THE SERIOUSNESS OF SIN  Romans 3:21 -28

·         The apostle Paul could probably be known as one of the most prolific writers of the Bible Paul is generally credited with writing 14 N.T. books, (Hebrews included), the majority of them rich in doctrine and practicality.

·         Romans is no exception -- we find here the doctrine of salvation quite clearly; that the law no longer has a hold on us, and that through simple faith (Romans 10:9), one may come to know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior Paul, in our text addresses the sin problem in no uncertain terms -- he sets forth the doctrine of grace quite clearly here

·        I want to look at some profound, yet simple trues dealing with the seriousness of sin -- many people turn their head at sin today; many people no longer view things as sins today that were considered such 20 years ago.The important thing is this -- SIN is SIN! You cannot rationalize it, or deny it without calling God a liar.

I.          THE MAGNITUDE OF OUR SIN — v. 23

A.Sin is universal -- ALL have sinned

B.Sin is inherited -- Psalm 51:5; 58:3

C.Sin is deadly-- Romans 6:23; James 1:15

Illustration: Cancer -- cruel disease; painful, unless treated aggressively will spread until death results

II.        THE MEASURE OF OUR SIN -- v. 23

A.     However good we think we are, God has news for us!

B.     However many have sinned is how many have come short!

C.  Many think works is sufficient

D.  Many think just being good is sufficient

E.  Many think that church attendance is sufficient

F.  Many think that being baptized is sufficient

G.  Many think that giving money to the church is sufficient

H.  Fact remains--ALL have come short of the glory of God!

III.       THE MEDIATOR FOR OUR SINS — v. 24-25

A. Many folks turning to many places for inward peace

B. Self help; psychics; buddah; the pope; talk shows

C. Bible says there is ONE mediator between God and men, the

    man Christ Jesus -- 1 Timothy 2:5

If you want total immunity from the prosecution of your sins, you  

MUST place your faith and trust in Jesus Christ and be saved.

E. You can’t perjure yourself, you can’t be tried twice -- when

you get saved, you have gotten total immunity

F. Not only is he our mediator, but he is our advocate -- our

defense attorney. I John 2:1-2

IV. THE MANNER OF FORGIVENESS OF OUR SINS  v. 27-28

A.     Spoke earlier of works -- we are saved UNTO good works,

      not by good works are we saved -- Eph. 2:10 -- notice Paul     

      addressed works AFTER the doctrine of salvation explained  

      in Ephesians 2:8-9

B. Not of keeping the law -- there is no law now, just grace

C. Paul*s conclusion -- v. 28

1. Man is saved (justified) by faith only, without any

deeds of the law

2. Justification is where the guilty is pronounced NOT

GUILTY by trusting in Jesus Christ for eternal life

·         Do you realize the magnitude of your sins today? Christian do you have sins that have spread like cancer and are pulling you down and away from God?

·         Lost person, do you realize that no matter what you do -- you can*t do enough to merit a home in Heaven?

·         Only one way -- our mediator, Jesus Christ -- He alone can grant the pardon for your sins -- 2 Cor. 5:17

·        Won*t you come today, take care of the sin in your life and be saved? Christian, come and address the sin that keeps you away from close fellowship with the Lord

Psalm 51:5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my

mother conceive me.

Psalm 58:3The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go

astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God

is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

James 1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth

sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between

God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

1 John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that

ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the

Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation

for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the

whole world.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ

Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we

should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that

not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any

man should boast.

2 Cor 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature:  

old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.