Salvation from Judgment: A Better Understanding Romans 1:15 - 2:4

Romans 1:15-16 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Romans 1:17-18 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

Romans 1:18-19 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

Romans 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Romans 1:23-24 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

Romans 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

My Thesis A person cannot fully appreciate the importance and power of the gospel unless they are fully aware of God’s perspective on those who dishonor Him with their unbelief and ungodly behavior.

Romans 1:15-16 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Rome 60 AD Ungodly Emperor’s Rule Ungodly Emperor’s Rule – Hating and Persecuting Christians – Economy is in shambles Pagan Worship is Everywhere Pagan Worship is Everywhere – Temple, idols and such fill the city – Immoral Behavior is Rampant Jews and Gentiles are not getting along Jews and Gentiles are not getting along

Up to this Point Paul has been – Imprisoned in Philippi – Chased out of Thessalonica – Smuggled out of Berean – Regarded as a fool in Corinth – Stoned at Galatia – Mocked at Athens

Question What did Paul understand about God and the Gospel that motivated Him to go to Rome instead of retiring from life until God called him home?

Five Things Paul knew about God and the Gospel that every Christian needs to know as well.

#1-One Vs. 16 Vs. 16 – The Gospel is the Power of God Only the power in the Gospel can overcome man’s sinfulness, make him a new creature, and give him eternal life. Only the power in the Gospel can overcome man’s sinfulness, make him a new creature, and give him eternal life.

Commentary God’s omnipotence empowers the Gospel God’s omnipotence empowers the Gospel The English word dynamite derives its origin from this Greek Word The English word dynamite derives its origin from this Greek Word

#2-Two Vs. 17 Vs. 17 – There is only one way to please God Faith and Faith Alone Faith and Faith Alone God has NO plan to measure man’s goodness against his evil God has NO plan to measure man’s goodness against his evil

Righteous by Faith For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, – The just shall live by faith.

#3-Three Paul Knew Vs. 18 The Wrath of God was beyond human comprehension Vs. 18 The Wrath of God was beyond human comprehension This includes present day judgment and eternal separation from God in a place called Hell This includes present day judgment and eternal separation from God in a place called Hell

Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

Wrath in Chapter Two Romans 2:5-9

God uses Wrath Romans 9:22 Romans 9:22 – What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:

#4-Four Paul Knew: Vs : Man is without excuse Vs : Man is without excuse

Romans 1:23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. – Idolatry in the 21 st Century

Romans 1:24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves: Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves: Why would God do such a thing?

Romans 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

Sin Serving the Creature more than the Creator

Romans 1:26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile [dishonorable] affections: For this cause God gave them up unto vile [dishonorable] affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:

Romans 1:27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence [due penalty] of their error which was meet. And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence [due penalty] of their error which was meet.

God’s Judgment Syndromes, disease, premature death Syndromes, disease, premature death Wrecked Homes Wrecked Homes Emotional and Psychological Scars Emotional and Psychological Scars

Romans 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; NOTE: this is the 3X Paul said God gave them…. NOTE: this is the 3X Paul said God gave them….

Paul believes in a very Sovereign God Paul believes people need to repent before it is too late

Romans 1:29-31 Look at this list of ungodly behavior

Romans 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

Commentary Reprobates are not innocently ignorant, they know: Reprobates are not innocently ignorant, they know: – God’s standards and moral expectations – God’s decree The know they deserve to die The know they deserve to die Moreover a reprobate approves of other’s sin to justify their own Moreover a reprobate approves of other’s sin to justify their own

#4-Four Paul knew: Vs. 2:1 Man is Without Excuse Vs. 2:1 Man is Without Excuse Look at the strong argument in 2:1-3 Look at the strong argument in 2:1-3

Romans 2:1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.

Commentary Stealing, Adultery, Cheating are all illustrated later in the chapter.

Romans 2:2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.Commentary We know God is just and those whom God judges deserve everything they receive from the hand of God. We know God is just and those whom God judges deserve everything they receive from the hand of God.

Romans 2:3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?

#5-Five Paul Knew Vs. 2: 3: No one will escape the judgment of God! Vs. 2: 3: No one will escape the judgment of God!

Romans 2:4 Or despisest [or presume] thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? Or despisest [or presume] thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

Two Choices: 1. Repent and place your faith in the gospel. 2. Face the Wrath of God.

Romans 2:5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest [storing] up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest [storing] up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; – Impenitent NO Sorrow for Sin NO Sorrow for Sin