Romans Road Recap Week 4
Romans 1:16-17
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is God's power for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek. For in it God's righteousness is revealed from faith to faith, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith.”
What makes us ashamed?
- Self-awareness – the feeling that others are making judgments about us; the feeling of being caught in the spotlight
- Self-blame – The feeling that we aren’t prepared, or good enough
- Standards – the worlds idea of what is and isn’t acceptable (tolerant)
- Personal-traits – worried more about what others will think or say about us than we are about if they go to heaven or hell
Are you ashamed of the Gospel of JESUS CHRIST?
Some reasons why CHRISTians today are ashamed of the Gospel:
- The gospel tells us we’re spiritual failures. Romans 3:23, “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” (NLT)
- JESUS came to “seek and to save that which was lost”
- JESUS said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” Matthew 9:12 NLT
JESUS came for people who had no spiritual potential. JESUS came for spiritual failures. For failures like you and me, the only way to be saved is through the free gift of JESUS spilt blood.
This is good news, but it’s also offensive news.
- The gospel tells us we’re wicked. Romans 3:10, “there is none righteous no not one.”
- The gospel tells us that many good people go to hell.
- Good intentions can’t save us
- Good deeds can’t save us
- Good morals can’t save us.
- John 14:6, “JESUS said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.””
- The gospel tells us that suffering is normal, not exceptional.
- JESUS is called the “suffering servant”
- JESUS promised that hose who hated HIM would also hate those who followed HIM.
The Gospel Is Offensive, But I’m Not Ashamed.
Paul, says, “For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.” Paul wasn’t ashamed of the Gospel because he knew it and that it alone contains the power of new life.
Paul had experienced the power of the gospel in his life, and he knew it was the only hope of salvation.
So offensive or not, he became eager to get that message to everyone.
What about you?
The opposite of “ashamed of the gospel,” you see, is not “proud to be a CHRISTian.”
The opposite of “ashamed of the gospel” is “passionate to spread the gospel.”
Romans 1:17, “For in it God's righteousness is revealed from faith to faith, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith.”
The kingdom of heaven is near!
Have you entered the kingdom of GOD or are you allowing the fear of change or the perceived cost to be holding you back?
Will you this morning place your faith in JESUS as LORD and SAVIOR?
