>
> Dec. 16, 2012
> M. Kelly
> Romans1:28-32
>
> Our understanding of this passage in Romans is vital to our understanding of why the world is the way it is today. It is also vital to our understanding of God's restraining grace in our lives.
>
> Where are the answers for the tragedy in CT? The answer is in Romans 1. Man insists on doing things his own way instead of God's and eventually He removes His restraining grace and we see how depraved a man is.
>
> The amazing thing is that there isn't more chaos and crime than there already is and it is because of God's restraining grace in our lives and the lives of others. This isn't to belittle what happened this week. The sorrow is unimaginable and we weep with those who weep. We are only pointing out that without God's restraining grace, this is what man looks like and we would not be exempt were it not for His restraining grace in our lives. The firstborn human being was a murderer.
>
> What restrains us from committing murder? We boast in our own righteousness about our high moral values, but it's not that, it's God's grace restraining us from committing murder.
>
> The force of sin that works within us is what men are given over to. The sin of hate that is in us would actually work out to murder if God did not restrain us. Think of when someone cuts you off in traffic and you become angry....if that is not restrained by God it could turn to murder. Think of the acts of road rage.
>
> The sin that causes us to be angry and bitter toward someone is the same sin down the road that causes murder. It is just in its infant state.
>
> Sin wants us to go all the way down the road to its logical end. Where would the lustful glance take you if followed all the way down the road? Adultry.
>
> All sin would lead to utter ruin without restraint from God. It's not our high moral character that restrains us. It is God.
>
> No such thing as a small sin. They all would lead to the same end if not restrained.
>
> Jesus exposed sin for what it is and the religious leaders wanted to kill him for it.
>
> Jn 3:19-20 Men's deeds are evil and do not want to have them exposed.
>
> If you have ever been bitter against someone angry toward them, you have the seeds of murder in your heart but God has restrained you.
>
> Every action is an action of worship....your action has to worth something to you. Worship refers to something of worth.
>
> People want to be the object of other men's praise and applause and adoration. We want to be worshipped. It was the temptation Satan gave Eve in the Garden. "You will be as God..."
>
> Homosexuality is not the reason for God's wrath but is the result of God's wrath in giving man over to himself and removing His restraining grace.
>
> If man is (fill in the blank with all the bad things in Romans 1) then the wrath of God is a reality. It's proof of the wrath of God in that He has removed His restraining grace from some. However, now His wrath is mixed with mercy. In the judgement day there will be no mercy.
>
> Mark 7:21-22 another list similar to Paul's list.
>
> Paul tells us who man is. God tells us who man is. Lying preachers tell us who God is....all love and that we are worthy of His love. It's not popular to hear what man is. Man won't accept a God that doesn't fit what he wants Him to be.
>
> Jer. 23:16-22 do not listen to the words of false prophets who speak from their own imagination.
>
> A false teacher will not expose the evil of man.
>
> 1. Man has determined that God is unfit. v.28
> They did not see fit to retain God in their knowledge. He is revealed, understood and rejected. v.23 they exchanged, v25 they exchanged, v.27 they abondoned.
>
> Did not see fit means to disapprove after testing. It was used of metal that was tested and did not come up to standard. Also translated, "did not like".
> People reject God and say,"My God would not do that." They refuse the true God. They want to keep God out. They say, "Keep God out of this. Just talk rationally about this."
>
> Man basically says God has lied about all these things in the Bible. Satan said, "Has God said?"
>
> What is the result of all this?
> 2. God has given man over to a depraved mind to do those things which are not proper.
> v.24, v.26, v. 28
> A depraved mind includes all that man is.
> The Godless mind is a depraved mind.
> Man's mind is tested and rejected by God when he refuses to retain God in his knowlege.
> Jer.26:28-30
>
> Only the mind changed by God can reason and think rationally. The mind not changed by God refuses to come to the light because the evil deeds will be exposed.
>
> Man is futile in his thinking. Useless. Not understanding their place in the world. Do not understand that God's wrath is approaching, the meaning of time, God's soveriegn rule etc.
>
> What does a depraved mind look like? 21 characteristics in Romans 1
>
> 3. Man is filled with unrighteousness and wickedness. v.29
> The words "full of" apply to everything in the list below it. Man enjoys and delights in unrighteousness and all the stuff in this list.v 32
>
> "All evil" is a general term that deals with the corruption within...a maliciousness aimed at God.
>
> Greed means coveting for an advantage that which one does not have. It is selfishness unlimited. Men do not posses wealth, rather wealth posses men.
>
> Greed applies for inordinate desire.....to be heard, to control others, to correct everyone, for applause, for comfort, laziness, relaxation, food, drink, material things. You can be greedy for good things in an inordinate way. Always unsatisfied with what one has. Greed is a punishment because the one who is greedy is never satisfied with what they have. They always want more.
>
> 4. See God's mercy and praise Him that the world is as good as it is.
>
> We have so many blessings and good things. We look at all the bad things and forget to see all the mercies we have all the time. Yes, bad things might happen to us but do they happen to us every single day? No! God has restrained many of these things. If God did not restrain man everything would be in chaos and killing one another. God's mercies are new every day. We lose sight of these things. Man is totally depraved yet, look at how good we have it in the world. It's all because of God's mercies!
>
> God allowed Peter to be sifted....he "abandoned" him for a short time to teach Peter his need of Him. God often does this to us. He allows us to fall to show us our need of Him.
>
> We need God's mercies every day to restrain us.
>
>
> 🔔
> 🎁Marsha🎄
> 🎆
> She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21 ESV)
No comments:
Post a Comment