THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE

Romans 3:8-23

  1. Intro.
    1. many people think like the Pharisee in the temple that prayed thus with himself - Luke 18:11
      1. we all like to think that we are better than others
      2. God’s Word declares absolutely, "there is no difference: for all have sinned" - Romans 3:22-23
    2. no difference
      1. between the most moral man, and the worst criminal in the matter of sin
      2. between a chaste virgin, and a street walking harlot in the matter of sin
      3. between the church member, and the ranting atheist in the matter of sin
      4. there may be differences in other matters, but not in the matter of sin
      5. saved sinners, lost sinners & forgiven sinners, condemned sinners
      6. there is no difference between Judas Iscariot and us in the matter of sin
        1. he went to hell, and we deserve to go
        2. we will go unless we get forgiveness from God
    3. those in hell are no greater sinners than we are [there is no difference]
  2. there is a great need for teaching and preaching about sin
    1. understanding the doctrine of sin is absolutely necessary for understanding other Bible doctrines
      1. to deny sin is to play the part of a fool [fools make a mock at sin - Proverbs 14:9]
      2. there would be no Christianity, if not for the fact of sin
      3. the death of Christ would have been an awful blunder, if men were not sinners headed for hell
    2. some preachers will only speak about the love of God
      1. the Bible that says, "God is love" also says, "our God is a consuming fire"
      2. the Bible also says, "God is angry with the wicked every day" - Psalm 7:11
      3. the Bible talks about hell as much as is does heaven
        1. if we don’t preach on sin and hell, sinners will see no need to seek heaven
        2. if we don’t preach about sin, men will not repent nor trust Christ for salvation
      4. great revivals have always been accompanied by a deep conviction of sin
      5. those who are not conscious of the guilt of sin, will not confess and forsake sin
  3. all men are universally depraved and wicked - Romans 3:9 [there is no difference]
    1. areas where there is no difference
      1. none righteous - 10
      2. none that understand - 11 (the things of God or His ways)
      3. none that seeketh after God - 11 (a sinner by choice)
      4. all gone out of the way - 12
        1. deliberately
        2. Satan may tempt us, but we gladly follow
      5. together become unprofitable - 12 (even our best efforts are unprofitable)
      6. none that doeth good - 12 (man’s goodness is a false goodness)[none good but God]
      7. their throat is an open sepulchre - 13 (many foul things come from the mouth of man)
      8. used deceit - 13 (lying come natural to mankind)
      9. poison of asp is under their lips - 13 (gossip and slander)
      10. cursing and bitterness - 14
      11. swift to shed blood - 15
      12. destruction and misery - 16 (this is not evolution, but degeneration)
      13. the way of peace they have not known - 17 (sin is the cause of all unrest in the home and nation)
      14. no fear of God - 18 (the crowning climax of man’s wickedness)
    2. notice that there are no exception; God sees everybody the same (this includes us today)
    3. God’s verdict on the matter - 20
  4. do all Christians sin?
    1. some say they once were sinners, but now they sin no more
    2. all such people are liars - I John 1:8-2:1
    3. all have sinned, and all do sin - Romans 3:23
  5. the ultimate proof of our sinfulness is rejection of Christ
    1. the self-righteous Pharisees of Jesus’ day were thought to be good men
      1. when they came face-to-face with Jesus, they hated Him, lied about Him, rejected Him, killed Him
      2. only a rotten heart full of sin can keep anybody away from Jesus Christ
    2. if your not a Christian, your a Christ rejecting , rotten sinner (a hater of light and truth)
    3. if we are sinners, then we deserve the wrath of God
      1. we are all in the same boat, and it is sinking [there is no difference]
      2. some verses in the Bible that should alarm us
        1. "the soul that sinneth, it shall die" - Eze. 18:4
        2. "be sure your sins will find you out" - Numbers 32:23
        3. "for the wages of sin is death" - Romans 6:23
    4. people do not go to hell because God hates them, we deserve it
  6. all have sinned, but thank God, all can be saved - Romans 10:12-13
    1. as sinners, we are all in the same sinking boat
    2. thank God, Jesus Christ will save the whole boat load, if we let Him
    3. sin is universal, and salvation is offered freely to all
      1. Jesus came into the world to save sinners - I Tim 1:15
      2. if you are a sinner, then there is hope for you
      3. God delights to offer mercy to those who admit they are sinners
    4. will you come to Jesus Christ today, and find mercy from God