Fresh Vision for Missions

Hope for the hopeless
Romans 1-3

I.       Hopelessness: In spite of God’s revelation

A.     God has revealed Himself

 (NKJV) Romans 1 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,

B.     God displays His attributes

(NKJV) Romans 1 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,

1.      His existence

2.      His holiness

3.      His power

4.      His majesty

C.     No excuse not to pursue God

(NKJV) Romans 1 20 … so that they are without excuse,

II.    Hopelessness: Did not give God His rightful place

A.     All recognize God about them

(NKJV) Romans 1 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

B.     All suppress their recognition of God

Romans 1 18 … who suppress the truth in unrighteousness

C.     All do not honor Him

(NKJV) Romans 1 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God,

D.    All refuse to admit their dependence on Him

(NKJV) Romans 1 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful,

E.     All pursue meaningless conclusions

(NKJV) Romans 1 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts,

F.     All become less conscious of God

(NKJV) Romans 1 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

III. Hopelessness: Replace God

A.     Exalt self

(NKJV) Romans 1 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,

B.     Live like there is no God

(NKJV) Romans 1 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,

C.     Replace God with their own concept of god

(NKJV) Romans 1 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

1.      Animism in primitive society

2.      Humanism in ‘civilized society’

3.      Make your own god

IV. Hopelessness: Released by God to pursue desires

A.     Live out lusts

(NKJV) Romans 1 24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,

 (NKJV) Romans 1 26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions.

1.      Pursue the ultimate sexual depravity

2.      Ultimate result homosexuality

(NKJV) Romans 1 26 … For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.  27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

B.     Fill minds with sinful things

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;

C.     Live without godliness

29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful;

D.    Ignore certain judgment

32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

1.      Continue in sin

2.      Encourage others to sin

V.    Hopelessness: No one gets it right

A.     The moral person doesn’t live what he knows is right

(NKJV) Romans 2 1 Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. … 3 And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? … 12 For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law

B.     The religious doesn’t follow God’s laws

(NKJV) Romans 2 17 Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the law, and make your boast in God, 18 and know His will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law, 19 and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, … 3: 9 What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin.

C.     All have sinned

(NKJV) Romans 3 10 As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one; 11 There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. 12 They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one.”

13 “Their throat is an open tomb; With their tongues they have practiced deceit”; “The poison of asps is under their lips”; 14 “Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.” 15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16 Destruction and misery are in their ways; 17 And the way of peace they have not known.”

18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” 19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

VI. Hopelessness: God offers hope to the hopeless

A.     A righteousness in Christ apart from religion and works

(NKJV) Romans 3 21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace

B.     A righteousness based on Christ’s payment for sin

(NKJV) Romans 3 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, …

C.     A righteousness that lets God justify yet remain just

(NKJV) Romans 3 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

D.    A righteousness that comes by faith

(NKJV) Romans 3 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe.  26 … the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.