For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. (Rom 1:18-28)

Finally, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you. Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

(Php 3:1-11)

“Ignorance is bliss”?

Thomas Jefferson:  “If ignorance is bliss, why aren't more people happy?”

Proverbs:

Pro 10:10 Whoever winks the eye causes trouble, and a babbling fool will come to ruin.

Pro 14:3 By the mouth of a fool comes a rod for his back, but the lips of the wise will preserve them.

Pro 18:2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.

The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, doing abominable iniquity; there is none who does good. Psa 53:1 

So is education a way to a better life?

The evidence suggests NO!

CS Lewis : “If you give a devil an education you do not make them an angel – just clever devils.”

A fool's mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul. Pro.18:7 

Sins of ignorance:

1. There are those things I know – but choose not to know. 

People who were “alienated from the life of God on account of the ignorance that is in them” Eph.4:18

Romans 1 we all deserve God’s judgement because we ‘Know the Truth’ but “Exchanged the truth of God for a lie…”   PAUSE

2. There are those things I actually do not know. 

But we are still culpable!

Our complex world makes knowing hard!

John Chrysostom an early Church father would pray: “O Lord, if I have sinned in mind or thought, in word or deed, forgive me.

NOT knowing is NOT our biggest challenge

Not wanting to know - not caring - is a MUCH bigger issue

L Morris : “It seems to be the presumption of the NT writers that, if we really understood what sin is and what consequences it inevitably brings, we would flee from it instead of embracing it as we so frequently do.”

If we don’t know – then we won’t have to change!

What sins do you not want to know about?

Ignorance feels like bliss! 

BUT the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So we are without excuse. (Rom 1:18-21) 

Which brings us to the Cross:

   “Father forgive them, they don’t know what they are doing”

How could this be true?

They clearly did not know who they were kiling

“Had they known they would NOT have crucified the Lord of Glory”. 1 Cor.2:8

The impact of sin – it distorts and destroys. 

   It confuses and confounds.

       It creates misunderstanding and ignorance

But into our ignorance Jesus cries - “Father Forgive”

I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him…that I may know him. Php 3:8-9 

And in dealing with our sins of ignorance it changes three things:

1.  He helps us to know God.

2.  He helps us face our ignorance of sin – however painful

3.  He helps us change

Jesus’ death helps us know God

Dr. M Lloyd-Jones: “All our troubles ultimately emanate from our ignorance of God. That is the real trouble in the world today.”

 “This is life eternal, that they may know you, the only true God, and him whom you sent, Jesus Christ.” John.17:3 

   Not just know about Him – but know Him

Jesus death helps us face our ignorance of sin – however painful.

If I know God and that He is FOR me…

       Then I can face whatever I do that is wrong. 

The death of Jesus helps us change to be more like Jesus

Paul: that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. (Php 3:10-12)

We can know God – because of the death of Jesus

   Knowing God and his love for me helps me face the reality of my sin.

       Knowing God, my sin and his power at work in me – causes me to want to…

          And helps me change!

But how?

Three C’s to help you change!

1.  Content. .

2.  Confession. 

3.  Community. 

CONCLUSION

       What were we made for? To know God. 

       What aim should we set ourselves in life? To know God. 

       What is the ‘eternal life’ that Jesus gives? Knowledge of God.”

In the New Testament we see that it is by the Cross – knowledge comes.

       The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Pro 1:7 

NOTES AND QUESTIONS FOR BIBLE STUDY

WEEK 4   THE CROSS – THE ANSWER TO IGNORANCE    Rom.1:18-28

WARM UP

Play a short general knowledge quiz (check out internet, Trivial pursuit etc.)

Discuss – is ignorance ever an excuse?

Share your response to the soul training exercise

BIBLE STUDY

Read Romans 1:18-28 and Philippians 3:1-11

Read 1 Peter 1:13-14. and Ephesians 4:17-18).

Are there things of which you choose to be blissfully ignorant? (consider where your clothing comes from or what you eat or spend your time looking at, or the history of white settlement in Australia and its impact on the first Australian’s)

Why do we do this and what impact does it have? 

Leon Morris says “New Testament writers seem to presume that, if we really understood what sin is and what its consequences inevitably bring, we would flee from it instead of embracing it as we so frequently do. How can we even think of risking eternal separation from our creator God who loves us, for the sake of fleeting moments of pleasure that leave us unsatisfied?”

Why do we choose fleeting pleasures over eternal satisfaction?

Jesus from the Cross said “Father forgive them – they don’t know what they are doing” What do you think Jesus meant by this? 

Read Acts 3:14-20

Based on these readings is ignorance an excuse?

Ernest Haeschen argues that the real guilt lies precisely in the agnoia (not knowing). If people had not hardened their hearts against God he says, they would have recognised Jesus. Only so does it become plain that in the Cross our guilt is revealed. So far from their ignorance being an excuse for their sin, it was the cause of their guilt. They could have known better, they were in darkness only because they had rejected the light. Ignorance always leads people away from God.

Read Luke 1:77-79, John 14:6,7, Phil.3:8-10

If ignorance is sin, what is the alternative? How do we do this?

How has God revealed Himself? What can we do to know Him more?

Consider: The Cross is the means by which we can know God and God knows us. How do you feel about this statement? Why

How do we know if we truly know Him? Read 1 John 2:3,4, 4:7

What might that look like for you?

CONSIDER the three C’s to help you change!

1.    Content.  Seek new information and perspectives - particularly from people and sources who see things differently from you.

2.    Confession. Talk to God about what you are learning. Tell him of where you have got it wrong.

3.    Community. In community and with community. Allow others to inform you, Share with them your struggles. Invite them to hold you accountable.

What can you do this week in each of these?

SOUL TRAINING

Begin each day with this simple prayer

Father I want to know you, Jesus I want to know you, Holy Spirit I want to know you. Reveal yourself to me today.

Then read a chapter of John's gospel beginning at chapter 13 and ask what do I learn about Jesus from this passage?

Decide to do an extraordinary loving act to someone you don't know well this week.

Pray God's blessing upon them as you do it.