What does it mean that God is wrathful and that He pours out His wrath?

When John the Baptist was baptizing people, the religious people came out to see him. In Matthew 3:7 it says:

?But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, "Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come??

What possible proof was there of impending doom and wrath? The Bible is a warning to the coming wrath of God, but God has revealed it primarily directly from heaven.

I. God?s Wrath is Revealed (Against the Ungodly) Verses: 18 ? 19

The Bible does not reveal the wrath of God but warns us against it. The Bible is primarily the story of redemption. The Old and New Testaments are unfolding narrative of God?s mercy.


a. Men?s Hearts Suppresses the Truth

When we hear the gospel of Jesus Christ, we can either obey it or suppress the truth.


b. The Truth is Manifest in Us

The exciting thing about evangelism is that we do not need to convince people that God exists, for He has placed that truth in everyone?s mind so that to not believe in the One true God is a literal suppression of the truth.



II. God?s Power Revealed (In Creation) Verses: 20 ? 23

Not only is God?s wrath being revealed to all mankind, but His divine nature can be easily understood by what we see in Creation.

Two things are clearly seen through creation: His Eternal Nature and His Divine Nature (Godhead).

a. Men Deny the God of Creation

Instead of people coming to a saving relationship with God they deny the God of Creation even though what is seen in creation and what they know in their heart points to the One true God.

b. Men Create Religions Without God

When people reject the truth and begin to suppress it, they begin to worship creation rather than the Creator. Their wisdom proves to be foolishness after all, since what can be known of God is clearly seen.


III. God?s Punishment Revealed Verses 24 ? 31

God gives up people to the very nature that they desire without any resistance. Many do not come to this end quickly for the mercy of God prevents it. But all who suppress the truth will eventually end up turned over to their passions.

a. The Result of Man Made Religion

Paul gives us quite a list of attributes that go along with man-made religion. Though many will not outwardly exhibit all the traits Paul lists, they all exhibit many of them, especially inwardly.


IV. Conclusion

We all experience the wrath of man and God. However, not all wrath is justified or warranted. Man?s wrath is often unjustified while God?s is always justified. God?s wrath is intended to punish while His goodness and mercy is what leads people to salvation and repentance.

a. Man?s Wrath

i. Does not produce righteousness

James 1:19 ? 20: ?So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

b. God?s Wrath

i. Exists because of His Righteousness
ii. Does not produce repentance

c. God?s Mercy and Goodness

i. Given to those who obey the truth
ii. Leads people to repentance

Romans 2:4: Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

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Published on: 2006-01-01 (1803 reads)