Jewish Privilege, Human Depravity, & Moral Inevitability

March 4, 2024

Notes from Scott Sutton's sermon on Sunday, March 3, 2024.

Sermon text: Romans Romans 3:1-8


We live in a culture where everything is relative, little is objective, and we are (largely

through social media) encouraged to express all of our differing opinions on everything.

We’ve come to believe that we can all have our own versions of truth and somehow they

can all still remain true. However, today’s Text reminds us that God is not relative. God is

not subject to our personal feelings and tastes. There are not differing opinions on who

God is or what God is about that can all be good and true at the same time. 2 Corinthians 4

says that the god of this world wants to blind the minds of unbelievers from seeing the

glory of God in the face of Christ. One way to do that is to distort their view of God. Paul,

in Romans 3, is proclaiming truth, fielding objections, and reminding humanity about our

humanness and God’s Godness. This is a part of a larger portion of Scripture that

addresses the sometimes uncomfortable subject of human depravity. Usually, the ones most

opposed to the concept of human depravity are the humans. So Paul addresses them

accordingly.

Paul has just made the statement that “For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly,

nor is circumcision outward and physical. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a

matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from

God.” The church in Rome is made up of converted Gentiles who now proclaim Christ and

Jews who also proclaim Christ have returned to the church in Rome and they are still

trying to figure out life together. As Paul levels the playing field, explaining that a

circumcised Jew is really no better off than a righteous Gentile, some objections arise. And

those 4 objections frame our outline this morning…


Objection # 1:

Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value if circumcision?

One commentator explains the objection like this… “Jews everywhere were furious that

Paul appeared to dissolve their distinctive advantage. What was the point of being the

chosen people of God, marked off from the pagan world by the distinguishing mark of

circumcision, if in the end a faithful Gentile might fare better than a Jew?” - Seccombe

- This is a picture of Jewish Privilege… or perhaps religious privilege.

- “Romish” thoughts would have led them to put great stock in things like the

priesthood.

- Paul seems to be undermining God’s design…

Answer # 1:

Much in every way! To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of

God.

- Interestingly, Paul says, “To begin with” OR “First of all”, but here only mentions

the oracles of God. Later in chapter 9 he picks the list back up and goes into greater

details. But here, the advantage is “You have the Scriptures!”

- Don’t gloss over this! Consider what it means. In Romans 1 we saw that any human

being can step outside and look up to the stars and know that there is a God and we

are subject to Him. In Romans 2 we saw that any human can look inside and find a

law written on their heart and know that there is a God and we are subject to Him.

But it was only first to the Jews that God made Himself known!

- What advantage do you have? You learned from God about God. He gave you His

words when no one else had them. Through them you learned that He is a

compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and

faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion, and

sin. You learned that He is the Alpha and the Omega, the Almighty, a Good

Shepherd. He is all-knowing, all-powerful, all-present. He is Sovereign. He is

sovereign. He is unchanging. He is holy. He is just. He is righteous. He created us

and has expectations for us. He has a plan for the world. He will judge. He will

create a new heavens and a new earth.

- None of us here today and no non-Jew in all of history would know those things if

they were not first entrusted to the Jews by God!

And at this point you might think they would respond “Good point Paul!” Instead, another

objection is raised.


Objection # 2:

What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the

faithfulness of God?

Answer # 2:

By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written,

“That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged.”

- This argument is literally as old as mankind… So God gave His oracles… His

expectations for His creation… and creation blames God when it goes wrong. “The

woman that you gave me caused me to sin.” So often the argument for humans

caught in sin and facing judgment is “You made me like this”… “You made me to

think like this… You made me with these strong desires…” Paul is pointing out that

we compound our guilt when we misuse God’s good gifts. OR, to say it in a Romans

1 way, we compound our guilt when we trade the truth about God for a lie and

worship the creature rather than the Creator.

- Seccombe: “To carry back to God the blame for our abuse of these gifts is as

perverse as it is common.”

- To answer their objection, Paul goes to Psalm 51:4… where David has been caught

in the horrible sins of adultery and murder, rather than saying “Well God, you gave

me these impulses… you could have made her bathe inside… her husband could

have loved and appreciated her more…”, he says, “Against you and you only have I

sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your

words and blameless in your judgment.” There is a moral inevitability that David

has finally come to grips with and he realizes that there is nothing he can say in his

own defense. God is right. David is wrong.

And then the objections become even more evil…


Objection # 3:

But if our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what

shall we say? That God is unrighteous to inflict wrath on us?

- This is not a straw man that Paul is kicking. This is a real objection. Perhaps this is

Paul arguing with his old Pharisaical self…

- I sin. I am unrighteous. God gets glory for being a righteous Judge. Doesn’t that

make God unrighteous for inflicting wrath on us who are only showing how

righteous of a judge He is?

- Paul is embarrassed by such a suggestion. (I speak in a human way). It is almost like

he is saying, “I don’t even want to be associated with such an evil and heretical

statement about the Almighty.”

Answer # 3:

By no means! For then how could God judge the world?

- Meaning… If God cannot judge Jews for such behavior and the heart behind it, how

then can God judge the world?

- Because the one thing we can agree on is the undeniable truth that God will judge

the world! Right?!


Objection # 4:

But if through my lie God’s truth abounds to his glory, why am I still being

condemned as a sinner. And why not do evil that good may come?

- As some slanderously charge us with saying…

- This is an off the rails, out of touch with reality, flatly evil argument.

Answer # 4: N/A

Or to be more specific: N/A… Their condemnation is just…


Application:

1.) Don’t assume religious privilege

2.) Don’t assume that God is subject to your feelings

3.) Don’t blame God for your sin

4.) Treasure the oracles of God

5.) Defend the oracles of God (You can’t manage what you don’t measure and you

can’t defend what you don’t treasure.) *Apologetics & Evangelism

6.) Consider your undeniable truths


Discipleship Questions:

1.) What are some objections that are raised against the church today?

2.) How can we Biblically defend truth and answer those objections?

3.) Put the phrase “You can’t defend what you don’t treasure” in your own words.

4.) What does religious privilege look like today? How might it play out in our lives

on a Tuesday?

5.) What are some examples of assuming that God is subject to our feelings?

I feel __________ so God must be __________.

6.) How have you been guilty of blaming God for your sin?

It’s your fault that I am ______________.

7.) What are some healthy disciplines that will help us to both treasure and defend

the oracles of God?

8.) What could possibly make us not treasure the oracles of God?

9.) What are your undeniable truths? Are you teaching them to your children?

The God of All Grace

July 16, 2025
Notes from Zach Snow's sermon on Sunday, July 13, 2025. Sermon text: 1 Peter 5:8-14 Why is the lion roaring? Wouldn’t it be a better strategy to be quiet…subtle…sneaky, in an attempt to “devour” Christians? I think that Peter, led by the Holy Spirit, was very intentional with his description here of the devil being a roaring lion. Went into a rabbit hole on a lion's roar…there are some spiritual applications to these: Can reach up to 114 decibels…almost as loud as a jet engine taking off They roar for social reasons (territory, create bonds, locate other members of their pride) as well as for purposes of intimidation. One of the primary purposes of the lion's roar is to strike fear in the heart of their prey. The lion will always start with a psychological advantage Fear, anxiety, depression, anger, hatred - these things can absolutely paralyse you spiritually The lion is not necessarily trying to kill you, but to destroy your faith Prayer: Be sober-minded - Have a clear and self disciplined mind - Titus 2 Exercise self control in thoughts, words, and action this is the 3rd time Peter has said this to us in 1 Peter - 1:13, 4:7 - it’s a call to remain alert and focused Being sober-minded means waging war against the things that are detrimental to the mind: fear, hatred, anxiety, depression, anger I believe these are specific things the enemy uses to derail our mental health and cause us to take our guard down Be watchful - this is the same word that Jesus used in the garden before he was arrested and crucified - this is a call to pray Prayers for others - Eph. 6:18 - Ephesians 6:18 - [18] praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, Prayers for yourself - James 1:5 - 5 j If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. So here’s the question… Do you believe in prayer? How much do you trust that God can do the things that you are not able to do? Do you trust God with the big stuff AND the small stuff? Discipleship Questions: 1.) In your personal life, what does being sober minded and watchful look like to you? 2.) Who are the people who help you stand firm in your faith the most? 3.) As a CG look at each of the points of the Theology of Suffering and find Scripture to support each one of those statements: God is ALWAYS good God is ALWAYS enough God will ALWAYS love you 4.) Discuss ways that the God of all grace has restored, confirmed, strengthened, and established you.

Anxiety v Humility

July 8, 2025
Notes from Scott Sutton's sermon on Sunday, July 6, 2025. Sermon text: 1 Peter 5:5-7 Main Idea: God opposes the proud This is a warning that should shake our souls. There is a way of living that draws God’s opposition. Proverbs 3:34 "Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor" "Be not wise in your own eyes." Garden Connection. No guidance. No exaltation. No refreshment in our souls. God gives grace to the humble The grace of guidance The grace of peace that exceeds understanding The grace of lifted burdens God cares for us Application: You who are younger, be subject to the elders Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God Consider what it means to place yourself under the mighty hand of God! It is to lay hold of the reality that God is actively involved in the details of your day. It is to surrender the false and flawed thinking that we are in control. Cast your anxieties on God Being told, "Don't be anxious," can often feel the same as being told, "Don't be tall... or short.... or bald...." Some may say, "That's just who I am..." "One cannot truly humble oneself under God’s protection while racked with fear. Handing over fear to God and humbling oneself under his mighty hand happen together." -Barnett Anxiety is a form of pride Discipleship Questions: Why should we tremble at the reality that there is a way of living that draws the opposition of God? Anyone want to share about experiencing this? How would we know if God was opposing us? What are some things that will be seen in a life that is truly marked by humility? What is the difference between trying to do humble things and clothing ourselves in humility? What are the specific burdens/cares/anxieties that you are carrying that you need to cast upon the Lord? What are some actual action steps that would indicate that we are casting our anxieties on God? Why is anxiety a form of pride? How does humility change our relationships? Recount the deeds of the Lord! What are some ways that God has cared for you and your loved ones?

Shepherds & Sheep

July 2, 2025
Notes from Ky Martin's sermon on Sunday, June 29, 2025. Sermon text: 1 Peter 5:1-4 Gen. 1:1-2 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. 3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. Churches should be led by a plurality of elders. Acts 11:30, Acts 14:23, Acts 15, Acts 16:4, Acts 17:1, Acts 20:28, Acts 21:17, Philippians 1:1, 1 Timothy 3:2, 1 Timothy 4:14, 1 Timothy 5:17, Titus 1:5, Titus 1:7, James 5:14 Instructions for Pastors: Shepherd God’s flock The words “God’s flock” remind the elders that the congregation does not belong to them. It is God’s church, and they are given the privilege and responsibility of shepherding it. -Thomas R. Schreiner Exercise oversight Oversee willingly (not under compulsion) 1 Cor. 9:16 For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! Oversee eagerly (not for shameful gain) 2 Cor. 2:17 For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ. Lead by example (not domineering) Strive for Humility 1. Pure Christian humility disposes a person to take notice of everything that is good in others, and to make the best of it, and to diminish their failings. - Jonathan Edwards The Chief Shepherd is Coming Shepherds God’s flock Exercises oversight 1 Peter 2:25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. Oversees willingly (not under compulsion) Oversees eagerly (not for shameful gain) 2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. Leads by example (not domineering) Hebrews 2:8b-9 we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. 9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. Discipleship Questions: What are some of the benefits of having multiple elders? How would you define the job / responsibilities of an elder? If you were to move to a new area tomorrow, what would you be looking for in a new church? Why, do you think, the “younger” are specifically instructed to be subject to the elders? How does someone who is “clothed in humility toward one another” behave in the church? Out of the five pastors at Crosspoint, who is your favorite? (just kidding, don’t ask that).
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