The theme for the book of Romans is simple, "the just shall live by faith".  The first 12 chapters deal with how to be just and the last four tell us how to live by faith.  This morning our concentration is the first two chapters in this marvelous book and the lessons we can learn from what Paul wrote to the saints in that city.  This will cover some highlights and certainly not everything that can be gleaned from these verses.  In the future, Lord willing, we'll discuss some more.                                                                 POWERPOINT

1)  THE GENTILES NEEDED THE GOSPEL - 1: 18-32
     a.  They knew of God's existence and goodness, from an examination of their own natural sense of right and wrong.  1: 19-26
     b.  Where did this goodness come from?  Certainly not from the creatures they worshipped. 
     c.   It came from a God who is Goodness.  Psa 136: 1; Mt 19:17
     d.  They could see from creation that it was the product of God 1:20
     e.  They simply were without excuse for their ingratitude 1:21; idolatry 1: 22-23; and their immorality 1: 24-32

2)  THE JEWS NEEDED THE GOSPEL - 2:1 - 3:20
    a.  Even some of Paul's contemporaries were guilty of being extremely harsh in judging the Gentiles but were heading down the same path. 2: 1-3

So, both the "Ungodly" Gentiles and the "Unrighteous " Jews needed the Gospel.  The Gentiles had absolutely no excuse for their "ungodliness", were self-deceived into idolatry, ignored the Glory of God, had impure hearts and were to be judged unfavorably unless they obeyed the Word.
The Jews had no excuse for their "unrighteousness", were self-deceived in their impudence, ignored God's goodness, had impenitent hearts and would be judged unfavorably unless they obeyed the Gospel.

LESSON
   
1)  "AS A MAN THINKETH" - HOW WE THINK ABOUT GOD INFLUENCES OUR LIVES
      a.  When we think in the wrong direction our actions and attitudes will follow. Proverbs 23:7
      b.  Remember what the Gentiles did! - changed the Glory of God for idols and that led to immorality.
           1.  Pharaoh scoffed at the idea of God and resisted god in the midst of the plagues  Exodus 5-12
           2.  Ahab thought he could hide from God and ignored His predictions - 1 Kings 22
           3.  Jonah thought he could run from God and didn't preach to Nineveh Jonah 1 and 2

2)  HOW WE THINK ABOUT GOD DETERMINES HOW HE THINKS ABOUT US
       a.  Notice what the text says about how God "gave them up" 1:24, 1:26, 1:28   There was connection with the Gentiles Idolatrous ways and God's disfavor
       b.  What should we do?  Love (Mt 22:37) Revere (Hebrews 12:28) and Humble ourselves before Him (Jas 4:10)

3)  GOD WILL DETERMINE WHERE WE SPEND ETERNITY
     a.  (2:1-3; 5-6; 16)
     b.  He will judge our deeds 2:6 and our secrets 2:16 (2 Corinthians 5:10 and Eccl 12:14)
     c. "the day of wrath" will satisfy God's vengeance 2:5 (2 Thess 2: 7-9)
     d. "the day of revelation"  because it will reveal the coming of Jesus with our destiny 2:5 (Mt 25)
     e. "the day of judgment"  because it will judge according to His righteous commandments 2:5
         (John12 : 48-50)

4)  GOD IS GOOD - (2:4)
     a. He is also "forbearance"(restraint) vs 4 and "longsuffering" vs 4
     b. Also He is hope (Romans 15:13) peace (Rom 15:33) comfort (2 Cor 1:3) love (2 Cor 13;11)
         and grace (1 Pet 5:10)

5)  GOD CAN BE ANGERED (2:6-11)
     a.  He will accept no excuse for disobedience (1:20; 2:1)
     b.  "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God" - Heb 10:31

6)  GOD IS IMPARTIAL (2:11-12)
     a.  There are no exceptions, He will be obeyed or will punish (Acts 10:35; Eph 6:9; Col 3:25;
1 Pet 1:17)

REMEMBER, THE WAY WE THINK ABOUT GOD (AND ACT ACCORDINGLY) IS THE WAY HE THINKS ABOUT US 

(THANK YOU TO BRO. WENDELL WINKLER AND THE INSPIRATION FOR THIS LESSON FROM HIS EXCELLENT CLASSROOM BOOK ON ROMANS)
   
from what Paul wrote to the saints in that city.  This will cover some highlights and certainly not everything that can be gleaned from these verses.  In the future, Lord willing, we'll discuss some more.                                                                1)  -      a.  They knew of God's existence and goodness, from an examination of their own natural sense of right and wrong.  1: 19-26     b.  Where did this goodness come from?  Certainly not from the creatures they worshipped.       c.   It came from a God who is Goodness.  Psa 136: 1; Mt 19:17     d.  They could see from creation that it was the product of God 1:20     e.  They simply were without excuse for their ingratitude 1:21; idolatry 1: 22-23; and their immorality 1: 24-32 2)  a.  Even some of Paul's contemporaries were guilty of being extremely harsh in judging the Gentiles but were heading down the same path.So, both the "Ungodly" Gentiles and the "Unrighteous " Jews needed the Gospel.  The Gentiles had absolutely no excuse for their "ungodliness", were self-deceived into idolatry, ignored the Glory of God, had impure hearts and were to be judged unfavorably unless they obeyed the Word.The Jews had no excuse for their "unrighteousness", were self-deceived in their impudence, ignored God's goodness, had impenitent hearts and would be judged unfavorably unless they obeyed the Gospel.    1)  a.  When we think in the wrong direction our actions and attitudes will follow.      b.  Remember what the Gentiles did! - changed the Glory of God for idols and that led to immorality.           1.  Pharaoh scoffed at the idea of God and resisted god in the midst of the plagues             2.  Ahab thought he could hide from God and ignored His predictions -            3.  Jonah thought he could run from God and didn't preach to Nineveh 2)  a.Notice what the text says about how God "gave them up" There was connection with the Gentiles Idolatrous ways and God's disfavor       b.  What should we do?  Love () Revere () and Humble ourselves before Him ()3)  a.  ()     b.  He will judge our deeds and our secrets and c. "the day of wrath" will satisfy God's vengeance   d. "the day of revelation"  because it will reveal the coming of Jesus with our destiny     e. "the day of judgment"  because it will judge according to His righteous commandments 4)a. He is also "forbearance"(restraint)and "longsuffering" b. Also He is hopepeacecomfortlove and grace5)a.He will accept no excuse for disobedience b.  "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God" - a.  There are no exceptions, He will be obeyed or will punish ()REMEMBER, THE WAY WE THINK ABOUT GOD (AND ACT ACCORDINGLY) IS THE WAY HE THINKS ABOUT US  (THANK YOU TO BRO. WENDELL WINKLER AND THE INSPIRATION FOR THIS LESSON FROM HIS EXCELLENT CLASSROOM BOOK ON ROMANS)