Summary: God’s wrath is real, but can be avoided through the atonement of Jesus Christ.

The Wrath of God

August 4, 2013 Morning Service

Immanuel Baptist Church, Wagoner, OK

Rick Boyne

Message Point: God’s wrath is real, but can be avoided through the atonement of Jesus Christ.

Focus Passage: Ephesians 5:1-14

Introduction: The popular hymn "In Christ Alone" won't appear in the new hymnal of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) because hymn writers Keith Getty and Stuart Townend refused to change the lyrics.

Mary Louise Bringle, who chairs the Presbyterian Committee on Congregational Songs, writes in "The Christian Century" that some committee members objected to the line that says, "On that cross as Jesus died, the wrath of God was satisfied."

She says they asked Getty and Townend if the lyric could be changed to say "the love of God was magnified."

The hymn writers wouldn't allow it.

Getty has said they wrote "In Christ Alone" to tell "the whole gospel."

Read more: http://www.abc2news.com/dpp/lifestyle/hymn-writers-wont-change-lyric-for-presbyterians#ixzz2b0aQjoIr

I. The Wrath of God is Real

a. "He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." (John 3:36 NASB)

b. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, (Romans 1:18 NASB)

c. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? (Matthew 3:7 NASB)

d. for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. (Romans 13:4 NASB)

II. The Wrath of God is Coming

a. "Then He will also say to those on His left, 'Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; (Matthew 25:41 NASB)

b. Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, (Colossians 3:5-6 NASB)

c. Then another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. (Revelation 14:9-10 NASB)

d. Then I heard a loud voice from the temple, saying to the seven angels, "Go and pour out on the earth the seven bowls of the wrath of God." (Revelation 16:1 NASB)

III. The Wrath of God can be Avoided

a. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. (Romans 5:8-10 NASB)

b. For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10 NASB)

Invitation:

[The audio of this sermon being preached can be downloaded at http://sermon.net/rboyne/sermonid/1200074369]