Who Needs The Gospel? They Do Too! Rom. 2:1-11,17-21,23-24 Sept. 18. 2005
1. They Do Too Because They Are Without . . Excuse. 2:1-2
A. Without Excuse because of . . Self Righteousness. 2:1
B. Without Excuse because of . . Superior Righteousness. 2:2
Two kinds of righteousness
exist; man's self-righteousness, and God's superior righteousness.
My mom used to say "self righteousness stinks," and the Bible does speak
of it having an unfavorable odor. Recently I heard the song of a
few years ago titled "Harper Valley P. T. A.." It put down hypocritical
self-righteousness by exposing the sins of the critics, and so do these
verses.
2. They Do Too Because They Are Without . . Escape. 2:3-8
A.
Escape from A Lack of . . Repentance. 2:3-5
3 Do you really think anyone of you who judges those who do such things
yet do the same that you will escape God's
judgment? 4 Or do you despise the riches of His kindness, restraint,
and patience, not recognizing that God's kindness is
intended to lead you to repentance? 5 But because of your hardness
and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for
yourself in the day of wrath, when God's righteous judgment is revealed.
B. Without
Escape from A Lack of . . Righteousness. 2:6-8
6 He will repay each one according to his works: 7 eternal life to
those who by patiently doing good seek for glory, honor, and
immortality; 8 but wrath and indignation to those who are self-seeking
and disobey the truth, but are obeying unrighteousness.
No one will escape God's
judgment without repentance based on godly sorrow initiated by the goodness
of God. For a man or woman to think they can march into heaven through
their own goodness is the height of arrogance. An unrepentant heart
is hard and stores up wrath from God. Righteousness can only be produced
in a relationship with God through Christ. No one will escape God's
wrath on his/her terms. Everyone needs the gospel.
3. They Do Too Because They Are Without . . Endearment. 2:9-11
A. Without
Endearment Because of . . Nationality. 2:9-10
9 affliction and distress for every human being who does evil, first to
the Jew, and also to the Greek; 10 but glory, honor, and
peace for everyone who does good, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek.
B. Without
Endearment Because of God's . . Nature. 2:11
11 There is no favoritism with God.
How
do people endear themselves to God? They don’t! We cannot do
that on our own. No one through works of the flesh endears themselves
to God. The best example is Israel. Some would argue that because
God chose them he plays favoritism with them. He chose them; but
these verses tell us that no one, including the Jews, receive any favoritism
from God.They do evil, and the wrath of God is upon the Jewish Nation just
like the Gentile Nations. It is the nature of God to provide a way
for all to be in heaven with Him, and receive eternal endearment.
But that can happen only through the gospel of Christ.
4. They Do Too Because They Are Without . . Excellence. 2:17-21
A. Without Excellence In Spite of Your . . Title.
2:17
17 Now if you call yourself a Jew, and rest in the law, and boast in God,
B. Without Excellence
In Spite of Your . . Teaching. 2:18-21
18 and know His will, and approve the things that are superior, being instructed
from the law, 19 and are convinced that you
are a guide for the blind, a light to those in darkness, 20 an instructor
of the ignorant, a teacher of the immature, having in the
law the full expression of knowledge and truth 21 you then, who teach another,
do you not teach yourself? You who preach,
"You must not steal" do you steal?
God
gives spiritual excellence. Some people in this world think they
have excellence because of a name or title. We call some blue blo
s because they have a prominent name in history, a royal title. I
have know some ministers who thought they should be granted a certain kind
of excellence from people because of their title “Reverend.” If people
trust in their names, or titles for spiritual excellence they will go to
Hell. Suppose you teach very well, can great teaching bring spiritual
excellence? The illustration in the texdt of the teacher who does
not practice what he preached answers the question. Great teachers
with great titles need the gospel of Christ.
5. They Do Too Because They Are Without . . Encouragement. 2:23-24
A. Without
Encouragement In . . Actions. 2:23
23 You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law?
B. Without
Encouragement In . . Affect. 2:24
24 For, as it is written: The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles
because of you. If people boast in the law, and
plan to get to heaven through it they must keep it perfectly.
Paul says these kind of people dishonor God because they break the law.
When a people boast in their ability to keep the law, and they break it;
they lead others astray. Their actions, and the affect of their lifestyle
leave them without a way to heaven. Therefore if we ask the question
of the lesson title we must give the same answer. Who Needs The
Gospel? They Do Too! Amen? Amen!