God's Revelation: The Call to Humility and Salvation

 

Summary

In this exploration of Romans 1:18-20, we delve into the profound truth that God's wrath is revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness. This revelation is not arbitrary but is rooted in the very nature of sin and its inexcusable character. Sin is not only a violation of God's law but a deliberate suppression of the truth that is evident both within us and in the world around us. The Apostle Paul argues that humanity cannot plead ignorance because the knowledge of God is manifest in them and through creation. This universal knowledge of God leaves humanity without excuse, as it is evident in the natural world and within the conscience of every individual.

The sermon emphasizes the importance of understanding that this knowledge of God, while sufficient to render humanity inexcusable, is not enough for salvation. It is a general revelation that reveals God's power and divinity but not His saving grace. Salvation requires a special revelation, which is found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul highlights the futility of human wisdom and pride, which often leads to the rejection of God's truth. This pride results in a darkened heart, incapable of recognizing divine truth, and leads to a life of unrighteousness.

The message concludes with a call to humility and the recognition of our need for the Gospel. It is only through the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ that we can be saved from the darkness of sin and death. This is a call to abandon pride and embrace the truth of God revealed in Christ, allowing His light to shine into our hearts and transform our lives.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Inexcusable Nature of Sin: Sin is not just a moral failing but a deliberate suppression of the truth about God that is evident in creation and within us. This suppression is rooted in unrighteousness, making humanity without excuse before God. The knowledge of God is universal, leaving no room for ignorance. [02:15]

2. General vs. Special Revelation: While creation reveals God's power and divinity, it does not reveal His saving grace. Salvation requires a special revelation found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This distinction is crucial for understanding the limits of natural theology and the necessity of the Gospel. [22:29]

3. The Futility of Human Wisdom: Human pride and intellect often lead to the rejection of God's truth, resulting in a darkened heart incapable of recognizing divine truth. This pride is the root cause of humanity's rebellion against God and the embrace of vain philosophies. [36:01]

4. The Universal Sense of God: Despite claims of atheism, there is a universal sense of God within every human being. This innate knowledge is evident in the conscience and the moral awareness of right and wrong, pointing to a divine moral governor. [11:28]

5. The Call to Humility and the Gospel: The only hope for humanity is to abandon pride and embrace the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is through the light of the knowledge of God's glory in Christ that we can be saved from the darkness of sin and death. This requires humility and a willingness to submit to God's truth. [47:37]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:15] - Introduction to Romans 1:18-20
- [01:09] - The Wrath of God Revealed
- [02:15] - The Inexcusable Nature of Sin
- [03:25] - Universal Knowledge of God
- [04:21] - Suppression of Truth
- [06:50] - Internal and External Revelation
- [09:35] - The Universal Sense of God
- [13:36] - God's Revelation in Creation
- [18:29] - General vs. Special Revelation
- [22:29] - The Limits of Natural Theology
- [36:01] - The Futility of Human Wisdom
- [39:25] - The Root of Wickedness
- [43:26] - The Darkened Heart
- [47:37] - The Call to Humility and the Gospel

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Romans 1:18-20

Observation Questions:
1. What does Paul mean when he says that God's wrath is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men? How is this wrath manifested? [01:09]
2. According to the sermon, how does Paul describe the knowledge of God that is evident in creation and within us? [06:50]
3. What is the significance of the phrase "holding the truth in unrighteousness" as discussed in the sermon? [31:33]
4. How does the sermon explain the concept of "general revelation" and its limitations in terms of salvation? [22:29]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon interpret the universal sense of God within every human being, and what implications does this have for those who claim atheism? [11:28]
2. In what ways does human pride and intellect lead to the rejection of God's truth, according to the sermon? How does this relate to the concept of a "darkened heart"? [36:01]
3. The sermon discusses the difference between general and special revelation. Why is it important to understand this distinction in the context of salvation? [22:29]
4. How does the sermon suggest that the knowledge of God in creation leaves humanity without excuse? What does this mean for our understanding of sin and accountability? [27:22]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you might have suppressed the truth about God in your life. What were the circumstances, and how did you respond? [31:33]
2. The sermon calls for humility and the recognition of our need for the Gospel. How can you cultivate humility in your daily life to better embrace the truth of God revealed in Christ? [47:37]
3. Consider the ways in which pride might be affecting your relationship with God. What steps can you take to address this pride and open your heart to divine truth? [36:01]
4. How can you actively seek out and embrace the special revelation of the Gospel in your life, beyond the general revelation found in nature? [22:29]
5. The sermon emphasizes the importance of recognizing the universal sense of God within us. How can you become more aware of this innate knowledge and allow it to guide your actions and decisions? [11:28]
6. In what ways can you share the light of the knowledge of God's glory in Christ with others who may be living in the darkness of sin and death? [47:37]
7. Identify one area in your life where you feel you are holding onto human wisdom rather than God's truth. What practical steps can you take to align your understanding with divine wisdom? [36:01]

Devotional

Day 1: The Inescapable Reality of Sin
Sin is not merely a moral misstep; it is a conscious decision to suppress the truth about God that is evident in both creation and our own hearts. This suppression is rooted in unrighteousness, leaving humanity without excuse before God. The knowledge of God is universal, and no one can claim ignorance of His existence or His divine nature. This understanding calls us to recognize the gravity of sin and the seriousness of our rebellion against God. The Apostle Paul emphasizes that this knowledge is evident in the natural world and within the conscience of every individual, making the nature of sin inexcusable. [02:15]

"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth." (Romans 1:18, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways have you been suppressing the truth about God in your life? How can you begin to acknowledge and address these areas today?


Day 2: The Necessity of Special Revelation
While the natural world reveals God's power and divinity, it does not convey His saving grace. This distinction between general and special revelation is crucial for understanding the limits of natural theology and the necessity of the Gospel. General revelation leaves humanity without excuse, but it is only through the special revelation found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ that we can understand God's plan for salvation. This calls us to seek the deeper truths of God that are revealed through Scripture and the life of Jesus, recognizing that salvation is not found in human wisdom but in divine revelation. [22:29]

"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 people are without excuse." (Romans 1:20, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively seek and embrace the special revelation of God in your daily life? What steps can you take to deepen your understanding of the Gospel?


Day 3: The Perils of Human Pride
Human pride and intellect often lead to the rejection of God's truth, resulting in a darkened heart incapable of recognizing divine truth. This pride is the root cause of humanity's rebellion against God and the embrace of vain philosophies. The Apostle Paul warns against the futility of human wisdom, which can blind us to the reality of God's truth and lead us away from His light. It is essential to recognize the limitations of our understanding and the need for humility in approaching God's wisdom. [36:01]

"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." (Romans 1:21, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you find yourself relying on your own wisdom rather than seeking God's truth? How can you cultivate a heart of humility to better receive His guidance?


Day 4: The Innate Knowledge of God
Despite claims of atheism, there is a universal sense of God within every human being. This innate knowledge is evident in the conscience and the moral awareness of right and wrong, pointing to a divine moral governor. The Apostle Paul asserts that this universal sense of God leaves humanity without excuse, as it is a testament to God's presence and authority in our lives. This understanding challenges us to acknowledge the divine imprint within us and to live in accordance with the moral truths that God has established. [11:28]

"For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them." (Romans 2:14-15, ESV)

Reflection: How does your conscience reflect the innate knowledge of God in your life? In what ways can you align your actions with this divine moral awareness?


Day 5: Embracing the Gospel with Humility
The only hope for humanity is to abandon pride and embrace the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is through the light of the knowledge of God's glory in Christ that we can be saved from the darkness of sin and death. This requires humility and a willingness to submit to God's truth, allowing His light to transform our hearts and lives. The Apostle Paul calls us to recognize our need for the Gospel and to let go of our pride, embracing the truth of God revealed in Christ. [47:37]

"For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." (2 Corinthians 4:6, ESV)

Reflection: What areas of pride are preventing you from fully embracing the Gospel? How can you practice humility and openness to God's transforming work in your life today?

Quotes



The Apostle here in this general statement is speaking of the whole world. He's speaking of Gentiles as well as of Jews. It is a kind of universal charge. Now then again he divides up this charge into two sections. He's got two reasons for talking about the inexcusable of sin. The first is this: that mankind cannot plead ignorance in these matters. [00:03:13]

Mankind cannot plead ignorance in these matters because it has this knowledge of God and it has to hold it down and restrain it in order to be in its position in sin and in the whole blindness of sin. Very well, but the Apostle not only tells us that men had this knowledge and still has this knowledge, but he tells us in detail how men has this knowledge. [00:06:21]

There is a sense of God universally in mankind. It doesn't matter where you go, it doesn't matter how primitive the tribe may be that you come across in the most remote parts of the world, you will never find a human being but that he's got within him a sense of a Supreme Being, a sense of God. It's universal in the whole of human nature. [00:09:48]

There is in mankind universally this sense of right and wrong, this feeling that sin deserves to be judged and that sin will be judged, and that this moral governor of the universe is righteous and just. They know that, but knowing the Judgment of God, that's something that is in it, in the whole of human nature, in the whole of mankind. [00:12:40]

God has also given us this knowledge externally as well as internally. This is the second form, and here it is again explicitly in verse 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. [00:13:36]

In creation as we see it, there are manifestations of the handiwork of God, the Finger of God. God has revealed himself in that way in the sun and the moon and the stars, in the animals, in the design, in the order, in the arrangement, in the seasons. All these are just manifestations of God and of the fact of God. [00:15:25]

There is enough in creation and Providence and history to establish the fact that God is the Creator and that God is the moral governor of this universe. And that is why the Apostle says that the whole of mankind is without excuse. There, without going any further, there is enough to establish God the Creator and God, I say, the moral governor of the entire universe. [00:27:56]

The fundamental cause of all this is just pride, and pride of intellect. Here it is in verse 22: professing themselves to be wise, they became fools. But here it is, you see, professing themselves to be wise, men of intellect, men of understanding. How contemporary this gospel is, this passage which we are looking at together. [00:36:01]

The average man today feels that somehow or another the hallmark of learning, to be really a 20th-century man, is not to believe in God. Pride, pride of intellect, or of course it's always been the trouble. It was the whole cause of the fall of Adam and Eve, wasn't it? It was this fatal desire to be as Gods. [00:36:56]

The result of all this, as you see, is that man lands himself in his own utter futility. I've already been referring to this futility, these vain reasonings, these monstrous and ridiculous philosophies. These people say they don't believe in God, they can't believe in God because of their minds and reasons. What do they believe then? [00:41:05]

Their foolish heart was darkened, and that again is a very important statement. You see the sequence: you start with pride, and because of your pride, you put Revelation on one side, and you put your ideas forward. And you know what it leads to? It leads to this: your heart becomes darkened. What's the heart? [00:43:26]

The darkness is appalling. It's the darkness of death. Their foolish heart was darkened, and there's only one hope. It's this gospel, the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ shining into that dark heart and causing the philosophies and the vain speculations to be dissipated and disappear. [00:47:37]

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Transcript
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