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"" "BAD NEWS, GOOD NEWS" (:18-3:20) (Romans 3:9-20) "TOTAL DEPRAVITY" (John MacArthur and Richard Mayhue) "RESPONDING TO AND " (Chuck Swindoll) (Romans 3:9-20) (Romans 3:9-20) The teaches what has been called total (or pervasive) depravity to describe the corruption John Stott Martin Luther got it right. "The principal point, therefore, of the Law in true Christian divinity is to make (Charles Ryrie) and pollution of sin passed down from . Total depravity emphasizes the devastating impact of sin on the person and covers three related concepts: (1) the pollution and corruption of all aspects of a men not better but worse; that is to say, it shows them their sin, that, by the knowledge thereof, they may be humbled, terrified, bruised and broken, and by this means may be driven to seek comfort, and so come to Fallen humanity's relation to a holy God. Because of the fall, original fellowship with person; (2) the complete inability of a person to please God, and (3) universality, in that all are In conclusion, how should we respond to Paul's devastating exposure of conceived and born as sinners. Together these show the abysmal state of unredeemed humanity, all of that blessed Seed [that is, Christ]." God was broken and our entire nature polluted. No one can do anything, even good, universal sin and guilt, as we read it [in the twenty-first] century? We should not whom are both unable and unwilling to glorify God. The Law was never given to save lives; the Law was given to reveal the sinfulness of sin. Like a physician's try to evade it by changing the subject and talking instead of the need for self- that can gain soteriological [saving] merit in God's sight. Therefore, total depravity is Total depravity does that mean that unsaved people always act as badly as possible. Nor does it MRI scan, the Law is the tool God uses to reveal the moral cancer consuming our souls. Fortunately, there's a unmeritoriousness before God because of 's corruption. mean that unsaved people cannot do relative acts of goodness. Unbelievers can do good things for esteem, or by blaming our behavior on our genes, nurturing, education or cure for the disease of sin. We must, however, accept the truth of our diagnosis. society, their friends, and their family. They can stop a fight, give to charity, perform life-saving surgery. society. It is an essential part of our dignity as human beings that, however much There are preachers today who don't want to focus on the negative side of Christian truth; that is, the The concept does not mean (1) that depraved people cannot or do not perform They can help a lost child find her parents. These acts have a relative goodness, which corresponds we may have been affected by negative influences, we are not their helpless terminal disease of sin. They prefer to remain focused only on the positive, which sounds wonderful on the actions that are good in either human or divine sight. But no such action can gain favor with what said: "If you then, who are , know how to give good gifts to your surface. But that's like a doctor who only likes to talk about pleasant things. I can't speak for you, but I don't for salvation. Neither does it mean (2) that fallen humanity has no conscience judging children . . ." (Matt. 7:11). victims, but rather responsible for our conduct. Our first response to Paul's go to my doctor for smiles and compliments. I want the truth—the plain, ugly, unvarnished truth—about my Concerning the first feature, sin is total or pervasive in that all components of a person are polluted indictment, then, should be to make it as certain as we possibly can that we between good and evil. But conscience has been affected by the fall so that it cannot body. If the doctor finds a tumor, I expect to know about it—right away. And if I have cancer, I want to know by sin. Just as smoke from a fire permeates everything in a room, the whole person is corrupted by sin. have ourselves accepted this divine diagnosis of our human condition as true, be a reliable guide. Nor does it mean (3) that people indulge in every form of sin or in No part of a man escapes. This includes both material and immaterial aspects of a person—body and that I have cancer. Especially if it's treatable! and that we have fled from the just judgment of God on our to the only any sin to the greatest extent possible. soul. The body decays and is headed for physical death, and along the way, the body functions as an If you want to know the truth about your moral health, read the Law. Start with the Ten Commandments. instrument for evil activity. The spiritual part of man is also fully corrupt. This includes all of man's refuge there is, namely Jesus Christ who died for our sins. For we have no merit Positively, total depravity means that corruption has extended to all aspects of Find one you haven't broken. As you read, don't be fooled into thinking, Well, I've only broken one or two, thinking, reason, desires, and affections. Thus Paul concludes, "To the defiled and unbelieving, to plead and no excuse to make. We too stand before God speechless and and not very often. I'm not as immoral as other people. It only takes one violation to make you sick with the human nature; total depravity means that because of such corruption we can do nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled" (Titus 1:15). Speaking of the disease of sin. God will not tolerate sin—any sin—in His presence, any more than you would tolerate the godless, Paul refers to "the futility of their minds" (Eph. 4:17). The heart is also debased; so Jeremiah condemned. Only then shall we be ready to hear the great "But now" of verse nothing to merit saving favor with God. presence of just one malignant tumor in your body. 17:9 says, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?" Jesus 21, as Paul begins to explain how God has intervened through Christ and his The Bible teaches this concept in many places. The mind is affected (Rom. 1:28; also teaches that it is from the heart that wicked deeds occur (Mark 7:21-23). On multiple occasions cross for our salvation. Just like a good oncologist, however, the Great Physician doesn't show us our guilt merely to bring shame. Eph, 4:18), the conscience is unclean (Heb. 9:14),the heart is deceitful (Jer. 17:9), and the Bible addresses both corrupt thinking and an evil heart. Paul said, "They are darkened in their He doesn't say, "SHAME ON YOU!" and leave us to die. The Lord offers us a 100 percent effective remedy. understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their Secondly, these chapters challenge us to share Christ with others. We And it's free for the asking. by nature humanity is subject to wrath (Eph. 2:3). hardness of heart" (Eph. 4:18). Also, sinful mankind "became futile in their thinking, and their foolish cannot monopolize the good news. All around us are men and women who If we glance a few pages ahead in the book of Romans, we find in 5:1, "Having been justified by faith, we God sent the flood as judgment on human hearts were darkened" (Rom. 1:21). John Calvin rightly stated, "We are so entirely controlled by the know enough of God's have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." In a letter to Christians in another church, Paul affirmed depravity (Gen. 6:5). Depravity is in the inner power of sin, that the whole mind, the whole heart, and all our actions are under its influence." glory and holiness to "By grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of ourselves, it is the gift of God" (Eph. 2:8). Second, sin is totalBiblical in that man is incapable of pleasing God on his own. Paul states, "For the mind being, root ofOverview evil actions (Mark 7:20-23). With a The only cure forPractical the disease of sin is a relationship with Jesus, who paid the complete penalty for our that is set on the flesh is hostile towards God, for he does not submit to make their rejection of string of OT quotations Paul also shows that it is God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please Challenginghim inexcusable. They wrongdoing on our behalf. The gift of freedom from sin has deep-seated, universal, and total (Rom. 3:9—18). God " (Rom. 8:7-8). And Jesus says, "Apart from me you can do been paid for by the Son of God, and it has been offered to too, like us, stand nothing" (John 15:5). each of us. To receive healing, we must believe the offer is true Augustine stressed that all were seminally Third, sin is universal in that all humans are sinners. First Kings 8:46 condemned. Their and then receive the gift. present in Adam and therefore sinned in him. declares, "For there is no one who does not sin." And :3 states, knowledge, their There is no magic formula, no scripted response you must Calvinists trace depravity to inherent corruption "They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is religion and their follow. But some have begun their relationship with God by none who does good, not even one." The entire section of Romans inherited from Adam as covenant representative. praying words similar to these: 1:18-3:20 is dedicated to showing that all people are sinners and unable righteousness cannot Arminian theology often strictly denies total to save themselves, concluding that ,"All have sinned and fall short of the save them. Only Christ Dear God, depravity, with the cross's prevenient grace glory of God" (Rom. 3:23). can. Their mouth is I know my sin has put a barrier between You and me. Thank You mitigating the guilt of original sin and the loss of for sending Your Son, Jesus, to pay the complete price for my Therefore, man's spiritual state is not one of relative neutrality, in closed in guilt; let our the will's freedom; in that case Adam's sin now which he is able to except or reject God and his gospel. He is an active sins as He died in my place. I trust in Jesus alone to forgive my mouth be opened in sins, and I accept His gift of eternal life. I ask Jesus to be my gives humanity a tendency toward sin but not a hater of God (Rom. 8:7) who cannot accept spiritual truth (1 Cor. 2:14). The total depravity of man demonstrates the absolute sovereignty of God testimony! Savior and to be the Lord of my life. I thank You for accepting sinful nature that prevents seeking God. in salvation. Man can do nothing. God must accomplish all as a gift of me as I am and for Your commitment to make me the person I sovereign grace. long to be. In Jesus'name, amen. September 21, 2020 7:00

2400 Gospel Opportunities

Romans: The Righteousness of God The Roman Church GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS… 1. The Roman church was not Valued Needed Imputed Developed Validated Demonstrated started by Paul. It is likely made up of converts from Pentecost who later returned to Rome (Acts 2:10).

2. Tensions between Christian andAD non-Christian 49-54 increased until Claudius expelled all Jews in 49 AD. 3. All Jews were allowed to return to the city in 54 AD; but the tensions remained.

4. The church in Rome grew Unity (15:1-13) significantly with leaders such as , Priscilla & Aquilla, perhaps Mark and later (after the letter) Peter. 5. Paul is writing to this church in order to establish a home baseAD connection 56-57 for his mis- sion work in Spain. 6. Paul is likely in Corinth when he writes Romans after : The Father of Faith Abraham: The Father The Condemnation of the Jews God's Past Relationship to Israel The Fruits of Righteousness The Fruits Righteous Living in the World:

gathering a collection to Relationship to Israel God's Future Righteous Living in the Church: The Condemnation of the Gentiles God's Present Relationship to Israel God's Present God's Righteousness through Faith God's Righteousness through The Condemnation of All Humanity take to the church Christ God's Righteousness through (cp. 15:26-28; Acts 20:1-3). Salutation and Greeting Epistolary Prescript: Thanksgiving for a Faithful Reputation Thanksgiving for a Faithful Paul's Prayer and Desire to Visit Rome to Visit Paul's Prayer and Desire Righteous Living with Weaker Brothers: Righteous Living with Weaker Liberty (14:1-12) Peace (14:13-23) Liberty (14:1-12) Peace The Triumph of Grace over the Power of Sin the Power of Grace over The Triumph The Triumph of Grace over the Power of Law the Power of Grace over The Triumph Spiritual Gifts (12:1-8) Relationships (12:9-21) Spiritual Citizens (13:1-7) Neighbors (13:8-14) Imputation: Adam - Sin / Christ Righteousness THEOLOGY IN ROMANS and Benediction Greetings Personal Epistolary Postscript: The Triumph of Grace in the Power of the Holy Spirit of Grace in the Power The Triumph The Righteousness of God through Faith The Righteousness of God through 1. Natural Revelation (1:19-20) 3 3 4 5 5 1:1-7 1:8 1:9-15 1:16-17 1:18-32 2:1-3:8 3:9-20 6:1-23 7:1-22 8:1-39 9:1-33 10:1-21 11:1-33 12:1-21 13:1-14 14:1-15:13 15:14-16:27 2. Hamartiology - sin (3:9-20) 21-26 27-31 1-25 1-11 12-21 3. Justification (3:21-24;4:25) Salutation Sin Salvation Sanctification Security Service 4. (3:25) 5. Justification by Faith (4:1-25) 6. Original Sin (5:12) Probatio Peroratio Narratio Exordium Postscript 7. Union with Christ (6:1-10) Prescript Propositio 8. Life in the Spirit (8:1-39) Paul wrote to the believers in Rome setting forth a clear, systematic, and compelling presentation of the gospel 9. Election/Sovereignty (9-11) message which he proclaimed–A Righteousness of God which comes through Faith in Christ–in order to unite the 10. Spiritual Gifts (12:3-8) church in preparation for his visit, and gain their support as he travelled to take the gospel to Spain. 11. Christian Liberty (14:1-15:13) Ken Wilson 2020 Paul now closes the first major part of his argument with an indictment, grounded in scripture, of every human being.

Frank Theilman Paul has exposed in succession the blatant unrighteousness of much of the ancient Gentile world (1:18-32), the hypocritical righteousness of moralizers (2:1-16), and the confidence self righteousness of Jewish people, whose anomaly is that they boast of God's law but break it (2:17-3:8). So now he arraigns and condemns the whole human race. John Stott The Conclusion: Guilty as Charged What then? Are we better than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin Romans 3:9 The Conclusion: Guilty as Charged • Universal - Everyone is under sin. • Hamartiology - The Doctrine of Sin • Total Depravity - Every Aspect Contaminated Romans 3:9 Paul does not say that all people "commit sins,” as if you're doing things contrary to God's will is just an occasional problem. Nor does he even say that all people are “sinners," suggesting that sin is a pervasive problem. Rather, he says that all people are "under sin.” Paul uses this kind of language to speak of a situation of domination or even slavery.

Doug Moo DEFINITION RESULTS (Meaning) Hamartiology (Consequences) Summary The Doctrine of Sin 1. Immediately - sin brings Sin is any failure to conform to the INTER-DEPENDENT pain, alienation and conflict moral law of God in act, attitude, - Gen. 3:8-24. or nature (1 Jn 3:4). In these 2. Imputation - we are guilty ways we fall short of God’s glory and separated from God - (Rom. 3:23) and break relation- Rom. 5:12-21. ship with Him. IMPUTATION OF SIN INHERITANCE OF SIN 3. Inheritance - We sin and are sinners - Ps. 51:5. (Guilt through Adam) (Nature through Parents) 4. Death both physical and Old Testament Words spiritual is a central conse- af*j** “Imputation” Defined Scriptural Support quence of sin - Gen. 2:15; Chata - to hit the wrong mark Rom. 5:12-13; Eph. 2:1-3. ur* A Latin term used to reflect the meaning of Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 5. When a Christians sins his Ra - inferior, wicked, injurious the greek word ⌦μ⇤⌦ - logizomai - mean- Ephesians 2:3b legal standing before God uv*p* ing “to reckon”, or “charge to one’s account”. Surely I was sinful at birth, does not change (Rom 8:1) Pasha - revolt, rebelion sinful from the time my mother conceived me. but fellowship is broken /w)u* :5 Three Biblical Imputations (1 Jn 3:21) & discipline is Awon - crooked, iniquity, guilt Even from birth the wicked go astray; a response of a loving God gg*v* 1. Adam’s sin imputed to all - Rom. 5:12-21 from the womb they are wayward and speak lies. Shagag - to err, go astray, sin Psalm 58:3 (Heb. 12:6-10). inadvertantly 2. Man’s sin imputed to Christ - 2 Cor. 5:19 6. A believer living in persis- uv*r* 3. Christ’s righteousness imputed to believers tent sin is in danger of Rasha - wickedness, guilty - Rom. 5:12-21; 2 Cor. 5:21 Extent of Corruption physical death. One par- hu*t* ticular sin is not defined Taah - to wander, go astray Four Views of Imputation Every part of our being is affected by sin. Our here (1 Jn. 5:16-17). intellect, emotions, desires and will are corrupt. 7. The “unpardonable sin” 1. No imputation from Adam. Each man is Words Our heart - the center of desire and decision - is seems to be a specific case free and only guilty because of his own sin. desperately corrupt - Jer. 17:9. There is nothing of malicious and willful re- ⇤μ⇤⇣✓⌦⇤* 2. The tendency to sin is inherited from Adam. good in us that merits God’s favor - Rom. 7:18. jection of the work of the Harmatia - sin, missing the mark Each man is guilty because of his own sin. Holy Spirit through Christ ↵⇤↵⇥ 1. Intellect Blinded - 2 Cor. 4:4 Kakas - bad, moral wrong 3. Every person is seminally present in & attributing it to Satan 2. Mind depraved - Rom. 1:21, 28 (Mt. 12:31-32). It may ✏ ⇣⇥ Adam and thus guilty. Poneros - evil, moral evil 4. Adam is a representative of the human race and 3. Understanding inhibited - Eph. 4:18 have only been possible ⇤⌘⌥⌅⌥⌦⇤ we are guilty because of his sin - Rom. 5:12-21. 4. Conscience corrupted - Titus 1:15 when Christ was on earth. Asebea - godless, apostate 5. Will enslaved - Rom. 6:20 ⌥⇧⇥ Objections Answered Enochos - guilt, worthy of death 6. Total Being Sinful - Rom. 1:18-3:20 REMEDY ⇤⌃⇤↵⌦⇤ 1. Without imputation we would still be Adakia - unrighteousness guilty because of our own personal sin(s). (Solution) ⇤⇤μ⇥ 2. Without the pattern of imputation of sin Total Depravity Anomos - lawless, iniquity ✏⇤⇤⌅⇤✓ ⇥ from Adam established the imputation of Sinfulness extends to each & every person 1. The remedy for the guilt of Parabates - transgressor, sinner Christ’s righteousness would be unfair. (Rom. 3:23) and effects every aspect of his being imputed sin is receiving the 3. The doctrine of imputation demonstrates ✏⇤⇤◆ (Rom. 7:18) so that nothing he does - either righteousness of Christ Planao - to go astray, wander both the wisdom and grace of God. through faith - Eph. 2:4-10; ✏⇤⇣⇤✏✓◆μ⇤ 4. The doctrine of imputation does not good or bad - merits the favor of God or meets Rom. 5:12-21. Paraptoma - step over the line deny personal freedom. God’s standard of holiness. 2. The remedy for personal sin is confession - 1 Jn 1:9. Total Depravity No one is as bad as he or she might be while on the other hand no action of ours is as good as it should be. J.I. Packer Total Depravity •We are not as totally bad as we can be but… Our total being (every aspect) is effected. •We are not totally unaware of right and wrong but… We are not totally reliable to determine it. •We are not as totally incapable of good deeds but… Our good deeds total nothing before God.

Charles Ryrie In my career, I've had just about every age, race, nationality, size, and religion represented on my corners table. When you cut them open and look inside, they all look the same. And, let me assure you, it's never pretty.

Funeral Director The Proof: Scripture is Clear • Ignoring God (3:10-12) • Abusing Others (3:13-17) • No Fear of God (3:18) Romans 3:10-18 The Proof: Ignoring God as it is written, Psalm 14:1-3 “There is none righteous, not even one; There is none who understands, There is none who seeks for God; :20 All have turned aside, together they have become useless; There is none who does good, There is not even one.” Romans 3:10-12 Turned aside, steered around (εξέκιναν) The idea here is more of steering around God. Paul is affirming that man kind does not simply not actively seek God, but they even actively seek to avoid Him and go another way. We must, of course, remember that the standard by which our righteousness is measured it's not merely the goodness of a very good person, but the unblemished, perfect character of God.

Chuck Swindoll The Proof: Abusing Others

Their throat is an open grave, Psalm 5:9 With their tongues they keep deceiving,” “The poison of asps is under their lips”; :3 “Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness”; :7 “Their feet are swift to shed blood, Destruction and misery are in their paths, And the path of peace they have not known.” 59:7-8 Romans 3:13-17 When this context is coupled with the reference to burial (τάφος) and spewing cobra poison (ἰὸς ἀσπίδων) in 3:13, it becomes clear that Paul measures the depth of human sinfulness by describing speech that produces real suffering, especially on the weak and needy.

Frank Theilman The Proof: No Fear of God

Psalm 36:1 There is no fear of God before their eyes.

Romans 3:18 Sinful humanity acts so viciously because they do not take into account the existence and character of God— that He is present, sees their actions, and comes to the defense of those who take refuge in him. Frank Theilman The Verdict: Case Closed Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God; Romans 3:19 The Verdict: Case Closed

•Nothing to Say (3:19a) •Accountable to God (3:19b)

Romans 3:19 The terminology of this clause reflects the imagery of the courtroom. Paul pictures God both as the one offended and as the judge who weighs the evidence and pronounces the verdict.

Doug Moo All human beings, of every race and rank, of every creed and culture, Jews and Gentiles, the immoral and the moralizing, the religious and the religious, are without any exception sinful, guilty, inexcusable and speechless before God.

John Stott The Lesson: Following the Rules Does Not Save because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin. Romans 3:20 The Lesson: Following the Rules Does Not Save

•The Law Cannot Save. (3:20a) •The Law Reveals Our Sin. (3:20b)

Romans 3:19 The principal point, therefore, of the Law in true Christian divinity is to make men not better but worse; that is to say, it shows them their sin, that, by the knowledge thereof, they may be humbled, terrified, bruised and broken, and by this means may be driven to seek comfort, and so come to that blessed Seed [that is, Christ].

Martin Luther The Lord never gave the law with the expectation that anyone would keep it. He knew the outcome from the beginning because He recognized what we ourselves refuse to see: humanity—Jew and Gentile alike —is lost a sin. Not sins, the things we have done but sin, what we have become, inside and out, through and through. Chuck Swindoll The scripture shows that everyone is under the power of sin and answerable to God for his or her unrighteous behavior. Sin cuts across all social boundaries and affects every aspect of individual human existence. The law does not release human beings from sin’s power; it only shows that even Jews are sinful and, apart from the gospel, stand (like everyone else) condemned before God. Frank Theilman This entire section is the most unpleasant section of the book, dealing with condemnation; but it is most necessary. If there is no sin, if the race is not lost, then what in the world is the Gospel all about? Allen Ross Guilty

The astonishing reality of sin leaves us guilty before a Holy God.

Romans 1:18-3:8 NEXT STEPS

Reject religious performance as a means of salvation.

Embrace a deep view of human sinfulness.

Praise God for his abundant grace.