Sermon Tone Analysis

Main Point: We must ensure that we demonstrate authentic Christianity!

Q: Why should/does this matter to us?

To answer this question, let’s try to understand what Paul is getting at

If you’ve ever tried to share the gospel with someone, you’ve most-likely been called a hypocrite, judgmental, or insincere!

Paul was commissioned by Christ to carry the gospel to the Gentiles

Paul rejoices to hear that the Roman church is advancing the Gospel

Paul reminds the Gentiles that God pours His wrath out on all who sin

Paul reminds the Jews that God pours His wrath out on all who sin—even the Jews who have the law!

Paul reminds the Roman church that the standard of judgment is Jesus Christ—and it is not the hearers of the law that are righteous but the doers.

Paul reminds the Roman church that others blaspheme God because of a duplicitous life by those who teach but don’t comply with their teaching.

Bearing this in mind… let’s read and take a look at Paul’s instruction

In the past six months, while trying to share the gospel with non-believers (and even some professing Christians) I’ve been told that:

Think of it like this...

I am judgmental

I am a hypocrite

I am not a good pastor, I’m too firm, I don’t do things the way others want, I don’t do what other pastors and churches do (and much more)

I am a cult-leader

I am narrow-minded

I am not loving, merciful, or compassionate

I am too

As a matter of transparency, every time someone says something like this to me:

I return to the word of God and prayer and ask God to show me where I’m wrong.

I do this because I tend to believe these accusations—I know that I am a sinner in constant need of God’s mercy and grace.

Sometimes the Lord validates the complaint and shows me that I have wandered astray.

Sometimes the Lord validates my actions and shows me that it was rooted in the word of God.

Now, this creates a rather large problem for me (and you as well)…

First, let’s look at the categories and responses to our actions:

Sometimes what I do is godly and unopposed

Sometimes what I do is godly and opposed

Sometimes what I do is ungodly and unopposed

Sometimes what I do is ungodly and opposed

Now, let’s look at a ramification of our actions—very often our actions are visible!

When I do what is godly and unopposed, this is a positive witness.

When I do what is godly and it is opposed, this is a positive AND confusing witness

When I do what is ungodly and it is unopposed, this is a negative and confusing witness

When I do what is ungodly and it is opposed, this is an initially negative witness, that is refuted by someone demonstrating a positive witness.

Here is where all of this is problematic… while those within the church have mature Christians guiding them through these various experiences, the world around us does not!

The world can only recognize actions that are godly and unopposed as being a good representation of Christianity!

Everything else creates some type of confusion and makes it difficult to hear about God.

When godly actions go unopposed, this is called and expression noble and godly Love.

Paul says I preach the Gospel

Paul says you preach the Gospel

Paul says all of us need the Gospel

Paul says

Such an expression of love is demonstrated through kindness, mercy, grace, and compassion.

Paul’s argument of Romans within the first two chapters:

This is a powerful, sound, and non-confusing witness.

It is almost always entirely acceptable in ALL cultures/people groups.

Romans 2:17-

The world can only recognize actions that are godly and unopposed as being a good representation of Christianity!

Paul was commissioned by Christ to carry the gospel to the Gentiles

The world does not have guidance of the Bible, the witness of the Spirit, and comfort of mature Christians to help them understand the other dynamics (which I will briefly review) of our behavior.

Consequently, everything else they see from us requires us to go out of our way to explain—which we may not always get a chance to.

Allow me to demonstrate...

When godly actions are opposed, this is called persecution.

When godly actions are opposed, this is called persecution.

Persecution is a powerful witness, but it also intimidates.

Paul rejoices to hear that the Roman church is advancing the Gospel

These actions are opposed because such actions demonstrate a distinct holiness that affirms the word of God while rejecting the ways of normative life—CONSEQUENTLY, SUCH ACTIONS STAND IN DIRECT CONTRAST TO THE WORLD, thus earning its venomous wrath.

Persecution is a powerful witness, but it also intimidates because it is neither comfortable or desirable.

Persecution validates our confessions

Persecution causes the insincere to fall away

However, those who earnestly desire to know God, are often drawn to God through the persecution of the church.

On the other hand, many people do not and cannot understand how a good God allows His people (or humanity in general) to suffer.

Paul reminds the Gentiles that God pours His wrath out on all who sin

When ungodly actions are opposed, this is called discipline.

Church discipline is a powerful witness, but it also seem judgmental

Church discipline confirms our commitment to holiness, but...

Paul reminds the Jews that God pours His wrath out on all who sin—even the Jews who have the law!

Church discipline also communicates to the world that certain actions will not be tolerated

This causes some to reject us as unloving and harsh

This causes some to accept us as earnest, diligent, and demonstrating integrity.

Many people think it is unloving to address and correct sinful behaviors—though they do so in their children—and will need a lot of help to understand how church discipline is desirable and godly.

When ungodly actions go unopposed, this is called hypocrisy.

Paul reminds the Roman church that the standard of judgment is Jesus Christ—and it is not the hearers of the law that are righteous but the doers.

Hypocrisy ALWAYS detracts from God’s glory and brings shame on His name!

Hypocrisy is, by far, the worst behavior we can demonstrate to the world.

It makes God unappealing (who wants to lack integrity)

It robs God of His glory (perverted)

It makes God look ineffective (powerless)

Paul reminds the Roman church that others blaspheme God because of a duplicitous life by those who teach but don’t comply with their teaching.

Bearing all this in mind, we want to do all we can to avoid hypocrisy… because it is nearly impossible to overcome due to the extent of the negative witness that it provide.

We see Paul building an impressive argument that moves his audience to grasp that passion and weight of his work...

God called me to preach to the world

God called you to advance the gospel

God’s wrath is sure—but Jesus is the way to avoid it!

The Gentiles are sinners

The Jews are sinners

And False-piety/belief causes everyone to sin more!

THEREFORE IMPLYING THAT THIS BRINGS ABOUT MORE OF GOD’S WRATH

Thus, we will look at the dangers associated with hypocrisy and Paul’s scathing rebuke of it with the intention of embracing and authentic Christianity characterized by integrity.

Today, we will look at the dangers associated with hypocrisy and what its implications.

Let’s read our verses in Romans today, and then we will strive to digest and internalize this scathing rebuke to the Jewish leaders.

Let’s read from Romans…

Romans 2:

Paul’s Accusation Against the Jews is Both Painful and Incriminating:

Why do the Gentiles blaspheme God because of the Jews?

According to Paul the Jews:

They claimed to be the special people of God (“call yourself a Jew” vs. 17)

They claim to Rest/depend/find comfort in the Laws of God (“rely on the Law” vs. 17)