Safety Shattered

Romans 2:17-24

17 But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God 18 and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law; 19 and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— 21 you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? 22 You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law. 24 For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”

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Safety Shattered — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 2:17-24
Sermon Series: Romans (21st sermon)
August 9, 2020

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   Why does Paul wait until v. 17 to explicitly address the Jews? How does this passage build on and reiterate Paul’s previous arguments?
2.   How do the Jews in Paul’s day see themselves? Were they right or wrong to think that way?
3.   What does it mean to rightly “boast in God”? Where had the Jews gone wrong?
4.   What does this passage communicate to the professing Christian? How has Romans 2 informed or impacted you personally?
5.   How does Paul connect Jewish hypocrisy back to Gentile idolatry, particularly in v. 23? How does this encourage us to consciously live for God’s glory?

References: Psalm 1; 119:105; Jeremiah 9:24; John 5:23, 39; 8:42; Isaiah 42:6; 49:6; Genesis 22:18; John 12:36; Matthew 5:14; 15:14; Titus 2:11-14; Deuteronomy 7:25; Matthew 5:28; Romans 1:5, 21; Ephesians 1:12; 2:7; 1 Corinthians 10:31.

Doers Not Hearers

Romans 2:12-16

12 For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. 14 For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them 16 on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.

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

Doers Not Hearers — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 2:12-16
Sermon Series: Romans (20th sermon)
August 2, 2020

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   What Jewish mindset with respect to the law is Paul refuting in this passage?
2.   Where else in Scripture do we see this emphasis on not being a mere hearer?
3.   How can exposure to God’s truth actually lead to false assurance? What does it mean to say that hearing without doing is storing?
4.   How does Paul’s language in vv. 14-15 suggest that he is talking about Gentile believers? What other passages support this interpretation? Read and discuss how these verses relate to vv. 7-10 and 26-29.
5.   What does it mean to say that a Christian does “what the law requires” (v. 14)? Read and discuss Romans 7:22 and 8:4.
6.   Why will our conflicting thoughts accuse and excuse us on the day of Judgment?
7.   How does this passage encourage you in the Christian life? How does it clarify the relationship between faith, works, law, and gospel?

References: Romans 9:4-5; Joshua 1:8; Ezra 7:10; Romans 3:9; 7:12; James 1:22; Matthew 7:24; Jeremiah 31:33; 2 Corinthians 3:3; Romans 2:26-29; Romans 7:22; 8:4; Ephesians 2:12-13; James 2:20-24; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 1 John 3:20.