Romans 1:18-32

In the first half of this chapter Paul tells us that we must not be ashamed of the Gospel. In this half of the chapter he states things which people may find offensive and cause us to be ashamed about:

God

Men are without excuse before Him (v20)
God has wrath which is against our wickedness (v18)
He has made His existance clear to all men (v19)
He gives people over to their evil for their own judgement (vv24,26)

Religious Diversity

All other religions are lies (v25)
Following other religions is hating God (v30)

Human Nature / Psychology

Foolish (vv21-23,28)
We invent ways of doing evil (vv30,29-31,32)

Contemporary Sexual Ethics

Sexual impurity (vv24,26-27)
Sexual Orientation - acting on it outside of God's decrees is sin (vv26-27)
Mankind will be punished for their perversion (v27)

What are the signs of His anger?

He let us go. He gave us over to our sinful desires

What causes societies and relationships to fall apart according to this passage?

Not glorifying God
Turning towards lies

How should knowing this effect our response to social evils, such as those listed in the passage?

Not approve of evil practices
Prayer
Recognise social problems not as the problems, but as the symptom of rejecting God
Spread the word of God

Paul tells us that people have a suppressed knowledge of Gof (v18) and of His judgement (v32). Is this encouraging or discouraging evangalism?

Encouraging - God will through us 'pull out' what's inside the unbelievers.
Intimidating - They use their intelligence etc to deny God.

What does this passage have to say about the issue of people who haven't heard about Jesus?

No excuse
God will judge men on what they know, it's their contact with creation and their active repression and denial of God.

1:1-16 2:1-3v8