Concerned, Committed, Convinced

MARCH 1, 2023 STUDY NOTES ROMANS 1:14-16 BIBLE TEACHER: CLIFTON JONES CONCERNED, COMMITTED, CONVINCED INTRODUCTION This study is the conclusion of last Sunday’s study, the three times Paul said, “I Am” I am debtor, Paul was CONCERNED about his debt to preach the Gospel, Rom 1:14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. I am ready to preach, Paul was COMMITTED to preach the Gospel, Rom 1:15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. I am not ashamed, Paul was CONVINCED of the power of the Gospel, Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. As a Christian we too should be concerned, committed, and convinced, concerning the Gospel We must be concerned about those who are lost and on their way to hell, Joh 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. We must be committed to preach the Gospel to all who are lost and without Christ in their life According to scripture everyone must hear the Gospel and call upon Jesus in-order to be saved Rom 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. The next verse tells us why Paul was eager to preach the gospel, Rom 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? (Every Christian is to be a preacher of the Gospel) Paul said that the preaching of the Gospel was glad tidings of good news, Rom 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! That is why Paul said he was eager to preach the gospel “to you that are at Rome also” (Romans 1::15) “Rome” was the greatest city in the known world at that time “Rome” was the capital city of the greatest empire that the world has ever known Rome was also known to be a wicked and sinful city, and had been called, “a cesspool of iniquity” Like Babylon of the OT, Rome became a symbol of paganism and idolatry in the NT Rome needed Paul to come with the Gospel, Paul knew the danger he would face by going to Rome Paul would face danger, opposition, persecution, and even death, as he preached the Gospel in Rome But Paul was convinced, he must go to Rome and preach the gospel He knew that within the Gospel message was the power of God to save any lost sinner He had seen the life changing power of the Gospel work in Corinth and Ephesus Paul was convinced that the Gospel would reach lost souls in Rome also I AM CONVINCED--Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Here the word “For” is a term of explanation “For” relates to the previous verse and explains why Paul is ready to preach to Rome Paul was “not ashamed of the gospel of Christ” The word “ashamed” not only speaks of “being ashamed,” but also of “being afraid” Having a feeling or fear which prevents a person from saying something or from doing something Such as the reluctance to say or do something because of the fear of embarrassment or humiliation Which is a common excuse among Christians today for not presenting the Gospel to the lost There are many human reasons why Paul could have been “ashamed” of the Gospel Page 1 of 5 He was a Jew, and the Jews hated the Gospel of Jesus Christ Paul was an educated Jew, and the Jews considered the Gospel of Jesus as foolishness, 1Co 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. Because of the Jews hatred of the Gospel, they severely persecuted the Christians, Act 13:50 But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts. Paul was a Pharisee and they considered Christians to be atheists, claiming they were not of God Paul made a strong statement when he said, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ” He had no fear of going to Rome to preach the Gospel even after all that he had previously experienced At Iconium Paul and Barnabas spoke boldly of the Lord, Act 14:3 Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands. A multitude of the city sought to assault and stone them (Acts 14:4-5) Paul and Barnabas fled to Lystra and Derbe, where they preached the Gospel, Act 14:7 And there they preached the gospel. Paul was stoned and left for dead at Lystra, Act 14:19 And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. Paul miraculously rose up and continued to preach, Act 14:20 Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. Because of preaching the gospel he was beaten and imprisoned in Philippi, Act 16:23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: Act 16:24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. In prison Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises to God, the jailer and his household were saved Paul was released from prison and went to Thessalonica to preach the Gospel, Act 17:2 And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, Act 17:3 Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. His preaching faced great opposition, Act 17:5 But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. Paul was sent away because of the persecutors, Act 17:10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. The persecuting Jews continued to follow Paul, Act 17:13 But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people. Paul was smuggled out of the city of Berea for his protection, Act 17:14 And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still. Paul was brought to Athens where his message of Christ was challenged, Act 17:18 Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection. Paul stood in the midst of Mars Hill and preached the truth of the resurrected Christ, Act 17:31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. Paul left Athens and went to Corinth, Act 17:33 So Paul departed from among them. Act 18:1 After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; His message to Corinth was that Jesus is the Christ, Act 18:5 And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. Page 2 of 5 For 18 months Paul preached God’s Word in Corinth, Act 18:11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. Paul was assaulted because of his message, Act 18:12 And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat, Paul continued his ministry, Act 18:18 And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow. Act 18:19 And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews. Paul preached Christ in Ephesus, Act 19:8 And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. Even through Satan’s opposition, Paul’s ministry was successful, Act 19:20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed. Paul’s heart was still set upon preaching the Gospel in Rome, Act 19:21 After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome. The time came when Jesus allowed Paul to go to Rome with the Gospel witness, Act 23:11 And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome. Paul suffered much shame and persecution from Satan through people, especially the Jews, 2Co 11:24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one 2Co 11:25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; 2Co 11:26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 2Co 11:27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. The troubles, trials, and persecutions of Paul were because he faithfully preached the Gospel Why would Paul continue to have such a strong desire to preach the Gospel? Because he believed it, Rom 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. He believed what he preached, Rom 9:33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. Paul told others not to be ashamed of their testimony of the Gospel, 2Ti 1:8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Paul was not ashamed of his calling, 2Ti 1:11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. Paul was not afraid of persecution, 2Ti 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. Why was Paul not afraid to go to Rome and preach the Gospel? Because Paul was convinced that what he was presenting to the lost was the Gospel of Christ The “Gospel of Christ” is the message of the grace and mercy of our loving God There are many religions in our world today, religion is man’s search for God There is only one Gospel, the Gospel is God’s search for man, God’s love reaching out to man The Gospel is the story of the one and only true God who gave His all, in love toward man It is the “Gospel of salvation” and there is no other Gospel to preach, Gal 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Gal 1:7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. Gal 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. Gal 1:9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. Page 3 of 5 The Gospel of Christ is the Gospel of power, for it is the power of God Rome was a powerful city, the Roman Empire was a military power, sin was powerful in the city of Rome But Paul came to the powerful city of Rome with a powerful Gospel The inherent power of the Gospel is the omnipotence of God The Gospel is like spiritual dynamite, it is packed with God’s omnipotence The Gospel has miraculous power, it is a miracle working Gospel Within the very nature of the Gospel there “is the power of God unto salvation” It is the Bible that tells us of the power of God within the Gospel of Jesus And the Bible is the “living powerful Word of God,” Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. “Power” comes from a Greek word used in the first century to refer to a legal right It meant that a person had been given legal right to do or be something The sinner who trusts Jesus as Savior is given the legal right to become a child of God, Joh 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: The result of the power of the Gospel is unto salvation The Gospel has the power to change a life of sin to a life of righteousness before God It will sober a drunk, deliver a drug addict, and wash away any sin, 1Co 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. Salvation is presented as a past-experience, Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Salvation is presented as a better present life, Heb 6:9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. Salvation is presented as having more to come, Rom 13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. (Future salvation) Salvation is a past, present, and future experience We will sing of our salvation in Heaven, Rev 19:1 And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God: Salvation is what the Gospel can do and will do, it will save a lost sinner from Hell The result of the power of the Gospel is an eternal salvation in Heaven Salvation is the great need of man, who must be rescued from the penalty of sin Salvation is Justification, I have been saved, Salvation is Sanctification, I am being saved Salvation is Preservation, I will always be saved, Salvation is glorification, Col 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. But who will be saved through the power of the Gospel? Regardless of who it is that believes, salvation is to everyone that believeth; There is no racial restriction, there is no sinful restriction Every sinner and evil person in Rome could be saved through the Gospel if they would believe The Gospel is a “whosoever will” gospel, Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Belief is putting your faith in Jesus, who He is, what He has done, what He will do Believing is confidence, trust, and commitment to the Gospel of Christ God did not say behave, He said believe, believe first and then you will behave It is not, I will try to do better and then I will be saved, there is no salvation by works Nothing but the Gospel has that power of conviction, the gospel was “to the Jew first” “First” does indicate a priority of the Jews but does not put a limitation on the Gentiles “First” indicates a historical or chronological priority, the Jews were privileged to be “first” They are the chosen nation of God, set aside by God for His purpose, to be a witness to all other nations Page 4 of 5 Through God’s chosen nation came the Word of God, Rom 3:2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God. Through God’s chosen nation came the “Promised Messiah,” Rom 9:5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen. Salvation is of the Jews, Joh 4:22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. The Jews were God’s first choice to receive the Messiah, Mat 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: Mat 10:6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. With the coming of the Holy Spirit, the Gospel was to begin at Jerusalem But from Jerusalem the Gospel was to be preached throughout the world, Act 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. The Gospel must be preached also to the Greek. The name Greek was often used to identify all those who were not Jews, also known as Gentiles Since Jesus died for the sins of the world, the Gospel must also be preached to the Gentiles And Paul was the chosen Apostle to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15) That is why Paul was willing, ready, and eager to preach the Gospel anywhere, even to Rome He knew that anyone could be saved through the preaching of the Gospel Salvation is only through the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12) Salvation is a personal acceptance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Romans 10:9-13) Salvation is for the Jews, the Gentiles, the Greeks, all sinners are called to accept salvation, 1Co 1:24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Through Christ, all believers become the new people of God, Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. All believers have been baptized of the Spirit into one body, 1Co 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. CONCLUSION Paul was concerned about those who were lost Paul was committed, he was ready to preach the Gospel to the lost Paul was convinced, the Gospel was the power of God unto salvation It is time for Christians in America to be concerned, committed, and convinced America has been a great nation in the past with the blessings of God upon us But America is rapidly becoming a symbol of paganism and idolatry, just like Rome was Consider the people of today, what they rally for (sin) and protest-against (God’s Word) America needs every Christian to come forth with the Gospel and say with Paul: I owe a spiritual debt, I am ready to preach the Gospel, I am not ashamed of the Gospel There is nothing more important than the preaching of the Gospel of God There is nothing more powerful than the “Good News” of Jesus Christ Page 5 of 5