SERMON | Myth Busting: Week Five

Scripture: 9 What then? Are we any better off?[a] No, not at all; for we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under the power of sin, 10 as it is written:

“There is no one who is righteous, not even one;
11 there is no one who has understanding,
there is no one who seeks God.
12 All have turned aside, together they have become worthless;
there is no one who shows kindness,
there is not even one.”
13 “Their throats are opened graves;
they use their tongues to deceive.”
“The venom of vipers is under their lips.”
14 “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”
15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16 ruin and misery are in their paths,
17 and the way of peace they have not known.”
18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20 For “no human being will be justified in his sight” by deeds prescribed by the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.

The word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.
Questions

What?
1) How’s everyone doing? Check in with the group.
2) What were your initial thoughts after hearing this scripture from Romans?
3) What is sin? Take a second to write down your definition of sin. Share with the group and discuss.

So What?
4) When have you felt “beaten by sin?
5) Can you think of a time when you experienced an “ending” that turned out to be incredibly finite in the grand scheme of things? I.e., Where have you experienced what you thought was a period, but was actually just a comma?

Now What?
6) Charles points out that there is something beautiful in that Paul writes “there is no one who is righteous” because it helps us avoid us fighting over who the one righteous person is. Have you ever found yourself feeling self righteous compared to someone else?
7) How does Charles’ argument of “wait, there is more” affect the way you view the worst, darkest, most sinful parts or experiences of your life? Where does Jesus fit into the timeline?


Prayer

God we are sinful. Yet you redeem us. No matter what we do, we know that there is always more grace, more love, and more forgiveness. Walk with us in our paths. Equip us to receive grace and pass it along. Amen.