Textual Studies                                                                                                          Power Point Show

Scripture Reading:  Romans 3:9-19

A WORLD OF SINNERS

Intro.

1.  Question:  “Did the early Native Americans such as the Aztecs Incas Mayas...have any knowledge of the word of God?  If not, what happened to their souls?”  Let me also ask a question to clarify the issue:

   a.    “Did the ancient barbarian or Scythian have any knowledge of the word of God?  If not, what happened to their souls?”  (Col. 3:11)

   b.    “Does your next door neighbor have any knowledge of the word of God?  If not, what happens to his/her soul?”

2.  The answer to each one lies in understanding the nature of sin, the progression of sin in this world, & salvation from sin by the gospel.

I. THERE IS A UNIVERSAL NEED FOR THE GOSPEL BECAUSE ALL ARE SINNERS - Rom. 3:9 (10-18), 19, 23; 5:12.

   A.   The Gospel is God’s Power to Save Sinners – Rom. 1:16-17 (Reveals the righteousness of God - God’s plan for man to be righteous, Ro. 3:22).

      1.      The gospel will save all sinners who believe – Rom. 1:16-17.

      2.      Reveals God’s mercy & grace to give sinners: A Savior (1 Tim. 4:10); a sacrifice for sins (Heb. 9:22; 10:12); a message of truth which warns of sin & calls sinners to salvation (Acts 20:24).

   B.   Therefore, the Gospel is to be Preached to All the World – Mk. 16:15-16; Matt. 28:19-20 (Rom. 6:23; 5:12).

      1.      To save the lost – Whether they already know their sin or not.

      2.      Because the lost are sinners under penalty of death.

II.   THE PROGRESSION OF SIN IN THE WORLD – Rom. 1:18-32 (a picture of the Gentile world under sin).

   A.  The Ungodliness & Unrighteousness of Men Hinders the Truth of God – 1:18 (Gen. 6:1-5).  (Two terms express whole volume of human sins.)

      1.      Ungodliness:  Lack of reverence for God; a disregard for God (“irreligiousness”, Meyer).

      2.      Unrighteousness:  Immorality, evil conduct, lack of right conduct toward men, injustice toward men.

      3.      Hinder the truth:  Suppresses, holds down the truth; Sin blinds men to truth!  (2 Cor. 4:3-4)

      4.      Wrath of God is against all sinners!  (Answers part of above question.)

   B.  Historically, Men Have Rejected God & His Revealed Truth Because of Their Sin – 1:18-23.

      1.      God’s truth was & is revealed from God to man – 1:19 (Gen. 2:16-17 – God commanded man … Heb. 1:1-2).

      2.      God’s presence & nature (power & divinity) testified by creation – 1:20.

      3.      Men refused revealed truth & nature’s testimony - Are without excuse before God - 1:20-21.

   C.  When Men Reject God & His Truth, They Plunge Deeper & Deeper into Sin – Rom. 1:21-32.  (progression of sin)

      1.      Failure to honor God – 1:21 (cf. Isa. 24:5-6).

      2.      Ingratitude toward God – 1:21.  (Devaluing of the true God.)

      3.      Elevation of man (self) & human wisdom – 1:22 (cf. Eph. 4:17-18).

      4.      Idolatry (false gods) – 1:23.

         a.    Truth is exchanged for a lie - 1:25.

         b.      False religions developed (cf. Egypt, Phoenicia, Canaan, Euro-Asia & Americas; cf. pagan superstitions, Greek & Eastern philosophies, etc.

      5.      Moral chaos – 1:24-32 (idolatry feeds on & breeds fleshly lust, 1:24-27)

   D.  God “Gave Them Up” To Their Sins – Rom. 1:24, 26, 28.

      1.      Handed them over to their own devices…because they gave themselves over to sin! – Eph. 4:19  (“He let them go because they were set on going.”  -Whiteside)

      2.      God permitted man to follow his sinful cravings & conduct with all that sin caused (pain, suffering, toil & death) – cf. 1:27.

      3.      God, throughout history, has revealed His wrath against sin – 1:18, 32.

      4.      The wages for their sin is death – Rom. 6:23.

   Illus. 1)  Adam…Cain…Lamech…days of Noah (Gen. 2-6; 6:5).

             2)  Noah (Gen. 9:1)…Sons of Noah (Gen. 9:19)…Babel (Gen. 11:1-9) 

…Departure from God….

   E.  Over Time, When Man Rejects God & His Truth, Whole Societies & Cultures Forget God & His Truth (will for them) – Rom. 1:25, 28.

      1.      Did native Americans “have any knowledge of the word of God?”

         -Not likely, since their ancestors had long since rejected God & His revelations of truth!  (Col. 1:23; but remember 2 Ths. 2:9-12)

      2.      Ignorance of God does not make the sinner free of his sin.

         a.    Magnifies their sin & alienation from God – Rom. 3:9-19.

         b.      Magnifies & proves their need for the gospel – Rom. 11:32; Mk. 16:15 (Rom. 1:16).

         c.    Magnifies the grace & love of God to give a gospel which call sinners out of the darkness of sin into the glory of salvation! – Rom. 5:6-9

Conclusion

1.  Those who do not know God & do not obey the gospel will die because of their own sins – 2 Ths. 1:8-9.

2.  We must not distress ourselves over ancient peoples long since gone & their standing before God – God will be just with them (Rom. 2:2).

3.  Instead, we need to learn to get right with God now! – Rom. 2:3-6

4.  Faithful Christians must share the gospel with the lost!  (Jno. 4:35)