Articulating our “sin problem”

A simplified outline of Romans 1-8

Chapter 1 – The world has a sin problem

Chapter 2 – So do we

Chapter 3 –We are never going to solve this sin problem on your own, you need help: faith is counted to you as right-ness before God. Sin problem is solved.

Chapter 4 – Example: Abraham

Chapter 5—Just as sin and death came through Adam, Right-ness and life comes through Jesus

Chapter 6—That is what baptism is all about: death to sin, resurrection to new life

Chapter 7—But there is still a “civil war” with sin going on inside me

Chapter 8—Don’t worry about it: the Holy Spirit is working it out.

Understanding Our Sin Problem

a. Paul’s description of “the fall”: the origins of sin

· Creation makes himself known (1:18-20)

· Worship of the created thing, rather than the creator (1:21-24):

o Idolatry

o Pride

o Sensuality

· God’s giving of ourselves over to sinful desires (1:25-27)

· Decision that the knowledge of God is not worthwhile (1:28-31)

· The corruption of choice: knowing the right thing to do, but choosing not to do it, and approving of those who also make similar choices (1:32).

b. The Jewish sin problem

· Pride: not realizing that the things they are critical of in others are the same things they do themselves (2:1-4)

· Being self-seeking and denying the truth (2:5-10)

· Excusing sin on the basis of “being God’s favorite”. God does not show favoritism (2:11)

· The limitations of reliance on the Law for defining “relationship to God” (2:17-29)

· Not understanding the “advantage” to being a Jew: they were entrusted with the very words of God (3:1-8)

c. The Gentile sin problem (2:12-16)

· The Law is written on their conscience

· They do not do what is according to their conscience

d. The Universal sin problem: All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, both Jew and Gentile alike (3:9-19). There is no one righteous, not even one! All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God: Romans 3:23

Core Principles of the Gospel: Our Need for Salvation

· All are under “sin”. No one is immune from the human “sin condition”:

o No one can claim “privilege on the basis of

§ Gender

§ Sex

§ Race

§ National Origin

§ Any preference

§ Inherent Goodness

§ Family of Origin

Religion of parents

Self-sufficient righteousness (we have none)

§ We are equal opportunity sinners!

o Sin infects all of us. It is a power that works upon us and corrupts us completely. Even our will is corrupted (we will discuss this more when we talk about Romans 7).

Sin is reckoned to us by virtue of our human condition. It is something that we cannot escape, whether Jew or Gentile, not matter what “code” or torah, or “law” we choose to live by.

God’s kindness is meant to lead us to repentance (Romans 2:4)

God draws us to him by his grace (his kindness, tolerance, and patience)

We store up wrath for ourselves when we are stubborn and rebellious

God will give us over to ourselves if we resist his grace

Circumcision of the heart is by the Spirit, not the law.

Obedience comes from the heart

Outward appearances are just that, outward appearances, they do not effect salvation

We must realize that we are sinners and hopelessly unable to save ourselves before we can be saved.