This broadcaster has 2045 podcast archives available on-demand.
Keep up-to-date with this broadcaster on social media and their website.
October 14, 2018 3:00 pm
Harvest messages are brought to you by harvest partners receive free email daily devotions were to become a harvest partner, please visit us online@harvest.org so let me start with the question.
Are people basically good. What you think. Well, I used to think when I was a kid that they were within my life experiences did not confirm that believe because what I just saw so many people doing bad things. So I wondered about that, but actually you might be surprised to know that most Americans believe that people are basically good about Barnett did a poll in this book what Americans believe in a revealed that 87% of non-Christians believe this statement.
People are basically good. That shouldn't be too surprising. But what is somewhat surprising is 77% of self-described Christians think the same thing that mankind people are basically good. Now let me say what I think is the correct response. Our people are basically good. You might be surprised what I'll tell you the answer is yes and no. I mean, there are good people there people to do good things that you know that our good neighbors and their good citizens and their kind and their considerate. In fact, to the point. I bet some nonbelievers that are nicer than some Christian and would you agree with me on that. But niceness is not what gets us to heaven or cars, and there are people that event. Good things that have made great sacrifices are done something heroic on behalf of others. So when we say that people are not good were were not acknowledging there are not people to do good things in a relatively good people. But here's the bigger question, maybe the better way to frame it. Are we good enough to get to heaven on our own merit.
Know the answer is a resounding no to that sure the prostitute in the murderer falls short of God's standards, but so do you and not I mean, some might be standing at the bottom of a mine. Others might be standing at the top of the Alps, but no one is really any closer to touching the stars so might be a little better. Relatively speaking, than others, but they're not good enough to reach God's very high standards and that we learn nothing else from the first chapters of Romans we will discover that were all sinful. It's like Paul is systematically trying to show everybody falls short.
And that's why the gospel is so powerful because we all needed in our life. Don't forget that Paul is writing these words to believers living in Rome, believers who were so strong in their faith that it was known around the world in Rome was not an easy place to be a Christian in the first century, immorality was rampant. Roman cities like Corinth where Paul actually wrote this epistle to the believers in Rome had prostitutes openly walking the streets leading people to pagan temples to offer their praise of these gods idolatry spiritism and demonism were openly practiced and, if any, would dare rebel against Rome, they would be executed or imprisoned, and it was a hard place to be a Christian. The first century Christians were ridiculed and opposed in persecuted yet despite this fact, within 30 years the original Christians and their converts changed Rome dramatically after Julian wrote around 200 A.D. these words about the believers and what they done in Rome quote. We have filled every place among you, cities, islands, fortresses, towns marketplaces, the very camp tribes companies palaces the Senate the foreign and we have left nothing to you, but the temples of your God." The first century church without him seeping a sword overcame the power of wrong because they outlive them. They all prayed them in the out love them. And so, in time, the influence of the gospel went around the globe and what was their secret. They were not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ and we cannot be ashamed of it either. So let's read a few verses together.
Romans chapter 1 ominous start in verse 15, Paul writes his words. I'm not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God to bring salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew the end of the Gentile, or in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as is as it is written, the just shall live by faith for the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them. For God has shown it to them through everything God made they can clearly see his invisible qualities, his eternal power and divine nature, so they have no excuse for not knowing God. All right if you're taking notes here is point number one salvation is not earned, but it's given to us as a gift from God again, salvation is not earned, but it is given to us as a gift from God. Look at verse 17 that just shall live by faith. The sword just speaking of your new position before God. I'm just are made right with God I'm justified all explained that more as we get deeper into Romans.
But I'm in a right relationship with him. I am a child of God. Now I stand right before the Lord, not because of what I've done solely because of what he has done now.
My objective is a Christian is to walk in the live by faith. The just shall live by faith. Notice it does not say the just shall live by feeling our feelings can really mislead us right. I mean you can have all kinds of emotional reactions all kinds of things and and you need to understand that the Christian life is a walk of faith. One of the best definitions of being a Christian is long obedience in the same direction. Just putting one step in front 1 foot in front of the other and walking with the Lord each and every day. Some days you feel it someday should out. I think sometimes you come to church and we want to have that breakthrough moment to write and worship I with the breakthrough moment two weeks ago I cut the shiver down the spine was a sitting naked I could get in that seat again someone said that she'd get my seat, I need the shiver. I need the moment I need the emotional tots no you don't. You just need to worship God. If you feel like it or not, because it just shall live by faith I mean I've been married 44 years and when I first met Kathy. We were in.
I was nervous around her rights are the butterflies in my stomach. That's because I'd eaten butterflies earlier in the very tasty, especially when you need them live nondrinking, but some say I was a little nervous around while I don't feel that way when I'm around her now that I went and saw her in the morning is a Kathy, I'm feeling kind of nervous talking you should think Rick's having a heart attack or something right so I cannot expect to have that emotional licks variance every moment of every day of our marriage, and in the same way our relationship with God.
The just shall live by faith is just walking with the Lord. I have an Apple watch. This is not a commercial for Apple Watches, but I have one.
This watch gives me constant feedback.
Sometimes I don't like it is called hap that it will vibrate. Sometimes it tells me things that it'll say walk when you are standing totally to stand. Now granted I been laying around for too long and figuratively. Summary not just vibrate again and then was a breeze. I think you forgot to breathe All-Pro.
Remember to breathe. It tells me these things periodically tells me how many steps I've taken the day and it might point out that you know you have not reach your fitness goals. All you need to walk more and then sometimes it'll just come up with a message. You're a loser who program the program this thing would always be nice if we had an opera wanted would say pray or read your Bible that we didn't read our Bible sick.
Why did you read your Bible is what's wrong with you a little nap feature. I don't know. But the idea is that you know this gives me feedback telling me what I need to do. We in the same way need to just walk with God and live by faith.
Point number two this salvation that God is given us is given because God loves us. It's given to us because God loves us, not because I merited not because I deserve it because God loves me. Verse 18 for the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness. Some of your thing if you cannot see how that verse gives you that point the wrath of God is revealed against ungodliness and unrighteousness and your point is God loves us. Yes that's right because we need to understand what love it will be talk of God. Let's think for a moment about the attributes of God. We see attributes things that describe God. For instance, God is omniscient God is omnipotent God is omnipresent, what is that mean God is omniscient and means he knows everything God is omnipotent and means he has unlimited power. God is omnipresent. That means that he's everywhere at the same time we also know that God is loving right. God is gracious God is forgiving God is kind we would all agree with that but the Bible also teaches that God is just.
God is righteous God is holy and yes God is wrathful, wrathful.
Now when I hear the word wrath of God, a recoil, and all I could think of God.
That way I like to think of God is sort of a benevolent grandfather somewhat senile and oblivious to really what I'm doing and not really caring know that is not the picture that the Bible gives of God as our father in heaven know this God is love right we all agree with that but of God's love and he is. That means that he hates as much is he perfectly losses that make sense.
The sender there's a God of love must eat anything that harms those he loves God of love must mean business when he declared something off-limits. You know if a fire of my children are my grandchildren of a run into a busy street and I yelled. I do that because I love the two God warns us don't do certain things because he loves us in the same way God hates anything that would hurt us his own children cripple how many of you have children. Your children okay.
How many of you love your children rigid, interesting, not as many hands went up another you love your children, so is no illustration. Let's see one on a camping trip up there with your kids and they're playing somewhere and all of a sudden the grizzly bear is running full steam toward your children. Would you try to stop the grizzly bear, let's say that you had a gun would choose shoot the grizzly bear left side I'd shoot them with a bazooka.
Whatever it takes. I get physically in the way to slow him down at the very least of the ideas you're going to stop anything that would harm your children. So when we say that God has wrath were simply pointing out that he is against anything that harms each of us, but when we say God is wrath. It's not like our wrath, our wrath is ignited when someone cuts into our lane and Californians where the most selfish drivers on earth. You know, it's like you want to change lanes. It's actually legally okay to change lanes. I don't know some people know this, especially when you put your turning signal on choosing I'm I'm trying to change lanes in a California that means close speed up and close the gap right Joel and admitted to not let them in. Even if it's an offramp, the only offramp on the freeway for the next 20 miles and you don't even need to get off on the front door just in their life to come up to 2 my little space in me know so this is the way we can be. We have wrath something Texas.
We get angry by something that's not God. So let's not take the idea of wrath and apply that to God in that sense God's wrath is settled.
It's thought through. There's a reason for it. God isn't going temper tantrums.
Can you imagine the Lord is having a temper tantrum planets plan around him know God is in that way. So don't take your idea of wrath and anger and applied to God is this different is is a holy wrath. It's a righteous indignation and you see it on display in the Old Testament. Of course Brent since God decided that he was going to judge the earth because of its wickedness in the days of Noah, so we told Noah to build an ark and it took gold know a long time to build out our and the people couldn't believe it and no one did believe that he built and built and built and finally the ark was done and then the ark just sat there for a full year with the door open for anyone that wanted to come in. So yes, the judgment came, the God doesn't want to judge people by the way of sound like it was in the movie about Noah with Russell Crowe. Remember that film did any of you see that the movie was so often so many ways. There's one scene where people are trying to get on the ark and Russell Crowe's going like all gladiator on him and he's killing people, you know, it's like that found in the Bible.
The door was open for your guts and I want you to get in the ark. I don't want to judge you. The last thing God wants to do is bring judgment on people.
But the point is this God says in Ezekiel 33. I take no pleasure in the death of wicked people only want them to turn from their wicked ways so they can live. Turn from your wickedness is seen sometimes people think of God I can't wait to judge the earth know that's the last thing he wants to do. That's why he gives warnings as in the case of Nineveh, a wicked city, horrible, horrible things, the Ninevites did God cinnamon to judge it so we sent Jonah to preach and to John a little while to get their granite when he got there eventually smelling of fish and told the people 40 days and then about will be overthrown is not the most hopeful message you've ever heard.
Actually, there's more hope in that message and you may realize because he could've just said your toast by, he said 40 days which make you 40 days to get it together 40 days to repent and what happened then Ninevites repented. So God send this judgment anyway right all, he did not. When they repented God spare the wife God takes no delight in the death of the wicked 0C Old Testament God he's angry and wrathful.
I believe in the God of the New Testament, II believe in Jesus because he never judge anyone out clearly about read the New Testament, Jesus had some harsh words for different people, and in fact, right after Jesus gave his very familiar statement.
For God so loved the world he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.
A few verses later, he says he does not who does not obey the son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him. So yes, God's wrath is in the old and the New Testament. So it comes down to this before you can fully appreciate the good news of forgiveness. You need to understand the bad news that you, God hates sin. More bad news.
The wages of sin are death good news.
God does not hate sinners. In fact, he loves them even more good news.
God loved us so much he sent his son to die on the cross, and take that judgment upon himself.
So the bottom line is the only way to be forgiven of sin is through Jesus not to good works, not to clean living, not by religion or by rule keeping point number three there is no excuse for living in rebellion against the God who loves you. There's no excuse for living in rebellion against the God who loves you, but you verse 19 of Romans one and I'm reading now from the new living translation. They know the truth about God because he's made it obvious to them forever. Since the world was created. People have seen the earth and the sky to everything God made the can clearly see his invisible qualities, his eternal power and divine nature, so they have no excuse for not knowing God all around. This is the evidence of God not only in our lives, but all through creation. You see God's hand at work read an interesting statement that was written by Robert Castro and astrophysicist and former director of Nassau. Here's what he said and I quote, now we see how the astronomical evidence supports the biblical view of the origin of the world for this scientist was live by his faith in the power of reason, the story ends like a bad dream.
He scaled the mountains of ignorance.
He's about to conquer the highest peak as he pulls himself over the final rock. He's greeted by a band of theologians who been sitting there for centuries."
I love that my Zionist all their searching other trying to find out the origin of the universe and they finally discover all yeah those theologians those Christians those Bible believers right all along.
Bottom line, God will reveal himself to the true seeker. So when someone says I'm seeking God than they will find their way to Jesus Christ and we flip that around. They don't find their way to Jesus Christ. Are they a true seeker. I don't care who they are or what their state how many of you have ever heard of Helen Keller Helen Keller when she was a very young girl had a disease affect her in a dramatic way she lost her sight. Her hearing and her speech.
She was effectively isolated from the world.
There's a lady name Ann Sullivan made it her life's purpose to reach Ella and Anton Helen how to communicate through touch and Helen eventually even learn how to talk and when and tried to tell Helen about God. Helen's response was she already knew him.
She just didn't know his name. I love that. So God revealed her despite the fact that she couldn't hear. She couldn't see God still made himself known to her and he will make himself known to every person who really wants to know him. Point number four.
When you're out of fellowship with God you have conflict with other people to when you're out of fellowship with God. You are conflict with others to verse 18 the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness. Ungodliness basically is describing our rebellion against God. Unrighteousness is basically describing our sin against man member.
When Moses came down from Mount Sinai get you topics right the 10 Commandments and they were five and five. By the way they were four and six. The first four commandments had to do with our relationship with God, shall have no other gods before me. Don't have graven images don't take the Lord's name in vain in their second six commandments had to do with our relationship with people you shall not kill. You shall not steal.
You shall not commit adultery.
The point is is that unrighteousness is warmly sin against each other. Ungodliness is only sin against God. And here's the thing. God is basically saying look I will give you over to the way you want to live it.
That's the way you want to go givers. 28. He gave them over to a depraved mind. In other words, God will allow you to pursue what you want to pursue careful what you wish for you my Janet so look if you want to run from God. God's forgiveness stop you from exercising your free will.
The prodigal son went to his father's paraphrase basically said that I'm sick of waiting for you to dine, kick the bucket. I want my inheritance now so give it to me. We would've understood it of the father.
What is said no son, I love you too much again to make bad decisions and and hurt yourself. I will give it to the father said here you go, boy gave it to his son and all the boys skipped out of town all that money and he blew it all messed up his life and regretted it. But the point is the father allowed him to exercise his free will now take the children of Israel. The work delivered from Egypt, and God fed them with Manna every day. Remember Nana and in the morning Manna in the afternoon. Then in the evening is man all day long they got sick of manna by the way, the word manna comes from the Hebrew Crispo Primo probably never heard this before. That's because it's making it out. That's why you never heard and you probably knew what I meant by Krispy Kreme a right Krispy Kreme donuts looking up doesn't come from that. But it was sweet to the taste was called the food of angels, the awesome thing is, you will come in the morning there's manna waiting for you chair all day long you been up to God and gets her food was nice.
After a while though they got sick of it and went to Moses were sick of manna when we had everything you are golfer we were tired of banana pancakes were and were tired of manicotti were tired of anything with Manna we want meat we remember need and God says you really think they want me Moses is out of there asking for the Lord said Stanback.
Moses and the Bible says a ring quail on them. These purges fell out of the sky is guys were so hungry for me. They hate the birds before they were even prepared was sort of like bird sushi or worse. You know the Bible says it turned bitter in their mouth in the Bible and comments and says he gave them what they wanted but send leanness to their souls coming back to my point. Careful what you ask for. You might get it. I just got don't hold me back.
Sports is telling you don't do that. I want to do it largest go for an offer you yeah and then was it turns bitter in our mouth. Right now I see what you told me not to do this. Yeah, that's why you like the prodigal you come to your senses. Always leave the father get a set of the prodigal. You made your bed boys sleep in it don't come here anymore know as I with the father did he welcome the prodigal back with open arms.
But God will let you do what you want to do and that's what this is St. Pete Schoen them over, no verses 28 to 32 of Romans one describes what happens when you push God out of your life and will God let you do what you want to do, read those verses from a modern translation so just listen. Since he didn't bother to acknowledge God, God quit bothering them like a translation, let them run loose.
Then all hell broke loose. Rapid evil grabbing and grasping vicious backstabbing they made life hell on earth with their in the wanton killing bickering and cheating. They kept inventing new ways of wrecking lives. It's not as if they didn't know better know perfectly well there spitting in God's face and they don't care what sounds a God little bit a commentary on our culture today. Basically, sounds like a typical day in Washington DC and notice it says they suppress the truth in unrighteousness. This speaks of the determine action. The goal one's own way. In other words, it's not just appurtenances.
I want to live without God. I want to live in my sin but I don't want you to have a relationship got there. I don't want you to impose your opinion on me. I have found that the people that talk the most about tolerance could be some of the most intolerant people I've ever met in a somewhat insane tolerance. Tolerance and they say Christians are so intolerant I don't think that's true. The Christians I know are some of the most tolerant people I've ever met, that we may not agree with the person's ideas we not mean I do believe agree with the choices they've made, but will still show kindness to them will still try to help them will try to reason him and of course, reason with them. And of course try to persuade them to believe in Jesus and led by what the Bible says. But even if they choose not to, we won't harm them. We will try to silence them, but there are those today that don't want to silence those of us to believe in our faith and we believe in what the Bible says listen folks, this is why every one of us needs to register and vote. This really matters right now that you're cute to applaud.
Go for some of your applauding learners, giving political, of course. I'm getting political.
My face goes into every area of my life and you're sure to if it should affect everything that I do and everything that I think and yes, even the way that I vote no son would mischaracterize Christians as wanting to sort of legislate morality when in reality for years we've seen immorality legislated in a way, were actually not trying to do that at all that if anything we don't want more government we want less government. We want the government to leave us alone because we don't believe government is God. We believe God is God and we believe the gospel has the answers, not government. We want the freedom to believe what we believe that we don't want to be silenced and by the way our founding fathers believe that their objective was not to keep church out of state but board to keep state out of church people want to fight any influence of faith in the public square, but our founding fathers wanted us to have the freedom to express our faith and there are people who, if elected, will try to suppress us from doing this so we need to register.
We need the vote. We need to be informed on issues vote for candidates want us to keep our liberty as Christians to practice our faith vote for candidates that support the life of the unborn child still in the womb. This isn't rocket science. Point number five. When you reject God rule and follow when you reject God ruin follows verse 21 building you God they did not glorify him as God nor was he thankful but they became futile in their thoughts and their foolish hearts were darkened by the way this verse reminds us while were on this earth to start with why are we on this or to glorify God some 28 says given of the Lord glory give glory and strength. That's due to his name, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness and then over, and someone 07 it says give thanks and of the Lord for he is good and his mercy endures forever. So we are to give glory to God of these people are not glorifying God are not giving thanks to God. Number six. When you reject God, you lose perspective in the way that you think and live when you reject God, you lose perspective and the way you think.
In the verse 22 claiming to be wise, they became outer pulls about the way the word falls is a root word moron or moronic. Instead of worshiping the glorious ever living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles. Now some people would worship animals use it. Why don't worship animals will but about the Bears in the Seahawks and the Lions and the Falcons. I just kinda kidding about this a little bit a little bit.
Let me explain nothing wrong with having the team that you love. Nothing wrong with wearing your team colors when you get a permanent tattoo in the middle of your forehead with your team logo.
Maybe it's a little excessive but you know you see people against their trust in the colors of their team.
They have their face painted in their screaming and yelling and then afterwards that their team doesn't want to get in fights of people supporting the other team and is all this a motion and in some and see someone at church with one hand and lift one hand lifted up missing. That's fanatical can we be at least as fanatical about our God, as we are about our favorite sports team, at least, better yet, better yet, generally not be more fanatical or to use another word for word subfolder glorifying of our God. You know there's a growing trend in our culture today that some expert experts have defined as pet worship you norm going with this right. I mean, I love animals as much as the next guy always been an animal lover love dogs, cats, and you know but even i'm okay. I tolerate J I'm tolerant I shiver My neighborhood.
He shows up and he's kind of a cool cat in he just sorta hangs around and I and so he you know he comes because I given the milk before supper little edition milk out little in this little a bowl of milk.
I should say and so the other day I went to get them some milk and all he had was almond milk will I and it was focused who want to drink almond milk. I don't know how it got in my fridge item by item of the cattle never know the difference. I poured almond milk in this boat. Even the cat didn't want the almond maybe respect the cat you like okay you know what I respect you more because you're a discerning cat. You know the difference retain milk from cows and milk from almond's anyway but no additional people become so obsessed with animals right there wanted to get on airplanes and understand some people get stress on the fly. But I saw a picture of someone I'm not making this up trying to take a peacock on an airplane you know big a peacock is another person wanted to get a pig on an airplane. My wife's been there for years with me but that's another story. But you know and no dogs.
Dogs go everywhere. Dogs are with this at the table. Dogs you know you carrying the dog you you put, you know what I'm going right you put the dog in the stroller just stop that do not your dog in the stroller just like it become.
That's a silly illustration but we let other things take the place of God in our life point number seven. God will not force you to believe or rather will let you go your own way. Verse 24 he abandoned them. Okay you guys go for it.
You don't want me you want to glorify me you want to give thanks to me. I want to impose my will on you go ahead and live the way that you want to live. He abandoned them. Verse 24 to whatever shameful things there hearts desired and as a result they did violent degrading things with each other's bodies not Paul goes on to focus on a number of sin.
He talks about greed. He talks about ending, murder, strife, slander, homosexuality in verses 26 and 27 here's the point. The policymaking seen all sin separates you from God, including a morality all kinds of immorality, and that by the way in Rome at this time it was so depraved prostitution was practice openly. As I mentioned same-sex relationships very common affecting emperor Caesar Nero, who was ruling at this time.
Historically married is husband dressed as a bride. Women were treated as mere objects. In some ways like slaves. Babies were discarded at will and Greek and Roman culture Afro woman had a baby, she would go to her husband. And if the husband approved the child would live. The husband refused the child.
The babies would be put to death not directly kill, but they would place the newborn baby in a clay pot red jar out of the front door and they would deserve it is either just discarded children. They had no respect for life. So here's a point. This was a corrupt wicked place to live and you know people are tempted by different things when it comes to sexual temptation. Some married people are tempted to be unfaithful to their why single people are tempted to have sex before they're married. Some people of same-sex attraction so they might see will because they have same-sex attraction. I know homosexual. Why is that so you're not defined by your temptation and all temptation can be resisted and by the way, what were talking about immorality. It's not the worst of all sin. And I'll tell you what the worst of all sins and just a few moments, but no Paul sorta shifts gears so in chapter 1. He's kind of talking more to the pagan mindset the person was no faith in God, but Nelly kinda goes to the more religious person, the moralist any kind of throws him under the bus to because of it's a morality without God.
It doesn't make you good enough to get to heaven. Romans to verse one I'm reading now from the new living translation verse or you may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad you have no excuse when you say they are wicked and should be punished. You're condemning yourself for you who judge others do the very same things we know that God is this justice will purchase punished anyone who does such things since you judge others are doing these things. Why do you think you can avoid God's judgment when you do the same things. Don't you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant and patient God is with you. Does this mean nothing to you. Can't you see it's the goodness of God that brings you to repentance. Bottom line, every body needs Jesus in John chapter 3 is a story of the religious educated moral leader Nicodemus Amanda was sought out for his advice, but a man who despite his religiosity had a big hole in his heart and he came to Jesus.
One night they had a conversation and it resulted in Nicodemus is conversion after John three is John four, which I think is the inside of the day.
Don't you after John three John four anyway and what is John for Telus to story of the woman at the well. The exact opposite of Nicodemus. This is an immoral woman, married and divorced five times living with some guy and she has a hole in her heart just like Nicodemus did. And so Jesus enters her world and changes her and she becomes a believer to very different people want to man the other woman one moral one immoral both needed Jesus. Why do I bring this up because everybody needs Jesus. That's why we should not be ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God. I recently heard the story of a woman name Rosario Butterfield any of you ever heard of her.
What a great name, by the way Rosario Butterfield try and as she's a former tenured professor of English and women's studies at Syracuse University. Her historical focus was 19th-century literature, informed by Freud, Marx and Darwin.
She advised the LGBT student group and Robespierre occurs Syracuse University's policy for same-sex couples and actively logging lobbied for LGBT rights with her lesbian partner. But in 1997 as a Rosario was researching the religious right which she perceived as in her words, is there politics of hatred against people like me, she published an article attacking them and it was read by a man who was a pastor. Pastor Ken and his wife Lori. They did the unexpected set of right writing a rebuttal.
They contacted Rosario Butterfield and Sabina to come over to our house for dinner and she did. She wanted to do some more research on these religious fanatics and their intolerance, but she was shocked by what she saw. She found a loving couple that welcomed her so one dinner turned into two into turning the three and eventually she began to change her view of everything that she held up to that point and ultimately she gave her life to Jesus Christ and I love the way she concludes I love her conclusion, she says, quote I was not converted out of homosexuality.
I was converted out of unbelief and that's really what Romans one is all about. It's about unbelief. It's really not important to fixate on what particular sin. A person is involved in the issue is, they need Jesus they are more person needs Jesus, the more a person needs Jesus the man he needs Jesus the woman she needs Jesus.
Every body needs Jesus. That's really what Paul is saying in Romans chapter 1 know we classify some sentences worse than others will. You do this that's really bad when you know what the worst sin of all in. You might be surprised by my answer.
The worst sin of all is unbelief. That's the worst sin, unbelief. Why is that the worst sin, because all others. Sin can be forgiven, but if you will not believe what that that by the way, is what the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is Jesus at all manner of sin will be given be forgiven.
People except the person who blasphemes the Holy Spirit. That's the unforgivable sin. What is the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit will Holy Spirit a member of the Trinity is come to convict and convince us of our sin.
The Holy Spirit is come to show us our need for Jesus and to bring us to him.
If I reject the work of the Holy Spirit or blasphemer and sold him.
I'm effectively saying I don't need Jesus. I don't want Jesus and I don't want to believe in Jesus. That's the unforgivable sin.
If I can't believe in Jesus.
There is no hope because the Bible says, how can we escape if we neglect so great salvation. Yes, as Christians, we need to give the bad news, but don't forget the good, the bad news is you're a sinner.
The good news is there is a Savior years ago I was in Hawaii on a wall who walking on college, Boulevard giver, been there for the main drag there. Waikiki is a guy standing on some steps he is assigned says the wages of sin is death.
Flames painted on it for effect.
He was yelling at people, God hates you. God will judge you. I'm thinking what is wrong with this guy and so I stood there and watched them ran for a while and the nice excuse for God will judge you. You think God will destroy you to the set. I was looking at your side are you I said it says the wages of sin are that yes, why don't you finish the burst because it goes on to say, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. No flipping around right then. Then he told me I was going to hell. So you know, so I killed him.
Now let me explain know that's a joke.
I did become a lot.
That's a guy misrepresenting God only giving the negative not giving the positive so don't just get the bad news give the good news will listen to this. Don't just give the good news and forget the bad news. This is probably what more deal with will see Haakon snowshoe Jesus will forgive you your change. You will be fulfilled to find the meaning or purpose of liability.
Yeah, I love it, but I don't really want to believe in Jesus pretty happy as it is, so what happens to me. If I don't believe in Jesus you respond to like warm climates. Wait, what are you really that terrified to tell the truth, you might have to use the H word. What is that there's a hell of there's a heaven, but there's a hell and the last thing God wants to do is to see anyone end up in hell. That's why he sent Jesus to die in our place and take his judgment upon himself earlier in the message. I asked the question, would you as a parent die for your child will, of course, most of us would God did something even more amazing than that he sent his son to die for us. I was like I get a set look, turn from your sin know you want to locate in this basic consequences.
He says no, turn from your sin. Listen, I want to go to the next level. I want you to do this so been ominous in my own son, my son, my beloved son, my only begotten son I'm in to keep him for you. You don't deserve it because I love you so much him and to give him for you and he's gonna die for you if you just turn from your sin and believe in him, you can spend all eternity with me wanted to heal.
If you read check that that's craziness I want to close the service by extending that invitation. Maybe you need Christ in your life. Everybody needs Jesus, I don't care who you are while Greg you know it's good you talk about some of his moral issues know me I'm a good person you're not good enough buddy are not good enough to get to heaven because one sin is enough to keep you out. That's why you need Jesus organic praying a moment I'm going to extend an invitation for you to believe in Jesus and be forgiven of all of your sin. If you need him in your life today, here's your chance to have your slate wiped clean and have a fresh start in life.
So wrong to pray right now please everyone pray with the father, thank you for your word to us today. Lord Jesus, thank you for coming. The dying on the cross for us and rising again from the dead.
Now you stand at the door of our life and you not you say for sure, your voice and open the door you'll come in. I prefer any person here or watching does not yet know you help them to see their need for you help them to come to you.
Help them to be forgiven by you, has about an Riser closed door, praying how many of you would say today Greg, I need Jesus. I want to be forgiven of my sin. I want to know that when I die I will go to heaven.
I need that fresh start in life you been talking about. I'm ready to believe in Jesus if that's your desire. If you want Jesus to come into your life if you want him to forgive you of your sin if you want to go to heaven when you die, whatever you are, would you lift your Canada. Let me just pray for you right now. Razor cannot God bless you razor hand up Iraq and see if you want Jesus in your life.
God bless you, bless you some of your watching on the screen. Many of you as a matter of fact, and you need Jesus to wherever you are aware of your watching harvest Riverside harvest Teasdale harvest South Corona wherever you are.
You need Jesus. Raise your hand up right now say I need Jesus.
Pray for me. Raise your hand up and though I don't see the Lord sees you wherever you are if you will need Christ today, raise your hand. God bless. I know many of you are now and ask you to take the next step, wherever you are if you raise your hand up seeing you need Jesus Christ in your life. I want you to stand your feet right now to stand up wherever you are, stand up and I'm a lead you in a prayer for you will ask Christ to come in your life to stand up everyone he be that razor Nancy and I want Jesus and I'm a lead you in this for God bless you a bless you and if you did not raise her hand but you need Jesus in your life. Let me lead you in this prayer, stand your feet will to pray right now and get this resolved anybody else stand out. God bless all of you that are standing away one more moment anybody else stand now let me lead you in this prayer you that are standing just pray this prayer out loud after me again this, I pray pray this out loud after me.
Pray these words Lord Jesus, I know I'm a sinner but I know you are the Savior who died on the cross for my sin. I turn from my sin. Now I choose to follow you from this moment forward as my Savior and Lord is my God and friend in Jesus name I pray, amen. God bless each and everyone