The Heart of the Gospel

Sermon Text

Romans 3:25-26

25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

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

“The Heart of the Gospel”

Key Sermon Points

• The central question of the sermon: How can God be perfectly righteous and still merciful toward sinners?

• Scripture presents what appears to be a paradox:

  • God is compassionate, gracious, and forgiving.

  • God is also holy, just, and unwilling to leave sin unpunished.

• Romans 3 reveals that God demonstrates His righteousness through Jesus Christ.

• Three primary truths were emphasized:

1. God Displayed Jesus as the Mercy Seat

• Romans 3:25 teaches that God publicly presented Christ as a “propitiation.”

• “Propitiation” points back to the Old Testament mercy seat (the Ark of the Covenant in the Holy of Holies).

• The tabernacle illustrated:

  • God as holy King and Judge.

  • Humanity’s need for atonement.

  • Sacrifice as necessary because sin deserves judgment.

• On the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16):

  • One goat was sacrificed for sin.

  • One goat (the scapegoat) symbolically carried sins away.

• Jesus fulfills both pictures:

  • His blood satisfies God’s justice.

  • He removes believers’ sins completely.

2. God Proved His Righteousness in Dealing with Past Sins

• God did not ignore Old Testament sins.

• The sacrificial system pointed forward to Christ.

• God’s patience toward sinners in history was grounded in the certainty of Christ’s future atoning work.

• Old Testament believers were saved by faith looking forward to Christ, just as New Testament believers trust Christ looking backward to the cross.

3. God Proves His Righteousness Today by Justifying Sinners

• Romans 3:26 teaches God is both:

  • “Just” (perfectly righteous)

  • “The justifier” (the one who declares sinners righteous)

• God remains holy while providing salvation through Christ.

• Salvation does not depend upon:

  • Personal performance

  • Strength of faith

  • Moral achievement

• Salvation rests entirely upon Jesus Christ and His finished work.

• Why is God’s justice necessary to understanding the gospel?

• What does “propitiation” teach us about Christ’s death?

• How does the Day of Atonement point forward to Jesus?

• Why could God not simply overlook sin?

• How does Christ fulfill both sacrifice and scapegoat imagery?

• Why is assurance of salvation found outside ourselves?

• What dangers come from focusing too much on personal spiritual performance?

• How does Christ’s finished work strengthen struggling believers?

• Why is God both “just” and “justifier”?

• How should confidence in Christ affect daily repentance?

Propitiation

Christ satisfying God’s righteous wrath against sin.

Mercy Seat

The cover of the Ark of the Covenant symbolizing God’s throne and mercy toward sinners.

Expiation

The removal of guilt and sin.

Justification

God declaring sinners righteous through Christ.

Atonement

Christ’s work securing reconciliation between God and sinners.

Imputation

Christ’s righteousness credited to believers.

Mediator

One who stands between two parties to reconcile them; Jesus Christ is the only mediator between God and humanity.