Summary

Paul draws an ​a distinction between religion and the gospel​. The gospel, ​the message that God ​saved us by dying​ for us and rising again​, is ​the power of Go​d unto salvation. Religion is a ​man-made substitute​. And far from ​fixing the problem of our sinfulness--which at its core is a sense of pride, rebellion and independence from God--​religion caters to those things and makes them worse.

Sermon Questions

1. In your words, tell me the difference between the gospel and religion?
2. What is the purpose of the law and the prophets?
3. What does righteousness refer to as you read Romans 3?
4. We have all ​turned away from God’s truth​ and each of us has sought our own way. ​We preferred our way to God’s. He then says that no one does good, no not one. What does that mean?
5. "What sends most people to hell is not their sins, but their good works. Nothing stands anymore between you and God but your ‘good works’. Nothing can keep you from Christ but delusion about your goodness ... that you have good works of your own that can satisfy God.” Billy Graham
   
   React to that quote.