The Self-Righteous Judge

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Romans 2:1-5

1 Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. 2 We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. 3 Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? 5 But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.

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The Self-Righteous Judge — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 2:1-5
Sermon Series: Romans (17th sermon)
July 5, 2020

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   What is the Jewish mindset that Paul addresses in this passage? Where do we see it today?
2.   How does 2 Samuel 12:1-7 illustrate this text?
3.   How has judgmental hypocrisy played out in your relationships? What does the gospel say to this sin?
4. As Paul describes it here, what is going on in the heart of this self-righteous judge?
5.   What does it mean to presume on God’s kindness? Why should his kindness lead us to repentance?
6.   What is the end result for the hypothetical person addressed in these verses?

References: Romans 3:9-10; Matthew 23:27; 2 Samuel 12:1-7; Matthew 7:3; 3:9-10; Zephaniah 1:15; Daniel 12:2; Romans 3:22.

Idolatry Repaid, Part 2

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Romans 1:28-32

28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. 29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.

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Idolatry Repaid, Part 2— Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 1:28-32
Sermon Series: Romans (16th sermon)
June 28, 2020

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   What is Paul’s intention in Romans 1:18-32 as a whole? How do vv. 28-32 connect back to the previous verses?
2.   What does it mean to have a “worthless” or “debased” mind? How does this remind us of the contrast between believers and unbelievers?
3.   What strikes you most about Paul’s list of sins in vv. 29-31? How is it both refreshing and convicting for the Christian?
4.   Why does Paul include these particular vices? How does this list speak to current events?
5.   How have you been tempted towards strife during this time of pandemic and social unrest? How do we protect against this sin individually and as a church family?
6.   How does v. 32 function as a culmination of Paul’s argument?
7.   How does a passage like this raise our appreciation of what Christ did at the cross?

References:  Genesis 1:26-28; Ephesians 4:17; 1 Corinthians 2:16; Colossians 3:10; Galatians 5:16; Romans 8:13; 1 Peter 2:11; 2 Timothy 3:1-2; Genesis 2:17; Romans 6:23; Numbers 15:30; Proverbs 2:14.

Idolatry Repaid, Part 1

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Romans 1:24, 26-27

24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
26 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; 27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.

Click HERE for video of sermon

NOTE:  Allow 30-90 seconds after clicking the START-arrow or Download-button for playback to begin.

Idolatry Repaid, Part 1— Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 1:24, 26-27
Sermon Series: Romans (15th sermon)
June 21, 2020
Video copy of sermon is found at

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   What are some temptations that Christians face when addressing the issue of homosexuality?
2.   Discuss interactions that you have had with people in your life who practice homosexuality. How does this passage help us to communicate with them more clearly?
3.   What does Paul mean when he says that God “gave them up” to this sin? How does this passage balance divine sovereignty and human responsibility?
4.   What is the connection between idolatry and homosexuality? In particular, how do the themes of “nature” and “honor” play into it?
5.   How does 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 give hope to the person engaged in this sin?

References: 2 Timothy 4:3; James 1:13-14; Ephesians 4:19; Genesis 2:24; Leviticus 20:13; 1 Timothy 1:10; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Titus 3:5-7.