Introduction
There is one question that has always plagued man and that is; so what about those in the deepest remote parts of the world that have not heard the gospel; will they be exempt from judgment?
Let’s examine that question this morning by turning to Romans 1:19-23. Please stand in honor of the Word of God and follow along with me as I read our text this morning.
Scripture
19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.
20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,
21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were 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. Romans 1:19-23 (NKJV)
Prayer
God is Visible to Them
From the beginning of creation, mankind has always desired to worship a god. If they reject God Jehovah the creator of all things then they will fashion their own gods into birds, four-footed animals and creeping things. Romans 1: 23b
19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.
20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, Romans 1:19-20
God has sovereignty planted evidence of His existence in the very nature of man by reason and moral law.
So what about those in the deepest remote parts of the world that have not heard the gospel, will they be exempt from judgment?
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, Romans 1:20 and other references are; (Romans 1:21; Romans 1:28; Romans 1:32; Romans 2:15)
Condemnation of a sinner does not rest upon the depth of their knowledge of God but upon what they do with their knowledge.
These verses in Romans declare that knowledge concerning God is available to all. This knowledge is seen in the created world.
Even those who have never had an opportunity to hear the gospel have received a clear witness about the existence and character of God, it is all around us, and is accessible to the entire human race.
Just because a person chooses to suppress the knowledge of God, it does not exempt them from being accountable to God.
Mankind has sufficient knowledge of God to make them responsible to God.
That knowledge arises from the fact that the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen as stated in Psalms 19:1. To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. Psalms 19:1 (NKJV)
Mankind’s mind is capable of drawing obvious conclusions.
To say there is no God is not a sign of ignorance, but an act of willful rebellion in the presence clear unveiled truth. The Psalmist has stated that; “The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." Psalms 14:1a (NKJV)
Refused to Acknowledge God
21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
The Bible is straightforward about the ultimate cause behind suffering and evil that plagues our world.
It gives a clear account of how we were created, and how we became wicked and hurtful to each other.
This separation from God is the results of our thoughts becoming futile and our foolish hearts becoming darkened, they have professed themselves to be wise, but they have became fools, Romans 1:22
When the true source of wisdom is rejected, and claims of knowing the truth by worldly wisdom are boasted, it is nothing more than babbling words of fools.
Mankind begins to rationalize their sins and proves their foolishness by devising and believing in their own philosophies about God, the universe, and themselves.
We must not forget what the Word of God declares to us:
1 Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; Praise Him in the heights!
2 Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts!
3 Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all you stars of light!
4 Praise Him, you heavens of heavens, And you waters above the heavens!
5 Let them praise the name of the Lord, For He commanded and they were created.
6 He also established them forever and ever; He made a decree which shall not pass away.
7 Praise the Lord from the earth, You great sea creatures and all the depths;
8 Fire and hail, snow and clouds; Stormy wind, fulfilling His word;
9 Mountains and all hills; Fruitful trees and all cedars;
10 Beasts and all cattle; Creeping things and flying fowl;
11 Kings of the earth and all peoples; Princes and all judges of the earth;
12 Both young men and maidens; Old men and children.
13 Let them praise the name of the Lord, For His name alone is exalted; His glory is above the earth and heaven.
14 And He has exalted the horn of His people, The praise of all His saints-- Of the children of Israel, A people near to Him. Praise the Lord! Psalms 148:1-14 (NKJV)
Creating Their Own Truth
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.
Those that boast of worldly wisdom become worshippers of graven images, created by the hands of corruptible men.
They begin to worship these graven images or worship themselves.
Do we not see this evident in our society today?
I have my truth and you have your truth.
They create their own truth to justify their actions and satisfy their guilty sinful nature.
Judgment is Coming
24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,
As Christians, our bodies become a holy temple that the Holy Spirit dwells in.
Being filled with the Holy Spirit is not having something from the outside fill you on the inside. Like a empty glass.
When your saved you have received all of the Holy Spirit, but you have only invited Him into your formal living room.
Explain what it means for the Holy Spirit to dwell in us.
Illustration of a house with a formal living room the you invite guest into, but not into rest of the house, because it is un-kept and has things that you don’t want the quest to see.
When you say make yourself at home you really don’t mean they have access to everything!
When your filled with the Holy Spirit, you are saying make yourself at home and He enters into every room and every draw and every hiding place, sees your secret things!
When we perform immoral acts, weather it is in the mind or in the flesh, we defile our bodies and your not filled with the Holy Spirit.
We have brought depravity into the temple, which is an abomination to God.
25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
When truth is questioned then the creature pushes out God. God is absolute truth and the world desire not to believe in absolute truth.
Conclusion/Invitation:
Admit
Believe
Confess
