Has God's Punishment Already Begun

Delivered during a missions emphasis season at a Missionary Baptist church, this sermon draws from Romans 1:18-32 to address the simultaneous joy and sorrow Christians experience—joy from salvation and sorrow for unsaved loved ones who reject Christ. The speaker critiques the common reaction of Christians to dull their witness to avoid pain from hostile reactions, urging them to persist earnestly. Paul’s letter to the Romans serves as a framework, presenting his missionary identity and passion to share the gospel. The sermon outlines three realities: God’s revelation of His wrath through creation, leaving mankind without excuse; man’s rebellious response, passively and actively rejecting God; and God’s present wrath, abandoning sinners to uncleanness, vile affections, and reprobate minds, evidenced by self-destructive behaviors. These realities emphasize that unsaved individuals face increasing sinfulness and divine punishment in this life, not just eternity. The sermon calls Christians to reject passivity, intensify prayer, deepen devotion, and support missions to reach loved ones and those on the mission field, affirming the gospel’s power to save.