Modern Pharisees (Remastered)

A Sermon on Romans 8.3-4 https://www.mljtrust.org/sermons/book-of-romans/modern-pharisees/ "If you have never felt any guilt, you're a Pharisee. There is no greater sin than that. Drunkenness and immorality are not the greatest sins. Here's the sin of sins: not to realize that you're a guilty sinner, not to realize that you're unworthy to stand before God." - Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Sermon Description In this sermon on Romans 8.3–4 titled “Modern Pharisees,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shows how Jesus came in order to fulfill the law that no one could. Modern day Pharisees are those who reject Christ’s sacrifice and try to justify themselves by their own works. Regardless of how carefully one tries to uphold the law, they cannot obey the First Commandment to love God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. The beauty of the gospel is that Christ came to redeem the wicked, not the self-righteous. Anyone who is burdened with the guilt of sin and feels unworthy can find peace in Christ’s blessing of those who are poor in spirit and avoid the folly of the modern Pharisees. Sermon Breakdown * The sermon focuses on Romans 8.3-4 which sums up the central message of the Christian gospel. * Verses 3-4 are packed with gospel truth and force us to focus on the core of the gospel. * 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. * 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. * 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. * 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. * 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. * The greatest saints confess they cannot fulfill the law's demands through their own efforts. They recognize their own sinfulness and need for grace. * 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. * 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. * 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. * 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.