Ignoring God leads to humanity's downward spiral (Sermon Blog)
A Book That Demands Our Attention
Romans isn’t just another letter from the Apostle Paul—it’s often called the “Constitution of the Christian Faith” and a magnum opus of theology. Written about 25 years after Paul’s life-changing encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, it addresses the struggles and moral unraveling of ancient Rome—a culture eerily similar to our own today.
Paul’s Unshakable Boldness
One of the core verses from Sunday’s message was Romans 1:16, where Paul writes:
“For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.”
Pastor Steve shared personal stories, including a beautiful testimony of a family baptism, reminding us that the Gospel still has the power to radically change lives today.
The Six Stages of Ignoring God
Paul warns in Romans 1 how things unravel when people ignore God. Pastor Steve outlined six stages of rejection:
Suppressing the Truth
People push aside what they know is right, replacing it with personal preferences. (Romans 1:18)Denying God’s Existence
Even though creation clearly points to a Creator, many refuse to acknowledge Him. (Romans 1:19-20)Darkening of Hearts and Minds
Without God, thinking becomes confused, and moral clarity fades. (Romans 1:21)Worshiping Created Things Instead of the Creator
Ancient idols may have been statues; today they’re careers, lifestyles, or even ourselves. (Romans 1:22-23)Replacing God’s Design for Sexuality
Paul addresses the misuse of sexuality in his time, which mirrors struggles we see in culture today. As a church, Pacific Life Church loves and welcomes everyone. While we hold to God’s Word, we are an accepting community where every person matters, and every story matters.Relational and Moral Breakdown
The final step is complete relational chaos and personal disconnection from God. (Romans 1:28-32)
God’s Tough Love
Romans 1 talks about God "abandoning" people to their choices—not as a sign of rejection, but as tough love. Pastor Steve explained this means God allows people to experience the consequences of their decisions, hoping they’ll one day look back to Him for grace, mercy, and healing.
The Big Takeaway
Never be ashamed of the Gospel. It’s the only thing powerful enough to save and restore broken people and cultures. Like Paul, we’re called to courageously stand for truth in a world desperate for hope.
Don’t Miss Part 2!
Join us this Sunday as we continue our When In Romans series with Part 2. You won’t want to miss what God has in store as we dive deeper into this life-shaping book together.