Identity (Romans) - "Self-Centered Identity" - Romans 1:18-32 - Tim Nay

LifeSpring Christian Church Sermons

Self-Centered Identity
Romans 1:18-32
Tim Nay

Part of Identity
A Study in Romans

September 17, 2023

What does the Gospel save us from?Identifying ourselves as King

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 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. —Romans 1:18-23

If We Have a Self-Centered Identity…
-We suppress the truth
The truth that is suppressed is God being the Creator.
Mother Nature
Mother Earth
Evolution
Karma
Fate

The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. —Psalm 19:1

-We exchange the truth

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. —Romans 1:24-27

-We deny God

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. —Romans 1:28-32

Takeaway: Everyone struggles with having a self-centered identity, therefore be gentle and respectful when sharing truth.

15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, —1 Peter 3:15