Latest / Providence Baptist Church - Sermons / Romans 12:17-21
Transcript
- 0:00Well, good morning. Thank you, man, for leading us again so well this morning. Rich songs that
- 0:07! Prep and bring encouragement to my soul in preparation to preach. Would you open up your
- 0:14! Bibles to the book of Romans chapter 12. And we're going to continue the study that we've
- 0:20been in. If you haven't been with us, we've been in Romans for a good amount of time. We'll be here
- 0:27for a while. But after today starts the sabbatical season for a couple of our pastors, and we'll be
- 0:34taking a short break after that. Well, last week we were served tremendously, as Jake helped us to
- 0:41consider what your Bible refers to as the marks of the true Christian from verses 9 through 16.
- 0:50And by the way, a very quick overview. Paul has labored thus far in the book of Romans to demonstrate
- 0:56the wonder of God's kindness directed towards those who are condemned by their sin. We know judgment
- 1:05stood against us pending. Our hope was vanquished, and an insurmountable list of offenses against the
- 1:14reigning king grew in our accounts. And it was at this time, according to Romans chapter 5 verse 6,
- 1:23that Christ came and he died for the ungodly. And this great salvation, accomplished according to God's
- 1:32sovereign purposes, has resulted in a brand new people. That is us who gather by faith this morning
- 1:41in the work of cross. This is a brand new harvest of those who by grace and through faith enjoy the gift
- 1:49of justification as object of God's loving affection. So, furthermore, in chapter 12, we've been in this
- 2:02over the last month or so, we have been reminded that walking in this grace is only because of the work
- 2:10of the Holy Spirit within local bodies. You see, it's the Holy Spirit that applies the gospel to the heart.
- 2:19He equips the body with varying gifts to build up one another in love for the praise and the renown of the Lord.
- 2:28And yet today, we arrive at a sobering topic, one that Paul directs our attention towards.
- 2:35And it's this, the difficult opposition that remains and is ongoing. And this is the opposition that not
- 2:44only exists vertically from creature to the creator, but also exists horizontally between fallen creatures
- 2:53and the new creation, the church, the seed of the woman against, sorry, the seed of the serpent
- 3:01against the seed of the woman. Now, Paul, as we know, has been subjected to great wrong that is done
- 3:09against him at the hands of evil men. So, Paul knows the temptation that our flesh feels when wrongdoing
- 3:17is directed towards us. He has experienced bodily, physical mistreatment. He's been ridiculed and mocked
- 3:26and abandoned at the hands of men. And he knows that there's an urge that lies very close to the human
- 3:33heart, one that you have felt and I have felt even this week. The desire to respond to injustice
- 3:41with anger and self-vindication. Perhaps this timely word this morning arrives at a time that you
- 3:49yourself have struggled in your response when exposed to the sin of others. Perhaps God, by the power of
- 3:57his word, intends to break you from your faithless anger that you feel when others wrong you. So, just a few
- 4:07questions to prepare us to receive the weight of our text. As you think of your life, have you expressed
- 4:16trust trust in the Lord when he allows you to be mistreated by spouses, by children, by friends, or by
- 4:26co-workers? Do you trust God when you hear your name being mentioned in a conversation, not a positive one?
- 4:36And do you trust the Lord when you've been sharing the good news with someone faithfully? And their response,
- 4:43once again, is not only rejection, but perhaps accusations against you. So, in light of these
- 4:51expected circumstances, our text calls us this morning to deep and abiding faith that God alone
- 4:59is able to properly account for all wrongdoing. We are called to trust that one day righteous judgment
- 5:07will be applied by him according to his wise and glorious purposes. And we are called to trust
- 5:14that we have been given the assignment to be ambassadors of reconciliation, not ambassadors
- 5:24of wrath. Let's open and read our text together. Our verses this morning will be verses 17 through 21,
- 5:33but we'll back up just a few more more verses to verse 9 to not interrupt Paul's development.
- 5:45God's word says this, let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil, hold fast to what is good,
- 5:55love one another with brotherly affection, outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in
- 6:04zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer,
- 6:15contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you,
- 6:24bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep. Live in harmony
- 6:33with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly and never be wise in your own sight.
- 6:42Now our verses for this morning. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable
- 6:52in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
- 7:02Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God. For it is written, vengeance is mine,
- 7:12I will repay, says the Lord. To the contrary, if your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him
- 7:21something to drink, for by so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil,
- 7:31but overcome evil with good.
- 7:34So we have two primary points this morning that I intend to show you from our text and a few other sub points.
- 7:43The first main point is seeking the honor of God with our conduct.
- 7:50And the second, responding to evil with both wrath and with grace in mind.
- 7:56Now let's focus our attention on the significance of what we see in verse 17. It's described as honorable conduct.
- 8:07Again, our text says,
- 8:08Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.
- 8:17So our text reminds us that the initial and prominent responsibility of Christians when encountering evil
- 8:24is to resist the inclination to pay it back in kind.
- 8:30To return evil for evil is the easy and the natural inclination that many of us feel.
- 8:38This is kind of similar, something that we've been trained by.
- 8:41When you are exposed to a physical attack, think of the things that you first do.
- 8:47Self-protect, defense, preparation against a future attack,
- 8:54even vocalizing your disapproval of the behavior we have experienced.
- 9:02We do that as well.
- 9:05We recall, though, that Jesus instructs us away from these types of responses in the Sermon on the Mount.
- 9:13Now, you've heard that it was said,
- 9:15An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.
- 9:17But I say to you, do not resist the one who is evil.
- 9:22But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
- 9:28So Paul picks up this same theme,
- 9:31and he urges readers to resist responding with self-interest as our great priority
- 9:38and instead to strive towards the putting on of honorable conduct.
- 9:43So we must ask ourselves, why is this the case?
- 9:47What does Paul mean by instructing Christ's followers to acting honorably in the sight of all?
- 9:52And why is outward conduct important to Paul
- 9:57when God's enemies seem to be getting away with wounding God's people?
- 10:06First, it's helpful for us to understand what honorable conduct is that's described here.
- 10:13And conduct is normally thought of as the package of outside, outward behavior.
- 10:19The things that you do on the outside, which can be observed and seen and witnessed by other people.
- 10:28The moral behavior that either conforms or does not conform to a certain set of rules.
- 10:34That's what we think about with conduct.
- 10:37But we can see here that Paul means more than just commending outward behavior.
- 10:43Because he attaches a very important word that is intended to show the essence of how all conduct is to be pursued.
- 10:56So honorable refers to what is valued on the inside,
- 11:00which deserves recognition in our behavior on the outside.
- 11:06The focus here of outward is on outward behavior,
- 11:11but it also refers to what we value internally.
- 11:16Now, it's helpful for us to just think of a couple other familiar verses in God's word
- 11:22that help us to take a broader look at how the word honor is used.
- 11:28The exhortation to act honorably actually appears earlier in chapter 12, verse 10.
- 11:34Remember that it says,
- 11:36In this passage, brotherly honor is commended because this is where God has assigned value and worth.
- 11:53God has valued the brethren.
- 11:55He has purchased and redeemed a group of people that belong to him at the cost of his son's sacrifice.
- 12:06Therefore, the brethren are deserving of our honor.
- 12:11We see another example in the fifth commandment.
- 12:14Here God instructs Israel to honor fathers and honor mothers.
- 12:21Again, this is helpful because it locates honor as a derivative of what God himself esteems and what he values.
- 12:31So honor is not primarily about maintaining respectful standards or guidelines.
- 12:39It's not about a moral code, although it may include that.
- 12:43But it's more directly about pointing us towards that which is worthy of being held to the highest honor,
- 12:52even in the face of opposition by God's enemies who question God's honor.
- 13:02Consider for a moment with me a text you may have heard from the prophet Isaiah.
- 13:07Isaiah 42, verse 8 says,
- 13:10I am the Lord.
- 13:13That is my name, my glory.
- 13:17I give to no other,
- 13:21nor my praise to carved idols.
- 13:25This pursuit of God's own honor never changes in the providential outworking of his plan.
- 13:33John chapter 5, verse 21 through 23.
- 13:39For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life,
- 13:43so also the Son gives life to whom he will.
- 13:49For the Father judges no one,
- 13:51but has given all judgment to the Son for this purpose,
- 13:55that all may honor the Son,
- 14:01just as they honor the Father.
- 14:04We see even the judgment of God is carried out in a way
- 14:09that is purposely meant to ascribe honor to the value of Christ.
- 14:16God indeed holds righteous jealousy for the honor of his name,
- 14:25and it's a good thing that he does.
- 14:28The honor of his faithful character,
- 14:30the honor of his saving work in Christ,
- 14:34is our theme as well.
- 14:37And he desires that this honor should be held in the highest regard
- 14:42when things are going well,
- 14:43or when we are exposed to the sinful outworking,
- 14:48the evil rebellion that sometimes the Lord has called us to.
- 14:54You see, there's more at stake in responding to evil
- 14:57than we normally think of.
- 15:01The goal is not just to avoid losing our cool.
- 15:05As Jake reminded us last week,
- 15:09there's an expectation that evil will be the regular course
- 15:14for all Christians in their discipleship.
- 15:18It ought not to surprise any one of us
- 15:20when we're faced with frequent opportunities
- 15:23to express honor to God as we encounter evil.
- 15:30Romans 12, 14 says,
- 15:33Bless those who persecute you.
- 15:35Bless and do not curse them.
- 15:372 Timothy 3,
- 15:38Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life
- 15:42will be persecuted.
- 15:45Notice the certainty of that expectation.
- 15:50And Acts 14, 22 says,
- 15:53Strengthening the souls of the disciples,
- 15:55encouraging them to continue in the faith,
- 15:58and saying through many tribulations,
- 16:00we must enter the kingdom of God.
- 16:05Bearing with evil, then, is not an accident.
- 16:09It's not an inconvenience.
- 16:11It's not a mistake.
- 16:13It is an intentional tool the Lord uses
- 16:16to reveal the surpassing worth, glory,
- 16:21and honor of His name.
- 16:24So why so much focus already on this one word, honor?
- 16:32Well, if we are honest too often,
- 16:34honor for God is the furthest thing from our minds
- 16:39when we are exposed to wrongdoing.
- 16:44Instead, we labor for other things
- 16:46that we value more in the moment.
- 16:49We cling to the esteem and respect
- 16:52that we feel entitled to and deserving of.
- 16:57And instead of honor for God,
- 16:58we replace honor for ourselves.
- 17:03Do you recognize this tragic replacement
- 17:06even in your own responses as of late?
- 17:11Every time we object with outward conduct,
- 17:15which seeks to repay evil for evil,
- 17:19we grasp for honor for ourselves
- 17:22above honor for God.
- 17:29Let's continue forward by looking at the last few verses
- 17:33and the last few words in verse 17 and into 18.
- 17:37Give thought to do what is honorable
- 17:41in the sight of all.
- 17:44If possible, so far as it depends on you,
- 17:48live peaceably with all.
- 17:51At first glance, this seems like a very difficult instruction
- 17:56for us to follow, if you notice what Paul is saying.
- 18:00Uphold God-honoring behavior
- 18:02in the sight of your adversaries.
- 18:05Isn't this a wasted endeavor?
- 18:10They aren't going to see God's value
- 18:11because they are spiritually blind, you might think.
- 18:16The same goes for living peaceably
- 18:18among those who do not value peace
- 18:21and rather seek for discord.
- 18:26Doesn't Paul understand his own words
- 18:28in Ephesians chapter 2?
- 18:30In Ephesians 2, he says that
- 18:32you are dead in your trespasses.
- 18:36And these are those that we are called
- 18:39to honor God amongst.
- 18:43But the point that Paul is implying
- 18:46is that when God chooses to save
- 18:50and to redeem, to rescue the lost,
- 18:53he often does so
- 18:54through the conduct of his children
- 18:57as downstream grace from the cross
- 19:01flows from you
- 19:02to these enemies
- 19:04in visible form.
- 19:07Listen to this same emphasis
- 19:10in a few other passages in Scripture.
- 19:13God does indeed
- 19:15call us
- 19:17to be aware
- 19:18of how our conduct
- 19:20appears
- 19:21to the lost.
- 19:23And the goal
- 19:24is so that grace
- 19:26may become visible
- 19:27in their eyes.
- 19:292 Corinthians 8.21
- 19:32For we aim
- 19:33at what is honorable
- 19:35not only
- 19:36in the Lord's sight
- 19:37but also
- 19:39in the sight of men.
- 19:41Grace
- 19:42becoming visible.
- 19:44Matthew 5.16
- 19:45In the same way
- 19:47let your light shine
- 19:48before others
- 19:50so that they may see
- 19:52your good works
- 19:54and give glory
- 19:56to God.
- 19:58Grace
- 19:59visible
- 20:00in our conduct.
- 20:021 Peter 2
- 20:03verses
- 20:04verse 12
- 20:05Keep your conduct
- 20:07among
- 20:07the Gentiles
- 20:09honorable
- 20:09so that when they speak
- 20:11against you
- 20:12as evildoers
- 20:13they may see
- 20:14your good deeds
- 20:15and then
- 20:16glorify God
- 20:18on the day
- 20:19of visitation.
- 20:21The Bible
- 20:22makes this
- 20:23so clear
- 20:25that God
- 20:26is committed
- 20:26to pursuing
- 20:27his glories
- 20:28and he
- 20:29will
- 20:30open eyes
- 20:32that are currently
- 20:33bound
- 20:34shut.
- 20:36So sight
- 20:37is
- 20:38important
- 20:39to God.
- 20:41Is it
- 20:42important
- 20:43to you?
- 20:44are your
- 20:46co-workers
- 20:46going to
- 20:47understand
- 20:48why you
- 20:48respond
- 20:49the way
- 20:50you do?
- 20:50Probably
- 20:51not.
- 20:51How about
- 20:52when you
- 20:52are patient
- 20:53the next
- 20:54time
- 20:54your children
- 20:55disregard
- 20:56your
- 20:57instruction?
- 20:59You might
- 21:00think
- 21:00a hundred
- 21:00times
- 21:01they've
- 21:02disobeyed
- 21:02me
- 21:02and a hundred
- 21:04times
- 21:05they have
- 21:05not
- 21:05benefited
- 21:06from my
- 21:07patient
- 21:07instruction.
- 21:09Why not
- 21:09try
- 21:10a harsh
- 21:11word
- 21:11that gets
- 21:12their
- 21:13attention
- 21:14quickly?
- 21:16Beloved,
- 21:17our
- 21:17instruction
- 21:18is not
- 21:19in vain.
- 21:22Just as
- 21:23God has
- 21:23done for
- 21:24us when
- 21:24we least
- 21:25expect it,
- 21:26God may
- 21:27use the
- 21:28demonstration
- 21:29of your
- 21:30gracious love
- 21:31in response
- 21:32to God's
- 21:32enemy to
- 21:33soften the
- 21:35enemy's
- 21:36heart and
- 21:37expose them
- 21:38to the
- 21:38grace of
- 21:39Christ.
- 21:41Perhaps
- 21:42it's a
- 21:42long-suffering
- 21:43response.
- 21:45Perhaps
- 21:45your trust
- 21:46in God
- 21:47is clear
- 21:48when you
- 21:49are patient
- 21:50although
- 21:51maligned.
- 21:53Now,
- 21:54as we
- 21:54transition
- 21:55to our
- 21:56second main
- 21:57point,
- 21:58I'll remind
- 21:59you it's
- 21:59responding to
- 22:00evil with
- 22:02both wrath
- 22:03and grace
- 22:03in mind.
- 22:04We must
- 22:04notice that
- 22:05Paul connects
- 22:06his
- 22:06exhortation
- 22:08of honorable
- 22:09and peaceful
- 22:10conduct to
- 22:12the wrath
- 22:12and the
- 22:13vengeance
- 22:14of the
- 22:15Lord.
- 22:16Verse 18
- 22:17says this,
- 22:20if possible,
- 22:22so far as
- 22:23it depends
- 22:24on you,
- 22:26live
- 22:26peaceably
- 22:27with all.
- 22:28Beloved,
- 22:29never avenge
- 22:30yourselves,
- 22:30but leave it
- 22:31to the
- 22:32wrath of
- 22:33God.
- 22:35Let's not
- 22:36move too
- 22:37quickly without
- 22:38giving proper
- 22:39weight to
- 22:41the strength
- 22:41of this
- 22:42connection
- 22:42that Paul
- 22:43is making.
- 22:45Paul is
- 22:45not grounding
- 22:46his argument
- 22:47in your
- 22:47response
- 22:48because it
- 22:50is convenient
- 22:50and makes
- 22:51your life
- 22:52easier.
- 22:54He's not
- 22:54saying that
- 22:55family holiday
- 22:56gatherings will
- 22:56be a lot
- 22:57more pleasant,
- 22:58although I'm
- 22:59sure they
- 22:59will if you
- 23:00restrain
- 23:01yourself when
- 23:02evil is
- 23:04directed at
- 23:04you.
- 23:05Rather,
- 23:06he is
- 23:06grounding
- 23:07his claim
- 23:08in the
- 23:08most
- 23:09sobering
- 23:09of
- 23:10realities
- 23:10for
- 23:11followers
- 23:12of
- 23:12Christ
- 23:13to
- 23:13heed.
- 23:14Vengeance
- 23:15is
- 23:15coming.
- 23:17Holy
- 23:17wrath
- 23:18against
- 23:19rebellion
- 23:20awaits.
- 23:22Now,
- 23:22I believe
- 23:23there are
- 23:23two
- 23:24primary
- 23:24reasons
- 23:25that
- 23:25Paul
- 23:26makes
- 23:27this
- 23:27connection
- 23:27for us.
- 23:29The first
- 23:30is we
- 23:30are prone
- 23:31to
- 23:31minimizing,
- 23:32forgetting,
- 23:33or living
- 23:34as if
- 23:35God's
- 23:35coming
- 23:36judgment
- 23:36isn't
- 23:37the
- 23:37greatest
- 23:38of all
- 23:38concerns
- 23:39in the
- 23:40world
- 23:40today.
- 23:43And the
- 23:43second
- 23:43is because
- 23:45being aware
- 23:46of God's
- 23:47coming
- 23:48wrath
- 23:48motivates
- 23:49us
- 23:50towards
- 23:50urgency
- 23:51and
- 23:52compassion
- 23:53for those
- 23:54who stand
- 23:55under
- 23:56God's
- 23:56judgment.
- 23:58Perhaps
- 23:59this example
- 24:00may be
- 24:01of some
- 24:01help.
- 24:01On a
- 24:02weekend
- 24:02trip
- 24:03a few
- 24:04years
- 24:04ago,
- 24:04Lisa
- 24:05and I
- 24:05had
- 24:05thought
- 24:06a
- 24:06suspension
- 24:07bridge
- 24:08adventure
- 24:08would be
- 24:09quite a
- 24:10bit of
- 24:10fun
- 24:11when we
- 24:11went to
- 24:12Tennessee.
- 24:14I
- 24:14didn't
- 24:14realize
- 24:15that upon
- 24:16taking a
- 24:16few steps
- 24:17things would
- 24:18get very
- 24:18uncomfortable
- 24:19for me
- 24:20as I
- 24:20walked
- 24:21my way
- 24:22towards
- 24:22the center
- 24:23of the
- 24:24bridge.
- 24:25Each
- 24:26light
- 24:27breeze
- 24:27that I
- 24:28felt
- 24:28more like
- 24:30a gust
- 24:30of wind
- 24:31every step
- 24:32that another
- 24:32bridge
- 24:33walker
- 24:33would
- 24:33take
- 24:34shook
- 24:35and
- 24:36reverberated
- 24:37in the
- 24:38wooden
- 24:38support.
- 24:40The bridge
- 24:40swayed a
- 24:42lot
- 24:42stronger
- 24:43than what
- 24:45I could
- 24:45see when
- 24:46I was
- 24:46on the
- 24:47ground.
- 24:48See,
- 24:48the truth
- 24:49is I
- 24:49didn't
- 24:49make it
- 24:50quite far
- 24:51at all
- 24:52on the
- 24:52bridge.
- 24:53I
- 24:53probably
- 24:54only made
- 24:54it 20
- 24:54or 30
- 24:55steps
- 24:55before my
- 24:56body
- 24:56started to
- 24:57panic
- 24:57and to
- 24:58stiffen
- 24:58up.
- 25:00I
- 25:00walked
- 25:00back
- 25:01quite
- 25:01slowly
- 25:02deliberately
- 25:02holding
- 25:03on to
- 25:04the
- 25:04side
- 25:04rope
- 25:05while
- 25:06others
- 25:06passed
- 25:06by me
- 25:07with
- 25:07ease.
- 25:09And
- 25:09while I
- 25:10was safe
- 25:10when I
- 25:11got back
- 25:11to solid
- 25:13ground,
- 25:13I was
- 25:13still
- 25:14feeling
- 25:14the
- 25:15effects
- 25:15of
- 25:16walking
- 25:17out
- 25:17towards
- 25:17that
- 25:18danger.
- 25:19My
- 25:20heart
- 25:20was still
- 25:21beating
- 25:21fast,
- 25:22my
- 25:22breathing
- 25:23remained
- 25:23quick,
- 25:24and the
- 25:25tingling
- 25:25in my
- 25:26body
- 25:26was
- 25:27ongoing.
- 25:28How
- 25:29had I
- 25:30forgotten
- 25:31my
- 25:31great
- 25:32fear
- 25:32of
- 25:33heights?
- 25:34It
- 25:34was a
- 25:35mystery,
- 25:36didn't
- 25:36make
- 25:36sense.
- 25:37Lisa
- 25:37knew I
- 25:38was afraid
- 25:38of heights
- 25:39and yet
- 25:39I
- 25:40had
- 25:41forgotten.
- 25:43Well,
- 25:43certain
- 25:43fears
- 25:44are
- 25:45intended
- 25:45to
- 25:46reverberate
- 25:47with
- 25:47permanency
- 25:48in our
- 25:49bodies,
- 25:50beloved.
- 25:51See,
- 25:52lesser
- 25:52fears we
- 25:53may feel
- 25:53for just
- 25:54a few
- 25:55hours,
- 25:55a bad
- 25:56dream
- 25:56comes
- 25:57to
- 25:57mind.
- 25:59Worse
- 26:00fears
- 26:01may last
- 26:01a few
- 26:01days or
- 26:02even a
- 26:03few
- 26:03months,
- 26:03but
- 26:04great
- 26:04fears,
- 26:05eternal
- 26:06fears,
- 26:07that we've
- 26:07been rescued
- 26:08from,
- 26:09ought to
- 26:10leave an
- 26:11impact on
- 26:12the wise
- 26:13for
- 26:14eternity.
- 26:16You see,
- 26:16God's
- 26:16judgment for
- 26:17rebellion
- 26:18against his
- 26:19authority is
- 26:19a fear that
- 26:20is intended
- 26:21to remain
- 26:22with us
- 26:23and inform
- 26:24every
- 26:25interaction
- 26:25that we
- 26:26have
- 26:27with those
- 26:27who still
- 26:28stand
- 26:29condemned
- 26:29under the
- 26:30weight
- 26:31of their
- 26:31sin.
- 26:33This is
- 26:34what our
- 26:34text is
- 26:34leading us
- 26:35towards,
- 26:36brothers and
- 26:36sisters.
- 26:37Remember
- 26:38the wrath
- 26:39of God.
- 26:42Live
- 26:42with a
- 26:43present
- 26:43awareness
- 26:44of your
- 26:45deliverance
- 26:46from the
- 26:46darkest
- 26:46of paths
- 26:47that you
- 26:49once walked
- 26:49on.
- 26:50God's
- 26:51So what
- 26:51are we
- 26:52to remember
- 26:53exactly
- 26:54about God's
- 26:55wrath?
- 26:57Here are
- 26:58three quick
- 26:59things.
- 27:01God's
- 27:01wrath is
- 27:01always
- 27:02justified.
- 27:04God's
- 27:05wrath is
- 27:05always
- 27:05correlated
- 27:06with his
- 27:07anger.
- 27:09And God's
- 27:09wrath is
- 27:10eternal.
- 27:13So it is
- 27:14always justified.
- 27:15We see this
- 27:15from Romans
- 27:17chapter 1
- 27:18in verse
- 27:1818.
- 27:19It says,
- 27:20The wrath
- 27:20of God
- 27:20is revealed
- 27:22from heaven
- 27:23against all
- 27:24ungodliness
- 27:25and unrighteousness
- 27:27of men
- 27:28who by their
- 27:29unrighteousness
- 27:30suppress the
- 27:31truth.
- 27:34Listen to
- 27:35Colossians
- 27:35chapter 3.
- 27:37Put to
- 27:38death,
- 27:38therefore,
- 27:39what is
- 27:40earthly in
- 27:40you,
- 27:41sexual
- 27:41immorality,
- 27:42impurity,
- 27:42passion,
- 27:43evil desire,
- 27:44and covetousness,
- 27:45which is
- 27:46idolatry,
- 27:47on account
- 27:48of these,
- 27:49the wrath
- 27:50of God
- 27:50is coming.
- 27:53God's
- 27:54wrath
- 27:54is
- 27:55justified.
- 27:57Every
- 27:57action
- 27:58is
- 27:59accounted
- 28:00for.
- 28:01God's
- 28:01memory
- 28:01is
- 28:02perfect,
- 28:03but not
- 28:04only is it
- 28:04perfect,
- 28:05it sees
- 28:05both the
- 28:06outside
- 28:07and the
- 28:08inside
- 28:08expressions
- 28:09of our
- 28:10rebellion
- 28:11against
- 28:12him.
- 28:13These
- 28:14things
- 28:14are
- 28:15clear
- 28:15and
- 28:17accounted
- 28:18for.
- 28:19Because
- 28:20God is
- 28:20entirely
- 28:21righteous,
- 28:22he will
- 28:23not miss,
- 28:23there will
- 28:24not be
- 28:24any
- 28:24hiddenness
- 28:25to the
- 28:26sins
- 28:26that we
- 28:26thought
- 28:27were
- 28:27kept
- 28:28in the
- 28:29dark.
- 28:30All
- 28:30evidence
- 28:31is preserved
- 28:32and his
- 28:33justice
- 28:33is applied
- 28:35appropriately
- 28:36at every
- 28:37level.
- 28:39Number
- 28:39two,
- 28:40God's
- 28:41wrath is
- 28:41correlated
- 28:42with his
- 28:42anger.
- 28:43Romans
- 28:432,
- 28:44verse
- 28:448,
- 28:46for
- 28:46those
- 28:46who
- 28:47are
- 28:47self-seeking
- 28:48and do
- 28:49not obey
- 28:49the truth
- 28:50but obey
- 28:50unrighteousness,
- 28:51there will
- 28:52be wrath
- 28:53and anger.
- 28:55May help
- 28:56us to
- 28:56remember
- 28:57that this
- 28:57is not
- 28:58just a
- 28:59picture
- 28:59of justice
- 29:00applied
- 29:01like a
- 29:02third-party
- 29:03courtroom
- 29:04where the
- 29:04judge is
- 29:05unaffected
- 29:06by the
- 29:07offenses.
- 29:08God
- 29:09himself
- 29:09is
- 29:10personally
- 29:10affected.
- 29:11He
- 29:12has
- 29:12been
- 29:12offended.
- 29:14He
- 29:14has
- 29:14been
- 29:14displeased.
- 29:16His
- 29:16gifts
- 29:16have
- 29:17been
- 29:17desecrated.
- 29:18His
- 29:18grace
- 29:18unappreciated.
- 29:20His
- 29:20sacrificial
- 29:21love
- 29:22has
- 29:22been
- 29:22neglected.
- 29:24His
- 29:24warnings
- 29:24unheeded.
- 29:27His
- 29:27mockery
- 29:28celebrated.
- 29:29His
- 29:30rules
- 29:30disregarded.
- 29:31And
- 29:32his
- 29:32glory
- 29:32unappreciated.
- 29:36And
- 29:36God's
- 29:37response
- 29:37to these
- 29:38things
- 29:38is
- 29:40his
- 29:40clear,
- 29:42firm,
- 29:43white
- 29:43hot
- 29:44anger.
- 29:46His
- 29:46anger
- 29:46is not
- 29:47like
- 29:47ours
- 29:48which
- 29:48rises
- 29:49and
- 29:49cools.
- 29:51God's
- 29:51displeasure
- 29:52against sin
- 29:52is continual
- 29:54and will
- 29:55remain so
- 29:56without
- 29:57waning.
- 29:59Number
- 29:59three,
- 30:00God's
- 30:00wrath is
- 30:00eternal.
- 30:02At the
- 30:02conclusion of
- 30:03Matthew
- 30:03chapter 25,
- 30:05Jesus
- 30:05describes
- 30:06the
- 30:06outcome
- 30:07of the
- 30:07wicked
- 30:08with
- 30:09these
- 30:09words.
- 30:11These
- 30:11will go
- 30:11away
- 30:12into
- 30:13eternal
- 30:13punishment,
- 30:15but the
- 30:16righteous
- 30:16into
- 30:17eternal
- 30:17life.
- 30:19So
- 30:19God
- 30:19who
- 30:19hates
- 30:20wickedness
- 30:21is
- 30:21preparing
- 30:21to
- 30:22demonstrate
- 30:22his
- 30:22displeasure
- 30:23against
- 30:24sin
- 30:25for
- 30:26all
- 30:26eternity.
- 30:28Second
- 30:29Thessalonians
- 30:301
- 30:30in verse
- 30:319,
- 30:31they will
- 30:32suffer
- 30:32the
- 30:33punishment
- 30:33of
- 30:33eternal
- 30:34destruction
- 30:35away
- 30:37from
- 30:37the
- 30:37presence
- 30:38of
- 30:38the
- 30:38Lord
- 30:38and
- 30:39from
- 30:39the
- 30:40glory
- 30:40of
- 30:40his
- 30:41might.
- 30:43One
- 30:43more,
- 30:44Revelation
- 30:45chapter 14,
- 30:47another
- 30:48angel,
- 30:49a third
- 30:50followed
- 30:50and sang
- 30:51with a
- 30:52loud
- 30:52voice,
- 30:52if anyone
- 30:53worships
- 30:53the beast
- 30:54in its
- 30:54image
- 30:55and
- 30:55receives
- 30:56a mark
- 30:57on his
- 30:57forehead
- 30:58or on
- 30:58his
- 30:58hand,
- 31:00he
- 31:00will
- 31:01also
- 31:01drink
- 31:02the
- 31:02wine
- 31:03of
- 31:03God's
- 31:04wrath
- 31:04poured
- 31:06full
- 31:06strength
- 31:07into
- 31:07the
- 31:08cup
- 31:08of
- 31:09his
- 31:09anger
- 31:10and
- 31:11he
- 31:11will
- 31:11be
- 31:11tormented
- 31:12with
- 31:13fire
- 31:13and
- 31:14sulfur
- 31:14in
- 31:15the
- 31:15presence
- 31:15of
- 31:16the
- 31:16holy
- 31:16angels
- 31:17and
- 31:18in
- 31:18the
- 31:18presence
- 31:18of
- 31:19the
- 31:19lamb
- 31:19and
- 31:20the
- 31:20smoke
- 31:21of
- 31:21their
- 31:21torment
- 31:22goes
- 31:22up
- 31:22forever
- 31:23and
- 31:24ever
- 31:24and
- 31:25they
- 31:25have
- 31:26no
- 31:26rest
- 31:26day
- 31:27or
- 31:28night.
- 31:31This
- 31:31is not
- 31:32just
- 31:33a
- 31:34scare
- 31:34tactic
- 31:35although
- 31:35it
- 31:36indeed
- 31:36is
- 31:37scary.
- 31:38There
- 31:38is a
- 31:39future
- 31:39real
- 31:40day
- 31:41that
- 31:41awaits
- 31:41all
- 31:43who
- 31:43have
- 31:43not
- 31:44been
- 31:44saved
- 31:44by
- 31:45the
- 31:46blood
- 31:46of
- 31:46the
- 31:46lamb.
- 31:47Have
- 31:47you
- 31:47given
- 31:47thought
- 31:47to
- 31:48this
- 31:48brothers?
- 31:50Have
- 31:50this
- 31:50even
- 31:50crossed
- 31:51your
- 31:51mind
- 31:52when
- 31:52you
- 31:52are
- 31:52mistreated?
- 31:53Have
- 31:53you
- 31:53forgotten
- 31:54that
- 31:54you
- 31:55also
- 31:55have
- 31:56been
- 31:56delivered
- 31:56from
- 31:57this
- 31:58same
- 31:58evil?
- 31:59easy
- 31:59to
- 31:59put
- 31:59the
- 32:00wrath
- 32:00of
- 32:00God
- 32:01in
- 32:01the
- 32:01background.
- 32:02After
- 32:03all,
- 32:03we've
- 32:03been
- 32:03saved,
- 32:05delivered
- 32:05from
- 32:06wrath,
- 32:06and I
- 32:07no longer
- 32:07have to
- 32:08worry
- 32:08about my
- 32:09final
- 32:09judgment.
- 32:11But
- 32:11billions
- 32:12still
- 32:13bear
- 32:14their
- 32:14condemnation.
- 32:16And
- 32:16those who
- 32:17have yet
- 32:17to hear
- 32:18the good
- 32:18news
- 32:19of the
- 32:19gospel,
- 32:21even
- 32:22though
- 32:22they may
- 32:22have
- 32:22heard it
- 32:23a thousand
- 32:23times,
- 32:25they
- 32:25still
- 32:25have
- 32:26time
- 32:27remaining
- 32:28to
- 32:29repent.
- 32:30We
- 32:30cannot
- 32:31forget
- 32:31this.
- 32:32If
- 32:33you're
- 32:33struggling
- 32:33to
- 32:34respond
- 32:34with
- 32:35honorable
- 32:35and
- 32:36peaceful
- 32:37conduct,
- 32:38this
- 32:38text
- 32:39suggests
- 32:39that
- 32:40you
- 32:41may
- 32:41be
- 32:41forgetting
- 32:42what
- 32:43you
- 32:43have
- 32:43been
- 32:43delivered
- 32:44from.
- 32:45Would
- 32:46you
- 32:46repent
- 32:46today
- 32:47from
- 32:48believing
- 32:48that
- 32:49the
- 32:49greatest
- 32:49offense
- 32:50of
- 32:50sin
- 32:51is
- 32:51those
- 32:52that
- 32:52are
- 32:52against
- 32:53you?
- 32:54Would
- 32:54you
- 32:55forsake
- 32:55selfish
- 32:56expressions
- 32:56of
- 32:57treating
- 32:57your
- 32:58reputation
- 32:59as
- 33:00the
- 33:00highest
- 33:00law
- 33:01of
- 33:02the
- 33:02land?
- 33:04Again,
- 33:05the second
- 33:05reason that
- 33:06Paul
- 33:06connects
- 33:06our
- 33:07conduct
- 33:07to
- 33:08the
- 33:08wrath
- 33:08of
- 33:09God
- 33:09is
- 33:10because
- 33:10it
- 33:10cultivates
- 33:11urgency
- 33:11and
- 33:12compassion
- 33:13for
- 33:14those
- 33:15who
- 33:15have
- 33:15not
- 33:15yet
- 33:16been
- 33:16saved
- 33:16by
- 33:17the
- 33:17work
- 33:17of
- 33:17Christ.
- 33:18Please
- 33:19look
- 33:19again
- 33:20at
- 33:20verse
- 33:2020
- 33:21and
- 33:21verse
- 33:2121.
- 33:24Excuse
- 33:25me,
- 33:25to the
- 33:25contrary.
- 33:26If
- 33:27your
- 33:27enemy
- 33:27is
- 33:28hungry,
- 33:28feed
- 33:29him.
- 33:30If
- 33:30he
- 33:30is
- 33:30thirsty,
- 33:31give
- 33:31him
- 33:31something
- 33:32to
- 33:32drink.
- 33:33For
- 33:33by
- 33:34so
- 33:34doing,
- 33:35you
- 33:35will
- 33:36heap
- 33:36burning
- 33:36coals
- 33:37on
- 33:38his
- 33:38head.
- 33:39Do
- 33:39not
- 33:39be
- 33:39overcome
- 33:40with
- 33:40evil,
- 33:41but
- 33:41overcome
- 33:42evil
- 33:43with
- 33:44good.
- 33:46These
- 33:46verses
- 33:46imply
- 33:47that
- 33:47every
- 33:48act
- 33:48of
- 33:49love
- 33:49towards
- 33:50an
- 33:50enemy
- 33:51positions
- 33:52them
- 33:52to
- 33:53run
- 33:54away
- 33:54from
- 33:55coming
- 33:55judgment.
- 33:56As
- 33:57effective
- 33:57as
- 33:58coal
- 33:58which
- 33:59sears
- 33:59from
- 33:59the
- 33:59flames
- 34:00is
- 34:02your
- 34:02display
- 34:03of
- 34:03grace
- 34:03represented
- 34:05in
- 34:05your
- 34:06conduct.
- 34:07Do
- 34:07not
- 34:08underscore
- 34:08the
- 34:09impact
- 34:09that
- 34:09this
- 34:10may
- 34:11have.
- 34:12There
- 34:13is
- 34:13hope
- 34:13yet
- 34:14that
- 34:14remains
- 34:15as
- 34:16long
- 34:16as
- 34:17God
- 34:17has
- 34:17restrained
- 34:18His
- 34:18judgment.
- 34:19Listen
- 34:21to
- 34:21what
- 34:21Paul
- 34:22says
- 34:22in
- 34:222
- 34:23Corinthians
- 34:23verse
- 34:245.
- 34:25Let
- 34:26me
- 34:26just
- 34:26start
- 34:26in
- 34:26verse
- 34:2711
- 34:27and
- 34:27I'll
- 34:28go
- 34:28ahead.
- 34:29It
- 34:30says,
- 34:30therefore
- 34:30knowing
- 34:31the
- 34:32fear
- 34:32of
- 34:33the
- 34:33Lord,
- 34:34we
- 34:34persuade
- 34:35others.
- 34:37And
- 34:38down
- 34:38to
- 34:38verse
- 34:3918
- 34:39through
- 34:3920.
- 34:41All
- 34:41this
- 34:41is
- 34:42from
- 34:42God
- 34:43who
- 34:44through
- 34:44Christ
- 34:45reconciled
- 34:45us
- 34:46to
- 34:46Himself
- 34:46and
- 34:49gave
- 34:49us
- 34:49the
- 34:49ministry
- 34:50of
- 34:50reconciliation.
- 34:52Therefore
- 34:52we
- 34:53are
- 34:53ambassadors
- 34:54for
- 34:55Christ,
- 34:56God
- 34:56making
- 34:57His
- 34:57appeal
- 34:58through
- 34:58us.
- 35:00We
- 35:01implore
- 35:01you
- 35:02then
- 35:02on
- 35:02behalf
- 35:03of
- 35:03Christ
- 35:03be
- 35:04reconciled
- 35:06to
- 35:07God.
- 35:08Now
- 35:09if you
- 35:09are with
- 35:10us
- 35:10this
- 35:10morning
- 35:11and
- 35:12you
- 35:12currently
- 35:12hear
- 35:13my
- 35:13words
- 35:13and
- 35:14you
- 35:14know
- 35:14your
- 35:14sin
- 35:15is
- 35:15exposed
- 35:16if
- 35:16it
- 35:17were
- 35:17uncovered
- 35:17by
- 35:18a
- 35:18holy
- 35:18and
- 35:19just
- 35:20God
- 35:20hear
- 35:21this
- 35:22important
- 35:23appeal.
- 35:24Recognize
- 35:25that all
- 35:26of your
- 35:27sins
- 35:27deserve
- 35:28judgment
- 35:29even
- 35:30one
- 35:31and
- 35:32they
- 35:32will
- 35:32be
- 35:33judged
- 35:33unless
- 35:34you
- 35:34are
- 35:35delivered
- 35:35by
- 35:35someone
- 35:36outside
- 35:37of
- 35:37taking
- 35:38judgment
- 35:39upon
- 35:39Himself.
- 35:41What
- 35:41good
- 35:42news
- 35:43in the
- 35:43very
- 35:43next
- 35:44verse
- 35:44in
- 35:442nd
- 35:45Corinthians
- 35:45that
- 35:47Christ
- 35:47has
- 35:47come
- 35:48for
- 35:49this
- 35:49very
- 35:49purpose.
- 35:512nd
- 35:51Corinthians
- 35:52chapter
- 35:525
- 35:53says
- 35:53for
- 35:54our
- 35:54sake
- 35:55God
- 35:57made
- 35:57him
- 35:57to be
- 35:58sin
- 35:58who
- 35:59knew
- 35:59no
- 36:00sin
- 36:01so
- 36:02that
- 36:02in
- 36:03him
- 36:03we
- 36:04might
- 36:04become
- 36:05the
- 36:05righteousness
- 36:06of
- 36:06God.
- 36:07Put
- 36:08your
- 36:08trust
- 36:09in
- 36:09him
- 36:09today.
- 36:11Turn
- 36:11from
- 36:12your
- 36:12sin
- 36:12and
- 36:13join
- 36:13us
- 36:13as
- 36:14those
- 36:15who
- 36:15have
- 36:15been
- 36:15delivered
- 36:16from
- 36:17this
- 36:17great
- 36:17judgment.
- 36:19As we
- 36:20close
- 36:20and give
- 36:21thought
- 36:21to
- 36:21final
- 36:22application
- 36:22the
- 36:24great
- 36:24question
- 36:24that
- 36:25remains
- 36:25from
- 36:27our
- 36:27verse
- 36:28is
- 36:28this
- 36:29where
- 36:31does
- 36:31your
- 36:31trust
- 36:32reside
- 36:32when
- 36:33sinful
- 36:33behavior
- 36:35wounds
- 36:36you?
- 36:36there's
- 36:37only
- 36:38two
- 36:38answers
- 36:39my
- 36:40vengeance
- 36:41or
- 36:42the
- 36:43king
- 36:43of
- 36:44kings
- 36:45the
- 36:46eternal
- 36:46God
- 36:47whose
- 36:47throne
- 36:48stands
- 36:48forever
- 36:49who
- 36:50alone
- 36:50is
- 36:51able
- 36:51to
- 36:52account
- 36:53for
- 36:53all
- 36:53wrongdoing
- 36:54so
- 36:57beloved
- 36:57God
- 36:58is
- 36:58worthy
- 36:59of
- 37:00all
- 37:00of
- 37:00our
- 37:00faith
- 37:00and
- 37:01all
- 37:01of
- 37:01our
- 37:02trust
- 37:02whenever
- 37:03he
- 37:04calls
- 37:04us
- 37:04to
- 37:04walk
- 37:05in
- 37:05opposition
- 37:06for
- 37:08some
- 37:08of
- 37:08us
- 37:08that
- 37:09opposition
- 37:09may
- 37:10be
- 37:10small
- 37:11may
- 37:11receive
- 37:12it
- 37:12within
- 37:12our
- 37:13homes
- 37:13on a
- 37:14day
- 37:14to
- 37:14day
- 37:14basis
- 37:15and
- 37:16for
- 37:16others
- 37:17there
- 37:18are
- 37:18days
- 37:19that
- 37:19lie
- 37:19ahead
- 37:20in
- 37:20loss
- 37:20in
- 37:23J.C.
- 37:23Ryle's
- 37:24book
- 37:24five
- 37:25English
- 37:26reformers
- 37:27there
- 37:27is a
- 37:27notable
- 37:27description
- 37:28of
- 37:29given
- 37:30of a
- 37:30man
- 37:30named
- 37:31John
- 37:31Rogers
- 37:31who
- 37:33approached
- 37:33his
- 37:33last
- 37:34hours
- 37:34with
- 37:35faith
- 37:35holding
- 37:37out
- 37:37a
- 37:38reconciliatory
- 37:39call
- 37:39to
- 37:40all
- 37:41who
- 37:41would
- 37:41observe
- 37:42and
- 37:44put
- 37:44him
- 37:44to
- 37:44death
- 37:45listen
- 37:46to
- 37:46this
- 37:47description
- 37:48it
- 37:49says
- 37:49up to
- 37:50that
- 37:50day
- 37:51men
- 37:51could
- 37:52not
- 37:52tell
- 37:52how
- 37:53English
- 37:53reformers
- 37:54would
- 37:54behave
- 37:55in
- 37:56the
- 37:56face
- 37:56of
- 37:56death
- 37:57and
- 37:58could
- 37:58hardly
- 37:58believe
- 37:59that
- 37:59they
- 37:59would
- 38:00actually
- 38:00give
- 38:00their
- 38:01bodies
- 38:01to
- 38:02be
- 38:02burned
- 38:02for
- 38:03their
- 38:03religion
- 38:03but
- 38:04when
- 38:04they
- 38:05saw
- 38:05John
- 38:05Rogers
- 38:06the
- 38:06first
- 38:07martyr
- 38:07walking
- 38:08steadily
- 38:09and
- 38:09unflinchingly
- 38:11into a
- 38:12fiery
- 38:12grave
- 38:13he'd
- 38:15be
- 38:15burned
- 38:15alive
- 38:16the
- 38:16enthusiasm
- 38:17of the
- 38:18crowd
- 38:18knew
- 38:18no
- 38:19bounds
- 38:19they
- 38:19rent
- 38:20the
- 38:20air
- 38:20with
- 38:21thunders
- 38:22of
- 38:22applause
- 38:22even
- 38:23the
- 38:24French
- 38:24ambassador
- 38:25wrote
- 38:26home
- 38:26a
- 38:26description
- 38:27of
- 38:28the
- 38:28scene
- 38:28and
- 38:30he
- 38:30said
- 38:31that
- 38:31Rogers
- 38:31went
- 38:32to
- 38:32his
- 38:32death
- 38:33as
- 38:34if
- 38:34he
- 38:34was
- 38:34walking
- 38:35to
- 38:35his
- 38:36wedding
- 38:36by
- 38:38God's
- 38:38great
- 38:38mercy
- 38:39he
- 38:40died
- 38:40with
- 38:40comparative
- 38:41!
- 38:41ease
- 38:42and so
- 38:43the
- 38:43first
- 38:44Marian
- 38:44martyr
- 38:45passed
- 38:45away
- 38:46beloved
- 38:47may
- 38:48we
- 38:49endeavor
- 38:49to
- 38:51put on
- 38:51such
- 38:51faith
- 38:52as
- 38:53John
- 38:53Rogers
- 38:54to
- 38:55approach
- 38:55wrongdoing
- 38:56ahead
- 38:57in the
- 38:58same
- 38:58manner
- 38:59for
- 38:59the
- 38:59glory
- 39:00and
- 39:00the
- 39:01honor
- 39:01of
- 39:01the
- 39:02Lord
- 39:02and
- 39:03for
- 39:03the
- 39:04future
- 39:04deliverance
- 39:05of
- 39:05those
- 39:06that
- 39:06will
- 39:06one
- 39:06day
- 39:07sing
- 39:07the
- 39:07Lord's
- 39:08praises
- 39:09alongside
- 39:10of us
- 39:11in
- 39:11his
- 39:12presence
- 39:12please
- 39:13pray
- 39:14with
- 39:14me