This is the fifteenth in a series of verse-by-verse expositions of the book of Romans. This message was delivered at Hillcrest Baptist Church on the morning of June 30, 2013. This message deals with the characteristics of the unsaved, and their need for Christ. This contains an audio recording of my message, along with my sermon notes and a study outline. Please note that the sermon notes are not a full transcript.
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Romans 3:9-18
v.9:
Paul states unequivocally that the Jews are no better than the Gentiles.
All are sinners, and God is impartial.
Romans 2:11
Colossians 3:25
Although God has different purposes for different people, no one is better than another.
No one person or group of people can claim any special privilege or favor with God.
vv.10-18:
Paul concludes his argument with the un-refutable evidence of Scripture, as he strings together a series of Old Testament quotes.
God’s Word is the ultimate authority, and (just like Paul) it should be the basis for our reasoning.
God’s word is the last word in Paul’s argument. God will always get the last word.
v.10:
No one has any righteousness of their own.
Despite the popular teaching of today, people are not “basically good.”
Such teaching only serves to tickle ears, and lead people straight to hell.
Jeremiah 17:9
v.11:
The unsaved do not understand God’s word.
They cannot comprehend God’s standard of righteousness.
1 Corinthians 1:18
1 Corinthians 2:14
Third, the unsaved do not seek after God.
It is God who draws people to Him, not the other way around.
John 12:32
John 6:44
v.12:
When you turn away from God, when you aren’t acting in faith, all of your works will be useless.
Without faith, it is impossible to please Him.
The works of the unsaved will never amount to anything.
For those who are acting outside of faith, it is impossible for their works to be considered good, according to God’s standards.
vv.13-14:
Graves were sealed not only to show respect for the deceased, but to hide the sight and stench of the body’s decay.
As an unsealed grave allows those who pass to see and smell what is inside, the unregenerate person’s open throat—that is, the foul words that come from it—reveal the decay of his heart
Matthew 12:34
Matthew 15:18
vv.15-16:
This could be our culture today, quick to shed blood.
Rather than “love your enemy,” people choose to settle their differences through violence.
They sow violence and they reap destruction.
Galatians 6:7
v.17:
They have never known Christ, and peace comes only through Christ.
Job 22:21
John 14:27
John 16:33
He is the Prince of Peace
Isaiah 9:6
v.18:
Man’s true spiritual condition is nowhere more clearly seen than in the absence of a proper submission to and reverence for God.
Biblical fear for God consists of:
1) awe of his greatness and glory
2) dread of the results of violating that holy nature
People need to fear God, that they may know God and His peace.
Proverbs 19:23
For that, we need to be planting the seeds of faith, and praying that God will work in their lives and cause those seeds to grow.
If we don’t plant, they will never know Christ. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.
In Defense: The Blog 
Posted on July 4, 2013
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