The Book of Romans: The Religious Condemned

Bob Schwahn | Lead Pastor | February 18, 2024 11am

Romans 2:1-4 (NIV)
You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?

Matthew 7:1-5 (NIV)

Romans 2:5-11 (NIV)

1 John 4:18 (NIV)
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

Romans 2:12-16 (NIV)

Romans 8:1 (NIV)
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,

“There are but two objects that I have ever desired … to behold; the one, is my own vileness; and the other is, the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ: and I have always thought that they should be viewed together.” — Charles Simeon

Reflection Questions:

Read Romans 2:1-16
What was one thing that grabbed your attention from the sermon?
Where do you find yourself standing in judgment over the sin of other people? What makes you shake your head at the culture around you? What is the meaning of the word judgment in the Bible? Does this mean we don’t evaluate good and evil? Why or why not?
How would you evaluate the often used statement, “Love the sinner, hate their sin.”? According to Paul in this text, what might be some problems with this statement? Bob suggested in his sermon we would be better to say, “Love the sinner, hate our own sin.” Do you agree or disagree?
Read Romans 8:1. How does it make you feel that when we are in Christ (saving faith in Him) there is absolutely NO condemnation? Have you experienced the joy/freedom/gratitude that this truth produces? Why or why not?
Read Romans 2:5-11. What in this section does Paul say that seems to counter the gospel message that our salvation is based only on our faith in Christ? How do you explain this seeming contradiction?
If you truly believed that obedience to the commands of Jesus were in your best interest, what step of obedience would you take? What steps of obedience are you hesitant to take? Why are you hesitant?
What evidence do you see in the world that people inherently have at least some sense of right and wrong? (Even if they don’t know God or His commands.)
Think about the illustration of the invisible recorder from the sermon. What are moral judgments that you make that you have violated yourself?
From this text and sermon…
What do you sense God is SAYING to you? (Hear)
What are you going to DO about that? (Obey)

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Notes Page: https://journeybozeman.com/sermons/notes/2024.02.18.pdf