WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.800 I invite you to take your copy of God's Word and join me in Romans chapter 2. 00:00:07.700 --> 00:00:08.099 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:32.579 That's why there are Port-A-Johns outside. 00:00:34.960 --> 00:00:41.960 The worst case scenario is that it's backing up into the building, which has happened on some occasions, and most of you have not known about that. 00:00:42.780 --> 00:00:47.939 I'm pleased to tell you that that's not happening, but the system is starting to back up. 00:00:47.939 --> 00:00:54.780 So, at my instruction, Atom Dome has shut off the water to the building, so no more can go down the drain. 00:00:54.780 --> 00:01:00.579 So, if you need to use the restroom from here on out, please use the Port-A-Johns outside. 00:01:01.079 --> 00:01:12.359 And I anticipate that I'm going to keep my comments brief, and that you may exit quickly when we're all done together, and we completely understand that. 00:01:13.020 --> 00:01:20.700 So, that said, our text for today is Romans chapter 2, verses 1 through 16. 00:01:20.700 --> 00:01:33.920 Last week, we considered the end of chapter 1, where Paul condemns those who have suppressed the truth, rejected God, and descended into moral insanity. 00:01:34.859 --> 00:01:44.240 In chapter 2, Paul turns his attention to those who are more upright, moral, and religious, at least in their own estimation. 00:01:44.239 --> 00:02:00.780 It would be easy, as some commentators do, to oversimplify this part of Paul's writing, to suggest that he is addressing just Gentiles at the end of chapter 1, and just Jews at the beginning of chapter 2. 00:02:00.919 --> 00:02:13.340 And while this may be largely true of Paul's original audience, and some of his intent, this is an inspired text, and it has direct bearing on us today. 00:02:13.340 --> 00:02:24.120 And so, we want to be careful, and we do well to not miss the value of this part of Romans for you and I, as we consider it in the coming weeks. 00:02:25.199 --> 00:02:28.240 Romans chapter 2, verses 1 through 16. 00:02:28.340 --> 00:02:34.620 Before I read it, beloved, let me remind you that this is God's word to us, written for his glory and our good. 00:02:35.360 --> 00:02:40.659 And so, we would all do well to listen to it in order to believe its promises and to obey its commands. 00:02:40.659 --> 00:02:48.159 Therefore, you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. 00:02:49.079 --> 00:02:55.680 For in passing judgment on another, you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. 00:02:56.520 --> 00:03:01.019 We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. 00:03:02.039 --> 00:03:09.359 Do you suppose, O man, you who judge those who practice such things, and yet do them yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God? 00:03:09.360 --> 00:03:18.540 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? 00:03:18.539 --> 00:03:28.199 But because of your hard and impenitent heart, you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed. 00:03:29.000 --> 00:03:32.359 He will render to each one according to his works. 00:03:33.079 --> 00:03:38.560 To those who by patience and well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 00:03:38.560 --> 00:03:45.840 But for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. 00:03:46.439 --> 00:03:52.539 There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek. 00:03:53.060 --> 00:03:59.480 But glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. 00:04:00.159 --> 00:04:02.800 For God shows no partiality. 00:04:02.800 --> 00:04:09.560 For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. 00:04:10.260 --> 00:04:15.439 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. 00:04:16.439 --> 00:04:25.139 For when Gentiles who do not have the law by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. 00:04:25.139 --> 00:04:35.219 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, where their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them. 00:04:35.680 --> 00:04:42.019 On that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus. 00:04:43.379 --> 00:04:48.639 Now, we will not have time to consider the totality of this text today. 00:04:48.639 --> 00:04:56.659 So, Lord willing, we will cover some of its content today and the rest next Lord's Day in the following outline. 00:04:57.519 --> 00:05:02.800 Number one, we'll see in the text the justice of God's judgment. 00:05:03.800 --> 00:05:07.459 Number two, the basis of God's judgment. 00:05:08.339 --> 00:05:13.500 And number three, the impartiality of God's judgment. 00:05:13.500 --> 00:05:24.579 Now, I think this morning we are only going to have time for the first of these three points, especially with the current water situation that's happening. 00:05:25.240 --> 00:05:27.699 But let's look at it carefully together. 00:05:27.879 --> 00:05:31.240 First, the justice of God's judgment. 00:05:31.379 --> 00:05:34.680 And we'll see this in verses one through five. 00:05:35.180 --> 00:05:40.759 I want to particularly and firstly draw your attention to verse two. 00:05:40.759 --> 00:05:50.480 Paul here says we know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. 00:05:51.240 --> 00:05:55.339 What are the such things that Paul here is referring to? 00:05:56.079 --> 00:05:59.779 To answer that, we must look up at the previous chapter. 00:06:00.620 --> 00:06:03.920 Chapter one, beginning in verse 24, we read, 00:06:04.300 --> 00:06:10.360 Therefore, God gave them up in the lust of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves. 00:06:10.759 --> 00:06:18.759 Because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the creator, who is blessed forever. 00:06:19.379 --> 00:06:19.740 Amen. 00:06:20.680 --> 00:06:23.300 For this reason, God gave them up to dishonorable passions. 00:06:23.439 --> 00:06:27.000 For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature. 00:06:27.539 --> 00:06:32.519 And the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another. 00:06:33.079 --> 00:06:38.000 Men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. 00:06:38.000 --> 00:06:44.660 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. 00:06:45.459 --> 00:06:50.379 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. 00:06:51.040 --> 00:06:54.920 They're full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. 00:06:54.920 --> 00:07:09.120 They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 00:07:10.080 --> 00:07:19.300 Though they know God's righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them, but give approval to those who practice them. 00:07:19.300 --> 00:07:27.319 Paul's list here is not an exhaustive list, but it gives us examples of what he means. 00:07:27.319 --> 00:07:30.259 Back in chapter 1 and verse 18, 00:07:30.259 --> 00:07:40.360 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 00:07:40.360 --> 00:07:59.139 So the such things of verse 2 of chapter 2 is godlessness and unrighteousness of all kinds and the approval of godlessness and unrighteousness of all kinds. 00:07:59.379 --> 00:08:02.780 This is big and broad and summary. 00:08:02.779 --> 00:08:11.359 Recall that the godlessness Paul refers to is an attitude toward God, a rejection of him as the good king. 00:08:11.899 --> 00:08:17.539 And the unrighteousness is the active expression of that attitude, right? 00:08:17.579 --> 00:08:22.719 Making ourselves king and ruler of our own lives. 00:08:22.720 --> 00:08:31.760 And Paul says that we know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. 00:08:32.560 --> 00:08:42.000 The Greek verb here translated, we know, carries the idea of awareness of a fact that is commonly known. 00:08:42.320 --> 00:08:46.519 He's saying it's obvious that this would be the case. 00:08:46.519 --> 00:08:52.079 To put this in a more modern vernacular, it's a duh. 00:08:53.279 --> 00:08:55.860 Maybe modern for me, perhaps. 00:08:56.199 --> 00:08:57.059 I'm dating myself. 00:08:58.220 --> 00:09:01.679 He's saying that it's innately understood, right? 00:09:01.779 --> 00:09:06.960 Paul's contending that the wicked activity of man deserves judgment. 00:09:06.960 --> 00:09:10.299 And we know this to be the case. 00:09:10.299 --> 00:09:17.059 We are wired at some level to want to see justice served. 00:09:18.059 --> 00:09:23.339 You can observe this playing out all around us in various ways. 00:09:24.219 --> 00:09:29.719 Now, sadly, much of the justice cried for is not true justice because it is not biblical justice. 00:09:29.719 --> 00:09:33.500 But the point that Paul is making stands, right? 00:09:33.599 --> 00:09:37.439 People want justice to be served. 00:09:37.440 --> 00:09:44.260 We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. 00:09:45.220 --> 00:09:50.980 And Paul begins that point a verse up in verse 1 of chapter 3 where he says, 00:09:51.400 --> 00:09:56.000 Therefore, you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. 00:09:56.820 --> 00:09:59.860 For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself. 00:10:00.100 --> 00:10:04.520 Because you, the judge, practice the very same things. 00:10:04.519 --> 00:10:10.259 He starts chapter 2 speaking to those who are self-righteous. 00:10:10.600 --> 00:10:17.579 Those who are more upright, moral, and religious in their own estimation. 00:10:18.519 --> 00:10:30.059 You see, those who are of God and have his law and employ it in the judgment of other people are confirming the value of God's law. 00:10:30.059 --> 00:10:34.819 This is probably the place we find ourselves most tempted. 00:10:35.159 --> 00:10:40.619 Not all, but many of us having grown up in Christian homes and in the church. 00:10:41.259 --> 00:10:45.719 They show that God's law is a true measure of righteousness. 00:10:46.219 --> 00:10:53.479 And as failures to keep that law, they show that they have not measured up. 00:10:53.480 --> 00:10:55.940 None of us have. 00:10:56.539 --> 00:10:58.120 Regardless of our upbringing. 00:10:59.360 --> 00:11:02.360 Regardless of our own estimation of our goodness. 00:11:02.360 --> 00:11:05.940 Our goodness perhaps compared to the badness of others. 00:11:06.480 --> 00:11:09.440 None of us have kept God's law. 00:11:10.139 --> 00:11:14.399 And by judging other people by it, we show that it's valuable to judge. 00:11:14.899 --> 00:11:17.200 And that we have failed. 00:11:18.180 --> 00:11:22.220 Paul tells us that this leaves us without excuse. 00:11:22.220 --> 00:11:26.560 Now we've been reciting on the Lord's Day together. 00:11:27.300 --> 00:11:28.340 The Heidelberg Catechism. 00:11:28.779 --> 00:11:33.259 And last week, questions 4 and 5 teach us this. 00:11:33.960 --> 00:11:37.139 Question 4 says, what does God's law require of us? 00:11:37.759 --> 00:11:43.420 And the answer is, Christ teaches us this in a summary in Matthew chapter 22. 00:11:44.420 --> 00:11:46.320 Love the Lord your God with all your heart. 00:11:46.519 --> 00:11:47.519 And with all your soul. 00:11:47.740 --> 00:11:48.779 And with all your mind. 00:11:49.480 --> 00:11:51.759 This is the first and greatest commandment. 00:11:51.759 --> 00:11:53.439 And the second is like it. 00:11:53.519 --> 00:11:55.179 Love your neighbor as yourself. 00:11:55.600 --> 00:12:00.240 All the law and the prophets hang on these two commandments. 00:12:00.639 --> 00:12:05.299 We understand these to be summary commandments of the Ten Commandments. 00:12:05.340 --> 00:12:09.799 Which are summary commandments of all of the moral law of God. 00:12:10.759 --> 00:12:16.179 And then question 5 says, can you keep all this perfectly? 00:12:16.179 --> 00:12:18.439 And the answer is, no. 00:12:18.579 --> 00:12:22.659 I am inclined by nature to hate God and my neighbor. 00:12:23.859 --> 00:12:29.059 These questions and answers are derived from the scripture. 00:12:30.019 --> 00:12:33.000 And I want to show you just two places that this is the case. 00:12:33.120 --> 00:12:38.479 First in 1 John chapter 1 verse 8 and then verse 10. 00:12:38.480 --> 00:12:47.820 Where John writes, if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 00:12:48.320 --> 00:12:49.580 And then in verse 10. 00:12:49.960 --> 00:12:57.500 If we say we have not sinned, we make God a liar and his word is not in us. 00:12:57.500 --> 00:13:03.820 Paul is driving a point that all of us need the saving work of Christ on our behalf. 00:13:03.960 --> 00:13:06.600 This is why he's not ashamed of the gospel. 00:13:06.779 --> 00:13:09.480 It's the power of God for salvation. 00:13:09.480 --> 00:13:14.820 And as he presses on in the book of Romans to chapter 3 and verse 10. 00:13:15.060 --> 00:13:16.740 He's going to cite the Old Testament. 00:13:17.200 --> 00:13:19.139 Two different psalms he cites here. 00:13:19.259 --> 00:13:22.600 And he says, this is verse 10 and following of Romans 3. 00:13:23.300 --> 00:13:24.580 None is righteous. 00:13:25.180 --> 00:13:26.779 No, not one. 00:13:27.420 --> 00:13:28.659 No one understands. 00:13:29.259 --> 00:13:30.639 No one seeks for God. 00:13:30.820 --> 00:13:32.460 All have turned aside. 00:13:32.600 --> 00:13:34.860 Together they have become worthless. 00:13:34.860 --> 00:13:36.539 No one does good. 00:13:36.899 --> 00:13:39.240 Not even one. 00:13:40.139 --> 00:13:41.860 This is inescapable. 00:13:42.019 --> 00:13:43.580 Just from a couple of verses. 00:13:44.340 --> 00:13:49.940 Paul is going to do us the kindness of showing it to us across some chapters. 00:13:51.200 --> 00:13:56.519 No mere human has ever kept God's law perfectly. 00:13:56.940 --> 00:14:00.820 It has not happened in the history of the world. 00:14:01.820 --> 00:14:05.340 Perhaps we can behave at times. 00:14:05.879 --> 00:14:08.420 But apart from the regenerating work of Christ. 00:14:08.419 --> 00:14:11.959 The judgment of God awaits us. 00:14:12.199 --> 00:14:13.639 It is sure. 00:14:13.779 --> 00:14:16.259 It will happen. 00:14:17.519 --> 00:14:20.419 Paul is suggesting that we all know this to be true. 00:14:21.379 --> 00:14:26.419 Paul presses to this end with a rhetorical question in verse 3. 00:14:26.419 --> 00:14:37.179 Do you suppose, O man, you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God? 00:14:37.179 --> 00:14:41.219 We all hear the news of a murder. 00:14:41.559 --> 00:14:43.559 And we say, that's wrong. 00:14:44.019 --> 00:14:47.319 This is not good and it should not stand. 00:14:47.819 --> 00:14:51.199 And yet we have hatred in our heart. 00:14:51.200 --> 00:14:59.680 Jesus says in the Sermon on the Mount, if you hate somebody in your heart, it is as if you've committed murder against them. 00:15:00.420 --> 00:15:01.480 Adultery comes after that. 00:15:01.480 --> 00:15:08.800 We ourselves are all guilty of the very things that we would condemn others for. 00:15:09.379 --> 00:15:11.100 So we ask this rhetorical question. 00:15:11.259 --> 00:15:14.680 Do you think somehow you're going to wiggle around the judgment of God? 00:15:14.899 --> 00:15:20.340 You who are guilty of those very things that you would judge another for? 00:15:20.340 --> 00:15:23.899 This answer is, of course not. 00:15:24.500 --> 00:15:33.060 Of course you won't because, verse 2, we know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. 00:15:34.160 --> 00:15:41.899 Note carefully that we know it rightly falls on those who practice such things. 00:15:42.560 --> 00:15:46.400 Our God is a just God. 00:15:47.180 --> 00:15:49.139 It is one of his attributes. 00:15:49.139 --> 00:15:56.699 And praise be to him, he does and he will make all things right. 00:15:57.480 --> 00:16:02.019 He cannot set aside who he is at any time. 00:16:02.460 --> 00:16:05.480 This is known as the doctrine of the simplicity of God. 00:16:05.720 --> 00:16:09.179 And that is to say that he is always who he is at all times. 00:16:09.379 --> 00:16:14.639 He's not complicated like we are, always changing, fickle in who we are. 00:16:14.639 --> 00:16:19.960 God is who he is at all times and forever. 00:16:21.519 --> 00:16:22.759 And so God is just. 00:16:23.360 --> 00:16:26.960 And he will judge justly. 00:16:28.319 --> 00:16:35.740 Whether or not you cognitively recognize it, you want God's just judgment to exist. 00:16:35.740 --> 00:16:39.899 We don't want God to judge us justly. 00:16:40.120 --> 00:16:42.680 We would love to escape it, although we won't. 00:16:43.159 --> 00:16:47.060 But we do want the world to be rightly judged. 00:16:47.299 --> 00:16:50.840 You want justice to be served. 00:16:50.840 --> 00:17:07.640 I said to you back in chapter 1, it is proper that Kim Il-sung, Pol Pot, Saddam Hussein, Vladimir Lenin, Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, and Mao Zedong are punished for the heinous crimes that were carried out by their commands and at their hands. 00:17:07.640 --> 00:17:16.000 We want justice to be accomplished, and yet we want to escape that justice. 00:17:16.840 --> 00:17:24.380 It follows that it is proper that all the ungodliness and unrighteousness of man be justly judged. 00:17:24.680 --> 00:17:30.300 Because it is all a heinous rejection of God as our good king. 00:17:31.080 --> 00:17:34.320 It all deserves punishment. 00:17:34.319 --> 00:17:52.480 Now, if we rightly recognize that God is a just judge and that his judgment rightly falls on us, we who have his word and know his commands, then this presents to us the greatest of problems. 00:17:53.619 --> 00:17:55.220 We desire a just God. 00:17:55.339 --> 00:17:58.119 We know that his justice will, in fact, come. 00:17:58.200 --> 00:17:59.859 He will judge. 00:18:00.679 --> 00:18:02.899 And this creates for us a problem. 00:18:02.900 --> 00:18:09.820 And we find in our text two ways to respond to this impending judgment. 00:18:11.040 --> 00:18:15.380 First, the way that we ought not respond. 00:18:16.460 --> 00:18:19.840 Presumption that leads to death. 00:18:20.940 --> 00:18:22.560 He says in verse 4 and 5, 00:18:22.559 --> 00:18:51.599 This presumption, or some translations will say thinking lightly of God's kindness. 00:18:51.599 --> 00:18:54.259 God's kindness is a dangerous thing. 00:18:55.159 --> 00:19:08.839 God's kindness and forbearance and patience is expressed in his provision for you and in his withholding of his wrath for long periods of time. 00:19:08.839 --> 00:19:10.339 You have wickedly rejected God's grace. 00:19:10.339 --> 00:19:12.319 You have wickedly rejected God's good rule. 00:19:12.319 --> 00:19:22.740 And yet he makes the sun to shine on you and the rain to fall on you that you might be temporarily sustained in this life. 00:19:22.980 --> 00:19:25.879 We all experience this, the provision of God. 00:19:26.039 --> 00:19:29.819 We're not immediately destroyed upon sinning against him. 00:19:29.819 --> 00:19:32.619 We experience joys. 00:19:32.799 --> 00:19:34.419 We have relationships. 00:19:35.019 --> 00:19:41.099 There's a kindness granted to all of mankind that mankind does not deserve. 00:19:42.099 --> 00:19:50.960 He doesn't give you what you ultimately deserve now, but he is forbearing and he is patient. 00:19:50.960 --> 00:19:55.680 That you would turn from your sin and turn to him. 00:19:57.079 --> 00:20:04.400 Do not presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience. 00:20:04.960 --> 00:20:09.880 Because if you do, God's wrath awaits you. 00:20:09.880 --> 00:20:24.180 Verse 5 says, your unwillingness to turn from your sin, your impenitence, your hard-heartedness stores up God's wrath for you. 00:20:24.320 --> 00:20:27.920 And it's a wrath that's going to be revealed at judgment. 00:20:27.920 --> 00:20:39.740 Psalm 90, verse 7 and following says, for we are brought to an end by your anger, by your wrath, we are dismayed. 00:20:40.080 --> 00:20:46.019 You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence. 00:20:46.519 --> 00:20:49.680 For all our days pass away under your wrath. 00:20:49.779 --> 00:20:54.140 We bring our years to an end like a sigh. 00:20:54.140 --> 00:20:58.400 Our sins, God knows all of them. 00:20:58.680 --> 00:21:10.140 And if we are not found in Christ, if we are not repentant, all of that is purchasing for us a wrath that's being stored up to be revealed. 00:21:11.440 --> 00:21:17.840 Jesus says in John chapter 3 and verse 36, whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. 00:21:17.839 --> 00:21:25.199 Whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. 00:21:26.079 --> 00:21:28.639 And so you see this juxtaposition between the two, right? 00:21:28.799 --> 00:21:32.000 An eternal life or God's wrath. 00:21:32.139 --> 00:21:34.480 An eternal death. 00:21:35.500 --> 00:21:40.199 This presuming leads to death forever. 00:21:40.200 --> 00:21:47.180 In Revelation chapter 14, we can read of the one who will drink the wine of God's wrath. 00:21:47.900 --> 00:21:56.740 He will be tormented with fire and sulfur forever and ever and will have no rest day or night. 00:21:57.880 --> 00:22:04.400 And this is the just penalty for those who have rejected God's good rule. 00:22:05.180 --> 00:22:07.680 It's right and it's proper. 00:22:07.680 --> 00:22:11.200 And we will not escape it. 00:22:12.340 --> 00:22:18.640 Death forever awaits those who presume on the riches of God's kindness and forbearance and patience. 00:22:19.820 --> 00:22:29.920 And God's law teaches us that there is a standard to which we are to live up to and yet we can not. 00:22:30.100 --> 00:22:32.240 This is the purpose of the law. 00:22:32.539 --> 00:22:37.380 That it would point us to our own weakness and we would look elsewhere for the strength. 00:22:37.680 --> 00:22:42.440 To be set free from the death penalty of sin. 00:22:42.440 --> 00:22:45.380 So I have my copy of Pilgrim's Progress. 00:22:46.740 --> 00:22:49.580 I'm going to wear it out reading it to you on Saturday mornings. 00:22:50.360 --> 00:22:52.360 I think I've read this little bit to you before. 00:22:52.519 --> 00:22:55.059 So if you've heard it, forgive me. 00:22:55.120 --> 00:22:57.420 But maybe it will warm your heart once again. 00:22:57.420 --> 00:23:03.400 Christian in this allegory is going on a journey to the celestial city. 00:23:04.060 --> 00:23:05.720 And he meets a number of characters. 00:23:05.840 --> 00:23:09.000 And one of his companions along the way is a man named Faithful. 00:23:09.420 --> 00:23:12.800 If you know the story, you love Faithful. 00:23:12.940 --> 00:23:15.300 He's a good companion to Christian. 00:23:16.039 --> 00:23:19.300 And he tells some of his journey along the way. 00:23:19.420 --> 00:23:21.100 Christian has shared his part of the journey. 00:23:21.420 --> 00:23:23.759 They're catching up on what went on. 00:23:23.759 --> 00:23:25.539 And Faithful says this. 00:23:25.980 --> 00:23:26.859 He recounts, 00:23:26.980 --> 00:23:30.259 When I came to the foot of the hill called Difficulty, 00:23:30.579 --> 00:23:34.299 I met a very old man who asked me my name and destination. 00:23:35.140 --> 00:23:38.500 I told him that I was a pilgrim going to the celestial city. 00:23:39.140 --> 00:23:41.019 Then the old man said to me, 00:23:41.359 --> 00:23:43.299 You look like an honest fellow. 00:23:43.900 --> 00:23:46.740 Would you be willing to come and live with and work for me 00:23:46.740 --> 00:23:49.200 for the wages that I would be willing to give you? 00:23:50.319 --> 00:23:52.599 Then I asked him his name and where he lived. 00:23:52.599 --> 00:23:55.639 He said his name was Adam I. 00:23:56.279 --> 00:23:59.159 And that he lived in the town of Deceit. 00:24:00.119 --> 00:24:02.799 I then asked him what sort of work he had for me to do 00:24:02.799 --> 00:24:04.539 and what were the wages he would pay. 00:24:05.359 --> 00:24:07.980 He told me that his work included many delights. 00:24:08.500 --> 00:24:11.699 And for wages, he would make me the heir to his estate. 00:24:12.599 --> 00:24:14.819 I further asked him what sort of house he lived in 00:24:14.819 --> 00:24:16.259 and what other servants he had. 00:24:16.759 --> 00:24:18.480 So he told me that his house was maintained 00:24:18.480 --> 00:24:20.199 with all the dainties in the world 00:24:20.200 --> 00:24:23.180 and that his servants were all relatives of his. 00:24:24.000 --> 00:24:25.460 Then I asked him if he had any children. 00:24:26.259 --> 00:24:28.180 He said that he had but three daughters, 00:24:28.900 --> 00:24:32.700 lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. 00:24:33.440 --> 00:24:35.559 Then he told me that I could marry them all if I wished. 00:24:36.600 --> 00:24:39.460 Then I asked for how long a time he would have me live with him. 00:24:39.799 --> 00:24:43.640 And he told me that I would live with him as long as he lived. 00:24:43.640 --> 00:24:46.980 What was the outcome of this discussion? 00:24:47.420 --> 00:24:48.160 Christian asked. 00:24:49.280 --> 00:24:52.580 Why, at first I found myself somewhat inclined to go with the man, 00:24:53.020 --> 00:24:57.000 for I thought this offer sounded very good, Faithful said. 00:24:57.560 --> 00:25:00.560 But as I looked at his forehead and spoke with him, 00:25:00.800 --> 00:25:01.700 I saw written, 00:25:02.400 --> 00:25:05.580 Put off the old man with his deeds. 00:25:06.860 --> 00:25:07.900 And then what happened? 00:25:07.900 --> 00:25:12.440 Then it came rushing into my mind that despite his flattering words, 00:25:12.800 --> 00:25:16.460 he would sell me as a slave when we got to his home, Faithful said. 00:25:17.060 --> 00:25:19.560 So I asked him to stop talking, 00:25:19.880 --> 00:25:23.940 and I told him I would not come near the door to his house. 00:25:25.320 --> 00:25:28.540 Then he cursed me and told me that he would send someone after me 00:25:28.540 --> 00:25:30.759 who would make my soul bitter. 00:25:31.640 --> 00:25:33.040 So I turned to go away from him, 00:25:33.080 --> 00:25:33.980 but just as I turned to go, 00:25:34.040 --> 00:25:35.600 I felt him take hold of my flesh 00:25:35.599 --> 00:25:37.459 and give me such a deadly pinch 00:25:37.459 --> 00:25:40.339 that I thought he had pulled a part of me off for himself. 00:25:41.079 --> 00:25:42.339 This made me shriek, 00:25:42.419 --> 00:25:43.919 Oh, wretched man that I am. 00:25:44.779 --> 00:25:46.959 So I went on my way up the hill. 00:25:47.719 --> 00:25:48.119 Difficulty. 00:25:48.759 --> 00:25:50.639 So remember, he's sending somebody after him. 00:25:51.339 --> 00:25:52.919 Now when I climbed about halfway up, 00:25:52.959 --> 00:25:55.579 I looked behind and saw someone coming after me, 00:25:55.679 --> 00:25:56.719 swift as the wind. 00:25:57.379 --> 00:25:59.859 Soon he overtook me just about the place 00:25:59.859 --> 00:26:01.599 where the arbor stands. 00:26:02.599 --> 00:26:03.819 That is the place, said Christian, 00:26:03.919 --> 00:26:04.859 where I sat down to rest, 00:26:04.859 --> 00:26:06.259 fell asleep and lost my scroll. 00:26:06.740 --> 00:26:07.799 Part of the story earlier. 00:26:08.719 --> 00:26:11.359 Dear brother, hear me out, faithful urged. 00:26:12.099 --> 00:26:13.959 So as soon as the man overtook me, 00:26:14.000 --> 00:26:15.000 without saying a word, 00:26:15.059 --> 00:26:17.379 he struck me and knocked me down unconscious. 00:26:18.479 --> 00:26:19.159 When I came to, 00:26:19.219 --> 00:26:21.879 I asked him why he had done thus assaulted me. 00:26:22.799 --> 00:26:25.179 He said it was because of my secret inclination 00:26:25.179 --> 00:26:27.119 to follow Adam I. 00:26:27.899 --> 00:26:28.599 And with that, 00:26:28.659 --> 00:26:30.679 he struck me another deadly blow on the chest 00:26:30.679 --> 00:26:31.839 and beat me down backward, 00:26:31.839 --> 00:26:34.599 and I lay at his feet as if I were dead. 00:26:35.519 --> 00:26:36.619 So when I came to, 00:26:36.759 --> 00:26:38.519 I cried to him for mercy. 00:26:38.939 --> 00:26:39.959 But he said, 00:26:40.159 --> 00:26:41.939 I do not know how to show mercy. 00:26:42.439 --> 00:26:43.039 And with that, 00:26:43.439 --> 00:26:44.579 he knocked me down again. 00:26:45.240 --> 00:26:47.220 He would have beaten me to death, 00:26:47.779 --> 00:26:49.659 except one came by 00:26:49.659 --> 00:26:52.119 and told him to stop. 00:26:52.119 --> 00:26:54.919 Who was it that told him to stop? 00:26:56.299 --> 00:26:57.179 Faithful went on. 00:26:57.399 --> 00:27:00.079 I did not recognize him at first, 00:27:00.079 --> 00:27:01.739 but as he went by, 00:27:01.839 --> 00:27:03.679 I saw the wounds in his hands 00:27:03.679 --> 00:27:04.939 and in his side. 00:27:05.519 --> 00:27:08.239 Then I concluded that he was our Lord. 00:27:09.019 --> 00:27:12.059 So I continued up the hill. 00:27:13.219 --> 00:27:14.319 Christian then explained, 00:27:14.319 --> 00:27:16.359 The man who overtook you was Moses. 00:27:17.000 --> 00:27:18.099 He spares no one, 00:27:18.319 --> 00:27:20.059 and he does not know how to show mercy 00:27:20.059 --> 00:27:23.779 to anyone who transgresses his law. 00:27:25.919 --> 00:27:29.000 So God's law is meant to show us 00:27:29.000 --> 00:27:30.939 our weakness and our need 00:27:30.939 --> 00:27:33.240 of another righteousness. 00:27:34.039 --> 00:27:38.559 We know that God's justice 00:27:38.559 --> 00:27:41.379 rightly falls on sinners. 00:27:41.380 --> 00:27:45.540 And so our only hope is in the one 00:27:45.540 --> 00:27:47.900 who comes and bids Moses 00:27:47.900 --> 00:27:52.600 to stop the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:27:53.600 --> 00:27:55.220 And so you see another way of responding 00:27:55.220 --> 00:27:56.080 in this text. 00:27:56.180 --> 00:27:58.120 We see this wrong way to respond, 00:27:58.300 --> 00:28:00.900 this presumption that leads to death. 00:28:01.120 --> 00:28:04.500 But you also see the response of repentance 00:28:04.500 --> 00:28:07.580 that leads to life. 00:28:08.220 --> 00:28:10.720 Notice the end of verse four, right? 00:28:10.720 --> 00:28:13.180 There is this kindness and forbearance 00:28:13.180 --> 00:28:15.759 and patience that Paul says 00:28:15.759 --> 00:28:19.200 is meant to lead you to repentance. 00:28:20.319 --> 00:28:22.839 God's kindness is meant to lead you 00:28:22.839 --> 00:28:24.539 to repentance, right? 00:28:25.039 --> 00:28:28.120 The mercy and grace that you experience this day, 00:28:28.380 --> 00:28:30.600 the fact that you are presently alive 00:28:30.600 --> 00:28:33.680 is meant to lead you to repentance. 00:28:34.740 --> 00:28:36.559 Forbearance and patience. 00:28:36.720 --> 00:28:37.680 You deserve wrath. 00:28:37.740 --> 00:28:39.259 You deserve wrath now. 00:28:39.259 --> 00:28:42.519 But God's kindness is meant to lead you 00:28:42.519 --> 00:28:43.879 to repentance. 00:28:45.579 --> 00:28:49.259 Paul and I are pleading with you 00:28:49.259 --> 00:28:50.559 at the end of verse four. 00:28:51.480 --> 00:28:54.220 If you have not already, repent. 00:28:55.819 --> 00:28:57.720 Repentance, most simply understood, 00:28:57.720 --> 00:29:01.859 is the changing of one's mind. 00:29:01.859 --> 00:29:04.359 We can see an example of this 00:29:04.359 --> 00:29:07.719 in 1 Thessalonians chapter 1 and verse 9 00:29:07.719 --> 00:29:08.679 where Paul writes, 00:29:09.539 --> 00:29:10.799 For they themselves report 00:29:10.799 --> 00:29:14.240 how you turned to God from idols 00:29:14.240 --> 00:29:18.259 to serve the living and true God. 00:29:18.659 --> 00:29:22.179 It's to recognize that you do, in fact, 00:29:22.240 --> 00:29:24.179 deserve God's wrath, 00:29:24.180 --> 00:29:28.340 that His good, right judgment over you 00:29:28.340 --> 00:29:30.799 would condemn you to death forever. 00:29:31.500 --> 00:29:34.180 And it's turning away from that sin 00:29:34.759 --> 00:29:36.380 and that attitude toward Him 00:29:36.380 --> 00:29:39.740 and turning to Christ. 00:29:40.400 --> 00:29:43.180 Looking to Jesus' perfect life. 00:29:43.720 --> 00:29:46.440 His righteousness that's granted to you by faith. 00:29:46.440 --> 00:29:49.259 It's looking to His sacrificial death. 00:29:49.620 --> 00:29:52.100 Him taking God's just punishment 00:29:52.100 --> 00:29:55.039 for your sin on the cross. 00:29:55.680 --> 00:29:57.860 God doesn't stop being just 00:29:57.860 --> 00:29:59.299 in the forgiveness of your sins. 00:29:59.480 --> 00:30:02.480 He punishes your sin in Jesus 00:30:02.480 --> 00:30:05.440 that it might be forgiven. 00:30:07.240 --> 00:30:09.380 Repentance and faith. 00:30:09.380 --> 00:30:12.200 George Gifford, 00:30:12.280 --> 00:30:13.600 this is the quotation on your bulletin, 00:30:13.660 --> 00:30:14.020 once said, 00:30:14.100 --> 00:30:15.880 The lost continue in sin, 00:30:16.520 --> 00:30:17.480 deceiving themselves 00:30:17.480 --> 00:30:19.420 with vain hope of God's mercy 00:30:19.420 --> 00:30:20.200 in the end. 00:30:21.100 --> 00:30:22.800 The saved cleanse themselves 00:30:22.800 --> 00:30:24.620 from all filthiness in the flesh 00:30:24.620 --> 00:30:26.480 and grow in all graces 00:30:26.480 --> 00:30:28.840 until they have yielded up themselves 00:30:28.840 --> 00:30:32.080 to have Christ reign in them. 00:30:33.300 --> 00:30:36.060 So, if you don't find yourself 00:30:36.060 --> 00:30:37.180 in Christ this morning, 00:30:37.180 --> 00:30:42.779 God's just wrath rests on you. 00:30:44.039 --> 00:30:46.039 The plea to you this day 00:30:46.039 --> 00:30:48.519 is to repent and to believe. 00:30:48.920 --> 00:30:49.779 Turn from your sin 00:30:49.779 --> 00:30:53.060 and throw yourself on the mercy of Christ. 00:30:54.640 --> 00:30:57.340 If you have repented and believed, 00:30:57.420 --> 00:30:59.440 if you find that you're in Christ this morning 00:30:59.440 --> 00:31:01.440 and I believe that this is true 00:31:01.440 --> 00:31:04.580 of most of the people in my hearing today, 00:31:04.579 --> 00:31:06.740 then we have such reason 00:31:06.740 --> 00:31:09.679 to rejoice in the God of our salvation. 00:31:10.339 --> 00:31:12.740 We ought never grow tired 00:31:12.740 --> 00:31:15.159 of hearing who we once were 00:31:15.159 --> 00:31:16.879 and what we did deserve 00:31:16.879 --> 00:31:17.879 and therefore, 00:31:18.359 --> 00:31:19.579 what we've been delivered from 00:31:20.139 --> 00:31:23.519 and who we've been delivered to. 00:31:24.919 --> 00:31:25.639 And remember, 00:31:26.119 --> 00:31:28.119 all of this is following 00:31:28.119 --> 00:31:31.019 the very emphatic thing 00:31:31.019 --> 00:31:31.879 that Paul has said 00:31:31.879 --> 00:31:32.399 at the beginning, 00:31:33.199 --> 00:31:35.459 middle of Romans chapter 1, 00:31:35.819 --> 00:31:37.699 the beginning of verse 16, 00:31:37.859 --> 00:31:38.659 where he says, 00:31:39.379 --> 00:31:42.059 for I am not ashamed of the gospel. 00:31:42.159 --> 00:31:42.339 He says, 00:31:42.479 --> 00:31:44.379 I am proud of the gospel 00:31:44.379 --> 00:31:47.339 for it is the power of God 00:31:47.339 --> 00:31:48.219 for salvation 00:31:48.219 --> 00:31:50.879 to everyone who believes. 00:31:51.399 --> 00:31:52.359 Let's pray together. 00:31:52.359 --> 00:32:22.339 Thank you.