June 24, 2012
Morning Service

We began our study of this letter to the Roman church last week with evidence from the early saints that this letter could be “the most important piece in the NT.”  The understanding of this letter led to the single greatest reformation the church has ever known.  We then asked ourselves, “What if?”

 

We then drew up our battle plan that went like this; surrender, trust, and remember.

 

 Sunday night we found out that the Gospel of Christ, or good news, is simply that God became man, dwelt among us, died for our sins and ever sits at the right hand of God making intercession for us.

 

We also discovered the Gospel is the power of salvation, saving us from our sin, lostness, this evil generation and God’s wrath.

 

Finally we were exposed to God’s righteousness; the attribute of His character where He always does the right (just) thing at the right time.  We can attain that righteousness only through our accepting of Jesus Christ as our Savior from our sins.

 

As we begin again Paul probes into the true importance of the Gospel message.

 

 Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 

·         We mentioned last week that the Gospel saves us from the “wrath of God.”  What exactly is that?

o   Our world was created with a distinct natural order that was by divine design.

§  Gravity, our atmosphere, the exchange of oxygen and CO2, the water exchange, and cell reproduction are of few examples.  Actions which create a designed reaction.

o   This divine design is also true in the spiritual (or moral) order of this world.  It also has a very intricate pattern to it of action and reaction.

o   The key in the spiritual order is that God and sin do not mix (righteousness).

o   The wrath of God is simply His righteous reaction to sin and disobedience, not one of anger or malice, but righteous justice.  He cannot support anything that goes against His righteous nature. 

 

Rom 1:19-23  because the thing which may be known of God is clearly revealed within them, for God revealed it to them.  (20)  For the unseen things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being realized by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, for them to be without excuse.  (21)  Because, knowing God, they did not glorify Him as God, neither were thankful. But they became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was 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.

·         God has revealed within each of us the knowledge of Him (verse 19).  By knowing Him, we also have a moral conscience for what is right and wrong.

o   Gen 2:17 but you shall not eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. For in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.

·         All who choose to ignore God, place themselves in the “man centered world” instead of a “God centered “one.  Man, in essence, creates himself and his plans to be an “idol” placing them at a higher level of importance than God and His plans (verses 21-23).

 

Rom 1:24-25 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves.  (25)  For they changed the truth of God into a lie, and they worshiped and served the created thing more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

·         “Therefore” refers to their choice to ignore Him.  This is the “free will” God has given to man.  He created us with the ability and freedom to choose for ourselves to serve Him or not to.

·         They choose the disorder of man instead of the perfect plan of God to live by and according to His Divine design, He allows it.  With that choice also comes the consequences. 

 

Look what happens when man is left to his own accord.

 

Gen 6:5  And Jehovah saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

 

Rom 1:26-27  For this cause, God gave them up to dishonorable affections. For even their women changed the natural use into that which is against nature.  (27)  And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust toward one another; males with males working out shamefulness, and receiving in themselves the recompense which was fitting for their error.

·         Rome was a place of unparalleled luxury, riches, and immorality.  It was an age where nothing had any limits of restrictions.  If their minds could dream it up they did it.

·         This scripture ties in very well with others (ICor 6:9-11) that God looks at homosexuality as a sin, just as He does any other sexual immorality.

·         In God’s perfect plan sexual relations are to be confined to one man and one woman within the marriage covenant. 

 

Rom 1:28  And even as they did not think fit to have God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do the things not right,

·         The true sin here is the rejecting of their internal knowledge of God.  They desire to explain away the reality of a Divine Creator.

·         The reprobate mind refers to one destitute of judgment.  One that was debased, and depraved that was unacceptable to God.  He allows them to believe the lie they have created.

·         The Message reads like this:

o   Rom 1:28 Since they didn't bother to acknowledge God, God quit bothering them and let them run loose.

 

Rom 1:29-32  being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; being full of envy, murder, quarrels, deceit, evil habits, becoming whisperers,  (30)  backbiters, haters of God, insolent, proud, braggarts, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,  (31)  undiscerning, promise breakers, without natural affection, unforgiving, unmerciful;  (32)  who, knowing the righteous order of God, that those practicing such things are worthy of death, not only do them, but have pleasure in those practicing them.

·         These are defined as; covetousness (greed), envy (jealousy), deceit (trickery), whisperers (gossip), backbiters (slanderers), insolent (insulting), undiscerning (no conscience).

·         Those doing these things know what they are doing is wrong, yet continue on and even take pleasure in them.  But deep down they know there is something missing, and empty hole that only God can fill.

 

Gal 6:7-8 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows, that he also will reap.  (8)  For he sowing to his flesh will reap corruption from the flesh. But he sowing to the Spirit will reap life everlasting from the Spirit.

 

God’s righteousness reacts to sin in a just manner; there is a price to be paid.  That is the “power” of the Gospel message.  God became man and paid that price for us.  Our God is not only a righteous God, but also one who is full of grace (unmerited favor).

 

2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slow concerning His promise, as some count slowness, but is long-suffering toward us, not purposing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.