I.        INTRODUCTION

A.      In the first lesson of this series taken from Paul’s epistle to the Romans, we considered Paul’s opening remarks and his declaration that he was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ (Rom. 1:1-17).

B.      Now we will turn our attention to Romans 1:18-32 where Paul described the corruption of the Gentiles.

                                                             1.      This is the beginning of a section in the epistle (1:18-3:31) in which Paul declares the universal need for the gospel due to the universal problem of sin.

                                                             2.      Please remember that the intention of this series is not to give an exhaustive study of the book, but it is to draw practical lessons from each chapter.  Therefore, let us consider what lessons we may glean from this portion of Scripture.

II.      DENIAL

A.      The beginning of the Gentiles’ descent into corruption was their denial of the one, true, living God.

                                                             1.      Paul refers to the Gentiles’ denial throughout this text.

a.       In verse 18, Paul wrote that they suppressed the truth.

b.       In verse 21, he wrote that “even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks.”

c.        In verse 23, he wrote that they “exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God,” and in verse 24, he wrote that they “exchanged the truth of God for a lie.”

d.       In verse 28, he wrote that “they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer.”

e.        In verse 30, he called them “haters of God.”

f.        In verse 32, he wrote that they knew the ordinance of God, but they willfully violated it and approved others who did the same.

                                                             2.      Certainly, these descriptions must remind us of people in our own time who make every effort to deny God, disprove His existence, violate His laws, and absolve themselves from accountability to Him.

B.      Because God gave the Gentiles sufficient evidence for them to know of Him, they were without excuse for denying Him.  In other words, they should have known better.

                                                             1.      The revelation of God in nature is sufficient for men to know that there is a God.  Notice 1:19-20.

a.       The general revelation of God in His creation (as opposed to specific revelation through the inspired Scriptures) gives undeniable evidence of His existence.  Even the Gentiles, who did not know the Scriptures, should have believed in the existence of God through that which He has made.

b.       No tales of mythology, weakly supported theories of evolution, or ridiculous “big bang” theories can ever explain away the clear evidence of God’s existence seen in His creation.  The simple truth is that a great design demands the existence of a great Designer.

                                                             2.      Because God’s existence is so readily evident, all men are accountable to Him.

a.       By the logic of order, because we see that there is a God who created us and all things, we also see that we all are accountable to Him.  He has the sovereign right to rule us.

b.       This is why Paul wrote that the Gentiles were “without excuse” (v. 20).  They could not honestly claim ignorance of God, for He has made Himself evident to all.

C.      Therefore, the wrath of God against the Gentiles has been revealed.

                                                             1.      Notice the progression from verse 16 to verse 18.

a.       First, Paul wrote he was not ashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God for salvation (v. 16).

b.       Then he wrote that it is the power of salvation because it reveals the righteousness of God (v. 17).

c.        Finally, he wrote that the righteousness of God has been revealed because the wrath of God against the unrighteousness of men has also been revealed.

                                                             2.      Let us understand that the gospel (good news) of Christ is not all good news.  It begins with the revelation of God’s wrath against our unrighteousness, but then it reveals the good news of the righteousness of God that we can have through Christ.

III.   “GOD GAVE THEM OVER”

A.      This section of Scripture in Romans 1:18-32 describes a series of events that resulted in God giving the Gentiles over to the corruption that they desired.

                                                             1.      First, the Gentiles denied God as we noticed before.

                                                             2.      Then they turned to their own reasoning and wisdom.

                                                             3.      This led them to their own self-devised religion.

                                                             4.      Finally, God gave them over to corruption.

B.      The phrase “God gave them over” or “God gave them up” is used three times to indicate that God allowed the Gentiles to take the path of their own choosing to their own destruction.

                                                             1.      Verse 24 says, “God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity.”  This focuses on their pagan and idolatrous worship.

a.       After denying the true God, the Gentiles devised their own gods in the images of men and animals (vv. 23, 25).  They worshiped the creature rather than the Creator.

b.       Worship of these false gods included all kinds of wickedness and debauchery, ranging from prostitution to human sacrifices.

                                                             2.      Verse 26 says, “God gave them over to degrading passions.”  This focuses on their sexual decadence.

a.       Specifically, Paul addressed the Gentile practice of homosexuality, which was described as degrading, unnatural, and indecent.

b.       Today, our society is plagued with homosexuality, which is still degrading, unnatural, and indecent.  Yet our society and our government has embraced homosexuality as a legitimate “alternative” lifestyle.

                                                             3.      Verse 28 says, “God gave them over to a depraved mind.”  This focuses on the evil conduct that resulted from the depravity of the Gentiles’ minds.

a.       All of the sinful acts described in verses 29-32 are the products of depraved minds, for the mind gives consent for the deeds of the body.

b.       When man is allowed to guide his own footsteps, these evil acts are the results.  When we reject God’s guidance, we become destructive to ourselves, others, and our society.

                                                             4.      The fact that God gave the Gentiles over to these things does not indicate that He approved these things or that He did not care, but it means that God will allow us to reject Him and suffer the penalties of our own sins.

a.       Notice how the Gentiles suffered because of their poor choices.

i.         Because of their impurity, their bodies were dishonored among them (v. 24).

ii.        Because of their degrading passions, they received “in their own persons the due penalty of their error” (v. 27).

iii.      Because of their depraved minds, they did those things that are not proper, all of which were destructive to themselves.

b.       God allows us to suffer the consequences of our own poor choices so that we will see the goodness and righteousness of His ways.

C.      The depravity of the Gentiles was so complete that they suppressed their own knowledge, embraced every sinful practice, and approved others who did the same.  Notice verse 32.

                                                             1.      The hardness of the Gentiles’ hearts was so advanced that their knowledge of the truth had no effect on them.  They knew it was wrong to practice their evil deeds, but they did it anyway.

                                                             2.      Not only did the Gentiles’ condemn themselves by their deeds, but they condemned others (children, family, fellow Gentiles) by approving and influencing them to do the same evil deeds.

                                                             3.      This demonstrates to us the danger of sinners’ influence.

a.       Sinners sin and encourage others to join them.  “Bad company corrupts good morals” (1Cor. 15:33), so it should not surprise us when the world tells us that fornication, adultery, homosexuality, and all kinds of ungodliness are acceptable practices.

b.       It is foolish for Christians to follow the example or take the advice of a sinner.  “How blessed it the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers!” (Ps. 1:1)

IV.    CONCLUSION

A.      Sadly, we see that the choices and behaviors described by Paul in Romans 1:18-32 are repeated in our world today.  Those who follow these same corrupt ways will likewise suffer the same fate as those who came before them.

B.      All of this underscores the dire need of men everywhere for the salvation that comes through the gospel of Christ.  There is hope for all who will believe in the Lord.