DIG DEEP Bible Study, Pastor David Cooper, Riches in Romans #5 THE

DIG DEEP Bible Study, Pastor David Cooper, Riches In Romans #5

THE HARD TRUTH

“The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse” (Rom 1:18-20).

One of the most difficult challenges for all us is to face the truth. Paul the apostle works like a lawyer in the first three chapters of Romans to help us face the hard truth of God’s wrath toward sin. He builds a solid case to prove everyone is guilty of sin and stands in need of God’s saving grace. We are guilty as charged and face judgment. Jesus took our guilt and judgment and pardons us from all sin.

Justification (which means to be pardoned and declared righteous by God) is the answer to judgment.

The passage begins with Romans 1:18 – “The wrath of God is being revealed form heaven” and concludes with “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” (Rom 3:23-24).

1. THE REALITY OF GOD’S WRATH: The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness (Rom 1:18).

1. The word wrath (orge, Greek) means heated passions, anger, displeasure. “God is a righteous judge, a God who displays his wrath every day” (Ps 7:11). The KJV says, God is angry with the wicked every day. It means God feels indignation every day. 2. Paul speaks of "the wrath of God” only four times in his writings (Rom 1:18; 5:9; Eph 5:6; Col 3:6). Most often we read of "the wrath." Wrath is the displeasure and anger of God toward sin. 3. There is a day of future wrath. John the Baptist said to the Pharisees and Sadducees, “Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?” (Matt 3:7). John describes the Great Tribulation as: “For the day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?” (Rev 6:17) Paul continues the theme in Romans: “But because of your stubborn and unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of wrath” (Rom 2:5). 4. There is also present wrath. "Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient" (Eph 5:6). Wrath means consequences to sin.

2. THE REASON FOR WRATH. “men who suppress the truth by their wickedness since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from (Rom 1:18-20).

1. Suppression of “the truth” of God 2. Creation provides scientific evidence of God’s eternal power and His divine nature. 3. There is “no excuse” to not believe in God. “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God’” (Ps 14:1).

3. THE REMEDY FOR WRATH. Jesus saves us from the wrath and judgment of sin. Justification by faith is the remedy for divine wrath.

1. Saved from future wrath: “Wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead – Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath” (1 Thess 1:11). 2. Saved from present wrath: “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess 5:9). 3. Jesus saved us from wrath by taking our wrath on the cross. “Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!” (Rom 5:9)