Want to discover your freedom in Christ? Then listen in as Mike Stone and Kevin (0:07) Smith talk about it today on Grace Coach. Welcome to Grace Coach. My name is Kevin (0:16) Smith and I have my co-host here Mike Stone.

What's up Mike? Yeah it's good to (0:21) be together. Great to be with you too man. How are you doing today? Doing good.

Well (0:27) listen today we are gonna continue our Romans series. Actually Romans 116 is a (0:35) key verse in the whole book of Romans. We're just gonna start off and read that.

(0:41) We're gonna concentrate on Romans 1 18 through 32, the end of the chapter. For I (0:50) am not ashamed of the gospel for it is the power of God for salvation to (0:56) everyone who believes to the Jew first and also the Greek. So this is Paul who (1:05) is the Apostle to the Gentiles.

He's proclaiming I'm not ashamed of the (1:11) gospel. Now why would he be doing this to the Romans? Well yeah he did that (1:19) because of the end of the book of Acts in chapter 28 he said I've gone to the (1:26) Jews I went to the synagogues they rejected the gospel now I am going to (1:31) the Gentiles because they will listen. It could also have something to do with (1:36) his track record as a non-christian and all the things he did and he's implying (1:46) hey I was killing Christians you know at one point in my life I was doing a lot of (1:53) bad things I was very righteous he goes through it all the other things about (1:57) you know I was the Jew of Jews but he's proclaiming here in a very as a matter (2:05) of fact as he could I am not ashamed of this gospel even though I was doing a (2:10) lot of murdering before I am not I am totally all in he doesn't want anybody to (2:18) think that he is wishy-washy at all about the gospel and what it is done for (2:24) him so he opens up this huge foundational book of doctrine with this (2:32) statement.

Yeah and then he goes on to say for in verse 17 for in the gospel a (2:37) righteousness of God is revealed a righteousness that is by faith from (2:42) first to last just as it has been written the righteous will live by (2:47) faith well that Kevin is the power of God that brings salvation to anyone who (2:54) believes we're saved by faith we're not saved by works we're made right with God (3:00) by faith we're not made right with God by works and so this salvation you know (3:09) God wants to bring the salvation to all people but the problem is not all people (3:14) want to turn to Jesus and put their faith in his death burial and resurrection no (3:20) they don't and the other thing to this this is kind of highlighting in it the (3:27) righteousness of God is revealed so it's not my righteousness it's not the things (3:33) that I'm doing it's a gift of God it's his righteousness that he is bestowing (3:40) on anybody who believes yes and you know when you believe in Christ Christ comes (3:47) to live inside of you and we inherit everything that Christ has so he's the (3:53) righteous one we're not righteous in and of ourselves he's the perfect one he's (3:59) the holy one he has eternal life and we he lives inside of us we get all that we (4:05) get hit we get him the Father the Holy Spirit it's a package deal that's right (4:13) yes and so in Romans 118 there's a little turn here matter of fact there's (4:21) a big turn it's a 180 turn we're going to salvation to everyone who believes (4:28) by faith in Christ to the wrath of God yes yeah big contrast big contrast what (4:38) what are some of the the viewpoints you think that people have when they hear (4:43) the wrath of God oh I think there's just such a traditional you know God's pissed (4:52) off at the world and I'm there's just no way that I could make you know make it (5:01) into heaven so I'm just going to roll the dice do what I can and hopefully the (5:08) scales will balance out in my favor in the end yeah no God's you know in (5:15) the back of their mind they think and this is true for Christians also this is (5:20) sad that they don't understand what we have in Christ like you just said that I (5:27) know there are Christians out there that question their salvation they question (5:33) their righteousness they do think God is pissed off at them and that is so far (5:41) from the truth and if you get nothing out of this podcast please get this if (5:48) you are in Christ you are a beloved child of God that you may sin but that (5:56) is not your identity you are not a sinner in the hands of an angry God you (6:02) are a child of God beloved you are the apple of his eye and take that to the (6:09) bank please yeah and that's why he had to take away the sins of the world (6:15) because anything that's not of faith is sin you know we just think of the top (6:20) ten of the dirty dozen but coveting do you think about that as a sin when we (6:26) covet and drive down you know a row of houses a multi-million dollar houses and (6:31) so forth not you know you probably don't think I need to be forgiven for that but (6:39) that's why he had to forgive us for all of our sins yes in fact it's funny you (6:45) mentioned that that is what brought him to his understanding of what a wicked (6:52) man I am you know the Romans 6 7 and 8 section it was that coveting heart he (6:58) could not he could perform all the other things in the law but it was that (7:03) coveting heart that just kept on revealing itself to him yeah broke him (7:11) yeah so this this this wrath of God Kevin I I really think it comes in two parts (7:18) one although this is probably hard to hear is that when we're born into this (7:23) world we're born spiritually dead in the image of Adam not the image of God but (7:30) we're born under the wrath of God yeah with no hope with with no hope in the (7:37) world you know John 336 says first the good news and then the bad news whoever (7:44) believes in the Sun has eternal life yes that's a good news but whoever rejects (7:51) the Sun who whoever it doesn't think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of (7:57) God whoever suppresses the truth as we'll see in Romans right not see life (8:04) for God's wrath remains on them yes remain that's the key word in that (8:11) statement it remains it's just it was there from the day that Adam and Eve (8:18) ate the garden the apple in the garden yeah that is when the separation came (8:26) upon the Holy Spirit left them and that was the decision that they (8:34) made that set the whole world on a course bound for hell yeah and it says (8:42) in Ephesians 2 3 that all of us lived among them at one time gratifying the (8:48) cravings of our flesh following its desires and thoughts and it says like (8:53) the rest we were by nature objects of wrath yes well it's just how this all (9:01) came about with Adam and Eve being the first man and woman yeah and that when (9:06) they disobeyed God the Spirit of God left Adam and this was now passed on to (9:12) all people we were born in the image of Adam not God yeah and we're also born (9:21) under the wrath of God now the good news is that there's a way out and that is (9:27) putting your faith in Jesus Christ his death burial and resurrection and so (9:32) that's why Paul's writing in Romans he's writing to the Gentiles in Roman yes (9:37) he's also writing to Jews in Roman in Rome but he's saying the wrath of God is (9:43) being revealed from heaven against all the godliness and wickedness of people (9:48) who do what they suppress the truth by their wickedness yes since what what may (9:56) be known about God is plain to them because God has made it plain to them for (10:02) since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities his eternal power (10:07) and divine nature have been clearly seen being understood from what has been made (10:15) so that people are without excuse there's something that we need to unpack in that (10:19) verse what verse was that you just read was Romans 1 18 through 20 yeah so (10:26) basically what that verse is saying when they say they knew known about God is (10:34) evident within them that doesn't mean that they were born again just because (10:43) they knew God they what it means is they had an awareness of God they could see (10:47) the the mountains they could see the heavens they could see their bodies so (10:55) they knew there was something that caused this that wasn't them and that's (11:02) really in essence what that's me that doesn't mean that they were in (11:07) relationship with God they just knew that there was a God that knew that (11:11) there was a creator they had that divine bark within them yes how about (11:18) you want to raise Romans 1 21 to 23 sure for even though they knew God they did (11:27) not honor him as God or give thanks but they became futile in their speculations (11:35) and their foolish heart was darkened professing to be wise they became fools (11:43) and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the (11:49) form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling (11:57) creatures they had a lot of idols yeah and you know the second commandment in (12:04) the Ten Commandments was you shall not make yourself an image or idol in the (12:10) form of anything in heaven above or earth beneath or in the waters you shall (12:16) not bow down to worship them it says that I the Lord your God am a jealous (12:23) God very very jealous God so that was given to Israel and we know Kevin when (12:32) Moses wasn't coming down from the mountain in the time that the Israelites (12:38) wanted him to Aaron and them built a golden calf yes they did they got busy (12:47) they blew the second command right out of the gate (12:50) checking them off one by one so verse 24 and 25 therefore God gave them over in (13:02) the sinful desires of their heart to sexual impurity for the great degrading (13:08) of their bodies with one another here again they exchanged the truth about God (13:15) for a lie and worshipped and served created things idols rather than the (13:21) Creator who was forever praised so here they are worshiping idols I mean the (13:29) idol was made out of something right it's probably made out of a tree could (13:34) be wood stone you know and so you would think that they would say well who made (13:42) the tree yeah who made the stone Joe down the street carved it why don't you (13:50) take Romans 26 and 27 all right for this reason God gave them over to degrading (13:56) passions for their women exchanged natural function for what is unnatural in (14:04) the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned (14:11) in their desire toward one another men with men committing indecent acts and (14:16) receiving in their own persons the penalty of their error so here it is (14:26) Kevin the question is based on the Word of God is homosexual activity natural (14:34) or unnatural I would have to say I'm natural well that's what Romans 126 said (14:44) they exchange a natural sexual relation with men for unnatural ones which is (14:53) woman with a woman or man with a man and it says in 27 in the same way men also (15:00) abandon natural relations with a woman and were inflamed with lust for one (15:06) another again it's a slippery slope of that first choice of your awareness with (15:16) God if you decide you're not going with God and you suppress that truth first (15:25) 32 says and although they know the ordinance of God that those who practice (15:32) such things are worthy of death they not only do the same but they give hearty (15:39) approval to those who practice them I mean that's the epitome of the bottom of (15:45) the pit yeah you know and truly really you know he's talking about the (15:52) heathenistic acts of the Gentiles because we're gonna see next time in (15:57) chapter 2 how he talks about the judgment and legalism of the Jews oh sure (16:04) yeah and you weren't you weren't catching a lot of these Jews in the in the bottom (16:11) of the pit because they were just being upstanding and moral but they had their (16:17) own things that they were doing yeah but that what they were as believing that (16:24) the law would make them right with God sure and again they were exchanging the (16:31) truth of God for a lie and then in verse 28 and 29 it says furthermore just as (16:37) they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God there it is (16:42) they're suppressing the truth there don't think it's worthwhile to retain the (16:47) knowledge of God so God gave them over to a depraved mind they have become (16:53) filled with every kind of wickedness evil greed and depravity they are full (17:00) of envy murder strife deceit and mallet and malice you know these are just (17:06) byproducts of not being in Christ once you read Romans 30 to 32 just continuing (17:15) this list slanderers haters of God insolent arrogant boastful inventors of (17:22) evil man tell me there ain't some inventors of evil out there these days (17:27) disobedient to parents without understanding untrustworthy unloving (17:35) unmerciful and although they know the ordinance of God that those who practice (17:41) such things are worthy of death they not only do the same but they give hearty (17:49) approval to those who practice them yes so this is a long laundry list of the (17:58) heathenistic acts of the Gentiles right lost people without Christ it says that (18:05) they were God haters we're not talking about saved born-again people these are (18:11) God haters yeah these are people who haven't come to Christ this is the very (18:16) opposite of what Paul was declaring in Romans 1 16 and 17 that it's the power (18:24) of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes first to the Jew and the (18:29) Gentile right and so these we have to understand are just heathenistic (18:36) byproducts of the Gentiles I was telling you earlier about we were listening to (18:43) Pilgrim's Progress which is a classic Christian book written by John Bunyan (18:48) and it's really his story of it's an allegory and Christian is the main (18:59) character but the main one of the main points is getting on the journey at the (19:06) right place and if you don't get on the journey at the right place if you get (19:11) to the end of the journey there's a couple people that got to the end of the (19:14) journey what when Christian got there and God did not let him in they did not (19:19) have what he calls the certificate to enter and they didn't get in so you (19:27) don't get into it but it's all about how are you going to answer God when he says (19:33) why should I let you in if your answer is not there's no way I can make it into (19:39) heaven God and I understood the love and acceptance of Jesus Christ and his death (19:45) burial and resurrection that is the only answer that God is going to allow you (19:51) and give you that certificate of life into eternity yeah so that's the awesome (20:00) benefit of being a born-again Christian but I've been reading Revelation lately (20:05) it says in Revelation 26 20 verse 6 blessed and holy is the one who shares (20:13) in the first resurrection that's somebody putting their faith in Jesus (20:18) as Romans 10 9 says if you believe in your heart that God rose Jesus rose from (20:26) the dead you will be saved and when you do that you are now sharing in the first (20:31) resurrection but it says over such the second death has no power but they will (20:38) be priests of God and of Christ and they will reign with him for a thousand years (20:43) so if you're in Christ you're not going to experience the second death but if (20:51) you're not in Christ and you haven't come to him by faith you're going to not (20:56) only die once which is going to be painful enough but there's a second (21:02) death and you will enter into the lake of fire for eternity so about the second (21:11) more speak more of the second death Mike I think that's a well the second death (21:18) in Revelation 2014 says the death and the Hades were thrown into the lake of (21:24) fire it says this is the second death the lake of fire hmm we spend all of our (21:35) time worrying about our first death yes how long are we gonna live how can I (21:40) make sure that I have a good retirement yeah and live as long as I possibly can (21:46) and be healthy but the second death you should be way more worried about (21:53) because it's an eternal second death if you have the Sun you have life but if (22:00) you don't have the Sun you don't have life this is what the book of Romans (22:04) was written for this with the whole Bible this is why Jesus came that you (22:10) might have a life and avoid the second death I want to read Revelations 21 8 (22:18) also but as for the cowardly the faithless the detestable as for (22:23) murderers the sexual immoral sorcerer her sorcerers idolaters and all the (22:30) liars their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur which is (22:37) the second death wow we are really preaching the hellfire and brimstone (22:42) today baby I'm telling you and you know it's the same list we just read about (22:47) the hedonistic acts of the Gentiles they're just byproducts of being a lost (22:55) person yes so yep yeah that's that's amazing we pray that you will hear this (23:06) message today in that yes there is the lake of fire hellfire brimstone that is (23:13) a biblical reality but even more than that God's love is also a biblical (23:23) reality and we really hope that you respond I really don't care if it's out (23:29) of fear of the hellfire and brimstone so be it but we really focus on God's (23:37) amazing love for you and you know he provided everything you need for life (23:45) and godliness in Christ Jesus and just receive it today you know say in your (23:51) heart of hearts to God he knows you he knows every thought you're thinking you (23:57) don't have to make anything fancy just surrender your heart turn to the Lord (24:05) turn to God turn as when you know Aaron put the snake up on the pole in the (24:13) desert when people were getting bit by snakes all they had to do was look up at (24:19) the snake on the pole and that was a picture of Christ dying on the pole (24:26) please friends just turn to Christ you don't have to do anything except receive (24:32) what he's already done for you thank you for listening to grace coach if you want (24:38) to connect with us we would love to engage with you email us at the grace (24:43) coach at gmail.com visit our Facebook page or visit our website grace coach (24:49) org