UNGODLINESS
1. Ancient Rome was ruled by emperors.
2. These emperors were not just rulers; they were men who had an almost god-like status.
3. Today we find that our most senior leaders are sometimes respected and sometimes not.
4. In Rome, people were expected and at times even ordered to respect and honor the emperor.
5. It was like living under the ultimate dictatorship.
WHEN SOMEONE WAS DISLOYAL TO THE EMPEROR, THE GREEKS USED A SPECIAL WORD.
a) This word has two parts.
b) The first part of this word is simply the letter “a.”
2) In English we can quickly change the meaning of certain words.
3) All we need to do is add a short prefix such as “un.”
a) Words like “clear” are drastically changed if we add “un”; clear becomes unclear.
b) Certified is turned into uncertified.
c) Caring is altered to mean uncaring.
d) Brushed is transformed into unbrushed.
4) We were not the first people to use this technique; the Greeks also used it.
5) Even in the NT we find words which are changed, but writers used an “a” instead of “un.”
6) The Greeks had a word that meant awe, respect, reverence, worship, etc.
7) They took this term and put an “a” in front of it.
8) Their addition of the letter “a” had the effect that was just described—it negated the word.
9) The meaning completely changed so what was good became very bad.
10) Greeks came up with a word known as asebeia (this is how the noun form is spelled).
IN THE NEW TESTAMENT THIS WORD IS USED AS A NOUN, VERB, AND AN ADJECTIVE.
a) In most places it is often translated “ungodly.”
b) For the past two weeks we have looked at different words in the New Testament that describe sin.
c) The first was explained as an “unwillingness to hear” God’s word.
d) Last week’s was “missing the mark.”
2) Today we have the idea of ungodliness—the very opposite of what God wants people to be like.
3) From the scripture reading we heard Rom. 1:18.
4) Paul said God’s wrath is revealed against “all ungodliness.”
a) Unrighteousness is the very word Greeks used to describe disloyalty to an emperor.
b) We know this word describes something bad because of what is said in Rom. 1.
5) Unrighteousness is a matter that brings about the wrath of God.
6) God punishes those who are involved with this type of sin.
7) Ungodliness is a problem before someone becomes a Christian, and it can be a problem afterwards.
8) Aside from Rom. 1:18 and Rom. 11:26, we find this term in Tit. 2:12.
a) Tit. 2:11 reminds Christians about the grace of God.
b) God has shown the world His grace by “bringing salvation to all men.”
9) Once we embrace God’s grace by obeying the gospel, we as the people of God have some obligations.
10) One of our duties is made clear in Tit. 2:12 – READ.
11) Last week I made a point from a thoughtful author who spent much of his life studying NT words.
12) He said it is often easy to get a general meaning for a word by seeing what kind of company it keeps.
13) Here ungodliness is completely opposite three words: “soberly, righteously, and godly.”
14) Ungodliness is a word that keeps company (is associated) with “wordly lusts.”
15) It is therefore no wonder that Paul said ungodliness is something that must be denied.
16) This is the instruction, and we have a strong incentive for carrying this out in our lives.
17) Jude did not write as much as other New Testament authors, but he did make use of this word.
18) In fact, he used ungodliness quite a few times (verses 15 and 18 in his book).
a) Both of these verses tie in well with this morning’s study so they will be read.
b) When people become involved in ungodliness, they will have to face some consequences.
c) This is what Jude promised in verse 15 – READ.
19) Jude 18, as noted a moment ago, also uses this verse, but it makes a different point – READ.
20) According to this text, Christians should expect to find ungodly people in the world.
21) There are those who are not all that interested in God’s will, heaven’s plan, or a life beyond this one.
22) There are people who want to live as they choose and answer to no one but themselves.
23) God says such an approach to life is ungodly.
24) Being ungodly is looking at the ways of God and saying “no” to them.
25) Ungodliness is an act where a person says he or she has not interest in doing God’s will.
26) Turning down part of all God’s ways and plans is ungodly—a sin.
a) God has not only said this, He has offered an illustration.
b) Up to now I have shown you verses where this word is used as a noun.
c) I now want to show you the only two places in the NT where it is used as a verb.
d) The first of these verses is Jude 15, but I will not read that passage again.
27) I will, however, read from the other reference—2 Pet. 2:6.
28) One of the best known stories in all the Bible is the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.
29) God’s plan for marriage, the home, and personal relationships had been altered by these people.
30) Because of the changes, a lot of people were destroyed.
31) Here is how Peter used this term – 2 Pet. 2:6 – READ.
a) Ungodliness covers a wide range of sins.
b) Those who do not want to honor and serve God should pay attention to history.
c) People have turned down God in the past and the result has been death.
d) Ungodliness is different description for sin, but it is no less deadly.
32) Maybe I can put ungodliness into more modern terms.
33) How many of us have ever had someone say to us something like this:
34) “I am not particularly religious, but I am a good person.”
35) I help out in town, contribute time and money to these organizations, etc.
36) Or, there could be a Christian who says, “I believe and pray, but choose not to worship.”
37) We have individuals who we would certainly describe as “decent people.”
38) There are individuals who are fantastic neighbors, great co-workers, and super nice in every way.
39) Their only “hang up” is little to no spiritual life.
40) There are Christians who “fudge” a bit in their divine responsibilities to honor and serve God.
41) Because of who God is He is to be honored and served.
42) When people do not do that, they are ungodly; they have failed in their duty to honor and serve God.
43) When this failure occurs, it is a sin.
44) Mt. 22:37-40 speaks of loving our neighbor; many do this quite well.
45) Jesus said the “first commandment, however, is to love God” with all our heart, soul, and mind.
46) When this is not done, the result is ungodliness.
47) Any person who fails to honor and serve God as He has said is involved in ungodliness.
I AM HALFWAY THROUGH THE MATERIAL ABOUT THIS WORD, AND WHAT HAS BEEN SAID IS THE BAD NEWS.
a) Ungodliness is a common problem in the world and it will destroy people.
b) While this is true, there is also some good news.
c) New Testament writers also used this word as an adjective.
d) We are very familiar with some of these verses where the term is used in this way.
2) At different times Christians have read from Rom. 5 before distributing the Lord’s Supper.
3) Rom. 5:6 says Christ died for “the ungodly”—same word.
4) That is good news, but was Jesus successful in trying to aid the ungodly?
5) Can an ungodly person truly be saved?
6) If we look to the previous chapter in Romans we find a wonderful verse.
7) This is Rom. 4:5, and I am going to read it – READ.
a) According to an inspired writer, the ungodly (same word) can be justified.
b) There is hope—this is the good news.
c) The bad news is that so many people reject God’s system of justification.
8) The word we are studying can also be found in 2 Peter 2:5.
9) Peter said God “didn’t spare the ancient world” (those in the time of Noah).
10) Peter said God “brought a flood upon the world.”
11) Who died in that flood? Verse 5 says it was the “ungodly”—same word.
12) That was a long time ago.
13) Some have said the God of the Old Testament is not the same as the God of the New Testament.
14) Now things are different; times have changed.
15) Is ungodliness is no longer an issue?
16) Are these ideas right?
17) Listen to how Peter used this same term in the final chapter of his second letter: 2 Peter 3:7 – READ.
a) Peter knew the world will one day end.
b) There will be a final judgment day.
c) At this time “ungodly” people will stand before God’s throne and they will be punished.
18) By studying this single word we learn a very, very powerful truth.
19) Each person who has ever lived will one day honor and revere God.
20) We can make our choice in this life to loving, reverently, and appreciatively submit to God.
21) Or we can have that choice made for us on the day of judgment.
22) God will allow us to be ungodly in life, but not when we one day stand before Him.
23) At times I hear people speak of “getting religion.”
24) I am not particular fond of that expression, and it does not come from the Bible.
25) There is, however, probably a bit of truth in it when we study the word ungodliness.
a) We can choose to find God now, or we can let Him bring us to Him at the end of time.
b) The choice is ours.
c) If we have never become a Christian, we are not serving God as the Bible describes.
d) As long as we are in this state we are in a state of ungodliness.
e) God says that can be changed. We can be justified, Rom. 4:5.
f) We can live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.
g) The plan starts with faith (belief) in Jesus as the Son of God.
h) Then we repent of our sins (Acts 2:38), and confess Christ as Lord.
i) The final step is baptism in to Christ (Gal. 3:27) for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 22:16).
26) If we have become a Christian but we are not serving and honoring God as He has said we too are in sin.