God Gave Them Up
Journey's Road Map • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Sermon Title: God Gave Them Up
Sermon Title: God Gave Them Up
Series Title: Journey’s Road Map
Series Title: Journey’s Road Map
Text: Romans 1:24–32 (ESV)
Text: Romans 1:24–32 (ESV)
[Introduction]
[Introduction]
Two guys stole a calendar. They got six months each. —Submitted by Alex Del Bene
Two guys stole a calendar. They got six months each. —Submitted by Alex Del Bene
One of the most tragic phrases you can hear in Scripture is repeated three times in this passage: “God gave them up.” Imagine a parent who has pleaded with a child again and again not to walk into danger, but finally steps back and lets them go their way. That’s what Paul describes here—not God’s abandonment of His people in Christ, but His judicial handing over of sinners to the consequences of their rebellion.
One of the most tragic phrases you can hear in Scripture is repeated three times in this passage: “God gave them up.” Imagine a parent who has pleaded with a child again and again not to walk into danger, but finally steps back and lets them go their way. That’s what Paul describes here—not God’s abandonment of His people in Christ, but His judicial handing over of sinners to the consequences of their rebellion.
24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
26 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; 27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.
26 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; 27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.
28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. 29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.
28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. 29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.
This text is weighty. It describes the downward spiral of sin when humanity rejects God and worships idols. Paul shows us what happens when the truth of God is exchanged for a lie—it doesn’t lead to freedom, but to slavery.
This text is weighty. It describes the downward spiral of sin when humanity rejects God and worships idols. Paul shows us what happens when the truth of God is exchanged for a lie—it doesn’t lead to freedom, but to slavery.
[Point 1: God Gave Them Up to Impurity]
[Point 1: God Gave Them Up to Impurity]
Paul begins in verse 24: “Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator.”
Paul begins in verse 24: “Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator.”
When people reject the truth of God, God’s judgment is not always lightning from heaven. Sometimes it is simply giving people what they demand. He lets them chase the idols they’ve chosen, even though those idols destroy them. The dishonoring of their bodies is a direct consequence of dishonoring their Creator.
When people reject the truth of God, God’s judgment is not always lightning from heaven. Sometimes it is simply giving people what they demand. He lets them chase the idols they’ve chosen, even though those idols destroy them. The dishonoring of their bodies is a direct consequence of dishonoring their Creator.
Illustration: Think of a ship that cuts its anchor loose in the middle of a storm. At first, it feels free—no restrictions, no restraints. But soon, the waves carry it wherever they please, and destruction is inevitable. That’s what happens when God “gives us up” to our desires.
Illustration: Think of a ship that cuts its anchor loose in the middle of a storm. At first, it feels free—no restrictions, no restraints. But soon, the waves carry it wherever they please, and destruction is inevitable. That’s what happens when God “gives us up” to our desires.
Application: Are there areas in your life where you’ve mistaken God’s silence for approval? Don’t assume freedom from restraint means blessing. Sometimes it’s judgment. Ask yourself—what anchors you? Is it God’s truth, or your desires?
Application: Are there areas in your life where you’ve mistaken God’s silence for approval? Don’t assume freedom from restraint means blessing. Sometimes it’s judgment. Ask yourself—what anchors you? Is it God’s truth, or your desires?
[Point 2: God Gave Them Up to Dishonorable Passions]
[Point 2: God Gave Them Up to Dishonorable Passions]
Verses 26–27 press further: “For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another…”
Verses 26–27 press further: “For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another…”
Paul describes how idolatry warps human desires. Sin doesn’t just affect what we do—it distorts what we want. When the Creator is rejected, creation becomes twisted. Paul’s point isn’t to single out one kind of sin, even though he uses it as an example, but to demonstrate how far humanity can fall when it abandons God’s design.
Paul describes how idolatry warps human desires. Sin doesn’t just affect what we do—it distorts what we want. When the Creator is rejected, creation becomes twisted. Paul’s point isn’t to single out one kind of sin, even though he uses it as an example, but to demonstrate how far humanity can fall when it abandons God’s design.
The key phrase is “contrary to nature.” Paul isn’t talking about personal preference but about God’s created order. To rebel against the Creator is to rebel against creation itself.
The key phrase is “contrary to nature.” Paul isn’t talking about personal preference but about God’s created order. To rebel against the Creator is to rebel against creation itself.
Illustration: Imagine using a finely crafted violin as a hammer. It might make noise, but it will never make music. In fact, it will destroy both the instrument and the project. That’s what happens when we use our bodies against God’s design.
Illustration: Imagine using a finely crafted violin as a hammer. It might make noise, but it will never make music. In fact, it will destroy both the instrument and the project. That’s what happens when we use our bodies against God’s design.
Application: This passage confronts us with uncomfortable truth: sin is not just breaking rules—it’s breaking creation. The question for us is—are we submitting our desires to God’s design, or are we reshaping God’s design to fit our desires?
Application: This passage confronts us with uncomfortable truth: sin is not just breaking rules—it’s breaking creation. The question for us is—are we submitting our desires to God’s design, or are we reshaping God’s design to fit our desires?
[Point 3: God Gave Them Up to a Debased Mind]
[Point 3: God Gave Them Up to a Debased Mind]
Finally, Paul says in verse 28: “And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.” The result is a floodgate of unrighteousness: envy, murder, strife, deceit, gossip, arrogance, disobedience, ruthlessness. This is the spiritual chaos of a mind untethered from God.
Finally, Paul says in verse 28: “And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.” The result is a floodgate of unrighteousness: envy, murder, strife, deceit, gossip, arrogance, disobedience, ruthlessness. This is the spiritual chaos of a mind untethered from God.
Notice the final verse: “Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them” (v. 32). The lowest point isn’t just sin—it’s celebrating sin, normalizing rebellion against God.
Notice the final verse: “Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them” (v. 32). The lowest point isn’t just sin—it’s celebrating sin, normalizing rebellion against God.
From Mere Christianity
From Mere Christianity
Lewis explains that natural law (what he calls “the Law of Human Nature”) is something all people know deep down:
Lewis explains that natural law (what he calls “the Law of Human Nature”) is something all people know deep down:
“Human beings, all over the earth, have this curious idea that they ought to behave in a certain way, and cannot really get rid of it.”
“Human beings, all over the earth, have this curious idea that they ought to behave in a certain way, and cannot really get rid of it.”
Sermon Tie-In: Paul says God’s truth is plain but people “suppress the truth.” Lewis is pointing out that people instinctively know right and wrong—it’s woven into us by God—but we still resist it.
Sermon Tie-In: Paul says God’s truth is plain but people “suppress the truth.” Lewis is pointing out that people instinctively know right and wrong—it’s woven into us by God—but we still resist it.
Illustration: In ancient Rome, gladiator games were celebrated entertainment. Crowds cheered as people were slaughtered for sport. What was evil had become spectacle. In the same way, our culture often cheers for sin in movies, music, and media, applauding what God condemns.
Illustration: In ancient Rome, gladiator games were celebrated entertainment. Crowds cheered as people were slaughtered for sport. What was evil had become spectacle. In the same way, our culture often cheers for sin in movies, music, and media, applauding what God condemns.
Application: Where have you been tempted not just to tolerate sin, but to celebrate it? As believers, we are called to grieve over what God grieves and rejoice in what God delights in. Don’t let the world train your conscience to clap for what God calls rebellion.
Application: Where have you been tempted not just to tolerate sin, but to celebrate it? As believers, we are called to grieve over what God grieves and rejoice in what God delights in. Don’t let the world train your conscience to clap for what God calls rebellion.
[Conclusion]
[Conclusion]
Romans 1:24–32 is a dark mirror held up to humanity. It shows us what happens when truth is traded for lies, when worship is redirected from Creator to creation, when God gives us up to the very desires we demanded.
Romans 1:24–32 is a dark mirror held up to humanity. It shows us what happens when truth is traded for lies, when worship is redirected from Creator to creation, when God gives us up to the very desires we demanded.
But this passage also prepares us for hope. Because the same God who “gave them up” is the God who “gave up His Son” (Romans 8:32). Jesus bore the consequences of our rebellion so that we could be brought back from impurity, from dishonorable passions, from a debased mind, into the freedom of His righteousness.
But this passage also prepares us for hope. Because the same God who “gave them up” is the God who “gave up His Son” (Romans 8:32). Jesus bore the consequences of our rebellion so that we could be brought back from impurity, from dishonorable passions, from a debased mind, into the freedom of His righteousness.
The question is—what will you do with the truth of God? Suppress it, trade it, or receive it?
The question is—what will you do with the truth of God? Suppress it, trade it, or receive it?
Amen.
Amen.
