Why Should YouNot be AshamedOf the Gospel?

Romans 1:15-17

Why Do So FewWitness Like We Should?

Why Do So FewWitness Like We Should?

1. Considered a religious fanatic.

Why Do So FewWitness Like We Should?

1. Considered a religious fanatic.2. Afraid our witness would be

rejected.

Why Do So FewWitness Like We Should?

1. Considered a religious fanatic.2. Afraid our witness would be

rejected.Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.” -

Mark 14:29

Romans 1:15-17That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel

also to you who are at Rome. I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

I. Because It is the Gospel of Righteousness.

For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last . . . - v17

I. Because It is the Gospel of Righteousness

A. Gospel (τὸ εὐαγγέλιον) = the “Good News”.

I. Because It is the Gospel of Righteousness

I Corinthians 15:1-4Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel

I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures . . .

I. Because It is the Gospel of Righteousness

I Corinthians 15:1-4Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel

I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures . . .

I. Because It is the Gospel of Righteousness

Romans 5:21. . . just as sin reigned in death, so also grace

might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

I. Because It is the Gospel of Righteousness

Romans 5:21. . . just as sin reigned in death, so also grace

might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

John 14:6Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and

the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

I. Because It is the Gospel of Righteousness

B. Righteousness (δικαιοσύνη) = justification, not guilty, having a right relationship.

I. Because It is the Gospel of Righteousness

B. Righteousness (δικαιοσύνη) = justification, not guilty, having a right relationship.1. Righteousness doesn’t mean God

makes you a good person.

I. Because It is the Gospel of Righteousness

B. Righteousness (δικαιοσύνη) = justification, not guilty, having a right relationship.1. Righteousness doesn’t mean God

makes you a good person.2. Righteousness does mean God

treats you as though you were never a sinner!

I. Because It is the Gospel of Righteousness.

II. Because It is the Power of God.

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. - v16

II. Because It is the Power of God.

A. Have you ever dreamed you could have miraculous power?

II. Because It is the Power of God.

B. Power (δύναμις) = “dynamite”, mighty, an unconquerable force.

II. Because It is the Power of God.

B. Power (δύναμις) = “dynamite”, mighty, an unconquerable force.

The gospel has the power to:Convict

PersuadeConvert

I. Because It is the Gospel of Righteousness.

II. Because It is the Power of God.

III. Because It is for Salvation.I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the

power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. - v16

II. Because It is for Salvation

A. Salvation (σωτηρία) = deliverance from danger, to be rescued.

II. Because It is for Salvation

What are you saved from?B. You are saved from danger.

Matthew 8:23-27

II. Because It is for Salvation

What are you saved from?C. You are saved from this wicked

world.Acts 2:40Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.

II. Because It is for Salvation

What are you saved from?D. You are saved from being lost.Luke 19:10For the Son of Man came to seek and to save

what was lost.

II. Because It is for Salvation

What are you saved from?E. You are saved from sin.Matthew 1:21She will give birth to a son, and you are to give

him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.

II. Because It is for Salvation

What are you saved from?F. You are saved from the wrath of

God.II Thessalonians 1:7-8. . . the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in

blazing fire with his powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.

I. Because It is the Gospel of Righteousness.

II. Because It is the Power of God.

III. Because It is for Salvation.IV. Because It is for Everyone

Who Has Faith.

IV. Because It is for Everyone Who Has Faith.

A. What is Faith?

IV. Because It is for Everyone Who Has Faith

A. What is Faith?1. Loyalty.

II Thessalonians 1:4Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about

your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.

IV. Because It is for Everyone Who Has Faith

A. What is Faith?2. A conviction that something is true.

I Corinthians 15:17And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is

futile; you are still in your sins.

IV. Because It is for Everyone Who Has Faith

A. What is Faith?3. The Christian way.

II Corinthians 13:5Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the

faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you — unless, of course, you fail the test?

IV. Because It is for Everyone Who Has Faith

A. What is Faith?4. It is an indestructible hope.

II Corinthians 5:7We live by faith, not by sight.

IV. Because It is for Everyone Who Has Faith

A. What is Faith?5. It is absolute trust.

IV. Because It is for Everyone Who Has Faith.

B. How does faith progress?

IV. Because It is for Everyone Who Has Faith

B. How does faith progress?1. Receptivity - “I’m willing to listen”.

IV. Because It is for Everyone Who Has Faith

B. How does faith progress?1. Receptivity - “I’m willing to listen”.2. Mental Assent - “What you say is

true”.

IV. Because It is for Everyone Who Has Faith

B. How does faith progress?1. Receptivity - “I’m willing to listen”.2. Mental Assent - “What you say is

true”.3. Total Surrender

You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. - I Corinthians 6:19-20.

If you’ve been a bit cowardly with your witness lately, remember you’re

cheating yourself out of using the power of God. People will respond to the wonderful message of the death,

burial & resurrection of our Lord!