“Our Shameful Rejection of God’s Best”

Mar.20, 2011 Romans 1:16-25  Play AUDIO (24 kbps mp3) 

RE-VOLTING, SHAMEFUL, UNTHINKING FOLLY

•    apology called for in admitting merchandise not paid for
•    robbing God of glory also shameful, serious sin

THE POSITIVE POWER OF GOD’S INVITATION

•    Good News a call to God’s righteousness
•    obedience, salvation also being offered

THE WORLD’S WORST EXCHANGE RATE

•    God’s qualities should be obvious from what has been made
•    hard-wired by conscience to acknowledge absolutes of right/wrong
•    exchanged God’s glory for idols: man-made images (evolution, relativism)

ABANDONED TO DEPTHS OF SHAME AND WRATH

•    God gives sinners over to their desires / lusts / depraved thinking
•    sexual sins invite penalty in own bodies; e.g. pedophile ring exposed
•    other sins wall us off from God / others, become heartless
•    prostitution victims aware of deadly shame
•    God’s wrath stored up for day of judgment

UP FOR A FIGHT - “HAVE YOU EVER LOST?”

•    CS Lewis humbled / helped by wife’s challenge, love in face of tragedy