Main Theme
The sermon explores the idea that humanity is “without excuse” before God, based on Romans 1:18-25. It argues that God’s truth is evident and accessible, and that suppressing, subverting, or surrendering this truth leads to spiritual and moral decline. The “bad news” of God’s wrath is actually part of the “good news” because it reveals God’s righteousness.
Key Points
- Ignorance Is No Excuse: Just as ignorance of human law doesn’t exempt someone from consequences, ignorance of God’s truth doesn’t excuse disobedience.
- Truth and Relativism: The sermon critiques postmodern relativism, which denies objective truth and morality, leading to cultural and spiritual chaos.
- God’s Wrath as Good News: God’s wrath against sin is a sign of His righteousness. The gospel reveals both God’s righteousness and His wrath.
- Three Stages of Truth’s Decline:
- Truth Suppressed (vv. 18-20): Creation itself testifies to God’s existence and greatness. Suppressing this truth is active disobedience.
- Truth Subverted (vv. 21-23): When truth is overthrown, worship shifts from God to idols and lesser things, leading to spiritual downgrade.
- Truth Surrendered (vv. 24-25): Abandoning truth results in God allowing people to follow their own destructive desires, leading to judgment.
- Applications:
- Embrace and elevate the testimony of creation.
- Worship God alone, not idols or lesser things.
- Recognize that God will judge unrighteousness.
- Conclusion: God’s wrath is good news because it proves He is righteous. People must choose between God’s righteousness and His wrath. Believers are called to courageously and compassionately share this truth with others.
Final Challenge
The sermon ends with a call to action: Since people are “without excuse,” Christians must boldly and lovingly share the truth of God’s righteousness and wrath, urging others to embrace God’s truth for salvation.
