Hypocrites are Unrighteous

28 April 2013 AM – Romans 2:1-16 – Scott Childs

Introduction: Last week we learned that the heathen (all who reject God) lack God’s righteousness. Though all creation announces God’s eternal power and divinity, the heathen resist this truth and slide away from God into the cesspool of wickedness. God turns rejecters over to their own filthy lusts. They are truly guilty before God.

You might ask, what about the good people in our world who do not reject God. Do they need God’s righteousness? Are they guilty before God?

Romans 2:1-16 answers that question. Here God shows us that even good people are simply hypocrites who lack His righteousness. They are hypocrites because they claim to be “good” but they are sinners in their hearts.

Transition: This morning we are going to look at God’s charge, God’s standard, and God’s sentence of good people.

I. God’s Charge Ro 2:1-5

A. Paul addresses the “good” people

1. He speaks to those who judge the heathen or condemn them as being wicked.

2. Most good people would agree with God that the sins of the heathen are wicked (Ro 1:29-31).

3. They were right that the heathen were wicked, but does that mean that good people are not wicked?

B. Paul abruptly says “good” people are inexcusable.

1. Paul charges the good people to look in a mirror at themselves.

2. Like hypocrites, good people see the wickedness of the heathen, but do not see it in themselves. Sin is not just outward. It is also inward. Sins of the heart are just as wicked as sins acted out.

3. Jesus helped people see this fact during his sermon on the mount.

Matthew 5:21-22 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: . . .

Matthew 5:27-28 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

4. The heart is the breeding ground for sin. Jesus said,

Matthew 15:19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

Luke 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

It is not what man sees on the outside that counts, but what God sees on the inside. We find an example of this when Samuel went to anoint the next king. He thought Jesse’s firstborn was the best choice. 1 Samuel 16:6-7 “And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD’S anointed is before him. But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”

5. Good people often think they do not need God’s goodness, forbearance and longsuffering because they do not live wicked lives (4). Sadly, this thinking keeps them from repentance.

6. So you see, because good people sin in their hearts, they too are guilty before God. They may not commit wickedness outwardly, but they do in their hearts. They too will face God’s judgment (2). Their hard [stubborn] and impenitent [unrepentant] hearts store up wrath until the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God (5).

II. God’s Standard Ro 2:6-11

A. God has a perfect standard

1. If God is saying here that He gives eternal life to those who continue to do well, then to be consistent with Scripture, the “well doing” must be faith in God not human effort (Eph 2:8-9, Tit 3:5).

2. However, Paul was probably stating God’s standard that those who patiently continue in well doing [doing right from birth to death] receive everlasting life (7), glory, honour, and peace (10). ^{[In context, this seems to be the best interpretation. Constable’s Notes.]}

a) Here Paul does not claim that a lifelong perfection is possible, he simply states this as God’s standard.

b) He just showed us (v.1-5) that even good people have hidden sins in their hearts.

c) The Apostle James words agree:

James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

d) Even good people are lacking God’s righteousness.

3. Those who, out of self-interest, refuse to obey the truth but obey unrighteousness receive indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish (8-9).

4. God shows no respect of persons. He is always fair.

B. God is the perfect Judge

1. He judges according to truth (2). He knows all the facts.

Hebrews 4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

2. He judges in righteousness (5). Every sentence that God hands down is right. None is too harsh or too lenient.

3. He judges according to man’s deeds (6). Man’s deeds are condemning. The only good deed that any person can do is to repent and trust Christ for salvation.

4. He judges the secrets of man’s hearts (16). Again, this indicates that no man can earn eternal life by being good. God knows the sinful thoughts and intents of our hearts.

Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

III. God’s Sentence Ro 2:12-16

A. The law condemns every sinner

1. Sinners are guilty because they do not keep the law. The law will judge them.

2. Verses 13-15 form a parenthesis about the two kinds of law.

a) Gentiles have a law written in their hearts and consciences that tells them what is right.

b) Jews have the Law of God to tell them what is right.

c) Both laws come from God and are impossible for humans to obey from birth to death. Yes, the wicked heathen is guilty before God, but so is the hypocrite – the good person with a sinful heart.

d) Only the doers of the law are justified (13).

B. The gospel is man’s only hope (16)

1. Read verses 12 and 16 without the parenthesis.

2. The gospel is the good news that Jesus died, was buried, and rose to life again to pay for our judgment. Thus, the gospel warns us of coming judgment when God will judge the secrets of man’s hearts.

Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

Revelation 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

3. The gospel also urges us to repent and turn to Christ for forgiveness.

Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, . . .

Conclusion: You may believe in God, go to church, read the Bible, and live a decent life as a “good” person, but if you have any sin in your heart, you are a hypocrite. Yes, “good” hypocrites just like the wicked heathen are guilty before God and lack God’s righteousness.

God sees the secret sins of your heart. Only Jesus can wash away those sins. If you will repent of your sins and believe that Jesus died for you, you can ask Him and He will wash you clean and give you eternal life today.

Christian friend, God knows the secret sins in your heart as well. If you will obey God’s word in 1Jn 1:9, you can have a clean heart before you leave today. God sees through hypocrisy!

Song: Cleanse Me – 166

Sermons

Hypocrites are Unrighteous – Romans 2:1-16

I. God’s Charge Ro 2:1-5

A. Paul addresses the “good” people

1. He speaks to those who judge the heathen or condemn them as being wicked.

2. Most good people would agree with God that the sins of the heathen are wicked (Ro 1:29-31).

3. They were right that the heathen were wicked, but does that mean that good people are not wicked?

B. Paul abruptly says “good” people are inexcusable.

1. Paul charges the good people to look in a mirror at themselves.

2. Like hypocrites, good people see the wickedness of the heathen, but do not see it in themselves. Sin is not just outward. It is also inward. Sins of the heart are just as wicked as sins acted out.

3. Jesus helped people see this fact during his sermon on the mount.

4. The heart is the breeding ground for sin. Jesus said,

5. Good people often think they do not need God’s goodness, forbearance and longsuffering because they do not live wicked lives (4). Sadly, this thinking keeps them from repentance.

II. God’s Standard Ro 2:6-11

A. God has a perfect standard

1. If God is saying here that He gives eternal life to those who continue to do well, then to be consistent with Scripture, the “well doing” must be faith in God not human effort (Eph 2:8-9, Tit 3:5).

2. However, Paul was probably stating God’s standard that those who patiently continue in well doing [doing right from birth to death] receive everlasting life (7), glory, honour, and peace (10). ^{[In context, this seems to be the best interpretation. Constable’s Notes.]}

a) Here Paul does not claim that a lifelong perfection is possible, he simply states this as God’s standard.

b) He just showed us (v.1-5) that even good people have hidden sins in their hearts.

c) The Apostle James words agree:

d) Even good people are lacking God’s righteousness.

3. Those who, out of self-interest, refuse to obey the truth but obey unrighteousness receive indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish (8-9).

4. God shows no respect of persons. He is always fair.

B. God is the perfect Judge

1. He judges according to truth (2). He knows all the facts.

2. He judges in righteousness (5). Every sentence that God hands down is right. None is too harsh or too lenient.

3. He judges according to man’s deeds (6). Man’s deeds are condemning. The only good deed that any person can do is to repent and trust Christ for salvation.

4. He judges the secrets of man’s hearts (16). Again, this indicates that no man can earn eternal life by being good. God knows the sinful thoughts and intents of our hearts.

III. God’s Sentence Ro 2:12-16

A. The law condemns every sinner

1. Sinners are guilty because they do not keep the law. The law will judge them.

2. Verses 13-15 form a parenthesis about the two kinds of law.

a) Gentiles have a law written in their hearts and consciences that tells them what is right.

b) Jews have the Law of God to tell them what is right.

c) Both laws come from God and are impossible for humans to obey from birth to death. Yes, the wicked heathen is guilty before God, but so is the hypocrite – the good person with a sinful heart.

d) Only the doers of the law are justified (13).

B. The gospel is man’s only hope (16)

1. Read verses 12 and 16 without the parenthesis.

2. The gospel is the good news that Jesus died, was buried, and rose to life again to pay for our judgment. Thus, the gospel warns us of coming judgment when God will judge the secrets of man’s hearts.

3. The gospel also urges us to repent and turn to Christ for forgiveness.

I. God’s Charge Ro 2:1-5

A. Paul addresses the “good” people

1. He speaks to those who judge the heathen or condemn them as being wicked.

2. Most good people would agree with God that the sins of the heathen are wicked (Ro 1:29-31).

3. They were right that the heathen were wicked, but does that mean that good people are not wicked?

B. Paul abruptly says “good” people are inexcusable.

1. Paul charges the good people to look in a mirror at themselves.

2. Like hypocrites, good people see the wickedness of the heathen, but do not see it in themselves. Sin is not just outward. It is also inward. Sins of the heart are just as wicked as sins acted out.

3. Jesus helped people see this fact during his sermon on the mount.

4. The heart is the breeding ground for sin. Jesus said,

5. Good people often think they do not need God’s goodness, forbearance and longsuffering because they do not live wicked lives (4). Sadly, this thinking keeps them from repentance.

II. God’s Standard Ro 2:6-11

A. God has a perfect standard

1. If God is saying here that He gives eternal life to those who continue to do well, then to be consistent with Scripture, the “well doing” must be faith in God not human effort (Eph 2:8-9, Tit 3:5).

2. However, Paul was probably stating God’s standard that those who patiently continue in well doing [doing right from birth to death] receive everlasting life (7), glory, honour, and peace (10). [In context, this seems to be the best interpretation. Constable’s Notes.]

a) Here Paul does not claim that a lifelong perfection is possible, he simply states this as God’s standard.

b) He just showed us (v.1-5) that even good people have hidden sins in their hearts.

c) The Apostle James words agree:

d) Even good people are lacking God’s righteousness.

3. Those who, out of self-interest, refuse to obey the truth but obey unrighteousness receive indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish (8-9).

4. God shows no respect of persons. He is always fair.

B. God is the perfect Judge

1. He judges according to truth (2). He knows all the facts.

2. He judges in righteousness (5). Every sentence that God hands down is right. None is too harsh or too lenient.

3. He judges according to man’s deeds (6). Man’s deeds are condemning. The only good deed that any person can do is to repent and trust Christ for salvation.

4. He judges the secrets of man’s hearts (16). Again, this indicates that no man can earn eternal life by being good. God knows the sinful thoughts and intents of our hearts.

III. God’s Sentence Ro 2:12-16

A. The law condemns every sinner

1. Sinners are guilty because they do not keep the law. The law will judge them.

2. Verses 13-15 form a parenthesis about the two kinds of law.

a) Gentiles have a law written in their hearts and consciences that tells them what is right.

b) Jews have the Law of God to tell them what is right.

c) Both laws come from God and are impossible for humans to obey from birth to death. Yes, the wicked heathen is guilty before God, but so is the hypocrite – the good person with a sinful heart.

d) Only the doers of the law are justified (13).

B. The gospel is man’s only hope (16)

1. Read verses 12 and 16 without the parenthesis.

2. The gospel is the good news that Jesus died, was buried, and rose to life again to pay for our judgment. Thus, the gospel warns us of coming judgment when God will judge the secrets of man’s hearts.

3. The gospel also urges us to repent and turn to Christ for forgiveness.

2. However, Paul was probably stating God’s standard that those who patiently continue in well doing [doing right from birth to death] receive everlasting life (7), glory, honour, and peace (10). ^{[In context, this seems to be the best interpretation. Constable’s Notes.]}