Sermon by Pastor Robert Green, Reformation Sunday, 10/30/16, No. 1214, Ascension Evangelical Lutheran Church, Harrisburg, PA, based on Romans 3:19-28
Romans 3:19-28 (NIV84) “Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. 20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. 21 But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished -- 26 he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. 27 Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith. 28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.”
Sermon helps: Use the following as best serves you to aid in listening to the sermon.
Telic note (the key points God is teaching in the reading): No one will ever be right before God by doing anything or keeping any rule or law. God demands perfect holiness from a person, which means to be without a single sin. God gives what he demands for through faith in Christ he gives or credits the righteousness of Jesus to the believer.
Sad/Law (As I look at myself, what makes me sad about this reading, where do I see God’s law condemning my sin): Man believes there is no free lunch and reasons there can be no free forgiveness and no free salvation, which means each person must somehow earn or deserve God’s mercy. This demeans God’s grace and mercy. That is impossible for mercy, for by definition is not earned, otherwise it is not mercy, but simply repayment for something earned.
Glad/Gospel (What gives me joy in this reading, where do I see God’s love and forgiveness): God grants us forgiveness and salvation freely without condition. In his grace he makes us pure and holy, righteous, in his sight purely by the grace that came to us through the redemption and sacrifice of Christ. God makes it clear this is his free gift for through faith he declares completely pure and holy.
PCWS intro:It is the gospel of Jesus Christ that brings true freedom. This promise of forgiveness and resurrection to eternal life comes only through a righteousness found in the Savior. This righteousness sets the soul free from slavery, free to serve God. Hold to these teachings, and “you will be free indeed.”
PCWS:ROMANS 3:19-28 In Paul’s letter to the Romans, he writes of both Law and Gospel. He writes of God’s anger against sin and God’s righteousness given through Jesus. Here, at this transitional point, is the promise of Jesus’ righteousness and the freedom he brings. Yes, freedom from sin and freedom to live in all righteousness comes to us who live by faith. We have been declared innocent, and no law will shackle us again. Now we live for him who has set us free.
PCW intro:What a gift God gave to his Church through the Lutheran Reformation! The bright light of God's "new covenant," his saving grace in Jesus Christ, pierced through the darkness of law-oppressed religion. As sons and daughters of the Lutheran reformation, we both preserve this truth and share it with the world.
PCW:Romans 3: 19-28 The "righteousness from God, apart from the law" mentioned in this lesson shows us the proper understanding of how a person is saved. Righteousness comes only "through faith in Jesus Christ."
Worship helps:Reformation – October 24, 2016
2016/10/24/in Devotions, Worship Helps
Grace Alone, Faith Alone, Scripture Alone
These are the readings for Reformation.
God’s Word for This Week
By grace alone, by faith alone, by Scripture alone–these are the three “watchwords” of God reforming his church.
First Lesson – Jeremiah 31:31-34 – Grace Alone
God says to Israel that he will make a new covenant with them. Where will he write that covenant? (See 31:33.)
God promised to write his covenant in believers’ hearts and minds. (His main concern is our insides–our attitudes, beliefs, etc.–not merely our appearance.)
The heart of God’s new covenant is found in 31:34. What does God graciously do for you and me?
God forgives our sins and remembers them no more.
Second Lesson – Romans 3:19-28 – Faith Alone
Paul first points out the main purposes of God’s law. What are those purposes? (See 3:19‒20).
God did not give us his law to work our way to heaven. He means it to remove all our rationalizations and excuses. (“What do you have to say for yourself?” Silence) God’s law is a mirror, showing clearly our ugly sin, showing that we cannot save ourselves.
There is righteousness. Whose is it? From where does it come? (See 3:21‒22.)
Perfect righteousness before God is God’s. It comes from God. It is not from us.
We have fallen woefully short, but we are also justified, innocent in God’s courtroom. Why? How? (See 3:24.)
Our justification is free, by God’s grace, through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God piles up descriptives to say, “This is my work, my work, my work, not your work.”
Gospel John 8:31-36 – Scripture alone
What does Jesus say is the mark of his disciples? (See 8:31.)
One of the marks of Jesus’ disciples is that they hold on tightly to God’s Word.
What blessing does God give as we hold on tightly to the word? (See 8:32.)
We will know the truth, and the truth sets us free.
God has blessed you with full freedom in Christ. How does knowing that it comes from the Word lead us to re-prioritize our lives?
What joy! God’ Word brings us freedom. Knowing that freedom from sin and death comes from God’s holy Word motivates me to keep focused on the Word. I want to keep hearing it, reading it, and studying it. God brings me great blessings through it.
First Sunday, End Times, 1998 Jeremiah 31:31-34.110; 2001 Romans 3:19-28.280; 2004 John 8:31-36.448; 2007 Romans 3:19-28.642; 2010Jeremiah 31:31-34.839; 2013 John 8:31-36.1028; 2016 Romans 3:19-28.1214
Jeremiah 31:31-34 "The time is coming," declares the LORD, "when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. 32 It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them," declares the LORD. 33 "This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time," declares the LORD. "I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34 No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, `Know the LORD,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest," declares the LORD. "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." (NIV)
Psalm 46:1-11 For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. According to [alamoth.] A song. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. [Selah] 4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. 5 God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. 6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. 7 The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. [Selah] 8 Come and see the works of the LORD, the desolations he has brought on the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields with fire. 10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." 11 The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. [Selah] (NIV)
John 8:31-36 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."33 They answered him, "We are Abraham's descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?"34 Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (NIV)
Exegesis by Pastor Robert Green of Romans 3:19-28 (USB84)
.
19Οἴδαμενδὲὅτιὅσαὁνόμοςλέγειτοῖςἐντῷνόμῳλαλεῖ, ἵναπᾶνστόμαφραγῇκαὶὑπόδικοςγένηταιπᾶςὁκόσμοςτῷθεῷ·
Word or phrase / Vocable form and meaning / SignificanceΟἴδαμενδὲὅτιὅσαὁνόμος / Pres we know; conn mild adv but; content of knowledge that; whatever; the law;
λέγειτοῖςἐντῷνόμῳλαλεῖ / pres says; dat indir obj to those; prep in the sphere of the law; pres it says
ἵναπᾶνστόμαφραγῇ / Purpose clause so that; every; mouth; aor subj pass to shut;
καὶὑπόδικοςγένηται / Conn and; liable to judgment-legal term to answer to; aor subj to be
πᾶςὁκόσμοςτῷθεῷ· / All; the world; dat to God
But we know that whatever the law says, it says to those in the sphere of the law, so that every mouth may be accountable and be liable all the world to God. 19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. 19Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.
20διότιἐξἔργωννόμουοὐδικαιωθήσεταιπᾶσασὰρξἐνώπιοναὐτοῦ, διὰγὰρνόμουἐπίγνωσιςἁμαρτίας.
Word or phrase / Vocable form and meaning / Significanceδιότιἐξἔργωννόμου / Reason why because; prep from; works of the law
οὐδικαιωθήσεταιπᾶσασὰρξ / Neg; fut pass to be declared righteous-legal term; all flesh
ἐνώπιοναὐτοῦ, διὰγὰρνόμου / Before him; reason why for; prep w gen through; law
ἐπίγνωσιςἁμαρτίας. / To recognize have knowledge of sins
Because from works of the law all flesh will not be declared righteous before him, for through the law is knowledge of sins. 20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. 20Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.
21Νυνὶδὲχωρὶςνόμουδικαιοσύνηθεοῦπεφανέρωταιμαρτυρουμένηὑπὸτοῦνόμουκαὶτῶνπροφητῶν,
Word or phrase / Vocable form and meaning / SignificanceΝυνὶδὲχωρὶςνόμουδικαιοσύνη / Adv now; but; apart ; law; a righteousness
θεοῦπεφανέρωταιμαρτυρουμένη / Gen subj From God; perf pass to make known; pres pass to testify to
ὑπὸτοῦνόμουκαὶτῶνπροφητῶν / Prep through or under the law and the prophets
But now apart from the law righteousness of God has been made known which is testified to through the law and the prophets. 21 But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 21But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.
22δικαιοσύνηδὲθεοῦδιὰπίστεωςἸησοῦΧριστοῦεἰςπάνταςτοὺςπιστεύοντας. οὐγάρἐστινδιαστολή,
Word or phrase / Vocable form and meaning / Significanceδικαιοσύνηδὲθεοῦ / A righteousness; but; gen obj of God
διὰπίστεωςἸησοῦΧριστοῦ / Gen through faith in Christ Jesus
εἰςπάνταςτοὺςπιστεύοντας / Prep in all; def w ptc to believe
οὐγάρἐστινδιαστολή, / Neg; reason why; pres to be; distinction
And righteousness from God through faith in Jesus Christ in all the one believing, for there is no difference 22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 22This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile,
23πάντεςγὰρἥμαρτονκαὶὑστεροῦνταιτῆςδόξηςτοῦθεοῦ
Word or phrase / Vocable form and meaning / Significanceπάντεςγὰρἥμαρτον / Reason why for; all; aor to sin
καὶὑστεροῦνταιτῆςδόξηςτοῦθεοῦ / And; pres mid to miss to fail to reach; the glory of God
for all have sinned and fail to reach the glory of God. 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
24δικαιούμενοιδωρεὰντῇαὐτοῦχάριτιδιὰτῆςἀπολυτρώσεωςτῆςἐνΧριστῷἸησοῦ·
Word or phrase / Vocable form and meaning / Significanceδικαιούμενοιδωρεὰντῇαὐτοῦχάριτι / Ptc to be declared justified; freely by gift; dat of means by the grace of him
διὰτῆςἀπολυτρώσεως / Through; the act of redempton-deliverance through payment
τῆςἐνΧριστῷἸησοῦ· / The one in Christ Jesus
but are justified freely by the grace through the redemption of Christ Jesus. 24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 24and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
25ὃνπροέθετοὁθεὸςἱλαστήριονδιὰ [τῆς] πίστεωςἐντῷαὐτοῦαἵματιεἰςἔνδειξιντῆςδικαιοσύνηςαὐτοῦδιὰτὴνπάρεσιντῶνπρογεγονότωνἁμαρτημάτων
Word or phrase / Vocable form and meaning / Significanceὃνπροέθετοὁθεὸςἱλαστήριον / Rel clause whom or which; aor to place before hand; God; as a propitiation
διὰ [τῆς] πίστεωςἐν / Prep through faith in
ἐντῷαὐτοῦαἵματι / W prep the blood of him
εἰςἔνδειξιντῆςδικαιοσύνης / For; demonstration; of the righteousness
αὐτοῦδιὰτὴνπάρεσιν / Of him; prep w acc because of the passing over
τῶνπρογεγονότωνἁμαρτημάτων / Of the perf ptc to happen beforehand; sins
which God placed beforehand as a propitiation through faith in the blood of him for a demonstration of the righteousness of him because of the passing over of the sins commited beforehand. 25 God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 25God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—
26ἐντῇἀνοχῇτοῦθεοῦ, πρὸςτὴνἔνδειξιντῆςδικαιοσύνηςαὐτοῦἐντῷνῦνκαιρῷ, εἰςτὸεἶναιαὐτὸνδίκαιονκαὶδικαιοῦντατὸνἐκπίστεωςἸησοῦ.
Word or phrase / Vocable form and meaning / Significanceἐντῇἀνοχῇτοῦθεοῦ / Prep in the; patience; of God
πρὸςτὴνἔνδειξιντῆςδικαιοσύνηςαὐτοῦ / Prep for the demonstration of the righteousness of him
ἐντῷνῦνκαιρῷ / In the now time
εἰςτὸεἶναιαὐτὸνδίκαιον / For to be the one him rightous
καὶδικαιοῦντατὸνἐκπίστεωςἸησοῦ. / And pres ptc to declare righteous the one out of faith in Jesus
in the patience of God for the demonstration of his righteousness in the now time to be the righteous one and the one declaring righteous the one out of faith in Jesus. 26 he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.26he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. .
27Ποῦοὖνἡκαύχησις; ἐξεκλείσθη. διὰποίουνόμου; τῶνἔργων; οὐχί, ἀλλὰδιὰνόμουπίστεως.
Word or phrase / Vocable form and meaning / SignificanceΠοῦοὖνἡκαύχησις / Conclustion therefore; where; the boasting
ἐξεκλείσθη. διὰποίουνόμου / Aor pass to exclude; prep w acc through through what sort of law
ἐξεκλείσθη. διὰποίουνόμου / Of works; no
ἀλλὰδιὰνόμουπίστεως / But through law of faith
Therefore where is boasting? It is excluded. Through what sort of law? of works? No! But through the law of faith. 27 Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith. 27Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith.
28λογιζόμεθαγὰρδικαιοῦσθαιπίστειἄνθρωπονχωρὶςἔργωννόμου.
Word or phrase / Vocable form and meaning / Significanceλογιζόμεθαγὰρδικαιοῦσθαι / Pres to conclude or reason; reason why for; pass inf to be declared righteous
πίστειἄνθρωπονχωρὶςἔργωννόμου / Dat by means of Faith; acc man; without; works of law
Therefore we conclude a man is declared righteous by faith without works of the law. 28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.28For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law
Context: Romans 3:1–4:5 (NIV84) 1 What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? 2 Much in every way! First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God. 3 What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God’s faithfulness? 4 Not at all! Let God be true, and every man a liar. As it is written: “So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge.” 5 But if our unrighteousness brings out God’s righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.) 6 Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world? 7 Someone might argue, “If my falsehood enhances God’s truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?” 8 Why not say—as we are being slanderously reported as saying and as some claim that we say—“Let us do evil that good may result”? Their condemnation is deserved. 9 What shall we conclude then? Are we any better? Not at all! We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin. 10 As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; 11 there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. 12 All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.” 13 “Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.” “The poison of vipers is on their lips.” 14 “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.” 15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16 ruin and misery mark their ways, 17 and the way of peace they do not know.” 18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” 19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. 20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. 21 But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26 he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. 27 Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith. 28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law. 29 Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, 30 since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. 31 Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law. 1 What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, discovered in this matter? 2 If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. 3 What does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” 4 Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. 5 However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.