First the Bad News... Wrath

Introduction: It’s all about the Gospel | Romans 1:1-17

Doctrine of the Gospel |Romans 1:18-8:39

Divine Plan of the Gospel | Romans 9-11

Duty of the Gospel | Romans 12-14

Dedication of the Gospel | Romans 15-16

Romans 1:18–25 NIV

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles. Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

The Wrath of God

Is being Revealed

Against...

Godlessness and Wickedness

Suppress the truth

Is Plain/Clear to them

God’s qualities are clearly seen

Knew, but did not

Glorify

Give Thanks

Result (they brought on themselves)

Thinking futile, foolish heart darkened

Became Fools

Exchanged glory of God for created

Therefore (God) Gave them Over

For degrading

Romans 1:25 NIV

They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

What about me?

Romans God’s Anger at Sin / 1:18-32

• replace God with the worship of success, property, and wealth,

• demote God by elevating their own homespun philosophies, and

• ignore God by devoting themselves to family, leisure, and career—rejecting his claim on their lives.

Romans God’s Anger at Sin / 1:18-32

IDOLATRY CHECK

Here are some questions to help you see if your attitudes are like idolatry.

• Who created you?

• Whom do you ultimately trust?

• To whom do you look for ultimate truth?

• To whom do you look for security and happiness?

• Who is in charge of your future?

• What do you think you can’t live without?

• Who do you think you can’t live without?

• What priority in your life is greater than God?

• What dream would you sacrifice everything to realize?

• Is God first place in your life?