WHAT DOES THE WORD SAY ABOUT YOU AND ME?

 I. LET'S LOOK AT MAN'S PROBLEM - FROM GOD'S POINT OF VIEW.

A. GOD SEES MAN AS HOPELESSLY LOST APART FROM HIS INTERCEDING:

Romans 3:10 as it is written, "There is NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE"

Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

(1) How many people are righteous? _________________________________.

(2) How many folks have sinned and fall short of God's standard? ___________.

(3) What is the penalty for sin? ____________________________________.

(3) Therefor; what is man's dilemma? ________________________________.

B. WHY DID GOD HAVE TO SEND JESUS?

Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.

(1) WHO IS LOST? _____________.

 John 3:16-18 John 3:16"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.

(1)Why did God give us Jesus? ________________________.

(2) God's provision through Jesus is for the entire population of the world, but only those who _______________ can appropriate it and are not condemned.

B. MAN IS ALIENATED FROM GOD.

Romans 5:10 For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

(1) WHAT DOES GOD CALL US BEFORE WE ARE RECONCILED THROUGH THE DEATH OF JESUS? __________________

Romans 8:7-8 the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.

(1) THE MIND OF THE NATURAL PERSON IS AN _____________ TO GOD.

1. WHEN YOU HAVE THE SPIRIT YOU HAVE THE MIND OF CHRIST

1 Cor 2:16 "For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ.

(1) WHEN THE SPIRIT OF GOD DWELLS WITHIN US, HE COMMUNICATES WITH THE FATHER, AND SPEAKS TO OUR MIND(soul). SCRIPTURE IDENTIFIES THIS AS HAVING THE _____________ OF CHRIST.

C. THE NATURAL MAN, THE UNREGENERATE MAN, IS DEAD:

1 Cor 15:22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.

Eph 2:1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,

(1) WHAT WAS YOUR CONDITION BEFORE YOU RECEIVED CHRIST(natural or carnal man)? _______________.

(2) WHAT IS THE ONLY THING THAT A DEAD MAN NEEDS? ________________.

 Col 2:13 When you were dead in your sins and in the un-circumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,

(1) GOD MADE ME ______________ AND FORGAVE ___________ OF MY SINS.

NOTICE THAT THE PREREQUISITE FOR ETERNAL LIFE IS NOT GOOD DEEDS IT IS BELIEF IN GODS SON.

John 3:36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him.

(1) SALVATION DEPENDS ONLY ON MY BELIEF IN ____________?

(2) WHAT REMAINS ON THE PERSON WHO REJECTS JESUS? ______ __________.

D. A PERSON DOES NOT DO GOOD DEEDS TO GET SAVED BUT THE PERSON WHO IS SAVED WILL DO GOOD DEEDS, THIS IS THE NATURAL RESULT OF OUR NEW LIFE IN CHRIST.

 Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

(1) WHAT ARE THE WAGES OF SIN? _______________ .

(2) WHAT KIND OF SIN DOES THIS VERSE ATTEMPT TO DEFINE? ____________.

(3) CAN WE CONCLUDE THAT DEATH IS THE PENALTY FOR ALL SIN? ________

Romans 5:12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, in this way death came to all men, because all sinned.

(1) WHO BROUGHT SIN INTO THE WORLD? _________________.

1 Cor. 15:22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all shall be made alive.

(2) HOW MANY OF US HAVE SINNED? ___________.

E. THE PENALTY FOR SIN WAS GIVEN IN THE GARDEN TO THE VERY FIRST MAN AND CARRIED THROUGH ALL OF THE COVENANTS UNTIL THE NEW COVENANT.

Genesis 2:17 but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you shall surely die.

(1) IN THE BEGINNING THERE WAS ONLY ONE LAW. WHAT WAS THE PENALTY FOR VIOLATING THAT LAW? ____________________________________.

F. ALL MEN WERE BORN UNDER THE COVENANT OF LAW AND HAVE A CHOICE TO JOIN CHRIST IN THE NEW COVENANT.

 GAL 3:24 So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith.

(1) WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE LAW? _________________________.

1. THE NEW COVENANT IS SPELLED OUT IN THE BOOK OF HEBREWS

Hebrews 8:13 When He [Jesus] said, "A new covenant," He has made the first obsolete. But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to disappear.

The covenant referred to is the covenant of "Law" or the Mosaic Covenant, the covenant that Jesus was born under and must fulfill. It is important to remember that Jesus lived under the covenant of law and taught his disciples in that context.

(1) WHAT BECAME OF THE OLD COVENANT? IT BECAME _________________.

Hebrews 9:15 And for this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, in order that since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

(1) THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH UNDER THE COVENANT OF LAW. THIS PASSAGE MAKES IT CLEAR THAT A DEATH TOOK PLACE TO REDEEM THE TRANSGRESSIONS. WHOSE DEATH PAID FOR THOSE TRANSGRESSIONS? _________.

2. BELIEVERS ARE UNDER THE NEW COVENANT.

2 Cor. 3:6 who also made us [those who accept the authority of Christ] adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter [Law], but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

(1) Who has been made adequate as servants of the new covenant? _________________.

(2) What covenant is a non-believer under? ________________________________.

(3) What is the penalty of the law under that covenant? __________________________.

(4) What does the Spirit of God provide a believer under the new covenant? __________.

 II. THE PURPOSE OF THE LAW UNDER THE NEW COVENANT?

A. THE LAW IS FOR THE LOST:

Romans 3:19-20 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.

(1) CAN WE BE MADE RIGHTEOUS BY OUR GOOD DEEDS [OBSERVING THE LAW]? ___________________________________________________.

(2) WHAT THEN IS THE PURPOSE OF THE LAW? IT IS TO MAKE ME ____________________________OF SIN.

B. THE LAW IS GOD'S STANDARD. ALTHOUGH THE PENALTY OF THE LAW HAS BEEN REMOVED, THE PRINCIPLES OF THE LAW REMAIN. WHY SHOULD WE STUDY THE OLD COVENANT? BECAUSE IT IS THE STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE THAT CAN BE ACHIEVED ONLY THROUGH LOVE. HUMAN NATURE ATTEMPTS TO ATTAIN THIS THROUGH PRIDE.

Romans 7:7--13 What shall we say, then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, "Do not covet." But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire. For apart from law, sin is dead. Once I was alive apart from law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. ( THE LAW IS LIKE A SPEED LIMIT SIGN-THE PENALTY IS EVIDENT (A TICKET OR FINE) THE COMMANDMENT IS INCLUDED-THOU SHALT NOT EXCEED IT).I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death. For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment (REBELLION), deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death. So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good. Did that which is good, then, become death to me? By no means! But in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it produced death in me through what was good, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful.

(1)THE LAW IS A MIRROR THAT REVEALS OUR TRUE HUMAN CONDITION, THAT OF FALLING SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD. THE WAGES OF SIN IS ___________.

(2) WE HAVE READ THAT "ALL SIN AND FALL SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD." WE UNDERSTAND, THROUGH SCRIPTURE, THAT THERE ARE "NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT ONE." ACCORDING TO THE WORD OF GOD, WHO IS A SINNER AND WHO DESERVES THE PENALTY OF DEATH? ___________. THEREFORE ALL ARE UNDER CONDEMNATION.

Romans 5:8-9 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.

Romans 8:1-2 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.

III. THE LAW WAS GIVEN TO SHOW MAN HIS NEED FOR SALVATION:

A. REMEMBER WHAT PAUL WROTE IN ROMANS 7:7 Romans 7:7b ... Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, "Do not covet."

Gal 3:19-24 What, then, was the purpose of the law? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was put into effect through angels by a mediator. A mediator, however, does not represent just one party; but God is one. Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe. Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith.

(1) THE PURPOSE OF THE LAW IS TO __________________________?

(2) UNDER THE NEW COVENANT I AM JUSTIFIED [FREE FROM CONDEMNATION] BY________________.

(3) IS THE LOST WORLD [THOSE THAT HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE GIFT OF GOD, CHRIST] STILL UNDER THE LAW ______________?

John 5:24 "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.

(1) IF PEOPLE CHOOSE TO REMAIN UNDER THE LAW THEN THEY STAND CONDEMNED AND HAVE NOT ________ _________ FROM DEATH TO LIFE.

THE WORD DECLARES IN 2 Peter 3:9b THAT GOD ". . . not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."

(1) IF A PERSON WHO'S LIFE IS IN PERIL REFUSES HELP AND PERISHES, CAN THE ONE WHO OFFERS HELP BE CONSIDERED UNLOVING? _______________.

B. THE LAW CANNOT MAKE US RIGHTEOUS: THE PART OF THE LAW THAT TRAPS MOST PEOPLE TODAY IS CHURCH TRADITION WITH WHICH WE COVENANT. ALCOHOL, LEGALISTIC TITHING, NOT GOING TO MOVIES, OR REFRAINING FROM DANCE ALL NULLIFY THE LAW BY IMPLICATION; THAT BY DOING OR NOT DOING THESE THINGS ACCREDITS OR ACCRUE'S, SOME RIGHTEOUSNESS.

MATTHEW 15:4-6 For God said, 'Honor your father and mother' and 'Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.' [5] But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, 'Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is a gift devoted to God,' [6] he is not to 'honor his father' with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition.

(1) THE WORD OF GOD SAYS THAT WE ARE TO ___________ OUR PARENTS.

(2) THE RELIGIOUS TEACHERS OF JESUS' DAY CAME UP WITH A TRADITION THAT IF YOU GAVE THEM A GIFT, DEVOTED TO GOD, YOU FULFILLED THE REQUIREMENT OF THE LAW. DID GOD AGREE? THUS YOU _______ THE WORD OF GOD FOR THE SAKE OF TRADITION.

Lest I rake the ire of the religious, I should clarify. The above illustration of do's and don'ts may or may not be bad, depending on whether they bring glory to God or discredit the believers witness. {LINK]

Romans 3:20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in His sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.

(1) I CANNOT BE MADE RIGHTEOUS BY ________________________.

Gal 2:16 know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.

(1)THE ONLY WAY I CAN BE MADE RIGHTEOUS IS BY ___________________.

(2) BY OBSERVING THE LAW, NO ONE WILL BE _______________________.

JUSTIFIED MEANS TO BE ABSOLVED OR JUST AS IF I NEVER SINNED.

IV. GOD PROVIDED A SYSTEM OF FORGIVENESS, FOR THE LAW COULD NOT CLEAN UP AN UNREGENERATE HEART.

Gal 2:21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing.

(1)GOD WANTS A RIGHT STANDING PEOPLE. SINCE THE LAW COULD NOT MAKE A PERSON RIGHT ON THE INSIDE, GOD, MOTIVATED BY HIS LOVE FOR HUMANS, SENT __________ TO DIE IN PAYMENT FOR OUR SIN PENALTY. REMEMBER THAT THE WAGES OF SIN IS ____________.

(2) COULD RIGHTEOUSNESS BE GAINED THROUGH LAW KEEPING? ____

Gal 3:11 Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, "The righteous will live by faith."

(1) TO BE RIGHTEOUS I MUST __________ BY ___________ IN CHRIST!

A. THE LAW CANNOT GIVE LIFE TO THE DEVOTEE:

Romans 7:10 I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death.

(1) IF MAN COULD KEEP THE LAW IT WOULD BRING LIFE; SINCE NO MAN CAN KEEP THE LAW IT ACTUALLY BRINGS ______________.

Gal 3:21 Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law.

Romans 5:21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

(1) THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH BUT THE GIFT OF GOD IS _________.

V. CAUTION: THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL WRITE GOD'S LAW ON OUR HEARTS AND MIND. ONLY THE PENALTY OF THE LAW HAS BEEN REMOVED, NOT GOD'S DESIRE THAT IT BE KEPT. LEGALISTIC TITHING, FOR EXAMPLE, IS REPLACED BY A DESIRE TO GIVE LIBERALLY TO THE WORK OF SPREADING THE GOSPEL. THE PRINCIPLE REMAINS, GOD STILL EXPECTS AT LEAST A TENTH. THE PENALTY OF THE LAW IS GONE, BUT CAN YOU EXPECT GOD TO BLESS YOU FINANCIALLY IF YOU FAIL TO KEEP HIS PRINCIPLE? THE LORD IS OUR SHEPHERD. SHEPHERDS LEAD, NOT HERD

HEB 10:16 "This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds." RENEWED MINDS AND HEARTS.

(1) WHERE WILL GOD WRITE THE LAWS OF HIS NEW COVENANT? IN OUR _____________ AND ON OUR _____________.

Romans 8:2-4 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.

(1) THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE LAW ARE FULLY MET IN ME BECAUSE I

LIVE __________________________________.

 VI. THE LAW IS LIKE A MIRROR: IT CAN SHOW YOU THAT YOUR FACE IS DIRTY, BUT IT CANNOT WASH YOUR FACE FOR YOU.

 A. OUR HOPELESSNESS OF LIFE UNDER THE LAW: THE LAW DOES NOT GRADE ON THE CURVE. THERE ARE NO VENIAL SINS, ONLY MORTAL SINS. Romans 6:23b For the wages of sin is death.

1. THE LAW'S STANDARD IS PERFECTION:

MAT 5:20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

(1) GOD'S STANDARD FOR ME IS ____________________.

James 2:10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.

(1) IS THERE ANY DIFFERENCE IN MURDER AND STEALING A PENCIL UNDER THE LAW? __________

 2. AS IF THAT WASN'T IMPOSSIBLE ENOUGH, WHEN JESUS CAME HE AMPLIFIED THE LAW.

 Matthew 5:27-29 "You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.

(1) JESUS LOOKS ON THE ____________________.

B. MEN ATTEMPT TO JUSTIFY THEMSELVES BY PICKING AN CHOOSING THE PARTS OF THE LAW THAT ARE IMPORTANT (READ THIS AS THE PARTS THAT THEY DO KEEP).

Mark 7:9-13 And he said to them: "You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions! (10) For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.'(11) But you say that if a man says to his father or mother: 'Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is Corban' (that is, a gift devoted to God), (12) then you no longer let him do anything for his father or mother. (13) Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that."

(1) THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS OF JESUS, DAY ____________ ASIDE THE ______________ OF GOD IN ORDER TO ______________ THEIR OWN ____________.

(2) DO PEOPLE TODAY JUSTIFY THEIR BAD BEHAVIOR BY PICKING AN CHOOSING, (HI-LIGHTING) THE LAWS THAT THEY THINK ARE WORTHY TO LIVE BY? ___________.

(2) CAN YOU THINK OF A MODERN EXAMPLE? _____________________________________________________. ________________________________.(ABORTION, INFIDELITY, UNSCRUPULOUS FINANCIAL DEALINGS)

C. JOHN CHAPTER 9 DEALS WITH THE STORY OF THE HEALING OF THE BLIND MAN. JOHN 9:4 EMPHASIZES MERCY OVER TRADITION.

JOHN 9:14 Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man's eyes was a Sabbath.

(1) THE DAY ON WHICH JESUS HEALED WAS A _________________. THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS WERE OFFENDED THAT JESUS WOULD WORK ON THE SABBATH.

Matthew 5:21-22 "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.

(1) WHY DOES JESUS EQUATE ANGER WITH MURDER? ____________________________________________________________________________.

D. THE LAW STIRS UP SIN AND REBELLION:  1 Cor 15:56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. THE LAW TO US, CAN BE ILLUSTRATED BY THE WORD PICTURE OF A DOG ON A LEASH. CATS IN THIS PICTURE ARE LIKE SIN. THE CATS TANTALIZE THE DOG, (FLAUNT THEIR FREEDOM) IN FRONT OF THE RESTRAINED DOG AND THAT INCREASES THE DOGS DESIRE TO CATCH THEM. THE LAW IS LIKE THAT TO FALLEN MAN. IT STIRS UP THE REBEL IN US.

Romans 7:5 For when we were controlled by the sinful nature, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, so that we bore fruit for death.

(1) OUR SINFUL PASSION IS ______________BY THE LAW.

Romans 7:9-12 Once I was alive apart from law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. 10 I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death. 11 For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death. 12 So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good.

(1) DO YOU REMEMBER WHAT THE WAGES OF SIN IS? ______________.

(2) IF THERE WERE NO LAWS MANKIND WOULD NOT SIN, BUT AS SOON AS THE LAW WAS GIVEN, WHAT HAPPENED TO MAN? _____________ AND NOW HE DESERVES _____________.

(3) THE LAW IS THE STANDARD OF PERFECTION. IT STIRS UP REBELLION IN US. HOW MANY LAWS DID ADAM HAVE? _____________.

(a.) Could he keep it? ______________.

(4) HOW MANY LAWS DID MOSES GIVE? ____________

(a) Could the children of Israel keep them? _____________.

(5) IN THE NEW COVENANT WE HAVE JUST TWO, Mark 12:30-31 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' 31 The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." CAN WE KEEP THESE? ________. THEREFORE WHAT DO WE ALL DESERVE?_________

 Romans 7:7-8 What shall we say, then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, "Do not covet." But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire. For apart from law, sin is dead.

(1) WHY IS SIN DEAD APART FROM THE LAW?_____________________.

D. MEN TRY TO MAKE THEMSELVES RIGHTEOUS BY SELF IMPOSED WORSHIP OR THE KEEPING OF TRADITION. MARTIN LUTHER, BEFORE THE REFORMATION, AS A PENITENT PRIEST, WOULD RETURN TO HIS CELL EACH NIGHT AND WHIP OR FLOG HIMSELF.

Col 2:20-23 Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules:" Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!"? These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

(1) SELF-IMPOSED WORSHIP LACKS ANY VALUE IN ____________________ SENSUAL INDULGENCE.

AN EXAMPLE OF SELF-IMPOSED WORSHIP WOULD BE LIKE GIVING UP SOMETHING FOR LENT, OR THE RESTRAINT OF NOT EATING MEAT ON FRIDAY.

E. WHAT DO WE NEED TO CONTROL THE FLESHLY NATURE THAT IS WITHIN US?

Gal 4:6 Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." b. Titus 2:12 It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,

(1) THE GRACE (HOLY SPIRIT) OF GOD TEACHES ME TO SAY _____ TO UNGODLINESS AND ___________ ______________AND TO LIVE A _____ _____________, __________________ AND _________ LIFE .

(2) IT IS THE TASK OF THE _____________ ___________ TO CONFORM A PERSON TO THE CHRISTIAN LIFE.

1. THE LAW IS BASED ON MAN'S EFFORTS TO MAKE HIMSELF RIGHTEOUS:

Exodus 24:7 Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They responded, "We will do everything the LORD has said; we will obey."

(1) DID THEY? ____________ Isaiah 53:6a All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way . . .

Romans 9:30-32 What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the "stumbling stone."

(1) CAN RIGHT STANDING WITH GOD EVER BE ATTAINED BY WORKS? ___

 Gal 3:3 Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?

(1) DID PAUL BELIEVE THAT RIGHT STANDING WITH GOD COULD BE ATTAINED BY HUMAN EFFORT? ______

2. THE LAW IS A MINISTRY OF CONDEMNATION AND DEATH:

 Gal 3:10 All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law."

(1)HAS ANYONE EVER KEPT THE LAW? _______.

(2)HOW MANY ARE UNDER A CURSE? _______.

CONCLUSION: MAN IS HOPELESSLY LOST, STEEPED IN SIN, UNABLE TO REDEEM HIMSELF. THANKS BE TO GOD THAT WE HAVE A SAVIOR, JESUS, WHO DIED IN OUR PLACE THAT WE MIGHT HAVE LIFE.

Isaiah 53:6

All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him.

THE LORD HAS LAID ON JESUS THE INIQUITY OF US ALL!

2 Cor. 5:19

. . . that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.

2 Cor. 5:21

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

WE ARE LIKE THE MAN ON DEATH ROW, CONDEMNED TO DIE. IF THE GOVERNOR WERE TO OFFER HIM A COMPLETE PARDON, DOES HE HAVE TO ACCEPT IT? GOD HAS OFFERED EACH OF US HIS SON, WHO IS WILLING TO DIE IN OUR PLACE FOR OUR SIN DEBT, THAT WE MIGHT RECEIVE A FULL PARDON. HAVE YOU TRUSTED IN THE DEATH OF CHRIST TO HAVE PAID YOUR SIN DEBT? HAVE YOU ACCEPTED YOUR PARDON FROM GOD? IF YOU NEED HELP IN THIS CRUCIAL AREA, PLEASE E-MAIL ME, GREG, AT deans@interpath.com

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