Knowledge of the Holy, Part 3

Romans 1:18-20

Introduction

• Quote from John Calvin’s Institutes about wisdom consisting of knowledge of God and ourselves

Main Points

Knowledge of God and Ourselves:

• True wisdom involves knowing God and knowing ourselves

Human Lack of Knowledge:

• Question raised: Who possesses this knowledge?
• Answer: Unaided by the Spirit of God, no one possesses true knowledge of God or sel

Romans 1:18-20 Analysis

• Understand why humans lack this knowledge
• Key points:
  • God's wrath revealed against human ungodliness and unrighteousness
  • Humans reject the truth about God despite an inherent awareness of Him
  • Knowledge of God is evident in creation, leaving humans without excuse

Detailed Examination

Human Rejection of God:

• Humans are guilty because they suppress the truth about God
• Illustration using the analogy of ignoring a road sign

Nature and Consequences of Rejection:

• Humans prefer their own devices and suppress the truth about God’s nature
• This suppression is not merely intellectual but moral

The Wrath of God:

• Explanation of why God’s wrath is revealed
• Wrath is a necessary attribute of God, balancing His love and justice
• Understanding human guilt and God’s justice in revealing His wrath

Theological Implications

Universality of Religion:

• Humans create substitute gods due to an inherent awareness of the true God
• The psychological process: trauma, repression, and substitution

Practical Application

Role of Preachers and Teachers:

• Importance of understanding human nature in ministry
• The need for reliance on the Holy Spirit in preaching and teaching

Personal Reflection:

• Acknowledgment of the continuous struggle with sin even among believers
• Israel’s journey in the wilderness to depict human resistance to God’s sovereignty

Conclusion

Call to Prayer and Dependence on God:

• Emphasis on the necessity of prayer and seeking God’s grace
• Encouragement to understand human nature and rely on God’s transforming power
• Prayer for understanding, transformation, and glorifying God through dependence on His grace

*The above summary is AI-generated, so discrepancies may exist. Please refer to the audio or video file to verify accuracy.