But Now

Sermon Text

Romans 3:20-22

20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

God’s Righteousness Through Faith

21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference;

New King James Version (NKJV) Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.

“But Now” – Romans 3:19–31

Preached by Bryan Schneider

Main Theme

The sermon centers on the glorious contrast in Romans 3:21: “But now…” After exposing humanity’s total sinfulness in Romans 1–3, Paul reveals the only hope sinners have: the righteousness of God given through faith in Jesus Christ.

Key Points

• The Law exposes sin but cannot save.

  • Romans 3:20 teaches that no one is justified by works of the law.

  • The law acts like a floodlight, revealing guilt and our inability to make ourselves righteous.

• “But now” introduces the hope of the gospel.

  • Humanity stands guilty before God, but God Himself provides righteousness apart from the law.

  • Salvation is not earned; it is received through Christ.

• God’s righteousness is revealed in Jesus Christ.

  • Jesus is not “Plan B.”

  • The Old Testament consistently pointed forward to Christ:

    • Genesis 3:15

    • Abraham’s faith

    • The sacrificial system

    • Isaiah 53

    • Psalm 32

  • The entire Bible testifies to Christ.

• Justification comes through faith alone.

  • Faith is not a work that earns salvation.

  • Faith is an empty hand receiving Christ.

  • Salvation rests on Christ’s righteousness, not the strength of our faith.

• Jesus is the only hope for every kind of sinner.

  • Jew and Gentile alike are under sin.

  • Therefore, Christ is the Savior for all who believe.

  • No religious background, morality, or heritage can save.

• Assurance comes from Christ, not personal performance.

  • Christians struggling with assurance should ask:

    • “Is Jesus enough?”

    • “Was His sacrifice sufficient?”

  • God is fully pleased with those who are united to Christ by faith.

Major Applications

• Stop trying to justify yourself before God.

• Confess your guilt honestly rather than minimizing sin.

• Read the Old Testament as pointing to Christ.

• Rest in Jesus rather than your spiritual performance.

• Weak faith still rests in a strong Savior.

• There is hope even for those burdened by deep past sins.

• Why is it difficult for people to abandon self-righteousness?

• What does Romans 3 teach about the true purpose of God’s law?

• How does the phrase “But now” change the tone of Romans?

• In what ways does the Old Testament point forward to Jesus?

• Why is faith described as “receiving and resting” on Christ?

• How does the gospel destroy boasting?

• What difference does it make to know that Jesus is not “Plan B”?

• How should Christians respond when struggling with assurance?

• What practical signs show that someone is trusting in their own righteousness?

• How does justification by faith bring peace with God?

• Justification — God’s legal declaration that a sinner is righteous through Christ.

• Imputation — Christ’s righteousness credited to believers.

• Faith — Trusting and resting in Christ alone for salvation.

• Righteousness — Perfect conformity to God’s holy standard.

• Propitiation — Christ bearing God’s wrath against sin.

• Covenant of Grace — God’s plan to save sinners through Christ.

• Sanctification — The ongoing work of growing in holiness.

• Self-righteousness — Trusting personal goodness rather than Christ.

• Redemption — Christ purchasing sinners through His blood.

• Assurance — Confidence that one belongs to Christ.