"They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.” Romans 1:25
THE WRATH OF GOD
The book of Romans is all about the Gospel
The gospel gives us the righteousness of God: v16-17, making us acceptable.
As Paul begins his detailed explanation, he presses upon us that God is furiously angry
He wants us to understand our need of the righteousness of God in the gospel
1. THE ENFLAMING OF GOD’S WRATH
What is making God furiously angry? He lists 3 things mankind does that stirs God’s wrath:
a) Suppression the truth about God: v18
Suppression = hold down, smother, ignore truth which is clear
The truth about God: v19. His existence is obvious: v20
It is impossible to have something from nothing - universe exists!
The world has been carefully designed. E.g. DNA
The world is full of life - only explanation is that a living being made us
b) Not giving thanks: v21
A lack of thankfulness shows how entitled we are towards God – we judge him
c) Worshipped idols instead of God: v22-23, v25
In the place of God we put something else: pleasure, money, power, status
This why God is angry.
2. THE EXPRESSION GOD’S WRATH
How does God’s wrath show itself? “God gave them over”: v24, v26, v28
He removes the restraint and says: “go ahead” – do what you want
These disordered desires spring from their hearts (v24), lusts (v26) & minds (v28).
Mankind says to God: “get out of my life & leave me alone” – he does. Where lead?
Drastic consequences – feel full effects of sin as a force of destruction & ruin: v29f
Society falls apart - opposite of integration, completeness – all just unravels
Overtime it all becomes accepted and normalised: v32
Why so much space given to homosexual desire? (v24-27)
i) A “gentile” sin – focus shifts in chapter 2!
ii) Graphic illustration of “exchange” – a disordered affection
Main point: moral chaos of the world is visible evidence here and now of the wrath of God.
3. THE ESCAPING OF GOD’S WRATH
How can we avoid God’s wrath? World is under judgement and that includes us.
Must grasp depth of problem – our attitude towards God & we are powerless
Good news: there is a way to avoid the wrath of God. We need another exchange:
One who can stand in our place, take wrath of God for us, give us righteousness we need
That person is Jesus - just listen to Romans 3:21-25
Paul’s purpose is not to crush us, but make us run to Jesus as the only Saviour.
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