We continue with our sermon series entitled “Have you packed The Essentials?”. Preaching from Nathan Gordon. Service led by Ian Stride.

Sermon Notes

Recap of last week

Last week, we concentrated on the doctrine of scripture’s inerrancy, meaning that the Bible is the divinely inspired (God-breathed) word of God. The Holy Spirit guided men in recording the sacred scriptures, which are beneficial and meant for our instruction. (Romans 15:4)

The Situation
– We are all in this together (Rom 3:9-24)

This week, we focus on another fundamental doctrine of the Bible: human depravity, also known as total depravity. This teaching states that every person is born a sinner, thus spiritually dead due to their transgressions. Every aspect of humanity—mind, will, emotions, and flesh—has been tainted by the original sin inherited from Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.

All of us have become like one who is unclean,
    and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags;
we all shrivel up like a leaf,
    and like the wind our sins sweep us away.

Isaiah 64:6

Surely I was sinful at birth,
    sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

Psalm 51:5

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Rom 3:23

The Complication
– What about the good people?

They’ve all taken the wrong turn;
    they’ve all wandered down blind alleys.
No one’s living right; (MSG)

(Rom 3:12)

• Paul made it clear that whether you are Jew or Gentile, under the law of Moses or not, everyone is in the same boat (See v9)

• Total depravity teaches us that every human is tainted by sin, and therefore no one can claim to be good of themselves without the help of God (See Heb 11:6)

Challenge – It is possible to live a good and honourable life without believing in Jesus Christ for salvation. However, salvation is not based on our good works; it’s centred on what God has done for us through Jesus Christ.

The Resolution & Celebration

– A better route is available (Rom 3:24)

• A world apart from Christ, regardless of one’s reputation, faces eternal separation from God. (Rom 6:23)
• However, God has given the world a free gift of grace, an alternative route that is freely available to all who accept His gift and direction.

Encouragement

When we trust in Jesus for our salvation and believe in the finished work of the cross, we can enjoy the blessings of the better route for life.

1. Redeemed – Jesus paid for all of our sins by shedding His blood,
2. Justified – Through Jesus, we have been declared NOT GUILTY, just as if we had never sinned because of the mercy of God. (Rom 4:25; 5:18)
3. Propitiation – The punishment for sin has been removed through the sacrifice of Jesus and replaced with eternal life. (Rom 6:23)
4. Sanctification – now we can produce good works through the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives that helps us to become more like Christ
5. Glorification – Death is not the end for the believer in Christ, but we have the tremendous promise of a new glorified body that is free from corruption. (Philippians 3:20-21)

Questions

1. Why do you think people prefer to work their way to heaven rather than accept God’s free gift (Romans 3:24)? (consider other religions as well) 
2. Why do you think the doctrine of total depravity is scrutinised and criticised by many today? 
3. During the sermon, it was emphasised that we cannot be saved by good works, but only through the atoning work of the cross through Christ. However, are good works important for believers? Discuss your reasoning. 
4. If all people are born sinners according to the scriptures, what does this mean for babies and young children who die? How would you explain this to a non-Christian who is curious? 
5. Read Rom 3:12; Paul says no one does good. How would you balance this text with people who do great works, help others, give to charity, etc., but do not believe in Jesus?