Romans 3:9-20

If you are tolerating sin, in any area, it is like sucking sewage. It's gonna hurt you sooner or later. If God is challenging you about some sin, it is for your liberation, protection, and life.
John Owen said, "He that has slight thoughts of sin never had great thoughts of God." Unless we recognize the severity of our sin problem, we will never be able to appreciate God's gift of forgiveness, our need for a Savior, the glory of the cross, and the grace of God.

Read Romans 3:9, there is no difference between Jews and Gentiles we are all under sin, under the power of sin, all feel that burden. Then Paul quotes 7 passages from the old testament, underscoring the importance and authority of scripture. (Ecclesiastes, Psalms, Isaiah) Read Romans 3:10-18. All of us have sinned and are under it! Few comments:
1. No one seeks for God, unless God draws you. God alone is the seeker. Do Adam and Eve seek God? Read Genesis 3:8-9. They hid from him, he seeks them and asks where they are. Omniscience doesn't need information, he knew exactly where they were he was just seeking them.
2. No one does good, not even one. Even the best actions are riddled with self-centeredness and pride. Sin is not just what we do, its why we do it.
3. Such sin is expressed through our words. Our mouth is an open grave, we deceive people. Our tongue can be like the poison of vipers. Read Proverbs 18:21a.
4. There is no fear of God before their eyes. The summary behind all sin is the failure to fear God, to give God the reverence and honor due his name.

Now 3 general comments about the string of Old Testament quotes:
1. Sin is a universal problem. Read Romans 3:10-12. Not one single exception! Not Billy Graham or Mother Teresa, no one does.
2. Sin is a pervasive problem. It extends to every part of us: our throat, tongue, lips, mouth, feet, eyes, every part. Nothing we do is untainted by sin.
3. Sin is a rebellion against God. Essence of sin is not wronging or harming someone, it is rebellion against God. It starts in vs. 11 "no one seeks God" and ends in vs. 18 "There is no fear of God before there eyes." David says in Psalms 51:4 "Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight." David has a good view of sin, it is not wronging someone it is rebellion or revolting against God.

Read Romans 3:19-20, lots of talk today about boasting, definance, giving excuses, or blaming others. One day, every mouth will be stopped and all will have to answer to God. No one has kept all the commandments, think of the greatest commandment. Has anyone kept those perfectly? The whole world will be accountable before God for the things they have done, everyone must own his own sin. Cannot blame circumstances, upbringing, parents, spouses, boss, or other problems. We are the ones who choose to rebel against God, we did it. The law was never given to save us from our sin, it was given to show us our sin, and our need for a Savior.

Our basic human problem is not financial, educational, political, judicial, or economic. Our basic human problem is spiritual and it is our own sin problem.

Discussion Questions
1. Are you hiding like Adam and Eve from your sin?
2. Do you tend to give excuses for your sin? In what ways do you make excuses, do you blame your circumstances, upbringing, things from the past, etc.
3. What does it mean to "fear the Lord?" Do you truly believe that you fear the Lord?