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NKJV 18 God's Wrath on Unrighteousness For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man -- and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.
27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. NKJV

Introduction
Why does the Bible say God give up on a person? The answer to that question is found in these verses. God tells us in the clearest of words why His wrath is kindled against the children of this world.

1. They Practice . . Suppression Of God's Word.

A. Suppress It With . . Their Unrighteousness. 1:18
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,

B. Suppress It With . . Their Understanding. 1:19-20
19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,

C. Suppress It With . . Their Ungracious Attitude. 1:21a
21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, . . ."

D. Suppress It With . . Their Unthankfulness. 1:21b
". . . nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened."

Illustration
"Somebody has well said there are only two kinds of people in the world. There are those who wake up in the morning and say, "Good morning, Lord," and there are those who wake up in the morning and say, "My Goodness, it's morning."

2. They Practice . . Stupidity Rather Than Wisdom. 1:22-23, 25, 28a
    22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man -- and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. . . . 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. . . . 28a And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge,. . ."

Introduction
I am not speaking of an inferior Intellect; but an inferior judgment of the facts. The Bible says in Ps 14:1, and 53:1 The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." NKJV. It is similar to a man being offered Peach Cobble, and him saying, "no I don't like cobbler." It is not a wise choice.

A. Stupidity In . . Professions. 1:22
22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,

B. Stupidity In . . Choices. 1:23
23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man -- and
birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. . . . 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the
lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. .
28a And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge,. . ."

Illustration
Did you ever hold change out in from of a child who did not know the difference between a dime and a penny?

3 They Practice . . Sickening Lifestyles. 1:24, 26

A. Sickening . . Sexual Practices. 1:24, 26-27
    24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. . . . 28 b God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;

        1. Sickening Unclean Practices. v 24a

            a. These Practices Dishonor the Body. v 24b

        Uncleanness
        dishonoring their bodies. . . " NKJV, NAS

        degrading their bodies..." HCSB, NIV, NLT

Mt 23:27 "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. NKJV

Ro 6:18-19 18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. 19 I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness. NKJV

Ro 1:32b "not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.. . ." NKJV

        2. Sickening Vile Passions. v 26a
            a. Note ". . . "even" the women . . . " v 26b  
            b. Against Nature. v 26c
            c. God made Adam and Eve Not Adam and Steve.

Illustration
What does a person do if your child announces they are living in sexual sin? YOU LOVE THEM! You can despise the lifestyle while loving the person.

Illustration
A noted Christian Psychologist named Loffton Hutson said, in my presence 45 years ago, "I have never seen a "confirmed Homosexual" change; this may be because God gave up on them. Not that He did not draw them to Himself, but they rejected.

If I knew a person who claimed to be a homosexual I would never stop praying for them. They can change. This is not cause by a genetic conditions. 1 Cor. 6:9-11

Exodus Is an organization trying to help men and women leave the homo lifestyle.

B. Shameful . . Sexual Practices. 1:27-28
27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. . . . 28 b God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;

    1. Men Leave What Is Natural.

    2. Burning with Lust.

    3. Receiving the penalty of their Error.

Illustration
AIDS started in Africa as some men had sexual expressions with monkeys. Today it spreads every where but most rapidly in the sexually promiscuous atmosphere.

You may remember the basketball player named Magic Johnson's basketball career was ended because he was infected with AIDS. He claims to have had a vary promiscuous Lifestyle.

More recently he said, "This disease is effecting all of society. "At the time [I was diagnosed], it was a white man's homosexual disease, now it's basically a black person's disease. As we sit here, the cases are over 60 to 65 percent. It's the number one killer of black women in New York, and we're talking about ages 18-35."

"Heterosexuals are getting HIV more than Homosexual people," he continued. "We have to understand this is a heterosexual disease right now, and especially a minority disease. If we don't bring those numbers down, it's going to affect the minority community in a big way."

Recently a new disease was reported in a San Francisco News Paper (1-14-08). The new disease is spreading most rapidly in the the promiscuous society. It seems these community are an epicenter for new strain of staph bacteria, highly resistant to antibiotics. It is spreading in San Francisco, Boston, New York and Los Angeles, researchers reported Monday Jan. 14, 2008.

C. Superabundance Of . . Sinful Practices. 1:29-32
29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness,
maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers,
30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to
parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful;

One pastor list all of these sins in three categories:

Unrighteousness, Fornication and Wickedness -

Covetousness- Appetite for the things of other.

Maliciousness - ill-will and vengeance.

Envy - It is the spirit that wants not only the things to be taken away from the person, but wants him to suffer through the loss of them.

Murder - Obvious!
Debate - A spirit given to fighting!
Deceit - Pure old lying.
Malignity - A spirit that loves nothing better than the destruction of another human being!

Whisperers - A gossip who seeks to harm another's reputation.
Backbiters - While the one above is done in secret, this one is done in the open. It is the same spirit.
Haters of God - This is a person who hates the standards and restrictions imposed by God. His goal is to be the god of his own life.

Despiteful - This kind of person is determined to have his own way at all costs.
Proud - Self-exaltation.
Boasters - This is a bragger who brags about what he has or what he has done, even if it isn't necessarily true.

Inventors of Evil Things - This is a person who is tired of sin as usual and seeks new forms of pleasure and excitement.

Disobedient to Parents - Obvious!
Without Understanding - This is a person who refuses to learn by experience. They have rejected the truth and have closed their eyes and minds to it!

Covenant Breakers - Untrustworthy! Refers to people who will not keep their word! You simply cannot depend on them!

Without Natural Affection - abnormal affection without human emotion or love, a lack of feeling for others.

Implacable - A person who is unwilling to make peace or come to an agreement.

Unmerciful - It is an absence of consideration or feelings for others. What matters is one's own pleasure and rights, not the pleasure and rights of others.

Illustration
There is a species of ant in Africa that builds its colonies and nests in deep underground tunnels. It is here that their young and their queen live. Even though these ants may be a great distance from the nest foraging for food, they can sense when their queen in being attacked and they all become extremely nervous and uncoordinated. If she is killed, they become frantic and rush around aimlessly until they die.

What a perfect illustration of the person who has rejected God in his life. Being unable to find direction and peace apart from a relationship with God, he rushes around aimlessly, pursuing his sins until he too dies and enters eternity. If you are in that shape, let me invite you to come to Jesus for salvation this evening. If you know someone in this shape, let me challenge you to pray for them.

Swing the necklace Cross toward the congregation, and allow it to stop on its own.  It will get further and further away from the congregation.  Do not turn away from Christ.

Why Does God Give Up On Some People?

    They Practice . . Suppression Of God's Word.

        They Practice . . Sickening Lifestyles.

I copied some information from this very good website: 
        http://www.sermonnotebook.org/romans/Rom%201_18-23.htm