Understanding God's Wrath and the Truth of Salvation

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound truth of God's wrath as revealed in Romans 1:18-23. This passage highlights the reality that God's wrath is directed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of humanity, who suppress the truth in their unrighteousness. The term "suppress" is significant, indicating that the world actively holds down the truth, rather than merely ignoring it. This suppression explains why many unbelievers struggle to accept or understand the truth when it is presented to them. They lack the paradigms to process and grasp it, which is why we should not be surprised by the world's actions and thoughts.

We also discussed the concept of God's restraint on evil. Despite the presence of evil in the world, it is God's restraining hand that prevents even greater chaos and destruction. This should evoke compassion in us for our unbelieving neighbors, as they are unable to perceive the truth without God's intervention. Jesus' words in John 18:37 remind us that only those who are of the truth can truly hear His voice.

In our current cultural climate, we face the challenge of conceptualism, where individuals create their own versions of reality. This mindset demands that we accept and respect these personal realities, or risk being ostracized. As Christians, we must stand firm in the truth of God's Word, recognizing that truth is not subjective but defined by God Himself. Jesus' prayer in John 17:17 emphasizes that God's Word is truth, not merely containing it.

We are called to engage with the world with love and gentleness, sharing the gospel and the hope within us. This often leads to confrontation, as truth naturally challenges falsehood. Yet, we must remain steadfast, knowing that the exclusivity of Christ is the only path to salvation. Our lives should reflect the truth we profess, living with humility, repentance, and a reliance on God's grace. In doing so, we become a testimony to the world, pointing others to the unchanging truth of Jesus Christ.

Key Takeaways:

- The suppression of truth by the world is an active process, not passive ignorance. This suppression explains why unbelievers struggle to accept the truth, as they lack the frameworks to process it. Our response should be one of compassion, recognizing their spiritual blindness and praying for God's intervention. [01:12]

- God's restraint on evil is a testament to His sovereignty and mercy. Despite the presence of evil, it is His hand that prevents greater chaos. This understanding should lead us to gratitude and a deeper trust in His control over the world. [03:35]

- In a culture of conceptualism, where personal realities are created and demanded to be respected, Christians must stand firm in the truth of God's Word. Truth is not subjective but defined by God, and we are called to uphold it with love and gentleness. [07:58]

- Sharing the gospel often leads to confrontation, as truth challenges falsehood. We must be prepared for this, knowing that the exclusivity of Christ is the only path to salvation. Our lives should reflect the truth we profess, living with humility and reliance on God's grace. [14:07]

- Our testimony to the world is not in our perfection but in our dependence on God's grace. As we live with humility, repentance, and a reliance on His grace, we point others to the unchanging truth of Jesus Christ. This is our calling and our hope. [24:12]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:29] - Introduction to God's Wrath
- [01:12] - Suppression of Truth
- [02:00] - Expecting the World's Response
- [02:47] - God's Restraint on Evil
- [03:35] - Compassion for Unbelievers
- [04:19] - Hearing the Truth
- [05:04] - Standing Firm in Truth
- [06:28] - From Relativism to Conceptualism
- [07:21] - The Challenge of Conceptualism
- [08:38] - The Peer Pressure of Love
- [09:35] - Defining God and Truth
- [10:19] - God's Word as Truth
- [11:53] - The Gospel's Power
- [12:42] - Facing the World's Hatred
- [14:07] - The Call to Confrontation
- [15:59] - Sharing the Gospel with Love
- [17:29] - Living Out the Truth
- [19:04] - The Atheist's Perspective
- [20:59] - The Truth for Us
- [22:01] - Assurance in Christ
- [23:22] - Living as a Testimony
- [24:53] - Engaging with Unbelievers
- [26:16] - The Grace of God
- [27:20] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Romans 1:18-23
- John 18:37
- John 17:17

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Romans 1:18-23 say about the nature of God's wrath and how it is revealed against humanity? How does this passage describe the actions of those who suppress the truth? [00:29]

2. According to the sermon, what does the term "suppress" imply about the world's relationship with the truth? How does this affect unbelievers' ability to accept the truth? [01:12]

3. How does the sermon describe God's role in restraining evil in the world? What are some examples given that illustrate this restraint? [02:47]

4. In John 18:37, Jesus speaks about those who are "of the truth." What does the sermon suggest this means for believers and their ability to hear Jesus' voice? [04:19]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of suppressing the truth help explain the challenges Christians face when sharing the gospel with unbelievers? What does this imply about the spiritual state of the world? [02:00]

2. The sermon mentions a cultural shift from relativism to conceptualism. How does this shift impact the way Christians are perceived when they stand firm in biblical truth? [06:28]

3. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between truth and confrontation? How should Christians prepare for the potential backlash when sharing the gospel? [14:07]

4. How does the sermon describe the role of God's grace in the life of a believer, especially in terms of living out the truth and being a testimony to the world? [24:12]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt frustrated trying to share the truth with someone who seemed unable to accept it. How can understanding the concept of truth suppression change your approach in future conversations? [01:12]

2. In what ways can you cultivate compassion for unbelievers who are spiritually blind, as suggested in the sermon? How can this compassion influence your interactions with them? [03:35]

3. The sermon challenges Christians to stand firm in the truth of God's Word despite cultural pressures. What specific steps can you take to strengthen your resolve in upholding biblical truth in your daily life? [07:58]

4. Consider the idea that sharing the gospel often leads to confrontation. How can you prepare yourself emotionally and spiritually for such encounters, ensuring you respond with love and gentleness? [14:07]

5. The sermon emphasizes living a life that reflects the truth we profess. Identify one area in your life where you struggle to align your actions with your beliefs. What practical changes can you make to address this inconsistency? [24:12]

6. How can you actively rely on God's grace in moments of doubt or when you feel inadequate in your faith journey? What reminders or practices can help you rest in His grace? [22:01]

7. Think of a person in your life who holds a different worldview. What is one way you can engage them in a meaningful conversation about faith, while respecting their perspective and sharing your own? [25:34]

Devotional

Day 1: The Active Suppression of Truth
The world actively suppresses the truth of God, not merely ignoring it. This suppression is a deliberate act, as described in Romans 1:18-23, where humanity's unrighteousness leads them to hold down the truth. This explains why many unbelievers struggle to accept or understand the truth when it is presented to them. They lack the paradigms to process and grasp it, which is why believers should not be surprised by the world's actions and thoughts. Instead, this understanding should evoke compassion in us for our unbelieving neighbors, recognizing their spiritual blindness and praying for God's intervention. [01:12]

"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: Who in your life seems to be actively suppressing the truth of God? How can you pray for them today, asking God to open their eyes to His truth?


Day 2: God's Restraint on Evil
Despite the presence of evil in the world, it is God's restraining hand that prevents even greater chaos and destruction. This restraint is a testament to His sovereignty and mercy, showing that He is in control even when the world seems out of control. Understanding this should lead believers to gratitude and a deeper trust in His control over the world. It also calls for compassion towards those who are unable to perceive the truth without God's intervention. [03:35]

"The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." (2 Peter 3:9, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you express gratitude today for God's restraint on evil in the world? How does this understanding affect your trust in His sovereignty?


Day 3: Standing Firm in God's Truth
In a culture where personal realities are created and demanded to be respected, Christians must stand firm in the truth of God's Word. Truth is not subjective but defined by God Himself. This requires believers to uphold the truth with love and gentleness, even when faced with the challenge of conceptualism. Jesus' prayer in John 17:17 emphasizes that God's Word is truth, not merely containing it. [07:58]

"Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth." (John 17:17, ESV)

Reflection: How can you stand firm in God's truth today, especially in situations where you are pressured to accept subjective realities? What practical steps can you take to uphold His truth with love and gentleness?


Day 4: The Confrontation of Sharing the Gospel
Sharing the gospel often leads to confrontation, as truth naturally challenges falsehood. Believers must be prepared for this, knowing that the exclusivity of Christ is the only path to salvation. Our lives should reflect the truth we profess, living with humility and reliance on God's grace. This confrontation is not about winning arguments but about lovingly pointing others to the unchanging truth of Jesus Christ. [14:07]

"For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth." (2 Corinthians 13:8, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the gospel today? How can you approach them with humility and love, prepared for the potential confrontation that sharing the truth may bring?


Day 5: Living as a Testimony of God's Grace
Our testimony to the world is not in our perfection but in our dependence on God's grace. As believers live with humility, repentance, and a reliance on His grace, they point others to the unchanging truth of Jesus Christ. This is the calling and hope of every Christian, to be a living testimony of God's grace and truth in a world that desperately needs it. [24:12]

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to rely more on God's grace today? How can your dependence on His grace serve as a testimony to those around you?

Quotes


Paul uses this word "suppress," and that word is really a fascinating word, because it means that the world and unbelievers are not just ignoring the truth, but that they're actually holding it down. The language suggests that they have arrested the truth, or detained the truth, and are keeping it down. They're holding it down. [00:01:12]

In fact, a lot of times people ask the question, "If God is a loving God and if He's in control, and if there's a God, why is there so much evil?" And the better question is, "Why isn't there more evil? Why aren't there more murders? Why aren't there more gross and heinous sins?" [00:02:56]

It's because God is also a God of restraint. He restrains evil. Otherwise, we would have killed each other off this planet millennia ago. The reality of it is, friends, is that the world has suppressed the truth. And while that makes us sad and makes us angry, it also, it also needs to make us feel sorry for our unbelieving neighbors classmates, coworkers, relatives, and friends. [00:03:21]

Conceptualism is the notion that everyone can possess and create his or her own conceived version of reality. And so, everyone can have their own world in which they exist, in which they think, and their perspectives on everything. And so, they have this conceived reality wherein they say, "Well, it's not just a matter of, well, that's true for you, and that's not true for me," but they have their entire religion and entire way of thinking rooted in their own hearts, and in their own minds, and in their own created religion. [00:07:00]

If the world can get you to buy into their definition of love, a love that doesn't disagree with anything or anyone, a love that accepts anything or anyone or any so-called truth, a love that never has any differences or problems with, a love that simply resorts to, "Well, this is my belief. This is my perspective. And that's your belief and your perspective. It's my faith. It's your faith. It's my God. It's your God." [00:09:00]

God is the One who defines who He is, not us. There's only one God, and He is our God. But let us not forget that in this new age of conceptualism, where the world has said, "Well, that's your perspective. That's your faith. And I have my faith. I have my God, and you have your God." We have to say to them that God is the One who defines truth. God is the One who tells us what the truth is. [00:10:09]

And dearly beloved friends, when you say that to your unbelieving neighbors, and you respond in giving that response to those that are inquiring, they're going to hate you. They're going to despise you. If you're a true Christian here this morning. If you're an authentic believer, that means you've trusted Christ and Christ alone. If you're a true believer, prepare to have a life of the world despising you, hating you, and wanting to silence you and even bring you down. [00:12:29]

And you know what? This is why it is so difficult for us to talk to our friends, relatives and neighbors about the gospel because we want to be liked, don't we? We don't want to be hated. We don't want to be silenced. We don't want them to think we're just a bunch of jerks. We want to be loved and we want to be liked, don't we? We want to be respected. [00:14:49]

One of the most loving things that Jesus did was tell us about hell and the wrath of God. One of the most loving things that God does for us in His Word is to tell us how truly sinful we are, so that we would know how truly gracious He is. What we need to be always ready to do as God's people, no matter our age, is that we need to be ready to stand firm and unwavering and steadfast, and to be in a right way, stubbornly dogmatic and insistent upon what God's Word teaches. [00:17:11]

And there may be some here today who are really struggling, struggling in your faith, struggling in your mind, struggling with your sins. And some of you who trust Christ and say, "I love the Lord. I trust Him with all my heart as much as I can. I love the Lord." But as you get older and God shows you your sin more and more, and you see the ugliness of your sin and you hate your sin, and you wonder, "Can I really be a Christian? I keep trusting the Lord. I repent of my sins. I confess them. I strive to live a different life and I get help and I keep sinning. Can I really be a Christian?" [00:21:44]

You can't have a my truth in your mind and a your truth in your heart; you have to take the Word of God and apply that truth to your life and say, "Even though I am sinful and even though I don't deserve the grace of God, even though I don't deserve salvation, even though I don't deserve to have the ears to hear and the heart to perceive the truth of God, by the grace of God, He has saved me. And by the grace of God, I have to rest in His grace and His perfection. I have to rest in His goodness and not ultimately in my own." [00:23:01]

Because don't forget, the world doesn't read the Bible; they read us. And as they read us, do they see a bunch of phony, hypocrite, superficial people trying to pretend to be always more happy or holy than they actually are? Or do they see a people who are living dependently and humbly with brokenness, repentance, bearing fruit, and living out the faith even as they see us asking for forgiveness, even as they see us living lives of repentance. [00:24:00]

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Transcript
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