WEBVTT 00:00:04.000 --> 00:00:04.960 Alrighty, we are in. 00:00:04.960 --> 00:00:06.440 Romans, chapter 2, 00:00:06.480 --> 00:00:07.848 verses 1 to 5. 00:00:07.984 --> 00:00:13.416 I have a lot to cover today because God has really convicted me in large 00:00:13.488 --> 00:00:15.256 ways through this passage. 00:00:15.288 --> 00:00:16.896 And you're going to hear it when I read it. 00:00:16.896 --> 00:00:17.886 Here we go. 00:00:18.320 --> 00:00:19.000 Chapter two, 00:00:19.040 --> 00:00:19.584 verse one. 00:00:19.584 --> 00:00:21.320 Therefore you are without excuse, 00:00:21.400 --> 00:00:23.784 every man of you who passes judgment. 00:00:23.832 --> 00:00:25.648 For in that you judge another, 00:00:25.648 --> 00:00:26.824 you condemn yourself. 00:00:26.872 --> 00:00:29.624 For you who judge practice the same things. 00:00:29.792 --> 00:00:33.296 And we know that the judgment of God rightly falls upon those who 00:00:33.296 --> 00:00:34.696 practice such things. 00:00:34.848 --> 00:00:36.160 And do you suppose this, 00:00:36.160 --> 00:00:36.656 O man, 00:00:36.656 --> 00:00:40.496 when you pass judgment upon those who practice such things and do the 00:00:40.496 --> 00:00:41.288 same yourself, 00:00:41.384 --> 00:00:43.752 that you will escape the judgment of God? 00:00:43.752 --> 00:00:48.600 Or do you think lightly of the riches of his kindness and forbearance and 00:00:48.640 --> 00:00:53.214 patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance, 00:00:53.392 --> 00:00:56.130 but because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart, 00:00:56.170 --> 00:01:00.722 you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation 00:01:00.722 --> 00:01:04.470 of the righteousness of the righteous judgment of God. 00:01:05.530 --> 00:01:06.950 Alright, let's pray. 00:01:07.290 --> 00:01:09.202 God, I thank you for your word. 00:01:09.202 --> 00:01:09.946 And I thank you, 00:01:09.946 --> 00:01:12.010 God, that it doesn't matter how many times you read it, 00:01:12.010 --> 00:01:13.946 how many times you read a passage. 00:01:13.682 --> 00:01:15.290 And each time that you open it up, 00:01:15.290 --> 00:01:16.242 God, by your spirit, 00:01:16.242 --> 00:01:18.394 you just continue to show us more. 00:01:18.394 --> 00:01:19.054 And God, 00:01:19.106 --> 00:01:22.570 sometimes the more you show us is this magnifying glass into our own 00:01:22.570 --> 00:01:23.380 lives, this. 00:01:23.490 --> 00:01:25.160 This mirror we have to look in. 00:01:25.160 --> 00:01:25.496 And so, 00:01:25.496 --> 00:01:28.704 God, my prayer this morning is that as we look at your word, 00:01:28.704 --> 00:01:30.024 God, we'd see ourselves. 00:01:30.128 --> 00:01:32.040 And we'd see ourselves in such a way, 00:01:32.040 --> 00:01:36.020 God, that you are given not just permission, 00:01:36.840 --> 00:01:37.648 but that God, 00:01:37.648 --> 00:01:43.184 you have the opportunity to shape and mold and refine who we are into the 00:01:43.192 --> 00:01:44.064 image of your son, 00:01:44.064 --> 00:01:44.394 Jesus. 00:01:44.432 --> 00:01:46.408 And we pray it in Jesus name, 00:01:46.408 --> 00:01:49.860 Amen. I'm horribly impatient. 00:01:52.910 --> 00:01:54.198 Anybody with me? 00:01:54.334 --> 00:01:54.910 Thank you. 00:01:54.910 --> 00:01:57.850 Yes. Horribly impatient. 00:01:59.470 --> 00:02:00.766 It's in my DNA. 00:02:00.598 --> 00:02:01.390 You know how I know? 00:02:01.390 --> 00:02:03.050 Because my son's impatient. 00:02:03.710 --> 00:02:05.930 Eli's really impatient. 00:02:06.910 --> 00:02:09.970 He's impatient like me times 10. 00:02:10.270 --> 00:02:10.854 Okay. 00:02:10.902 --> 00:02:13.142 And so when I was a kid, 00:02:13.142 --> 00:02:18.538 I did this children's musical that had this song in it that I had to 00:02:18.594 --> 00:02:21.390 sing. And the song, 00:02:21.730 --> 00:02:26.394 it was this snail character in the musical. 00:02:26.522 --> 00:02:29.550 And the song was have patience. 00:02:30.610 --> 00:02:31.950 Have patience. 00:02:32.930 --> 00:02:36.910 Don't be in such a hurry. 00:02:38.130 --> 00:02:41.630 When you get impatient, 00:02:42.030 --> 00:02:45.770 you only start to worry. 00:02:47.310 --> 00:02:54.370 Remember, remember that God is patient too. 00:02:54.830 --> 00:03:01.890 And think of all the times when others have to wait for you. 00:03:04.670 --> 00:03:05.310 Thank you. 00:03:05.310 --> 00:03:10.330 Yes, I learned that song somewhere in about the fifth grade. 00:03:11.180 --> 00:03:13.360 You'd think I'd apply it. 00:03:15.900 --> 00:03:17.560 Horribly impatient. 00:03:18.780 --> 00:03:21.972 This passage I titled today's message, 00:03:22.036 --> 00:03:22.932 no excuses. 00:03:22.996 --> 00:03:25.028 Because that's where this passage starts. 00:03:25.124 --> 00:03:27.300 Therefore you are without excuse. 00:03:27.380 --> 00:03:30.292 Now we know where we've been in the book of Romans, 00:03:30.292 --> 00:03:32.272 we've got the introduction of Paul. 00:03:32.084 --> 00:03:32.636 Paul says, 00:03:32.636 --> 00:03:33.172 I'm Paul, 00:03:33.172 --> 00:03:34.068 I'm a slave. 00:03:34.068 --> 00:03:35.396 I preach the gospel. 00:03:35.508 --> 00:03:36.708 Why do I preach the gospel? 00:03:36.708 --> 00:03:40.506 Because the gospel is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who 00:03:40.506 --> 00:03:44.026 believes. And I want to come see you in Rome and I can't wait to get 00:03:44.026 --> 00:03:44.356 there. 00:03:44.250 --> 00:03:47.550 Because your faith is being proclaimed all over the world. 00:03:47.850 --> 00:03:51.122 And the gospel is a big deal because it is the righteousness of God 00:03:51.122 --> 00:03:52.882 revealed from faith to faith. 00:03:52.946 --> 00:03:53.858 Just as it is written, 00:03:53.858 --> 00:03:58.690 the righteous will live by faith because God's wrath is going to be 00:03:58.730 --> 00:04:02.802 revealed and poured out on all ungodliness and godlessness and 00:04:02.826 --> 00:04:05.438 unrighteousness. And guess what? 00:04:05.594 --> 00:04:06.914 Sin is a problem. 00:04:06.718 --> 00:04:08.406 And godlessness is a problem. 00:04:08.478 --> 00:04:10.128 And ungodliness is a problem. 00:04:10.174 --> 00:04:11.862 And unrighteousness is a problem. 00:04:11.966 --> 00:04:15.350 But the answer to all that problem is the gospel. 00:04:15.430 --> 00:04:16.750 It's the good news. 00:04:16.718 --> 00:04:19.590 It's the righteousness of God that's been given, 00:04:19.710 --> 00:04:24.902 imputed, handed over to us as a gift. 00:04:25.046 --> 00:04:26.326 Not something we earn, 00:04:26.326 --> 00:04:29.350 not something that we somehow deserve, 00:04:29.510 --> 00:04:33.990 but it's God giving us something simply because of his love. 00:04:34.930 --> 00:04:38.794 And yet he lists out in chapter one all this sinful stuff. 00:04:38.794 --> 00:04:40.130 And I told you last week, 00:04:40.130 --> 00:04:44.298 it's really easy for those of us who sit in amongst pointed buildings 00:04:44.298 --> 00:04:48.630 with nice comfortable chairs to point at sin and go see. 00:04:49.810 --> 00:04:51.666 And then all of a sudden we get to chapter two. 00:04:51.506 --> 00:04:51.826 It says, 00:04:51.826 --> 00:04:53.018 therefore you are without excuse. 00:04:53.018 --> 00:04:53.570 You are out. 00:04:53.570 --> 00:04:55.066 Excuse about what? 00:04:55.138 --> 00:04:55.666 What is it? 00:04:55.666 --> 00:04:58.218 What is it that we are without excuse about? 00:04:57.922 --> 00:04:59.914 We're without excuse because of sin. 00:04:59.962 --> 00:05:00.778 We're all sin. 00:05:00.778 --> 00:05:01.906 We're going to get to chapter three, 00:05:01.906 --> 00:05:03.116 which is going to point out that. 00:05:03.116 --> 00:05:04.266 That there's none righteous. 00:05:04.266 --> 00:05:05.256 No, not one. 00:05:05.122 --> 00:05:08.058 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. 00:05:08.058 --> 00:05:11.666 So none of us can stand in a righteous place and point a finger at 00:05:11.666 --> 00:05:14.874 unrighteousness. And that's what chapter two starts dealing with. 00:05:15.042 --> 00:05:20.730 Therefore you are without excuse every man among you who passes judgment. 00:05:20.890 --> 00:05:23.274 For in that you judge another, 00:05:23.362 --> 00:05:24.394 you condemn yourself. 00:05:24.442 --> 00:05:27.850 For you who judge practice the same thing. 00:05:27.970 --> 00:05:31.950 So had a look at it. 00:05:32.570 --> 00:05:33.266 Guess what? 00:05:33.338 --> 00:05:39.870 We're really good at judging the behavior that we don't engage in. 00:05:40.570 --> 00:05:41.310 Right? 00:05:42.090 --> 00:05:42.738 For instance, 00:05:42.738 --> 00:05:43.946 I'm going to give you a really simple one. 00:05:43.946 --> 00:05:44.790 You ready? 00:05:45.930 --> 00:05:47.090 Can't stand that, 00:05:47.130 --> 00:05:49.440 folks. Cruise in the left hand lane. 00:05:49.770 --> 00:05:52.080 Y'all have heard me say that before. 00:05:52.730 --> 00:05:54.110 I can't stand it. 00:05:54.420 --> 00:05:56.080 Drives me nuts. 00:05:57.540 --> 00:06:02.684 There are certain names that come out of my Mouth when people drive in 00:06:02.692 --> 00:06:03.612 the left hand lane. 00:06:03.612 --> 00:06:04.020 Now not, 00:06:04.020 --> 00:06:05.844 not four letter words or anything like that, 00:06:05.844 --> 00:06:06.920 just things like. 00:06:07.540 --> 00:06:12.020 Anyway, I'm not going to use them because I don't drive in the left hand 00:06:12.020 --> 00:06:12.350 lane. 00:06:12.332 --> 00:06:14.684 My dad taught me as a truck driver. 00:06:14.684 --> 00:06:15.676 He's a truck driver. 00:06:15.676 --> 00:06:20.412 My daddy taught me the left hand lanes for passing or people going faster 00:06:20.476 --> 00:06:21.760 than everybody else. 00:06:31.300 --> 00:06:33.132 And I thought I was impatient. 00:06:33.132 --> 00:06:34.122 I'm just kidding. 00:06:36.820 --> 00:06:38.260 You know what I found out though? 00:06:38.260 --> 00:06:40.012 In churchianity and Christianity, 00:06:40.076 --> 00:06:45.932 we're really good at judging anything because we have the forgiveness 00:06:45.996 --> 00:06:48.582 fallback, right? 00:06:48.686 --> 00:06:53.050 Oh, I can point down my finger at somebody else because I'm forgiven, 00:06:54.270 --> 00:06:56.250 right? Easy. 00:06:56.590 --> 00:06:58.014 Sitting in a house like this, 00:06:58.014 --> 00:06:58.910 a room like this, 00:06:58.910 --> 00:07:01.758 a pointed building like this to point a finger because, 00:07:01.758 --> 00:07:02.278 oh yes, 00:07:02.278 --> 00:07:03.430 well, we've got grace, 00:07:03.430 --> 00:07:04.742 we've got forgiveness, 00:07:04.806 --> 00:07:06.166 we've got God's love. 00:07:06.318 --> 00:07:07.968 And you need to come. 00:07:08.046 --> 00:07:09.542 In spite of my judgment, 00:07:09.542 --> 00:07:10.526 you need to come, 00:07:10.526 --> 00:07:11.170 right? 00:07:13.670 --> 00:07:17.570 We judge what we deem to be unrighteous, 00:07:18.070 --> 00:07:20.210 right? Unrighteousness. 00:07:20.630 --> 00:07:26.450 But do we judge all unrighteousness, 00:07:28.070 --> 00:07:31.610 Right? Or do we categorize it? 00:07:32.630 --> 00:07:33.374 Right? 00:07:33.542 --> 00:07:35.966 It's okay to do this, 00:07:36.038 --> 00:07:36.970 but that. 00:07:40.390 --> 00:07:43.614 You don't put milk and sugar in oatmeal. 00:07:43.662 --> 00:07:45.490 That's an abomination. 00:07:47.190 --> 00:07:47.854 I mean, 00:07:47.942 --> 00:07:53.490 that's really how just unthinking, 00:07:54.150 --> 00:07:56.490 categorizing sin is all about. 00:07:57.510 --> 00:07:59.958 Because I told you last week or last couple of weeks, 00:07:59.958 --> 00:08:04.286 sin is very simply defined as missing the mark. 00:08:04.358 --> 00:08:06.104 Now, now what is the mark? 00:08:05.840 --> 00:08:10.568 It's an archery phrase about the bull's eye. 00:08:10.744 --> 00:08:11.896 What's the bullseye? 00:08:11.928 --> 00:08:15.536 The bull's eye is the righteousness of God which will be revealed from 00:08:15.536 --> 00:08:16.620 faith to faith. 00:08:18.080 --> 00:08:22.220 And anything outside the bull's eye is sin. 00:08:23.520 --> 00:08:26.144 And that's why we can get to chapter three where it says, 00:08:26.144 --> 00:08:28.220 and there is none righteous, 00:08:28.880 --> 00:08:30.260 not even one, 00:08:31.700 --> 00:08:35.660 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. 00:08:36.340 --> 00:08:38.012 So when I look at this passage, 00:08:38.012 --> 00:08:41.284 which, and I cut it off in the middle of a sentence with chapter five 00:08:41.284 --> 00:08:44.108 because of how we're going to go through the book of Romans, 00:08:44.108 --> 00:08:46.088 but therefore you are without excuse. 00:08:46.140 --> 00:08:49.564 Now then it gets into what we're without excuse. 00:08:49.612 --> 00:08:50.036 Guess what? 00:08:50.036 --> 00:08:51.612 We know we're all sinners, 00:08:51.612 --> 00:08:52.356 right? I mean, 00:08:52.356 --> 00:08:53.156 if you're perfect here, 00:08:53.156 --> 00:08:54.596 go ahead and raise your hand, 00:08:54.596 --> 00:08:56.576 we'll all start doing like you. 00:08:57.330 --> 00:08:57.970 No, see, 00:08:57.970 --> 00:08:58.790 we're not. 00:08:59.490 --> 00:09:00.618 We're not perfect, 00:09:00.714 --> 00:09:02.218 we're not sinless, 00:09:02.394 --> 00:09:03.950 we're not righteous, 00:09:04.450 --> 00:09:08.538 right? So what is it that we're without excuse about? 00:09:08.594 --> 00:09:12.170 Because this is the thing we know we're sinners, 00:09:12.330 --> 00:09:12.990 we know, 00:09:12.994 --> 00:09:14.426 we don't have an excuse, 00:09:14.426 --> 00:09:15.882 though we'd like to give them anyway. 00:09:15.882 --> 00:09:16.762 We know. 00:09:16.946 --> 00:09:19.194 Daddy taught me not to drive in the left hand lane. 00:09:19.194 --> 00:09:19.738 It's his fault, 00:09:19.738 --> 00:09:20.630 right? No, 00:09:21.250 --> 00:09:22.050 my point is, 00:09:22.050 --> 00:09:23.732 is that we are without excuse. 00:09:23.732 --> 00:09:25.712 But what is this no excuse, 00:09:25.780 --> 00:09:27.076 a reference to? 00:09:27.228 --> 00:09:32.440 It's a reference to our judgment because we all judge. 00:09:33.260 --> 00:09:36.560 And that's the caution that God's giving us right here. 00:09:36.572 --> 00:09:38.212 And when we get down in the passage, 00:09:38.212 --> 00:09:40.108 especially when we get down to verse four, 00:09:40.108 --> 00:09:41.758 you're going to see why. 00:09:43.180 --> 00:09:43.840 You see, 00:09:43.884 --> 00:09:50.930 because judgment in any shape or form leads to a very critical spirit. 00:09:53.030 --> 00:09:55.430 Nobody does it the way I would do it. 00:09:55.430 --> 00:09:59.210 Nobody does it as good as I could do it. 00:09:59.670 --> 00:10:01.718 Why would you do it that way? 00:10:01.718 --> 00:10:06.730 Why would you do it at that time? 00:10:07.190 --> 00:10:07.838 Right. 00:10:07.974 --> 00:10:09.294 We become very critical. 00:10:09.294 --> 00:10:10.118 As a matter of fact, 00:10:10.118 --> 00:10:14.950 it's almost like we put on critical glasses and we start to see all the 00:10:14.950 --> 00:10:20.734 things that we can be critical of and point out. 00:10:20.902 --> 00:10:26.046 Now, I'm not saying that there's not a standard of righteousness that God 00:10:26.078 --> 00:10:27.398 has called us to. 00:10:27.670 --> 00:10:32.862 I'm not saying that we get to just act any way we want to. 00:10:32.966 --> 00:10:34.126 And you know, 00:10:34.198 --> 00:10:41.742 it's funny that we live in a world that loves the word judgment and yet 00:10:41.766 --> 00:10:42.166 we're saying, 00:10:42.166 --> 00:10:43.486 oh, you can't judge. 00:10:43.374 --> 00:10:44.030 Well, you're right, 00:10:44.030 --> 00:10:44.494 I can. 00:10:44.494 --> 00:10:45.766 I'm not the judge. 00:10:45.766 --> 00:10:47.570 But what does it say? 00:10:48.030 --> 00:10:49.302 For in that you judge, 00:10:49.302 --> 00:10:50.292 you condemn yourself. 00:10:50.310 --> 00:10:56.630 And we know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice 00:10:56.710 --> 00:10:57.814 such things. 00:10:57.982 --> 00:11:00.526 Now, I want you to understand what he's pointing at. 00:11:00.526 --> 00:11:04.110 He's pointing at the sin he's already listed in chapter one. 00:11:04.110 --> 00:11:08.966 But he's also pointing at those who would judge in his place. 00:11:09.038 --> 00:11:12.442 Because that's what's happening when we take a position of judgment. 00:11:12.442 --> 00:11:16.350 We're putting ourselves in the place of God. 00:11:17.490 --> 00:11:18.630 And he's going. 00:11:20.610 --> 00:11:23.682 And I can hear us all standing before the throne one day and going, 00:11:23.682 --> 00:11:24.218 but God, 00:11:24.218 --> 00:11:25.350 you told us, 00:11:26.450 --> 00:11:27.418 right? And God goes, 00:11:27.418 --> 00:11:29.398 yeah, but that's not your place. 00:11:31.330 --> 00:11:33.266 I didn't assign that to you. 00:11:33.266 --> 00:11:38.910 Right, Because God has announced his judgment. 00:11:39.750 --> 00:11:42.690 There's no need for us to judge. 00:11:43.750 --> 00:11:45.750 And then I ask myself the question. 00:11:45.750 --> 00:11:47.350 You remember last week and this week, 00:11:47.350 --> 00:11:52.110 both God has made me shine this magnifying glass at myself, 00:11:52.190 --> 00:11:52.850 this light, 00:11:52.918 --> 00:11:53.950 this mirror. 00:11:54.110 --> 00:11:58.210 Do we judge because we don't trust God to judge? 00:12:01.750 --> 00:12:03.770 Are we ever guilty of that? 00:12:04.480 --> 00:12:06.240 Well, God didn't do anything about it, 00:12:06.240 --> 00:12:08.220 so I'm going to do it. 00:12:08.480 --> 00:12:11.608 Really. You see, 00:12:11.744 --> 00:12:17.112 God's judgment rightly falls upon those who practice sin, 00:12:17.176 --> 00:12:18.920 unrighteousness, that's what it says. 00:12:18.960 --> 00:12:22.024 If you back up to where it says, 00:12:22.112 --> 00:12:26.200 the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and 00:12:26.240 --> 00:12:30.632 unrighteousness of people who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 00:12:30.696 --> 00:12:32.678 So we know that God judges. 00:12:32.864 --> 00:12:34.906 God is the judge. 00:12:35.018 --> 00:12:37.110 Okay, there you go. 00:12:37.890 --> 00:12:38.866 Now when I look at that, 00:12:38.866 --> 00:12:39.106 I go, 00:12:39.106 --> 00:12:41.418 okay, God's judgment falls on unrighteousness, 00:12:41.514 --> 00:12:43.434 injustice, ungodliness. 00:12:43.482 --> 00:12:44.970 It falls on sin. 00:12:45.130 --> 00:12:47.630 But it also falls on the judgy. 00:12:51.410 --> 00:12:51.890 All right, 00:12:51.890 --> 00:12:52.990 I'm impatient. 00:12:54.210 --> 00:12:55.242 Confession right there. 00:12:55.266 --> 00:12:55.986 I gave it to you. 00:12:55.986 --> 00:12:56.910 I'm impatient. 00:12:57.650 --> 00:12:58.764 Am I judgy? 00:12:58.882 --> 00:13:00.216 Yeah, absolutely. 00:13:00.328 --> 00:13:01.318 Are you judgy? 00:13:01.352 --> 00:13:02.342 Yeah. You are. 00:13:04.000 --> 00:13:04.560 I mean, 00:13:04.560 --> 00:13:05.440 think about it. 00:13:05.200 --> 00:13:06.016 I just told you, 00:13:06.016 --> 00:13:08.986 I don't like people driving the left hand lane. 00:13:09.120 --> 00:13:10.380 I'm judgy. 00:13:11.200 --> 00:13:12.472 So I have to ask God. 00:13:12.472 --> 00:13:14.540 God, forgive me for being judgy. 00:13:16.240 --> 00:13:22.340 Forgive me for taking out my impatience on another person. 00:13:23.920 --> 00:13:24.680 Forgive me, 00:13:24.720 --> 00:13:28.044 God, for what I don't see in myself. 00:13:28.232 --> 00:13:34.280 Because the truth is God is the judge and God has judged. 00:13:34.940 --> 00:13:40.240 God's already judged all things because God sits outside of time. 00:13:41.580 --> 00:13:42.240 You know, 00:13:42.284 --> 00:13:43.212 all the world, 00:13:43.212 --> 00:13:45.640 all of creation is before God. 00:13:46.140 --> 00:13:48.920 God has already rendered judgment, 00:13:49.580 --> 00:13:50.596 okay? 00:13:50.788 --> 00:13:52.468 He has judged. 00:13:52.564 --> 00:13:54.500 He is judging. 00:13:54.580 --> 00:13:56.770 He will judge, 00:13:57.270 --> 00:14:00.170 okay? I can trust him with it. 00:14:00.950 --> 00:14:02.622 Somebody does something unrighteous, 00:14:02.686 --> 00:14:04.996 I don't have to go beat them, 00:14:05.510 --> 00:14:06.062 right? 00:14:06.166 --> 00:14:07.486 I don't have to. 00:14:07.542 --> 00:14:09.852 I can trust God to do it, 00:14:10.630 --> 00:14:11.770 right? Now, 00:14:14.150 --> 00:14:24.170 I think some of the problem falls in where we join in unrighteousness. 00:14:25.390 --> 00:14:28.030 This is where we got to be careful. 00:14:28.590 --> 00:14:30.900 We can't make excuses for our sin. 00:14:30.886 --> 00:14:31.814 We can't make excuses. 00:14:31.814 --> 00:14:32.430 That's what it says. 00:14:32.430 --> 00:14:34.370 And do you suppose this, 00:14:34.750 --> 00:14:36.566 O man or mankind, 00:14:36.678 --> 00:14:40.670 when you pass judgment upon those who practice such things and do the 00:14:40.670 --> 00:14:44.170 same, that you will escape the judgment of God? 00:14:45.630 --> 00:14:50.110 Or do you think lightly of the riches of his kindness and forbearance and 00:14:50.110 --> 00:14:51.566 patience? And here's the thing. 00:14:51.406 --> 00:14:55.506 I got a couple stories I'm going to tell you that where God has convicted 00:14:55.506 --> 00:14:58.354 me not of my judgment, 00:14:58.402 --> 00:15:00.870 but actually of other people's judgment. 00:15:01.290 --> 00:15:03.750 And I'll explain that in a minute. 00:15:04.730 --> 00:15:08.066 And then the last phrase of verse four, 00:15:08.138 --> 00:15:15.110 not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance, 00:15:15.530 --> 00:15:18.550 kindness of God leads you to repentance. 00:15:19.300 --> 00:15:26.556 I knew of a church that split right and the group that left. 00:15:26.628 --> 00:15:26.916 I mean, 00:15:26.916 --> 00:15:27.644 it's like. 00:15:27.812 --> 00:15:31.108 And the story goes this way and I wasn't there. 00:15:31.108 --> 00:15:32.760 So I don't know how, 00:15:34.660 --> 00:15:36.028 I don't know the exact facts. 00:15:36.028 --> 00:15:38.340 I just know what I was told after the fact was that, 00:15:38.340 --> 00:15:38.596 you know, 00:15:38.596 --> 00:15:39.586 one Sunday morning, 00:15:39.652 --> 00:15:42.240 because of the division in the congregation, 00:15:42.900 --> 00:15:44.138 75 people, 00:15:44.284 --> 00:15:45.190 they all came in, 00:15:45.190 --> 00:15:46.214 sat down like this, 00:15:46.214 --> 00:15:52.302 and 75 of them had prearranged that a particular point in the worship 00:15:52.366 --> 00:15:55.336 time. They were going to get up and leave, 00:15:57.110 --> 00:15:58.330 and they did. 00:16:00.390 --> 00:16:04.958 And then the animosity between the two groups in that congregation got so 00:16:05.014 --> 00:16:14.312 bad that the group that got up and left in their self perception began to 00:16:14.336 --> 00:16:17.060 tell the group that stayed behind that, 00:16:18.480 --> 00:16:18.976 you know, 00:16:18.976 --> 00:16:19.896 God said, 00:16:20.048 --> 00:16:20.840 Jesus said, 00:16:20.880 --> 00:16:22.392 he divide the sheep and the goats, 00:16:22.392 --> 00:16:27.544 and y'all are the goats and their youth. 00:16:27.672 --> 00:16:30.740 Children began to do that. 00:16:31.840 --> 00:16:32.900 I was like, 00:16:33.600 --> 00:16:36.866 wow, okay, 00:16:36.898 --> 00:16:38.548 which side am I on? 00:16:38.810 --> 00:16:41.790 Right? Who do I side with in that? 00:16:42.570 --> 00:16:43.978 How do I become that? 00:16:43.978 --> 00:16:46.506 I told you all about the congregation that I knew of, 00:16:46.506 --> 00:16:47.434 and I wasn't there. 00:16:47.434 --> 00:16:49.218 Where? In a business meeting, 00:16:49.274 --> 00:16:50.730 One group was sitting on one side, 00:16:50.730 --> 00:16:52.442 one group was sitting on the other side, 00:16:52.442 --> 00:16:55.754 and the moderator of the business meeting was leading the business 00:16:55.754 --> 00:16:58.122 meeting. But it wasn't going the way the other group decided. 00:16:57.970 --> 00:17:00.906 So the deacon got up on the platform and one of them pulled a knife on 00:17:00.906 --> 00:17:04.160 the other one in a puppet. 00:17:06.020 --> 00:17:08.660 I invited him to come to our church. 00:17:13.220 --> 00:17:16.400 Can I just tell you something about division? 00:17:18.500 --> 00:17:20.810 Division is a work of the devil. 00:17:23.460 --> 00:17:24.400 Okay? 00:17:29.709 --> 00:17:31.741 I've had people come to me and say, 00:17:31.741 --> 00:17:37.893 do you know what so and so did you need as pastor? 00:17:37.941 --> 00:17:38.429 They'll say, 00:17:38.429 --> 00:17:40.739 you need to do something about it. 00:17:42.189 --> 00:17:43.409 And I go, 00:17:44.989 --> 00:17:47.889 really? Is that my job? 00:17:48.909 --> 00:17:50.889 Am I called to do that? 00:17:52.920 --> 00:17:54.600 I actually have told people before, 00:17:54.600 --> 00:17:54.920 I said, 00:17:54.920 --> 00:17:55.976 I'm not doing anything about it. 00:17:55.976 --> 00:17:56.376 You know what? 00:17:56.376 --> 00:17:57.880 God's going to take care of that. 00:17:57.880 --> 00:17:59.904 And because I don't take. 00:18:00.072 --> 00:18:03.976 Because I don't jump on that person and beat them up over it, 00:18:03.976 --> 00:18:07.276 God's going to let me be a part of restoration. 00:18:07.480 --> 00:18:12.056 Why? Because do you not know that the kindness of God leads you to 00:18:12.056 --> 00:18:18.860 repentance? You know why God didn't just destroy the world? 00:18:22.260 --> 00:18:28.400 Because of his patience to give people the time to repent. 00:18:29.380 --> 00:18:31.212 You know why at your first sin, 00:18:31.212 --> 00:18:33.212 you didn't get the death that you deserve, 00:18:33.212 --> 00:18:37.120 or I get the death I deserve because of God's patience, 00:18:37.860 --> 00:18:39.320 because of God's love. 00:18:41.540 --> 00:18:43.844 Then it goes on to say in verse five, 00:18:43.844 --> 00:18:46.196 but because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart, 00:18:46.196 --> 00:18:49.630 you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath, 00:18:49.630 --> 00:18:52.774 revelation in the day of wrath, 00:18:52.822 --> 00:18:55.462 and revelation of the righteous judgment of God. 00:18:55.542 --> 00:18:56.798 So last point today, 00:18:56.798 --> 00:18:57.590 very simple. 00:18:57.670 --> 00:18:59.320 Be careful of your pride, 00:18:59.398 --> 00:19:01.690 Bobby. Be careful of your pride. 00:19:05.470 --> 00:19:08.210 Be careful to be kind. 00:19:10.030 --> 00:19:15.174 Because if I enter into a spirit of judgment, 00:19:15.302 --> 00:19:25.300 I enter into a spirit of a critical spirit which hardens my own heart 00:19:26.160 --> 00:19:27.620 toward other people, 00:19:28.640 --> 00:19:29.620 you see, 00:19:30.480 --> 00:19:32.540 which makes me judgey, 00:19:33.600 --> 00:19:39.448 which makes me self righteous more than God righteous, 00:19:39.624 --> 00:19:43.420 which makes me unkind. 00:19:47.210 --> 00:19:51.946 I've tried to think over the last few days as I was scribbling notes on 00:19:51.946 --> 00:19:53.390 my outline here, 00:19:54.490 --> 00:19:59.190 did I ever experience in 40 something years now of ministry, 00:19:59.530 --> 00:20:04.210 of me standing on some kind of little thing and pointing my finger down 00:20:04.250 --> 00:20:10.002 at somebody and telling them how horrible and sinful and everything that 00:20:10.026 --> 00:20:10.822 they were. 00:20:10.986 --> 00:20:12.890 Did anybody ever just go, 00:20:13.510 --> 00:20:14.890 oh, thank you, 00:20:16.310 --> 00:20:17.730 I want Jesus. 00:20:19.110 --> 00:20:21.390 Or have they? 00:20:21.430 --> 00:20:22.006 When I've said, 00:20:22.006 --> 00:20:22.678 you know what? 00:20:22.678 --> 00:20:27.690 God has something better for your life and I want to love youe in this. 00:20:28.950 --> 00:20:31.894 I don't agree with that or that or that. 00:20:31.894 --> 00:20:35.210 And I think the Bible speaks very plainly to it. 00:20:36.320 --> 00:20:41.024 But I'm just going to wrap my arms around you and love you and then see 00:20:41.024 --> 00:20:43.144 people respond to what? 00:20:43.232 --> 00:20:44.360 The love of God, 00:20:44.360 --> 00:20:45.900 the kindness of God, 00:20:46.320 --> 00:20:47.112 you see, 00:20:47.216 --> 00:20:48.232 because I mean, 00:20:48.256 --> 00:20:49.280 that's what it says he says. 00:20:49.280 --> 00:20:50.736 And do you suppose this old man, 00:20:50.736 --> 00:20:53.216 when you pass judgment upon those who practice such things and do the 00:20:53.216 --> 00:20:53.816 same yourself, 00:20:53.816 --> 00:20:55.440 you will escape the judgment of God? 00:20:55.208 --> 00:21:02.088 Or do you think lightly of the riches of his kindness and forbearance and 00:21:02.144 --> 00:21:04.180 patience? Wow. 00:21:04.520 --> 00:21:06.168 Do you know what God's given us? 00:21:06.168 --> 00:21:07.096 Let's go back, 00:21:07.096 --> 00:21:08.368 let's back up into Romans, 00:21:08.368 --> 00:21:08.984 chapter one, 00:21:08.984 --> 00:21:10.420 just briefly, 00:21:11.800 --> 00:21:14.700 because Paul murdered people, 00:21:16.760 --> 00:21:18.900 Paul murdered Christians. 00:21:19.560 --> 00:21:24.340 Paul stood by and watched Stephen get stoned. 00:21:25.960 --> 00:21:30.304 When Jesus met Paul on the road to Damascus, 00:21:30.352 --> 00:21:34.420 what do you think Paul expected Jesus to do? 00:21:36.560 --> 00:21:38.024 Exactly, George, 00:21:38.152 --> 00:21:38.496 you know, 00:21:38.496 --> 00:21:38.880 you go, 00:21:38.880 --> 00:21:39.424 who are you, 00:21:39.424 --> 00:21:41.384 Lord? I'm Jesus, 00:21:41.512 --> 00:21:44.296 whom you are persecuting, 00:21:44.488 --> 00:21:49.438 man. If Paul has this realization all of a sudden that I am killing Jesus 00:21:49.760 --> 00:21:55.432 people, and now he's slung me to the ground blind on the road to 00:21:55.456 --> 00:22:00.980 Damascus, what can I expect from Jesus in the next split second, 00:22:04.160 --> 00:22:07.768 right? Don't you think? 00:22:07.904 --> 00:22:09.620 And yet Paul says, 00:22:13.440 --> 00:22:16.080 this is who God's called me to be. 00:22:17.680 --> 00:22:21.420 Through him we've received grace and apostleship. 00:22:23.200 --> 00:22:28.834 All of the things that Paul writes about himself is because God changed 00:22:28.962 --> 00:22:30.030 who he was, 00:22:31.050 --> 00:22:33.830 transformed him in an instant. 00:22:34.970 --> 00:22:37.666 Right Now Paul's the one writing. 00:22:37.778 --> 00:22:38.642 I mean, 00:22:38.826 --> 00:22:40.282 God gives Paul a list, 00:22:40.282 --> 00:22:43.490 right? I love reading this list because it just, 00:22:43.610 --> 00:22:50.750 it just kind of blows my mind away that we can point at three or four 00:22:52.410 --> 00:22:59.326 horrible sins in the world and because they did not think it worthwhile 00:22:59.358 --> 00:23:00.850 to acknowledge God. 00:23:01.190 --> 00:23:01.686 You know, 00:23:01.686 --> 00:23:06.690 the great sin of chapter one is not acknowledging God, 00:23:08.070 --> 00:23:10.290 not recognizing God as God, 00:23:10.710 --> 00:23:12.494 not letting God be God. 00:23:12.542 --> 00:23:16.172 And then chapter two goes into not letting God Be judge. 00:23:16.630 --> 00:23:21.812 Okay? Because they did not think it worthwhile to acknowledge God. 00:23:22.006 --> 00:23:26.640 God delivered them over to a corrupt mind so that they do what is not 00:23:26.640 --> 00:23:26.970 right. 00:23:26.944 --> 00:23:30.312 They are filled with all unrighteousness, 00:23:30.376 --> 00:23:31.160 evil, greed, 00:23:31.240 --> 00:23:32.952 wickedness. They are full of envy, 00:23:32.952 --> 00:23:34.216 murder, quarrels, 00:23:34.248 --> 00:23:35.592 deceit and malice. 00:23:35.736 --> 00:23:36.776 They are gossips, 00:23:36.808 --> 00:23:38.136 slanderers, God haters, 00:23:38.168 --> 00:23:39.256 arrogant, proud, 00:23:39.288 --> 00:23:41.192 boastful inventors of evil, 00:23:41.256 --> 00:23:42.392 disobedient to parents. 00:23:42.456 --> 00:23:43.888 That's the one parents like. 00:23:43.888 --> 00:23:45.576 Senseless, untrustworthy, 00:23:45.608 --> 00:23:47.260 unloving, unmerciful. 00:23:48.890 --> 00:23:53.170 Although they know God's just sentence that those who practice such 00:23:53.210 --> 00:23:54.466 things deserve to die. 00:23:54.466 --> 00:23:56.130 They not only do them, 00:23:56.250 --> 00:23:58.330 but even applaud others who practice them. 00:23:58.330 --> 00:24:03.570 Therefore, every one of you who judges is without excuse. 00:24:03.650 --> 00:24:04.178 Wait a minute, 00:24:04.178 --> 00:24:07.478 God, didn't you just give me a list to judge? 00:24:07.690 --> 00:24:11.320 Didn't you just tell me to notice all the bad things? 00:24:11.690 --> 00:24:12.802 I. You know, 00:24:12.826 --> 00:24:14.026 I. Okay, 00:24:14.058 --> 00:24:17.170 God, what do you want me to do with it then? 00:24:17.170 --> 00:24:20.146 What am I supposed to do with the list of bad things? 00:24:20.146 --> 00:24:25.190 How am I supposed to react to all the list of bad things? 00:24:26.850 --> 00:24:28.750 Go hug somebody's neck. 00:24:31.010 --> 00:24:34.310 Because the Bible also teaches us that they are deceived. 00:24:35.650 --> 00:24:37.882 So I want to love people into the kingdom of God. 00:24:37.882 --> 00:24:42.400 Why? Because God's kindness lead you to repentance. 00:24:43.300 --> 00:24:48.396 But there is a stubbornness and an unrepentant heart out there that will 00:24:48.468 --> 00:24:52.908 experience the wrath of God and the day of wrath and revelation of God's 00:24:52.908 --> 00:24:53.920 righteousness. 00:24:54.500 --> 00:24:56.044 Why is God patient? 00:24:56.172 --> 00:24:57.268 Now this is where I started. 00:24:57.268 --> 00:24:59.578 Remember was the first thing I said? 00:24:59.700 --> 00:25:01.200 I am impatient. 00:25:02.820 --> 00:25:05.790 I want what I want what I want it. 00:25:05.710 --> 00:25:07.358 I want it the way I want it. 00:25:07.358 --> 00:25:13.730 I get to the habit of. 00:25:14.750 --> 00:25:17.490 I want the world to revolve around me. 00:25:18.430 --> 00:25:19.810 Thank you very much. 00:25:20.590 --> 00:25:22.930 Appreciate y'all all showing up this morning. 00:25:24.190 --> 00:25:25.370 Just kidding. 00:25:26.350 --> 00:25:27.570 See my point? 00:25:28.350 --> 00:25:32.010 God is patient unto repentance. 00:25:33.540 --> 00:25:36.560 God is kind unto repentance. 00:25:37.540 --> 00:25:40.040 Okay, I want y'all to. 00:25:40.420 --> 00:25:43.524 We're going to do a little exercise just because I got time. 00:25:43.524 --> 00:25:47.676 I didn't want to spend a these five verses because. 00:25:47.748 --> 00:25:48.484 And like I said, 00:25:48.484 --> 00:25:53.540 I cut it off in the middle of a verse of a sentence according to how the. 00:25:53.540 --> 00:25:58.364 When it says his judgment is revealed because verse 6 says he will repay 00:25:58.412 --> 00:26:00.640 each one according to his works. 00:26:01.910 --> 00:26:03.890 I couldn't get into that today. 00:26:04.390 --> 00:26:05.566 We'll get there. 00:26:05.718 --> 00:26:08.170 Okay, that's next week. 00:26:08.470 --> 00:26:10.150 So if you don't show up next week, 00:26:10.150 --> 00:26:11.050 I'll understand. 00:26:13.910 --> 00:26:16.086 I wanted us to realize something right here. 00:26:16.086 --> 00:26:20.970 Okay? We have been gifted something. 00:26:22.630 --> 00:26:24.350 Let's talk about our gifted. 00:26:24.430 --> 00:26:28.158 We've been gifted the righteousness of God because for in it, 00:26:28.214 --> 00:26:28.782 the gospel, 00:26:28.782 --> 00:26:32.130 the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith. 00:26:32.500 --> 00:26:34.480 For just as it is written, 00:26:34.556 --> 00:26:36.572 the just shall live by faith, 00:26:36.636 --> 00:26:39.180 the righteous shall live by faith. 00:26:39.340 --> 00:26:41.560 We have been gifted something, 00:26:42.580 --> 00:26:46.220 right? And I told y'all the story before. 00:26:46.260 --> 00:26:48.580 I was a little bit short kid in school, 00:26:48.580 --> 00:26:52.210 I never got picked first for any team in my life. 00:26:53.060 --> 00:27:00.216 But it's interesting how we in the family of faith will think, 00:27:00.288 --> 00:27:00.800 you know what, 00:27:00.800 --> 00:27:04.760 God, you did a pretty good job getting me on your team, 00:27:07.200 --> 00:27:07.940 right? 00:27:08.880 --> 00:27:10.860 We kind of have that tendency. 00:27:12.080 --> 00:27:13.656 God loved me. 00:27:13.728 --> 00:27:15.008 And I'm going to say it this way. 00:27:15.008 --> 00:27:24.660 God loved me so much that he gifted me a righteousness and a life. 00:27:27.660 --> 00:27:33.764 How could I not gift to another one, 00:27:33.852 --> 00:27:34.880 another person, 00:27:36.060 --> 00:27:37.040 a world, 00:27:38.460 --> 00:27:40.800 God's love through me. 00:27:43.820 --> 00:27:46.240 Why can't I love people around me? 00:27:46.780 --> 00:27:48.040 I'll be honest. 00:27:49.340 --> 00:27:50.804 Started out with impatience. 00:27:50.852 --> 00:27:51.436 I'm telling you, 00:27:51.436 --> 00:27:52.500 God's patience, 00:27:52.660 --> 00:27:55.280 patient by loving me with his love, 00:27:55.910 --> 00:27:57.890 called me to give it away. 00:27:59.110 --> 00:28:00.170 I'm not. 00:28:00.790 --> 00:28:03.130 I recognize it all the time. 00:28:06.230 --> 00:28:08.010 Recognize it all the time. 00:28:08.870 --> 00:28:14.850 So what did I say last week about how the list of sin, 00:28:15.590 --> 00:28:19.220 how God called me to respond to the list of sin, 00:28:19.750 --> 00:28:21.528 right? Bobby, 00:28:21.544 --> 00:28:25.834 get on your face because you're right there in the middle of it. 00:28:27.760 --> 00:28:29.140 God forgive me, 00:28:30.240 --> 00:28:32.220 Forgive me for being judgy, 00:28:32.640 --> 00:28:34.700 forgive me for being impatient, 00:28:35.520 --> 00:28:41.740 forgive me for being unreasonable. 00:28:44.080 --> 00:28:46.336 I got a lot of funny examples of it, 00:28:46.336 --> 00:28:47.986 but I won't share those. 00:28:48.810 --> 00:28:51.550 Because when I consider what God gave me, 00:28:53.610 --> 00:28:57.950 Jesus bled and died in my place. 00:28:58.570 --> 00:29:02.390 God thank you for a love I can't repay. 00:29:03.850 --> 00:29:04.418 But God, 00:29:04.418 --> 00:29:06.068 I can give it away. 00:29:06.810 --> 00:29:09.394 Okay, if you don't know Jesus, 00:29:09.442 --> 00:29:11.422 we want you to know Jesus. 00:29:11.170 --> 00:29:13.106 Maybe in your life you know Jesus, 00:29:13.106 --> 00:29:16.364 but you're just like me, 00:29:16.532 --> 00:29:18.760 right? You do the same things. 00:29:19.060 --> 00:29:23.520 It's really funny to hear yalls response to impatience. 00:29:24.020 --> 00:29:26.990 I got a feeling we're the majority in here, 00:29:27.380 --> 00:29:28.700 just so you know. 00:29:28.980 --> 00:29:33.068 Got a feeling some of y'all don't like left handed drivers. 00:29:33.244 --> 00:29:34.516 Whoever. Amen back there. 00:29:34.516 --> 00:29:35.300 I don't know who it was. 00:29:35.300 --> 00:29:36.240 But anyway, 00:29:36.900 --> 00:29:38.550 God knows who you are, 00:29:41.870 --> 00:29:46.166 folks. God is refining us. 00:29:46.238 --> 00:29:48.250 And God's greatest, 00:29:48.590 --> 00:29:49.862 in my opinion. 00:29:50.006 --> 00:29:54.890 God by his spirit takes this word and makes it alive. 00:29:55.710 --> 00:29:57.430 And as he makes it alive, 00:29:57.430 --> 00:29:58.930 he makes it personal. 00:30:05.640 --> 00:30:06.780 Pray with me, 00:30:07.080 --> 00:30:08.380 God. Thank you, 00:30:11.800 --> 00:30:15.020 God, thank you that you know me, 00:30:16.600 --> 00:30:19.260 God, you know how foul I am. 00:30:20.760 --> 00:30:23.940 God, you know the dark places of my soul. 00:30:25.560 --> 00:30:26.208 And God, 00:30:26.208 --> 00:30:29.220 you continue to push light into those places. 00:30:29.800 --> 00:30:33.420 You continue to pour love into who I am. 00:30:34.550 --> 00:30:39.430 God, you continue to give me a grace and a mercy that I never have 00:30:39.430 --> 00:30:46.590 deserved. And God you never said I had to repay you you never said that I 00:30:46.630 --> 00:30:52.702 had to do something to earn that but you did say God that I've got to 00:30:52.726 --> 00:30:59.982 give it away so God help me to give it away God help me to find the 00:31:00.006 --> 00:31:06.472 people the person that one that's farthest out there God that needs to 00:31:06.496 --> 00:31:11.992 know that you love them that you know them that you know who they are you 00:31:12.016 --> 00:31:16.200 know where they are and that through me, 00:31:16.320 --> 00:31:22.680 through one of the folks in this room you are reaching out in love to 00:31:22.720 --> 00:31:28.232 them doesn't guarantee a good response doesn't guarantee an accepting 00:31:28.296 --> 00:31:32.892 response but God I don't have to worry about the response I only have to 00:31:32.892 --> 00:31:38.564 worry about what you've given to me to give away so God help me to give 00:31:38.572 --> 00:31:43.972 it away thank you for your love thank you that you loved me when I was 00:31:43.996 --> 00:31:50.132 unlovable and I'm still unlovable God help me to love others with your 00:31:50.156 --> 00:31:52.100 love and I pray it in Jesus name Amen.