Romans 2:2-8 – Standing Before God – Bible study

Romans 2:2-8 Standing Before God There is no greater spirit damper anywhere than the topic of Gods judgement. In an age when most churches want to do nothing more than sing, praise, and preach "feel-good messages," few will preach are will listen to a sermon on that topic and fewer still are the preachers who preach on it. However, judgment is a fact. It will happen; and that being the case, mankind needs to know about it. Read text. Paul wrote this book to the church at Rome. Obviously, there were some problems occurring either in the church or around that church that were serious. In dealing with them, Paul spoke on the fact that everyone would have to stand before God in judgment. I. There is judgment. Romans 2:2 But we are sure that the judgment of God. A. That statement is simple; only three words, but it is one of the most hated truths of the human race, but it is in the Bible and if we are going to preach the whole Book, we must preach the whole truth. B. Consider there are actually several judgments that deal with people and it is possible for some people to go through more than one. 1. Judgment of the Worlds Population a. The tribulation b. Seven years in which God judges the people that will currently be living on the world. c. The Book of Revelation summaries that judgment, especially chapters 4-19. d. This will be the worst time period of human history, in part because that generation of people will experience all the wrath that God HAS NOT BEEN pouring out on the human race for their sinfulness. (1) People in our generation doubt the existence of God in part because when they do something wrongagainst the Biblenothing happens. (2) That is because of the MERCY of God. (3) However, when Gods mercy runs out, whatever generation is living on the earth at that time, will experience ALL the wrath of God from ALL the sins that have been adding up in ages past. 2. Judgment of the Nations a. This judgment will occur after the Tribulation and as the millennial reign of Jesus begins on the earth. b. \#Matt 25:31-46\ c. This is a judgment of WHOLE NATIONS and they will be judged on how they have treated Israel. d. If this judgment were to begin today, America might be in a pretty good light, but as America turns from God and Israel, our standing dims. e. I have never completely understood that judgment. (1) The text indicates that the nations that have treated Israel badly, the goats, will NOT enter into the kingdom of God. (2) In my mind, the only thing that means is that those nations will be eliminated. (3) What I do not understand is does that mean the people will be eliminated too or just their nation? 3. Judgment of the Unsaved a. That is called the Great White Throne Judgment. b. \#Rev 20:11-15\ c. That is the most frightening of all judgments. d. Every soul who refused to accept Jesus as their Savior will be brought to that judgment, found guilty, and cast into the Lake of Fire forever. e. That judgment is rigged. (1) In fact, all of them are. (2) God has already decided what the punishments will be and even knows who is going to be found guilty. 4. Judgment of the Saved a. Bema-Seat Judgment b. There are several texts that discuss this judgment, but I will mention \#1Cor 3:11-15\. c. This is a judgment for every person who has accepted Jesus as their Savior. d. We will be rewarded according to our WORKS since we have been saved. e. Friend, dont take that lightly. 2Co 5:11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God. C. Get this. It is possible for a human being to go through THREE of these judgments. 1. Those unsaved who are living at the time of the Rapture of Church, could live through the Tribulation, stand at the Judgment of the Nations, die and then stand at the Great White Throne Judgment. 2. These are not ALL of the judgments, but they are the primary judgments of PEOPLE. D. \#2\ Notice that these judgments will be conducted based on TRUTH, what actually happened. Romans 2:2 But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. 1. We have gone from the place of having too little information to having too much information (or perhaps I should say having too much false information.) 2. I have no idea how good or bad the people in our world really are, BUT GOD DOES. 3. God has kept a ledger of what we REALLY DID. 4. Some say there are three kinds of truth. a. What we think we did. b. What others thing we did. c. What we really did. 5. God has the account of what we really did, really thought, really said, and really meant to happen. 6. That is the ledger He will be using at the judgments. II. God will be the Judge and we will be the defendants. A. But there will not be much of a defense if you do not have Jesus. 1. Jesus is not just your Savior. 2. Jesus is also the only Defense Attorney there is. 1Ti 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; B. Paul gave some warnings concerning the things that some are doing to condemn themselves. 1. Some are thinking they will get out of the judgment. Romans 3:3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? 2. Some despise the mercies of God. (That means some taket what God gave to help them and use it to sin.) Romans 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? a. There are three mercies mentioned in that verse which God has shown every person alive. (1) Goodness – Kindness, gentleness (a) Friend, God has never treated any person with anything other than kid glovesSO FAR. (b) I know some people have had some pretty tough lives through no fault of their own, but it is through the fault of those who have gone on before them. (c) All of the starving, sick, naked, war-torn, and oppressed peoples of this world have had cruel and wicked sinners take them down that road. (d) That does not mean that the people there today do not need our love, compassion, and help. (e) But it is time people quit blaming God for the harvest of their sins. (f) Do not take the good things God has given (heath, family, work, pleasure) and use it sin against God. (2) Forbearance – Self restraint (a) God has been holding His wrath in check for centuriesto some extent, for millenniums. i. That has been awfully good for us, hasnt it? ii. It is going to be awfully bad for those alive at the end. (b) Why is God holding Himself back? i. I can only guess. ii. To make faith work. If God judged and rewarded instantly, there would be no need for faith. Things would all happen in real time. iii. God wants man to live and obey by faith. iv. How are you doing with that? (c) Then why pour all of His wrath upon one, last generation? i. Because the sin of earth must be judged. ii. Noahs generation was a last generation, then the FLOOD. iii. Isaiahs generation was a last generation, then the ASSYRIANS. iv. Jeremiahs generation was a last generation, then the BABYLONIANS. (3) Longsuffering – God puts up with a lot b. If you are alive today, enjoying Gods gift of life without serving Him, you are abusing these mercies. (1) Paul warned against it. (2) \#5\ You are "treasuring up the wrath of God." Romans 2:5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; (3) Paul was saying that abusing those mercies is "storing up" or "making deposits" into the bank of Gods wrath. (4) Remember, YOU HAVE TO STAND BEFORE GOD IN JUDGMENT. (a) On that day, the vault will be opened and of your sins WITH INTEREST, will be brought out. (b) The payment for sin is very high and you will have not DEFENSE without Jesus! 3. There are more warnings here, but for the sake of time (and fear), I will not mention them. Instead, let me tell you what you need to do. III. You need a Savior and Defense Attorney A. Most people want to work for their salvation. Earning salvation seems built into the nature. B. If you want a works salvation, let me give you four works to do. Matt 17:5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. 1. LISTEN to Jesus. Mark 1:14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. 2. There are two commands in that last verse. (a) REPENT – The best you know how, surrender yourself to God. (b) BELIEVE – Believe that Jesus died for you and will save you. Luke 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? 3. OBEY Jesus. You will stand before God in judgment. You will. Ignoring it, will not make it any less true. What you need to do is not to ignore it but to prepare for it and to prepare today.