Friday, October 07, 2005


This picture was done from an old student of mine, Eun-Sun, while I was in Taegu. Quite flattering for someone to take a great deal of time to sketch your face!!

Hyun in front of "Brest Bakery", downtown Pohang. Hyun has a gift for noticing odd signs. (I mean why on earth would you name a bakery "Brest Bakery"?! It's not like they sell chicken breast there or anything?!)

Romans: Bible Study 4

Lesson 4: The Judgment of God
Romans 2:1-16
Do I consider myself to be a
A) gross sinner
B) respectable sinner?
Does it matter to God?

The Inconsistency of Human Judgment
You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. (Romans 2:1)

Paul had an imaginary debating opponent...a Jewish spokesperson. This person seemed to be appalled by the immorality and idolatory of the Gentiles. The Jews regarded themselves as _____________. They disassociated themselves for fear of __________.

Human judgment is...often necessary...sometimes helpful...occasionally correct...but __________. (inconsistent/subjective)
Why do government representatives and other groups often call attention to corruption, limitations of freedom and instances of human abuse in the USA? __________
What happens in governments where ideology is more important than people?

Person A: Owes 1 million dollars
Person A: Owes half a million dollars but because he owes much less he considers himself to be debt free.
Some Jews felt that, because they did not behave in excessive extremes like some of the Gentiles, they were without fault. They felt that overt actions were more serious than covert attitudes.

The Integrity of Divine Judgment (Romans 2:2-10)
How would we respond to someone who said:
"God would never condemn anyone."
"A loving God would never send anyone to hell."
"I'll take my chances. They're as good as the next guys."

Paul discusses divine judgment as if it is a fact of life, not a topic for debate. It is a fact of human existence that must be reckoned with. How prepared are people today to consider this subject? ____________
Why is it necessary for God to ultimately judge man? ____________
Discuss the following patterns of thought:
1. If God does not judge man, man's actions have no ultimate value. If man's actions lack ultimate value, he can view life as being without meaning. Therefore, man's existence is inconsequential, meaningless, and empty.
2. Divine judgment points to the intrinsic value of humanity. God regards what we do as important enough to judge...God regards what we are as important enough to matter.

As Paul ministered to Gentiles, it was necessary to educate the Jews. Why? _____
It was common for Jews/Jewish Christians to pride themselves in being acceptable to God because of their moral superiority to the pagans while discounting their own heart condition. The people of Paul's day thought there was one rule for Jews and another rule for the rest.

As we have already stated, the wrath of God is already in evidence in human behavior. Now, Paul points out that these awful present evidences are simply a foretaste of more to come..."in the day of God's wrath, when His righteous judgment will be revealed..."

Have we ever seen a full demonstration of divine judgment? _______
Why does God delay showing a full demonstration of His judgment? ______
Does longsuffering mean that God will eventually forget things or give in and let man off the hook? _____________________
The beautiful attributes of God are intended to ________.
However, we often take God's kindness for granted and use the freedom to sin more.
People also have the tendency to find comfort in a very dangerous place...quiet immunity. What is quiet immunity? ___________
Many think that what happens to others won't happen to them.

The Judgment of God is Impartial (Read Romans 2:11-15)
Whether Jew of Gentile, the judgment of God has no place for favoritism or exceptions. His judgment is based on the response of the individual to the knowledge of truth that has been made available. The more privilege a person has, the more responsibility he holds.

The Inevitability of Divine Judgment (Read Romans 2:16)
"Will" God will judge the world. There is no doubt.
"The secrets of men" External deeds are seen in their true light only when the secret motivations are known. Deeds in the light of secrets will be judged on that final day.
"By Jesus Christ" Jesus, the babe, the healer, the teacher, the victim, the triumphant Lord, and ______. Jesus as Judge is foreign to many. He repeatedly announced His own Judgeship during His ministry. Many heard but many chose not to believe.
The resurrection was the evidence that God has appointed Christ as Judge.

Jesus' knowledge of man's true nature was touched with a compassion which came from His deep empathy with man in all his struggles, for He, too, had lived and struggled, been tested and tried, and yet had never sinned. He was Himself the standard and the only ideal judge.

When confronted with discussions about the judgment, people look hard for any evidence of good news. Before we can adequately understand the good news we must grasp first the bad news. Then, the wonder of the message of grace is seen in all its fullness and glory.
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