United in the Gospel: Justified by Faith

United in the Gospel: Justified by Faith

Romans 3

7-5-20

The Gospel is the good news that God rescues and transforms sinners who, by faith, become followers of Jesus Christ.

Three common teachings today: 

1. People are basically good.
2. There are many ways to heaven.
3. All people are going to heaven or to nothing.

I. No One is Righteous. (Romans 3:9-11)

“We have three choices: We can listen to how we feel inside…we can listen to what our culture says…or we can listen to what God says in Scripture about who He says we are and how we are to live.” - Stephen Mitchell (Christian Post)

 II. No One Seeks God. (Romans 3:11) 

1 Corinthians 12:3 – “…no one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except in the Holy Spirit.”

 III. No One Does Good. (Romans 3:12)

 IV. Our Words Give Us Away. (Romans 3:13-14)

Romans 10:9

 V. Our Anger Reveals our Hearts. (Romans 3:15-17)

 VI. We Cannot Earn God’s Approval. (Romans 3:19-20)

 VII. Our Righteousness is Jesus. (Romans 3:21-25)

1 Corinthians 16:22 – “If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed.”

Monthly Transformation Verse: Romans 5:8 - “God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Weekly Transformation Verse: Romans 3:23-24 - “…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”

Weekly Reading Plan: Romans 3:1-4:3; Psalm 40; 1 Corinthians 12

Going Deeper This Week 

1. Which would be a greater embarrassment: having your card denied at a restaurant or realizing you have no money at a cash-only restaurant? Explain. Why are we insufficient when it comes to going to heaven by our sincerity or trying?
2. Review the three “common teachings” from Sunday. Which one do you think is most dangerous? Which one deceived you the most?
3. Describe salvation to someone in the group as though they have never heard. Now describe some of the daily benefits and responsibilities of being saved in Jesus Christ.
4. Do you agree no one is good? Explain why. Review Matthew 22:37-39
5. In what ways should Paul’s teaching that God is the God of the Jews and the Gentiles (who deeply hated each other) affect the way that we relate to people groups around us and around the world? How should it affect our prayer lives? Our interaction in our city? Our giving to the church and to world missions? See Ephesians 2:8-16. Pray for real reconciliation between all people and the Lord.