The Religion Debate
Romans 3:1-2
September 30, 2007
Last Sunday we concluded Paul’s chapter on
“Exposing False Security”.
Paul revealed that if you are trusting in:
Your Moral Goodness
Your Ancestry
Your Knowledge
Your Ministry
Your Works (circumcision)
For your salvation, then you have a false assurance.
NONE OF THOSE THINGS ARE INDICATORS OF SALVATION
And Paul made no bones about saying so.
He concluded that chapter with a wonderful summation of his point.
Romans 2:28-29 “For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.”
If you missed the point throughout the chapter,
You would have been hard pressed to miss it there.
IN REGARD TO SALVATION,
God does not require religion, God requires righteousness.
God is not looking at the flesh, God is looking at the heart.
Paul concluded that section with that strong statement.
However, just because Paul concluded the section,
That doesn’t mean we are finished talking about it.
For now Paul assumes there is an argument coming.
Paul assumes that people are going to disagree
With not only those final two verses, but most likely all of chapter 2.
And the first (of 4) arguments against his preaching
Is one that Paul commonly dealt with.
We will call it “The Religion Debate”.
There was continually an argument posed at Paul
As to just how valuable religion really was.
Paul continually cut the legs out from under legalism.
If you thought you were saved because of something you did,
Paul always seemed to have your number.
Paul reminded the Jews that it didn’t matter how religious they were, they were not pleasing to God based upon their religion.
AND PAUL WAS CONSTANTLY CONFRONTED ABOUT THAT.
Perhaps you will remember why the Jews
Sought to arrest him, and put him to death.
Acts 21:17-22 “After we arrived in Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. And the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. After he had greeted them, he began to relate one by one the things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. And when they heard it they began glorifying God; and they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed, and they are all zealous for the Law; and they have been told about you, that you are teaching all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs. “What, then, is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come.”
Then later,
Acts 21:27-28 “When the seven days were almost over, the Jews from Asia, upon seeing him in the temple, began to stir up all the crowd and laid hands on him, crying out, “Men of Israel, come to our aid! This is the man who preaches to all men everywhere against our people and the Law and this place; and besides he has even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.”
They had labeled Paul as one who preached against all of Judaism.
“against our people, and the Law and this place”
He was removing their false assurance of religion,
And they took it personally.
As the Romans read this letter,
They had either heard these arguments,
Or it was only a matter of time.
We will look at the first this morning: “The Religion Debate”.
Let’s look at it in three ways.
#1 THE MISCONCEPTION
Romans 3:1
Here is the first of four misconceptions that the people had.
They accused Paul of teaching
That there was absolutely no value in Judaism
(and all that it entails) or circumcision.
Every time Paul preached, they quickly passed him off as an anti-Semitist.
Paul was just against the Jews.
And that is revealed through their sarcastic question here.
“Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the benefit of circumcision?”
Certainly they had certain Scriptures
Pulled up in the back of their minds.
Deuteronomy 10:15 “Yet on your fathers did the LORD set His affection to love them, and He chose their descendants after them, even you above all peoples, as it is this day.”
Exodus 19:4-6 “You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings, and brought you to Myself. ‘Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel.”
Zechariah 2:8 “For thus says the LORD of hosts, “After glory He has sent me against the nations which plunder you, for he who touches you, touches the apple of His eye.”
Or in regard to circumcision.
Genesis 17:10 “This is My covenant, which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: every male among you shall be circumcised.”
And I think you get the point.
They had been taught that being a circumcised Jew
Was what made them different.
Being a circumcised Jew was what made them pleasing.
And now this Paul comes about,
And starts preaching that all of that is insignificant.
And so here they challenge him.
“Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the benefit of circumcision?”
You can hear their scorn.
But let’s look for a second at exactly what Paul did teach.
We’ve already studied chapter 2, so we won’t go back there in detail,
BUT LOOK AT WHAT HE HAS PREACHED OTHER PLACES.
1 Corinthians 7:18-20 “Was any man called when he was already circumcised? He is not to become uncircumcised. Has anyone been called in uncircumcision? He is not to be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but what matters is the keeping of the commandments of God. Each man must remain in that condition in which he was called.”
Galatians 5:1-6 “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you. And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law. You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.”
These two churches make good illustrations of what Paul taught.
• Primarily Gentile Churches
• Had already heard the gospel
• By in large were saved
Paul writes to them in order to say,
There is now no benefit in becoming Jewish.
To the Corinthians, he said,
If you are a Jew; fine. If you are a Gentile; fine.
“but what matters is the keeping of the commandments of God.”
Then to the Galatian church.
If they think circumcision is going make them “more” saved,
Then they are throwing Christ aside in order to be saved by their works.
What Paul taught there, he taught everywhere.
THERE IS NO SAVING VALUE TO WORKS
And this wasn’t just Paul.
Peter (when the matter came before Jerusalem)
Acts 15:10-11 “Now therefore why do you put God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? “But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they also are.”
James
Acts 15:19-20 “Therefore it is my judgment that we do not trouble those who are turning to God from among the Gentiles, but that we write to them that they abstain from things contaminated by idols and from fornication and from what is strangled and from blood.”
THERE IS NO SAVING VALUE TO WORKS
BUT PAUL ALSO TAUGHT
WORKS DO NOT GET YOU CLOSER TO GOD.
Galatians 3:1-9 “You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain — if indeed it was in vain? So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? Even so Abraham BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS. Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “ALL THE NATIONS WILL BE BLESSED IN YOU.” So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.”
AT CRAWFORD: The youth through “Lent”
The idea was: to get closer to God through sacrifice.
THAT IS ABSOLUTE NONSENSE
DID YOU COME TO GOD THROUGH WORKS? (no)
THEN WHY DO YOU EXPECT TO GET CLOSER TO GOD THROUGH WORKS?
You get close to God, the same way you initially came to God
FAITH.
Hebrews 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.”
And this is what Paul continually taught,
Especially in regard to the regulations of Judaism,
And circumcision.
Religious works (even Judaism) do not get you to God,
Nor do they get you closer to God.
And it is that teaching that people are arguing with Paul about.
AND THEY STILL DO TODAY.
People today still think that if they go to church,
They are more pleasing, than if they didn’t go to church.
People today still think that if they read their Bible,
They are more pleasing, than if they didn’t read their Bible.
And when you step up and tell them that there is no saving value
They scoff just like these Jews.
WHY DO THEY SCOFF?
#2 THE MOTIVE
Romans 3:1
We won’t stay here long,
But it is important to understand why people hold such views,
And why they are so angry with Paul over exposing them.
WHY DO PEOPLE ARGUE WITH PAUL’S TEACHING?
Because they like a “works based” salvation.
Because then they get the glory for their salvation.
If you can do something to get yourself saved,
Then you get the glory for getting saved.
And the legalistic Jews were no different.
Remember the Pharisee?
Luke 18:11-12 “The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. ‘I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’”
And not only do they get the glory for earning salvation,
But continuing in those deeds causes them to suppose
They are closer to God than other people.
WE DO THIS
Wednesday night people are closer to God than Sunday night people…
Sunday night people are closer to God than Sunday morning people…
SO WE THINK
So did the Jews.
Remember how Paul said they viewed themselves?
Romans 2:17-20 “But if you bear the name “Jew” and rely upon the Law and boast in God, and know His will and approve the things that are essential, being instructed out of the Law, and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of the immature, having in the Law the embodiment of knowledge and of the truth,”
Not only did they pat themselves on the back for getting saved,
But they were certain that their religiosity made them closer to God.
Then Paul comes preaching in such a way
As to pull the rug right out from under them,
IT IS NO WONDER THEY TOOK ISSUE WITH HIM.
“Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the benefit of circumcision?”
That was their argument.
Now let’s hear Paul’s answer.
#3 THE MESSAGE
Romans 3:2
When they wanted to know the advantage or the benefit of their religion, look at what Paul says.
“Great in every respect.”
That seems like that goes against
What Paul has been teaching everywhere else.
It even seems to contradict what he just said in chapter two.
“What advantage has the Jew? What is the benefit of circumsion?”
“Great in every respect.”
Not only is there a great advantage,
But it is a great advantage in every respect.
AND THERE IS THE KEY WORD
“advantage”
THERE IS NO SAVING VALUE IN BEING A JEW
OR IN BEING CIRCUMCISED,
BUT ONE WHO IS A JEW OR WHO IS CIRCUMCISED
HAS AN ADVANTAGE IN REGARD TO ACHIEVING SALVATION
OVER SOMEONE WHO ISN’T JEWISH.
And then Paul gets specific.
“First of all, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God.”
There are many advantages to being a circumcised Jew,
Paul lists their advantage in even more detail in chapter 9.
Romans 9:3-5 “For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh, who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons, and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple service and the promises, whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.”
BUT THE BIGGEST ADVANTAGE
IS ACCESS TO THE WORD OF GOD.
An uncircumcised Gentile had no access to the word of God.
Jews could go to Synagogue
Jews could enter the temple
And we all know how important the word of God is
In regard to salvation don’t we?
Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”
Romans 10:14-15 “How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!”
2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”
If you have two lost men that you want to get saved, and only one of those two lost men has access to the word of God, which one has the advantage?
The Jews had the Scriptures
All of the Old Testament is filled with Jesus.
John 5:39 “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me;”
A circumcised Jew had a definite advantage
Over anyone else in regard to finding the true salvation of God.
Of course the problem was they didn’t make use of that advantage.
Romans 10:16-21 “However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, “LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. But I say, surely they have never heard, have they? Indeed they have; “THEIR VOICE HAS GONE OUT INTO ALL THE EARTH, AND THEIR WORDS TO THE ENDS OF THE WORLD.” But I say, surely Israel did not know, did they? First Moses says, “I WILL MAKE YOU JEALOUS BY THAT WHICH IS NOT A NATION, BY A NATION WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING WILL I ANGER YOU.” And Isaiah is very bold and says, “I WAS FOUND BY THOSE WHO DID NOT SEEK ME, I BECAME MANIFEST TO THOSE WHO DID NOT ASK FOR ME.” But as for Israel He says, “ALL THE DAY LONG I HAVE STRETCHED OUT MY HANDS TO A DISOBEDIENT AND OBSTINATE PEOPLE.”
Hearing the word of God didn’t make them saved, but it certainly gave them greater opportunity to be saved, then not hearing it.
AND HERE IS THE POINT.
You may know right from wrong…
You may have Christian parents…
You may have Bible knowledge…
You may be involved in ministry…
You may have tons of good works…
None of those things means you are saved,
But all of those things do give you a distinct advantage
In finding the salvation of God.
IF YOU READ CHAPTER TWO, OR LISTENED TO THESE SERMONS,
AND THOUGHT TO YOURSELF:
“I knew I didn’t have to go to church” or
“I’m just as good as those people who go all the time.”
YOU MISSED THE POINT.
Attending church faithfully doesn’t automatically closer to God.
But it sure gives you an advantage over those who don’t.
I’VE ALWAYS HATED THE ARGUMENT
“You don’t have to go to church to be a Christian.”
That’s true,
But if you are serious about learning how to live like a Christian,
And finding encouragement to live like a Christian,
And finding opportunity to grow in Christianity.
Name me one place better to be.
I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH A GIRL
Inviting her to church, she wouldn’t because she was too confused.
“Do you think you will find the answers by skipping church?”
Christian parents don’t automatically make you closer to God.
But they sure give you an advantage over those who don’t.
Remember Timothy?
2 Timothy 1:5 “For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well.”
Remember what God told Moses?
Exodus 20:5-6 “You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.”
That is not to say that if your grand-daddy feared God
You have nothing to worry about,
Nor is it say that if your grand-daddy was a worthless fellow
That there is no hope for you.
BUT I’LL PROMOTE GODLY PARENTS OVER UNGODLY ONES ANY DAY OF THE WEEK.
Don’t get legalistic
Thinking you are saved because you did something,
But don’t get lazy either.
AND THAT IS PAUL’S POINT.
They accused Paul of devaluing religion altogether.
That is not true.
Religion has value, just not to save.
It has value in making you aware of what it takes to be saved.
THE FACT REMAINS:
Only Jesus is the way of salvation.
Only Jesus died upon a cross to satisfy the wrath of God.
Only Jesus rose from the dead putting an end to it’s power.
Only Jesus can save.
John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”
But don’t stop going to church, or reading your Bible
Those things cannot save you,
But those things can expose you to Jesus,
Who is the only One who can.
Romans 5:8-9 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.”
