“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness...” Romans 1:18
How can God hold the whole world responsible, you ask? Because men have the truth, but suppress it by their sins. All men have the truth of God, but in His sin, man does everything he can do to put a lid on top of it.
There is no one who cannot find God...
Because He can’t be found?
No! Because man is not looking.
Man loves sin so much, he doesn’t want to find God.
The reason a man can’t find God is the same reason a thief can’t find a policeman. They are not looking.
Scripture says “seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you.” Matt. 7:7
To acknowledge God is to make yourself accountable to a Holy God
(John 3:19-21). This is where the Gospel begins.
But there is good news - Christ has taken the wrath for us!
Friday, July 3, 2009
Thursday, July 2, 2009
The Extent of Wrath
"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness..." Romans 1:18
All - For all have sinned. Some may be worse than others, but all fall short of God's glory. There is no one who escapes, who has an ounce of ungodliness in his life.
Take a minute and just reflect on where we are today as a culture. We are literally calling 'holy' what God says is 'unholy.' We are trying to redefine morality, marriage and family. We are trying to redefine life style choices and make them civil rights issues. We will go to court to protect rights of whales, dogs and kangaroo rats. Yet, we abort over 1,000,000 innocent babies a year. We are trying to rewrite history.
Our schools, while telling us they have no money to educate our children, in the last year have given over $4,000,000.00 to defeat Proposition 8 and push through five propositions which would have raised taxes beyond anyone's imagination. Hollywood has become a moral cesspool and the voice of the liberal left. And yet, people say what do you mean God's judgement?
People who keep saying, when do you think it's coming? May find it's not coming - we're in it!
All - For all have sinned. Some may be worse than others, but all fall short of God's glory. There is no one who escapes, who has an ounce of ungodliness in his life.
Take a minute and just reflect on where we are today as a culture. We are literally calling 'holy' what God says is 'unholy.' We are trying to redefine morality, marriage and family. We are trying to redefine life style choices and make them civil rights issues. We will go to court to protect rights of whales, dogs and kangaroo rats. Yet, we abort over 1,000,000 innocent babies a year. We are trying to rewrite history.
Our schools, while telling us they have no money to educate our children, in the last year have given over $4,000,000.00 to defeat Proposition 8 and push through five propositions which would have raised taxes beyond anyone's imagination. Hollywood has become a moral cesspool and the voice of the liberal left. And yet, people say what do you mean God's judgement?
People who keep saying, when do you think it's coming? May find it's not coming - we're in it!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
The Explanation of God’s Wrath
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men...” Romans 1:18
Against sin - it’s not uncontrolled...it is carefully pointed at the sinfulness of men. God Hates sin. God hates ungodliness. God hates the unrighteousness of men. God’s hatred is poured against all those who are not rightly related to Him.
What is sin?
▸ Sin is the transgression of the law - lawlessness. 1 John 3:4
▸ A grievous malady, contaminating the whole of man’s being. Isa. 1:4-5; Rom 3:10-18
▸ An obscuring cloud, which hides the face of God’s blessing. Isa. 59:2
▸ A binding cord, which holds man in its power. Prov. 5:22
▸ A tyrannical owner, who embitters the lives of slaves. Neh. 9:37
▸ A disturber of rest, which causes disorder and anxiety. Psalm 38:3
▸ A robber of blessing, which strips and starves the soul. Jer. 5:25
▸ A terrible devastation, which brings untold desolation. Micah 6:13
▸ A tripper-up, which continually overthrows the sinner to his hurt. Prov 13:6
▸ A record writer, which leaves its indelible mark upon the committer. Jer. 17:1
▸ A betraying presence, which will “out” no matter what pains are taken to hide it. Ex. 21:24
▸ A sure detective, which turns upon the sinner and finds him out. Num. 32:23
▸ An accusing witness, which points its condemning finger at the prisoner in bondage of sin. Isa 59:12
▸ A sum of addition which accumulates its weight to the condemnation of the sinner. Isa. 30:1
All sin attacks God’s majesty and then His law. You want to understand why man treats his fellow man so bad - look how he relates to God!
Against sin - it’s not uncontrolled...it is carefully pointed at the sinfulness of men. God Hates sin. God hates ungodliness. God hates the unrighteousness of men. God’s hatred is poured against all those who are not rightly related to Him.
What is sin?
▸ Sin is the transgression of the law - lawlessness. 1 John 3:4
▸ A grievous malady, contaminating the whole of man’s being. Isa. 1:4-5; Rom 3:10-18
▸ An obscuring cloud, which hides the face of God’s blessing. Isa. 59:2
▸ A binding cord, which holds man in its power. Prov. 5:22
▸ A tyrannical owner, who embitters the lives of slaves. Neh. 9:37
▸ A disturber of rest, which causes disorder and anxiety. Psalm 38:3
▸ A robber of blessing, which strips and starves the soul. Jer. 5:25
▸ A terrible devastation, which brings untold desolation. Micah 6:13
▸ A tripper-up, which continually overthrows the sinner to his hurt. Prov 13:6
▸ A record writer, which leaves its indelible mark upon the committer. Jer. 17:1
▸ A betraying presence, which will “out” no matter what pains are taken to hide it. Ex. 21:24
▸ A sure detective, which turns upon the sinner and finds him out. Num. 32:23
▸ An accusing witness, which points its condemning finger at the prisoner in bondage of sin. Isa 59:12
▸ A sum of addition which accumulates its weight to the condemnation of the sinner. Isa. 30:1
All sin attacks God’s majesty and then His law. You want to understand why man treats his fellow man so bad - look how he relates to God!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
The Extension of God’s Wrath
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven...” Romans 1:18
From where does it come? Heaven - the throne of God. Where is the source of this wrath? It is revealed from the throne of God and is effectively operative in the world of men in basically two ways.
Moral Order -
1. The Physical Laws
When God made the world, He build into it certain laws. When they are broken, there are consequences.
• The law of gravity - if you can climb a tall building and jump off, it doesn’t matter what you want to do - you will go down.
• The law of force and acceleration - If you drive into a concrete wall at eighty miles and hour, you become an irresistible force plunging into an immovable object.
2. The Moral Laws
God has built into the spiritual world moral laws of consequence. In this regard, Paul speaks of God’s wrath in an almost impersonal sense.
• Romans 3:5 - God brings on men the wrath.
• Romans 5:9 - The justified are saved from the wrath.
• Romans 12:19 - Believers are to leave vengeance upon evildoers to the wrath.
• Romans 13:5 - A motive for obedience is the wrath.
• 1 Thess. 1:10 - The Lord will deliver believers from the wrath.
There are inevitable consequences for violating God’s moral order. If you do things that are immoral, you will pay a price.
“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.” Galatians 6:7
From where does it come? Heaven - the throne of God. Where is the source of this wrath? It is revealed from the throne of God and is effectively operative in the world of men in basically two ways.
Moral Order -
1. The Physical Laws
When God made the world, He build into it certain laws. When they are broken, there are consequences.
• The law of gravity - if you can climb a tall building and jump off, it doesn’t matter what you want to do - you will go down.
• The law of force and acceleration - If you drive into a concrete wall at eighty miles and hour, you become an irresistible force plunging into an immovable object.
2. The Moral Laws
God has built into the spiritual world moral laws of consequence. In this regard, Paul speaks of God’s wrath in an almost impersonal sense.
• Romans 3:5 - God brings on men the wrath.
• Romans 5:9 - The justified are saved from the wrath.
• Romans 12:19 - Believers are to leave vengeance upon evildoers to the wrath.
• Romans 13:5 - A motive for obedience is the wrath.
• 1 Thess. 1:10 - The Lord will deliver believers from the wrath.
There are inevitable consequences for violating God’s moral order. If you do things that are immoral, you will pay a price.
“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.” Galatians 6:7
Monday, June 29, 2009
The Expression of His Wrath!
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness...” Romans 1:18
How do we see His wrath expressed? It is revealed. When is the time? It is now. ▸ It was revealed in the garden.
▸ It was revealed in the flood.
▸ It was revealed in the driving of Pharaoh away.
▸ It was revealed in the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.
▸ It was revealed in the curse of the law on every transgression.
▸ It was revealed in the sacrificial system of the Mosaic law.
Rom. 8:22-23 - The whole creation groans and awaits God’s redemption.
▸ It is revealed in the cross.
God hates sin so much He poured out His wrath on His son. Why do wicked people seem to get away with sin? There is a payday for everyone, the longer God pulls back the bow - the deeper the arrow plunges when it hits.
It is not a matter of if, but when. God’s judgment is like the sand in an hour glass. The sand may drop slowly, but it drops surely. God’s patience is far greater than ours, and for that we should be grateful.
How do we see His wrath expressed? It is revealed. When is the time? It is now. ▸ It was revealed in the garden.
▸ It was revealed in the flood.
▸ It was revealed in the driving of Pharaoh away.
▸ It was revealed in the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.
▸ It was revealed in the curse of the law on every transgression.
▸ It was revealed in the sacrificial system of the Mosaic law.
Rom. 8:22-23 - The whole creation groans and awaits God’s redemption.
▸ It is revealed in the cross.
God hates sin so much He poured out His wrath on His son. Why do wicked people seem to get away with sin? There is a payday for everyone, the longer God pulls back the bow - the deeper the arrow plunges when it hits.
It is not a matter of if, but when. God’s judgment is like the sand in an hour glass. The sand may drop slowly, but it drops surely. God’s patience is far greater than ours, and for that we should be grateful.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
He Loved the Son
“And the glory which Thou hast given Me I have given to them; that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, that the world may know that Thou didst send Me, and didst love them, even as Thou didst love Me.” John 17:22-23
It is an often told story, but its moral points up a great truth. There was an extremely wealthy man who possessed vast treasures of art. The man had one son who was an ordinary boy, and who passed away in late adolescence.
Having loved the lad deeply, the sorrowing father died of a broken heart only a few weeks later. The father’s will provided that everything would be sold by auction. Strangely, the father stipulated that an oil painting of his son was to be the first item offered by the auctioneer.
Large crowds came to bid on the widely reputed collection of art. In keeping with the proviso of the will, the boy’s portrait was first help up for bids. No one cared about the deceased boy. Not until several moments had passed, did an old servant, who had always loved the boy, placed a seventy-five cent bid. The picture was at once sold to the servant, there being no further bids registered.
Then the dramatic moment came. The sale was stopped - as the will had further provided that anyone who loved the son enough to buy his portrait should receive everything in the father’s house.
Little did he understand what was his because he loved the son, and it is also true of us. Little did we understand just what salvation meant to us when we came to Christ.
As Paul prayed in Eph 1:18-19 “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might.” This I pray for each of us to understand.
It is an often told story, but its moral points up a great truth. There was an extremely wealthy man who possessed vast treasures of art. The man had one son who was an ordinary boy, and who passed away in late adolescence.
Having loved the lad deeply, the sorrowing father died of a broken heart only a few weeks later. The father’s will provided that everything would be sold by auction. Strangely, the father stipulated that an oil painting of his son was to be the first item offered by the auctioneer.
Large crowds came to bid on the widely reputed collection of art. In keeping with the proviso of the will, the boy’s portrait was first help up for bids. No one cared about the deceased boy. Not until several moments had passed, did an old servant, who had always loved the boy, placed a seventy-five cent bid. The picture was at once sold to the servant, there being no further bids registered.
Then the dramatic moment came. The sale was stopped - as the will had further provided that anyone who loved the son enough to buy his portrait should receive everything in the father’s house.
Little did he understand what was his because he loved the son, and it is also true of us. Little did we understand just what salvation meant to us when we came to Christ.
As Paul prayed in Eph 1:18-19 “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might.” This I pray for each of us to understand.
Friday, June 26, 2009
The Essence of God’s Wrath
“...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God...” Romans 3:23
We are born in sin - spiritually dead and sentenced. The human race is under the wrath of God. Now what we have is Paul building His case for the gospel. And to put it in focus, this subject of condemnation of the human race starts in Rom. 1:18-Rom. 3:20.
Hopefully, we will see why people do the things they do. Look at the concept of the wrath of God.
First, is the essence of God’s wrath. It is divine wrath. It is not like our wrath - prompted by pride, but it is a righteous, holy, perfect wrath. God doesn’t get angry like we get angry. His anger is absolutely holy because His anger is in reaction to evil. And it’s true with us - the more Christlike you and I become, the more upset we get with sin!
Sin should bother us! Do you remember the first thing Jesus did in the Book of John publicly? John 2:13-22 - He cleansed the temple. That is no way to begin a popular ministry, and it certainly won’t put the denominational heads on your side. But Jesus was furious because God was being dishonored. The wrath of God is always perfect. We get what we deserve. For the wrath of God is revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness. Rom 1:18
“Wrath” = “Orge” (Greek) = A settled anger. God doesn’t blow His cork.
We are born in sin - spiritually dead and sentenced. The human race is under the wrath of God. Now what we have is Paul building His case for the gospel. And to put it in focus, this subject of condemnation of the human race starts in Rom. 1:18-Rom. 3:20.
Hopefully, we will see why people do the things they do. Look at the concept of the wrath of God.
First, is the essence of God’s wrath. It is divine wrath. It is not like our wrath - prompted by pride, but it is a righteous, holy, perfect wrath. God doesn’t get angry like we get angry. His anger is absolutely holy because His anger is in reaction to evil. And it’s true with us - the more Christlike you and I become, the more upset we get with sin!
Sin should bother us! Do you remember the first thing Jesus did in the Book of John publicly? John 2:13-22 - He cleansed the temple. That is no way to begin a popular ministry, and it certainly won’t put the denominational heads on your side. But Jesus was furious because God was being dishonored. The wrath of God is always perfect. We get what we deserve. For the wrath of God is revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness. Rom 1:18
“Wrath” = “Orge” (Greek) = A settled anger. God doesn’t blow His cork.
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