Romans - November 18, 2007

Section - Two: Condemnation -- Romans 1:18-3:20 continued...

15. PONDER: Do you think Paul’s position that mankind (without the true God) plunges downward morally and why that answer? (Give specific support from your observations)
a. Yes, Compare today’s accepted standard of talk, dress and priorities and those of your father’s.
16. PONDER: Based on Paul’s teachings to this point in our study what is the best way to shut down an “Adult Bookstore” in your neighborhood?
a. Not call the cops or pass a civil law but convert the shop owner to be a follower of Christ’s Law.
D. Evidence Applied [Discussion Question] — What is the fruit (actions toward God) of a person (hence, a nation) when rejecting Jehovah God and turning to god or gods of their choice?
1. When one rejects his Creator (Jehovah God) he rejects, or at least modifies down, his Creator’s standard of correct behavior.
E. Conclusion — When one refuses to acknowledge God, when they exchange God’s truth for their own truth God allows then to serve who they want to serve. One is not rejected by God at birth but, as free moral agents, after they reject God, He allows them to do as they please.
1. (1:20) Mankind could have know at least some of God’s characteristics (His power and divinity) just by looking at the visible creation.
2. Once mankind misunderstands or denies the true nature of God...
a. (1:23,25) Mankind turns to idolatry and the worship of the creation, rather than the Creator.
b. (1:24-27) Mankind turns to fleshly wickedness.
c. (1:28-32) Man also degenerates in every other area of his life.
3. Paul’s conclusion is mankind (without the true God) plunges downward morally.

V. {Rom 2:1-5} The judging problem among the readers is noted.
A. Introduction
1. Review —In the first part of chapter one Paul introduced the theme of Romans, i.e. “justification by faith” [1:16-17]. In the second part of Romans Paul showed when man is without the knowledge or acceptance of the true God he sinks into moral corruption; physically and spiritually (outwardly and inwardly).
2. Preview — Deals with why one man cannot be the one determing another man’s salvation.
B. Question For Discussion — Is the reader’s problem that they are not being fair judges, i.e. they are twisting the laws to condone their actions and condemn the actions of others or is it something else?
C. Questions For Encouraging Discussion...
1. What does verse [2:4] imply the readers have missed or not appreciated?
a. The goodness, forbearance, and long-suffering of God was supposed to lead ALL to repentance.
2. Does Paul judge others?
a. Yes, for this paragraph is judging the readers
3. Why is Paul not being hypocritical when he judges others?
a. Problem was not the judging, per se, but the “how of their judging”.
4. Is Paul addressing Jews or Gentiles? What is your support?
a. “Therefore” is drawing a conclusion from the previous paragraph, thus, Paul is addressing all Christians (Jews and Gentiles) who, by their actions, have rejected God’s wisdom.
5. The readers have “no excuse” [2:1] about what?
a. They know there is a Creator God (something higher than they) that has standards, thus, cannot say, “I did not know I was doing wrong.”
6. When a person is punished for a wrong doing what has happened causing them to be judged and found guilty, thus, receive the necessary punishment?
a. A law (collection of rules) has been broken.
7. What is the contrast used by Paul in 2:3-4?
a. They pass harsh judgment on those who break their (man’s) laws and act as if God will look the other way when they break His laws.
8. Is Paul talking about judging a specific wrong (murder, adultery, stealing) or something else?
a. Paul is addressing their general attitude toward God’s standards of right and wrong.
9. Why does Paul say they are stubborn and unrepentant [2:5]?