SUPPRESSING TRUTH Romans 1:18-32 Though unfortunate as it may be, there are some that try and suppress truth by not giving proper credit to God. In describing this behavior, Paul then demonstrates the outcome of such behavior. The side effect of suppressing truth is an acceptance of evil. With this in mind let us examine our lesson today. (SLIDE)

SQUASHING GOD’S WORD SUPPRESSING TRUTH When one suppresses truth what they are really doing is squashing God’s Word (John 17:17). God gave us His Word so that we may know and understand it (John 8:32). God gave us His Word so that we may live by it (2 Timothy 3:16-17). God gave us His Word so that we may have the best possible life here on earth (1 John 5:13; Philippians 4:7). Let us look at our text with these truths in mind. (SLIDE)

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.” Romans 1:18 Who is it that suppresses truth? Those that are unrighteous and ungodly. How did these people “suppress the truth” and become unrighteous? (SLIDE)

“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.” Romans 1:19-20

“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.” Romans 1:21-23 (SLIDE)

SQUASHING GOD’S WORD SUPPRESSING TRUTH Paul writes concerning how someone can end up suppressing God’s Word whether intentional or not. How does one do this, through not giving God the credit He deserves or not properly giving God the credit He deserves. This unfortunate reality is growing and becoming much more common not only in the denominational world (where it started) but it has come into the church as well. It comes down to what this verse means…(SLIDE)

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1 God’s Word is being squashed by those that would teach that this could possibly mean evolution. This doctrine is called “Theistic Evolution.” Those who would suggest this is someone dealing with evolution end up, inadvertently, making God’s Word void and thus suppressing it. What do I mean by this? Remember what Paul said…(SLIDE)

“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.” Romans 1:20 God’s eternal power and divine nature are made visible by the creation of the World. In God’s Word He tells us exactly how this creation came to be (Genesis 1:1). God even goes so far as to gives us details about when He created everything (Genesis 1-2). God then used the details found in Genesis 1-2 to explain a law He created for man (Exodus 20:11). “For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.” Obviously there is much more we could do to demonstrate how impossible it is to make Genesis 1 teach evolution, such as the word “day” always indicates a 24 hour period of time when connected with a numeral of some sort. However this is suffice to prove the dangers of such teachings. We are without excuse if we suppress God’s Word pertaining to “the creation of the world.”

GOD GAVE THEM UP SUPPRESSING TRUTH When one squashes God’s Word there is a natural progression that comes with that. If one can manipulate or ignore basic truth of creation such as found in Genesis 1-2 they can do it with other passages as well. The rest of our text demonstrates the dangers of suppressing God’s Word and the ultimate conclusion. No less than three times in our text we read “God gave them up.” (Romans 1:24, 26, 28).

“Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves” Romans 1:24

“For this reason God gave them up to vile passions “For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.” Romans 1:26

“And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.” Romans 1:28 It’s not like these people didn’t know God’s Word, they had just suppressed it so they could do whatever they “felt like doing.” (SLIDE)

“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.” Romans 1:32

GOD GAVE THEM UP SUPPRESSING TRUTH When one knows “God’s righteous decree” but cares not there is no hope for such in that state of mind. To be given up by God should be the most frightening thing there is to us. Could there be anything that should bring us to our knees quicker than that? Remember the words of Jesus Christ. (SLIDE)

“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:28

SUPPRESSING TRUTH Romans 1:18-32 I don’t know about you but I don’t want to suppress the truth and be given up by God. Let us not be found suppressing God’s Word whether dealing with His creation or any other aspect of God’s Word. Let us rather “rightly handle the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

God’s Plan of Salvation Study God’s Word Have Faith In Jesus Repent/Turn To God Confess Jesus As Lord Obey The Gospel Live A Faithful Life Romans 10:17 Hebrews 11:6 Luke 13:3 Matthew 10:32 Romans 6:3-5 1 John 1:7

God’s Plan of Salvation Study God’s Word Romans 10:17

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17

God’s Plan of Salvation Study God’s Word Have Faith In Jesus Romans 10:17 Hebrews 11:6

“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

God’s Plan of Salvation Study God’s Word Have Faith In Jesus Repent/Turn To God Romans 10:17 Hebrews 11:6 Luke 13:3

“No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” Luke 13:3

God’s Plan of Salvation Study God’s Word Have Faith In Jesus Repent/Turn To God Confess Jesus As Lord Romans 10:17 Hebrews 11:6 Luke 13:3 Matthew 10:32

“Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 10:32

God’s Plan of Salvation Study God’s Word Have Faith In Jesus Repent/Turn To God Confess Jesus As Lord Obey The Gospel Romans 10:17 Hebrews 11:6 Luke 13:3 Matthew 10:32 Romans 6:3-5

“in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Thessalonians 1:8

“Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures” 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

“Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.” Romans 6:3-5

God’s Plan of Salvation Study God’s Word Have Faith In Jesus Repent/Turn To God Confess Jesus As Lord Obey The Gospel Live A Faithful Life Romans 10:17 Hebrews 11:6 Luke 13:3 Matthew 10:32 Romans 6:3-5 1 John 1:7

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7

God’s Plan of Salvation Study God’s Word Have Faith In Jesus Repent/Turn To God Confess Jesus As Lord Obey The Gospel Live A Faithful Life Romans 10:17 Hebrews 11:6 Luke 13:3 Matthew 10:32 Romans 6:3-5 1 John 1:7