What Do You Say To That?
We've already dealt with people who have said, "I'm an atheist." or "I believe in evolution." But what do you say when people say to you- "I just wanna live it up!" or "Churches are full of hypocrites!" or "Church is boring!" or "I don't think a loving God would judge me and condemn me for my sins."? Watch the following video and jot down things that you want to remember. Who could you share this with? Please do so. Way to sow!
Before we saw in Rom.1:18-20 that the creation leaves the atheist without an excuse. Then we saw in Rom.1:21-25 that the evolutionist, exalting his own darkened mind over the truth of God, is without excuse. Today, read Rom.1:26-32 and 2:1-5 and you'll see how the hedonist (pleasure pursuers) and the moralist, who thinks he is living so well, are also without excuse and facing God's wrath.
Here's a question that a believer, rather than a skeptic, might ask you- "Why does this section of Scripture, that began back in Rom.1:18, say that the wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men? It seems that a lot godless people are prospering rather than experiencing God's wrath. I could understand it if the verse said that God's wrath will be revealed, when He comes back in flaming fire, but how is God's wrath now being revealed from heaven? I don't see any fire from heaven falling upon them now?"
Good question! Let's let the passage answer that question. Three times in this section (Rom.1:18-32) it says that because people have suppressed God's truth and exchanged the truth of God for a lie, that "God gave them over" to sin. 1. God gave them over to sexual impurity (1:24); 2. God gave them over to shameful lusts (1:26); 3. God gave them over to a depraved (corrupt, worthless) mind (1:28). So surprisingly, this is how God is now revealing His wrath from heaven on those who reject the truth of God in favor of sin. He gives them over to sin! Sin binds and blinds. Such people are handed over to sin and Satan's fateful jurisdiction. This is the surprising display of God's wrath now. One day they will face His coming final wrath- "Because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath when his righteous judgment will be revealed." Rom.2:5. Then the hedonist and the moralist will both be given over eternally to God's wrath, with no hope of repentance.
Lest any critics attack God for His wrath, His Son had to endure the wrath we deserve for our wicked way to provide salvation for all who would receive Him. This is what Good Friday is all about. Those who reject the Son, rightfully will suffer wrath. We all know John 3:16, but John 3:36 is also crucial to know- "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him."
Announcements
Please lighten my load. Make sure to go to the GREAT scoreboard and put your points on the board for yourself and the team. Thanks mucho!
1.-Share something that strikes you from our readings today in Romans 1:26-32 and 2:1-5 and anything from the video that may have been helpful.
2.-Write on your MP3 card- "Do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?" Rom.2:4 (Feel free to use your own translation on any MP3 verses.)
Lest any critics attack God for His wrath, His Son had to endure the wrath we deserve for our wicked way to provide salvation for all who would receive Him. This is what Good Friday is all about. Those who reject the Son, rightfully will suffer wrath. We all know John 3:16, but John 3:36 is also crucial to know- "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him."
Announcements
Please lighten my load. Make sure to go to the GREAT scoreboard and put your points on the board for yourself and the team. Thanks mucho!
1. In Rom 1:32 we read "Though they know God's righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them."
ReplyDeleteThis is very evident in our society, not only are there many people lost in the world seeking sinful pleasures but also they give great approval to those that are doing the same. Defending their actions by saying that society should have an open mind to their actions not considering it to be sin. But rather a sign of a modern and progressive society.
Here we see how God has given them over to the enemy, for now what is wrong they consider right.
- The video was also very helpful, giving great answers based on scripture to questions some people may ask.
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Yes, people seek approval. We all want to feel accepted, approved. But we also have a want to be independent as well. The enemy can take advantage of that big time.
DeleteVery good insights Roger!
Delete1. In the video it talks about our response to sin. The way we respond to sin is determined by our nearness to God. I also found it interesting in reading Romans, that people have an understanding of penalty. Whether they know God or not, we all have a conscience, a moral compass, a moral code, in which we all operate by. We know we can't cross certain lines or boundaries in our actions without there being consequence. Once those lines are crossed or violated, there is a loss or in a sense a death. There is an awareness in the soul of right and wrong, life and death, good and bad. Sin blinds. People will remain blind to their ways and spiritually ignorant until their eyes are open.
ReplyDelete2. Thanks be to God that His kindness leads to repentance. Just seeing His kindness on display, reading the Gospels this week and looking at the drama. What Jesus did for us...unspeakable.
Excellent insights Eddie! "that people have an understanding of penalty." Rom.1:32
Delete1. Great points that I picked up from the video are 1) Filling the hole in the soul with ungodly things
ReplyDelete2) I go to church to obey and praise Jesus not the hypocrites. 3) People give a bad representation of Jesus 4) God is just
5) Our sense of sin is in proportion to our nearness to God--How true. I thank God for drawing near to Him.
In Romans 2, I would summarize it as unrepentant = God's wrath
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Great videos Dave. The material is always good, but I have to say that that your producing skills have improved. Yesterdays was really good. You will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Great summary points Sam! And thanks for the compliment on the videos. I made these several months ago. They are not necessarily in the order that I made them, so you might see some that are better or worse than others. Hope you can grin and bear it :)
DeleteBrother Sam, I'm in agreement "Our sense of sin is in proportion to our nearness to God". Great points and summary, God bless.
Delete"This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil." John 3:19
1. "God gave them over to a depraved mind"
ReplyDelete"They invent ways of doing evil"
"Approve of those who practice them"
Isaiah 5:20-23 "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight. Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine and champions at mixing drinks, who acquit the guilty for a bribe, but deny justice to the innocent."
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Powerful cross reference Robert!
DeleteRobert!!!! Great stuff my brother. GOD BLESS
ReplyDeleteBoth the video and Romans 2 really hit close to home, I am always put under the microscope and judged and even called a hypocrite at times. I just tell them "Hey I never said I was perfect, but I am saved!"
ReplyDeleteAmen Ricardo I am right there with you no ones perfect the only one is God. I know none of us come close to being God like that's why God is God and we are followers of God. Behind every great leader you will find good followers. God is a great leader. We have to strive to be good and faithful followers.
DeleteGood words Rich and isn't it good to know you've got good men like Mike encouraging you on?! You are a part of a great band of brothers- not perfect, but great in my book.
DeleteRicardo, I like what you tell people - "Hey I never said I was perfect, but I am saved!" I may use that in the future.
Delete1. Jesus is our only source of truth and real life fulfillment; as worldly people try to fill the hole in their hearts with other temporary things or pleasures which lead back to only temporary pleasures--but vanish like the wind. God is a loving God, but he is a just God and will bring his wrath upon those who choose to disobey his commands and continue to sin and approve of others sins. He will punish those who are wrong doers and abandon what they know is righteous, and he is the only Judge--not us he we will be judged if we judge others.
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Yes indeed Jack! You are spot on.
Delete1. I can relate big time to the video. I use to be just like that. I always wanted to go partying. I knew deep in my heart that it was wrong. I also realized doing that just pushed me farther away from god. I'm glad I got out of that lifestyle. I liked romans 2:1-5. It reminds me to tame my tounge when I see something wrong because i know were all sinners. It also shows me to talk to people in a more understanding way and less judgmental way.
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Very good James. I always like reading your comments.
DeleteRomans 1:28-29
ReplyDeleteFurthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done.
They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips.
I believe that for every action there's a reaction and living in this world is an experience in its own that will test the very core of your soul. I have heard the answers, seen the answers and felt the answers, but the devil always tries to pursuade you other wise. Thanks everyone for the insight and analytical thinking of this really helps my soul
Guillermo, you made me LOL in agreement- "I have heard the answers, seen the answers and felt the answers, but the devil always tries to persuade you otherwise." Excellent!
DeleteI actually acknowledged the video in a way, that made me ask someone about the previous video pertaining the fact of believing or not believing and the response that I got was pleasant and unpleasant, it seems that some people feel like all this is propaganda even tho they say they believe in GOD so I left it alone and have been contemplating that all day so I would like your opinions. I know where my heart and soul are at. Also the video was great and this is what I got out of it
ReplyDeleteSin is mans Declaration of Independence from God. His kind of love deserves a response.
2.-Write on your MP3 card: "Do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?" Rom.2:4
Glad you shared the video with others Guillermo! Their response is interesting, saying it felt like propaganda. Propaganda comes from a word meaning to propagate or spread one's beliefs. God commands us to spread the gospel. They probably meant it in a negative way as the word is often used now- to spread deception. I would want to ask questions- Do you think that I am spreading deception? If it's the truth, why shouldn't we share such with others? (Oftentimes even believers are afraid of what others might think of them. How sad. I'm glad people cared more about me and pleasing God than what I might demeaningly think of them when they shared the gospel truth with me. It's truth that sets people free.)
DeleteThanks Dave for the insight of those questions, it is true it's like they're contradicting them selves from the truth. Unfortunately bad interpretations of words have been and for ever will be interpreted in the wrong manner but I guess that's why God puts us in groups like this to understand and help others right.
Delete1- As I read this and viewed the video it reminded me of what I have learned and taught my children through out their life's. First God is control but He gives us free will to follow Him or to follow the world. He wants us to glorify Him but it's still our choice. Also we are not to judge other's that His responsibility. Through out my walk I have had wrongs done to me but something always happened to the people that wronged me. It wasn't by my hands or doings, it was God who stated vengeance is my. I don't wish ill will on anyone and I know God will take care of those who are his real children.
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Right on Mike! Thanks for encouraging Ricardo and others too!
DeleteRomans 2:1 NLT You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things.
ReplyDelete1) When people say "Churches are full of hypocrites!" they already judging the church. Crazy, I mean at least check out the church. I bet they've gone to places that have more hypocrites than the church. There is no perfect church but we do serve a perfect God. It reminds me one time I was driving to work and a church sign said "if you are looking for a perfect church we are not the church for you, but if you seek a perfect God come on in." That's why we should pray daily for people to seek God and his presence not seek people.
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Excellent Vince! Really like the church sign- "if you are looking for a perfect church we are not the church for you, but if you seek a perfect God come on in."
DeleteAmen Mr Diaz I concur
DeleteIf it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
(Romans 12:18,
1.-Share something that strikes you from our readings today in Romans 1:26-32 and 2:1-5 and anything from the video that may have been helpful.
ReplyDeleteRomans 2:1 You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. This verse is a good reminder not to judge other people that God is the one to do the judging.
From the video I can relate to the people saying church was boring. I was one of them, I was only going because of my wife. It wasn't until we started looking at other churches that I start feeling that I was getting something out of it.
“Our sense of sin is in proportion to our nearness to God” makes a lot of sense. I can see how when you’re not thinking about God that you wouldn't think the things you may be doing are sinful.
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Very good George! I agree with your words- "I can see how when you’re not thinking about God that you wouldn't think the things you may be doing are sinful."
Delete1. From reading Romans 1:26-32, it explains how God punishes those who sin by letting them be bombarded by sin. Romans 2:1-5 explains that only God is right to judge and not us. I think it is important to read carefully at all the passages because some people can take things out of context for their own selfish purposes. For example, someone who decides to use Romans 1:26-32 as a reason to judge others without explaining that it is only right for God to judge and not us. It’s important that we try to help others toward God without pointing fingers at sinners as we all are sinners.
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Your right Chuy. Some people thought that they were meeting God's standard by condemning the sin they saw in others, but they ignored their own sin. To just point out someone's sin is wrong and it is just being judgmental. But there is a time and place when we need to use God's Word to teach, correct, reproof and train in righteousness for the benefit of others (2 Timothy 3:16) Just as you would train your children when they do something wrong.
DeleteVery good Chuy and Dave!
Delete1.-Share something that strikes you from our readings today in Romans 1:26-32 and 2:1-5 and anything from the video that may have been helpful.
ReplyDeleteRomans 1:22-32 appears to show a progressive sort of “cause and effect” type thing going on.
Cause vs 21 They knew God but neither glorified Him of gave Him thanks.
Effect vs 21 their thinking became futile and foolish hearts darkened.
Cause vs 23 They exchanged the glory of God for images
Effect: vs 24 God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts ( Maybe here would be pornography, fornication, prostitution, adultery)
Cause vs 25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator
Effect vs 26 -27 God gave them over to shameful lusts and passions (bisexuality, homosexuality, transsexualism )
Cause vs 28 just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God,
Effect vs28 God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done . (Examples given vs 29-31)
As turning from the truth about God resulted in these "God gave them over" judgments, so only by turning to the truth about God in His Word can these judgments be overturned and exchanged for new and eternal life in God.
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DeleteI like that a lot Dave- As turning from the truth about God resulted in these "God gave them over" judgments, so only by turning to the truth about God in His Word can these judgments be overturned and exchanged for new and eternal life in God.
DeleteWow really good stuff David!!
Delete1. Romans 1:26-32 and 2:1-5. God’s wrath is upon sinners, help people come to repentance.
ReplyDelete2. Did it.
Okay Oscar. Thanks for being on the team with us. May the Lord continue to strengthen and encourage you.
Delete1.The video pointed out some very important facts God is a righteous Judge. Thank you Lord Jesus for your redeeming blood and your sacrificial death for our sins. If it weren't for you we'd all be in hell.
ReplyDeleteIn today's scripture reading we see that in Romans 2:3
"So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment?"I think we should love the sinner but hate the sin. And leave the judgement to God.
2.Did it."Do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?" Rom.2:4
Yes George! Perhaps a good analogy would be that we are like doctors- we have to declare the bad news- you have cancer- but we are glad to offer the cure.
Delete1.-Share something that strikes you from our readings today in Romans 1:26-32 and 2:1-5 and anything from the video that may have been helpful. 1) The video reminds me of the times I lived in that way. A wasteful time of my life, I can't imagine ever wanting to be or live in that way again. I have repent of that pass life and know that God's wrath will always steer me in the right path. God's wrath to me is a constant watch, vigil of my actions, behavior. God makes us accountable on how we live and instills in us senses of remorse, shame, pain, suffering, despair, all trigger points of emotions letting us know this path your on, is not the path he created us to live in. Sin binds and blinds!
ReplyDelete2) Did it.
Very good Armando!
Delete1) I think that the warning about judging others while you still do the similar things is very sobering. The whole passage makes me rather thankful for God's mercy, and it made me very aware of how I sometimes have trouble judging people when I know deep down in my heart I do similar things. So yes, this passage was very helpful.
ReplyDelete2) Did it.
Thanks Alex! So glad you're on the team with us. What a bright future you have as you shine for the Lord.
DeleteRomans 2:5 NIV
ReplyDeleteBut because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.
Romans 1:32 NIV
Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.
Wow these verses hit me hard...Thank God for his revelation and thank God his mercy that he brought His only son to die for us and brought himself as gift offering for us so that we may know His Truth and not be blinded by the ways of this world.
Ismael Andrade
Also such great topic and chapter to dive into. Great resource of video, have to replay it again.
ReplyDeleteThank you Lord for your rich in mercy and showing kindness to me so that i may be liberated from such bondage and gave forth a path of freedom and righteousness through our Lord Jesus Christ.
ReplyDeleteAmen to all of the above Ismael!
DeleteRomans 1;28 Just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done.
ReplyDeleteRomans 2:2 Now we know that Gods judgement against those who do such things is based on truth.
I really did enjoy the video! I liked how it said "light attracts bugs" "Jesus calls people to follow him not the hypocrites" and " God is a just judge He will punish those who do not obey the gospel of Jesus Christ"
Did It
1. Dave G mentions something very interesting, " this is how God is now revealing His wrath from heaven on those who reject the truth of God in favor of sin. He gives them over to sin! Sin binds and blinds. Such people are handed over to sin and Satan's fateful jurisdiction." -- Satan's fateful jurisdiction operates in the "World of Darkness’ and it is there for discipline and destruction in a society and Satan has jurisdiction, which is "the right to speak within that Jurisdiction!" Satan rules over his demons and who do the demons rule over, “the proud or prideful” those who think they have all the answers or those who think that their answers are better than God’s. God does not do evil Himself; there is a jurisdiction that God created to do that, the kingdom of darkness!
ReplyDeleteEphesians 2:1-3 says, “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.”
Cross reference to Romans 1:26-32: 1 Cor. 5:1-5 says, “It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that does not occur even among pagans: A man has his father's wife. And you are proud! Shouldn't you rather have been filled with grief and have put out of your fellowship the man who did this? Even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. And I have already passed judgment on the one who did this, just as if I were present. When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, hand this man over to Satan, so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord.”
Another Cross reference: 1 Tim. 1:18-20 says, “This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith. Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.”
The Apostle Paul knew that if a man does not listen to God’s Word, or the elders within the church, or any other jurisdiction, there is one jurisdiction that this man will listen to, the jurisdiction of darkness! He will listen to destruction because Satan will speak his language! These perverted men and women in Romans 1:26-32 are given over to sin and they become even more perverted. This type of perversion will lead to destruction in a person's life, because satan will destroy them.
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