No Excuse: Romans 1: The Revelation of God's Creation and Humanity's Accountability

[0:00] We're looking tonight at one of the most important chapters of the Bible. Of course, they're all important, but this one stands out as one, a chapter that you can use, especially in the field of apologetics, like defending the faith and telling of the goodness of God and really countering the falsehood of unbelief.

[0:22] And so we're going to go to Romans 1. And it tells us about how man is without excuse for his rebellion and rejection of God.

[0:33] Romans 1, it unveils the majesty of God's creation, the tragedy of human rebellion, and the accountability of every living soul before its creator.

[0:45] We stand in awe of the one who sees us, he sees all, he knows all, and still offers redemption. How tragic though it is that our lost world defies God.

[0:57] And it's a tragedy that men trust in their self-reliance, in secularism, they follow science, technology, ideology, yet miss real truth.

[1:09] And all around us is this chaos of human rebellion, the blindness of unbelief. And, you know, we get this oftentimes when we're door-knocking, witnessing, however we witness, and we get this cancer of people trying to excuse their unbelief, trying to excuse their defiance of God.

[1:29] And it's no wonder our world is adrift, it's lost its way in unbelief, immorality, moral relativism, the denial of God, the defiance of God.

[1:40] And truth is twisted. The Creator's glory, people trade for fleeting idols. God confronts us in the Word of God in Romans, and there's a choice here that has an eternal dimension.

[1:53] Will we worship the One who made us? Will we draw near in awe and worship our Creator? The clear revelation of God is shown to us. And we see it here as it's explained through Romans 1, the revelation of God in His creation.

[2:11] It leaves man without excuse, without excuse. Our world sadly rejects the God who is clearly seen. And they reject the truth that's found in Christ.

[2:23] Paul boldly urges of this gospel hope. We take it up from Romans 1, 16, where Paul tells us this. He says, For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

[2:43] For therein, in the gospel, is revealed the righteousness of God from faith to faith, as it is written, the just shall live by faith. The gospel hope.

[2:55] It's God's power to save, available to all who believe. Here is our only true hope. In this world, oft times lost in darkness and unbelief. It's not human philosophy, but the gospel that saves.

[3:09] The very power of God. And Paul reveals then, further as we read, the heart of human rebellion. And God's response to it. We pick it up from verse 18.

[3:20] For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven, against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness. Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them, for God hath showed it unto them.

[3:34] It's telling us here of the judgment of God, the wrath of God is revealed from heaven. God has revealed himself and man defies him.

[3:47] It tells us Romans 1.20, We see, for the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things which are made.

[3:58] Even his eternal power and Godhead. So that they are with it coming out in the moral decline and collapse of society.

[4:10] We live in an age that suppresses the truth. The truth about God. Further, the truth about even gender. How basic a truth. The truth about life, about right and wrong.

[4:25] People do not lack evidence, they lack submission to the truth. These things are clearly seen. God's wrath is his righteous response.

[4:36] No wonder. God permits man to experience the full consequences of his own choices. And we see it, don't we? In our culture, we see our world, Australia, the breakdown of the family structure.

[4:49] We see sexual confusion, rejection of biological reality, moral relativism that cause evil good and good evil. We see the mental health crisis.

[5:00] Even in a world where there's so much abundance materially, there's much mental health crisis. God has shown himself. God has shown himself. We see the beauty, the order, the wonder, the complexity of the universe.

[5:15] It shouts out. Creation, creation. The invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen. Creation itself, sunsets, mountains, the intricate design of DNA, the vastness of the cosmos.

[5:31] It all shouts out God's eternal power and his nature. And we know more today about the wonder, the complexity, the precision of creation all around us than any generation that is before us.

[5:46] Think of it. Now, the power of microscopes, of telescopes, the discoveries of modern science is far exceeding now what it used to be in time past.

[5:57] And it bears witness. The intricate design of creation bears witness. Every human being possesses an innate knowledge of God in the sense that we have an internal revelation.

[6:09] God has placed eternity in the hearts of men. Ecclesiastes 3.11, that innate sense of the divine, the internal, then the external, the created universe itself.

[6:20] It tells us of God's existence, the creator God of his power. And so through creation itself, we see God's eternal power. It's clearly seen. It tells us here, clearly seen.

[6:33] Humanity is without excuse. There is no excuse for unbelief. No man will stand before God and rightly claim ignorance. These things are clearly seen.

[6:46] We see, really, creation and conscience leave the unbeliever accountable. There's not a lack of information, but a rejection of revelation.

[6:57] As David wrote, he tells us, the heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament showeth his handiwork. Take a look at the skies, whether day or night, and it shouts out the creation of God, doesn't it?

[7:11] And when you see a beautiful painting, it requires a painter. How much more the heavens declare the glory of our great creator God. From the vastness of the cosmos to the intricacy of a single human cell, the universe declares the glory, the glory of its maker.

[7:29] From the majestic mountains to the gentle ebb and flow of tides, the fingerprints of the creator are everywhere we look. The very air that we breathe, the beauty we behold, the order of the universe.

[7:43] It declares the glory of our God, doesn't it? When we see a masterpiece, we acknowledge the artist. Signed by, look at the skies, it's signed by God, isn't it?

[7:56] His imprint is there. How much more should we acknowledge the creator of all things, when we might acknowledge a human artist? Today, some would say that science disproves God.

[8:11] Yet, it's the contrary. The order and the beauty of the universe tells us design. Purposeful, intelligent design is clearly seen.

[8:22] The created order, it screams God exists and our conscience too bears witness to the moral law. As it reads in Romans 2.15, it tells how the law is written in their hearts.

[8:36] God has written his law. That sense of that which is right and that which is wrong. That sense of truth. He's written it in their hearts, it tells us.

[8:48] Their conscience also, bearing witness. The creation bears witness and our very conscience bears witness. Their thoughts, the meanwhile accusing or else excusing one another.

[8:59] Deep within, we've got a sense of right, of wrong, of conscience. A moral law points to a law giver. And when we realise that undeniable truth of the creator, we can see that salvation by faith is the answer.

[9:16] Yet, our world suppresses the truth. Despite all the evidence attributing design to chance, denying the creator altogether. And mankind's rejection of God is not a lack of evidence, but a deliberate rejection.

[9:32] A rebellion of the heart. At the heart, it's pride, isn't it? And this rebellion, then it follows into a logical progression that leads to idolatry, moral decay and divine judgment.

[9:47] We'll unpack that. So there's this suppression of truth, actively refusing it, acknowledging it, even though it's plain. The evidence of God's creation is clearly seen.

[10:03] Romans 1.21, it tells us that, Because that when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful, but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was dark.

[10:14] And we see the pride of man, being unthankful for the very breath they breathe. It's God's gift to them. They deny the giver of all the good gifts they have.

[10:25] And this suppression is evident in modern world dismissal of divine design, and where some would attribute creation's complexity to chance.

[10:38] What madness that is. Celebrating human reason over divine revelation. There's a pridefulness there. They glorified him not, neither were they thankful.

[10:49] There's no gratefulness for what they have. In the secular age, there's this systematic removal of God from every area of life, from education, from cultural life.

[11:03] They are trying to erase any thought of God, so that the next generation grows even further away. And the vain in their imaginations, their foolish heart is dark.

[11:16] And think of the darkness of a human heart that denies God. It leads really to this pridefulness that descends into folly. It tells of them, professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.

[11:30] They elevate this human intellect while they reject the Creator and embrace vain ideologies. People professing to be wise, saying that they're wise and professors and PhDs, and yet their foolishness is plain to see.

[11:47] As we see the moral choices they make of the spiritual blindness and then the moral chaos of the world. The intellectual pride has darkened their heart.

[11:58] And it leads to this world view, a purposeful, intelligent design. They mock that, deny that, and defy God. Professing wisdom, mankind becomes foolish.

[12:10] Fools, stupid. You could translate it. That they're so vain in their imaginations and their darkened hearts. And what does it lead to?

[12:22] We see the world we're living in is more and more gross in its immorality that they celebrate as freedom. Whereas really, it's a bondage, isn't it? And Paul then traces, not only do they have this pride, this foolishness, but it then leads to idolatry.

[12:38] Rejecting God does not eliminate worship. It redirects it. So we see the world that we're living in, it tells of them they've changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man.

[12:52] And to birds and four-footed beasts and creeping things. At the heart of it, it's a foolishness. When humanity denies its creator, it fills the void with something else.

[13:03] Idolatry. Now, not necessarily the ancient idols of stone or wood, but the modern idols. It could be such as a worship of self, of pleasure, of power, materialism, even intellectualism.

[13:18] Science itself. Science so-called. When it becomes the ultimate authority, rather than really a tool for understanding God's creation. They've defied God.

[13:29] They've turned from his glory. They've turned to other things. Exchanging the glory of God for worship of other things. Whether it be self-created things or ideologies.

[13:41] And Paul describes the futility of that. The futility of man worshipping created things. It's a downward spiral.

[13:52] Ancient men worshipped statues. Modern men worshipped money, fame, self, idolatry. It takes many forms. It's a sports stadium and worship the men kicking a ball around.

[14:06] But they will not worship the creator God. And what vanity it truly is. Today's idols may not be golden cars, but they're just as empty. Materialism, celebrity culture, self-worship.

[14:20] At the heart, it's foolishness. And then what does it lead to from there? We see the consequences of rebellion. We see a society that rejects God.

[14:31] It descends into this moral chaos. It's not a freedom, but chaos. As moral boundaries collapse, there's no right or wrong anymore. Everything's grey.

[14:42] And then sin is not only practiced, but it's applauded. We see the downward spiral as it reads in Romans 1.32. Of these defying God, who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death.

[14:57] Not only do they do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. So the ultimate rebellion, it's not just doing evil, but celebrating it. What does the world celebrate?

[15:09] More and more those things that are gross in the eyes of God. The world calls evil freedom, but true freedom is only found in Christ, isn't it?

[15:22] The truth that is Christ, the Saviour. And God's response to rebellion like this is not to force compliance, but to withdraw restraint. Allowing humanity to reap the consequences of its own choices.

[15:37] You know, some would say, well, why doesn't God do this, do that? Look, we're wearing it because of our sin. Mankind is wearing the judgment of God. And God's taken his hands off to let them go their evil way.

[15:53] It tells Romans 1.24, You know, the world makes much of pollution, but think of the moral pollution.

[16:07] The moral pollution, the moral uncleanness of the lusts of their own hearts. Three times Paul says God gave them up. God gave them up. God gave them up unto vile affections.

[16:20] Verse 26. God gave them over to a reprobate mind. Verse 28. It's not that God is causing sin, but he's withdrawing his restraint.

[16:31] He's saying that's what you want. Go for it. Do what you will. He's allowing humanity. Yeah. Reap what you sow. Reap what you sow. He's given them up in the sense that he's letting them find the ultimate cause.

[16:46] The ultimate consequences of their own rebellion. And then we see from verse 25. It tells of these who changed the truth of God into a lie and worshiped and served the creature more than the creator who is blessed forever.

[17:01] Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections. For even the women did change the natural use into that which is against nature.

[17:15] It's against nature. It's not natural. And then we see further. And likewise also the men leaving the natural use of the woman burned in their lust one toward another.

[17:27] Men with men working that which is unseemly and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was made. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge God gave them over to a reprobate mind to do those things which are not convenient.

[17:44] So those things which were really not fitting. Not appropriate. We see this terrifying progression. God gave them up. God gave them over. God gave them up unto vile affections.

[17:55] Friends, this is the terrifying progression of the rebellious planet. Of this fallen sinful world. Of man's actively chasing after sin.

[18:07] It's not God causing sin. But in his justice he's allowing humanity to experience the full consequences of their chosen rebellion.

[18:18] People persist in rejecting God's truth. He withdraws his restraining hand and allows them to descend further into the depravity of their own making. It tells us there of the uncleanness through the lusts of their own heart.

[18:33] Think of the uncleanness. We don't want to go there. But it's physically unclean. But it's spiritually unclean. It's morally unclean. It's a defiling. And we see it results in the dishonoring of bodies.

[18:46] When God is denied. When a society is turning its back on God. There's moral boundaries collapse. And society celebrates what God condemns.

[18:58] And the divine abandonment here we see. It leads to verse 28. A reprobate mind. Such that there's this immorality. Broken relationships. The decay.

[19:09] The decay. And there's a celebration of sin. Sin is not just practiced. But it is applauded. Romans 1. Brothers and sisters. That's Australia today.

[19:20] That is our culture. Suppressing truth. Redefining morality. Denying the creator. Defying him. And we see our own cultures.

[19:31] Normalization of sin. It's everywhere. It's like I hear regular reports of modern media. Of modern movies. Even children's movies. Or children's programs.

[19:43] Where there's this conditioning. This applauding. This normalization. Of what God says is an abomination. It is sin. There's a normalization. Celebrating what God condemns.

[19:55] The glorification of lust. The erosion of family and authority. Godlessness. Societal breakdown. It's all tied together. And so no wonder the world is in this state.

[20:06] It's brought its own curse upon itself. Worldly rebellion. And it leads to emptiness. Brokenness. And a celebration. Of what destroys.

[20:18] Brothers and sisters. This is humanity. Prioritizing created things. Over the creator. We see. You could think created things. Materialism. Is that sense.

[20:29] That just consumes people. And it tells how God then gives them over. To the desires of their heart. Leading to uncleanness. Dishonour. Vile affections.

[20:40] We won't unpack what that could include. But we could think. This is Australia. God withdraws restraint. He allows sinners to reap what they sow.

[20:52] And when people reject God. He allows them to. Experience the fruit. Of their rebellion. Uncleanness. So immorality. Vile affections. This perversion.

[21:03] Of natural relationships. And then. A reprobate mind. A perversion of natural relationships. A mind incapable. Of discerning right from wrong.

[21:14] A reprobate mind. Australia. Is fallen. We see. It. Illustrated. In these verses. For example. It sounds like.

[21:25] Australia. It tells. Of this. God defying. People. Being filled. With all unrighteousness. Fornication. Wickedness. Covetousness.

[21:36] Maliciousness. Full of envy. Debate. Deceit. Malignity. Whisperers. Backpites. Haters of God. Despiteful. Proud. Boasters.

[21:47] Inventors of evil things. Disobedient. To parents. We could unpack. All of those things. And think. That sounds like. Our culture. Without understanding. Covenant breakers. Without natural affection.

[21:59] Implacable. Unmerciful. Who knowing the judgment of God. That they which commit such things. Are worthy of death. Not only do the same. But have pleasure in them.

[22:11] That do them. What do modern videos. And movies tend to. Focus upon. All of those things. All of that. Depravity.

[22:22] It's a society. Brothers and sisters. That has abandoned God. A Hollywood. Kind of mentality. A society. That's turned over. To depravity.

[22:33] And when humanity. Refuses to. Retain God. In their knowledge. God gives them over. It says to. This reprobate mind. A debased. Warped mind.

[22:45] That no longer. Distinguishes. Right from wrong. If there's no God. Then. Who cares. Let's just do what we want to do. If it feels good. Do it. And that's the society.

[22:56] That ends up. Filled with every conceivable. Sin. But. They're kidding themselves. Because judgment day. Looms. It sounds like our world.

[23:07] Doesn't it? Things. Unrighteousness. Pervades our legal. And political systems. We see corruption. Covetousness. That drives our consumer culture. This envy.

[23:18] Fue social media. And identity politics. This. Kind of clashing. And polarizing. This debate. That's. Replaced genuine dialogue. Deceit.

[23:29] That characterizes our media. Advertising. Disobedience to parents. Train them young. Train them young. Take them away from the parents. When they're just a few months old.

[23:42] They have the least to do with the parents as possible. No wonder there's a breakdown. Of family. Of authority structures. And without natural affection. Describes the coldness and selfishness of modern relationships.

[23:55] There might have lots of friends on Facebook. But have they got connections? Have they got real connections? Modern relationships can be such an empty thing. We see the widespread acceptance of fornication.

[24:08] The rise of violence. Deceit. Dishonesty. In government. In every aspect. Isn't there? This disrespect for authority. Really a lawlessness.

[24:20] And you see it unfolding. Especially in Europe. These days. This lawlessness. This violence on the streets. You go to some other countries. You go to some other countries. And we're a bit removed from it here.

[24:32] But it's getting worse and worse. And we're going to catch up. No doubt. Too. You see this disregard for human life and dignity. I've been hearing stories about what happens to babies that are born alive after abortion.

[24:48] Just this disregard for the very human life. And we see the celebration of pride. Pride. Of all things. That we would celebrate pride as something that's good.

[25:02] As self-worship. But it's a symptom of a society that defies its creator. They don't want to retain God in their knowledge. And the ultimate corruption happens when a society not only tolerates evil.

[25:16] But celebrates it. And woe betide you if you don't join the celebration. That you might be one who says, Oh, you see, I don't want to celebrate that. You see it down the shops, don't you?

[25:27] People wearing rainbow tags on their names. And think, well, I don't want to be that. I don't want to celebrate that. But I suppose there's pressure on such places. We see the celebration of behaviours.

[25:41] This attitude. This rebellion. It's clearly against God. And God condemns it. What was once shameful is now paraded with pride.

[25:53] What was once recognised as destructive is now promoted as liberating. And our children, our young people are being told, This is the way now.

[26:04] This is the way forward now. And this is the ultimate rebellion. Celebrating what God calls abomination. Not only do they do the same, but they've got pleasure in them that do them.

[26:16] And they want it plastered all over the media, all over the screens, so that we're bombarded with it. Day after day after day after day. And we're not always conscious of what that brings.

[26:28] When you're bombarded with something enough, then you start to accept it. To tolerate it. And in all of these things, Paul gives the remedy of faith.

[26:41] He tells how of this world that they've changed the truth of God into a lie. They've worshipped and served the creature more than the creator who is blessed forever.

[26:53] Amen. He tells us here that mankind has chosen a lie, a deception instead of the truth. But he tells us really in the context that really the answer for humankind is worship.

[27:08] We ought to worship the creator, not the creature, not the creation, not the material world. But we should worship the God who's made it, the creator who is blessed forever.

[27:21] He should be the one that we direct our worship to. And the remedy for rebellion is worship. The answer to denial is acknowledgement.

[27:32] The cure for idolatry is to adore the living and true God. We were made to worship. And so the enemy wants to substitute other things for the worship of the creator.

[27:46] Either we're going to bow before the creator or we're going to fashion idols of our own making in our own image. There's no neutral ground. There's no neutral ground. Who are you going to worship?

[27:57] You are without excuse. Every man, every woman is without excuse. And faith is the only answer to believe the truth, the truth of God.

[28:11] It's the logical response. Creation shouts out his creation that he has made it, he's fashioned it.

[28:22] And our conscience, deep down within, says, yeah, I'm answerable. Faith is the logical response to the evidence. From the intricate DNA code to the vastness of the cosmos, purposeful design.

[28:39] Unbelievers cannot claim ignorance. They are accountable. And the universe's order and beauty, it tells us powerfully of his purposeful, intelligent design.

[28:52] The moral law points to a lawgiver. There's this sense of right and wrong. Atheists have that. They will try to argue, well, how could God do this? That's not fair.

[29:03] They've got a sense of right and wrong, even though it's warped. And to deny these truths is to suppress what is plain. Choosing darkness over light. Choosing a lie instead of the truth of God.

[29:15] Choosing deception and blindness and darkness to the light, to the life, to the truth of God. And to suppress what is plain. Choosing darkness over light.

[29:26] What a tragic thing. So faith is the answer. To acknowledge the one who's designed everything. To find true freedom in knowing him. In relationship.

[29:37] To give him thanks. To be thankful. And worship him. Let's not exchange the truth for a lie. But honour God with our life. And so back to where we started.

[29:48] The gospel offers hope. It's the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth. You see, it is the power of God. We see that we're faced with this inescapable choice.

[30:02] Do we believe the truth? Or do we suppress the truth? Do we trust the creator? Or we refuse and deny him.

[30:14] Even though the evidence is plain. And then we end up in chaos and destruction. Really, brothers and sisters, we know the evidence for God is overwhelming. And the consequences of rebellion are clear.

[30:28] The gospel is our hope. And faith is the logical response. As we've talked about the purposeful design. We see the conscience.

[30:41] It's in us. This need to worship. The question is, what will we worship? Humanity is without excuse. Not for lack of evidence, but for suppressing it.

[30:53] We see the rebellion. Rejecting God does not eliminate worship. It redirects it. This world is worshiping things. They've exchanged the truth of God for a lie.

[31:05] They've exchanged the immortal God, the creator, for idols of their own making. Where the modern obsessions of self and materialism, technology, rebellion, this intellectual pride, professing themselves to be wise.

[31:20] Actually, they're stupid. You could put it bluntly. They're professing themselves to be wise, but they've become fools. And the result is this darkened heart, vain imaginations, a society that celebrates sin as freedom.

[31:35] Friends, the normalization of this wickedness is eroding everything around us. There's family, authority, the society, and divine judgment is the result.

[31:50] God is giving them up. He's taking off the restraint. So we see the escalation of it and the consequences.

[32:02] Man will reap what he sows. How sad when you see someone with a reprobate mind, marked with uncleanness, with vile affections, with kind of this hopelessness.

[32:18] We need the Savior. Paul says the gospel, the good news of Christ. That faith in Christ, that finds forgiveness for the soul.

[32:31] It finds purpose for life that just shall live by faith. This is how to live, truly live. And brothers, sisters, friends here tonight, faith is rational. It's the rational thing.

[32:43] When you're confronted with the evidence that demands a verdict, you see the creation. It tells you of a creator. And you see that inside the conscience, the knowledge, yeah, there's something not right inside of me.

[32:59] I need a Savior. And it's the undeniable truth of God's revelation. In this world where they're redefining truth and morality, we need to hold fast to the word of God, his authority, the gospel.

[33:13] So we, as those who believe the gospel, who believe it's the power of God unto salvation, we want to share it, proclaim it to this world that's in darkness. Proclaim it with boldness and love that the lost can be found, that the hopeless can know hope.

[33:32] The gospel can bring light and rescue them from darkness. So, friends, in conclusion, can we be urged tonight, whether we're outside of Christ, to trust the gospel, that Christ died for sinners, that he rose again, and that he lives in the heart by faith that trusts in him.

[33:55] Friends, you can know the Savior. And we can, as believers in the gospel, don't be ashamed of it. Don't be ashamed. Tell it. Tell it while you can.

[34:06] Speak it to others. Purposeful, intelligent design. In terms of creation's design, of conscience's testimony, we see society's decay.

[34:18] It all points to the truth of Romans 1. It's happening now in our country. To the unbeliever, you've seen the stars. You've felt the wind.

[34:29] You've heard your conscience. You are without excuse, without excuse, without excuse, but not beyond mercy. Repent and believe in Christ.

[34:43] Trust in him. The one who can take our sin and pay for it. Who can make our sin as white as snow.

[34:55] The filthiness of it. He can cleanse us fully, wholly. And to the believer proclaiming the gospel truth. That's your mission. That's your commission. That's your privilege.

[35:07] To tell the gospel hope, the gospel truth. To proclaim it with compassion and conviction. And reach the lost at any cost. And choose faith.

[35:19] That rational, transformative response to the Creator. Who is blessed forever. Let us pray. Lord, we thank you that the gospel is the power of God.

[35:31] Lord, we know we need your power. Because no other power can save our soul. Lord, that truth that Christ came and died for our sin. Lord, we trust that truth that is our saving.

[35:45] That you took our pain, our sin, our guilt. Lord, you took the very penalty of it and paid it in full. Lord, we thank you that we can have that assurance.

[35:56] Lord, help us each one to see the evidence. And it does demand a verdict that there is surely the blessed Creator God.

[36:08] That truth that is really irrefutable truth. There is no alternative. There is no excuse for unbelief.

[36:20] Lord, we pray each one might have that trust tonight to make it sure to do business with God. To know your saving power. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

[36:31] Amen.