Those That Proclaim "No” God, "Know” God

Sermon Title: Those that proclaim “no” God, “know” God

Text: Romans 1:16-23

Date: August 17, 2003

Context of Scripture:

This morning, we are going to be taking a break from Paul’s letter to Timothy and instead we are going to look at Paul’s letter to the church in Rome. As we look at this writing of Paul, we need to view it as a letter that is directed to all that claim Christ, not just in the Roman sphere of influence. Through this letter Paul is teaching the body of Christ, from all ends of the earth and throughout the entirety of time until the glorious return of Jesus.

The church as a whole needs to be reinstructed in regards to the reading of God’s Word. It needs to be motivated in its time and in its manner of prayer. It needs to become respectful of God’s positions as “The Creator”. It needs to be re-informed about its mission to be missionary.

The church, in coming a long way from its beginnings as a young following of the Lord Jesus Christ, that hid in caves to allow them their opportunity to worship God has become an old conglomeration of a multitude of beliefs which are partly false and a little humanistically tainted that hides in the buildings called churches so that they can safely pretend to worship God. You may think it harsh for that to be said, but it is oftentimes that in harshness, the point, though difficult to swallow, is understood.

Let us stand for the reading of God’s Word

Scripture Reading: Romans 1:16-23

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH." 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. 21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.

Sermon Introduction:

I have a little pet-peeve that I might have shared already. I have a problem with Christians who are afraid to show that they are what they proclaim, and in actuality, when this is the behavior that they portray, I might wonder if they can actually claim the title of Christian. A prime example is the saying of grace in public. I have seen the heads bow so quick that it looks like a sneeze that could lead to a serious case of whiplash. I have heard grace said at such a rapid speed that the Guinness Book of World Records should have been contacted. I have seen it said in such a quiet manner, that it was as if a carefully guarded secret was being shared, and in actuality, as Christians, we have done a fine job of keeping the Gospel to ourselves. The reason we don’t say grace out loud, and I am not talking about obnoxious screaming, is that we are ashamed of our Lord and Savior, even though He was humiliated, humbled, tortured and then executed on a Roman Cross. We are not bold, because we are afraid of the repercussions. We are not verbal, because we fear humiliation at the hands of those that do not profess a belief. We are not more forceful, because we might find ourselves slighted in certain opportunities that might then go to those who gladly go with the flow, even though the flow is down the drain for all of eternity. Are we ashamed of Jesus?

How about the things that we believe? How secure are we in the things that the church considers, “core doctrine”? We are told that Jesus was born of a virgin, has our biology training cast a doubt on that possibility. Biology textbooks are written by man for man but the Holy Word of God is from our Almighty Creator to His creation. He who makes the rules, is the one who should truly rule.

How about all of the miracles of Jesus? It seems that everyone who is attempting to explain them away are also trying to justify something unbiblical in their lives.