Sermon: I Am Not Ashamed of the Gospel Romans 1:14-17
I Am Not Ashamed of the Gospel
Romans 1:14-17
Truth Taught- Paul is obligated, eager and not ashamed to preach the Gospel because it is God’s power to salvation for all who believe.
Introduction
Our text today shows us Paul’s responsibility and passion to preach and teach the Gospel of God to those in Rome.
Romans 1:1 (ESV)
1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,
We’ll see that because of his calling he is bound by Christ, a slave of Christ and because of this, the Gospel will be preached. He also, has a passion for his calling. It’s not simply a duty that he executes begrudgingly but a calling that God has gifted him for and given him a passion for it.
I want to say that the best way to discover your calling is to ask yourself two questions…What am I passionate about? How has God gifted me?
Both must be present. The best way to tell your gifts is to be at work in the local church exercising those gifts. Those around you especially the leadership, over time, can help you either discover or confirm your gifts.
Human Need
Paul tells us that he is obligated, eager, and not ashamed of the Gospel. These are the exact traits I pray we have concerning the Gospel. This text shows us that we too are called to be those who give the Gospel away to others using our specific gifts.
PRAY
Romans 1:14–17 (ESV)
14 I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. 15 So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
- I Am Under Obligation to Preach the Gospel
14 I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.
The Apostle makes the claim here that Jesus Christ has given him the responsibility and calling to be a preacher of God’s Gospel. If you remember the Gospel he preaches is not man’s gospel but God’s. Man did not give it to him, nor did he learn it from anyone. The Good News Paul preaches is the Gospel he received directly from our Lord and with it came the responsibility to preach it.
Romans 1:1 (ESV)
1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,
1 Corinthians 9:16 (ESV)
16 For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!
He anticipates with great passion and excitement that when he comes to be with them there will be a great Gospel Harvest among them. Here he shows the extent of the Good News. Here he shows that the Gospel is color blind, culture blind, has no special ethnic groups, and does not choose the rich over the poor.
Sermon: Longing to Visit Those Who are Loved by God Romans 1:7-13
Longing to Visit Those Who are Loved by God
Romans 1:7-13
Truth Taught- As Christians meet together they are to be building up one another’s faith.
Introduction
So far in the introduction of Romans, Paul has given us a brief biography explaining who he is, what his credentials are, and what sort of call he has been given. Based on his roll of a called Apostle, he can speak with authority about this Gospel of God that has been entrusted to him to then give to others. He is God’s man with God’s Gospel preaching to God’s people. Sounds like a very good recipe for conversion and growth.
Now, we’re going to see another element that is at work in the lives of God’s people. We are affected by the truth found in God’s Word. We see the reality of sin and of salvation. God also wants us to see the fact that our excitement in these wonderful truths helps to strengthen the faith of others.
Human Need
When we meet together we should seek the growth of all the believers in our fellowship. Too often our focus is turned inward on ourselves. This passage shows us what our focus should be when we gather together for worship and prayer.
Father, this is Your Word. May it not return to You empty, may it accomplish that which You purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which You sent it. It is sharp and active like a double-edged sword. Mold us into the image of Christ…
Romans 1:7–13 (ESV)
7 To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you 10 always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God’s will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. 11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— 12 that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. 13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles.
1. To all Those in Rome Who are Loved by God
7 To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
We should see together three things about these and all who are loved by God including all true Christians today.
- All Believers are Loved by God
It is such an amazing truth that for those whom God sets His love upon through Christ are His precious saints. Our lives change forever when we are loved by God. Remember, in Rome there were disputes among the believers as to who should have roles of leadership etc. The Jews and the Gentiles were not unified. Here, the Apostle tells us that God loves you not based on your ethnic background but He loves all believers the same.
Sermon: God’s Gospel, For All Times and All People (part 2) God’s Gospel Concerning His Son
God’s Gospel, For All Times and All People (part 2)
God’s Gospel Concerning His Son
Romans 1:1-7
Truth Taught- Paul expounds God’s Gospel and he begins to explain that it is relevant for all people of all times.
Introduction
At least 12 times in Romans Paul mentions the word Gospel. It is one of his themes throughout the Book. So, the Apostle moves very quickly from introducing himself to introducing the Good News, which came to him from God and not from man. His desire is to create an enthusiastic church that will embrace this Gospel of God. The reason he spends any time at all on himself is so that the Roman Church will realize that he has the authority from God to write the things he writes in this Book. So, again we can say, what the Book of Romans says, God says.
Are we enthusiastic about the true Gospel? Have we embraced it and experienced it? Or can we take it or leave it? How is our true attitude toward Christ and the true Gospel shown in our lives? Are we passionate enough about the things of God to read our Bibles? To pray? To reach out to others in our church?
Human Need
Do you have confidence in the one true Gospel? I pray today we will all embrace the Good News a little tighter with even more assurance that it is the power of God for salvation…
Romans 1:16–17 (ESV)
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
Father, You have Gathered Your people that You may let us hear Your words, so that we may learn to fear You all the days that we live on the earth, and that we may also teach our children…amen
Romans 1:1–7 (ESV)
1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, 6 including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,
7 To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
- God’s Gospel was Promised Beforehand
God has revealed the Gospel to the Apostles and they have written of it in their books, it was revealed centuries before to the OT prophets. So, God’s Gospel is not a novel idea but a planned sovereign decree.
Due to the fact that this Gospel was first revealed to the prophets does not mean that it started with them. It really had no beginning because it’s always existed within the mind of God. It’s just been revealed to those in the OT first.
Because it was revealed to those in the OT, we also see the wonderful continuity of the Old and New Testaments, both proclaim the amazing Gospel of God found in our Lord Jesus.
All the Scriptures bear witness about Jesus Christ and the Gospel. Here’s just a few quick examples…
We understood from John’s Gospel that our Lord is the Son of Man from Daniel 7. He is the Suffering Servant from Isaiah 53.
Luke 24:25–27 (ESV)
25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. Acts 17
Paul also did the same thing when he entered a city he would locate the synagogue and begin to open up the Hebrew Scriptures, our Old Testament and show them things concerning Jesus.
Sermons: God’s Gospel, For All Times and All People (part 1) Paul’s Three Passions
God’s Gospel, For All Times and All People (part 1)
Paul’s Three Passions
Romans 1:1-7
Truth Taught- Paul expounds God’s Gospel and he begins to explain that it is relevant for all people of all times.
Introduction
The ancient readers of the Book of Romans were astonished at the rich and individualistic way Paul introduces himself in the introduction. The introduction is by far the longest of all of Paul’s introductions.
He spends the very beginning introducing himself and his calling so that he would then have the authority to introduce the Gospel to those who lived in Rome. The Apostle uses the word Gospel twelve times in Romans. This shows us how important the Gospel is to Paul and how vital it is for those in Rome to hear and embrace.
Purpose of the Book is to heal the differences those members of the church were experiencing.
Human Need
Passionate approach to ministry. Paul shows us his three passions as he introduces himself to the Church in Rome and to us. This passage challenges us to also have a passion for Christ and whatever service He’s called us to.
Father, You have Gathered Your people that You may let us hear Your words, so that we may learn to fear You all the days that we live on the earth, and that we may also teach our children…amen
Romans 1:1–7 (ESV)
1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, 6 including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,
7 To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul’s Three Passions
- Paul, a Servant of Christ Jesus
Here, our English Bibles use the word servant. That title is accurate but it doesn’t stress the magnitude of Paul’s devotion and service to his Lord Jesus Christ. A more literal rendering would be Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus. Now, Paul uses slave not in a negative light but
Read More
Sermon: God’s Chosen Servant (Isaiah 42:1-9)
God’s Chosen Servant
Isaiah 42:1-9
Truth Taught -God’s Servant brings forgiveness of sin for God’s people
Introduction
We have looked at the promised birth of our Savior from Isaiah’s Prophecy. Today, I want us to look to our Lord Jesus and His role or task that He had. In other words, why was He born? Why was the Son of God made to take on flesh? Why was Jesus called Emmanuel, God with us?
To really see what is going on in Isaiah 42 we must see what was happening in Isaiah 41. Isaiah 41 is God’s condemnation of Judah’s Idolatry.
Twice the Hebrew word HEN is used and translated behold. What is most significant here is that this sets up a pattern God uses to introduce us to His Servant, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Isaiah 41:24 (ESV)
24 Behold, you are nothing,
and your work is less than nothing;
an abomination is he who chooses you.
Isaiah 41:29 (ESV)
29 Behold, they are all a delusion;
their works are nothing;
their metal images are empty wind.
God very clearly makes His point. Regardless how good the craftsman is who shapes the idol, it is nothing and the craftsman is nothing. The way in which God proves this is that the One He sends, His Servant, our Lord is not a dead idol but a powerful servant and specifically One who is sent by the true God who speaks of things that have not yet happened. Case in point, here, God specifically speaks of King Cyrus 200 years before he is even born. Later on in Isaiah’s prophecy, he speaks of King Cyrus, God’s servant.
So, Lord willing today as we approach the celebration of Christmas and the coming of the Savior I want to look at what Isaiah has to say
As we begin, we must see first that Jesus is God’s Servant. He did not come to earth to serve us but to serve His Father. Jesus died for our sin in order to, as it were, clear or vindicate God’s name.
How could God be just and merciful to sinners at the same time? How could God pronounce death on the human race because of their sin and yet forgive us? So, Jesus came to grant salvation and grace to us sinners and, at the same time, maintaining God’s holiness.
Human Need
We must see our great need to turn away from idols and embrace the true God found in Jesus Christ our Lord. He came to restore all things.
Father, You have Gathered Your people that You may let us hear Your words, so that we may learn to fear You all the days that we live on the earth, and that we may also teach our children…amen
