April 14th, 2025
by Derick Zeulner
by Derick Zeulner
Have you ever felt that sinking feeling when something goes terribly wrong? That moment when you realize you're in deep trouble and there's no easy way out? It's a sensation that the Apollo 13 astronauts experienced acutely when they heard a loud bang while 200,000 miles from Earth. In an instant, their mission changed from a moon landing to a desperate fight for survival.
This harrowing space drama serves as a powerful metaphor for a much deeper, universal problem that affects every single one of us. Just as the astronauts faced a life-or-death situation, humanity faces a spiritual crisis of cosmic proportions. Except that in our case it's not just that we have problems – we are the problem.
The Problem
The Bible, particularly in the book of Romans, paints a stark picture of the human condition. It declares that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). We aren't talking about occasional missteps or minor infractions here. This problem runs much deeper and affects our very being.
Consider these sobering truths from Romans 3:
These words might seem harsh or even offensive to our modern sensibilities. We like to think of ourselves as basically good people. Sure, we make mistakes, but surely we're not that bad, right? Yet the Bible confronts us with a reality we'd often rather ignore: sin has corrupted every aspect of our being – our moral nature, our minds, and our wills.
This is what theologians call "total depravity." It doesn't mean we're all as bad as we could possibly be, or that we never do anything good. Rather, it means that sin has affected every part of us, and that even our good actions and best efforts are tainted by selfish motives or misplaced priorities. This corruption manifests itself in our words and actions. Our speech can be deceitful, bitter, and harmful. Our actions can lead to violence, ruin, and misery. We are deeply affected by our sin, and we're utterly unable to escape this condition on our own.
What's at the root of all this? The Bible points to a fundamental issue: "There is no fear of God before their eyes" (Romans 3:18). We've missed the entire point of our existence. We were created to glorify God and enjoy Him forever, but instead, we've pushed Him to the margins of our lives – or out of them entirely. We've "de-centered" God, instead making ourselves or other created things the focal point of our universe.
This harrowing space drama serves as a powerful metaphor for a much deeper, universal problem that affects every single one of us. Just as the astronauts faced a life-or-death situation, humanity faces a spiritual crisis of cosmic proportions. Except that in our case it's not just that we have problems – we are the problem.
The Problem
The Bible, particularly in the book of Romans, paints a stark picture of the human condition. It declares that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). We aren't talking about occasional missteps or minor infractions here. This problem runs much deeper and affects our very being.
Consider these sobering truths from Romans 3:
- "None is righteous, no, not one" (v. 10)
- "No one understands; no one seeks for God" (v. 11)
- "All have turned aside; together they have become worthless" (v. 12)
These words might seem harsh or even offensive to our modern sensibilities. We like to think of ourselves as basically good people. Sure, we make mistakes, but surely we're not that bad, right? Yet the Bible confronts us with a reality we'd often rather ignore: sin has corrupted every aspect of our being – our moral nature, our minds, and our wills.
This is what theologians call "total depravity." It doesn't mean we're all as bad as we could possibly be, or that we never do anything good. Rather, it means that sin has affected every part of us, and that even our good actions and best efforts are tainted by selfish motives or misplaced priorities. This corruption manifests itself in our words and actions. Our speech can be deceitful, bitter, and harmful. Our actions can lead to violence, ruin, and misery. We are deeply affected by our sin, and we're utterly unable to escape this condition on our own.
What's at the root of all this? The Bible points to a fundamental issue: "There is no fear of God before their eyes" (Romans 3:18). We've missed the entire point of our existence. We were created to glorify God and enjoy Him forever, but instead, we've pushed Him to the margins of our lives – or out of them entirely. We've "de-centered" God, instead making ourselves or other created things the focal point of our universe.
"We were created to glorify God and enjoy Him forever, but instead, we've pushed Him to the margins of our lives – or out of them entirely."
At this point, you might be wondering, "Why focus on such bad news? Isn't this just making everyone feel terrible about themselves?" It's a fair question. The answer lies in understanding that recognizing the depth of our problem is the first step toward finding the solution.
The Solution
If we don't grasp how thoroughly sin has corrupted us, we'll keep thinking we can fix ourselves. We'll slap band-aids on gaping spiritual wounds. We'll try to resuscitate our own spiritual corpse through sheer willpower. We'll reduce righteousness to a game of moral accounting, hoping our good deeds outweigh the bad.
But all of these approaches miss the mark entirely. They're like trying to plug a catastrophic oxygen leak with duct tape – utterly inadequate for the gravity of the situation. The realization of our utter helplessness in the face of sin should drive us to cry out, "God, I have a problem!" It's only when we reach this point of desperation that we're truly ready to receive the good news of the gospel.
And here's where the story takes a dramatic turn. Jesus said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners" (Mark 2:17). The very people who have nothing left to do but to cry out for help are precisely the ones Jesus came to save.
This is where hope breaks through. The same Bible that exposes the depth of our sin also proclaims a Savior who can rescue us from it. Jesus Christ, through His life, death, and resurrection, offers a solution that addresses every aspect of our problem:
The Solution
If we don't grasp how thoroughly sin has corrupted us, we'll keep thinking we can fix ourselves. We'll slap band-aids on gaping spiritual wounds. We'll try to resuscitate our own spiritual corpse through sheer willpower. We'll reduce righteousness to a game of moral accounting, hoping our good deeds outweigh the bad.
But all of these approaches miss the mark entirely. They're like trying to plug a catastrophic oxygen leak with duct tape – utterly inadequate for the gravity of the situation. The realization of our utter helplessness in the face of sin should drive us to cry out, "God, I have a problem!" It's only when we reach this point of desperation that we're truly ready to receive the good news of the gospel.
And here's where the story takes a dramatic turn. Jesus said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners" (Mark 2:17). The very people who have nothing left to do but to cry out for help are precisely the ones Jesus came to save.
This is where hope breaks through. The same Bible that exposes the depth of our sin also proclaims a Savior who can rescue us from it. Jesus Christ, through His life, death, and resurrection, offers a solution that addresses every aspect of our problem:
"The same Bible that exposes the depth of our sin also proclaims a Savior who can rescue us from it."
- He breaks the power of sin from the inside out.
- He removes the penalty of sin, offering full forgiveness.
- He renews our hearts, souls, minds, and strength, making us new creations.
- He restores our relationship with God, bringing us back to our true purpose.
Just as the Apollo 13 astronauts needed the efforts of mission control to guide them home, we need divine intervention to rescue us from our spiritual peril. But unlike those astronauts, who faced uncertainty until the very end, we can have complete confidence in Christ's ability to save us.
From Despair to Hope
The journey from recognizing our desperate need to embracing God's solution isn't always easy. It requires humility to admit we can't save ourselves. It demands faith to trust in Christ's work on our behalf. But for those who take this step, the transformation is nothing short of miraculous.
As we reflect on these truths, let's not shy away from honest self-examination. Have we truly grasped the depth of our need for God? Are we still trying to fix ourselves, or have we surrendered to Christ's saving work? Are we living in the freedom and purpose that comes from being reconciled to God?
The story of Apollo 13 captivates us because it's a tale of survival against impossible odds. But the gospel offers an even more incredible narrative – one where hopelessly lost sinners are not only rescued but transformed and brought into an eternal relationship with their Creator.
This is the journey we're all invited to embark on – from the despair of our sin to the hope found in Christ. It's a journey that begins with the humble acknowledgment, "God, I have a problem," and ends in the joyful declaration, "Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me!"
This blog is based on a sermon by Pastor Derick Zeulner at South Shores Church in Dana Point, CA on Sunday, February 9, 2025.
About the Author
Derick Zeulner earned his M.A. in Theology at Talbot and is currently working on his Doctor of Ministry degree. He has been involved in full-time ministry at South Shores Church since 2005. Derick and his wife, Rebecca, have four children: Hutch, Oakes, Avonlea, and Shiloh. Outside the church, Derick is an assistant coach for a local water polo club and loves watching each of his own kids surpass him in speed and skills.
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