The State of the world Looking at Romans 1:18-32
The self-revelation of God He reveals his power in salvation (16) He reveals his righteousness in the gospel (17) He reveals his wrath (18) He reveals his glory (19,20) 2
The wrath of God? Two views C.H.Dodd: God s wrath is wholly impersonal [and is] the inevitable process of sin working itself out in history. - realized eschatology John Stott: God s deeply personal abhorrence of evil. - annihilationism 3
Against what is God s wrath directed? Godlessness (asebeia..against God) Wickedness (adikia against men) Specifically, against those who suppress the truth (v18) of the knowledge of God (19,20). (Romans Applies to us Today!!!) GENERAL / Natural REVELATION. - so that they are without excuse v. 20 4
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so that they are without excuse 14
Natural Revelation 15
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19 NKJV 2Peter 3 (3)... scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, (4) and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation." (5) For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, (6) by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. (7) But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. (8) But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. (9) The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
2Pe 3:4 "Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation. 2Pe 3:6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. 20
How is God s wrath revealed? Not Judgement Day (1 Thess) or civil punishment (Rom 14) but NOW (fear of conscience, rage and desolation, depression/separation) (Heb 10:31 NKJV) It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Not by God intervening but by God NOT intervening: Gave them over. v.24 Despite their knowledge (21,25,28), they turned to idolatry (26-27) does this apply today? 21
Reference to Judgement Day (1Th 5:3 NKJV) For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. Does this apply today? 22
Reference to Civil Punishment 23 Romans 14 deals with Christians judging or punishing each other in the here and now. don t reject what God has accepted Also deals with our ability to interact directly with God and conscience to work out the way we are called to act in a way so as to be pleasing to God (and men). Warns against acting against a doubting conscience.
What is the consequence of their rejection? Sexual impurity (24) Shameful lusts (26) Depraved minds (28) Stage 1 vv21-24 Stage 2 vv25-27 Stage 3 vv28-32 24
Summary v32 (Rom 1:32 NIV) Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them. Yes, this all applies today! 25
Summary v32 1. They KNOW that these things deserve death 2.They disregard their knowledge and actively encourage others. There is an antithesis between what people know and what they do. 26