THE BOOK OF ROMANS 8

romans 1:1

Romans 1:18 KJV 1900

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

The teaching of this whole passage can be summarized into three points.

1. Men who sin bring upon themselves the judgment of God, and they need God's righteousness

2. Men without the law, the heathen, are taught by nature and conscience. However, they have sinned by falling short of the standard of righteousness given to them

2. Men without the law, the heathen, are taught by nature and conscience. However, they have sinned by falling short of the standard of righteousness given to them ( ). Similarly, the moralist and self-righteous who have the law have sinned by falling short of their standard of righteousness, that is, the law ( ).

( Similarly, the moralist and self-righteous who have the law have sinned by falling short of their standard of righteousness, that is, the law

3. Therefore, all the world becomes guilty before God and needs God's righteousness

Romans 1:19

Romans 1:19 KJV 1900

Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

INTRODUCTION:

Would a loving God send someone to hell who was innocent... · 1. who has never heard the gospel? ·

2. who has never seen a Bible? ·

3. who has never had a missionary come to his remote village? ·

4. who was born and raised in a country that closed its borders to the Christian faith?

What do you think? Would a loving God do this?

As you think about your answer, would God pour out His wrath on anyone... ·

1. who has an evil, sinful heart? ·

2. who was an enemy of God? ·

3. who consistently ignored the truth? ·

4. who has never trusted in Jesus Christ and His completed work on the Cross?

The answer to all of these questions is a resounding YES!

The fall of man knows no borders.

Sin is not just a problem for men who live in a civilized hemisphere.

Sin is a worldwide problem that has been a point of vulnerability for every man since Adam.

Sin is a worldwide problem that has been a point of vulnerability for every man since Adam. This passage declares that mankind—every person, everywhere—is without excuse. It is time to quit making excuses for the circumstances of the lost; it is time for us to fully understand why God's wrath is to be feared. The message of this passage is perfectly clear: Why God reveals and executes wrath upon men.

This passage declares that mankind—every person, everywhere—is without excuse. It is time to quit making excuses for the circumstances of the lost; it is time for us to fully understand why God's wrath is to be feared. The message of this passage is perfectly clear: Why God reveals and executes wrath upon men.

God shows His wrath and becomes angry with two classes of men:

Men who are ungodly and unrighteous.

The ungodly fail to love and obey God. They are those who do not live as God lives. They are not like God, not holy and righteous and pure. They do not work at developing a godly nature, do not honor God by word or deed, do not worship and obey God as the only living and true God, do not reverence Him by doing what He says.

The unrighteous fail to love others. They are those who do not live with men as they should. They act against men: cheating, stealing, lying, abusing, enslaving, destroying, and taking advantage of them.

Men who hold the truth in unrighteousness.

Men who hold the truth in unrighteousness. The word hold means to hold down, suppress, repress, stifle, hinder.

Men know the truth from three sources:

1. from nature

Þ from nature (cp. )

Romans 1:20 KJV 1900

For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

2. from reason and conscience

2. from reason and conscience

Romans 2:15 KJV 1900

Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)

3. from Scripture (; )

3. from Scripture (; )

John 5:39 KJV 1900

Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

2 Timothy 3:16 KJV 1900

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

2 Tim.

Yet despite having access to the truth, they ignore, neglect, and even push the truth aside, doing all they can to avoid and get rid of it.

Why? Because they want to live as they wish and not as God says. They want to live unrighteous lives, to taste and feel and see and have all the stimulating things they want. But note what Scripture says: they "hold the truth in unrighteousness"; that is, they know the truth while they go about living in unrighteousness.

They are without excuse.

2 Thessalonians 2:10 KJV 1900

And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

2 Thes.

God is angry with men... ·

1. who are ungodly,

2. who do not love and obey God ·

3. who are unrighteous, who do not love and treat others as they should ·

4. who hold or suppress the truth while they live ungodly and unrighteous lives

Titus 2:11–14 KJV 1900

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

ILLUSTRATION: The wrath of God is often ridiculed and mocked. Ridiculous statements and pictures are made such as God being somewhat like an old man with a gray beard who is flinging thunderbolts at so-called sinful people. Be assured: the wrath of God is not ridiculous: it will be the execution of justice, the straightening out of all the injustices ever committed by men. It will be payday, the day when every man will receive exactly what he deserves, nothing more and nothing less.

"A little Scottish boy wouldn't eat his prunes, so his mother sent him off to bed saying, 'God is angry at you.' "Soon after the boy went to his room a violent storm broke out. Amidst flashes of lightning and peals of thunder, the mother looked into the boy's room, worried that he would be terrified. When she opened the door she found him looking out the window muttering, 'My, such a fuss to make over a few prunes.'"

The wrath of God does not concern little boys who have an aversion to prunes. God stores up His wrath for those who curse His name; who lie, steal, and kill; who reject and rebel against Him—all who insist on living ungodly and unrighteous lives.

QUESTIONS:

1. Even believers are ungodly and unrighteous at times. Does that mean God will pour His wrath out on us? Why or why not?

2. Why do ungodly and unrighteous people deserve God's wrath?

3. What motives cause people to suppress the truth? In what way have you attempted to ignore the truth in your life?