Essentials Of The Faith / Sunday Morning Sermon Series / Romans

Romans 2:1-16 Part 1

TITLE: God's Case Against the Moralist  pt.1                                                                                     TEXT: Rom. 2:1-16
MAIN IDEA: There is a future judgment thru JC and it will be    impartial.

INTRO: Someone has once said 'We hate our faults, especially when we see them in others'. The idea is that it is easy to condemn others for sin which we ourselves are equally guilty of but refuse to admit. We will return to the courtroom where Paul, God's prosecuting attorney, has rested his case and unrighteous mankind has been found guilty of idolatry. God, the righteous judge has passed sentence and  unrighteous mankind was given over to their own sinful desires.

 As the courtroom begins to empty out, a few individuals impeccably dressed and in a very polite way give their hearty approval of the sentence. Paul overhears their words  ' I am so glad I am not like those on trial, those evil, sinful, pathetic individuals. Too bad they were not more like us. We are moral, upright citizens. God will gladly welcome us into His heaven.'
Paul, shaking his head says, 'OK, it seems you missed the point. Everyone, back in...especially you two well dressed men.' The trial will reconvene.

EXP: It is understandable, isn't it, that those who believe they are 'moral' individuals (good people) would think they were exempt from the charge of Idolatry and immorality given in Romans 1:18-32. After all they don't regularly participate in the 21 sins mentioned there. So they believe they have in their morality a 'Get out of jail free' card. The problem is that the moralist denies his accountability before God. This is just another creative way to show his failure to honor God and give Him thanks. (Rom. 1:21) The clear and simple purpose of Paul's argument in Chapter 2 vs. 1-16 is to close  down the moralist's perceived route of escape.  To show them that their judgment is inconsistent and that God's judgment is given with integrity and impartiality. But most of all to warn them that God's judgment is inevitable.

TRANS: So, let's step back into the courtroom as Paul begins to argue God's case against the moralist.  Paul's first piece of evidence is

I. The inconsistency of man's judgment. (vs 1)
    A. W/O Excuse

Question: That word in vs. 1 should cause us to immediately stop and see what Paul has written prior to this verse?

        Paul, once again begins with the word Therefore. Telling us that he is continuing something he has already begun earlier. that there is a strong connection between what he was said and what he is going to say. Paul was talking about sinful mankind and the consequences of their sin. He was describing those who are condemned and sentenced to eternal death and hell because of their suppression, rejection and replacement of God and His truth. Here, Paul is saying  ' Wait just a minute, what makes you think you are any different than those I have just been prosecuting? The moralists respond by demanding  'OK, What is the charge'?

    B. The charge: Hypocrisy
         Paul responds 'the crime of  inconsistent judgment  which is also know as hypocrisy'. 'What evidence of this accusation do you have Paul', they cry?

    C. The evidence: their actions
         You, your lives, your actions and yes, your attitudes are    exhibit A.

Read: Romans 2:1

         Paul declares that the moralist passes judgment on others while believing he is w/o sin himself. Paul reveals the condition of their hearts when he says that they practice the same things which they are judging others.

ILL: John 8:7 The woman brought to Jesus by the Pharisees who was caught in adultery.
 Jesus said 'He who is w/o sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.'

APP: You see? We are all guilty of sin. We have no right to judge, to criticize and find fault in others when we are sinful too.   The Pharisees knew this. That is why they all left quietly, embarrassed that Jesus had revealed their sinful hearts. In the courtroom, the moralist is also hushed, for he knows in his heart that Paul is speaking the truth and he shamefully awaits the verdict of God.

    D. The verdict: self incrimination
         'Self-inflicted condemnation', Paul tells them. 'Therefore, you are w/o excuse before God the Holy and righteous judge'.   The moralist is condemned  by their sin to the same fate as those mentioned in chapter 1 vs.18-32.

APP: Who are the moralists?   Well, you see them every day.
         Moralists are good, decent and honorable.
         They have strong values, high standards and uncompromising  principals.
         They are often well disciplined and know right from wrong.
         They are good neighbors, excellent workers and ideal citizens.

        True, the  moralist is a person who lives a good life but  the text tells us  he judges others.

 DEF: In the Greek 'judge' means to criticize, to find fault,  to condemn. The idea is that we actively look for sin in others, then
          we let them have it and we tell the world all about it.

         We become moralists when we set ourselves up as morally, or spiritually superior to others. When we do this what we
are really saying is :
        -We are more righteous than someone else
        -We are more acceptable to God than someone else because we don't sin like they do.

                The moralist doesn't lie he just stretches the truth.
                The moralist doesn't cheat, he just levels the playing field.
                The moralist doesn't betray another he just protects his rights.
                The moralist isn't prejudiced he just has convictions.

         The moralist fails to acknowledge his own sin when judging sin  in another. When it comes right down to it, the moralist doesn't accept God's assessment of their sinfulness nor does he accept the reality of God's judgment and wrath. This is sin. If we are to live Christ-like lives, this means we are not to judge others, to go around criticizing and finding fault, putting  others down because
  1. They are not 'like you'.
  2. They don't hold to the same convictions as you.
  3. They sin and you find out about it.

Question: Pastor, does this mean that we are not to confront sin in our brother or sister in the Lord? Does this mean we are to just ignore sin in others?

         No. But is does mean that when we confront a brother or sister who is in sin, we do it from a clean heart. From right motives and for the right purposes.

Question: OK, what are the right motives and purposes?

ILL: Matthew 7:1-5
         Do not judge, lest you be judged. For in the same way you judge, you will be judged and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. And why do you look at the spec in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye. Or how can you say to your brother, Let me take the speck out of you eye and behold, the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out or your own eye and then you will see clearly to take the spec out of your brother's eye.'

APP: What Matt. 7 and Rom. 2  are saying is First understand that judgment begins with rightly evaluating our own spiritual condition before we confront a brother or sister who is in sin. Secondly, this text is telling us that the purpose of this 'self-judgment: (taking the log out of our own eye first') is to prepare us to serve others. Have you ever thought of that before?
Once we examine ourselves and confess any sin before God, we are then ready to serve one another. (Taking the speck out of our brothers eye) And this service may include:
         -Admonishing one another, holding another accountable, or confronting another Believer who is in sin.
         -Understand though, the purpose is always to redeem, to restore and help the one who sins come back to a right
           fellowship with God and with His people.

Gal. 6:1-2 'Brethren, even if a man is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, each one looking to himself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens and thus fulfill the law of Christ. '

         The problem is that many judge and criticize others to make themselves look good  (Lk. 18:10-14) But Christians should judge themselves so that they can help others look good.  So that we are better able to be used of God to serve them. See the difference?

TRANS: Paul's argument in vs. 1 is designed to show the inconsistency and hypocrisy of human judgment. It shows that we are w/o excuse, there is no exemption just because we may  'look' like good people on the outside. Our judgment is flawed when we fail to make a proper evaluation of our own spiritual lives before we confront others who are in sin. Therefore, Paul reminds us, when we judge others we judge ourselves also and we reveal to all our own sinfulness.

         I realize this was a lot to say about one verse. But I believe this is not only a problem with the unsaved who think they can be good enough to get to heaven on their own merit, but it is a problem in the church when Believers think they are better than others and are on a witch hunt to seek and destroy all those in sin...under the guise of course of concern for my brother or sister. Verse 1 is a grand introduction by way of contrast to vs 'The Integrity of God's judgment'.