A couple of weeks ago we began a series in our church on Paul’s letter to the Romans. This Sunday it is my turn to preach. The text that is up is Romans 1:18-32. So, Lord willing, this Sunday I will be preaching that text.
With the news out of Houston and my preaching a text that directly mentions homosexuality, this got me to thinking. What would be my hopes if I knew this sermon was going to be read by the mayor of our city?
My answer is simple. I’d want the sermon to be so soaked in the gospel that they are either offended or converted by God’s powerful gospel.
Of course, this means that my primary aim would not be to offend or convert them politically. Though a biblical worldview has political applications, politics and voting are never the major point of the text. Christ is building a different kingdom and I want to spend all of my energy preaching that kingdom.
Three Truths From Romans 1:18-32
There are three truths that I’d want the mayor and anyone else to face from this text:
First, that sin is serious. It is not popular in our day but God really does respond to sin with wrath. It is not a deistic and impersonal wrath either. It is real red-hot anger towards sin. God is good. Therefore he hates sin. Sin is deadly serious.
I’d want to preach in such a way that those hearing (or reading) the sermon are not left thinking that sin isn’t much of a big deal. Every sin is met with God’s wrath. God is righteous and doesn’t dust sin under the rug. He doesn’t judge us on a curve.
Secondly, that our sin is great. Romans 1:18-32 is meant to show that we really need the righteousness of God mentioned in Romans 1:17. At our core we all choose to rebel from God’s loving rule and we choose instead to pursue our own enjoyment and glory. (Romans 1:21-23).
Likewise, I’d want my listeners to be confronted with the fact that our sin is far more serious than we ever imagined. And I’d do this by showing that God is our reference point and not our fellow man.
Lastly, that our Savior is greater. William Farley is correct, “grace cannot amaze until we feel the judgment we deserve”. Romans 1:18-32 is in our Bible to humble us and prepare us for the greatness of God’s grace. Yes, we are under God’s wrath. Yes, homosexuality is part of God’s wrath being revealed. Yes, all fall short of God’s glory. But…
“[all who are justified] are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitation by his blood, to be received by faith.”
Jesus swallows up the wrath of God on the Cross. He gives to us the righteousness that we so desperately need.
Offended or Converted
This is why I say that I want to preach in such a way that people are either offended by the gospel or converted by it. This is the power of God unto salvation.
People with either be offended by God’s wrath—staying stuck in their pride and believing that they aren’t such bad folks. Or the truth of God’s wrath meeting their sin will drive them to the Cross. And herein they’ll see the beauty of Jesus and will be astounded by grace.
Either way, I pray that if the mayor read my sermon on Romans 1:18-32 that he/she would be confronted with the gospel. Nothing more. Nothing less.
