Divine Incentives Rom. 2:1-11   Introduction:

Romans 2:1-11 Why do people willfully persist in sin? Why do they not obey gospel after learning what Bible teaches? (cf. Mk. 16:15, 16; Acts 2:38). 2. Why do they willfully neglect assembly and worship? 3. Why do they persist in things they know the Bible does not authorize or condone? 4. Why do they live a daily life that they know to be sinful?

Romans 2:1-11 B. The modern answer - must be rooted in psychology or sociology. Spend much time in analyzing a person’s psyche. 2. Try to find some mysterious root cause for misbehavior.  

DIVINE INCENTIVES Romans 2:1-11 C. I suggest that the incentive to sin is stronger than the incentive not to sin! The immediate pleasure and temporal advantage is stronger than what Bible teaches. 2. The lack of faith in the divine incentives is evident.   D. Our text refers to three divine incentives for us to do right - yet not many really believe them. Discussion:

THE JUDGMENT OF GOD Rom 2:2-3 But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? (NKJVS) Heb 9.27; James 4.13-17 2 Peter 3 I. The Judgment of God. (v. 2, 3).   Do we really believe that we could face judgment at any time? Death could bring us into judgment at any moment. (Heb. 9:27; Jas. 4:13-17). 2. Jesus could return in judgment at any moment. (2 Pet. 3:1-15).

THE JUDGMENT OF GOD Rom 2:2-3 But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? (NKJVS) Heb 9.27; James 4.13-17 2 Peter 3 Matthew 24.24-25.13 B. Do we bank on his delaying judgment until we are ready? (Matt. 24:24-25:13) Would one willfully put off obedience, if he really thought judgment could be today? 2. Would one willfully engage in sin, if really thought judgment could come while engaged? 3. Would one willfully neglect duty, if thought judgment could be immediate?  

THE GOODNESS OF GOD Rom 2:4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? (NKJVS) Rom 2:7 eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; (NKJVS) Rom 5.6-8; Heb 11.6; Rev 2.10; 21.22-22.5 II. The Goodness of God. (v. 4, 7).   Do we really believe His past goodness? His sacrifice for us. (Rom. 5:6-8). Rom 5:21-8 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person — though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die — but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (ESVST)

THE GOODNESS OF GOD Rom 2:4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? (NKJVS) Rom 2:7 eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; (NKJVS) Rom 5.6-8; Heb 11.6; Rev 2.10; 21.22-22.5 2. His longsuffering of us.   B. Do we really believe His promised goodness? He promises to reward of those who seek him. (Heb. 11:6). 2. He promises heaven to the faithful. (Rev. 2:10; 21:22-22:5)

THE WRATH OF GOD Rom 2:5 But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, (NKJVS) Rom 2:8-9 but to those who are self- seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness — indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek (NKJVS) III. The Wrath of God. (v. 5, 8,9; 1:18). *** *** *** A. Do we really believe in hell? (Mark 9:42-48; Rev. 14:10-11; 21:8).   Rev 14:10-11 he also will drink the wine of God 's wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night…" (ESVST) Rev 21:8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death." (ESVST) Mk 9.42-48; Rev 14.10-11; 21.8

THE WRATH OF GOD Rom 2:5 But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, (NKJVS) Rom 2:8-9 but to those who are self- seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness — indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek (NKJVS) B. Do we really believe in hell for those who obey not gospel? (2 Thess. 1:7-9).   C. Do we really believe in hell for those who persist in sin? (Heb. 10:26-29). If so, would we not avoid sin? 2. If so, would we not live better? 3. If so, would we not be better Christians, husbands, wives, neighbors, etc.? 2 Thess 1.7-9; Heb 10.26-29

DIVINE INCENTIVES Romans 2:1-11 Conclusion: Let's face it, we do not believe in these divine incentives enough or we would do better. B. Let's face it, we try to motivate people by every means other than the Lord's incentives. C. The Lord's incentives are balanced with both goodness and severity -- love and wrath.