A World Condemned Series

Salvation: Why? and How?

or, SALVATION: ITS NEED AND PROVISION

Romans Chapters One to Five

Calvary Baptist Church

Series Begins Sunday, September 30, 2012

Sermon 4: A World Condemned

November 4, 2012

Romans 1:18-23

INTRODUCTION:

• In our 1st three sermons, we were in the section of Romans that I have called the salutation (1:1-17).

• Now we move into the section of Romans that we call "Sin."

• Paul is laying the foundation of showing the need of salvation.

• This part of Romans is divided into three parts.

• In Section 1, found in Romans 1:18-32, Paul reveals that the Gentiles are lost and condemned before God.

• Then, in Section 2, found in Romans 2:1-3:8, Paul writes that the Jews are lost and condemned before God.

• Finally, in Section 3, Romans 3:9-20, Paul concludes that all the world is condemned.

• We are preaching this first section, the condemnation of the Gentiles, in two parts.

• Today, we look at the reason for condemnation.

• God is a just Judge, He is not arbitrary in His judgment.

• Next time, we look at the results of condemnation.

OPEN

• What a world we live in!

• Take out Hiltler and Saddam will arise.

• Take out Saddam and a Muslim radical will take his place.

• Innocent human life is taken before it ever leaves the womb, for the convenience of the mother.

• Men live with men and women live with women and want to call this marriage.

• Isn't anybody going to do anything about this!

• God says, "Yes, I am."

Sermon 4: The Gentiles Condemned (Part 1)

THEME: God's Anger at Sin!

OBJECTIVE: To show that a just God must be angry at sin.

STATEMENT: Somebody needs to do something about that!

I. The Reason for Condemnation (1:18-23)

A. The Declaration of Condemnation (1:18)

Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

• This verse is an introductory statement to the entire section to come.

• The word "for" may be one of the most important conjunctions in all of the Bible.

• Paul has just told us that he is a debtor to all men.

• He wants to preach the gospel in Rome and then go to Spain.

• Why such a burden?

• Because men are lost and God will punish sin!

Wrath - Orge - God's punishment of sin which stems from His anger against evil.

QUOTE: "God's wrath is his divine displeasure with sin. We call it 'wrath' because it shares certain basic characteristics of human wrath. But because it is God's wrath it can have none of the sinful qualities of its analogical counterpart." Mounce, quoted in Tom Constable's Notes on the Bible

1. The Source of Condemnation: The Righteous Judge

a. The Person - God

Romans 3:5 (KJV) But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man)

b. The Place - Heaven

• Previously we learned that the righteousness of God is revealed (v. 17).

• Now we learn that the wrath of God is revealed.

2. The Subjects of Condemnation: The Righteous Judgment

"Against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness."

a. The Ungodly

Asebeia - To live in a manner contrary to proper religious beliefs and practice. Louw and Nida

b. The Unrighteous

Adikia - Activity which is unjust.

Luke 13:27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.

• Notice that these are not only wicked in themselves, but they add to their sin by attempting to suppress the truth, to keep it from reaching others.

Hold the truth - katecho. "To prevent someone from doing something by restraining or hindering."In Romans 1:18 the meaning is, ‘the people whose evil ways keep the truth from being known’ Ro 1:18. Louw and Nida

QUOTE: ". . . whenever the truth starts to exert itself and makes them feel uneasy in their moral nature, they hold it down, suppress it. Some drown its voice by rushing on into their immoralities; others strangle the disturbing voice by argument and by denial." Lenski, quoted in Tom Constable's Notes on the Bible

B. The Details of Condemnation (1:19-23)

1. God Revealed (1:19-20)

Wiersbe labels this, "Man's Intelligence." BEC

• The word "because" introduces each of the two main points in Paul's arugment.

Romans 1:19-20 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: