Series: Romans: Part-2
Notes
Transcript
Happy Mothers Day!!!
Happy Mothers Day!!!
Thank you all for joining us today. I wanted to wish everyone
mother out there a Happy Mothers Day. Please take some time to honor and love your mothers.
If you have not done so already feel free to take them out to a nice meal or give them their presents, possibly bring them some coffee. Just please take sometime today to do that.
Review of Last Week:
Review of Last Week:
Last week we started our series on Romans.
We covered what I like to call setting the stage, which means to look into the context, content, and themes within Romans. These are all important things to keep in mind when we get into scripture.
Outlining as Christians we are all theologians. It is a matter of whether we are good or bad theologians.
We examined who the author of Romans was, which is Paul, an apostles of Jesus. We found out that Romans in full of theological themes, that alines with what we believe here at Oaks Community Church.
The main points we covered where:
As Christians we should humble ourselves in all the things we do. Looking for more ways to have a humble heart.
We then examined the Gospel. Which is Jesus Christ’s died for our sins, granting us a place with the Father in Heaven.
One thing I did miss to highlight last week, is Paul writes as if he was in court. Paul is building his case to the Roman church. Which you can see this throughout Romans.
I want to shout out Pastor Jeff Heitzman for that one. He mentioned I should highlight it with my sermon last week but forgot.
This week we are diving deeper into the rest of Romans. We are looking at the sinful nature of mankind. In Romans 1:18-3:20 Paul outlines the extent of man’s sinful nature.
Lets turn to Romans 1:18-23
Romans 1:18–23 (NASB 2020)
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of people who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, being understood by what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their reasonings, and their senseless hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and they exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible mankind, of birds, four-footed animals, and crawling creatures.
Lets take this part of scripture a few sentences at a time. and breaking down what Paul is highlighting.
Looking at Romans 1:18-19
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of people who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.
First Paul outlines God’s wrath towards those who are ungodly and unrighteous. Lets look at the original language of the text, which is Greek.
Wrath in Greek is orge, which is a express of divine displeasure with human sin. The wrath that God has entailed for those who are ungodly, is not a quick anger or an outburst but more of a settled and determined response to man’s sinful nature.
This is important because it shows us God’s character. That He is not quick to angry but is more thought out and claim.
Lets look at the terms ungodly and unrighteous.
Ungodliness in this context is the lack of reverence, devotion, and worship of the true God.
Unrighteousness this is the result of being ungodly. Which in turn means is a lack of commitment in thought, word, and action to the character and law of God.
Now looking further at the passage of scripture we see Paul make a reference to “people who suppress the truth in unrighteousness...”
The Greek word for “Suppress” is katecho, meaning to hold fast to, restrain or suppress.
Further digging into this Paul is expressing that although the evidence from God’s Word, and creation, mankind choses to oppose God’s truth by holding onto or holding fast to their sin.
Then Paul outlines in Romans 1:19
because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.
God has sovereignly planted evidence of His existence in the nature of man which is seen with reason and moral law.
In a recent study they found out that babies aged between 19-21 months understand fairness and are able to apply this to different situations. This is further evidence in what Paul was saying, that God is evident within them.
This is also a testament to God putting moral law within us.
What Paul is outlining that God has wrath for those who are not willing to worship or devote themselves to God. Furthermore, there truly is no excuse for those people because they do know of God due to God sovereignly planting evidence within man.
Paul then continues to build his case or argument about how mankind sinful and is knowing of God in Romans 1:20-21
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, being understood by what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their reasonings, and their senseless hearts were darkened.
Paul is highlighting within Romans 1:20 that mankind knows of God and that they know off Him well. Paul makes note that this has been known since the creation of the world. So for a long time mankind has known of God.
What people know of God’s character is as an eternal power who is divine in nature.
Paul goes on to highlight that mankind without a doubt understands and knows God. This is why he states, “have been clearly perceived, being understood by what has been mades so they are without excuse.”
Of course, you know I am going to want to look at the Greek for “clearly perceived”, which is kathorao, this means to discern clearly. In this context is meaning that mankind truly knows God and His wrath.
You can tell within this scripture that Paul is wanting to make it crystal clear that there is no excuse for mankind’s sinful nature.
Mankind couldn’t say:
I didn’t know any better or
I don’t know of God or know who God is.
Looking at today’s society you see this excuse pop up all over.
People saying they didn’t know any better or I didn’t know it was wrong. Don’t get me wrong it is fine not to know everything but if you don’t know you should ask or research the subject. However, in the context of God, mankind does know of Him.
Now lets look at Romans 1:21
For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their reasonings, and their senseless hearts were darkened.
Paul is outlining that even through they knew God, who is a righteous God deserving of worship. Mankind decides not to honor Him as God. Furthermore, they don’t give thanks to Him. Giving thanks in this text of scripture means they are refusing to acknowledge that all good things come from God.
Then we see Paul point out that since they do not honor God mankind becomes “futile in their reasonings,” meaning that man’s search for meaning and purpose goes in vain and is meaningless in the end.
Paul then mentions that mankind’s “hearts were darkened,” When man rejects the truth, which is scripture and the gospel, it is replaced with the darkness of a spiritual falsehood.
Interestingly enough, we have see this age old questions of what is my purpose and why am I here. Many great scholars have attempted to answer these two simple question.
What is interesting is they all seem to all fall short of the true purpose of life. Some say it is to “live your best life,” Others would tell you “No, no, it is to be a good person and to share that with others.” Some scholars have simple said “there is no purpose to life and it is all random actions happening.”
Honestly all the answers are truly sad. It would be a sad existence to “live you best life,” or “to be a good person,” in comparison to want Christ calls us to do as Christians. Which of course is to spread the gospel for the glory of God because of his rightness and our reward is eternal life after death.
I don’t know about you all but that sounds way better then being told “their is no purpose to life.”
Now lets us shift back into Romans 1:22-23 which states,
Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and they exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible mankind, of birds, four-footed animals, and crawling creatures.
What stands out in the text is, “Claiming to be wise, they became fools.” You know I have to look at the Greek, I think I have to much fun with looking at the original language…but I think if I do it enough I might end up learning Greek...
“Claiming” in Greek is phasko, meaning to claim or assert. Mankind will assert themselves as being wise, which means humankind will rationalize their sin. However, they ultimately become fools in the end.
Then Paul further outlining that mankind is foolishly replacing the “glory of the incorruptible God ,” for something else.
Which in this case is a form created by mankind that they worship like God.
I will admit that these false gods sound horrible, some gods are birds, other gods are four-footed animals, while others like the crawling creatures…it seems like something my 4 year old would think of or draw…you know he is at the age of asking questions, as well as having a very active mind…so I can total see him running up to me saying, “hey dad what if there was a bird, four-footed animal thing that crawled on the ground?” In all seriousness, these man made gods have taken on different forms in our current culture.
People are replacing God with false idols. They are worshiping nature, the universe, money, and even Satan. These are just a few idols that have taken the place of God.
One of the more popular themes today is having a true belief in the universe. What some universalities believe is:
they will talk to the universe for advice or to show them a sign.
They believe if they are positive person the universe will take care of them.
They believe they can manifest things into existence.
We even seen universalism coming into the church. There are some religions that believe that all people go to heaven, no matter what. Which we know is not the case.
Universalism may seem harmless but in all reality they are still attempting to replace God. They are looking for that purpose in life. Truly believing they have found it in mother nature, the universe, or money, just to name a few.
It is sad because they are lost and looking for something they will not find. They will not find purpose in all these false idols, as Paul has outlined in Romans.
What saddens me more is the repercussions of their actions.
Now lets look at Romans 1:24
Therefore God gave them up to vile impurity in the lusts of their hearts, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them.
Paul then shifts into what happens to those that do not worship and follow God. Those that decided to replace God with false idols.
Paul then uses “God gave them up,” looking at the Greek for “gave them up,” is paradidomi, this term is a judicial term used for handing prisoners over to their sentences. What Paul is outlining that God is removing His restraints, and allowing the sin in mankind's heart to run it course. This is what freewill of mankind gets you, which is going back to our sinful nature.
Then Paul uses the term “impurity,” looking at the Greek…don’t worry I won’t attempt to pronounce it. This term is being used for sexual immorality which starts in the heart and moves to the shame of the body. Hence why Paul states “dishonored among them.”
Now lets shift to Romans 1:26-27
For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged natural relations for that which is contrary to nature, and likewise the men, too, abandoned natural relations with women and burned in their desire toward one another, males with males committing shameful acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.
In the text of this scripture Paul is going into greater detail about what he was outlining earlier. We see Paul use the term, “gave them over” again, which is meaning to hand over a prisoner for their sentence. Like I mentioned previously, in this case God is removing His restraint and allowing the nature of humankind to run it’s course, which leads to sin.
The sin Paul is referring to is sexual in nature. Then Paul uses the term “degrading passions” which in this context is a reference to homosexuality, which is a sin, that is condemned throughout Scripture. We also see Paul stating “women exchanged natural relations for that which is contrary to nature,” which “natural relations” is referring to heterosexuality. Paul is saying women replace heterosexuality with homosexuality.
Paul uses women first to make a greater point. This is because back in Paul’s time most cultures viewed women as the last to be affected by immorality. In this case Paul is ensuring that his audience knows the extent of debauchery under the wrath of abandonment.
Paul goes on to highlight that men “abandoned natural relations with women,” meaning men gave up being heterosexual. Furthermore, Paul states, “burned in their desire toward one another, males with males committing shameful acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.” In this text Paul clearly outlines that men gave into their sinful desires, which was to sleep with each other. Paul further outlines that since the commited these “shameful acts” then received the “penalty” which is a turn death. He is outlining that homosexuality is a sin and the penalty for that is the wrath of God.
The modern day cultures finds this offensive, that homosexuality is considered a sin. This of course is the truth and the truth can hurt.
It is not only within Romans, it is seen throughout the Bible, in Leviticus 18:22
You shall not sleep with a male as one sleeps with a female; it is an abomination.
It is outlining to sleep with another male as you would with a female is an abomination.
We see in 1 Timothy 1:10
for the sexually immoral, homosexuals, slave traders, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching,
It is being outlined that homosexuality is sinful such as being sexually immoral, slave traders, liars, and perjurers are all contrary to sound teaching. Which sound teaching in this context means the teaching that produce spiritual life.
We should also keep in mind that the world, aka today’s culture will always be against the Bible and the teachings of Jesus.
This is because the Bible stands in opposition to what today’s culture believes is right and just. We also see this throughout scripture, in Matthew 10:22
And you will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved.
This was Jesus talking to his disciples about how as a follower of Christ, you will be hated. The hated in this case is coming from what was referred to as the world, which means the current culture. This was outlined by Jesus thousands of years ago and still holds true to this day.
Then in 2 Timothy 3:12
Indeed, all who want to live in a godly way in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
It is outlining again because we are followers of Christ Jesus we will be persecuted for our views and beliefs.
Then in Old Testament, in Proverbs 29:27
An unjust person is an abomination to the righteous,
And one who is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked.
Proverbs is outlining that the “upright” or followers of God will be considered an abomination to the wicked. The Greek for “wicked” is ra-sa, which means guilty; wicked person. These would be the sinners that are not followers of God.
So what are we suppose to do with this information. How are we as Christians suppose to react and handle the situation.
Are we suppose to hate the sinner and tell them they are going to hell or will have a true death? No we are not called to hate others. Matthew 5:43-45 states,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘you Shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may prove yourselves to be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
We are called to even love our enemies and pray from them, which is seen in Matthew 5:43-45. So of course we should not hate or persecute them.
Are we suppose to not talk about a person’s sin? Or not be direct about sin in general? No this is not the case either. We are suppose to speak the truth to others. In Zechariah 8:16
These are the things which you shall do: speak the truth to one another; judge with truth and judgment for peace at your gates.
We are called to speak the truth about sin. By not speaking the truth, we are condemning the sinner to a true death.
I have seen this first hand, were people and even pastors don’t tell the whole truth or leave things out about sin. This is much worse because now the sinner believes they are not sinning. That they are on the right track. We are called to love one another, so speaking the truth is showing love.
Are they not welcomed in churches? No this is not the case either. Jesus hung out with the sinners because the sinners needed saving. However, Jesus did not change. He did not change His ways or how He taught. Those sinners around Him changed because of Jesus. Of course, sinners are welcomed, all sinners are welcomed but we, the church, do not change from our Biblical views. We do not water down the truth about sin and the need for a savory. Of course, the sinner should feel welcomed but not comfortable. If the sinner is comfortable then we have not addressed the issue of sin.
What we need to be careful of when dealing with sin and interacting with people is to not have a superiority complex. We should not be arrogant or talk down to others too. You might have noticed I said people, and not just non-believers or sinners. This is because I have seen first hand other believers talking down to other believers.
We should all approach things from a loving place. This is because we are all sinners. That even as followers of Christ we are not immune from sinning. It will happen from time to time. However, we are set apart because when we sin we feel shameful. We repeat of our sins by praying to God. This is important for us as believers to keep in mind because if not it will allow pride to take hold in ourselves which leads to sinning. It can become a vicious cycle. So we must be humble in our approach…see what I did there…building on the things we learned last week.
We also need to be careful not to judge either. This normally takes the form of “Ooo at least my sin is not as bad as theirs.” I know you all have probably heard that one before or even have thought about it. However, if we have a loving approach then we will be less likely to judge others. Of course, judging and discernment are two different things, which we can get into greater detail during another sermon.
Next week we will be continuing in the Romans Series. Paul will be going into more detail about mankind’s true nature, which is to be sinful and to hold onto that sin.
Let us Pray together and then we can dismiss.
(Pray at the end of this Sermon)