David Platt, Radical

There is No Plan B (Ch 7)

Romans 1:18-20, 1:21, 3:10-12, 3:20, 3:21-22, 3:27-31, 10:13-15

1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 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. 21 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.

3:10 “…None is righteous, no, not one; 11 no one understands; no one seeks for God. 12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”

3:20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction…”

3:27 Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30 since God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. 31 Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.

10:13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”

Theme: Why Going is Urgent, not Optional 

Reflection and Study Questions

1. Discuss Truth 1: “All people have knowledge of God” (see Romans 1:18-20) and Truth 2, “All people reject God.” (see Romans 1:21) To what extent do you affirm these truths? 

2. Do you agree or disagree with Truth 3: “All people are guilty before God?” (see Romans 3:10-12) and Truth 4: “All people are condemned for rejecting God?” (see Romans 3:20) Explain.

3. Why is Truth 5 (“God has made a way of salvation for the lost”) and Truth 6 (“People cannot come to God apart from Christ”) significant? (see Romans 3:21-22; 27-31)

4. Have you been applying Truth 7? (“Christ commands the Church to make the Gospel Known to All Peoples.” (see Romans 10:13-15)

5. Pathway has identified PRISM as a way to encourage evangelism. What does each letter stand for? 

6. Discuss Pratt’s observation: “The will of God is for you and me to give our lives urgently and recklessly to making the gospel and the glory of God known among all peoples…” (p. 160)