Our scripture reading for this morning is Romans chapter 1. I'm going to read the entire chapter, although my focus will be the last words of verse 30 and the five words, if you want to put it that way, of verse 31. Hear now the word of the Lord. Romans chapter 1. Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated under the gospel of God, which he had promised afore by his prophets in the Holy Scriptures. concerning his son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, which is made of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by the resurrection from the dead. By whom we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for his name, among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ. To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints, grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers. making a request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you. For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift to the end that you may be established. That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith, both of you and me. Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purpose to come unto you but was led hitherto, that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles. I am debtor both to Greeks and to the barbarians, both to the wise and to the unwise. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith, as it is written, that just shall live by faith. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who hold the truth in unrighteousness. Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them, for God hath showed it unto them. For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse. Because that when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful, but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools. and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man and to birds and four-footed beasts and creeping things. Wherefore, God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lust of their own bodies to dishonor their own bodies between themselves, who changed the truth of God into a lie and worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections, for even their women to change the natural use into that which is against nature. And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman burned in their lust, one toward another, men with men, working that which is unseemly, and receiving on themselves that recompense of their error, which was meat. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind to do those things which are not convenient. Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness, full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity, whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things. disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful, who knowing the judgment of God that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them." Here ends the reading of God's Word. May God bless its reading to your understanding. You may be seated. I return your attention for the seventh and last time to Paul's, dare I repeat, sobering list of 22 things that the sin-darkened and sin-blinded, reprobate mind of man can and will be filled with by the living, true, and only Lord God of the Scriptures and full of, as seen by what Paul infallibly declares, is the direct consequence or the direct result due to man, generic man, male and female man, as he or she comes into this world naturally, who foolishly and dangerously thinks that not thinking about God, and by God I mean the living, true, and only Lord God of the Holy Bible, and not the many idols men call God, Those who think that not thinking about this true and only God is nothing to be concerned about. It's not significant. When in reality, as Paul has been showing us, when in reality, when in fact, when in truth, three things radically in short supply, if not almost nonexistent in this devil-blinded world today, it is the most dangerous thing. that unbelieving, sin-depraved man can do, namely, not think about God. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind to do those things which are not convenient. Given over to a reprobate mind by God, and I repeat, And I repeat the three letters G-O-D that are so often misused in America today. I repeat the God I am referring to is the living true and only Lord God of the scriptures because those three letters G-O-D are so misused in America today. Especially when the true and only God raises the temperature and humidity. For how many people have misused that word God in the last week? Because God raised his temperature, God raised his humidity, and not farting cows. Because when I use the word God, remember, I mean the true and only Lord God revealed and declared in his unique written word, the Holy Bible. Because sinner man loves to fill his mind with false and erroneous ideas about the word God. For unbelievers in God will use the word God as long as they think they have the ability and right to define the letters G-O-D any way that makes them feel good about themselves. In their sin and in their rebellion against the true and only Lord God of the Bible. Believer in God through Jesus Christ alone, remember and never be ashamed of what the Lord God of the scriptures declares in Isaiah 42.8. I am the Lord, that is my name and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. God will not share his glory with the gods embraced in America today. For apart from the sovereign regenerating grace and mercy of God, the mind of man, dare I say it this way, shuts down. Dare I put it another way, it locks up the way a computer can do. It locks up and says, I don't want to retain the truth of what the living, true and only Lord God of the Holy Bible, Father, Son and Holy Spirit has and is continuing to declare about himself, not only in his creation, not only in conscience, not only in Christ, but in the scriptures. And you know, this is true, believer, you know, this is true. For daring to declare some truth about the living Lord God of the scriptures among those who do not want to retain the truth of God in their minds is like passing gas in their presence. It stinks to them. But you can't not Want to retain the truth of God in your mind without it being filled with and full of the things the infallibly guided and inspired Paul gives in his list of 22 things that I intend to finish my consideration of today. And only a Holy Ghost-guided man like Paul would be enabled to write such a list because it does not tickle the ears of idolatrous men who have false views of both God and themselves. Filled with and full of these things and lost men and women doubt they need to be saved by the Lord. For it would be easier for an ice cube to survive on the surface of the sun than for the reprobate mind of man not to have his mind filled with and full of these not convenient sinful things when he rejects and rebels against the purpose of his mind, the purpose of his mind which is to glorify another God who has given him his mind for this glorious and soul-blessing purpose. For as I have said in previous messages on this section in Paul's infallibly inspired and written letter to the Roman believers and to all gospel preaching churches and believers, truth providentially preserved in what is called the received text and faithfully translated into English Bibles based on the providentially preserved text like the King James Version. But as I have said before, What is it that separates uniquely created man, meaning man made in the image of God, male and female man? It is that he has been made in the image of the all-glorious God of the Bible, with the result that in radical contrast to the instincts that God has given to the animals he has made and sustains, image of God bearing man is able to think. He is able to reason. Yes, sinfully think. Yes, sinfully reason unless regenerated by God because of the rebellion of our natural father Adam in the Garden of Eden thousands of years ago and not the mythical millions and even billions of years dangerously given to God's universe by the followers of the lie of evolution. Man fallen in Adam, sinful man, thinks. And if he does not like to retain the truth of the knowledge of the glory of God in his mind, his mind will be filled with and full of, to varying degrees, with the things that Paul lists in these last verses of Romans 1, even taking pleasure. even taking pleasure in these things that clearly shows how truly, totally depraved man is by nature as he comes into this world. Truth Paul declares at the end of this list, verse 32, who know in the judgment of God that they which commit such things, the things he lists in the previous verses, are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. And I have illustrated the fact that reprobate, unsaved, lost sinner man is filled with and full of these things to varying degrees and intensities by the varying lengths of time I have spent on the things listed in this list as seen in the previous messages that I've preached on this list. And I will do so again in this last one. How have I done this? I have done this by spending different lengths of time in my seeking to explain and illustrate the things that Paul lists. Friends, never stop being amazed that the mind is an amazing thing. Your mind is an amazing thing. Even this preacher's mind is an amazing thing. Ask my wife. For when I began this section of verses, I had no predetermined length of time that I would spend on it. But as I studied it and thought about what Paul has written, as seen in the previous six messages, I spent more time on some of the things listed. than on other things listed, even to devoting an entire message to inventors of evil things last Sunday. But as I began to consider the final six things in this infallibly inspired list, I found that I was not able to consider these things to the same depth of devoting an entire message to each one of them. Does this mean that someone else would not be able to? Absolutely not. Does this mean that given more time to study and consider these last six things that more could be said about them? Absolutely yes. But one of the mysteries of preaching is clearly seen in the number of different messages that have been and continue to be preached on God's infallibly inspired written word, the Holy Bible. It's amazing. And another one of the mysteries of preaching is the fact that the Lord alone has decreed how His preached word will be used in the lives of those who hear it preached. Even as the one preaching it desires the truth he is seeking to rightly divide, rightly used by those hearing him preach it. For what should this list of 22 things rightly show you, believer? Two things I have already mentioned, but I'll mention them again. First, it should show you the utter insanity, the utter insanity and folly of thinking that not thinking about the Lord God of the Bible is a small thing and not the most grievous way a person can misuse their minds by not wanting to think about God. And second, it should show you why Paul was not ashamed of the gospel of God, because if anyone is going to be saved from the misuse of their minds, that is not using their minds to think about God, it's only the God who they do not want to think about correctly who can save them from this wretched misuse. What a foolish idea is present in so many churches today that there are people out there hungering for God. They're searching for God. No. They're banishing the truth of God out of their minds. And as I said, you bring it up and they'd rather have a skunk in the room. want to retain the knowledge of God in their minds. It takes the almighty grace of God to deliver a man from his wretched condition. Dare I say their non-use of their minds correctly if he is pleased to do so in his glorious sovereignty. Believer, remember this. Remember this, if there is any right thought of God in your mind, and I hope there are many, and I hope you are growing in your understanding of them, you're growing in your confession of them, and you're growing in your enjoyment of them, but it is only the Lord's amazing, sovereign mercy and grace that has enabled you. to desire to use your renewed and regenerated mind to think on God and about God correctly. For not wanting to do so, as Paul declares in the verse that introduces this list, verse 28, does not result in the mind of those not wanting to retain the truth of the knowledge of God in that mind being in some mythical place of neutrality. No, men who choose to not retain the knowledge of God in their minds are going to see the things Paul lists, as I said, to varying degrees and intensities displayed in their minds and in their actions. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind to do those things which are not convenient. For just go back over this list privately. And ask yourself how many of the things listed involve a sinful misuse of the minds that God has given us. What true fools are men who think that as long as they don't commit some physical manifestation of sin, oh, I've never murdered anyone, I've never committed physical adultery, They think as long as they don't commit some physical manifestation of sin that they have nothing to fear when they stand before God, even as they take pleasure in how many of the things on this list with their minds. And they give God a command performance of that. What do I mean by a command performance? God's the only one who knows they're doing it. Nobody else knows that I'm lusting after that young lady walking down the boardwalk. But God sees it. Nobody sees that I'm coveting after that lottery winning, but God sees it. Oh, the sins that man willfully with pleasure commits with his reprobate mind will rise up and condemn him or her on judgment day. For how many of the things listed are committed in the mind, by the mind, before they break out on the lips and the sinful actions of the body? Oh, the Holy Spirit-inspired Paul wants you to face the wonder of the mind of man, even in its horrible condition of not wanting to think about God, by the things it can think upon and feed upon rather than upon God. The psalmist declares what? Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good. But how many prefer to taste and feed their minds on the things in this list and not God? Oh, the mind of man that does not want to think about the Lord God and the Bible is not a pleasant thing to think about. To think upon is opened up by Paul, but it's necessary. It's necessary. It's a necessary thing to face if you're not going to be deceived by the many false and dangerous ideas about God and man, inventions of the evil mind of man who teach that the saving gospel of God is not mankind's only hope. So what are the final six things that Paul lists that should show you that this is absolutely true in light of what non-God-thinking man is capable of thinking about and does think about apart from the regenerating grace and mercy of God? The last thing listed in verse 30 and the five things listed in verse 31, before his declaration had been filled with and full of these things, are not ashamed of the fact that they are even taking pleasure in them that do them, as he writes in verse 32 again, who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death. Not only do the same, but I have pleasure in them that do them. I'll illustrate this in the first one. But what are the six last things he lists that unsaved man not only do, but enjoy seeing others doing them? Disobedient to parents. without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful. Oh, these things are not easy to look at, but face what Paul is showing you and you will have no problem seeing again how God's saving gospel is mankind's only hope. The first of these six things that Paul infallibly gives at the end of his list to bring his list to a conclusion, disobedient, to parents. Now, this is not the only time that Paul makes reference to this being an example of a reprobate mind. He declares this as well when he writes to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3, verses 1 and 2. This know also that in the last days perilous times shall come for men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy. But not only in the last days, friends, how soon was this sobering display of a reprobate mind seen in this world. Why do I say this? I am sure that Adam and Eve did not teach Cain that it was right for him to kill his brother Abel. Because he didn't agree with him. But in radical contrast to the reprobate mind of sinful children, what is said of your one and only Savior, believer? Luke 2 verses 51 and 52, and he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was subject unto them. But his mother kept all these sayings in his heart and Jesus increased in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man and was subject to them. He placed himself under the authority of his parents. But oh, how children show that they need the one and only savior of sinful children, the one who was never disobedient to his stepfather Joseph or sinful mother Mary by their not wanting to obey some non-sinful chore that their mother or father have told them to do. How many sinful children have grumbled and complained about being asked to do some non-sinful thing by their parents. Why do I have to do it? Friends, it's impossible to imagine Jesus ever grumbling or ever complaining about some non-sinful thing he was asked to do by his stepfather Joseph or the mother he would redeem from her sins by dying for her. And what was it like for the sinful children that Mary bore after her immaculately conceived firstborn child Jesus was born to live with a sinless older brother? When a child grumbles or complains or does not willingly obey a non-sinful command of a mother or father, they are showing even in their young fallen minds that they are not keeping their eyes on Jesus, who never disobeyed a sinless command of his stepfather Joseph and his mother, who rejoices in her savior that was miraculously conceived and growing in her womb. And just as the sins in this list feed on one another, how many, as the last verse of this chapter declares, not only do them but take pleasure in them that do them. What do I mean? How many disobedient children desire other children to follow their fallen hearts and not the Word of God by encouraging their friends to disobey Their parents mocking and rejecting them if they do. The best friends some children have are their worst enemies, encouraging them in their rebellion against their parents. But you are living in an extremely sin warped time, believer, for it is not only their friends. But how many reprobate teachers in the public schools of America testifying to how truly sinful the times you are presently living in are, believer? How many reprobate teachers willfully and without hesitation promote children disobeying their parents? Don't tell them we are promoters of perversion. You can change your clothes at school to engage in what your parents would never approve of. Oh, how deep has the Lord God given America over to a reprobate mind, for in how many states is it not necessary for a pregnant teenager to tell her parents that she is going to kill their grandchild in the womb through abortion? What are such incarnate demons displaying? Another sobering thing on this list without natural affection. Something I will have yet to get to. As I have said more than once, how many of the things Paul lists feed on one another and encourage one another. When those in authority willfully and with malice and a forethought promote the disobedience of children to their God-given authority of their parents over them, they are showing that the last thing they want to think about is the God who is going to call them to account for such wickedness. But why are the reprobate minds of those in temporary tyrannical authority over the God-given rights of parents to oversee the upbringing of their children able to do this so easily and so easily pass legislation undermining the foundation of a stable and a sane society because of the second of these six last things, the first one in verse 31, without understanding? without understanding. Now this is a word used a few other times in Matthew 15, 16 and Mark 7, 18. Just reading Mark 7, 18. And he saith unto them, are ye so without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him. And then Romans 1, 21 and Romans 10, 19, where it is translated, interestingly, foolish. Because that when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful, but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish, their without understanding heart was darkened." Romans 10, 19, but I say, did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation, by a nation without understanding, I will anger you. Anyone who does not like to retain the knowledge of God in their mind has a foolish mind. Has a foolish mind. They have a mind that lacks understanding. Now, it would not surprise me that many, even all the reprobate minds in America, would take offense and be offended at the truth that since they do not like to retain The knowledge of the living, true, and only Lord God of the scriptures in their minds, that they are without understanding. Without understanding? Are you crazy, preacher? Look at what I've invented. Look at what I've been able to do. Look at what 21st century man has accomplished. Did you invent the smartphone? Were you able to invent life-harming vaccines? How many people think they are smart because they're able to use their smartphones better than their parents? But what does without understanding mean? It means at least three things. First, it means anyone who is not willing to bring their understanding of something, whatever that something is, into conformity with what Jesus infallibly declares about it. Men who teach the lie of evolution, that man appeared on the earth in their mythical millions, if not billions of years after the earth was created, show that they are without understanding. Because what does Jesus say in just one verse, Mark 10, six, but from the beginning of the creation, God made them male and female. Anyone who contradicts or disagrees with Jesus is without understanding. Oh friends, if you had the ability to have every book written by man showing that it was written by someone, showing that they are without understanding because what they have written disagrees with what Jesus infallibly declares, if you were able to have all those books delivered to your home tomorrow by the United States Postal Service, how many books would need to be delivered to your home? Second thing, clearly showing that a person is without understanding in radical contrast to the sinless Lord Jesus Christ. Anyone not willing to bring his or her understanding of all things into conformity with the Holy Bible are showing that they were without understanding at that point or points. Because what did Jesus say to his foolish opponents in Matthew 22, 29? Ye do err not knowing what. You do err not knowing the scriptures nor the power of God. You are without understanding because you don't know the scriptures. How did your Lord and Savior, believer, defeat the adversary of your soul? It is written. It is written. It is written. How many lost souls in America are showing that they are without understanding because they refuse to bring what they understand about something into conformity with the infallible teaching of the written word of God, the Holy Bible. And friends, that's not just in the world, it's also in the church. Because how many preachers are unwilling to bring their understanding of the scriptures themselves into conformity to what the scriptures declare about themselves? The critical text theory or the corrupt text theory is heresy because God has providentially preserved His wonderful word. Oh, how many people show that they are without understanding because they worship the earth and not the Lord, God who made and sustains the earth, or teach that Muhammad is a prophet of God rather than a false prophet who was deceived by the devil if not demon-possessed. They're without understanding. But without understanding means third, unbelieving man's unwillingness to ask and answer correctly the most fundamental and foundational questions every person should ask and seek the only right answer to. What do you? And everything that has existed is existing and will yet exist, exist for. To put it as simply as this, why are you here? Not here, but why are you here? Why are you here in this universe? What is the purpose of your existence? The glory. The glory. The glory of the all-glorious God of the Scriptures. Yet how many people, even professing believers, show that they are without understanding because they do not confess or believe the truth that all that has existed, all that exists, or all that ever will exist is all for the glorious God. who made and sustains all things, including you and including me, to display His eternal gloriousness in some way. For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. When a person does not ask themselves, can I think this thought, can I speak this word, or engage in this activity to the glory of God, they are showing that they are without understanding. Because who did everything to the glory of His Father, even dying on the cross for your sins, believer? The Lord Jesus. He knew why He was born into this sin-cursed world, to save His people from their sins, to the glory of God the Father. Why does Proverbs 21.4 say this? An high look and a proud heart and the plowing of the wicked is sin, because the wicked do not plow to the glory of God. Therefore, they are without understanding. The universe and all that is in it has one reason for existing, the glory of God. Every person who has lived, is living, or will yet live will be an everlasting monument to the glory of God's justice or the glory of His amazing grace and mercy. How will you glorify God? Oh, how many people show by their not wanting to think about God that they are without understanding, because God is so awesomely, if that's the right word, God is so awesomely glorious, if He didn't do all things for His own glory, for the manifestation of the truth of His all-glorious eternality and being, He would be denying the truth of who He is, all-glorious. But God is never without the understanding of how infinitely glorious He is and always will be. Oh, how many people show that they are without understanding because the last one they think about or want to think about is the Lord God of the Bible. But because reprobate sinner man does not want to think about God, he displays the third thing in these final six things. He is a covenant breaker, plural, covenant breakers. Now this is one of those unique words that is found only here in the Bible. I trust you remember what that word is that describes it. But what does it mean to be a covenant breaker? It means to be someone who has no problem breaking his word to another person. Why is America filled with divorce lawyers? Because how many men and women have had no problem breaking their word to someone they spoke these words to in the presence of God and before family and friends, to have and to hold from this day forward for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness or in health, to love and to cherish till death do us part, or until I can get a lawyer to say it's okay. Yet how many have sought out the help of a without-understanding, money-loving lawyer to display their covenant-breaking hearts, thinking they have the right and ability to break a covenant that only God can break through the physical death of those who have entered into that covenant. He has made it between how many doctors have broken their Hippocratic oath to do no harm by supporting the killing of babies in the womb, and giving vaccines to those who do not need them, especially children. How many people are willing to face the truth that the reason for the war in the Ukraine is because the leaders of this country broke their word to Russia by lying about not taking any former Soviet Union-controlled nations into NATO? How many multi-page contracts are written to give someone who has given their word a way to not keep it? How many show they're covenant breakers by willingly signing a contract to pay for something over time and then declare bankruptcy so that they do not have to honor the contract they signed? O believer, how you should be filled with praise and thanksgiving. that the Lord God who saved you is the glorious covenant keeping God that He is even at the expense of the death of His only begotten and beloved Son. This is the new covenant in my blood. I will keep it even though it cost me my life's blood to keep it. Is it even possible to measure the covenant-keeping love of the Lord Jesus Christ for His sinful people in comparison to how easily reprobate sinful men can give their word and then not keep it? But as sobering as this truth is, it should not be surprising in light of the fourth thing that Paul gives in this list, these last six things, excuse me, without natural affection. Truth that Paul also writes to Timothy about in his description of the last days in 2 Timothy 3 verse 3, without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, without natural affection. Oh, how this example of not wanting to retain the truth of the knowledge of God in the mind is seen throughout history and in the world today. It is something fed by another word on this list, murder. It is fueled by the words I looked at last Sunday, inventors of evil things. How many fellow image bearers of God have been murdered due to the evil things men have invented to display that they are without natural affection? What does a man who takes a woman he's impregnated to an abortuary or the impregnated woman who willingly goes displaying without natural affection? How long can abortion-supporting and protecting countries survive this display of without-natural affection? They call it a demographic winter. Men doubt that God has given man over to a reprobate mind without natural affection, but it is seen in every pro-abortion politician and judge in America today having fits over the fact that Roe vs. Wade was overturned. Without natural affection, how many governments labor to keep and to keep People confused and destroy natural affection. How do they keep this lack of natural affection going? By turning men you would have no problem sitting down with and having a meal like we enjoyed last Sunday. You'd have no problem sitting down with them and enjoying a meal with them. But they nurture, they feed without natural affection by calling that man a hun. As the Germans were called in Roman World War I, and by calling them nips, that's what the Japanese were called in World War II. Or by calling them gooks, that's what the Vietnamese were called during the Vietnam War. They're not human! They're hun! They're nips! They're gooks! You don't have to have any affection for them! Destroy that man's sharing the image of God with you. It's so much easier to hate and kill at the command of man and not God when you look upon them as subhuman. What was the dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki over 70 years ago this month but a display of without natural affection? Remember, these sins feed off one another. What did I mention earlier? Without understanding. Why is it so easy for a reprobate sinner man to display lack of natural affection? Because he is without understanding as to the truth that he is related to the man he does not want to display natural affection towards. Because what does Paul say to the Athenians? Acts 17 verse 26, and hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed and the bounds of their habitation. I can't show this, but only God alone has the ability to show you this, but you are related to it. in some way to every other person who has lived or is living or will yet live on the earth. But the loss of natural affection was even seen in the children of Israel. When 11 of them went to war against Benjamin, almost eliminating Benjamin, if not for the bizarre way they sought to overrule the covenant they had made not to allow any Benjamites to marry their daughters. Read the book of Judges. And David was shown how deep his sin nature went. For who did he have no problem having killed in his futile attempt to hide his line with Bathsheba, Uriah? Oh, friends, how many have fed the sin of without natural affection, leading to who knows how many wars since Christ walked on this earth by refusing to face that they are their fellow brothers or sisters in Adam or in Christ. And if they're in Adam, you pray that they would become brothers and sisters in Christ. But as I said, these sins feed one another. For how will a sinner who is without natural affection display this evidence of not wanting to understand that he shares the same Creator with the one he lacks affection for? The fifth of these six things, implacable. In another form, it is translated as truce breakers, 2 Timothy 3 verse 3. Friends, face the sobering truth that men who do not want to retain the truth of God in their minds, who do not want to bring every thought into obedience to Christ, will have no problem in not wanting to follow what Paul writes later in this letter to the believers in Rome, Romans 12, 18. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Men given over to a reprobate mind and you don't want to see themselves as fellow image bearers of God will have no problem being implacable and truce breakers. When I am for peace, they are for war. They don't want to be told the truth about themselves and God. They don't want to hear the truth of the gospel. They will oppose its preaching, even to persecuting those who hold it forth because they don't want to face the truth. And what they are believing about themselves and God is not true. Nothing you say will appease their hatred of God and the truth of the Word of God. They would rather stand in front of you banging a plastic jug than hear the Word of God being held forth. What were the followers of the idol Diana showing when they were willing to cry out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians, for two hours? Their implacability. And what is the final thing that Paul lists? Showing you that being given over to a reprobate mind because not thinking about God is no small insignificant thing. What's the last thing? Unmerciful. What an evidence that the reprobate mind of a sinner man does not want to think about God that is shown in this last thing on this list, unmerciful. Because what is it that fills your mind with wonder and praise and peace and joy and thanksgiving? Believer, you worship and serve the God who has shown you amazing mercy. You worship the God who has shown you amazing mercy and grace through the Lord Jesus Christ, not giving you what you deserve. Hell, that is amazing mercy and giving you what you could never have earned or deserved. Heaven, that is amazing grace. What does David say in Psalm 23, a psalm that many can recite but show they don't believe it? By the lack of mercy and forgiveness they do not extend towards those who have wronged them in some way. Verse six, surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Who can measure the degree of the lack of mercy that has been shown in the world even since you and I have been born, brethren? How many have been killed and incinerated even though they have done nothing to harm you or anyone in your family? What did Jesus show to you, believer, when He died upon the cross for you? Amazing mercy and grace. He bore what you should have borne for your many sins against God. How unmerciful has this world become when the nations of this world have enough nuclear weapons to incinerate those in other nations who have done nothing to them? If mercy is not giving someone something they deserve because they have sinned against you in some way, Father, forgive them for they know not what they do. Is it even possible to display how unmerciful the times we are living through are when reprobate men are willing to contemplate and plan for nuclear war against others who have done nothing to them except be born in a different country? We're going to incinerate you because you live in another country. How wickedly and sinfully insane has 21st century man become in that he is, he willingly contemplates waging and winning a nuclear war. And people doubt that the saving gospel of God is the only hope for mankind. And if you think I have overstated how truly depraved the times you were saved out of, our believer, just consider the verse I hope to open up next Sunday. The verse Paul writes to conclude this sobering list of 22 things showing how truly dangerous it is to the lives of all of us for God to give men over to a reprobate mind because thinking about Him is not important. who know in the judgment of God that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them." There are people who would take pleasure in killing us and having no problem in killing us. O believer, show you love God and your fellow man, whether believer or non-believer, by laboring to not think about the things Paul lists in this sobering list, and labor to think about everything that is their exact opposite, and God honoring, God glorifying, and soul benefiting, and man loving opposites. Do you understand how important it is to think about the Lord God of the Bible correctly? What do you think about him? Let's pray. Oh Lord, help us. Help us every day you give us. When we find ourselves thinking on any of the things in this list, call us up short, rebuke us, Lord, chastise us, help us to think nothing but thoughts that honor and glorify you. When we hear of men using the word God and they use it in a way that is a denial of you, may we pray for them and tell them they're wrong, not out of arrogance, but out of the folly of their own minds. Give us the wisdom to know that we cannot love our fellow man if we do not love you with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Grant us that grace and that wisdom in the days in which we are living, because Lord, we need your help. And we ask for it in Jesus' name. Amen.