• the crucial role of the Holy Spirit: things made plain by preaching, made precious by the Spirit
• main idea: Because God reconciles His weak, sinful enemies to Himself through Christ, rejoice in His extravagant love.

• our status
• God’s “season”
• historical fact:
• theological meaning:

• the just/upright person
• the kind/generous person

• God’s decisive demonstration
• note the passive verbs: acted on
• the “much more” argument

• increased certainty
• centered in Christ
• means of reconciliation
• rejoicing/boasting in God

• Exult in the great exchange!
• “As revealed with final authority in Scripture alone, the gospel is the good news that by faith alone, through grace alone, on the basis of Christ alone, for the glory of God alone, sinners have full and final joy in God alone.” (Piper)
• “I will not boast in anything, no gifts, no power, no wisdom; But I will boast in Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection. Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer; But this I know with all my heart-His wounds have paid my ransom.” (Townend)

• repetition of “therefore”
• previously: all guilty, no salvation by works, God’s way by grace through faith, example of Abraham
• connection to the last two words of 4:25
• Because of God’s provision in Christ, we can apply the certainties of salvation to the circumstances of our lives.

♦ immediately, we have peace
♦ continually, we stand in grace
♦ ultimately, we hope for glory

♦ productive pressure
♦ ripened character
♦ assurance through the Holy Spirit

• Anchor your joy to your secure standing with God.
• The God who goes before us in salvation will go before us in our circumstances.
• “Be Thou my shield and hiding place, that sheltered near Thy side, I may my fierce accuser face, and tell him Thou hast died.” (John Newton)

• something happened
• now: logical, chronological, eschatological
• righteousness of God: unswerving commitment
• manifested: death of Jesus Christ
• without distinction

• all (without exception) sinned
• fall short: lacking, has mainly to do with God
• glory: supreme value, surpassing worth

• being justified: acted on, declared righteous
• gift: you can’t pay for it
• grace: you can’t work for it
• redemption: deliverance at a cost

• set forth by God
• propitiation of wrath
• demonstration of righteousness
• not to meet with friends but to die for enemies

• Trust and treasure! “Were the whole realm…” (Watts)
• Remember that the door of salvation swings on the hinge of substitution.
• “O thou, my soul, forget no more the Friend who all thy sorrows bore. Let every idol be forgot; but, O my soul, forget Him not.” (K. Pal)

• good news: The gospel is the power of God to save.
• bad news: Every person is deserving of God’s wrath.
• main idea: Because humanity is without excuse, its only recourse is the remedy of the gospel.

• settled hostility, refusal to compromise, resolve to condemn
• ongoing activity
• ungodliness and unrighteousness
• holding down the truth

• those who’ve never heard?
• God has “manifested” that which can be known about Him
• perceived from the creation of the world (“natural revelation”) (“poem”)
• God doesn’t believe in atheists
• “without apology”

• having known…did not glorify or thank
• futile thinking and darkened hearts
• wise professors who exchanged Creator worship for creature worship

• the short trip from idolatry to immorality
• disordered sexual relationships: homosexuality (contrast with Christ/Church)
• “God gave them up” (three uses)
• inclusive of thought and behavior

• “Don’t exchange your God for anything. Exchange everything for Him.” (Piper)
• “What you revere, you resemble, either for ruin or restoration.” (Beale)
• Cherish, rejoice and delight in the gospel!

• theological treatise
• credentials and focus (1-7)
• prayer and obligation (8-15)
• desperation and deliverance (1:18-3:31)

• unashamed of the gospel
• understanding of the gospel

• in view of the revelation of wrath (1:18)
• saved from what?

• Because the gospel alone has the power to save, keep on believing and sharing it.
• God supplies the righteousness He demands in Christ alone.
• “The wisdom of God ordained a way for the love of God to deliver us from the wrath of God without compromising the justice of God.” (Piper)
• “I love to tell the story…” (K. Hankey)
• Count on the gospel to get you safely home.

• highlighting the source of blessing
• warning about experimentation
• assumptions about the occult
• catalog of detestable activities
• addressing an unbiblical sentiment

• distinct contrast
• prophetic succession
• appreciation of the LORD’S holiness
• prophetic authorization
• prophetic discernment
• prophetic fulfillment

• Because the Lord superintends the matter of how He reveals Himself, submit to His wisdom and exalt His Son.
• connection to Christ: Heb. 1:1-4, 3:1-6 and 1 John 5:3-5
• absolutely true…!

• that you may do
• that you may fear…by keeping…
• hear and do

• context of polytheism
• foundational fidelity to the only One you should worship (4:35, 39)
• heart, soul and might: totality of being

• on your heart
• diligent teaching
• wherever you are and whatever you are doing
• constant reminders

• remembering the LORD’S provision
• lest you forget…
• a jealous God
• avoidance of disloyalty

• brought us out…that He might bring us in…
• for our good always
• connection to Christ (Matt. 22:34-40)

• Because you transmit what you treasure, make sure the LORD is your greatest treasure.
• “May the living God, who is the portion and rest of the saints, make these our carnal minds so spiritual, and our earthly hearts so heavenly, that loving Him and delighting in Him may be the work of our lives.” (R. Baxter)

• listen and do…
• judgment on idolatry
• a God so near…

• keep your soul
• lest you forget…
• generational rehearsal of history

• watch yourself
• lest you act corruptly…
• lest you raise your eyes to heaven…
• lest you forget the covenant
• the jealousy of God

• if you act corruptly…
• but from there…
• the mercy of God

• two questions
• purpose: that you might know…
• call to obedience

• Because the LORD alone is God and comes near with holy jealousy and abundant mercy, remember His character and obey His commands.
• connection to Christ (Matt. 1:23, John 1:14, 1 John 5:3)