THE WRATH OF GOD
I. THE WRATH OF GOD ON THE UNGODLY
• A. It is demonstrated by God's opposition to all injustice and impiety (Romans 1:18). God's wrath is not a capricious outburst but a righteous and holy response to evil and rebellion against His perfect standards.
◦ Discussion: How does understanding God's holiness help us to comprehend His wrath?
• B. It is directed towards the unbelievers (John 3:36). Those who reject Jesus Christ and refuse to believe in Him remain under God's righteous judgment.
-- Ads --
◦ Discussion: Why does unbelief incur God's wrath? What is the connection between rejecting Christ and facing God's judgment?
• C. It is directed towards the children of disobedience (Ephesians 5:6; Colossians 3:6). Those who consistently live in disobedience to God's commands and follow the ways of the world incur His displeasure.
◦ Discussion: What does it mean to be a "child of disobedience"? How does a lifestyle of disobedience provoke God's wrath?
• D. It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Hebrews 10:31). This verse underscores the seriousness and awesomeness of facing God's judgment.
◦ Discussion: Why is falling into the hands of the living God described as "horrendous"? What does this reveal about His power and justice?
II. EXAMPLES OF GOD'S WRATH
• A. The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18:20-21; 19:1-28; Luke 17:29-30; 2 Peter 2:6; Jude 7). Their extreme wickedness and unrepentant sin led to their utter destruction by fire from heaven.
◦ Discussion: What specific sins of Sodom and Gomorrah provoked God's wrath? What lessons can we learn from this historical judgment?
• B. The judgment of the angels who sinned (2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6). These fallen angels were cast into hell and reserved in chains of gloomy darkness for judgment, demonstrating that even spiritual beings are not exempt from God's wrath.
◦ Discussion: What does the judgment of the fallen angels teach us about the universality and severity of God's justice?
• C. The judgment of the world in the times of Noah (Genesis 6:5-7, 13; Luke 17:27; 2 Peter 2:5). The pervasive wickedness and violence of humanity led God to send a global flood, destroying all but Noah and his family.
◦ Discussion: What were the characteristics of the pre-flood world that warranted such drastic judgment? What parallels might we see in our own time?
• D. The judgment of Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10:1-2). These sons of Aaron offered unauthorized fire before the Lord and were immediately consumed by fire from the Lord, highlighting God's demand for reverence and obedience in worship.
◦ Discussion: What does this seemingly severe judgment teach us about the importance of approaching God according to His will and commands?
• E. The judgment of the children of Israel in the desert (Hebrews 3:17). Their unbelief and rebellion against God's leading in the wilderness resulted in their deaths before entering the Promised Land.
◦ Discussion: How did the unbelief and disobedience of the Israelites provoke God's wrath? What warnings does this provide for believers today?
III. THE LAST DAY WILL BE THE DAY OF GOD'S WRATH
• A. It is the day of wrath and the revelation of the righteous judgment of God (Romans 2:5-9). The final judgment will be a time when God's perfect justice will be fully revealed and executed.
◦ Discussion: What will be the nature of God's righteous judgment on the last day?
• B. It is the day to execute judgment on all the ungodly for all their deeds of ungodliness (Jude 15). All those who have rejected God and lived in unrighteousness will face His judgment.
◦ Discussion: What will be the basis of judgment for the ungodly?
• C. It is the wrath of God and of the Lamb (Revelation 6:16-17). Even the gentle Lamb of God will manifest His righteous wrath against those who have rejected His sacrifice.
◦ Discussion: Why is it significant that the wrath to come is described as both the wrath of God and of the Lamb?
• D. The wrath of God is almighty (Revelation 19:15). Nothing can stand against the full force of God's righteous indignation.
◦ Discussion: What does the description of God's wrath as "almighty" emphasize about its power and finality?
• E. It will result in eternal punishment (Revelation 20:15). Those who are not found written in the book of life will be cast into the lake of fire, experiencing eternal separation from God.
◦ Discussion: What is the nature of eternal punishment? Why is it a just consequence for rejecting God's grace?
IV. THE LOVE OF GOD SENT JESUS CHRIST SO THAT WE MIGHT ESCAPE FROM THE WRATH OF GOD
• A. We escape the wrath of God through faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 5:9). His death on the cross satisfied God's righteous anger against our sin.
◦ Discussion: How does Jesus' death provide a way for us to escape God's wrath? What is the significance of His atoning sacrifice?
• B. He delivers us from the wrath to come (1 Thessalonians 1:10). Jesus' resurrection guarantees our deliverance from future judgment.
◦ Discussion: How does the resurrection of Jesus assure believers of their escape from God's future wrath?
• C. There is no way for us to earn or achieve salvation on our own to escape God's wrath (1 Thessalonians 5:9). Salvation is a gift of God's grace through faith in Christ.
◦ Discussion: Why is human effort insufficient to escape God's wrath? What is the role of grace in salvation?
• D. He has reconciled us to God through His death, presenting us holy and blameless before Him (Colossians 1:21-22). Through Christ, the enmity between us and God is removed.
◦ Discussion: What does reconciliation with God mean? How does Christ's death accomplish this reconciliation?
• E. He is continually calling sinners to escape His wrath, urging them to come and be reconciled with God (2 Corinthians 5:18-20). The Gospel is an invitation to find refuge in Christ.
◦ Discussion: How should the reality of God's wrath motivate us to share the Gospel with others?
• F. Each person is responsible for their own actions, and each person has to accept the gracious invitation of Christ (Matthew 11:28-30) to be able to escape the wrath of God. The choice to accept or reject Christ lies with each individual.
◦ Discussion: What is the nature of Christ's invitation in Matthew 11:28-30? What does it mean to "take His yoke"?
- Preaching on Sincerity in the life of a Christian
- Preaching on God is Good (Psalm 100:5)
- Preaching on God's hand: Work, guiding, protecting, and even judging
CONCLUSION:
• A. The wrath of God has revealed itself in His Word, justly punishing the disobedient throughout history and with a final judgment to come.
• B. Yet, in His great love and mercy, God desires that all people are saved from this righteous wrath and find refuge in His Son, Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 2:4). The offer of salvation is extended to all. As believers in Brazil, let us be urgent in proclaiming this message of hope and escape from God's wrath through faith in Jesus.
