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.

Jesus Christ: Delivered Up for Our Trespasses

4 Truths About Your Sin Diagnosis:

1. You are a sinner by BIRTH. (Rom 5:12-21)
2. You are a sinner by CHOICE. (Rom 1:29-31
3. Sin disqualifies you from HEAVEN. (Rom 3:23)
4. Jesus was DELIVERED for our sin. (Rom 4:25)

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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. Who really delivered Jesus to die? See Romans 8:32. How does this affect the way you look at the cross?

3. What are some ways trespasses (sins) are redefined today? Confession time: Tell of a time you’ve made an excuse for something wrong you’ve done.

Guilt, Goats, and God's Grace

Introduction:

1. Men must be persuaded by the Holy Spirit of their Guilt. (Romans 8:1-2)



Review: 2 Peter 1:21 | John 14:16 | Col 2:13

Review: Lev 16 | John 8:3-11



2. Believers must be persuaded by the Holy Spirit of their Innocence. (Romans 8:3-4)

Guest Speaker - Mark Ort (HBCPN Elder)

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Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Romans 8:1-4

1. What is the purpose of the Law? Is the Law good?

2. If it were possible to obey every aspect of the Law, would that be enough to save someone? Provide scripture as to why or why not?

3. Describe the difference between ‘guilt’ and ‘conviction’.

4. What is the Holy Spirit’s role in a believer dealing with feelings of guilt?

5. What does the theological term ‘justification’ mean? 

Breakout Questions:
Pray for one another.