The Reason For God's Wrath Series

It is obvious to the most casual observer that our people in our current culture have no fear of God and His wrath. In fact, our culture rarely mentions even the mere existence of God, assuming for a moment they admit there is a God.

Today’s message, “The Reason for God’s Wrath” is all about the truth of God, the truth about God and how people has handled that truth.

Romans 1:18–23 (NKJV)

Leith Samuel writes in HIS magazine, "Many missionaries point out that the heathen know more than we think. They know that there is a God. There are no atheists among heathen tribes. There has never been discovered upon earth a tribe of people, however small or depraved, which has not believed in some kind of god or had some system of worship... The heathen in so-called primitive tribes know that they have sinned. When a Christian comes to them and talks about sin he often finds ready acknowledgement that this is true. The heathen seem to know that their sins must be punished. They seem afraid of punishment, and afraid of death (as are most men everywhere). They know that sin must be atoned for, and they seek ways of appeasing their angry deities." [1]

When we consider all in the world that have never heard of the name of Jesus we must realize that men are condemned not their rejection of Jesus, whom they have never heard, but for rejecting or sinning against the revelation of God they do know. We will see the reason for God’s wrath is the result of three things which will form out outline for today’s message:

1. Suppressing the truth (Verse 18)

2. Ignoring God’s revelation of himself. (Verses 19-20)

3. Perverting God’s glory (Verses 21-23)

Today we will begin with the first point and with the verse we ended with last week:

Romans 1:18 (NKJV) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,

The wrath of God revealed from heaven. God’s wrath is straight from heaven and is part of His righteousness and holiness. Man’s ungodliness (which is a lack of respect and reverence towards God) and unrighteousness (or wickedness) will reveal God’s wrath. And one thing we will see, in man’s unrighteousness, man “who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.” What is suppressing the truth? Ignoring the truth, burying the truth, keeping the truth from others. Herein is part of the reason for God’s wrath. People do not just ignore the truth of God for themselves, they actively hide or cover the truth to prevent others from seeing it. And what truth is that? It is the truth that God has revealed to all people concerning Himself: That bring us to: 2. Ignoring God’s revelation of himself.

Romans 1:19–20 (NKJV) 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,

There is a whole lot packed into these two verses, let’s break it down: “Because” of what came before – Men had suppressed the truth, because God has given them the truth. God has made Himself know to all people. God’s truth can be found inside each person for “what may be known of God is manifest in them.” Isn’t interesting that even babies inherently know right from wrong.

Research conducted at Yale University’s Infant Cognition Center contradicts a common belief that children are born as blank slates and learn right and wrong from watching other people. Researchers found that babies as young as three months can actually distinguish good from evil. The study used puppets to demonstrate good and bad behavior and allowed the children to choose which puppet they wanted to play with afterward. In one case, a puppet struggles to open a box, and another puppet helps it open the case. In the other example, while the puppet struggles with the box, a second puppet comes along and slams the box shut again. More than 80 percent of the time, babies selected the “good” puppet when presented with a choice between the good one and the bad one. Paul Bloom, an author and professor who took part in the study said, “Humans are born with a hard-wired morality, a sense of good and evil is bred in the bone. We are naturally moral beings, but our environment can enhance—or sadly degrade—this innate moral sense.” [2]

We have a sense of right and wrong, but that can be changed. Yet God has shown us His majesty and glory throughout His creation. How can you stand in dark open field on clear night and observe all the stars and not praise God. Or witness a magnificent sun-rise or sun-set, or see the beauty of fall colors across a mountain range. Those who are spiritual and attuned to the things of God will break out in praise: