Lake Region Bible Church | Sermons
[Starts 25 Seconds into the recording] GOSPEL MINISTRY IN A SINFUL WORLD: in light of Creation, Idolatry, and the Wrath of God (Rom 1:16-32 * Message 4/9) 03-21-10
INTRODUCTION. 1. Understanding the Gospel: it is the good news of Jesus Christ, which is “…the embracing category that holds much of the Bible together, and takes Christians from lostness and alienation from God all the way through conversion and discipleship to the consummation, to resurrection bodies, and to the new heaven and the new earth.” — D.A. Carson. 2. *An Outline of Romans: ● Introduction to the Gospel (1:1–17). ● The Heart of the Gospel (1:18 – 4:25). ● The Assurance provided by the Gospel (5:1–8:39). ● The Defense of the Gospel (9:1–11:36). ● The Transforming Power of the Gospel (12:1–15:13). ● The Mission and Fellowship of the Gospel (15:14–16:27). 3. *The Heart of the Gospel (1:18 – 4:25). ● The Universal Reign of Sin (1:18 – 3:20): All people are Accountable to God (1:18–32). Jews are Accountable to God (2:1–3:8). All People (Jews & Gentiles) are Guilty of sin before God (3:9–20). ● Justification by Faith (3:21 – 4:25): **“An instantaneous legal act of God in which he (1) thinks of our sins as forgiven and Christ’s righteousness as belonging to us, and (2) declares us to be righteous in his sight”, which takes place as we put our faith in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins and for eternal life (with God in Christ). *Adapted from Douglas J. Moo. **Quote by Wayne Grudem. GOSPEL MINISTRY IN A SINFUL WORLD: (in light of Creation, Idolatry, & the Wrath of God). UNDERSTANDING GOD’S WRATH. 1st, God’s Wrath is Revealed against Humanity’s Sin: because sin deeply offends God & leads to the suppression of His truth (v18). 2nd, Our Accountability to the Creator (vs19-20, 32): ● This is understood thru General Revelation (vs19-20). ● People willfully rebel against God, knowing they deserve judgment, and even approve of those who sin (v32). 3. God Gave People up to their Sin (vs21-31): ● They exchanged the glory of God for idolatry, so God handed them over to sexual impurity (vs21-24). ● They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, so God handed them over to dishonorable passions (vs25-27). ● They refused to acknowledge God, so God handed them over to a corrupted mind, to do evil things (vs28-31). 4. Be Humbled by God’s Wrath: ● We all stand guilty before God outside of faith in Jesus Christ (Ro 2:12; 11:32). ● Leave room for God’s wrath and Overcome evil with good (Ro 12:19-21). GOSPEL MINISTRY IN A SINFUL WORLD 1st, Trusting in the Gospel: as the Power of God for the Salvation of everyone who believes (vs16-17). ● Believe in Christ: and Follow Him in the Fellowship of His Church (Ro 3:21-26; Ro 6:1–8:39; 12:1–16:27). ● Be Confident in the Gospel: for Discipleship & Evangelism (Ro 1:1-17; 6:22; 8:1-11; 15:1-7; 16:17-27). 2. Engaging the Culture & Preaching the Cross: with Humility and Love, and with an Uncompromising Loyalty to God. ● Regarding “the Wrath of God”; ● Regarding “Idolatry & Immorality”; ● Regarding “Homosexuality”; ● Regarding “Freedom of Speech”; ● Regarding “the Glory of God”.