Judged By Works

Thesis: Paul wrote Romans to a church in Rome - desiring to preach the gospel to them and expound the theology behind it. In our text, he shows that God is a righteous, perfect Judge and cannot excuse the guilty. We must know the bad news (everyone is guilty) before we can receive the good news (Gospel).

GOD'S JUDGMENT IS . . . . . . . . . .

1. NOT AVERTED DUE TO KNOWLEDGE OF TRUTH

   • Judging others condemns same sin in self
   • We are hypocrites in our words vs our actions

2. NOT REVOKED DUE TO TEMPORARY BLESSINGS

   • "God is good", how could he condemn me?
   • God's patience designed to lead to repentance
   • "playing" with God increases future wrath
   • You will be judged according to works - but
     whose works will be accounted to you?

3. ETERNAL IN ONE OF TWO VERDICTS

   • 100% law keeping - can't - eternal death
   • defer to Christ's perfection - eternal life

4. BASED ON STANDARD OF LAW

   • Everyone culpable - either direct knowledge
     of written law or law written in heart
   • We all sin against what we KNOW is right

5. MEDIATED BY JESUS CHRIST

   • Judgment day is a certainty
   • Jesus is "good news" remedy to judgment

CONCLUSION: God's wrath is coming for the guilty - and all are guilty. But Jesus provides acquittal for those who put their trust in his law keeping and his wrath-taking, having him become your advocate.