Reformation
October 30, 2005
Romans 3:19-28
Living By Works or Faith?
INTRODUCTION: It is told that upon reading St. Paul’s letter to the Romans that Martin Luther finally got it. He discovered the answer for which he had been searching. How does a man get right with God? Is it by works or by faith? Let’s see how Luther was drawn to the Gospel message of grace as Paul speaks to us this morning.
The problem of getting right with God.
I. The whole world is involved - Romans 3:23-24
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;
A. All have sinned. No one is exempt.
B. Redemption is a free gift!
II. The whole world stands accountable to God. - Romans 3:19
19 Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, that every mouth may be closed, and all the world may become accountable to God;
A. The Law speaks
1. Curb
2. Mirror
3. Ruler
B. It condemns us before God
1. We are under its curse
2. It crushes us
III. The inability of the Law to reconcile – Romans 3:20
20 because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law {comes} the knowledge of sin.
A. The Law can only show us the knowledge of sin
B. Therefore no one can be justified by means of following the Law.
IV. Reconciliation therefore is a gift. – Romans 3:23-24
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;
A. It comes through the redemption which is in Jesus Christ
B. Therefore it is a gift given freely by God.
V. This gift of God is made possible only by grace. – Romans 3:25
25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. {This was} to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed;
A. He passed over sins previously committed.
B. It is a sacrifice that satisfies and angry and offended God
C. God is now appeased – Christ has compensated for us.
D. Saving faith looks to Jesus Christ in His sacrificial death for us. “faith in his blood”
VI. It is necessary for faith to appropriate the gifts. Romans 3:28
28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.
A. When Luther translated this verse into German he added the word “alone”
B. Faith is not man’s contribution or decision, but a gift of God.
CONCLUSION: What more could be said then to add what Paul has stated in Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, {it is} the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast.”
