Not Ashamed (Romans)

Introduction

This morning we are beginning a new study in the book of Romans. And I am super excited to begin looking at this wonderful book. But many people shy away from studying it because it can be difficult to understand. Nevertheless it is a wonderful work that is filled with all kinds of deep theological truths.

Background

Before we dive into the book let’s look at some of the background information.

First we are going to read in the very first verse that Paul is the author, and then we’ll learn that it was written to all in Rome who are:

(1) loved by God and

(2) called to be his holy people—so it was written to Believers in Rome.

Most scholars believe that the letter was written between A.D. 57 and 58.

Theme

Some say the simple theme of Romans is “The Gospel.” But for me the theme is “Righteousness.” Throughout the book Paul approaches the theme of righteousness from three angles.

(1) The righteousness of God;

(2) God’s righteousness revealed through the glorification of His Son, Jesus;

(3) God’s work of salvation which gives people His righteousness.

The Introduction

Romans 1:1 NIV

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God—

We’re told who the author is—Paul.

We’re told how he sees himself—a servant of Christ Jesus. The Greek word is “doulos” which means “bond servant” or a slave by choice rather than by force. We are all called to be slaves to Jesus—by our choice!

Next Paul says that he was called to be an apostle—it was God’s choice to make him an apostle—not his!

As an apostle he was set apart for the gospel of God. Paul was given the gospel so he could and would preach it. We’ll find out in a moment that he was called to preach it to the Gentiles.

Romans 1:2–3 NIV

the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David,

In typical Pauline fashion, Paul inserts a parenthetical phrase about this gospel that he was called to.

This gospel was promised by God a long time ago—it is not something new.

God revealed his gospel plan through the prophets.

And God’s gospel plan was recorded in the Holy Scriptures.

Finally, the gospel plan was God’s plan for His Son.

And this Son was an earthly descendant of David (thus fulfilling the scriptures).

Romans 1:4 NIV

and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.

God gave His Son the Spirit of holiness.

And God gave His Son power—this power came through the Son’s resurrection from the dead.

Who was this Son? Jesus Christ our Lord!

Romans 1:5 NIV

Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake.

Through Jesus, Paul receive “grace” which is “unmerited favor” or God’s favor that he did NOT deserve.

Through this grace he was called to be an apostle.

And more specifically an apostle to the Gentiles.

So his God given purpose was to call all Gentiles to obedience that comes from faith.

And Paul did this for the sake of Jesus.

Romans 1:6 NIV

And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.

Paul now reminds the Christians in Rome that they are among the Gentiles who are both called and thus belong to Jesus.

When we come to verse 7 we are finally told to whom Paul is actually writing.

Romans 1:7 NIV

To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

To all the people in Rome who are:

—Loved by God.

—And are called to be God’s holy people.

Then Paul gives a greeting of:

—Grace, favor they did not deserve.

—Peace, being fee from worry.

—And these do not come from us, or from Paul, but rather from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Longing to Visit

Romans 1:8 NIV

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world.

Paul wants the church at Rome to know how thankful he is for them.

He thanks God all the time for them!

He is thankful because their faith is talked about throughout the entire world!

Romans 1:9–10 NIV

God, whom I serve in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you.

He appeals to God as his witness:

—First that he constantly remembers them in his prayers.

—He is praying for them all the time.

—And he praying that God will give him an opportunity to come and visit them in person!

Romans 1:11–12 NIV

I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.

Paul longs to come to them so that he can give them some kind of spiritual gift to make them strong in their faith.

And he longs to come to them so that they could be mutually encouraged.

—He could be encouraged by their faith.

—And they could be encouraged by his faith.

Romans 1:13 NIV

I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.

Paul really wants them to know that he had planned (and tried) many times to visit them.

But he was always prevented—until now.

He wanted to come to them so he could see many in Rome come to know Jesus through his preaching/teaching.

He wanted to see results among them like he had seen among the Gentiles in other Gentile towns.

Romans 1:14 NIV

I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish.

Paul says that he is obligated that Greek word actually means to be in debt to. . .

First, he owes a debt to the Greeks.

Secondly, he owes a debt to non-Greeks which is sometimes translated barbarians but it really means non-Greek speaking people.

Thirdly, he is in debt to the wise.

And finally, as strange as it may sound, he is in debt to the foolish.

It really is true that everyone is an example—some are good examples and some are bad examples—but everyone is an example and we can learn from them.

Romans 1:15 NIV

That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.

It is this obligation, or indebtedness that makes Paul so eager to preach the gospel in Rome.

Romans 1:16 NIV

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.

Now we come to this week’s memory verse. I’m sure some of you have already memorized it. but it is a great reminder for all of us.

Paul says that he is NOT ashamed or embarrassed of the gospel.

The reason he’s not ashamed is because the gospel (good news) is the power of God that brings salvation. This is an amazing power—and it is a power that we could never possess in and of ourselves!

This saving message first came to the Jews.

But now has come to the Gentiles (the non-Jews).

Romans 1:17 NIV

For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

Verse 17 is often neglected. Many people know verse 16, but 17 reminds us what the gospel is all about!

In the gospel message the righteousness of God is revealed.

It is only revealed by faith—trusting in and believing what we cannot see or understand.

And when we exercise this kind of faith—we are made righteous by God imparting His righteousness to us.

Finally, Paul quotes from Habakkuk 2:4.

Habakkuk 2:4 NIV

“See, the enemy is puffed up; his desires are not upright— but the righteous person will live by his faithfulness—

So What?

Throughout our study in the wonderful book of Romans we will be challenged to live by faith, and we will see how that faith allows God’s righteousness in us and to shine through us.

There are a couple of things that we learn:

Like Paul, you and I should be voluntary slaves to Jesus. Each one of us must make a choice about whom we will serve. At the end of his life, Joshua told the children of Israel:

Joshua 24:15 (NIV)

But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

—Choose for yourselves. . .whom you will serve.

Will you slave to the prince and power of this world who comes to you to steal, kill, and destroy?

Or will you be a slave to the one who loves you and gave His life so that you could be put into a right relationship with God. Will you be a voluntary slave to Jesus?

—Joshua made it clear when he said, “But as for me and my household we will serve the Lord.”

Today, you and I must choose whom we will serve.

We should be eager—excited—about sharing the gospel wherever God puts us.

Like Paul we need to live lives that are unashamed of the gospel of Jesus.

—We can be unashamed because the gospel message is equipped with the power of God!

—We can be unashamed because the gospel brings salvation to EVERYONE who believes! Your race, color, socio-economic status, job, family—nothing can keep you from experiencing the salvation that comes through the gospel, because the gospel is empowered by God!

And finally, we need to live out the righteousness that comes by living a life of faith in Jesus!

[PRAYER]