Despising His Kindness

Bible Text: Romans 2:4-5 | Preacher: Alan Conner | Series: 2002, Romans

Nov. 3, 2002                                                                                                                     Northwest Bible Church

Rom. 2:4-5

Despising His Kindness

 

INTRO

I.    Justification (chs. 1-8).

II.   Vindication (chs. 9-11).

III.  Exhortation (chs. 12-16).

 

HARMARTIOLOGY = the study of sin.  Paul in 2:1f. is building his case against these moralists.  They are guilty of sin and without excuse because:

1) they are hypocritical judges (vv. 1-3)

2) they despise God’s kindness (v. 4)

3) they are storing up wrath because they are stubborn and                                                                    unrepentant (v. 5)

 

 

I. GOD’S KINDNESS TO THE LOST.

 

Note:  “riches of” , not in meager supplies.

 

A.  Kindness –   to provide something beneficial for someone.  God’s                                        common grace is in view here.  Mt. 5:45; Lk. 6:35; Acts 14:17.

 

B.  Tolerance – to withhold judgment, a kind of temporary divine truce.

 

C.  Patience –  longsuffering with man’s sinfulness.

 

 

II. THE GOAL IS REPENTANCE.

 

A. The purpose of God’s patience and kindness is to give time for repentance.  But  unbelievers  misunderstand God’s kindness. See Ps. 10; 73:3-11.

 

B. Note the word “lead.”  God leads the sinner gently, he does not treat them like beasts that must be driven with whips and rods.  God leads them like a shepherd but the problem is that they simply will not follow.

III. IT IS A GREAT SIN TO DESPISE GOD’S KINDNESS.

 

A.  They “think lightly” of the riches of His benefits (v. 4).

 

“Think lightly”  – to feel contempt for someone or something because it is thought to be bad or without value — ‘to despise, to scorn, to look down on.’

 

 

B.  They are stubborn and unrepentant (v. 5).

 

 

 

C.  God’s response is to store up wrath for them on the day of judgment (v. 5).

 

 

IV.  A GODLY RESPONSE TO GOD’S KINDNESS.

 

A. All Christians should not but do continue to sin.

 

 

B. God can justly discipline us and even take us home.

 

 

C. God’s kindness should cause Christians to be continually repenting.