Book Study · Week 1 of 6

The Human Problem

Romans 1:18-32, 3:9-20

Universal sinfulness

Main Point

The gospel only makes sense when we first understand how deep the problem goes — and it goes deeper than we think.

Application Ideas

Where have you minimized your own need for God? Spend time this week honestly before God about your brokenness.

Discussion Questions

Why does Paul start his gospel presentation with bad news? What does 'no one is righteous' mean for all of us?

Detailed Sermon Outline

Primary Text: Romans 1:18-32, 3:23

Supporting Texts: Genesis 3:1-6, Psalm 14:1-3, Jeremiah 17:9, Isaiah 53:6

Big Idea: All people—regardless of background or achievement—stand accountable before God because all have sinned and fallen short of his glory.

Target Length: 35-40 minutes

Introduction

Paul begins his letter to the Romans with a problem. Not a theological puzzle or intellectual debate. A problem that affects every single person reading his words—and everyone reading his words today.

The problem isn't that some people are bad and others are good. The problem is that everyone is spiritually broken. Everyone has sinned. Everyone is accountable to God.

This isn't a comfortable opening. But it's honest. And it's foundational to everything that comes after. Until we understand the problem, we can't receive the solution.

I. Suppressing the Truth About God (Romans 1:18-23)

'The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness.'

Paul doesn't mince words. There's wrath involved. God's moral character is violated by sin, and there are real consequences. But the root issue is suppression—we know the truth about God and we're actively pushing it down.

'For what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen.'
Nature itself testifies to God's power and character. You don't have to be a theologian to know God exists. You look at creation and you see design, order, beauty.

But people 'neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him.' Instead, they 'exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man.'

This is the root sin: idolatry. We replace God with ourselves, with money, with status, with pleasure. We look at creation and instead of seeing God, we see opportunity for ourselves.

II. The Downward Spiral of Sin (Romans 1:24-32)

Once we reject God, we don't just stay neutral. We spiral. Paul describes this: 'Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity.'

Three times in this passage Paul says God 'gave them over.' It's not that God actively punishes them, but that God honors their choice. You want to run from me? Fine. See where that leads.

The progression goes: rejection of God leads to sexual degradation, which leads to degraded thinking, which produces every kind of wickedness.
Sin has a trajectory. It doesn't stay contained. One lie leads to another. One compromise leads to another.

'Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.'

The deepest sin isn't even doing the wrong thing—it's calling evil good. It's convincing others to join you. It's building a culture around your rebellion.

III. No One Is Exempt (Romans 3:23)

'For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.' This is the great equalizer. Not just bad people. Not just people with obvious moral failures. All.

Paul has been describing pagan idolatry and sexual sin. But he's building to something: Even the religious person, even the person who follows the law, has sinned.

You might not commit adultery, but you've harbored lust. You might not steal, but you've been greedy. You might not murder, but you've held hatred.
And even if somehow you could point to perfect external behavior, your heart has worshipped something other than God at some point.

This is the scandal and the relief of the gospel. There's no hierarchy of sinners. The murderer and the self-righteous person both stand equally in need. Both fall short.

But in that equality is hope. Because if no one can claim superiority based on their goodness, then everyone has equal access to grace.

Conclusion & Appeal

The human problem is serious. It's not fixable by self-improvement or education or willpower. It requires transformation. It requires a solution outside ourselves.

But that's not defeat—that's relief. You don't have to fix yourself. You can't fix yourself. So stop trying.

The question Paul is asking is: Do you see your need? Can you admit you're not okay? Because only then can you be open to the solution.