Sunday, January 27, 2019, Evident Grace looked at Roman s 1:18-23

Audio for this sermon can be found at: tinysa.com/sermon/127191832126696

Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.

From those verses, we pursued this Big Picture Question:

The Wrath of God and the End of Shame Part One

Big Picture Question:  Why Does God Show His Wrath?

We found these answers that question:

Ungodliness

Dishonoring God aka Lack of Thanks

Futile Thinking

Ungodliness

Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.

God has wrath against sin, and the way it is revealed to us its display against ungodliness and unrighteousness.  And Paul teaches us that one of the things that unrighteousness does is suppress the truth.  Sin is not just a single action, thought, or word.  It is suppressing the truth of who God is and what He has commanded. 

Dishonoring God aka Lack of Thanks

19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him,

These verses should hit us hard.  God makes Himself plainly known.  Creation itself reveals that there is a creator.  Just by viewing creation, all humanity sees that there is someone greater than ourselves.  We can create, but only out of created things.  Our hearts know this.  But when we don’t honor God and gives thanks for Him and His creation, we sin, and that sin merits God’s wrath. 

Futile Thinking

but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.

As we continue in our lack of honor and thanks, we grow into futile thinking.  This is wrong thinking compounded until our thinking is foolish.  The end of that thinking is idolatry where we worship created things instead of the creator.  The end result of ungodliness, the suppression of the truth, and futile thinking is the worship of the creation apart from the creator.   

The Wrath of God and the End of Shame Part One

Big Picture Question:  Why Does God Show His Wrath?

Ungodliness

Dishonoring God aka Lack of Thanks

Futile Thinking

Truth:  God’s wrath is poured out on all ungodliness because unrighteousness leads to dishonoring, ungrateful hearts that grow more and more futile in their thinking.  

Application:  Live knowing that your one, true, and lasting hope is that Jesus lovingly suffered the wrath of God on your behalf, so you might be free and safe eternally.

Action:  Impact someone’s life this week by reminding them of their rescue from the wrath of God.