Preaching About Depravity

Yesterday, I preached about depravity. We’re journeying through the entire Bible and I came to the passage where Moses comes down off the mountain and the people have made a golden calf. God prepared him with the information, but Moses was still utterly shocked at their rebellion. That’s how we approach the subject of depravity – we can hardly believe it. I mean, sure, people mess up, but totally wicked to the core from birth?

Moses punished the people, but wanted to offer himself as an atonement on their behalf, and God rejected his offer. Why? He was depraved. He was sinful. Unbelievable! Many skeptics of the Christian faith can buy the concept of a Creator, but not the issue of depravity. I believe this is due in part to our society’s addiction to self-esteem. We say our greatest problem is a lack of self-esteem while God says our biggest problem is self-esteem!

All of us are of tremendous worth and value because of God’s love for us and His willingness to exchange His own Son on our behalf – that’s value! Every life has inherent dignity and worth as a creation of God. But we’re still depraved. Foolishness is still bound in the heart of every child. Iniquity is still found in every womb. We come into this world choosing sin over God and it is by the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit that we can escape our depravity and its eternal consequences.

So depravity is practically unbelievable. It’s offensive to self-righteous people. But grace is even more outrageous and unbelievable. It’s also offensive to self-righteous people. We’re unfit for heaven and unable to save ourselves, but God’s grace rules and reigns as He offers us eternal peace with Him through His Son Jesus Christ. Jesus died for our sins, for our depravity, so that we might be made righteous in Him, like Him. As unbelievable as depravity might seem, grace is more so. Where sin abounds, grace much more abounds!

I find preaching on depravity dark and depressing, yet I know that at the end of the message, I have the opportunity to extend hope. The offer of salvation where there is no understanding of depravity is offensive and senseless, but everybody who realizes their sinfulness and need of a Savior has hope if they will simply turn to Christ.

Graphic by Brent Nelson