Sermon Central
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Understanding The Judgment Of God – (Pt 2) Series
Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Mar 30, 2008 (message contributor)
Summary: From a 2008 series of Messages on Romans. This is a continuation of the previous message.
Romans – God’s Glorious Gospel
Understanding the Judgment of God – PT 2
* Please turn to Romans 2 and in just a minute, we’ll read the first 16 verses. For years in the entertainment world we have endured the concept of “sequels.” Simply put a sequel picks up a storyline where the previous movie, series, or book left off. For instance, in the late 70’s “Star Trek –THE Movie” was released. In December of 2002 Star Trek Nemesis was released, this was the 10th sequel. Sometimes sequels do well, other times not so well.
* This morning we have a sequel. We are preaching and studying our way through Paul’s letter to the church in Rome. Last week, we began chapter 2 which gives us an “Understanding of the Judgment of God
* We call the Roman letter “God’s Glorious Gospel,” yet to get to the good news, we must comprehend the other news. Let’s read together and be reminded. (TEXT)
* The judgment of God is not a popular subject. In fact, many preachers, churches, and even denominations do not and will not broach the subject because our culture prefers to hear messages about the “love of God”, the “tolerance of God”, the “understanding of God”, and even the mercy of God. God is a God of love, tolerance (on occasion), understanding, and mercy, but make no mistake God is a God who will judge sin and sinners without question. That first Easter week displayed for the entire world to see God’s judgment & grace in one act.
* Let me remind us what the Bible says about God’s judgment. Hebrews teaches us that everyone dies and is then judged. Everyone. We are further taught that believers must all appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ to answer for our actions. Then we are told that the non-believers (those who have never come to faith in Christ and who have left Jesus out of their lives) will appear before the Great White Throne to be judged. You see, every person who has ever drawn a breath will stand before the maker of Heaven and Earth for judgment.
* This being the case, by what standards are we judged? Last week we began to learn the 7 principles by which God judges mankind. Since some we not hear, let’s review the first 3;
1. Knowledge – Verse one repeats a warning to us by saying “we are without excuse.” Why? Because “if” we have the knowledge to judge “others”, we have the knowledge which we need to come to faith and establish a personal ongoing relationship with Christ. You have no excuse.
2. Truth – This is the most frightening part. Verse 2 tells us that we are judged based on “truth”. Watch this; God is “Omni.” He is Omnipotent – all strength, He is Omnipresent – all present, and He is Omniscient – all knowing. Do you have an idea of what that means? It means I have no secrets from God. His judgment of me is according to truth.
3. Guilt – Verse 3-5 asks a rhetorical question, “Do you think you’ll escape, if ‘what’?” If I am guilty (and I am), I will be judged according to my guilt. In my guilt, I become cold, hard-heart, unrepentant, and unfeeling. My religion becomes an intellectual assent to God instead of a personal relationship of walking with God every day.
* Now, let’s see the other principles of God’s judgment.
4. Deeds – Verse 11 tells us that “God will repay (will give, render, pay back, reward, punish) each person according to their works (deeds, what they have done).” It will serve us well to understand the massive amount of teaching given in God’s word about this principle.
o Jeremiah 17:10 “I, the LORD, examine the mind; I test the heart to give to each according to his way, according to what his actions deserve.
o Isaiah 3:10-11 conclude with, “the reward of his hands.”
o In Matthew 16 Jesus speaks of the “Son of Man coming in Glory” and that he will “give each man according to his own works.