The Plowman

Introduction:
Do you ever struggle with your faith? I don’t mean that you are crippled by the feeling that you’re not a Christian or that you are somehow beyond salvation. I mean that you believe, you’ve turned from your sin and trusted in Christ but you are constantly frustrated by your lack of spiritual development or growth. Do you ever think, “What’s wrong with me? Why can’t I witness more? Why don’t I speak up? How come I can read my Bible faithfully and yet not see what others see?” Do you ever look at yourself in the mirror and think, “You are one spiritual pigmy?” I sometimes feel like the dimwitted member of the family that everyone loves and yet pities. I’m often frustrated by my repeated failures in certain areas of sin. I frequently need a kick in the spiritual pants to move me from inaction to action. Why is that? I don’t think I’m alone in this feeling. What are we to do with those feelings of spiritual inadequacy and stunted spiritual growth? Do we ignore them and press on? Do we assume them to be indicators that there are serious issues with our faith? Are they a warnings that we are about to “run aground” spiritually? Or, is it just part of the ebb and flow of sanctification?

These are questions that are deserving of answers. Left unanswered by will lead to spiritual depression and have the potential to cast you adrift in your faith.

I dealing with these questions we must begin by understanding that the Christian life is not difficult…it’s down right impossible! You cannot live the faith, and you were never intended to. The Christian life is well beyond your abilities. The secret is Christ in you the hope, the assurance of glory. There is only one who has ever lived the Christian life and He lives it again and again in the lives of His people. Jesus said, “Apart from Me you can do nothing.” What does God expect from you? Nothing! He is the vine we are the branches. It is only when we are connected to Him, the life-giving force, that any fruit will be produced.

The second thing, and the one I want to focus on this evening, is that you must understand that God is at work in you. Do you belong to Christ? Have you put your faith and trust in Him? Are you believing, are you trusting Him today? If you are take heart. Be encouraged. God is at work in you.

The Scriptures make it clear God has always been at work in His people. That was true in the days of the Old Testament, the New Testament and it is true today. God has never left it up to His people to become spiritual or holy. Rather He has been active in them to make them habitually godly. He is forever at work in them conforming them to His image and likeness. And He never fails. Be encouraged.

• Listen to Psalm 1:
• Consider Psalm 15:

Don’t lose sight of God’s promise about the coming of Christ.

Let’s consider some of God’s promises.

• Philippians 2:12-13
• Philippians 1:6
• Ephesians 2:8-9
  But that is not the end of Paul’s thought. We stop there - Paul did not!
• Ephesians 2:10 - key = “created in Christ Jesus…”

The life of the Christian is characterized by righteousness but marred by sin.

One last thing - 2 Peter 2:22

The point of all of this is Christian - take heart. Be encouraged. God is at work in you!

Bertrand Russell said in his Why I Am Not a Christian, that there was one serious defect in Christ’s moral character - He believed in hell.  The idea of a God of wrath and judgment is offensive to a great many people.  Thus there are many who do not like the first chapter of Romans.  As Paul introduces his message he begins with stating man’s sinfulness.  As he outlines the gospel in chapters 1-8 he deals with three great themes: sin, salvation and sanctification.  Our focus in chapter 1 is on man’s sinfulness and the fact that it is the object of God’s wrath.  Our text is found in Romans 1 beginning with verse 18.

Text: Romans 1:18-25

I think it important to note that truth cannot be determined on the basis of whether a notion is popular or well accepted.  Truth exists outside of us.  It is objective rather than subjective.  It is not a matter of what I want to be true but rather what is true.  Second we must note that truth can and ought to be “tested.”  Truth is reasonable and thus will withstand scrutiny.  This is important because when we deal with something like God’s wrath we don’t want to believe it.  We want to find an alternative understanding.  But the question is not whether I like it but whether it is reasonable and consistent with what I know to be true?

Look at verse 18: For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.

Paul make one thing very clear - God is a God of wrath or anger as some translations have it. But be careful - what is meant by “wrath?”

• Why is it God’s wrath is aimed at us?
• According to 1:18-20 we suppressed the truth.
• According to 1:21-23 we refuse to honor Him as God.
• Note the fruit our choices - God’s judgment 1:24-25.

Conclusion:
Why does the Gospel matter?  Why do you need the Gospel?

• You need the Gospel because of God’s wrath.
• God’s wrath is holy and just because He has plainly revealed himself yet you have refused to acknowledge the truth of who He is and you’ve failed to honor Him as God.
• In fact, you have chosen to worship and serve that which is not God at all.

The Bible says if you have not yet believed in/trusted the Lord Jesus you stand condemned.  Why?  Not because you’ve not “accepted Jesus” but because you are guilty.  Because you’ve suppressed the truth, you’ve perverted the truth and thus you stand under His wrath without excuse.