Romans Series 4

Josh Owens

Clear Springs Baptist Church

Romans • Sermon • Submitted 3 months ago • Presented 3 months ago

Romans 2

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Lesson 4

Romans 2

VERSE 1

Paul’s primary audience was the Jew. However, verses 1-16 applies to everyone.

Being “lost” or “unbelieving” can be achieved in two categories:

Unrighteousness & self-righteousness.

These are not true Christians

They fall into the practice of sins listed in 1:18-32

There are two different views you can have of yourself:

Righteous = Those who think they are righteous.

Sinners = Those willing to admit their need for Jesus.

Mark 2:17 “17 When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

Whether you call yourself religious or non-religious…you must repent and turn to Christ alone for salvation.

Without faith in Christ, EVERYONE stands indefensible before God.

VERSES 2-16

We are going to be dealing a lot about God’s judgement.

The main purpose behind God’s response to man’s condition is to lead them to cry out to him in repentance and faith in His Son.

Verse 2

What is God’s judgement based on? TRUTH.

Who’s truth is God’s judgement based on? HIS…ABSOLUTE TRUTH.

Paul is not talking about how things APPEAR, but how things really are!

God’s judgement is always JUST!

Verse 3

Does God judge on a curve of personal goodness?

Human nature will always gravitate toward a response of “I am the exception.” (the Jews did this)

Alignment with religion, political party, ethnicity, has not impact on God’s judgement.

If there were exceptions then God would cease from being righteous or just and therefore cease from being God.

Those who fail to repent are often times believing the false narrative of God making exceptions.

Verse 4

Sadly, many have developed this caricature of God as having some kind of southern hospitality and will say, “Y’all just come on in.”

Others base their assurance on a past EMOTIONAL experience but have never given evidence of being made a new creature.

Titus 3:4–7 “4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

In God’s kindness he makes us aware of our sin, and our responsibility is to then turn to him in repentance and faith. Do not presume on God’s kindness but receive his transforming grace through genuine repentance. Tony Merida, Exalting Jesus in Romans, ed. David Platt, Daniel L. Akin, and Tony Merida, Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2021), 29.

Verse 5

“Hardness” = speaking of the heart (inward man)

Impenitent = unrepentant adj. — characterized by a refusal to abandon any pagan or self-righteous disposition for a new disposition characterized by trust in Jesus for salvation and an accompanying holy life.

Wrath = wrath (punishment) n. — the punitive outworking of God’s righteous indignation at sin; perhaps describing an anger long-building.

TIME IS RUNNIN SHORT!

Matthew 7:23 “23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

Verses 6-8

Echoing the O.T.

Psalm 62:12 “12 Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: For thou renderest to every man according to his work.”

Proverbs 24:21 “21 My son, fear thou the Lord and the king: And meddle not with them that are given to change:”

Paul is emphasizing a basic principle of God’s judgement.

God judges according to deeds as He does to truth.

The total impact of one’s character and conduct are in consideration here.

Your identity, beliefs and motivations lead to a particular way of living.

Does the majority of your actions voice a desire to glorify God? Are you living for God’s glory?

Quote: “True saving faith results in obedience and godly living, even though there may be occasional falls.” — Warren W. Wiersbe

Verses 6-11

Judgement comes to every individual.

Notice Paul’s individualistic language.

God gives out no free passes!

Verses 12-16

The Jew would argue special treatment due to being chosen by God and yet forget that the fact they received God’s law directly made their guilt that much greater.

Romans 2:15 “15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)”

Wherever you go, you find people with an inner sense of right and wrong; and this inner judge, the Bible calls “conscience.” You find among all cultures a sense of sin, a fear of judgment, and an attempt to atone for sins and appease whatever gods are feared. Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 520.

Paul made it clear that it was not the possession of the Law that counted, but the practice of the Law. Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 520.

What mattered was not “possessing the law” but rather “responding rightly” to the law.

Reference Matthew 23

The written law displayed what was already written on the hearts of humanity at creation.

Man’s conscience is not always right, but it certainly bring thing accountable to God.

How far within the soul does God’s judgement go?

Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”