THESIS: To show Paul’s arguments as to why God’s wrath against man is justified.
INTRO.:
A. If the book of Romans is a courtroom where evidence and arguments are presented as to why God’s wrath against man is justified, then Romans 1:18 is the door to that courtroom. Paul here begins his opening arguments. B. Throughout the rest of this chapter he will present the arguments and the evidence to open his case. He will show that the verdict of the Judge is not only justified, but just. C. Paul is a master logician. His arguments are forceful, dynamic and convincing. Romans is the most logical of treatises in the entire Bible. Till now Paul has simply been preparing for his arguments. He now introduces the theme of the book in v.17: God’s righteousness (used over 60 times in Romans in one form or another). He has emphatically stated that salvation is through the Gospel and is “by faith.” Now he is ready to present his case. “HEAR YE! HEAR YE! COURT IS NOW IN SESSION!”
I. INTELLIGENCE AND INFORMATION: v.18-20
ILLUS.: His opening argument leaves man without excuse before a righteous God. He declares that God has given man more than enough evidence not only to support His existence, but also His plan of redemption. If man chooses to refuse & reject the light He has, God is not responsible & His judgment is just.
A. A Witness Within: (God’s internal light) v.18,19a “…manifest in them”
NOTE: cf. v.17 “revealed” – the Gospel reveals the love of God (v.16), but it also reveals the wrath of God. God’s wrath is not some momentary temper tantrum, but a settled, determined indignation based on sufficient cause. It is unlike the wrath of man which is often uncontrolled anger & emotional in nature.
1. Mankind knew God from the beginning, i.e., from creation. 2. Mankind knew God after the flood, i.e., when the race began anew.
ILLUS.: Human history began with man knowing God. It is not the story of a beast that worshiped idols, and then evolved into a man worshiping one God. It is the reverse! There has never been a culture discovered which has not believed in God and God’s wrath. There are no atheists among the heathen. Evolutionists are so desperate to prove their theory, they resort to lying. In the 70’s, the Tasadays, a “very primitive tribe” was discovered in the Philippines. It was said that they had no form of worship and no knowledge of the world or sin. Later, the liars were embarrassed when someone found they had been wearing modern T-shirts emblazoned with advertisements, the people smoking American cigarettes, etc. And, of course, they had a primitive form of worship and a sacrificial system to appease the wrath of their god. (Anything but believe the Bible! Even archaeology and history also add their testimony of the universality of sacrifice in human religions in earliest times.)
B. A Witness Without: (God’s external light) v.20 “…creation…clearly seen”
1. The invisible God is clearly visible in His creation! 2. The incomprehensible Godhead is comprehended thru His eternal power.
ILLUS: Since God says here that men should have been able to see these things “from the creation of the world” it is obvious that there were no “billions & billions of years” before man was created! Before the written revelation came the revelation in nature. The poet Longfellow described nature as “God’s oldest testament:” And nature, the old nurse took...The child upon her knee, Saying: “Here is a story book…Thy Father has written for thee!” “Come, wander with me,” she said,…”Into regions yet untrod; And read what is still unread…In the manuscripts of God!” And he wandered away and away…With Nature, the dear old nurse, Who sang to him night and day…The rhymes of the universe.” Men have suppressed the evidence! (v.18 “hold” = “hold down, suppress”)
a. The witness is unmistakable…all men are exposed to it. b. The witness is universal…all men are exposed by it.
II. INEXCUSABLE IGNORANCE: v.21a
A. No Defense:
1. First they suppressed the truth – then they converted & perverted the truth. 2. Man is ignorant of God by choice – he has no defense.
B. No Argument:
1. The words “without excuse” are from the Greek “anapologetos” or “no apology,” i.e., having no valid argument. 2. Paul here gives believers an apologetic, i.e., reasons for their faith, and at the same time pulls the rug out from the unbeliever, so that he is left w/out excuse.
ILLUS.: Human reason and nature cry out “There is a God!” pointing to logic, the stars, the seasons and suns, which all declare that He is eternal in His power. But man needs more – he needs a personal Redeemer. Nature knows nothing of forgiveness. Its rules are relentless and ruthless. It teaches no moral code. It has a voice, but no heart & offers no solution to man’s greatest problem, that of sin. It makes no mention of a Savior. “Creation will tell us somewhat of the work of His hands; Calvary alone unveils His heart!” - Phillips Nature points to an eternal, omnipotent, and omniscient Creator, but beyond that its voice falters. “The man who says he finds God in nature, means only that he has found the Creator. For nature is not violets alone; it consists of violets and vipers. To worship only nature he must worship not only the subtle fragrance of the violets, but the horrible fangs of the viper. He must worship, not only the delightful trill of the lark, but the bloodied beak of the vulture. He must worship, not only the tender grace of the gazelle, but the dripping jaws of the wolf.” - F.W. Boreham
III. IMPUDENT INGRATITUDE: v.21b
ILLUS.: Man must worship something. When he suppresses his instinct to worship God, he will manufac- ture something to worship! Idolatry, the crowning sin of humanity is the result. Cf. v.23
A. Degeneration:
1. Man refused to glorify God.
a. This refusal resulted first in expulsion from Eden, then the universal flood, then the tower of Babel and ultimately in captivity for Israel & the Crucifixion of our Savior. b. How dare we, God’s creation, so rebel against our Creator?! How ungrateful!!!
2. Man became unthankful…for his own existence!!!
ILLUS.: Perhaps this is why the Lord placed such strong penalties in His Law with Israel for children who rebel against their parents. Those children who cursed or struck their parents were put to death!! They demonstrated an impudent ingratitude for the very people responsible for their existence.
B. Damnation:
1. “Vain imaginations” – human philosophy apart from God’s truth. 2. Darkened hearts – rejecting truth which is light, results in inner darkness.
ILLUS.: Some of the world’s greatest minds are senseless and illogical! This explains why scientists are evolutionists, why teachers promote abortion, why educators enjoy rap & rock music, and why otherwise smart politicians commit adultery, embezzle money and shoot dope! God’s wrath “is revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness.” You don’t have to read more than 3 chapters in the Bible until you encounter the wrath of God. Both the O.T. & N.T. are filled with references to the righteous wrath of God. Liberals and evangelicals alike have attempted to expunge any reference to it, but they can’t escape it. In the 19th century many hymn books included the Psalms which are full of the wrath of God. Some years ago the Times of London reported that 14 church study groups in Woodford looked into the O.T. and concluded that 84 Psalms were “not fit for Christians to sing.”!!!
CONCL.: Men may try to expunge the inspired record of God’s wrath, but you will never succeed. Men may attempt to escape the wrath of God, apart from Christ, but you will never succeed. Paul now concludes his opening remarks in this court of God’s justice. He will continue to present his evidence in the remaining verses. It is even more damaging!