The Need for Salvation: Sin’s Consequence

Romans 1:24-32

Introduction:

10,000 Sermon Illustrations The Infidel

The strongest argument for the Gospel of Christ is the personal testimony of someone whose life has been changed by it. Charles Bradlaugh, an avowed infidel, once challenged the Rev. H. P. Hughes to a debate. The preacher, who was head of a rescue mission in London, England, accepted the challenge with the condition that he could bring with him 100 men and women who would tell what had happened in their lives since trusting Christ as their Savior. They would be people who once lived in deep sin, some having come from poverty-stricken homes caused by the vices of their parents. Hughes said they would not only tell of their conversion, but would submit to cross-examination by any who doubted their stories. Furthermore, the minister invited his opponent to bring a group of non-believers who could tell how they were helped by their lack of faith. When the appointed day arrived, the preacher came, accompanied by 100 transformed persons. But Bradlaugh never showed up. The result? The meeting turned into a testimony time and many sinners who had gathered to hear the scheduled debate were converted.

Righteous Living review-

Last week we spent time together discussing the need for the Salvation through the Gospel as Paul exposed sin; today we we see that there is a need for Salvation through the Gospel as we will look at the consequence of sin

Romans 1:15 “So, for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.”

Big Idea: God righteous response to sin (His Wrath)

Refer to Romans 1:18 “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,”

God knows the consequences of sin and when we knowingly choose that way of living He hands us over to that depravity (There is no middle ground)

This may be the greatest struggle for some of us, that when faced with the realty of the world, our friends, our family, our culture we will begin to think there is a middle ground with God when it comes to sin. This is becoming prominent in our culture today.

There are ways I have seen people respond to this: the get religious, they judge, yet would this be the reason for Paul’s eagerness absolutely not. He had lived that life, a religious persecutor, rather he had been redeemed and therefore desires others to know such redemption.

But the wrath of God is being revealed, He has truly made a way for us, yet what we decide to do with God’s word Jesus, truly does matter.

How can we explain this wrath of God

God respects man free will cause He gave it!

Sin becomes easier

Man makes himself a slave to sin

“He may begin with a shuttering awareness of what he is doing, and end by sinning without a second thought. It is not as God is punishing him, he is bringing punishment upon himself, he is becoming a slave to sin.”- William Barclay

Psalm 51:4 “Against You, You only, I have sinned And done what is evil in Your sight, So that You are justified when You speak And blameless when You judge.”

Ephesians 4:19 “and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.”

From todays text we will see the consequence of sin when God gives us over (Righteous wrath)

3 Consequences when man is given over to their Sin- these consequences of Sin are not a one or the other they are tied into one another

1. Consequence of the Heart VS 24-25

Jeremiah 17:9 ““The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?”

What does the world tell us- at least we aren't as bad as them- not a great perspective- the bible teaches the opposite- it should sadden us not make us boastful.

I want to take some time to caution us- do not look to man while even when it is evident God is working in their life. We rather point to God.

Be a discerner-

Gave them over(VS 24)(paradidōmi)- (para-did-di-me) 1. to deliver — to surrender someone or something to another; especially to an authority

Hearts (VS 24)(kardia)- (car-dia) 1. heart (internal feature) — the locus of a person’s thoughts (mind), volition, emotions, and knowledge of right from wrong (conscience) understood as the heart.

God gives them over to decide what is right and wrong- it will always be skewed out side of a relationship with God

1 John 2:15 “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”

Dishonored (VS 24) (atimazō)- (ati-matzo) 2. to be dishonored (state) — to be or become characterized by shame, dishonor, and a lack of respect.

What is the consequence of the heart- in being handed over to our own deceitful heart we will worship ourselves- we will seek to make sure we get what we want no matter the cost. (vs 25)

Sin of Behavior are always the fruit of the sins of the heart.- Paul David Tripp

Who is the creator- God- Jesus

The consequence of the heart is wicked and without the renewal of such heart will will worship ourselves-

This leads us to our second consequence of sin

2. Consequence of the Flesh Vs 26-27

This is not a text on the dangers of homosexuality- or the singling out a groups of people. - We will see this is what happens when God hands man over to their desires. - This is the fruit that comes from worshipping yourself- it is about Holiness- This is the realty that we will pursue to feed our flesh- but it leads to hopelessness- Christopher Yuan

Natural Function- To be fruitful and multiply- we are learning to fabricate what God has made natural- do not mistake mans attempt to wrong evil as good. It should encourage us as believers to be the example.

What does this look like seek the Lord.

Psalm 127:4 “Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth.”

When given a chance- man will do what there heart desires-

Passion (VS 26) (pathos)- (path-as) 1. passion — a strong feeling or emotion

Exchanged (Vs 26) (metallassō)- (meta- lasso) to exchange (substitute) — to put in the place of another; switch seemingly equivalent items.

1 Corinthians 6:9–11 “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.”

(VS 27)Receiving their own persons the due penalty of their error-Sin to a toll on their bodies- We cannot allow the world to define Sin- The Bible is clear on the sin of homosexuality- we are all broken and in need of the washing, sanctification and justification only Christ gives-

Romans

Sin is serious- All are welcome here at foothills Calvary yet we are in great expectation as the Lord leads you here and your hear about and see the life changing work of God, that He as well will do the work in your life.

The consequence of the flesh is that we will truly do what our wicked heart desires- we will not be washed or sanctified, there is nothing holding us back- if we live this way we are without excuse- (want are not the victim)

3. Consequence of the Mind VS 28-32

Living as if God doesn't exist- Such a dangerous way to live. God has defined himself and man has created an alternate realty that God will have to contend with what we want.

Depraved- (VS 28) a depraved -(adokimos)- (ada-key-mas)1. worthless (despicable)† — morally reprehensible.

Unrighteous(VS 29) (adikia) (ada-kia) 1. unrighteousness — failure to adhere to moral principles, commands, or laws.

wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips Slanders, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents. Without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful;

Deserving (VS 32)- (axios)- (axi-as) 1. deserving — worthy of being treated or recognized in a particular way.

who practice such things are worthy of death- the eagerness of the gospel- not a place of comfortability. We are not comfortable to see unrighteous acts so prominent in our world- are we unforgiving when we have been wronged

(Practice VS 32) (prassō) (pra-so)—1. to perform (do) — to do or carry out an action; often conveying an idea of moral rightness or wrongness in the action.

Paul is speaking into the true depravity of the mind, that they love sin so much that they encourage others to do so as well- what a terrible way to live

1 Peter 5:5“You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Application

Have a Theology of Sin

Brokenness is all around us- Parents, Husband and wife, Neighbors- no worldly institution can solve the problem of Sin- if so then there was no need for the cross.

1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.”

2. Have an eagerness for the Gospel

As we are justified (righteous living is possible) may we be eager to preach the Gospel to our selves- and eager to tell others about God- Invite to church, anchor groups, life

Psalm 51:1–3 “Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity And cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, And my sin is ever before me.”

For the believer- draw close to the Lord knowing who you once were apart from Him

For the sinner- repent turn to God today