Has God Abandoned Us?

Has God Abandoned Us?

Clay Smith JFBC

Romans 1:21-32 deals with the condemnation of our sin. What life is like without God. Not hard to understand, just hard to hear. Heavy subject to deal with, especially for parents. God's truth needs to be heard.

The root of sin: the exchange of glory. Claiming to be wise, they became fools. Goes back to Adam & Eve. Genesis 3:1-7 Satan gets you to doubt what God has said. Change incorruptible God for corruptible things of man

We have plenty of idols. Good things can become idols. We learn what our idols are when they're taken away from us. This passage is a picture of sinful humanity.

The Fruit of Sin…

1. v 24-25 defective desires. God gave humanity up to the lusts of their hearts. They wanted the wrong things. "God gave them up" - God actively removed his hand of restraint so that they would suffer the consequences of their actions.

Like the prodigal son. God's heart was like the father's…he longed for his son to come home.

They exchanged the truth of God for the falsehood, not worshipping the creator but the creature. We are saints who suffer and sin. Why being a part of a church is so important.

2. v 26-27 degrading passions. Because they exchanged God for their passions. In Paul's day the world was given over to sexual passions. Prostitutes in the temples. Having these degrading passions is part of the penalty.

Clay: homosexuality is not an unforgivable sin. Some struggle with this temptation. We shouldn't condemn these people. This passage covers a number of sins: cheating on a spouse. All are forgivable. Ask for help from the body of Christ.

3. v 28-32 depraved minds. Not able to stand the test, flawed. Paul lists 20 ways, so many that we deal with every day. Gossips strife envy murder pride boastful …disobedient to parents, unmerciful…life in 2025

Clay called out Andrew Tate, who has millions of followers. Braggart, convert to Islam. He's exchanging the truth of God for a lie. He's an influencer in the worst way.

V 32 people approve of evil people.

The Awesome Promise: it's not too late. 1 Cor 6:9-11 such were some of you, but you were washed and sanctified. We can have a new life in Jesus. These baptisms are a testimony to this, that God saves us from our sins.