Confronting Sin: Embracing God's Kindness and Judgment
Summary
In today's sermon, I addressed the challenging topic of sin, judgment, and the kindness of God as presented in the book of Romans, particularly chapter 2. I began by confronting the common misconception that the church avoids preaching against sin. I clarified that while the church does not shy away from addressing sin, individuals often struggle when the sin being addressed is their own. This personal struggle is a reality for all followers of Jesus, including myself. We love the scriptures until we are confronted by them, and when there is a disagreement between our beliefs or lifestyle and the scriptures, we must acknowledge that we are wrong and turn to repentance.
I then transitioned to discuss the shift in Paul's letter from addressing Gentile believers to Jewish believers, emphasizing that both groups are equally in need of Jesus. The Jewish readers, who might not live like the Gentile world, are still in sin and missing the mark set by God. This led to a discussion on the dangers of self-righteousness and the importance of looking up at the Savior rather than down at others. When we truly understand our own sinfulness, we become brokenhearted over the sins of others rather than self-righteous and hypocritical.
I also tackled the lie that our culture perpetuates: the belief that people are basically good. Scripture tells us that any goodness in us is due to being created in God's image, but our natural state is one of sinfulness. This cultural lie has led to a form of belief called moralistic therapeutic deism, which I broke down into five points. This belief system is contrary to biblical teaching and fails to recognize our need for salvation through Jesus Christ alone.
In the latter part of the sermon, I presented ten truths about God's judgment and three implications of God's kindness. God's judgment is based on truth, without exception, and will reach even the secret places of our hearts. It is individual, eternal, and without partiality. God's kindness, on the other hand, is intended to lead us to repentance, is an expression of His desire that none should perish, and serves as our model for sharing the gospel.
Key Takeaways:
- The discomfort we feel when scripture confronts our personal sin is a call to self-examination and repentance. It is a reminder that our alignment with God's word is a continuous process, requiring humility and a willingness to change. This discomfort is not an obstacle but an opportunity for growth and deeper communion with God. [49:38]
- Self-righteousness is a subtle but dangerous form of sin. It masquerades as piety but is rooted in pride. When we look down on others, we fail to see our own need for grace. True righteousness comes from recognizing our sinfulness and relying solely on the mercy and grace of Jesus Christ. [52:28]
- God's kindness is not an endorsement of our sin but an invitation to repentance. His patience and blessings, even when we stray, are His loving call for us to return to Him. We must never mistake God's forbearance for approval but see it as an opportunity to realign our lives with His will. [01:19:46]
- The gospel is not about being good enough to earn salvation; it is about being saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Our culture's emphasis on personal goodness can lead us away from the truth of the gospel, which is that we are saved not by our works but by Christ's righteousness imputed to us. [01:03:31]
- Sharing the gospel with kindness and love is reflective of God's own approach to us. We are not to berate or belittle others into the kingdom of God but to invite them into the transformative love of Christ, which we ourselves have experienced. In doing so, we model the grace and kindness that God has shown us. [01:22:46]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Romans 2:1-16
2. Romans 3:10-12
3. 2 Peter 3:9
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#### Observation Questions
1. According to Romans 2:1-16, what does Paul say about God's judgment and how it applies to both Jews and Gentiles?
2. In the sermon, the pastor mentioned a common cultural lie about human nature. What is this lie, and how does it contrast with the biblical view of human nature? [54:43]
3. What are the five points of moralistic therapeutic deism as described in the sermon? [57:00]
4. How does the pastor describe the purpose of God's kindness according to Romans 2:4? [01:08:37]
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize that God's judgment is based on truth and without partiality? How does this challenge our own views of justice and fairness? [01:04:55]
2. The sermon discusses the danger of self-righteousness. How does self-righteousness manifest in our lives, and why is it considered a subtle but dangerous form of sin? [52:28]
3. How does the concept of moralistic therapeutic deism differ from the gospel of Jesus Christ? What are the implications of this belief system on one's understanding of salvation? [57:00]
4. The pastor mentioned that God's kindness is intended to lead us to repentance. How does this understanding of God's kindness affect our approach to sin and repentance? [01:08:37]
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt uncomfortable because scripture confronted your personal sin. How did you respond, and what steps can you take to embrace this discomfort as an opportunity for growth? [49:38]
2. In what ways might you be exhibiting self-righteous behavior? How can you shift your focus from looking down on others to looking up at the Savior? [52:28]
3. The sermon highlighted the cultural belief that people are basically good. How has this belief influenced your own understanding of human nature and your need for salvation? [54:43]
4. God's kindness is meant to lead us to repentance, not to endorse our sin. Can you identify areas in your life where you might be mistaking God's patience for approval? How can you realign your life with His will? [01:19:46]
5. The gospel is about being saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not by our own goodness. How can you remind yourself of this truth in your daily life, especially when you are tempted to rely on your own efforts? [01:03:31]
6. Think of someone in your life who needs to hear the gospel. How can you share it with them in a way that reflects God's kindness and love, rather than judgment and condemnation? [01:22:46]
7. The pastor mentioned that God's judgment will reach even the secret places of our hearts. Are there any hidden sins or struggles you need to bring before God? How can you seek His forgiveness and healing in these areas? [01:16:46]
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This guide is designed to help your small group delve deeper into the themes of sin, judgment, and the kindness of God as presented in Romans 2 and discussed in the sermon. Use these questions to foster meaningful discussion and personal reflection.
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Discomfort for Spiritual Growth
When scripture challenges personal sin, it is not to condemn but to invite self-examination and repentance. This discomfort is a divine tool, designed to refine and align one's life with God's will. It is a reminder that the journey with God is ongoing, requiring humility and a willingness to change. The discomfort felt is not an obstacle but an opportunity for growth and deeper communion with God. It is in this place of vulnerability that one can experience true transformation and the fullness of God's love. [49:38]
James 4:8-10 (ESV)
"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you."
Reflection: What specific area in your life is God's Word challenging right now, and how can you respond with humility and a commitment to change?
Day 2: The Pitfall of Self-Righteousness
Self-righteousness is a subtle but dangerous form of sin that can easily entangle believers. It masquerades as piety but is deeply rooted in pride. When one looks down on others, it reveals a failure to recognize one's own need for grace. True righteousness is found in acknowledging personal sinfulness and relying solely on the mercy and grace of Jesus Christ. This understanding shifts the perspective from judgment to compassion, from pride to humility. [52:28]
Luke 18:13-14 (ESV)
"But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."
Reflection: How can you guard against the temptation of self-righteousness in your daily interactions with others?
Day 3: God's Kindness Leads to Repentance
God's kindness is not an endorsement of sin but a loving invitation to repentance. His patience and blessings, even amidst human transgression, are calls for individuals to return to Him. This forbearance should never be mistaken for approval but seen as an opportunity to realign one's life with His will. Recognizing God's kindness in this light can transform the understanding of divine love and the purpose behind His blessings. [01:19:46]
Romans 2:4 (ESV)
"Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?"
Reflection: In what ways have you experienced God's kindness recently, and how can it lead you to a deeper repentance?
Day 4: Salvation by Grace Through Faith
The gospel message is clear: salvation is not about being good enough to earn it; it is about being saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. The cultural emphasis on personal goodness can distract from the truth that salvation is a gift, not a reward for good behavior. It is Christ's righteousness, not human effort, that makes one right with God. This understanding is crucial for a true grasp of the gospel and for living a life that reflects its power. [01:03:31]
Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
Reflection: How does embracing the truth that you are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ change the way you view yourself and others?
Day 5: Reflecting God's Kindness in Gospel Sharing
Sharing the gospel with kindness and love is reflective of God's own approach to humanity. Believers are not called to berate or belittle others into the kingdom of God but to invite them into the transformative love of Christ, which they themselves have experienced. This approach models the grace and kindness that God has shown, making the message of the gospel not only heard but also felt in its genuine expression. [01:22:46]
1 Peter 3:15-16 (ESV)
"But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame."
Reflection: How can you demonstrate God's kindness in your approach to sharing the gospel with someone this week?
Quotes
1) "I do not believe the church at large has a problem with a pastor preaching against sin but I do believe people at large have a problem with a pastor preaching against their sin... if there is a disagreement between what I believe and what the scriptures say, I'm wrong." [49:38]
2) "We want to boldly exclaim I love the scriptures but then we're confronted by the scriptures... as followers of Jesus Christ I return to the practice of repentance that I might be right in my belief in my thoughts and I might be right in my lifestyle in my actions." [50:18]
3) "God's judgment is without exception... we are people who like to believe that we are the exception to the rule... we deceive ourselves when we say I'm the exception to the rule... we won't avoid God's judgment." [01:06:48]
4) "God's kindness is not like a doting grandfather who winks and Chuckles at our IND discretion... God's kindness is intended that we would fall on his love and his grace with repentance and turning back to him." [01:09:14]
5) "God's judgment will reach the secret places of our heart... God knows the truth about you... God's judgment is in the hands of Jesus Christ." [01:17:26]
6) "God's kindness is intended to lead us to repentance... the blessings that you continue to have that are from God are his way of reminding you of his goodness and saying Child come home." [01:19:46]
7) "God's kindness is our model for sharing the gospel... we will not win people to Jesus Christ by belittling and berating them... we will win people to Jesus Christ when we love them as Jesus loves them." [01:22:46]
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