Paul’s Effort to Defend His Gospel

The sermon today was on Paul’s effort to defend his gospel. Paul has stated plainly that to be born a Jew was no guarantee of salvation. One needs to be saved, and salvation is found in the name of Jesus.
Paul then anticipates his opponents’ questions.
1) Is there any benefit in being a Jew? (vs 1-2)
Paul says “Yes! Much, in every way!” He then gives them the reason he believes they are greatly advantaged, because they have been entrusted with the very oracles of God! Only one nation was given the oracles of God - Israel! Only one nation was given special revelation pointing to the way of salvation - Israel! We should remember what an advantage it is to have the oracles of God in our hands today, and what an advantage it is to our children to be brought up in a home where they can learn them!
Paul then moves to the next question he anticipates from his audience.
2) If Jews are unfaithful, will God still be faithful? (vs 3-4)
Paul is going to answer this question in great detail in Romans 11. Here, however, he wants to deal with an underlying assumption in this question. “Will God be faithful even if I keep on sinning?” Paul’s answer is “yes, God will be faithful if you keep on sinning, and in His faithfulness, He will judge you for your sin!” Paul quotes David in Ps 51 who speaks of God’s faithfulness and righteousness to judge him for his sin. David’s words are “Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.”
Paul then answers a third question.
3) If my unrighteousness results in God displaying His righteousness then why am I condemned for this? Why not continue to do evil that good may result?
It would seem that Paul has so emphasized the free grace of the gospel and the sovereignty of God even over sin that his messages had been misunderstood and was being used as a license to sin. Paul’s response to this is swift and clear “their condemnation is just!” The free grace of God and a high view of God’s sovereignty are not reasons to sin, they are reasons to worship and to give thanks to a great God who has saved us and who works all things for our good!