The Protection of a Humble Heart thanksgiving The Protection of a Humble Heart

[Rom 1:18 ESV] 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. Suppress, 2722, katecho; hold back, restrain, hold down, take possession of

[Rom 1:18 ESV] 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.

[Rom 1:19-20 ESV] 19 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.

[Rom 1:19-20 ESV] 19 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.

[Rom 1:21-23 ESV] 21 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. Thinking became futile Heart became darkened Claimed wisdom but became fools Exchanged immortal glory for mortal images

Heart to action From ignorance to rebellion [2Ti 3:13 ESV] 13 while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

The result? God gave them up… [Rom 1:24, 26, 28 ESV] 24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, ... 26 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; ... 28 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.

The result? God gave them up… [Rom 1:24-25 ESV] 24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. To impurity, dishonoring bodies

The rise and fall of righteousnness Alcohol Power Drugs Clubs Reveling Carousing Truth Purity Ethics Commitment Family Exchanged for the lie of instant gratification When one goes up/increases the other goes down/decreases

The result? God gave them up… [Rom 1:26-27 ESV]. 26 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; 27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. To impurity, dishonoring bodies To dishonorable passions Contrary to nature Shameless Receiving the due penalty

The result? God gave them up… [Rom 1:28-32 ESV]. 28 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. 29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 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.

The result? God gave them up… To impurity, dishonoring bodies To dishonorable passions Contrary to nature Shameless Receiving the due penalty To a debased mind Doing what ought not to be done Giving approval to those living this way [Rom 1:24-32 ESV]. 28 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. …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.

The result? God gave them up… To impurity, dishonoring bodies To dishonorable passions Contrary to nature Shameless Receiving the due penalty To a debased mind Doing what ought not to be done Giving approval to those living this way God gives US up… To our choices, decisions, actions To penalties, judgments To disgrace

How do we stop the downward spiral of sin? [Rom 1:21 ESV] 21 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.

[1Ch 16:8, 34 ESV] 8 Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! ... 34 Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!

[Psa 30:4 ESV] 4 Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name. [Psa 86:12 ESV] 12 I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever. [Psa 106:1 ESV] 1 Praise the LORD! Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!  [Psa 111:1 ESV] 1 Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.

[Eph 5:20 ESV] 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, [Phl 4:6 ESV] 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. [Col 1:12 ESV] 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. [Col 3:17 ESV] 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Giving thanks… Magnifies the Lord Shows grace and appreciation Shapes and humbles the heart Protects us from futile thoughts Protects us from darkened hearts Guards us from prideful sin Stops the downward spiral [1Th 5:18 ESV] 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.