Sermon Breakdown

1. The sermon focuses on Romans 8:3-4 which sums up the central message of the Christian gospel.
2. Verses 3-4 are packed with gospel truth and force us to focus on the core of the gospel.
3. The apostle Paul had to spend much time arguing against those who rejected the gospel. Similarly, Jesus spent much time arguing against the Pharisees who were his bitter enemies.
4. The Pharisees were extremely self-righteous, trusted in their own good works, and looked down on others. They are a symbol of legalistic self-righteousness.
5. The modern Pharisees are those outside the church who believe in Christian ethics but reject Christian doctrines. They believe they can live good lives through their own effort and don't need Christ.
6. The Pharisees completely underestimate the demands of the law and overestimate their own ability. They don't realize the law requires perfection and they are powerless to fulfill it.
7. The law itself has no power to enable us to fulfill its demands. It shows us God's standard but cannot empower us to meet it. We are too weak in the flesh.
8. The greatest saints confess they cannot fulfill the law's demands through their own efforts. They recognize their own sinfulness and need for grace.
9. The Pharisees fail to see their desperate position before God and their need for forgiveness. They don't love God fully or their neighbor as themselves.
10. The Pharisees reject the gospel which alone can empower them to live as God requires. They reject Christ's atoning work which is the supreme demonstration of God's love.
11. There is no greater insult to God than rejecting his offer of mercy and grace in Christ. The Pharisees cut themselves off from the only means of salvation.
12. We must see our need for the gospel, acknowledge our sin and weakness, and cry out for God's mercy. Only then can we begin to truly live out Christian ethics through the power of Christ in us.