Living in Light of God's Impartial Judgment
Summary
In today's sermon, we delved deeply into the profound truths of God's judgment and the necessity of living in accordance with His Word, as outlined in Romans chapter 2. We began by acknowledging that every human, regardless of their knowledge of the Bible, is subject to God's judgment because of sin. This universal truth underscores the impartiality of God's judgment, which will be executed fairly on all, whether they have sinned under the law or without the law.
We explored how those who have the law, like the Jews of Paul's time, are privileged yet face greater responsibility. They are not justified by merely hearing the law but by doing what it commands. This principle extends to all of us who have access to God's Word today. We are called not just to be hearers but doers of the Word, reflecting on James' analogy of a man who forgets his appearance after looking in a mirror. This forgetfulness is akin to hearing the Word and not applying it, leading to self-deception.
The sermon also highlighted the plight of those without the law, like the Gentiles Paul refers to, who by nature do what the law requires. This is possible because God has written His law on every human heart, evidenced by our conscience and internal sense of right and wrong. Even without explicit knowledge of God's commandments, every person has a basic understanding of morality, which leaves them without excuse before God.
We discussed the critical role of the gospel in this context. The gospel is necessary precisely because of the reality of judgment. Christ's work on the cross is central because it addresses the problem of sin and judgment. By trusting in Christ, we are not only forgiven but also empowered to live lives that reflect His righteousness.
Finally, we considered the practical implications of these truths for our daily lives. We are urged to live with an awareness of the impending day of judgment, letting this reality motivate us to faithfulness and urgent proclamation of the gospel. We must view everyone we meet as potential recipients of God's grace, deserving of hearing the good news of Jesus Christ.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Universality of Sin and Judgment
Every person, regardless of their exposure to the Bible, is accountable to God because sin is a universal condition. This truth emphasizes the fairness of God's judgment, which is based on the reality of sin rather than one's access to religious instruction. This should motivate us to reflect seriously on our own lives in light of eternity. [07:53]
2. The Necessity of Being Doers of the Word
Merely hearing God's Word is insufficient for righteousness. True faith manifests in obedience. This challenges us, especially those of us with abundant access to Scripture, to examine whether our lives align with the biblical teachings we know so well. It's a call to authentic Christian living that goes beyond superficial adherence. [26:54]
3. The Role of Conscience in God's Judgment
God's law written on human hearts means that everyone has an inherent understanding of right and wrong. Our conscience acts as a witness to God's moral requirements, making us accountable. This internal witness is a crucial aspect of how God will judge those without explicit knowledge of His written Word. [34:32]
4. The Gospel as the Answer to Judgment
The gospel is not just good news; it's necessary news because it addresses the ultimate problem of judgment due to sin. Understanding the full scope of the gospel, including judgment, enriches our appreciation of Christ's sacrifice and should compel us to share this message with urgency. [44:04]
5. Urgency in Proclamation Due to Impending Judgment
Recognizing that judgment day is fixed and known to God should instill a sense of urgency in us to proclaim the gospel. Every interaction is an opportunity to share Christ, knowing that God has already been working in the hearts of those we meet. This perspective should transform how we view evangelism and our daily interactions. [53:50]
### Chapters
0:00 - Welcome
01:20 - The Reality of Judgment
03:33 - God's Impartial Judgment
07:53 - The Certainty of the Day of Judgment
20:03 - Righteousness Through Obedience
26:29 - The Mirror of the Word
34:32 - Conscience and the Law Written on Hearts
44:04 - The Necessity of the Gospel
53:50 - Urgency in Gospel Proclamation
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Romans 2:12-16
- James 1:22-24
- Matthew 7:24-27
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Romans 2:12-16, what is the basis for God's judgment on both those who have the law and those who do not? How does this demonstrate God's impartiality? [03:33]
2. In James 1:22-24, what analogy does James use to describe someone who hears the Word but does not do it? How does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on being doers of the Word? [25:53]
3. How does Matthew 7:24-27 illustrate the importance of not just hearing Jesus' words but also acting on them? How does this parable connect to the sermon’s message about the necessity of obedience? [26:54]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean that God's law is written on human hearts, and how does this affect those who do not have access to the Bible? How does this concept challenge our understanding of accountability before God? [34:32]
2. How does the sermon explain the relationship between faith in Christ and obedience to God's commandments? Why is it not enough to merely hear the Word? [21:10]
3. The sermon mentions the urgency of proclaiming the gospel due to the impending judgment. How should this urgency influence our daily interactions and evangelism efforts? [53:50]
4. How does the concept of God judging the secrets of men by Christ Jesus (Romans 2:16) impact our understanding of personal accountability and the need for a Savior? [47:36]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you have been a hearer of the Word but not a doer? What specific steps can you take this week to align your actions with God's commandments? [25:53]
2. How can you cultivate a more sensitive conscience that aligns with God's Word? Are there specific practices or habits you can adopt to better inform your conscience? [39:15]
3. Think about someone in your life who may not have access to the Bible or explicit knowledge of God's Word. How can you share the gospel with them in a way that acknowledges the law written on their hearts? [34:32]
4. The sermon emphasizes the necessity of the gospel because of the reality of judgment. How can you incorporate this sense of urgency into your daily life and conversations? [44:04]
5. Consider the practical implications of viewing everyone you meet as a potential recipient of God's grace. How can this perspective change the way you interact with others, especially those who may seem far from God? [53:50]
6. Reflect on the parable of the wise and foolish builders (Matthew 7:24-27). What are some specific ways you can build your life on the solid foundation of Jesus' teachings? [27:28]
7. How can you support and encourage others in your small group or church community to be doers of the Word and not just hearers? What role can accountability play in this process? [25:30]
Devotional
Day 1: Accountability to God Transcends Knowledge
Every person, regardless of their familiarity with the Bible, is held accountable by God due to the universal nature of sin. This truth highlights the fairness of God's judgment, which is based not on one's access to religious teachings but on the inherent sinfulness of humanity. This understanding should prompt a serious self-reflection about our lives in the context of eternity. It is crucial to recognize that ignorance of the law does not exempt anyone from the consequences of sin, which underscores the need for a savior and the importance of the gospel message. [07:53]
Ecclesiastes 12:14 - "For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil."
Reflection: How does understanding your accountability to God change the way you view your daily actions and decisions?
Day 2: True Faith Manifests in Obedience
Merely hearing God's Word is not enough for righteousness; true faith is demonstrated through obedience. This challenges those with abundant access to Scripture to examine whether their lives align with the teachings they know so well. It's a call to authentic Christian living that goes beyond superficial adherence, urging believers to be doers of the Word and not just hearers. This involves applying biblical principles in every aspect of life, thereby transforming faith into action. [26:54]
James 1:22-25 - "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like."
Reflection: In what ways can you move from merely hearing the Word to actively applying it in your life today?
Day 3: The Conscience as God's Moral Compass
God has inscribed His law on every human heart, and our conscience serves as a witness to His moral requirements. This internal guide helps individuals discern right from wrong, making them accountable to God even without explicit knowledge of His written Word. This inherent understanding of morality leaves everyone without excuse before God and highlights the universality of His law across different cultures and societies. [34:32]
Romans 2:14-16 - "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."
Reflection: How does your conscience guide you in daily decisions, and how can you better tune into its promptings?
Day 4: The Gospel as the Essential Solution to Sin
The gospel addresses the ultimate problem of judgment due to sin. Understanding the full scope of the gospel, including the reality of judgment, enriches our appreciation of Christ's sacrifice. This knowledge should compel believers to share the message of salvation with urgency, recognizing that the gospel is not just good news but necessary news for all humanity. [44:04]
2 Corinthians 5:10-11 - "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others."
Reflection: How can you more actively participate in sharing the gospel based on the urgency of its message?
Day 5: Proclaiming the Gospel with Urgency
Recognizing that the day of judgment is fixed and known only to God should instill a sense of urgency in believers to proclaim the gospel. Every interaction is an opportunity to share Christ, knowing that God has already been working in the hearts of those we meet. This perspective should transform how we view evangelism and our daily interactions, motivating us to act with purpose and urgency. [53:50]
Acts 17:30-31 - "The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead."
Reflection: What specific steps can you take this week to share the gospel with someone who may not yet know Christ?
Quotes
1. "What people aspire to. You were made for God. Created by God for God. So, grow in the knowledge of God. Turn from your sin every day. Remember Jesus Christ every day. And believe him and take him at his word. And live according to his commandments. That's the path of life and joy for you." [50:33]
2. "It is those who embrace Christ and then begin to live in obedience to His commandments. Are you going to trust Him today? Are you going to believe Him today? Take Him at His word today? He invites you. He calls you. Believe this gospel. Because the day of judgment is coming." [47:36]
3. "The Bible, God's Word, is in many respects a book of judgment. From the opening chapters to the closing chapters, we find accounts of judgment, God's judgment. In Genesis 1 and 2, after He created Adam and Eve to be His image bearers, to be the progenitors of this race, when they rebelled against Him, He judged them." [01:20]
4. "God will judge all. Well Paul divides people into these two broad categories to make this point. Those under the law. Those without the law. So let's look at these three main forces of argument that he uses to build his case. First in verse 12 right at the end of verse 12 he says all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law." [11:34]
5. "The gospel does not preclude the thought of judgment. It indeed demands the gospel. It's what makes the gospel necessary. What is this gospel? The gospel is the message of Jesus Christ. It's what God has done for us in Christ. All that Jesus is, all that he's accomplished, and the significance of that for us." [44:04]
6. "God created us in His image. He put us in a world that He created that has His fingerprints all over it. And even those who do not have special revelation have the work of God's law that reflects His work. And so His righteousness on their own hearts." [37:31]
7. "The Bible teaches us this judgment. Some people don't want to think about judgment, and they don't think about it, because they don't think about sin. And they don't want to believe that they have sinned. Most people today will say, well sure, I'm not perfect. But whenever you start talking about sin in the way the Bible talks about sin, as being rebellion against our Creator, resulting in enmity between God and us so that we are His enemies because of sin, and He is set against us as our enemy because of sin, people don't like to think about that." [02:20]
8. "So you have an opportunity and an advantage to think about how God's already been at work because these are creatures made in his image. And brothers and sisters, may God make us urgent and compassionate, filled with love, filled with humility, knowing that when we talk to somebody who doesn't know Christ, the only difference between them and us is God in his grace has revealed Christ in us." [53:50]
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