A Downward Spiral
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Can you imagine living in the Garden of Eden? Can you imagine life without sin? Can you imagine having no knowledge of good and evil? This is the life Adam and Eve experienced and unfortunately lost when they sinned. The old serpent came their way and tempted them to defy a holy God. And now mankind is caught in a downward spiral of sin. Paul addresses this downward spiral in and lays out the verdict against mankind before a holy God.
“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption (death), but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” (, ESV)
No truer words have ever been penned. Paul portrays the truth of man’s dilemma. If left to his own devices, man will choose the flesh and sin.
Let’s look at Paul’s indictment against mankind.
Why is the wrath of God being revealed? (18-23)
Why is the wrath of God being revealed? (18-23)
Because of ungodliness and unrighteousness. (18)
Ungodly: fail to love and obey God.
Unrighteous: fail to love others.
“And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”” (, ESV)
Two simple commands that mankind could not follow.
Because mankind suppresses the truth.
Mankind knows the truth. How?
Conscience: knowledge from within. (19)
How does man know right from wrong?
God has placed inside each one of us a sense of right from wrong.
Creation: knowledge from without. (20)
How does creation show of God’s existence?
Power, intelligence, glory.
“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” (, ESV)
However, mankind has chosen to ignore and reject the truth.
They did not worship God. (21)
Rather, they ignored Him.
They claimed to be wise, yet were fools. (22)
They worshipped creation instead of the creator. (23)
“I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols.” (, ESV)
Therefore, what did God give them over to? (24-32)
Therefore, what did God give them over to? (24-32)
A will that seeks only sin and uncleanliness. (24)
A heart that burns for unnatural relations with others. (26-27)
A debased mind that seeks after only unrighteousness and evil. (28-31)
God gave them what they asked for. Be careful what you ask for.
What does the list of sin in verses 29-31 say about mankind as a whole?
What does the list of sin in verses 29-31 say about mankind as a whole?
All mankind does is seek after what is wrong.
Sin can manifest itself in many ways.
A sinful mind can think of many ways to defy a holy God.
“The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart.” (, ESV)
Therefore, what has mankind’s sinfulness brought upon themselves? (32)
Therefore, what has mankind’s sinfulness brought upon themselves? (32)
The judgment of God.
Spiritual death or separation from God
Giver of life here and forever
Garden
Paradise Lost
“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!” (, ESV)
A Conversation with Paul...
A Conversation with Paul...
Paul: I am not ashamed of the gospel.
Q: Why not Paul?
Paul: Because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.
Q: How so, Paul?
Paul: Because in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, that is, God’s way of justifying sinners.
Q: But why is this necessary, Paul?
Paul: Because the wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness.
Q: But how have people suppressed the truth, Paul?
Paul: Because what may be known about God is plain to them…For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities…have been clearly seen…yet man keeps on sinning and defying God.
What should we see?
What should we see?
Mankind is futile without a holy God.
Mankind will perish without a holy God.
God knew this and provided His own solution to the problem, Jesus.