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.

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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.

God Replaced

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

Romans 1:22-25

22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.
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.

Click HERE for video of sermon

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

God Replaced — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 1:22-25
Sermon Series: Romans (14th sermon)
June 14, 2020

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   According to Paul’s logic in this section, what is the relationship between ingratitude and idolatry?  How does this help us wage war against the idols in our lives?
2.   What does it mean to say that we are worshipping and religious creatures by nature?  How does this guide us in relating to unbelievers?
3.   How can we help our children identify idols in their hearts?  What impact does our own idolatry have on them?
4.   What are the layers of contrast that Paul lays out in v. 23?  How does his language serve to show the folly and wickedness of idolatry?
5.   Why is idolatry inherently satanic?  How does this help us to understand Satan’s tactics when he tempts us?
6.   Why does Paul break out in praise at the end of v. 25? 

References: 1 Thessalonians 5:18;  1 Corinthians 1:20;  Jeremiah 13:25;  10:14;  16:19;  2:11;
1 Thessalonians 1:9;  John 8:44;  1 Corinthians 10:20;  Genesis 1:28;  Psalm 106:20.