Final sermon in 3-part series of Reasons We Believe.
- The overarching Bible narrative is: Creation, Fall, Redemption, Restoration
- The plight of humanity is rebellion against worship of God; idolatry of having identity apart from God
- The Justice of JudgmentÂ
- Rom 1:18
- Rom 1-3 describes the guilt of mankind; the exchange by humanity of truth for lies, and how we are given over to our sinful desires
- “the wrath of God is revealed”; we will face consequences for our sin
- But “How can a loving God be filled with wrath and punish us?”
- *** If God as no wrath for the violation of His law and justice, then His righteousness is called into question
- Divine justice and wrath is not the same as human justice and wrath
- Rom ; Rom 1:28-32
- *** the patience of God is to give you the hope of salvation, opportunity to change the way you live, and redemption through Jesus NOT to let you to continue sinning and building His wrath
- Rom 2:6-8; God renders to all what they’ve “earned”
- *** “If your faith hasn’t changed you, your faith hasn’t saved you”
- The Solution of Salvation
- Matt 7:13-14
- the main question of how sin is dealt with before God (Heb 9)
- really only 2 ways: narrow gate to salvation vs wide-gate to everywhere & Hell
- *** narrow path may be so narrow it is single file, as in nobody gets in alongside someone else; it is a personal walk you must continue on
- Rom 5:6-11; we were subject to alienation, but through Jesus is reconciliation
- human reconciliation/forgiveness always requires one side to absorb the hurt/pain
- passive obedience and active obedience; living total obedience to God’s will
- narrow gate: Divine Accomplishment
- wide gate: Human Accomplishment
- 2 Cor 5:21
- The Call of Christ
- Matt 16:15-16
- you need to have a personal understanding and declaration of who Jesus is
- Rom 10:9
- your heart should be drawn to the one who has given His life, upon understanding