Introduction

Good morning, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ. As we gather here today, we find ourselves standing at the crossroads of faith and the world, seeking to navigate the often tumultuous waters of life. We are here to seek understanding, to seek wisdom, and to seek God's will in a world that often seems to be spinning out of control with sin and disobedience.

Today, we turn our hearts and minds to the book of Romans, specifically Romans 1:18-32. This passage of scripture is like a lighthouse in the storm, guiding us through the fog of confusion and into the clear light of God's truth. It speaks of God's wrath, a concept that may seem daunting and even frightening. But as we journey through these verses together, we will find that understanding God's wrath is not about fear, but about aligning our lives with His righteous ways.

Before we begin, let us bow our heads in prayer. Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You today with humble hearts and open minds. We ask that You guide us through Your Word, illuminating the path of understanding. Help us to see Your will in our lives and give us the courage to follow it, even when the world tempts us to stray. We ask this in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Now, let's turn our Bibles to Romans 1:18-32. As we read, let's not just skim over the words, but let's allow them to sink into our hearts and minds. Let's allow the Holy Spirit to speak to us through these verses, revealing the truth of God's wrath and His righteous judgment.

As we read, "The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse."

These verses paint a picture of a world that has turned its back on God, a world that has chosen to ignore the truth of His existence and His righteousness. But God's wrath is not a blind rage. It is a righteous anger, a response to the sin and disobedience that mars His perfect creation.

Imagine, if you will, a master artist who has spent countless hours crafting a beautiful masterpiece. He has poured his heart and soul into every brushstroke, every detail. But then, someone comes along and defaces that masterpiece, marring its beauty with careless disregard. The artist's response, his anger and disappointment, is not only understandable but justified. This is a glimpse, a small reflection, of God's wrath against sin.

But, my dear brothers and sisters, this is not where the story ends. For even in His wrath, God's love and mercy shine through. As we continue to journey through Romans, we will see that God's wrath is not meant to destroy us, but to draw us back to Him, to realign our lives with His righteous ways.

So, let us embark on this journey together, with open hearts and minds, ready to receive the truth of God's Word. Let us seek to understand God's will in this sinful world, and let us strive to live our lives in a way that reflects His love and righteousness.

The Reality of God's Wrath (Romans 1:18-32)

Today, we're going to talk about a topic that's not always comfortable. We're going to talk about God's wrath. It's right there in Romans 1:18-32. It's a part of God's character, just as much as His love and His grace. But it's not something we should fear. Instead, it's something we should understand. It's something we should learn from.

God's wrath, as described in Romans 1:18-32, is not a temper tantrum. It's not God losing control. It's not God being mean. It's God's righteous and just response to sin. It's His holy anger towards everything that is evil and ungodly.

The Apostle Paul writes, "The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness" (Romans 1:18). God's wrath is directed at those who reject Him, who choose to live in sin, who suppress the truth about Him.

But God doesn't leave us in the dark about Him. He makes Himself known. Paul tells us in Romans 1:19-20, "since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse."

God's existence, His power, His divine nature, they're all clearly seen in the world around us. They're seen in the beauty of a sunrise, in the complexity of a cell, in the vastness of the universe. God has made Himself known, so we are without excuse.

Now, let's look at the Greek word for "wrath" used in this passage. It's "orge," and it means a strong desire, an intense passion. It's not a fleeting anger, but a settled indignation. God's wrath is His settled indignation against sin. It's His strong desire for justice and righteousness.

As the great theologian Jonathan Edwards once said, "The wrath of God is the great doctrine of the Bible." It's a doctrine we can't ignore. It's a doctrine we must understand.

But understanding God's wrath is not just about knowing that it exists. It's about understanding why it exists. It's about understanding what it means for us.

First, God's wrath exists because of sin. Sin is a rejection of God. It's a rebellion against His authority. It's a violation of His holy and righteous standards. And God, in His holiness and righteousness, cannot ignore sin. He cannot let it go unpunished.

Second, God's wrath means that there are consequences for sin. There are consequences for rejecting God. There are consequences for suppressing the truth about Him. There are consequences for living in wickedness and godlessness.

But here's the good news. God's wrath is not His final word. It's not His last response. God's wrath is meant to lead us to repentance. It's meant to lead us to a recognition of our sin and our need for a Savior.

And that's where Jesus comes in. Jesus took on the wrath of God for us. He bore our sins on the cross. He suffered the punishment we deserved. Through Jesus, we can be saved from God's wrath.

So, let's not ignore or fear God's wrath. Let's understand it. Let's learn from it. Let's let it lead us to repentance and faith in Jesus. Because in Jesus, we find not just the wrath of God, but the love of God, the grace of God, the mercy of God. In Jesus, we find salvation.

Suppressing the Truth (Romans 1:21-25)

Friends, we're here today to talk about a serious matter. It's about God's wrath. Now, I know that's not a popular topic. But it's a reality we can't ignore. It's right there in Romans 1:18-32.

Paul, in his letter to the Romans, paints a vivid picture. People knew God, but they didn't honor Him. They didn't thank Him. Their thoughts turned useless. Their hearts, once full of light, became dark. They thought they were wise. But they turned into fools. They traded the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal humans, birds, animals, and reptiles.

God, in His justice, let them follow their sinful desires. He let them degrade their bodies with each other. They swapped the truth about God for a lie. They worshiped and served created things instead of the Creator.

Now, let's pause here. This is a heavy passage. But it's crucial we understand it.

First, we see the danger of ignoring God. We may know about Him. But do we honor Him? Do we thank Him? Or do we let our thoughts turn useless and our hearts dark?

Second, we see the foolishness of idolatry. We may not bow to statues. But do we worship other things? Money? Success? Pleasure? We need to ask ourselves: What takes the place of God in our lives?

Third, we see the consequences of rejecting God. He lets us follow our sinful desires. He lets us face the results of our choices. It's not because He's cruel. It's because He's just.

Now, let's turn to another passage. It's 2 Timothy 3:1-5. Paul warns Timothy about the last days. People will love themselves, money, and pleasure more than God. They'll act religious, but they'll reject the power that could make them godly.

Doesn't that sound familiar? It's like a mirror reflecting our world today.

Now, let's go back to Romans.

Fourth, we see the importance of embracing the truth. We live in a world full of lies. Lies about God. Lies about ourselves. Lies about what's important. We need to hold on to the truth. The truth about God. The truth about who we are in Him. The truth about what really matters.

Finally, we see the call to worship the Creator. Not the created things. Not the things of this world. But the Creator. The One who made us. The One who loves us. The One who is worthy of all our worship.

Friends, let's not suppress the truth. Let's not ignore God. Let's not worship idols. Let's not reject God. Let's embrace the truth. Let's worship the Creator. Let's live in a way that honors Him. That's the way to understand God's will in a sinful world. That's the way to live a life that truly matters.

The Consequences of Sinful Living (Romans 1:26-32)

When we look around at the world today, it's not hard to see the evidence of sin's destructive power. It's in the headlines, it's in our communities, and if we're honest, it's in our own lives too. But what does this mean in the context of understanding God's will in a sinful world? Let's turn our attention to the words of the Apostle Paul in Romans 1:26-32.

Paul paints a vivid picture of a society that has turned its back on God. He speaks of men and women who have exchanged the truth of God for a lie, worshipping and serving created things rather than the Creator. This rejection of God's truth has led them down a path of sexual immorality and perversion, a path that is contrary to God's design for human relationships.

Now, it's important to note that Paul isn't just talking about a few isolated incidents or a handful of individuals. He's describing a widespread pattern of behavior, a societal shift away from God's moral standards. This is a sobering reminder of the far-reaching effects of sin. It's not just an individual problem; it's a societal problem. And it's a problem that has consequences.

The first consequence Paul highlights is the degradation of our bodies and minds. When we reject God's truth, we open ourselves up to all kinds of sinful desires and behaviors. We see this in the rampant sexual immorality and perversion that Paul describes. But it's not just about sexual sin. Paul also lists a whole host of other sins, including envy, murder, deceit, and malice. These sins corrupt our minds, distort our thinking, and lead us further away from God's will.

A.W. Tozer, a renowned Christian author, once said, "Sin has many tools, but a lie is the handle which fits them all." This quote perfectly encapsulates Paul's message in this passage. When we buy into the lie that we can live however we want without any consequences, we open the door to all kinds of sin. And as Tozer points out, it's a lie that can be used to justify any sinful behavior.

The second consequence Paul highlights is the breakdown of our relationships. Sin doesn't just affect us individually; it affects our relationships with others. When we live in sin, we create an environment of strife, deceit, and malice. We become consumed with envy, leading to bitterness and resentment. We engage in gossip and slander, tearing others down to build ourselves up. These behaviors destroy our relationships and create a culture of division and discord.

But perhaps the most sobering consequence of all is the spiritual death that Paul speaks of. When we live in sin, we separate ourselves from God. We reject His truth, His love, and His grace. We choose to live for ourselves rather than for Him. And the result is spiritual death – eternal separation from God.

So, what does all of this mean for us as believers? How do we navigate this sinful world and align ourselves with God's will? The answer lies in the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. When we surrender our lives to Christ, the Holy Spirit begins to work in us, transforming our hearts and minds and empowering us to live in accordance with God's will. This transformation isn't a one-time event; it's an ongoing process. And it's a process that requires us to actively resist the temptations of this world and strive to live in obedience to God's commands.

In conclusion, the consequences of sinful living are severe and far-reaching. As believers, we must be aware of the destructive nature of sin and its impact on our lives and society. Let us strive to live in accordance with God's righteous standards, resisting the temptations of this sinful world. May our lives be a testimony to the transforming power of God's grace and love, drawing others closer to Him.

Conclusion

As we draw our sermon to a close, let's take a moment to reflect on the key insights we've gathered from Romans 1:18-32. This passage has given us a clear picture of God's wrath, not as an arbitrary expression of anger, but as a just response to sin. It's a sobering reminder of the consequences of suppressing the truth and choosing to live in sin.

In this sinful world, understanding God's will can seem like a daunting task. But remember, God's will is not hidden or mysterious. It's revealed in His Word, and it's centered on righteousness, truth, and love. God's will is for us to live lives that reflect His character, to be salt and light in a world darkened by sin.

As we've learned from Romans, God's wrath is directed at ungodliness and unrighteousness. It's a response to those who suppress the truth in unrighteousness. This is a serious matter, friends. It's not something we can ignore or take lightly. We must recognize the reality of sin and its destructive outcomes.

But here's the good news: we are not left to face the consequences of sin on our own. God, in His mercy and love, has provided a way out. Through Jesus Christ, we can be freed from the bondage of sin and experience the joy of living in righteousness.

So, as we step into the coming week, let's make a conscious effort to be more like Jesus. Let's strive to live in truth, to shun ungodliness, and to embrace righteousness. Let's be intentional about reflecting God's character in our thoughts, words, and actions.

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Word that guides us and Your Spirit that empowers us. We acknowledge that we live in a sinful world, and we need Your help to navigate through it. We ask that You help us understand Your will and give us the strength to live it out.

Help us, Lord, to be more like Jesus in our daily lives. May we be bearers of truth, champions of righteousness, and vessels of Your love. As we face the challenges of the coming week, may we not be conformed to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds.

We pray that Your grace will be sufficient for us, and Your strength made perfect in our weakness. Guide us, Lord, in the path of righteousness for Your name's sake. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Now, as we part ways, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all. May we walk in the light of God's truth, live in the joy of His love, and serve in the power of His Spirit. May we be a reflection of Christ in this world, bringing glory to God and drawing others to Him.

Go in peace, live in love, and serve with joy. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Get the Full Sermon

• Sermon Notes
• Midweek Discussion Questions