ROMANS 1 PT 4 //

LAST WEEK

We looked at one of the strongest statements Paul ever penned

He declared to all people that He was not ashamed of the Gospel

Because it is this very Gospel that has the ability to save all people

Within the Good News of God, two things are revealed

That we need a Savior

Because of our sinlfulness

And That God sent His Son to be the Savior of the World

A Holy, Righteous, Blameless lamb of God, crucified on behalf of our sin

BEFORE WE GET INTO THIS WEEK’S TEXT, WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THE GOSPEL

We must know a couple of things about God:

In Both sections of the Bible, the Old and New Testament

God’s heart for people has never changed.

He is the same yesterday, today and forever.

Ezekiel 33:11 NKJV

11 Say to them: ‘As I live,’ says the Lord God, ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?’

1 Timothy 2:4 NKJV

4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

1 Tim 2:

1 Timothy 2:3–4 NKJV

3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

THIS IS GOD’S #1 OPTION FOR ALL OF HUMANITY

BEFORE WE CAN UNDERSTAND GOD’S JUST WRATH, WE MUST UNDERSTAND THAT GOD’S LOVE IS MEANT TO APPEASE THE WRATH WE DESERVE.

WE DESERVE THE WRATH OF GOD

SLIDE:

James 2:10 NKJV

10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.

THE LOVE OF GOD FOR HUMANITY WAS DISPLAYED ON THE CROSS

THIS LOVE HAS PAID THE DEBT, SO THAT WE WOULD BE SPIRITUALLY DEBT FREE FROM ALL CONDEMNATION AND WRATH, THAT WE JUSTLY DESERVED.

SLIDE: ME

SLIDE:

1 Timothy 1:15 NKJV

15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.

1 Tim

1 Corinthians 6:9–11 NKJV

9 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 homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

THIS IS US.

THIS IS THE GRACIOUS STORY OF THE GOD OF THE BIBLE.

WE

THAT WHILE WE WERE AT WAR WITH A HOLY GOD

HE CONFRONTED US WITH HIS LOVE

WASHED US WITH HIS WORD

WE ARE CURRENTLY BEING SANCTIFIED

ALREADY JUSTIFIED IN THE NAME OF JESUS, BY THE HOLY SPIRIT

THE ONLY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THEM AND US, ISTHE VALUE THAT IS PLACED ON THE SCRIPTURES.

For some, this is a very convicting Text

For others, this text sets us free.

NOW, LET’S GET INTO IT.

Romans 1:18–32 NKJV

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the 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 vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

ROMANS 1:18

PRAY

SLIDE: ROMANS 1:18-19

Romans 1:18–19 NKJV

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.

Romans 1:18 NKJV

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

THE WRATH OF GOD

THE JUSTICE OF GOD

THE RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HOLINESS OF GOD

IS REVEALED FROM HEAVEN

It has never changed.

He has always been Holy

He will forever be Holy

Holiness is God’s Nature

This Nature has been revealed to us from Heaven

This Holy Nature that God has continued to put on display

Speaks against all unrighteousness and ungodliness

The Glory that lights up Heaven

It proves to us, that we are not like Him

The very thing

It tells us that we need a Savior

Until we recognize our sinfulness and His holiness

Our nature suppresses the truth in unrighteousness

We fight against God while He is fighting for us

DEEP INSIDE,

AS THOSE WHO HAVE FOUND THE SOLUTION TO OUR SINFULNESS

WE ULTIMATELY WANT TO BE JUSTIFIED ON OUR OWN TERMS

WE DESIRE TO BE RIGHT

BUT THE WAY WE GO ABOUT JUSTIFYING OURSELVES IS SUB PAR

We try and we fail

We try harder, and we continue to fail

Until we realize the worth of the Scriptures

Until we begin to trust what the Scriptures tell us

We will continue to fail at proving that we are right and God is wrong.

THE CRAZY PART IS, THAT WE FIGHT AGAINST GOD, WHILE GOD IS WORKING BEHIND THE SCENES TO SHOW US HOW IN LOVE HE IS WITH US.

ALL WHILE GOD IS WORKING BEHIND THE SCENES

Confirming that little trait within us thats yearning for Eternity

Speaking into us through events in our lives

Giving us opportunities to repent and follow Him

Making it obvious to us, that He has a different plan for our lives

What makes this story unique is the fact that He doesn’t force His will upon us

He allows us to make decisions and analyze the results

Always confirming who He is and that we were created for something greater.

Making it obvious to us, that He is present.

SLIDE: ROMANS 1:20-23

Romans 1:20–23 NKJV

20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

Romans 1:20

CHURCH, GOD HAS AND WILL ALWAYS MAKE HIMSELF KNOWN

HIS INVISIBLE ATTRIBUTES ARE CLEARLY SEEN

BEING UNDERSTOOD BY THE THINGS THAT ARE MADE

Creation understands and surrenders to its creation

Butterflies can come and go, and its beatiful

The Heavens can declare the Glory of God all day and night.

Still, the part of Creation that God loves the most, is us.

Isn’t it crazy that the most intricate thing that God has created, is the part of creation that contends with him the most.

Though we contend with Him

Ultimately we are without excuse

We have become the biggest hurdle when it comes to knowing God

Our flesh

Our nature

Our proclivities

We are like children that throw fits when we don’t get our way

Failing to realize God’s protection from something that may not be good for us.

SLIDE: LIST 3 THINGS THAT YOU KNOW ARE COMPETING WITH GOD RIGHT NOW.

THIS IS THE STORY OF THE JEWISH PEOPLE / AND ALL OF HUMANITY FOR THAT MATTER

Those who knew God

But did not Glorify Him as God

They lost their thankfulness

Becoming futile, aimless, empty, fruitless in their thoughts

Their foolish hearts were darkened

SLIDE: DO’S & DONT’S

Notice, how easy it is to get into this funk

You know God . . . ok thats good

But you didn’t glorify Him as God

That led to unthankfulness

Then you became unfrutiful

Your heart became dark

But you still profess to be wise

But in all honesty we have become foolish

We undo what the Gospel does

When our plan for our lives supplants the plans that God has for us.

We undo the transformative work of the Gospel

When we change the glory of the incorruptible God

Into an Image made like Corruptible Man

When we begin to worship the creation instead of the Creator.

NOW, HERE IS WHERE IT GETS INTERESTING

SLIDE: YOUR CHOICE

AS A FOLLOWER OF JESUS, WOULD YOU RATHER GOD FORCE HIS WILL INTO YOUR LIFE TO PREVENT HEARTACHE?

OR WOULD YOU RATHER HIM BE THERE TO PICK UP THE PIECES WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE?

Romans 1:24–27 NKJV

24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the 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 vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

ROMANS 1:24

BECAUSE OF THEIR CONTINUAL DISOBEDIENCE

GOD ALLOWED AND HANDED THEM OVER TO THEIR UNCLEANNESS

SLIDE: REMEMBER

Now remember that verse in Ezekiel 33:11

He does not delight in the death of the wicked

Remember

He desires all men and women to be saved

This attribute of God will never change

EVEN THOUGH GOD LOVES HUMANITY, HE WILL ALLOW THEM TO CHOOSE THEIR PATH

WHY WOULD GOD JUST LEAVE US ALONE?

DOESN’T HE LOVE US?

I THOUGHT HE NEVER GAVE UP ON US?

WHAT WE FAIL TO REALIZE IS THAT THROUGHOUT THE JOURNEY, GOD IS STILL GOD.

He will make himself known through His invisible attributes

That little trait that has been planted in the heart of humanity is still alive and well

The Holy Spirit, is constantly convicting them of sin, righteousness, and judgement

WE MAY DISHONOR OR SHAME OUR BODIES AMONGST OURSELVES.

WE MAY EXCHANGE THE TRUTHS OF GOD FOR THE LIES

WE MIGHT WORSHIP AND SERVE THE CREATION RATHER THAN THE CREATOR

Church we do this

This isn’t talking about a specific community

This is talking about all people

We all have the capacity to do this

When we don’t take care of the temple, we shame our bodies

When we listen to the lies about ourselves instead of what God says about us, we exchange the truths of God for the lie

When we exalt men above God, or relationships, or money above God, we worship and serve the creation over the creator.

WHEN WE DO THIS, WE EXCHANGE WHAT WE WERE MADE FOR, GOD’S PLEASURE, FOR WHAT PLEASES US, OUR PLEASURE.

When God’s plan for salvation is relegated

When the Cross is insufficient

When His plans are just a suggestion, and not the goal

God allows us to reap to that which we have sown.

Our Greatest Drives

Success

Meaning

Sex

Passion

Begin to explore un-natural practices

Committing what is shameful

Exchanging the natural emotions and desires for the uncommon desires

Accepting and welcoming in the penalty of our sin.

REMEMBER, YOU CAN CLAIM THAT YOU KOW GOD

BUT BECAUSE YOU DON’T GLORIFY HIM AS GOD, YOU BECOME UNTHANKFUL

THIS UNTHANKFULNESS LEADS TO UNFRUITFULNESS

WHICH THEN MAKES OUR HEART HARD AND DARK

AND BECAUSE THAT IS CORE TO US, FROM THE HEART THE MOUTH SPEAKS

Our words begin to flatter and worship the creation rather than the creator

Romans 1:28–32 NKJV

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

Romans 1:28-

AS THIS GODLESS PRACTICE BEGINS TO FLESH ITSELF OUT

WE BEGIN TO DISAPPROVE THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD THAT IS SO CLEAR TO OTHERS

WE BEGIN TO PROACTIVELY GO AGAINST THE NATURE OF GOD

GOD, THEN GIVES US OVER TO A DEBASED MIND

An unqualified mind

A mind whose moral compass has a different plum line

A mind who is hostile against all that is God

A mind convinced in what it believes about itself, rather than what God believes about it.

THIS MIND IS NOW FILLED WITH SOMETHING OTHER THAN BIBLICAL KNOWLEDGE

FILLED WITH

Unrighteousness

Sexual Immorality

Wickedness

Covetousness

Maliciousness

Envy

Murder

Strife

Deceit

Evil Mindedness

Whisperers

Backbitters

Haters of God

Violent Proud

Boasters

Inventors of Evil Things

Disobedient to Parents

Undiscerning

Untrustworthy

Unloving

Unforgiving

Unmerciful

Knowing the righteous judgement of God

Knowing that those who practice such things are deserving of death

Not only do they do all of these things

They approve of them.

REMEMBER HOW WE STARTED THIS LETTER

REMEMBER WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT INVESTING IN HOLINESS

THIS IS WHY ITS SO IMPORTANT

The Voices we listen to

What we believe about orselves

What we approve of

Will guide our Spirit into a God Glorifying or God Rejecting Worldview.

It is no small thing that when we choose our own path, not led by the Spirit

We fall into one of the categories listed in the last section of Chapter 1.