I AM NOT ASHAMED …
© Rosemary Bardsley 2006
SUMMARY
The nature of the gospel
The content of the gospel
The necessity for the gospel
INTRODUCTION
Have you ever felt ashamed of the gospel? Wondering what people would think of it? … just a fairy tale? … just religious mumbo jumbo? … not relevant for the real world? Do you ever wish you could identify with Paul who said ‘I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God …’?
BIBLE READING: Romans 1:8-18
THE NATURE OF THE GOSPEL – Romans 1:16
[1] The gospel is divine in origin: 1 Corinthians 2:7; Hebrews 12:2; 2 Corinthians 5:20
[2] The gospel is powerful and centred on a powerful person – Jesus Christ: Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 1:24; Romans 1:3-4.
[3] The gospel is aimed at salvation: Romans 1:16; saving people out of death [Ephesians 2:1], out of estrangement from God [Romans 5:10], and into life [John 3;16], and intimate union with God [John 14:20].
[4] The availability of the gospel if comprehensive – available for all the world, both Jew and Gentile: Romans 1:16; John 3:16; 2 Peter 3:9.
[5] The promise of the gospel is limited to ‘all who believe’ – Romans 1:16.
THE CONTENT OF THE GOSPEL – Romans 1:17
[1] The righteousness of God – Jesus Christ: Romans 1:17; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 3:21-26.
[2] Faith – Romans 1:17: a gift from God [Ephesians 2:8];
[3] Life: Romans 1:17; 1 John 5:12.
THE NECESSITY FOR THE GOSPEL – Romans 1:18
[1] The wrath of God: Romans 1:18; God’s attitude to sin: Isaiah 59:2; God’s assessment of sin: Ezekiel 18:4; Compare also Romans 2:5-9; 3:19; Galatians 3:10.
[2] The sinfulness of man: Romans 3:19; Romans 3:20; Romans 3:13. [Examples: Romans 1:19-23, 28-31; 3:9-18]
[3] Hidden truth – Romans 1:18; Romans 1:21. [The proclamation of the gospel brings the truth to light: John 17:3-5; 2 Corinthians 4:4,6].
CONCLUSION
Paul, knowing the terrible predicament in which the world lives under the wrath of God, and knowing the power of the Gospel to liberate people, said ‘I am not ashamed of the gospel’. He also said: ‘I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you. …’ Do we have this same confidence, this same sense of obligation, this same eagerness …?