John 19:17-37
1. The wrath of God
-Romans 5:6-9
Few truths about the wrath of God…
wrath is God’s fixed displeasure with sin
wrath is a universal experience
-Ephesians 2:1-3
“…whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” -John 3:36
it is in proportion to human sinfulness
“God’s wrath in the Bible is never the capricious, self-indulgent, irritable, morally ignoble thing that human anger so often is. It is, instead, a right and necessary reaction to objective moral evil”
-J.I. Packer, Knowing God
God’s wrath is an expression of His love
the wrath of God is in harmony with God’s justice
2. The Law
Romans 3:19-26
the law establishes universal guilt
we are all accountable to God
doing good cannot make me good
the law only reminds me I cannot do it
a new way of relating to God has been established
the entire Old Testament points to this reality
to be right with God I must have faith in Jesus (not enough to believe)
we have all sinned and fallen short of God’s standard
we can all receive grace
redemption is only found in Jesus
God says Jesus is enough for my sins
I must receive this by having more faith in Jesus than I do in myself
the Cross magnifies how right God is about everything
the Cross holds up God’s standard of justice
the Cross demonstrates that God alone can justify us
3. Separation from God
1) once for sins
2) the righteous for the unrighteous
-2 Corinthians 5:21
4. Doubt as to the authority of the Bible
-Zechariah 12:10
-Zechariah 13:1
Questions for reflection…
When you think about the wrath of God what stirs in your mind?
Scripture teaches that the wrath of God remains on those who do not believe the Gospel. How does this inform and motivate your evangelism?
What is the difference in having faith in God and believing in God?
What is something God loves that you could love more?
How often do you think of yourself as righteous? Not waiting until you get to heaven but right now…righteous!
Does the Bible feel more like a puzzle or a picture to you?