“God’s Faithfulness” (Romans 3:1–8)

“God’s Faithfulness” (Romans 3:1–8)
Pastor Cameron Jungels
Eastside Baptist Church
Sunday AM, May 7, 2017

Romans 3:1–8, NIV
¹ What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision?  ² Much in every way! First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God.  
³ What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God's faithfulness?  ⁴ Not at all! Let God be true, and every human being a liar. As it is written: "So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge."  
⁵ But if our unrighteousness brings out God's righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.)  ⁶ Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world?  ⁷ Someone might argue, "If my falsehood enhances God's truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?"  ⁸ Why not say-- as some slanderously claim that we say-- "Let us do evil that good may result"? Their condemnation is just!

1.    What about the advantages of being one of God’s historic people? (1–2)

⁴ the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises.  ⁵ Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen. (Romans 9:4-5, NIV)

2.    What about God’s faithfulness to his promises? (3–4)

³² "Now therefore, our God, the great God, mighty and awesome, who keeps his covenant of love, do not let all this hardship seem trifling in your eyes-- the hardship that has come on us, on our kings and leaders, on our priests and prophets, on our ancestors and all your people, from the days of the kings of Assyria until today.  ³³ In all that has happened to us, you have remained righteous; you have acted faithfully, while we acted wickedly. (Neh. 9:32-33, NIV)

⁴ Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge. (Psalm 51:4, NIV)

3.    Is God really just? (5–8)