:40.819 Ty articulated well for us last week 00:05:40.819 --> 00:05:43.220 that we are not saved by our works, 00:05:43.759 --> 00:05:46.360 rather that we are saved by our faith, 00:05:46.360 --> 00:05:49.780 but that faith is a faith that works. 00:05:51.400 --> 00:05:53.379 Do not use God's grace towards you 00:05:53.379 --> 00:05:56.000 as an excuse for licentious living. 00:05:57.100 --> 00:05:58.460 If you are in Christ, 00:05:58.620 --> 00:06:00.500 you should not presently identify 00:06:00.500 --> 00:06:04.040 with the people described in our text. 00:06:04.379 --> 00:06:07.300 They should feel like an other to you 00:06:07.300 --> 00:06:09.020 if you are in Christ. 00:06:10.220 --> 00:06:11.939 Labor by grace to live a life 00:06:11.939 --> 00:06:14.300 that is honorable to our God. 00:06:14.300 --> 00:06:16.939 And this morning, 00:06:17.160 --> 00:06:19.360 if you are lost, 00:06:20.160 --> 00:06:21.819 you have no hope apart 00:06:21.819 --> 00:06:24.100 from the saving work of Christ. 00:06:24.620 --> 00:06:27.220 Your soul is in a desperate state, 00:06:27.500 --> 00:06:29.900 and you know that eternity 00:06:29.900 --> 00:06:32.620 somewhere awaits you. 00:06:33.340 --> 00:06:35.340 You know this because God has put 00:06:35.340 --> 00:06:38.340 eternity into man's heart. 00:06:38.339 --> 00:06:41.319 We learn this from Ecclesiastes chapter 3 00:06:41.319 --> 00:06:43.079 and verse 11. 00:06:43.299 --> 00:06:47.239 You know there is a something beyond. 00:06:48.539 --> 00:06:49.459 You can spend eternity 00:06:49.459 --> 00:06:51.719 in the loving presence of God 00:06:51.719 --> 00:06:53.659 because he has made a way for you 00:06:53.659 --> 00:06:54.899 to be declared innocent 00:06:54.899 --> 00:06:57.599 and to be declared righteous. 00:06:57.600 --> 00:07:00.660 Repent and believe in the gospel 00:07:00.660 --> 00:07:02.480 of Jesus Christ. 00:07:04.060 --> 00:07:06.360 So our text for today is Romans chapter 3, 00:07:06.460 --> 00:07:08.760 and I'll begin reading in verse 9. 00:07:08.860 --> 00:07:09.879 Before I read, 00:07:09.920 --> 00:07:10.820 let me remind you, beloved, 00:07:10.960 --> 00:07:12.460 this is God's word to us, 00:07:13.140 --> 00:07:15.780 written for his glory and our good. 00:07:16.560 --> 00:07:17.620 And so we would all do well 00:07:17.620 --> 00:07:18.920 to listen to it in order to believe 00:07:18.920 --> 00:07:21.600 its promises and to obey its commands. 00:07:21.600 --> 00:07:51.580 Paul writes, 00:07:51.600 --> 00:07:54.480 Their throat is an open grave. 00:07:54.980 --> 00:07:56.780 They use their tongues to deceive. 00:07:57.680 --> 00:07:59.760 The venom of asps is under their lips. 00:08:00.600 --> 00:08:02.980 Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness. 00:08:03.960 --> 00:08:05.760 Their feet are swift to shed blood. 00:08:05.939 --> 00:08:08.379 In their paths are ruin and misery, 00:08:08.820 --> 00:08:11.100 and the way of peace they have not known. 00:08:11.960 --> 00:08:15.360 There is no fear of God before their eyes. 00:08:16.379 --> 00:08:18.460 Now we know that whatever the law says, 00:08:18.520 --> 00:08:20.300 it speaks to those who are under the law 00:08:20.300 --> 00:08:22.360 so that every mouth may be stopped, 00:08:22.740 --> 00:08:26.280 and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 00:08:26.960 --> 00:08:28.420 For by works of the law, 00:08:28.540 --> 00:08:30.900 no human being will be justified in his sight, 00:08:31.040 --> 00:08:34.460 since through the law comes knowledge of sin. 00:08:34.460 --> 00:08:37.379 Now at the end of chapter 2, 00:08:37.519 --> 00:08:38.580 Paul has stated, 00:08:39.500 --> 00:08:40.980 verse 28 and 29, 00:08:41.700 --> 00:08:44.740 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, 00:08:44.780 --> 00:08:46.980 nor is circumcision outward and physical, 00:08:47.639 --> 00:08:49.440 but a Jew is one inwardly, 00:08:49.500 --> 00:08:51.500 and circumcision is a matter of the heart, 00:08:51.680 --> 00:08:52.639 by the spirit, 00:08:52.960 --> 00:08:53.840 not by the letter. 00:08:54.379 --> 00:08:56.340 His praise is not for man, 00:08:56.519 --> 00:08:58.560 but from God. 00:08:58.559 --> 00:09:02.519 So he's saying that belonging to God's people 00:09:02.519 --> 00:09:04.559 is a matter of the inner life, 00:09:05.859 --> 00:09:06.599 not the outer. 00:09:06.739 --> 00:09:08.639 It's not about being circumcised. 00:09:08.719 --> 00:09:11.059 It's not about being of Jewish descent. 00:09:11.339 --> 00:09:13.479 And he's going to continue to work this argument out 00:09:13.479 --> 00:09:15.439 throughout the letter. 00:09:16.459 --> 00:09:18.359 But then he asks a question. 00:09:18.479 --> 00:09:20.279 He's meeting objections all the time. 00:09:20.339 --> 00:09:21.419 He's anticipating them, 00:09:21.919 --> 00:09:25.259 and meeting them in chapter 3 and verse 1, 00:09:25.259 --> 00:09:26.019 where he says, 00:09:26.200 --> 00:09:29.080 Then, what advantage has the Jew? 00:09:29.419 --> 00:09:33.299 Or, what is the value of circumcision? 00:09:34.200 --> 00:09:36.639 And the answer is that it is of great value 00:09:36.639 --> 00:09:38.240 because Israel was the nation 00:09:38.240 --> 00:09:41.620 to whom came God's word. 00:09:42.159 --> 00:09:46.919 That the law itself was of benefit to them. 00:09:47.580 --> 00:09:50.159 Which leads him to ask the question 00:09:50.159 --> 00:09:52.779 at the beginning of today's text. 00:09:52.779 --> 00:09:56.039 What then, he says? 00:09:56.679 --> 00:09:57.879 Beginning of verse 9, 00:09:58.000 --> 00:10:01.779 Are we Jews any better off? 00:10:02.839 --> 00:10:04.679 And he means any better off 00:10:04.679 --> 00:10:07.600 in the sense of standing before God. 00:10:08.360 --> 00:10:10.100 And we can see that by his answer. 00:10:10.579 --> 00:10:11.699 He's saying, 00:10:11.980 --> 00:10:15.759 Yes, yes to the Jews came the oracles of God. 00:10:15.819 --> 00:10:17.720 You see this at the beginning of chapter 3. 00:10:18.019 --> 00:10:20.759 However, in our standing before God, 00:10:20.759 --> 00:10:23.379 does that change anything? 00:10:24.600 --> 00:10:26.019 And in verse 9, he says, 00:10:26.279 --> 00:10:28.879 No, not at all. 00:10:29.779 --> 00:10:30.340 Why? 00:10:31.179 --> 00:10:32.720 Because we have already charged 00:10:32.720 --> 00:10:35.360 all throughout the past half of chapter 1 00:10:35.360 --> 00:10:36.559 and through chapter 2, 00:10:36.939 --> 00:10:39.460 that all, both Jews and Greeks, 00:10:39.659 --> 00:10:41.740 are under sin. 00:10:42.580 --> 00:10:46.240 And this is the point of today's text. 00:10:46.240 --> 00:10:46.840 Right? 00:10:47.799 --> 00:10:49.580 All, Jews and Greeks, 00:10:50.399 --> 00:10:50.960 under sin. 00:10:51.120 --> 00:10:54.240 This is the doctrine of total depravity. 00:10:55.000 --> 00:10:55.419 In fact, 00:10:55.759 --> 00:10:57.360 if you've been here with us, 00:10:57.440 --> 00:10:58.940 you know that I've used this text 00:10:58.940 --> 00:11:01.220 to proof and speak to 00:11:01.220 --> 00:11:02.919 all that Paul has been trying to say 00:11:02.919 --> 00:11:05.060 in the last of chapter 1 00:11:05.060 --> 00:11:07.399 and into chapter 2. 00:11:08.620 --> 00:11:09.480 So for today, 00:11:09.539 --> 00:11:10.500 as we look at this text, 00:11:10.680 --> 00:11:12.500 just a brief outline for us. 00:11:12.500 --> 00:11:15.480 we're going to see first Paul make an accusation 00:11:15.480 --> 00:11:19.220 and second Paul deliver a verdict. 00:11:19.659 --> 00:11:21.039 Paul makes an accusation 00:11:21.039 --> 00:11:24.039 and Paul delivers a verdict. 00:11:25.059 --> 00:11:27.159 So we said in the last half of verse 9 00:11:27.159 --> 00:11:28.340 in this accusation, 00:11:28.440 --> 00:11:30.259 we have already charged all. 00:11:30.500 --> 00:11:33.200 Jews and Greeks are under sin. 00:11:33.320 --> 00:11:34.799 And at the beginning of verse 10, 00:11:35.340 --> 00:11:36.039 we see, 00:11:36.240 --> 00:11:38.679 As it is written. 00:11:38.679 --> 00:11:42.239 Paul launches into his accusation of mankind 00:11:42.239 --> 00:11:44.759 by citing 9 times 00:11:44.759 --> 00:11:46.539 from the Old Testament. 00:11:46.819 --> 00:11:49.719 It's a good, proper Bible preacher. 00:11:50.519 --> 00:11:51.359 So I'm going to tell them to you. 00:11:51.399 --> 00:11:53.739 You can probably see these in your footnotes. 00:11:53.879 --> 00:11:56.719 But Psalm 14, verses 1-3. 00:11:56.899 --> 00:11:58.679 Psalm 53, verses 1-3. 00:11:59.019 --> 00:12:00.459 Psalm 5, 9. 00:12:00.819 --> 00:12:02.219 Jeremiah 5, 16. 00:12:02.859 --> 00:12:04.599 Psalm 140, verse 3. 00:12:04.599 --> 00:12:06.219 Psalm 10, verse 7. 00:12:06.679 --> 00:12:08.299 Proverbs 1, verse 16. 00:12:08.679 --> 00:12:11.199 Isaiah 59, verses 7 and 8. 00:12:11.639 --> 00:12:14.579 And Psalm 36, and verse 1. 00:12:15.179 --> 00:12:16.959 He's bringing the Bible to bear. 00:12:17.259 --> 00:12:18.199 Paul understood 00:12:18.199 --> 00:12:20.239 that the Scripture of his day 00:12:20.239 --> 00:12:22.219 was inspired by God. 00:12:22.259 --> 00:12:23.679 And he's bringing it to bear 00:12:23.679 --> 00:12:26.219 in the lives of his hearers. 00:12:27.079 --> 00:12:29.219 And Paul makes 13 charges 00:12:29.219 --> 00:12:30.679 in the following verses. 00:12:31.219 --> 00:12:33.039 And he divides these charges 00:12:33.039 --> 00:12:35.219 into three categories. 00:12:35.220 --> 00:12:37.360 So the first charges 00:12:37.360 --> 00:12:38.340 have to do with 00:12:38.340 --> 00:12:39.519 the character 00:12:39.519 --> 00:12:41.759 of fallen mankind. 00:12:42.060 --> 00:12:44.680 And this is verses 10-12. 00:12:45.240 --> 00:12:46.940 This is the classic 00:12:46.940 --> 00:12:48.100 we're all familiar with. 00:12:48.200 --> 00:12:48.879 None is righteous. 00:12:49.060 --> 00:12:49.800 No, not one. 00:12:49.960 --> 00:12:50.940 No one understands. 00:12:51.180 --> 00:12:52.320 No one seeks for God. 00:12:52.720 --> 00:12:54.160 All have turned aside. 00:12:54.680 --> 00:12:56.800 Together they have become worthless. 00:12:56.799 --> 00:12:58.240 No one does good. 00:12:58.319 --> 00:13:00.779 Not even one. 00:13:02.079 --> 00:13:03.559 Because of their fallen state, 00:13:03.679 --> 00:13:06.219 mankind is universally evil, 00:13:07.219 --> 00:13:08.379 spiritually ignorant, 00:13:09.479 --> 00:13:10.240 misguided, 00:13:10.939 --> 00:13:11.459 wandering, 00:13:12.159 --> 00:13:13.659 spiritually useless. 00:13:13.939 --> 00:13:14.919 This is where we derive 00:13:14.919 --> 00:13:17.539 the term totally depraved. 00:13:18.079 --> 00:13:20.959 And morally corrupt. 00:13:21.699 --> 00:13:23.679 Altogether in character 00:13:23.679 --> 00:13:26.359 set against God. 00:13:27.699 --> 00:13:28.559 Biblical Christians 00:13:28.559 --> 00:13:29.539 believe in the doctrine 00:13:29.539 --> 00:13:31.519 of total depravity. 00:13:31.659 --> 00:13:32.239 That we have 00:13:32.239 --> 00:13:33.539 nothing good 00:13:33.539 --> 00:13:34.679 of ourselves 00:13:34.679 --> 00:13:35.659 to offer 00:13:35.659 --> 00:13:36.539 to the equation 00:13:36.539 --> 00:13:38.279 of our salvation. 00:13:39.339 --> 00:13:40.299 But biblical Christians 00:13:40.299 --> 00:13:41.239 also believe 00:13:41.239 --> 00:13:41.779 in the doctrine 00:13:41.779 --> 00:13:43.919 of common grace. 00:13:44.699 --> 00:13:45.759 This means that 00:13:45.759 --> 00:13:46.919 people aren't always 00:13:46.919 --> 00:13:48.740 as bad as they could be 00:13:48.740 --> 00:13:49.819 because God grants 00:13:49.819 --> 00:13:50.259 mankind 00:13:50.259 --> 00:13:51.939 some measure of grace 00:13:51.940 --> 00:13:53.440 to be loving, 00:13:54.080 --> 00:13:54.440 gentle, 00:13:55.320 --> 00:13:55.800 kind, 00:13:57.040 --> 00:13:57.460 just, 00:13:57.820 --> 00:13:58.220 honest, 00:13:59.100 --> 00:14:00.740 and so on. 00:14:01.400 --> 00:14:02.080 We're not 00:14:02.080 --> 00:14:03.520 all together 00:14:03.520 --> 00:14:04.560 in the expression 00:14:04.560 --> 00:14:05.500 of our sinful nature 00:14:05.500 --> 00:14:06.140 as terrible 00:14:06.140 --> 00:14:07.180 as we might 00:14:07.180 --> 00:14:08.100 be 00:14:08.100 --> 00:14:08.740 because God 00:14:08.740 --> 00:14:09.360 is kind 00:14:09.360 --> 00:14:10.800 even to those 00:14:10.800 --> 00:14:12.040 who aren't His. 00:14:13.460 --> 00:14:13.940 However, 00:14:14.040 --> 00:14:15.200 no matter how good 00:14:15.200 --> 00:14:16.420 someone might be, 00:14:17.200 --> 00:14:17.860 no matter how 00:14:17.860 --> 00:14:18.580 altruistic 00:14:18.580 --> 00:14:19.660 one might show themselves, 00:14:19.780 --> 00:14:20.440 they will never 00:14:20.440 --> 00:14:21.800 be perfect. 00:14:21.940 --> 00:14:23.320 and this 00:14:23.320 --> 00:14:24.720 is righteousness. 00:14:25.800 --> 00:14:26.940 We've already proven 00:14:26.940 --> 00:14:27.860 that we're not 00:14:27.860 --> 00:14:29.100 perfect. 00:14:29.800 --> 00:14:31.100 Likely this morning, 00:14:31.260 --> 00:14:32.120 you and I, 00:14:32.220 --> 00:14:32.780 whether known 00:14:32.780 --> 00:14:33.560 or unknown, 00:14:33.760 --> 00:14:34.480 have proven 00:14:34.480 --> 00:14:36.080 that we are not 00:14:36.080 --> 00:14:37.100 perfect. 00:14:38.180 --> 00:14:39.240 You and I, 00:14:39.840 --> 00:14:40.940 by our strongest 00:14:40.940 --> 00:14:41.540 of labors, 00:14:41.700 --> 00:14:42.820 cannot even measure 00:14:42.820 --> 00:14:44.240 up to the standard 00:14:44.240 --> 00:14:46.080 of perfect law-keeping 00:14:46.080 --> 00:14:47.000 because, 00:14:47.700 --> 00:14:48.660 apart from Christ, 00:14:49.160 --> 00:14:50.560 our very character, 00:14:50.559 --> 00:14:52.939 our very nature 00:14:52.939 --> 00:14:54.519 was corrupted. 00:14:56.019 --> 00:14:56.519 Jesus says 00:14:56.519 --> 00:14:57.219 in Matthew 5 00:14:57.219 --> 00:14:58.039 and verse 48, 00:14:58.279 --> 00:14:58.500 you, 00:14:58.759 --> 00:14:59.000 therefore, 00:14:59.219 --> 00:15:00.139 must be perfect 00:15:00.139 --> 00:15:01.199 as your heavenly 00:15:01.199 --> 00:15:02.279 Father 00:15:02.279 --> 00:15:03.459 is 00:15:03.459 --> 00:15:04.679 perfect. 00:15:05.519 --> 00:15:06.479 If you do not 00:15:06.479 --> 00:15:07.000 measure up 00:15:07.000 --> 00:15:07.599 to the perfection 00:15:07.599 --> 00:15:08.219 of God, 00:15:08.279 --> 00:15:08.759 then you 00:15:08.759 --> 00:15:09.659 cannot be 00:15:09.659 --> 00:15:10.159 accepted 00:15:10.159 --> 00:15:11.319 by 00:15:11.319 --> 00:15:12.639 God. 00:15:13.359 --> 00:15:13.839 This 00:15:13.839 --> 00:15:15.059 is bad 00:15:15.059 --> 00:15:16.000 news. 00:15:16.000 --> 00:15:17.200 but it's 00:15:17.200 --> 00:15:17.879 bad news 00:15:17.879 --> 00:15:18.399 meant to 00:15:18.399 --> 00:15:19.340 press us 00:15:19.340 --> 00:15:19.879 to the 00:15:19.879 --> 00:15:21.080 good news 00:15:21.080 --> 00:15:21.980 that the 00:15:21.980 --> 00:15:22.340 Lord Jesus 00:15:22.340 --> 00:15:22.820 Christ 00:15:22.820 --> 00:15:24.120 is the 00:15:24.120 --> 00:15:24.539 perfect 00:15:24.539 --> 00:15:25.559 law-keeper. 00:15:25.960 --> 00:15:26.720 We need an 00:15:26.720 --> 00:15:28.539 alien righteousness. 00:15:29.000 --> 00:15:29.580 Chapter 1 00:15:29.580 --> 00:15:30.500 and verse 17, 00:15:30.620 --> 00:15:31.179 the righteousness 00:15:31.179 --> 00:15:33.139 of God 00:15:33.139 --> 00:15:33.860 to be granted 00:15:33.860 --> 00:15:35.399 to us. 00:15:35.399 --> 00:15:37.500 A second 00:15:37.500 --> 00:15:38.740 category of 00:15:38.740 --> 00:15:39.319 charges 00:15:39.319 --> 00:15:40.120 have to do 00:15:40.120 --> 00:15:40.500 with 00:15:40.500 --> 00:15:41.939 mankind's 00:15:41.939 --> 00:15:42.620 words. 00:15:42.720 --> 00:15:43.019 And we see 00:15:43.019 --> 00:15:43.459 these in 00:15:43.459 --> 00:15:44.539 verses 13 00:15:44.539 --> 00:15:46.220 and 14. 00:15:47.259 --> 00:15:47.699 There Paul 00:15:47.699 --> 00:15:47.959 says, 00:15:48.120 --> 00:15:48.759 their throat 00:15:48.759 --> 00:15:49.340 is an 00:15:49.340 --> 00:15:50.259 open grave. 00:15:50.500 --> 00:15:50.860 They use 00:15:50.860 --> 00:15:51.720 their tongues 00:15:51.720 --> 00:15:52.620 to deceive. 00:15:53.459 --> 00:15:53.919 The venom 00:15:53.919 --> 00:15:54.740 of asps 00:15:54.740 --> 00:15:55.220 is under 00:15:55.220 --> 00:15:55.699 their lips. 00:15:55.779 --> 00:15:56.299 Their mouth 00:15:56.299 --> 00:15:56.919 is full 00:15:56.919 --> 00:15:58.319 of curses 00:15:58.319 --> 00:15:59.779 and bitterness. 00:16:01.299 --> 00:16:01.600 Jesus 00:16:01.600 --> 00:16:01.980 says in 00:16:01.980 --> 00:16:02.620 Matthew 12 00:16:02.620 --> 00:16:03.259 that out of 00:16:03.259 --> 00:16:03.840 the abundance 00:16:03.840 --> 00:16:05.000 of the heart, 00:16:05.220 --> 00:16:06.139 the mouth 00:16:06.139 --> 00:16:07.300 speaks. 00:16:08.060 --> 00:16:08.540 And we 00:16:08.540 --> 00:16:09.500 are so 00:16:09.500 --> 00:16:09.960 very 00:16:09.960 --> 00:16:11.160 expressively 00:16:11.160 --> 00:16:11.800 wicked 00:16:11.800 --> 00:16:13.040 in the way 00:16:13.040 --> 00:16:13.960 that we 00:16:13.960 --> 00:16:14.360 speak. 00:16:15.780 --> 00:16:16.340 Paul is 00:16:16.340 --> 00:16:16.800 presenting 00:16:16.800 --> 00:16:17.600 that same 00:16:17.600 --> 00:16:18.420 principle here 00:16:18.420 --> 00:16:18.840 that out of 00:16:18.840 --> 00:16:19.200 the abundance 00:16:19.200 --> 00:16:19.700 of the heart, 00:16:19.840 --> 00:16:20.240 the mouth 00:16:20.240 --> 00:16:21.360 speaks. 00:16:22.040 --> 00:16:22.639 Because of 00:16:22.639 --> 00:16:23.700 your character, 00:16:23.940 --> 00:16:24.420 your words 00:16:24.420 --> 00:16:24.820 are evil 00:16:24.820 --> 00:16:25.280 and your 00:16:25.280 --> 00:16:25.920 evil words 00:16:25.920 --> 00:16:26.620 give evidence 00:16:26.620 --> 00:16:27.200 of your 00:16:27.200 --> 00:16:27.900 evil 00:16:27.900 --> 00:16:29.480 character. 00:16:29.820 --> 00:16:30.240 It's the 00:16:30.240 --> 00:16:31.300 fruit that 00:16:31.300 --> 00:16:31.840 comes out 00:16:31.840 --> 00:16:32.139 of a 00:16:32.139 --> 00:16:32.639 corrupted 00:16:32.639 --> 00:16:34.120 nature. 00:16:35.299 --> 00:16:35.819 Fallen 00:16:35.819 --> 00:16:36.620 man is 00:16:36.620 --> 00:16:37.779 deceptive. 00:16:37.879 --> 00:16:38.199 They use 00:16:38.199 --> 00:16:38.860 their tongues 00:16:38.860 --> 00:16:39.799 to deceive. 00:16:40.919 --> 00:16:41.319 Seats 00:16:41.319 --> 00:16:42.159 the destruction 00:16:42.159 --> 00:16:43.059 of, 00:16:43.600 --> 00:16:44.240 is publicly 00:16:44.240 --> 00:16:45.379 critical of, 00:16:45.480 --> 00:16:46.039 and expresses 00:16:46.039 --> 00:16:46.939 hostility 00:16:46.939 --> 00:16:47.879 towards 00:16:47.879 --> 00:16:49.179 others. 00:16:49.559 --> 00:16:50.039 The venom 00:16:50.039 --> 00:16:51.100 of asps, 00:16:51.679 --> 00:16:52.799 destructive, 00:16:53.840 --> 00:16:54.379 mouthful 00:16:54.379 --> 00:16:55.500 of curses 00:16:55.500 --> 00:16:57.139 and bitterness, 00:16:57.639 --> 00:16:58.059 critical 00:16:58.059 --> 00:16:59.379 and hostile 00:16:59.379 --> 00:17:01.100 towards others. 00:17:01.100 --> 00:17:02.800 take a 00:17:02.800 --> 00:17:03.620 ride with 00:17:03.620 --> 00:17:04.039 somebody 00:17:04.039 --> 00:17:04.660 who claims 00:17:04.660 --> 00:17:04.980 to be a 00:17:04.980 --> 00:17:05.299 Christian 00:17:05.299 --> 00:17:05.660 in the 00:17:05.660 --> 00:17:06.079 car 00:17:06.079 --> 00:17:06.460 and you'll 00:17:06.460 --> 00:17:07.400 see some 00:17:07.400 --> 00:17:07.920 of this 00:17:07.920 --> 00:17:08.759 come out 00:17:08.759 --> 00:17:09.180 of them. 00:17:10.079 --> 00:17:10.620 Ought 00:17:10.620 --> 00:17:11.019 not be 00:17:11.019 --> 00:17:11.400 so. 00:17:12.559 --> 00:17:13.120 He states 00:17:13.120 --> 00:17:13.299 at the 00:17:13.299 --> 00:17:13.620 beginning 00:17:13.620 --> 00:17:14.279 of verse 00:17:14.279 --> 00:17:14.920 13 that 00:17:14.920 --> 00:17:15.660 their throat 00:17:15.660 --> 00:17:16.539 is an 00:17:16.539 --> 00:17:17.000 open 00:17:17.000 --> 00:17:18.059 grave, 00:17:18.220 --> 00:17:18.519 which is 00:17:18.519 --> 00:17:19.120 to say 00:17:19.120 --> 00:17:19.539 you can 00:17:19.539 --> 00:17:20.420 look into 00:17:20.420 --> 00:17:21.460 their mouths 00:17:21.460 --> 00:17:22.380 and see 00:17:22.380 --> 00:17:23.180 the dead 00:17:23.180 --> 00:17:23.620 man 00:17:23.620 --> 00:17:25.059 inside. 00:17:27.220 --> 00:17:27.819 Third 00:17:27.819 --> 00:17:28.319 category. 00:17:28.319 --> 00:17:29.659 we see 00:17:29.659 --> 00:17:29.960 in verses 00:17:29.960 --> 00:17:31.859 15-17 00:17:31.859 --> 00:17:33.139 which is 00:17:33.139 --> 00:17:33.399 that their 00:17:33.399 --> 00:17:34.139 actions, 00:17:35.079 --> 00:17:35.759 their feet 00:17:35.759 --> 00:17:36.899 are swift 00:17:36.899 --> 00:17:37.319 to shed 00:17:37.319 --> 00:17:37.700 blood, 00:17:38.399 --> 00:17:38.759 in their 00:17:38.759 --> 00:17:39.299 paths 00:17:39.299 --> 00:17:40.039 are ruin 00:17:40.039 --> 00:17:40.799 and misery, 00:17:41.179 --> 00:17:41.419 and the 00:17:41.419 --> 00:17:41.779 way of 00:17:41.779 --> 00:17:42.240 peace 00:17:42.240 --> 00:17:43.500 they have 00:17:43.500 --> 00:17:43.960 not known. 00:17:44.939 --> 00:17:45.399 In the 00:17:45.399 --> 00:17:45.839 same manner 00:17:45.839 --> 00:17:46.200 that Paul 00:17:46.200 --> 00:17:46.879 makes charges 00:17:46.879 --> 00:17:47.399 concerning 00:17:47.399 --> 00:17:48.200 mankind's 00:17:48.200 --> 00:17:48.659 words, 00:17:48.899 --> 00:17:49.399 he also 00:17:49.399 --> 00:17:50.099 does so 00:17:50.099 --> 00:17:50.839 with their 00:17:50.839 --> 00:17:52.220 actions. 00:17:53.000 --> 00:17:53.179 The 00:17:53.179 --> 00:17:54.279 things they 00:17:54.279 --> 00:17:54.700 do, 00:17:54.799 --> 00:17:55.299 the fruit 00:17:55.299 --> 00:17:55.939 you can't 00:17:55.939 --> 00:17:56.379 observe, 00:17:56.599 --> 00:17:57.419 speaks to 00:17:57.420 --> 00:17:59.240 who they 00:17:59.240 --> 00:17:59.600 are. 00:18:00.720 --> 00:18:01.440 Once again, 00:18:01.519 --> 00:18:02.039 Jesus says, 00:18:02.120 --> 00:18:02.660 Matthew chapter 00:18:02.660 --> 00:18:03.519 7, 00:18:03.620 --> 00:18:04.180 verse 17 00:18:04.180 --> 00:18:04.820 and following, 00:18:04.960 --> 00:18:05.460 so every 00:18:05.460 --> 00:18:06.279 healthy tree 00:18:06.279 --> 00:18:07.000 bears good 00:18:07.000 --> 00:18:07.460 fruit, 00:18:07.779 --> 00:18:08.279 but the 00:18:08.279 --> 00:18:08.600 diseased 00:18:08.600 --> 00:18:09.279 tree bears 00:18:09.279 --> 00:18:09.800 bad 00:18:09.800 --> 00:18:10.140 fruit. 00:18:10.700 --> 00:18:11.300 A healthy 00:18:11.300 --> 00:18:11.779 tree cannot 00:18:11.779 --> 00:18:12.360 bear bad 00:18:12.360 --> 00:18:12.600 fruit, 00:18:12.680 --> 00:18:13.120 nor can a 00:18:13.120 --> 00:18:13.420 diseased 00:18:13.420 --> 00:18:14.039 tree bear 00:18:14.039 --> 00:18:14.580 good 00:18:14.580 --> 00:18:15.600 fruit. 00:18:16.380 --> 00:18:16.840 Every 00:18:16.840 --> 00:18:17.480 tree that 00:18:17.480 --> 00:18:17.820 does not 00:18:17.820 --> 00:18:18.820 bear good 00:18:18.820 --> 00:18:19.380 fruit is 00:18:19.380 --> 00:18:20.100 cut down 00:18:20.100 --> 00:18:21.019 and is 00:18:21.019 --> 00:18:21.420 thrown 00:18:21.420 --> 00:18:22.640 into the 00:18:22.640 --> 00:18:22.980 fire. 00:18:24.480 --> 00:18:24.759 Now, 00:18:24.880 --> 00:18:25.480 these actions 00:18:25.480 --> 00:18:26.960 are fairly 00:18:26.960 --> 00:18:27.980 self-explanatory, 00:18:28.240 --> 00:18:29.700 swift to 00:18:29.700 --> 00:18:30.340 shed blood, 00:18:30.960 --> 00:18:31.480 murderous, 00:18:31.539 --> 00:18:31.759 and their 00:18:31.759 --> 00:18:32.480 paths are 00:18:32.480 --> 00:18:33.920 ruin and 00:18:33.920 --> 00:18:34.900 misery, 00:18:35.120 --> 00:18:36.039 injustice, 00:18:36.779 --> 00:18:36.960 and the 00:18:36.960 --> 00:18:37.319 way of 00:18:37.319 --> 00:18:37.840 peace. 00:18:38.360 --> 00:18:38.559 Here, 00:18:38.579 --> 00:18:38.720 I don't 00:18:38.720 --> 00:18:39.039 think Paul 00:18:39.039 --> 00:18:39.460 is referring 00:18:39.460 --> 00:18:39.900 to the 00:18:39.900 --> 00:18:40.740 sense of 00:18:40.740 --> 00:18:41.220 peace, 00:18:41.700 --> 00:18:42.299 or a 00:18:42.299 --> 00:18:43.039 peace with 00:18:43.039 --> 00:18:43.440 God, 00:18:43.519 --> 00:18:43.840 but rather 00:18:43.840 --> 00:18:44.240 a peace 00:18:44.240 --> 00:18:44.799 amongst 00:18:44.799 --> 00:18:45.700 mankind. 00:18:45.840 --> 00:18:45.920 It 00:18:45.920 --> 00:18:46.680 categorically 00:18:46.680 --> 00:18:47.200 fits 00:18:47.200 --> 00:18:48.120 together. 00:18:48.900 --> 00:18:49.400 Mankind 00:18:49.400 --> 00:18:50.279 is inherently 00:18:50.279 --> 00:18:50.980 violent, 00:18:51.519 --> 00:18:52.059 destructive, 00:18:52.759 --> 00:18:53.640 and unjust. 00:18:53.640 --> 00:18:53.800 Christ. 00:18:54.800 --> 00:18:55.140 We can 00:18:55.140 --> 00:18:55.480 access 00:18:55.480 --> 00:18:56.100 examples 00:18:56.100 --> 00:18:56.920 from history 00:18:56.920 --> 00:18:57.360 and from 00:18:57.360 --> 00:18:57.820 the local 00:18:57.820 --> 00:18:58.360 news of 00:18:58.360 --> 00:18:58.820 yesterday. 00:18:59.060 --> 00:18:59.220 There's 00:18:59.220 --> 00:18:59.460 just 00:18:59.460 --> 00:19:00.300 evidence 00:19:00.300 --> 00:19:00.940 of this 00:19:00.940 --> 00:19:02.220 everywhere. 00:19:03.220 --> 00:19:03.780 A quick 00:19:03.780 --> 00:19:04.480 glimpse at 00:19:04.480 --> 00:19:04.900 what's going 00:19:04.900 --> 00:19:05.340 on in 00:19:05.340 --> 00:19:06.040 France right 00:19:06.040 --> 00:19:06.280 now, 00:19:06.320 --> 00:19:06.500 and you 00:19:06.500 --> 00:19:06.820 could say, 00:19:06.920 --> 00:19:07.220 oh, 00:19:07.280 --> 00:19:07.740 look at 00:19:07.740 --> 00:19:08.640 how swift 00:19:08.640 --> 00:19:09.060 to shed 00:19:09.060 --> 00:19:09.480 blood. 00:19:09.860 --> 00:19:10.160 Look at 00:19:10.160 --> 00:19:10.780 the path 00:19:10.780 --> 00:19:11.340 of ruin 00:19:11.340 --> 00:19:11.700 and misery, 00:19:11.800 --> 00:19:12.140 literal 00:19:12.140 --> 00:19:12.660 paths 00:19:12.660 --> 00:19:13.120 of ruin 00:19:13.120 --> 00:19:14.400 and misery 00:19:14.400 --> 00:19:14.759 and the 00:19:14.759 --> 00:19:15.120 lack 00:19:15.120 --> 00:19:16.640 of peace. 00:19:18.060 --> 00:19:18.520 But let 00:19:18.520 --> 00:19:18.840 us not 00:19:18.840 --> 00:19:19.300 allow 00:19:19.300 --> 00:19:20.120 ourselves 00:19:20.120 --> 00:19:20.860 off the 00:19:20.860 --> 00:19:21.259 hook 00:19:21.259 --> 00:19:22.079 from 00:19:22.079 --> 00:19:22.279 these 00:19:22.279 --> 00:19:22.680 charges. 00:19:23.720 --> 00:19:24.079 It's 00:19:24.079 --> 00:19:24.700 very easy 00:19:24.700 --> 00:19:25.160 to say, 00:19:25.279 --> 00:19:25.500 well, 00:19:25.660 --> 00:19:26.200 but not 00:19:26.200 --> 00:19:26.500 like 00:19:26.500 --> 00:19:27.019 them. 00:19:28.640 --> 00:19:28.740 And 00:19:28.740 --> 00:19:29.259 perhaps, 00:19:30.160 --> 00:19:30.819 in 00:19:30.819 --> 00:19:31.019 Jesus 00:19:31.019 --> 00:19:31.200 in 00:19:31.200 --> 00:19:31.400 Matthew 00:19:31.400 --> 00:19:31.700 chapter 00:19:31.700 --> 00:19:32.119 5, 00:19:32.160 --> 00:19:32.279 verse 00:19:32.279 --> 00:19:33.160 21, 00:19:34.019 --> 00:19:34.700 there 00:19:34.700 --> 00:19:35.000 says, 00:19:35.099 --> 00:19:35.279 you have 00:19:35.279 --> 00:19:35.819 heard that 00:19:35.819 --> 00:19:36.019 it was 00:19:36.019 --> 00:19:36.500 said to 00:19:36.500 --> 00:19:36.879 those of 00:19:36.879 --> 00:19:37.180 old, 00:19:37.279 --> 00:19:37.539 you shall 00:19:37.539 --> 00:19:37.759 not 00:19:37.759 --> 00:19:38.140 murder, 00:19:38.900 --> 00:19:39.359 and whoever 00:19:39.359 --> 00:19:40.000 murders will 00:19:40.000 --> 00:19:40.619 be liable 00:19:40.619 --> 00:19:41.839 to judgment. 00:19:42.759 --> 00:19:43.279 If you 00:19:43.279 --> 00:19:43.539 murder, 00:19:43.900 --> 00:19:44.220 you will 00:19:44.220 --> 00:19:44.779 be judged. 00:19:45.839 --> 00:19:46.019 And 00:19:46.019 --> 00:19:46.240 Jesus 00:19:46.240 --> 00:19:46.839 raises the 00:19:46.839 --> 00:19:47.160 bar and 00:19:47.160 --> 00:19:47.279 says, 00:19:47.339 --> 00:19:47.579 but I 00:19:47.579 --> 00:19:47.879 say to 00:19:47.879 --> 00:19:48.099 you that 00:19:48.099 --> 00:19:48.460 everyone who 00:19:48.460 --> 00:19:48.980 is angry 00:19:48.980 --> 00:19:49.339 with his 00:19:49.339 --> 00:19:49.859 brother will 00:19:49.859 --> 00:19:50.379 be liable 00:19:50.380 --> 00:19:51.620 to judgment. 00:19:52.160 --> 00:19:52.460 Whoever 00:19:52.460 --> 00:19:53.120 insults his 00:19:53.120 --> 00:19:53.480 brother will 00:19:53.480 --> 00:19:53.940 be liable 00:19:53.940 --> 00:19:54.320 to the 00:19:54.320 --> 00:19:54.660 council, 00:19:54.820 --> 00:19:55.120 and whoever 00:19:55.120 --> 00:19:55.540 says, 00:19:55.820 --> 00:19:56.520 you fool, 00:19:56.900 --> 00:19:57.220 will be 00:19:57.220 --> 00:19:58.480 liable to 00:19:58.480 --> 00:19:58.960 the hell 00:19:58.960 --> 00:20:00.360 of fire. 00:20:00.720 --> 00:20:01.320 You could 00:20:01.320 --> 00:20:02.360 sum that 00:20:02.360 --> 00:20:03.020 up to say, 00:20:03.140 --> 00:20:03.560 if you do 00:20:03.560 --> 00:20:04.260 these things, 00:20:04.360 --> 00:20:05.060 you also 00:20:05.060 --> 00:20:05.800 are guilty 00:20:05.800 --> 00:20:07.380 of murder. 00:20:08.700 --> 00:20:09.280 Quick 00:20:09.280 --> 00:20:10.340 to shed 00:20:10.340 --> 00:20:11.700 blood 00:20:11.700 --> 00:20:12.300 in the 00:20:12.300 --> 00:20:12.620 way 00:20:12.620 --> 00:20:13.860 that we 00:20:13.860 --> 00:20:14.220 act. 00:20:15.520 --> 00:20:16.120 After 00:20:16.120 --> 00:20:17.060 lobbing all 00:20:17.060 --> 00:20:17.760 these charges 00:20:17.760 --> 00:20:18.260 and making 00:20:18.260 --> 00:20:19.340 his accusation, 00:20:19.339 --> 00:20:20.859 Paul tells 00:20:20.859 --> 00:20:21.500 us the 00:20:21.500 --> 00:20:22.939 motive of 00:20:22.939 --> 00:20:23.399 it all. 00:20:23.759 --> 00:20:24.000 Verse 00:20:24.000 --> 00:20:24.619 18, 00:20:25.500 --> 00:20:26.139 there is 00:20:26.139 --> 00:20:27.459 no fear 00:20:27.459 --> 00:20:28.439 of God 00:20:28.439 --> 00:20:29.919 before their 00:20:29.919 --> 00:20:30.319 eyes. 00:20:31.500 --> 00:20:32.679 They do 00:20:32.679 --> 00:20:34.240 not fear 00:20:34.240 --> 00:20:35.519 God. 00:20:37.000 --> 00:20:37.759 Robert 00:20:37.759 --> 00:20:38.559 Haldane, 00:20:38.819 --> 00:20:40.439 a Scottish 00:20:40.439 --> 00:20:41.179 theologian, 00:20:41.819 --> 00:20:42.099 wrote a 00:20:42.099 --> 00:20:42.720 really wonderful 00:20:42.720 --> 00:20:44.559 commentary on 00:20:44.559 --> 00:20:45.819 the book of 00:20:45.819 --> 00:20:46.659 Romans called 00:20:46.659 --> 00:20:47.959 Exposition of 00:20:47.960 --> 00:20:48.279 Romans. 00:20:48.779 --> 00:20:49.319 He wrote 00:20:49.319 --> 00:20:49.700 this, 00:20:49.960 --> 00:20:51.360 it is 00:20:51.360 --> 00:20:52.140 astonishing 00:20:52.140 --> 00:20:52.980 that men, 00:20:53.720 --> 00:20:54.140 while they 00:20:54.140 --> 00:20:54.799 acknowledge that 00:20:54.799 --> 00:20:55.360 there is a 00:20:55.360 --> 00:20:55.600 God, 00:20:55.680 --> 00:20:56.200 should act 00:20:56.200 --> 00:20:56.880 without any 00:20:56.880 --> 00:20:57.819 fear of 00:20:57.819 --> 00:20:58.220 his 00:20:58.220 --> 00:20:59.000 displeasure. 00:21:00.019 --> 00:21:00.420 Yet this 00:21:00.420 --> 00:21:00.700 is their 00:21:00.700 --> 00:21:01.100 character. 00:21:02.059 --> 00:21:02.579 They fear 00:21:02.579 --> 00:21:03.340 a worm of 00:21:03.340 --> 00:21:03.680 the dust 00:21:03.680 --> 00:21:04.500 like themselves, 00:21:04.779 --> 00:21:05.319 but disregard 00:21:05.319 --> 00:21:06.120 the most 00:21:06.120 --> 00:21:06.779 high. 00:21:07.720 --> 00:21:08.140 They are 00:21:08.140 --> 00:21:08.799 more afraid 00:21:08.799 --> 00:21:09.579 of man 00:21:09.579 --> 00:21:10.259 than of 00:21:10.259 --> 00:21:10.700 God, 00:21:11.279 --> 00:21:11.779 of his 00:21:11.779 --> 00:21:12.120 anger, 00:21:12.220 --> 00:21:12.860 his contempt, 00:21:13.059 --> 00:21:13.799 or ridicule. 00:21:14.440 --> 00:21:15.240 The fear 00:21:15.240 --> 00:21:15.660 of man 00:21:15.660 --> 00:21:16.319 prevents them 00:21:16.319 --> 00:21:16.740 from doing 00:21:16.740 --> 00:21:17.399 many things 00:21:17.399 --> 00:21:17.720 from which 00:21:17.720 --> 00:21:17.980 they are 00:21:17.980 --> 00:21:19.039 not restrained 00:21:19.039 --> 00:21:19.419 by the 00:21:19.419 --> 00:21:20.679 fear of 00:21:20.679 --> 00:21:21.059 God. 00:21:21.879 --> 00:21:22.519 They love 00:21:22.519 --> 00:21:22.980 not his 00:21:22.980 --> 00:21:23.539 character, 00:21:24.079 --> 00:21:24.960 not rendering 00:21:24.960 --> 00:21:25.419 to it 00:21:25.419 --> 00:21:26.019 veneration, 00:21:26.179 --> 00:21:26.480 which is 00:21:26.480 --> 00:21:26.759 due. 00:21:27.419 --> 00:21:28.179 They respect 00:21:28.179 --> 00:21:29.240 not his 00:21:29.240 --> 00:21:29.700 authority. 00:21:30.879 --> 00:21:31.500 Such is 00:21:31.500 --> 00:21:32.240 the state 00:21:32.240 --> 00:21:32.799 of human 00:21:32.799 --> 00:21:33.179 nature 00:21:33.179 --> 00:21:33.720 while the 00:21:33.720 --> 00:21:34.099 heart 00:21:34.099 --> 00:21:35.159 is 00:21:35.159 --> 00:21:35.980 unchanged. 00:21:37.200 --> 00:21:38.339 There is 00:21:38.339 --> 00:21:39.240 the bad 00:21:39.240 --> 00:21:40.579 news, 00:21:40.819 --> 00:21:41.039 right? 00:21:41.259 --> 00:21:42.379 By very 00:21:42.379 --> 00:21:43.220 nature 00:21:43.220 --> 00:21:44.419 turned away 00:21:44.420 --> 00:21:45.380 from a 00:21:45.380 --> 00:21:45.720 fear 00:21:45.720 --> 00:21:46.980 of God. 00:21:47.740 --> 00:21:48.080 And this 00:21:48.080 --> 00:21:48.279 is a 00:21:48.279 --> 00:21:48.620 puzzling 00:21:48.620 --> 00:21:49.019 thing. 00:21:50.060 --> 00:21:50.400 Beloved, 00:21:50.440 --> 00:21:50.660 we have 00:21:50.660 --> 00:21:50.820 been 00:21:50.820 --> 00:21:51.680 created. 00:21:52.620 --> 00:21:52.840 Chapter 00:21:52.840 --> 00:21:53.120 1, 00:21:53.200 --> 00:21:53.720 Paul says 00:21:53.720 --> 00:21:54.240 that it's 00:21:54.240 --> 00:21:54.860 evidenced 00:21:54.860 --> 00:21:55.400 that this 00:21:55.400 --> 00:21:55.720 is the 00:21:55.720 --> 00:21:55.980 case. 00:21:56.060 --> 00:21:56.240 There is 00:21:56.240 --> 00:21:56.720 a God 00:21:56.720 --> 00:21:57.320 who has 00:21:57.320 --> 00:21:58.460 created, 00:21:58.700 --> 00:21:59.200 and yet 00:21:59.200 --> 00:22:00.400 the 00:22:00.400 --> 00:22:01.140 unrighteousness 00:22:01.140 --> 00:22:01.580 of man 00:22:01.580 --> 00:22:02.720 suppresses 00:22:02.720 --> 00:22:03.759 that truth, 00:22:04.200 --> 00:22:04.720 and God 00:22:04.720 --> 00:22:05.060 gives 00:22:05.060 --> 00:22:05.460 mankind 00:22:05.460 --> 00:22:06.180 over 00:22:06.180 --> 00:22:07.380 to that 00:22:07.380 --> 00:22:08.060 foolishness. 00:22:08.960 --> 00:22:09.700 What a 00:22:09.700 --> 00:22:10.400 tragic thing. 00:22:10.960 --> 00:22:11.200 And if 00:22:11.200 --> 00:22:11.480 you're in 00:22:11.480 --> 00:22:12.100 Christ this 00:22:12.100 --> 00:22:12.360 morning, 00:22:12.359 --> 00:22:12.919 it's who 00:22:12.919 --> 00:22:13.740 you once 00:22:13.740 --> 00:22:14.619 were. 00:22:14.839 --> 00:22:15.039 And so 00:22:15.039 --> 00:22:15.319 we have 00:22:15.319 --> 00:22:16.219 such reason 00:22:16.219 --> 00:22:16.799 to praise 00:22:16.799 --> 00:22:17.359 God for 00:22:17.359 --> 00:22:17.819 the gospel 00:22:17.819 --> 00:22:18.959 of Jesus. 00:22:19.699 --> 00:22:20.039 If you 00:22:20.039 --> 00:22:20.379 are not 00:22:20.379 --> 00:22:21.059 now in 00:22:21.059 --> 00:22:21.399 Christ, 00:22:21.479 --> 00:22:22.059 it's who 00:22:22.059 --> 00:22:23.679 you are. 00:22:24.559 --> 00:22:24.879 I pray 00:22:24.879 --> 00:22:25.099 that you 00:22:25.099 --> 00:22:25.599 would listen 00:22:25.599 --> 00:22:26.159 to the 00:22:26.159 --> 00:22:27.359 words of 00:22:27.359 --> 00:22:27.639 Paul. 00:22:28.759 --> 00:22:29.519 So Paul 00:22:29.519 --> 00:22:30.159 brings this 00:22:30.159 --> 00:22:31.019 accusation, 00:22:31.240 --> 00:22:31.839 and then he 00:22:31.839 --> 00:22:33.159 delivers 00:22:33.159 --> 00:22:34.579 a verdict. 00:22:35.319 --> 00:22:35.519 Second 00:22:35.519 --> 00:22:35.879 point. 00:22:37.459 --> 00:22:38.179 First he 00:22:38.179 --> 00:22:38.579 says, 00:22:38.819 --> 00:22:39.399 now we 00:22:39.399 --> 00:22:40.000 know that 00:22:40.000 --> 00:22:40.519 whatever the 00:22:40.519 --> 00:22:41.099 law says, 00:22:41.139 --> 00:22:41.639 it speaks 00:22:41.639 --> 00:22:42.119 to those 00:22:42.119 --> 00:22:42.359 who are 00:22:42.359 --> 00:22:42.579 under 00:22:42.579 --> 00:22:42.779 the 00:22:42.779 --> 00:22:43.059 law, 00:22:43.119 --> 00:22:43.399 so that 00:22:43.399 --> 00:22:43.699 every 00:22:43.699 --> 00:22:44.239 mouth 00:22:44.239 --> 00:22:44.959 may be 00:22:44.959 --> 00:22:45.699 stopped. 00:22:46.899 --> 00:22:47.479 So he's 00:22:47.479 --> 00:22:47.979 talking again 00:22:47.979 --> 00:22:49.539 to Jewish 00:22:49.539 --> 00:22:49.879 people 00:22:49.879 --> 00:22:50.739 specifically, 00:22:51.159 --> 00:22:51.779 and I'm 00:22:51.779 --> 00:22:52.179 always 00:22:52.179 --> 00:22:53.559 tempted, 00:22:53.799 --> 00:22:54.299 it's probably 00:22:54.299 --> 00:22:54.979 proper to 00:22:54.979 --> 00:22:55.799 draw it to 00:22:55.799 --> 00:22:56.719 our context, 00:22:57.219 --> 00:22:57.759 for people 00:22:57.759 --> 00:22:58.799 who mostly 00:22:58.799 --> 00:22:59.459 grew up 00:22:59.459 --> 00:23:00.000 in church, 00:23:00.239 --> 00:23:00.919 mostly grew 00:23:00.919 --> 00:23:01.319 up being 00:23:01.319 --> 00:23:01.779 taught 00:23:01.779 --> 00:23:02.699 God's 00:23:02.699 --> 00:23:03.699 word. 00:23:03.979 --> 00:23:04.459 Not every 00:23:04.459 --> 00:23:04.919 one of us 00:23:04.919 --> 00:23:05.479 I know, 00:23:05.579 --> 00:23:05.919 but for the 00:23:05.919 --> 00:23:06.519 most part 00:23:06.519 --> 00:23:07.979 we have. 00:23:08.739 --> 00:23:09.500 So what 00:23:09.500 --> 00:23:10.059 purpose does 00:23:10.059 --> 00:23:10.619 it serve 00:23:10.619 --> 00:23:11.159 us? 00:23:12.339 --> 00:23:12.960 We would 00:23:12.960 --> 00:23:13.279 know that 00:23:13.279 --> 00:23:13.720 we're sinful, 00:23:13.859 --> 00:23:14.000 right? 00:23:14.039 --> 00:23:14.480 Every mouth 00:23:14.480 --> 00:23:14.819 would be 00:23:14.819 --> 00:23:15.379 stopped, 00:23:16.039 --> 00:23:16.299 and the 00:23:16.299 --> 00:23:17.139 whole world, 00:23:17.220 --> 00:23:17.599 last part 00:23:17.599 --> 00:23:17.839 of verse 00:23:17.839 --> 00:23:18.299 19, 00:23:18.500 --> 00:23:18.799 may be 00:23:18.799 --> 00:23:19.059 held 00:23:19.059 --> 00:23:19.679 accountable 00:23:19.679 --> 00:23:20.859 to 00:23:20.859 --> 00:23:22.379 God. 00:23:23.099 --> 00:23:23.440 For by 00:23:23.440 --> 00:23:24.000 works of 00:23:24.000 --> 00:23:24.359 the law 00:23:24.359 --> 00:23:25.139 no human 00:23:25.139 --> 00:23:25.579 being will 00:23:25.579 --> 00:23:26.240 be justified 00:23:26.240 --> 00:23:26.819 in his 00:23:26.819 --> 00:23:27.159 sight, 00:23:27.679 --> 00:23:28.379 since through 00:23:28.379 --> 00:23:28.960 the law 00:23:28.960 --> 00:23:29.619 comes 00:23:29.619 --> 00:23:30.500 knowledge 00:23:30.500 --> 00:23:31.659 of sin. 00:23:32.759 --> 00:23:33.419 To be 00:23:33.419 --> 00:23:33.779 justified 00:23:33.779 --> 00:23:34.399 before God 00:23:34.399 --> 00:23:34.839 is to be 00:23:34.839 --> 00:23:35.599 declared 00:23:35.599 --> 00:23:37.099 righteous. 00:23:37.599 --> 00:23:37.940 To be 00:23:37.940 --> 00:23:38.539 declared 00:23:38.539 --> 00:23:39.259 righteous. 00:23:39.820 --> 00:23:40.160 And there 00:23:40.160 --> 00:23:40.759 are two 00:23:40.759 --> 00:23:41.660 parts to 00:23:41.660 --> 00:23:43.480 the equation 00:23:43.480 --> 00:23:44.340 of our 00:23:44.340 --> 00:23:45.480 justification. 00:23:46.400 --> 00:23:46.980 Firstly, 00:23:47.200 --> 00:23:47.900 our sin 00:23:47.900 --> 00:23:48.940 must be 00:23:48.940 --> 00:23:49.980 forgiven. 00:23:50.400 --> 00:23:50.620 If you 00:23:50.620 --> 00:23:50.820 were to 00:23:50.820 --> 00:23:51.400 stand before 00:23:51.400 --> 00:23:52.180 a judge 00:23:52.180 --> 00:23:53.000 and he 00:23:53.000 --> 00:23:53.420 would declare 00:23:53.420 --> 00:23:54.620 you justified, 00:23:55.380 --> 00:23:55.680 he would 00:23:55.680 --> 00:23:56.180 have to 00:23:56.180 --> 00:23:56.880 first 00:23:56.880 --> 00:23:57.580 forgive 00:23:57.580 --> 00:23:58.960 your sin, 00:23:59.039 --> 00:23:59.519 your sin 00:23:59.519 --> 00:24:00.779 expunged 00:24:00.779 --> 00:24:01.240 from 00:24:01.240 --> 00:24:02.559 the record. 00:24:03.480 --> 00:24:03.920 But for 00:24:03.920 --> 00:24:04.200 God to 00:24:04.200 --> 00:24:04.759 maintain 00:24:04.759 --> 00:24:05.720 his justice 00:24:05.720 --> 00:24:06.299 as a 00:24:06.299 --> 00:24:06.660 judge, 00:24:06.740 --> 00:24:07.120 he can't 00:24:07.119 --> 00:24:07.819 simply dismiss 00:24:07.819 --> 00:24:08.459 it altogether. 00:24:08.659 --> 00:24:09.319 He must 00:24:09.319 --> 00:24:10.139 punish it. 00:24:10.179 --> 00:24:10.339 If he's 00:24:10.339 --> 00:24:10.459 going to 00:24:10.459 --> 00:24:10.819 be a 00:24:10.819 --> 00:24:11.339 perfect 00:24:11.339 --> 00:24:11.839 judge, 00:24:11.959 --> 00:24:12.479 it must 00:24:12.479 --> 00:24:13.019 be 00:24:13.019 --> 00:24:14.079 punished. 00:24:15.039 --> 00:24:15.279 And this 00:24:15.279 --> 00:24:15.819 is why 00:24:15.819 --> 00:24:17.059 the Lord 00:24:17.059 --> 00:24:17.239 Jesus 00:24:17.239 --> 00:24:17.779 Christ 00:24:17.779 --> 00:24:18.919 came 00:24:18.919 --> 00:24:19.899 and died 00:24:19.899 --> 00:24:20.899 to bear 00:24:20.899 --> 00:24:21.599 our 00:24:21.599 --> 00:24:22.099 punishment 00:24:22.099 --> 00:24:23.099 on our 00:24:23.099 --> 00:24:24.479 behalf. 00:24:25.659 --> 00:24:26.199 But if 00:24:26.199 --> 00:24:26.779 we stop 00:24:26.779 --> 00:24:27.279 there, 00:24:27.519 --> 00:24:27.839 we are 00:24:27.839 --> 00:24:28.519 only brought 00:24:28.519 --> 00:24:29.059 up to 00:24:29.059 --> 00:24:29.459 neutral. 00:24:29.899 --> 00:24:30.539 The record 00:24:30.539 --> 00:24:31.279 has been 00:24:31.279 --> 00:24:31.719 canceled, 00:24:32.199 --> 00:24:32.799 but now 00:24:32.799 --> 00:24:33.279 we stand 00:24:33.279 --> 00:24:34.039 with nothing. 00:24:35.319 --> 00:24:36.059 We need 00:24:36.059 --> 00:24:36.439 something 00:24:36.440 --> 00:24:36.960 credited 00:24:36.960 --> 00:24:38.279 to our 00:24:38.279 --> 00:24:38.759 account 00:24:38.759 --> 00:24:39.240 in order 00:24:39.240 --> 00:24:39.759 to be 00:24:39.759 --> 00:24:40.400 declared 00:24:40.400 --> 00:24:41.299 righteous, 00:24:41.559 --> 00:24:42.100 to be 00:24:42.100 --> 00:24:43.180 justified. 00:24:43.580 --> 00:24:43.759 What do 00:24:43.759 --> 00:24:44.140 we need? 00:24:44.640 --> 00:24:45.120 We need 00:24:45.120 --> 00:24:45.900 perfect 00:24:45.900 --> 00:24:46.539 law keeping. 00:24:47.059 --> 00:24:47.840 We need 00:24:47.840 --> 00:24:48.920 righteousness. 00:24:49.740 --> 00:24:50.320 A thing 00:24:50.320 --> 00:24:50.820 that's clearly 00:24:50.820 --> 00:24:51.480 being established 00:24:51.480 --> 00:24:51.900 that we 00:24:51.900 --> 00:24:52.980 cannot do. 00:24:53.960 --> 00:24:54.380 If you have 00:24:54.380 --> 00:24:54.860 any doubt 00:24:54.860 --> 00:24:55.180 of that, 00:24:55.259 --> 00:24:55.580 go back 00:24:55.580 --> 00:24:55.799 to the 00:24:55.799 --> 00:24:56.019 beginning 00:24:56.019 --> 00:24:56.460 of chapter 00:24:56.460 --> 00:24:57.000 1 and 00:24:57.000 --> 00:24:57.720 read through 00:24:57.720 --> 00:24:58.640 the end 00:24:58.640 --> 00:24:58.840 of verse 00:24:58.840 --> 00:24:59.539 20 of 00:24:59.539 --> 00:25:00.820 chapter 3. 00:25:01.559 --> 00:25:02.080 Paul is 00:25:02.080 --> 00:25:02.500 being so 00:25:02.500 --> 00:25:03.259 very clear. 00:25:03.440 --> 00:25:03.660 You 00:25:03.660 --> 00:25:04.360 cannot 00:25:04.360 --> 00:25:05.059 do it. 00:25:05.059 --> 00:25:05.339 You 00:25:05.339 --> 00:25:05.539 have 00:25:05.539 --> 00:25:05.960 failed 00:25:05.960 --> 00:25:06.359 and you 00:25:06.359 --> 00:25:06.579 will 00:25:06.579 --> 00:25:07.240 always 00:25:07.240 --> 00:25:07.659 fail 00:25:07.659 --> 00:25:08.259 under 00:25:08.259 --> 00:25:08.480 your 00:25:08.480 --> 00:25:08.659 own 00:25:08.659 --> 00:25:09.179 power 00:25:09.179 --> 00:25:09.799 to 00:25:09.799 --> 00:25:09.980 live 00:25:09.980 --> 00:25:10.259 up 00:25:10.259 --> 00:25:10.740 to 00:25:10.740 --> 00:25:10.859 the 00:25:10.859 --> 00:25:11.480 demands 00:25:11.480 --> 00:25:12.299 of 00:25:12.299 --> 00:25:12.419 the 00:25:12.419 --> 00:25:12.759 law. 00:25:14.119 --> 00:25:14.619 And so, 00:25:14.899 --> 00:25:15.940 by faith, 00:25:16.220 --> 00:25:16.700 not only does 00:25:16.700 --> 00:25:17.259 Christ take 00:25:17.259 --> 00:25:17.779 our punishment 00:25:17.779 --> 00:25:18.339 from us, 00:25:18.399 --> 00:25:18.619 but he 00:25:18.619 --> 00:25:19.980 also gives 00:25:19.980 --> 00:25:20.659 to us 00:25:20.659 --> 00:25:21.519 his 00:25:21.519 --> 00:25:22.779 righteousness. 00:25:24.220 --> 00:25:25.119 The doctrine 00:25:25.119 --> 00:25:25.419 is called 00:25:25.419 --> 00:25:25.839 double 00:25:25.839 --> 00:25:26.579 imputation. 00:25:27.000 --> 00:25:27.559 He takes 00:25:27.559 --> 00:25:27.960 away, 00:25:28.359 --> 00:25:28.839 it's given 00:25:28.839 --> 00:25:29.299 to him 00:25:29.299 --> 00:25:29.960 our sin, 00:25:30.240 --> 00:25:30.819 he gives 00:25:30.819 --> 00:25:31.519 to us 00:25:31.519 --> 00:25:32.519 his 00:25:32.519 --> 00:25:33.839 righteousness. 00:25:33.839 --> 00:25:34.439 this 00:25:34.439 --> 00:25:34.779 will 00:25:34.779 --> 00:25:35.119 not 00:25:35.119 --> 00:25:35.659 happen 00:25:35.659 --> 00:25:36.299 by 00:25:36.299 --> 00:25:36.480 the 00:25:36.480 --> 00:25:36.939 works 00:25:36.939 --> 00:25:37.939 of 00:25:37.939 --> 00:25:38.079 the 00:25:38.079 --> 00:25:38.439 law. 00:25:39.399 --> 00:25:39.619 And 00:25:39.619 --> 00:25:39.759 the 00:25:39.759 --> 00:25:40.019 whole 00:25:40.019 --> 00:25:40.399 world 00:25:40.399 --> 00:25:40.619 will 00:25:40.619 --> 00:25:41.099 stand 00:25:41.099 --> 00:25:41.759 before 00:25:41.759 --> 00:25:42.659 God 00:25:42.659 --> 00:25:43.039 in 00:25:43.039 --> 00:25:43.939 judgment. 00:25:44.419 --> 00:25:44.879 There he 00:25:44.879 --> 00:25:45.159 says, 00:25:45.220 --> 00:25:45.559 the whole 00:25:45.559 --> 00:25:45.819 world 00:25:45.819 --> 00:25:46.119 will be 00:25:46.119 --> 00:25:46.459 held 00:25:46.459 --> 00:25:47.099 accountable 00:25:47.099 --> 00:25:48.359 to 00:25:48.359 --> 00:25:49.619 God. 00:25:50.240 --> 00:25:50.779 Remember 00:25:50.779 --> 00:25:51.240 back in 00:25:51.240 --> 00:25:51.799 chapter 1 00:25:51.799 --> 00:25:52.079 in verse 00:25:52.079 --> 00:25:52.659 18, 00:25:52.899 --> 00:25:53.259 Paul says, 00:25:53.359 --> 00:25:53.819 the wrath 00:25:53.819 --> 00:25:54.319 of God 00:25:54.319 --> 00:25:54.939 is revealed 00:25:54.939 --> 00:25:55.639 from heaven 00:25:55.639 --> 00:25:56.519 against 00:25:56.519 --> 00:25:57.039 all 00:25:57.039 --> 00:25:57.679 ungodliness 00:25:57.679 --> 00:25:58.179 and 00:25:58.179 --> 00:25:59.079 unrighteousness 00:25:59.079 --> 00:26:00.299 of men. 00:26:01.299 --> 00:26:01.779 On 00:26:01.779 --> 00:26:02.339 that great 00:26:02.339 --> 00:26:02.699 day of 00:26:02.699 --> 00:26:03.019 judgment, 00:26:03.019 --> 00:26:03.619 you will 00:26:03.619 --> 00:26:04.039 not be 00:26:04.039 --> 00:26:04.299 able to 00:26:04.299 --> 00:26:04.480 stand 00:26:04.480 --> 00:26:04.720 before 00:26:04.720 --> 00:26:05.019 God 00:26:05.019 --> 00:26:05.220 and 00:26:05.220 --> 00:26:05.400 make 00:26:05.400 --> 00:26:05.519 an 00:26:05.519 --> 00:26:06.000 appeal 00:26:06.000 --> 00:26:06.480 to 00:26:06.480 --> 00:26:06.920 your 00:26:06.920 --> 00:26:07.539 attempt 00:26:07.539 --> 00:26:08.000 to 00:26:08.000 --> 00:26:08.299 keep 00:26:08.299 --> 00:26:08.900 his 00:26:08.900 --> 00:26:09.200 law. 00:26:09.319 --> 00:26:09.400 It 00:26:09.400 --> 00:26:09.500 would 00:26:09.500 --> 00:26:09.639 be 00:26:09.639 --> 00:26:09.819 a 00:26:09.819 --> 00:26:10.480 waste 00:26:10.480 --> 00:26:11.160 of 00:26:11.160 --> 00:26:11.559 breath. 00:26:12.720 --> 00:26:13.000 I 00:26:13.000 --> 00:26:13.240 believe 00:26:13.240 --> 00:26:13.359 that 00:26:13.359 --> 00:26:13.480 when 00:26:13.480 --> 00:26:13.619 you 00:26:13.619 --> 00:26:13.879 stand 00:26:13.879 --> 00:26:14.139 before 00:26:14.139 --> 00:26:14.299 him 00:26:14.299 --> 00:26:14.460 on 00:26:14.460 --> 00:26:14.579 that 00:26:14.579 --> 00:26:14.759 day, 00:26:14.859 --> 00:26:14.940 you 00:26:14.940 --> 00:26:15.240 won't 00:26:15.240 --> 00:26:15.700 try 00:26:15.700 --> 00:26:15.879 to 00:26:15.879 --> 00:26:16.039 make 00:26:16.039 --> 00:26:16.160 an 00:26:16.160 --> 00:26:16.480 appeal 00:26:16.480 --> 00:26:16.839 to 00:26:16.839 --> 00:26:17.099 your 00:26:17.099 --> 00:26:17.559 attempt 00:26:17.559 --> 00:26:18.480 to 00:26:18.480 --> 00:26:18.839 keep 00:26:18.839 --> 00:26:19.559 his 00:26:19.559 --> 00:26:19.920 law. 00:26:20.279 --> 00:26:20.359 For 00:26:20.359 --> 00:26:20.619 by 00:26:20.619 --> 00:26:21.220 works 00:26:21.220 --> 00:26:21.480 of 00:26:21.480 --> 00:26:21.660 the 00:26:21.660 --> 00:26:22.019 law, 00:26:22.220 --> 00:26:22.639 no 00:26:22.639 --> 00:26:23.139 human 00:26:23.139 --> 00:26:23.539 being 00:26:23.539 --> 00:26:23.720 will 00:26:23.720 --> 00:26:23.859 be 00:26:23.859 --> 00:26:24.400 justified 00:26:24.400 --> 00:26:25.519 in 00:26:25.519 --> 00:26:25.720 his 00:26:25.720 --> 00:26:26.139 sight. 00:26:26.139 --> 00:26:26.720 The 00:26:26.720 --> 00:26:26.900 law 00:26:26.900 --> 00:26:27.160 makes 00:26:27.160 --> 00:26:27.359 us 00:26:27.359 --> 00:26:28.019 aware 00:26:28.019 --> 00:26:28.819 of 00:26:28.819 --> 00:26:28.980 our 00:26:28.980 --> 00:26:29.419 failure, 00:26:29.759 --> 00:26:30.000 of 00:26:30.000 --> 00:26:30.279 our 00:26:30.279 --> 00:26:31.339 sinfulness. 00:26:32.039 --> 00:26:32.599 That's 00:26:32.599 --> 00:26:33.159 the 00:26:33.159 --> 00:26:33.619 bad 00:26:33.619 --> 00:26:35.000 news. 00:26:36.559 --> 00:26:37.159 On 00:26:37.159 --> 00:26:37.279 that 00:26:37.279 --> 00:26:37.519 great 00:26:37.519 --> 00:26:37.679 day 00:26:37.679 --> 00:26:37.819 of 00:26:37.819 --> 00:26:38.079 judgment, 00:26:38.179 --> 00:26:38.279 the 00:26:38.279 --> 00:26:38.439 law 00:26:38.439 --> 00:26:38.599 will 00:26:38.599 --> 00:26:39.200 only 00:26:39.200 --> 00:26:39.480 serve 00:26:39.480 --> 00:26:39.619 to 00:26:39.619 --> 00:26:39.819 show 00:26:39.819 --> 00:26:40.019 you 00:26:40.019 --> 00:26:40.559 guilty 00:26:40.559 --> 00:26:41.539 for 00:26:41.539 --> 00:26:41.700 your 00:26:41.700 --> 00:26:41.980 failure 00:26:41.980 --> 00:26:42.179 to 00:26:42.179 --> 00:26:42.399 keep 00:26:42.399 --> 00:26:42.639 it 00:26:42.639 --> 00:26:43.799 perfectly. 00:26:44.220 --> 00:26:44.460 So 00:26:44.460 --> 00:26:44.639 we 00:26:44.639 --> 00:26:45.059 must 00:26:45.059 --> 00:26:45.379 make 00:26:45.379 --> 00:26:45.700 our 00:26:45.700 --> 00:26:46.220 appeal 00:26:46.220 --> 00:26:47.259 elsewhere. 00:26:47.619 --> 00:26:47.740 And 00:26:47.740 --> 00:26:48.259 this 00:26:48.259 --> 00:26:48.599 is 00:26:48.599 --> 00:26:48.759 the 00:26:48.759 --> 00:26:49.139 good 00:26:49.139 --> 00:26:49.599 news 00:26:49.599 --> 00:26:50.379 of 00:26:50.379 --> 00:26:50.500 the 00:26:50.500 --> 00:26:50.899 gospel. 00:26:51.460 --> 00:26:51.819 And 00:26:51.819 --> 00:26:51.919 we 00:26:51.919 --> 00:26:52.039 will 00:26:52.039 --> 00:26:52.179 be 00:26:52.179 --> 00:26:52.659 unpacking 00:26:52.659 --> 00:26:52.819 this 00:26:52.819 --> 00:26:52.960 at 00:26:52.960 --> 00:26:53.319 length 00:26:53.319 --> 00:26:53.740 in 00:26:53.740 --> 00:26:53.960 the 00:26:53.960 --> 00:26:54.259 coming 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:55.379 months, 00:26:55.779 --> 00:26:56.139 beginning 00:26:56.139 --> 00:26:56.460 next 00:26:56.460 --> 00:26:56.799 week. 00:26:56.939 --> 00:26:57.319 But 00:26:57.319 --> 00:26:57.460 we 00:26:57.460 --> 00:26:57.759 can't 00:26:57.759 --> 00:26:58.039 just 00:26:58.039 --> 00:26:58.319 in 00:26:58.319 --> 00:26:58.619 there. 00:26:58.819 --> 00:26:58.980 Can 00:26:58.980 --> 00:26:59.159 we? 00:26:59.279 --> 00:26:59.919 What 00:26:59.919 --> 00:27:00.480 is 00:27:00.480 --> 00:27:00.639 the 00:27:00.639 --> 00:27:01.019 appeal 00:27:01.019 --> 00:27:01.240 I've 00:27:01.240 --> 00:27:01.439 mentioned 00:27:01.439 --> 00:27:01.919 already? 00:27:02.059 --> 00:27:02.240 It's 00:27:02.240 --> 00:27:02.460 the 00:27:02.460 --> 00:27:02.939 person 00:27:02.939 --> 00:27:03.279 and 00:27:03.279 --> 00:27:03.480 the 00:27:03.480 --> 00:27:03.899 work 00:27:03.899 --> 00:27:04.119 of 00:27:04.119 --> 00:27:04.259 the 00:27:04.259 --> 00:27:04.639 Lord 00:27:04.639 --> 00:27:05.539 Jesus 00:27:05.539 --> 00:27:06.099 Christ. 00:27:06.839 --> 00:27:07.579 We 00:27:07.579 --> 00:27:07.740 will 00:27:07.740 --> 00:27:08.059 say, 00:27:08.359 --> 00:27:08.659 look, 00:27:08.779 --> 00:27:09.200 I 00:27:09.200 --> 00:27:09.500 am 00:27:09.500 --> 00:27:09.980 forgiven 00:27:09.980 --> 00:27:10.339 and 00:27:10.339 --> 00:27:11.099 clothed 00:27:11.099 --> 00:27:11.240 in 00:27:11.240 --> 00:27:11.399 the 00:27:11.399 --> 00:27:11.819 righteousness 00:27:11.819 --> 00:27:13.220 of 00:27:13.220 --> 00:27:13.639 Christ. 00:27:14.879 --> 00:27:15.259 Jesus 00:27:15.259 --> 00:27:15.500 will 00:27:15.500 --> 00:27:15.899 stand 00:27:15.899 --> 00:27:16.319 there 00:27:16.319 --> 00:27:16.919 in 00:27:16.919 --> 00:27:17.500 approval 00:27:17.500 --> 00:27:18.079 of 00:27:18.079 --> 00:27:18.439 such 00:27:18.439 --> 00:27:19.159 a 00:27:19.159 --> 00:27:19.639 claim 00:27:19.639 --> 00:27:19.980 if 00:27:19.980 --> 00:27:20.119 we 00:27:20.119 --> 00:27:20.240 are 00:27:20.240 --> 00:27:20.419 in 00:27:20.419 --> 00:27:20.720 fact 00:27:20.720 --> 00:27:21.399 found 00:27:21.399 --> 00:27:22.799 in 00:27:22.799 --> 00:27:23.099 him. 00:27:24.500 --> 00:27:24.700 And 00:27:24.700 --> 00:27:24.799 so 00:27:24.799 --> 00:27:25.059 let's 00:27:25.059 --> 00:27:25.279 look 00:27:25.279 --> 00:27:25.700 just 00:27:25.700 --> 00:27:26.379 briefly 00:27:26.379 --> 00:27:27.220 at 00:27:27.220 --> 00:27:27.359 the 00:27:27.359 --> 00:27:27.599 next 00:27:27.599 --> 00:27:28.099 two 00:27:28.099 --> 00:27:28.519 verses 00:27:28.519 --> 00:27:29.039 beyond 00:27:29.039 --> 00:27:29.859 today's 00:27:29.859 --> 00:27:30.839 text. 00:27:31.639 --> 00:27:32.259 Paul 00:27:32.259 --> 00:27:32.439 has 00:27:32.439 --> 00:27:32.939 completed 00:27:32.939 --> 00:27:33.339 this 00:27:33.339 --> 00:27:34.500 stage 00:27:34.500 --> 00:27:35.179 in his 00:27:35.179 --> 00:27:35.959 argument 00:27:35.959 --> 00:27:36.579 and he's 00:27:36.579 --> 00:27:37.679 moving on. 00:27:37.740 --> 00:27:37.959 Remember, 00:27:38.059 --> 00:27:39.139 still unpacking 00:27:39.139 --> 00:27:40.259 this idea 00:27:40.259 --> 00:27:41.039 of the 00:27:41.039 --> 00:27:41.519 gospel 00:27:41.519 --> 00:27:42.059 being the 00:27:42.059 --> 00:27:42.539 righteousness 00:27:42.539 --> 00:27:43.139 of God 00:27:43.139 --> 00:27:43.779 for us. 00:27:43.879 --> 00:27:44.259 A thing 00:27:44.259 --> 00:27:44.559 that we 00:27:44.559 --> 00:27:45.159 should be 00:27:45.159 --> 00:27:46.219 proud of, 00:27:46.259 --> 00:27:46.399 right? 00:27:46.439 --> 00:27:46.740 That the 00:27:46.740 --> 00:27:47.000 righteous 00:27:47.000 --> 00:27:47.519 might live 00:27:47.519 --> 00:27:48.599 by faith. 00:27:48.659 --> 00:27:49.079 A faith 00:27:49.079 --> 00:27:49.539 that's given 00:27:49.539 --> 00:27:49.959 to us 00:27:49.959 --> 00:27:50.399 as a 00:27:50.399 --> 00:27:50.740 gift 00:27:50.740 --> 00:27:51.639 in 00:27:51.639 --> 00:27:52.079 Christ. 00:27:53.219 --> 00:27:53.639 So he 00:27:53.639 --> 00:27:53.959 says 00:27:53.959 --> 00:27:54.439 in verse 00:27:54.440 --> 00:27:55.559 21, 00:27:56.460 --> 00:27:57.539 but now 00:27:57.539 --> 00:27:58.160 the 00:27:58.160 --> 00:27:58.660 righteousness 00:27:58.660 --> 00:27:59.660 of 00:27:59.660 --> 00:28:00.539 God, 00:28:01.039 --> 00:28:01.440 it's 00:28:01.440 --> 00:28:02.039 God's 00:28:02.039 --> 00:28:02.539 righteousness, 00:28:03.220 --> 00:28:03.860 has been 00:28:03.860 --> 00:28:04.799 manifested 00:28:04.799 --> 00:28:05.519 apart 00:28:05.519 --> 00:28:07.120 from the 00:28:07.120 --> 00:28:07.460 law. 00:28:08.420 --> 00:28:09.080 The 00:28:09.080 --> 00:28:09.539 righteousness 00:28:09.539 --> 00:28:10.420 of God 00:28:10.420 --> 00:28:10.759 has been 00:28:10.759 --> 00:28:11.600 manifested 00:28:11.600 --> 00:28:12.200 apart 00:28:12.200 --> 00:28:13.320 from the 00:28:13.320 --> 00:28:13.580 law. 00:28:13.759 --> 00:28:14.160 He is 00:28:14.160 --> 00:28:14.600 referring 00:28:14.600 --> 00:28:15.299 to 00:28:15.299 --> 00:28:16.299 Jesus 00:28:16.299 --> 00:28:17.000 Christ's 00:28:17.000 --> 00:28:17.400 perfect 00:28:17.400 --> 00:28:17.860 law 00:28:17.860 --> 00:28:18.140 keeping. 00:28:18.740 --> 00:28:19.120 It has 00:28:19.120 --> 00:28:19.340 been 00:28:19.340 --> 00:28:19.680 made 00:28:19.680 --> 00:28:21.200 manifested. 00:28:21.200 --> 00:28:21.500 It has 00:28:21.500 --> 00:28:22.320 been shown 00:28:22.319 --> 00:28:23.139 in 00:28:23.139 --> 00:28:24.099 Christ. 00:28:24.299 --> 00:28:24.899 Although 00:28:24.899 --> 00:28:25.339 the 00:28:25.339 --> 00:28:25.500 law 00:28:25.500 --> 00:28:25.619 and 00:28:25.619 --> 00:28:25.700 the 00:28:25.700 --> 00:28:25.980 prophets 00:28:25.980 --> 00:28:26.439 bear 00:28:26.439 --> 00:28:27.139 witness 00:28:27.139 --> 00:28:27.720 to 00:28:27.720 --> 00:28:27.960 it. 00:28:28.399 --> 00:28:28.619 The 00:28:28.619 --> 00:28:28.839 law 00:28:28.839 --> 00:28:28.980 and 00:28:28.980 --> 00:28:29.079 the 00:28:29.079 --> 00:28:29.480 prophets, 00:28:29.799 --> 00:28:30.460 the whole 00:28:30.460 --> 00:28:31.079 New Testament, 00:28:31.539 --> 00:28:32.079 point us 00:28:32.079 --> 00:28:32.480 to 00:28:32.480 --> 00:28:33.259 Christ 00:28:33.259 --> 00:28:34.000 and His 00:28:34.000 --> 00:28:34.460 righteousness, 00:28:34.619 --> 00:28:35.139 the righteousness 00:28:35.139 --> 00:28:35.879 of 00:28:35.879 --> 00:28:37.019 God. 00:28:37.559 --> 00:28:37.980 The 00:28:37.980 --> 00:28:38.319 righteousness 00:28:38.319 --> 00:28:38.859 of God 00:28:38.859 --> 00:28:39.460 through 00:28:39.460 --> 00:28:40.419 faith 00:28:40.419 --> 00:28:40.980 in Jesus 00:28:40.980 --> 00:28:41.679 Christ 00:28:41.679 --> 00:28:43.019 for all 00:28:43.019 --> 00:28:44.000 who 00:28:44.000 --> 00:28:44.480 believe. 00:28:45.879 --> 00:28:46.519 And this 00:28:46.519 --> 00:28:46.899 is the 00:28:46.899 --> 00:28:47.879 cost 00:28:47.879 --> 00:28:48.460 of 00:28:48.460 --> 00:28:49.099 justification 00:28:49.099 --> 00:28:50.599 that we 00:28:50.599 --> 00:28:51.099 would merely 00:28:51.099 --> 00:28:51.919 turn from 00:28:51.920 --> 00:28:52.460 our sin 00:28:52.460 --> 00:28:53.200 and place 00:28:53.200 --> 00:28:53.940 our faith 00:28:53.940 --> 00:28:54.720 in the 00:28:54.720 --> 00:28:55.000 Lord 00:28:55.000 --> 00:28:55.539 Jesus 00:28:55.539 --> 00:28:56.000 Christ. 00:28:56.200 --> 00:28:56.600 That we 00:28:56.600 --> 00:28:56.779 would 00:28:56.779 --> 00:28:57.640 understand 00:28:57.640 --> 00:28:58.440 that yes, 00:28:59.120 --> 00:28:59.700 apart from 00:28:59.700 --> 00:28:59.980 Him, 00:29:00.080 --> 00:29:00.360 I am 00:29:00.360 --> 00:29:01.640 altogether 00:29:01.640 --> 00:29:02.440 unworthy. 00:29:02.960 --> 00:29:03.580 I am 00:29:03.580 --> 00:29:04.100 totally 00:29:04.100 --> 00:29:04.860 depraved 00:29:04.860 --> 00:29:05.259 apart 00:29:05.259 --> 00:29:05.840 from 00:29:05.840 --> 00:29:06.240 Christ. 00:29:06.500 --> 00:29:07.180 I do 00:29:07.180 --> 00:29:07.680 not 00:29:07.680 --> 00:29:08.440 seek 00:29:08.440 --> 00:29:09.019 good. 00:29:09.360 --> 00:29:09.620 I am 00:29:09.620 --> 00:29:10.019 part of 00:29:10.019 --> 00:29:10.580 the no 00:29:10.580 --> 00:29:10.980 one 00:29:10.980 --> 00:29:11.900 that Paul 00:29:11.900 --> 00:29:12.240 here 00:29:12.240 --> 00:29:13.200 is talking 00:29:13.200 --> 00:29:13.660 about. 00:29:14.019 --> 00:29:14.620 But yet, 00:29:15.300 --> 00:29:15.539 through 00:29:15.539 --> 00:29:16.039 faith 00:29:16.039 --> 00:29:16.900 in 00:29:16.900 --> 00:29:17.300 Christ, 00:29:17.840 --> 00:29:18.140 I can 00:29:18.140 --> 00:29:18.259 be 00:29:18.259 --> 00:29:18.779 declared 00:29:18.779 --> 00:29:19.620 righteous 00:29:19.620 --> 00:29:20.320 before 00:29:20.320 --> 00:29:20.800 God, 00:29:21.220 --> 00:29:21.700 accepted 00:29:21.700 --> 00:29:22.319 into 00:29:22.319 --> 00:29:23.140 His 00:29:23.140 --> 00:29:23.380 loving 00:29:23.380 --> 00:29:23.799 arms 00:29:23.799 --> 00:29:24.819 forever. 00:29:25.200 --> 00:29:25.720 Let's 00:29:25.720 --> 00:29:25.860 pray 00:29:25.860 --> 00:29:26.140 together.