Fading From God: Evil Dweller to Evil Doer

Three Exchanges

Glory of God < Images v.23

God Gave Us Over to the Lusts of Our Hearts

Romans 1:24 “Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves,”

Truth of God < A Lie v. 25

God Gave Us Over to Degrading Passions

Romans 1:26 “For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature;”

Acknowledge God < Acknowledge Ourselves v. 28

God Gave Us Over to a Depraved Mined; To Pursue What We Know Is Improper

Romans 1:28 “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.”

Evil Here to Stay?

“God’s response to this worldwide disloyalty and treason against our Creator is not, first, to send us to hell, but to see that we sink into the swamp we have chosen.” (John Piper)

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

1st We don’t like having God in our Knowledge

2nd God withdraws his common restraints on our rebellion and gives us over to sink in the swamp we have chosen.

3rd We are then/now imprisoned by a depraved mind

4th Indwelling Evil Makes Evil Emanate

House Illustration

"We do not marvel when an abandoned house decays. We expect it. The shocking thing is that we expect the human heart to thrive after abandoning God."

Evil… Go Away… Never Come Another Day

God’s Wrath Reversed from Our Unrighteousness

Embrace God & His Provision

Romans 1:17 “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.””

God’s “Handing Over” Reversed

Romans 6:17 “But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed,”

It’s GOD who does it.. not us..

3. Exchange Moral Decay for Renewal in God’s Service

a. Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Benediction:

John 17:24 “Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.”