July 8, 2001

Pastor George H. Heiland

Without Honor

Romans 1:18-20;  18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. 21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks; but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.

In spite of all the evidence of a loving Creator-God  . . .

Man Acted WITHOUT HONOR . . .

A.  By Refusing to Acknowledge GOD as GOD vs.  20, 21

Romans 1: 21 “For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God ;  . . .”

1.  A Definite Knowledge;  Gnovnte§   (gnontes) (aorist or point tense) usually indicating definiteness.  W.E. Vine  It is evident that mankind had a grip on who God was and refused to retain that knowledge.  He not only is “without excuse” by natural revelation, (vs.  19 & 20); he is without excuse by his own willful disobedience.

2.  A Relational Knowledge;  In the N.T. ginoµskoµ frequently indicates a relation between the person knowing and the object known; in this respect, what is known is of value or importance to the one who knows, and hence the establishment of the relationship, e.g., especially of God’s knowledge, 1 Corinthians 8:3, “if any man love God, the same is known of Him;”   W.E. Vine.  Man’s denial of God is not only willful; it is personal!   See Isaiah 53:6a  “All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; . . .” 

See also Romans 3:11,12;  11 There is none who understands,

There is none who seeks for God;

 12 All have turned aside, together they have become useless; There is none who does good, There is not even one.”

Man Acted WITHOUT HONOR . . .

B.  By Refusing to Show Gratefulness to GOD as GOD vs. 21

Romans 1: 21 “For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks; . . .”  To add insult to injury, they not only refused to retain God in their knowledge; they likewise refused to show any appreciation for His gracious provision for them!

LISTEN and give THANKS!   Psalm 19:1-3

      1 The heavens are telling of the glory of God;

And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.

2 Day to day pours forth speech,

And night to night reveals knowledge.

3 There is no speech, nor are there words;

Their voice is not heard.

Man Acted WITHOUT HONOR . . .

C.  By Representing The Creator-GOD as a creature god

1. Denial Brought Darkness

Romans 1:21b, 22 “ . . . they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,”

. 2. Darkness Brought Desecration

Romans 1:23 and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.  Ruling God out of creation loosed Him also from their consciences.  With no accountability to God and no holy standard from God, moral collapse and its resultant chaos is inevitable.

Psalm 14:1-3;  1 The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds; There is no one who does good  2 The Lord has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men,  To see if there are any who understand, Who seek after God.  3 They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; There is no one who does good, not even one.

Yet in the midst of all of this we read;  ^“. . . God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.  Romans 5:8,9.  Have you trusted Him? Personally?

“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved, you and your household.”  Acts 16:31