"THE EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS"

The Goodness Of God (2:4-11)

INTRODUCTION
  1. Many people live their lives with little regard to the goodness of God...
    1. Unaware of how gracious God has been and is willing to be toward them
    2. Unaware of how their neglect will one day come back to haunt them
  2. Have you given much thought to the goodness of God...?
    1. The many blessings He bestows?
    2. The consequences if you fail to respond properly?

[One passage of Scripture that ought to give us pause is the one written in Ro 2:4-11, in which Paul expounds upon "The Goodness Of God." From verse 4, we can glean some things about...]

  1. THE NATURE OF HIS GOODNESS
    1. HIS RICHES...
      1. He is rich in grace - Ep 1:7
      2. He is rich in mercy - Ep 2:4
      3. He is rich in supplying need - Php 4:19
      4. He is rich in giving things to enjoy - 1Ti 6:17
      5. He is rich in the strength He provides the Christian - Ep 3:16,21
    2. HIS FORBEARANCE...
      1. "Forbearance" (anoche) means "a holding back" - ISBE
      2. We see God's forbearance...
        1. In the days of Israel - cf. Ps 78:38
        2. In our present day (since the fullness of God's wrath has yet to come)
    3. HIS LONGSUFFERING...
      1. "Longsuffering" (makrothumia) describes "a slowness in avenging wrath" - Strong's
      2. We see God suffering long...
        1. In the days of Noah, prior to the flood - cf. 1Pe 3:20
        2. In our present day, prior to the day of judgment - cf. 2 Pe 3:9-15a

        [The Psalmist summarizes well the nature of God's goodness: "But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth." (Ps 86:15). As we return to our text in Romans, we are told of...]

  2. THE PURPOSE OF HIS GOODNESS
    1. SHOULD LEAD ONE TO REPENTANCE...
      1. God's goodness is intended to cause man to repent - Ro 2:4
      2. Based on Paul's description of repentance elsewhere, God's goodness should produce...
        1. Godly sorrow which leads to repentance - cf. 2Co 7:9-10
        2. A change of mind (the actual meaning of metanoia, repentance) - Strong's
        3. A turn from sin to God (as evidence of repentance) - cf. 2Co 7:10-11
    2. SHOULD LEAD ONE TO DO WHAT IS GOOD...
      1. As just described, an indication of true repentance - cf. 2 Co 7:11
      2. As later described in our text, it should lead to doing good...
        1. With patient continuance - Ro 2:7a
          1. Where God was longsuffering (makrothumia) before
          2. We are to do good patiently (hupomone) now - cf. Lk 8:15
        2. Seeking glory, honor, immortality - Ro 2:7b
          1. Glory and honor that will come at the revelation of Jesus Christ - cf. 1Pe 1:7; 2Co 4:16-18
          2. Immortality (incorruption) that will be given at the same time - 1Co 15:51-54

          [Thus "eternal life" will be given to those who are properly motivated by God's goodness to repent and do good (Ro 2:7). But what of those who spurn the riches of God's goodness...?]

  3. THE REJECTION OF HIS GOODNESS
    1. INDICATIVE OF A HARD HEART...
      1. For they despise God's goodness - Ro 2:4
      2. For they evidently are insensitive and unappreciative of God's goodness - Ro 2:5
      3. For they remain impenitent in their heart - Ro 2:5
    2. STORES UP WRATH FOR THE DAY OF JUDGMENT...
      1. The wrath of God's righteous judgment - cf. Ro 2:5
      2. A day of wrath involving indignation, tribulation, and anguish - Ro 2:8-9a
      3. A vivid description of which is found in 2Th 1:7-9
CONCLUSION
  1. Such is the end of one who does not properly respond to God's goodness...
    1. Especially as that manifested through the gospel of Jesus
    2. Which Paul will expound upon later in this epistle to the Romans
  2. As we close, be careful to note: there is no partiality with God! - Ro 2:9-11
    1. Those who do evil will be punished
    2. Those who do good will be blessed

Have you allowed "The Goodness Of God" to lead you to repentance, especially that repentance called for in the proclamation of the gospel? - cf. Ac 2:36-39; 3:19; 17:30-31