Living in the Wrath of God

Introduction:

Living in the Wrath of God (Romans 1:18-32):

1. God Abandons thsoe that Abandon Him. (Rom 1:18-23)

   Judges 10:13-14 - Yet you have forsaken me and served other gods; therefore I will save you no more. Go and cry out to the gods whom you have chosen; let them save you in the time of your distress.

   Hosea 4:17 - Ephraim (Israel) is joined to idols; leave him alone.

   They clearly know about God...

   But they clearly don't want God.

3 Evidences that God Has Abandoned People:

1. First the Heart goes: Sexual Immorality. (Rom 1:24-25)
2. Then what is Natural goes: Dishonorable Passions. (Rom 1:26-27)
3. Finally, the Mind goes: Debased Minds. (Rom 1:28-32)
• Mourn
• Discern
• Wake up
• Hope
• Worship
• Repent
• Believe

John 3:36 - Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

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Small Group Discussion
Read Romans 1:18-32

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. How is God’s abandoning people a manifestation of His judgment? What are the three things God “gives people up” to (Romans 1:24, 26, 28)?
   

3. How exactly is thankfulness connected to faith (Romans 1:21)?
   

4. What are some ways that you see debased (useless) minds in our culture today (see Romans 1:28)?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

How to Love Difficult People: How to Love People I Disagree With

Introduction:

How Do I Love Christians That I Disagree With? (Romans 14:1-12):

1. I must continually Humble Myself . (Romans 14:1-4)

   1. By embracing those who are Different Than Me . (Romans 14:1a)
   2. By avoiding arguments about Non-Essentials . (Romans 14:1b)

      2 Timothy 2:14 - Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers.

   3. By refusing to give myself over to Hatred . (Romans 14:2-3)
   4. By remembering that I am not the Master of Anyone . (Romans 14:4)
2. I must not hold them to My Personal Convictions . (Romans 14:5-9)

   Colossians 2:16 - Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath.

3. I must entrust them to God and Focus on My Own Walk . (Romans 14:10-12)

   John 21:22 - Jesus said to him, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!"

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Small Group Discussion
Read Romans 14:1-12

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. What are some issues of opinion/preference that you see Christians arguing about and dividing over?
   

3. Why is it so hard to love people that we disagree with?
   

4. What does it look like to welcome one another at Harvest Bible Chapel? Is there a time and a place for debating issues or discussing disagreements?
   

5. Why is it wrong to hold other Christians to your own personal convictions that are not clearly laid out in Scripture?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

Living in the Wrath of God

Introduction:

1. God Abandons a Nation That Abandons God.

   Read: Judges 10:13-14 | Hosea 4:17 | Matthew 15:12-14 | Acts 14:16

2. Why Does God Abandon a Nation? (Romans 1:18-23)

   They clearly Know about God.

   But they clearly don't Want God.

What Happens When God Abandons a Nation?

3. 3 Progressive Steps a Nation Takes When God Abandons It.
   1. First the Heart goes: Sexual Immorality. (Romans 1:24-25)
   2. Then What is Natural goes: Dishonorable Passions. (Romans 1:26-27)
   3. Finally, the Mind goes: Debased Minds. (Romans 1:28-32)

   Psalm 81:11-16 - "But my people did not listen to my voice; Israel would not submit to me. So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts, to follow their own counsels. Oh, that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways! I would soon subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes. Those who hate the LORD would cringe toward him, and their fate would last forever. But he would feed you with the finest of the wheat, and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you."

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Small Group Discussion
Read Romans 1:18-23

1. What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?
   

2. Have you heard of this aspect of God’s wrath (abandonment) previously? If not, what is your initial response to this concept?
   

3. Read Romans 1:19-20 again. How is it that everyone is “without excuse” when it comes to knowing there is a God? Explain how people know of God’s existence solely through creation.
   

4. What is the connection between giving thanks and having faith (Romans 1:21)?
   

5. Explain, briefly and in your own words, the progression that takes place when God “gives up” a nation (Romans 1:24-32). What can we do about it as a church?
   

Breakout
Pray for our nation, using Psalm 81:11-16 as your guide.

Where Are You

Introduction:

1. Grace Abounds.
2. Grace abounds in Early Death.
3. Grace abounds in Eternal Life.
4. Grace abounds in Everyday Righteousness.

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Small Group Discussion
Read Romans 5:20-6:14

1. What is “cheap grace?”

2. Why is it so difficult to die an early death, i.e., to die to self? How often do you “consider [yourself] dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus?” Romans 6:11; and see John 12:25, Luke 9:23-24.

   a. How do the illustrations of a seed “dying” help us to understand the benefits of dying to self now? See John 12:24-25, 1 Corinthians 15:36-37

   b. How does Galatians 5:22-24 relate to these verses?

3. Baptism is a picture of death and resurrection, but Paul indicates in Romans 6:3-6 that if our baptism is “into Christ Jesus,” it is evidence that we were in Christ at the time of His death and resurrection. Does this fact cause you to see deeper meaning or purpose in your baptism?

4. How soon after you professed faith in Jesus were your baptized? If you delayed, why did you do so? If you haven’t yet been baptized, why not?

5. Paul emphasizes we were “united with Christ” in His death and resurrection. How should union with Christ transform how we live – for example, Who, what, and how we worship, how we love God, neighbor, and enemy, how we forgive others, etc.? How does Galatians 2:20 add to our understanding of the transformation wrought in us by union with Christ?

6. A concrete anchor was used to illustrate the security we enjoy as a result of being united with Christ. How should the knowledge of the strength of that union transform our thinking about God’s love for us, about anxiety/worry, about the permanence of our salvation, and about our ability to live righteously? See Psalm 18:1-3, 31-32 and Psalm 62:1-8.

7. Because we are secure “in Christ” we are able to walk “in newness of life.” What does that look like on a daily basis?

BREAKOUT
Does the knowledge that you are united with Christ change your perspective on temptation and sin? In what ways? See Romans 6:2-3, 7, 12-14.

For further study, read Colossians 3:1-17

Jesus Christ: Delivered Up for Our Trespasses.

Romans 4:25 - ...who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.

See: 2 Corinthians 5:21 | Romans 8:31

Five Unanswerable Questions:

1. If God is with us, who can be AGAINST? (Rom 8:31)
2. He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously GIVE us all things? (Rom 8:32)
3. Who will bring a CHARGE against God's elect? (Rom 8:33)
4. Who is the one who CONDEMNS? (Rom 8:34)
5. Who shall SEPARATE us from the love of Christ? (Rom 8:35-39)

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Small Group Discussion
Read Romans 4:25

1. What was your big “take-away”? What stood out to you from this passage / message?

2. Define justification. How is it different from “forgiveness”?

3. Why do many Christians still feel condemned, despite saying they believe what the Bible says about justification?

BREAKOUT

Pray for one another to live in light of Romans 4:25.