The Gospel First and Always

The Gospel First and Always | Romans 1:1–17

Romans 1:1–17 (NIV)

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God—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, 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. Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake. And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.

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.

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

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. 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.

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 who are in Rome.

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. 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.”

Part I: The Life-Changing Power of the Gospel

Paul's Unwavering Commitment (Romans 1:1-4)

Dedication as a Servant: Paul opens with the bold identification of himself as a “servant of Jesus Christ.” This is not a title to be taken lightly; in doing so, he is placing the Gospel above his own ego, ambitions, and desires.

Separated unto the Gospel: To be separated unto the Gospel means that Paul distanced himself from worldly allurements, making the message of Jesus the singular focus of his life.

Ultimate Life-Changing Force: Paul saw transformations—lives changed, sins forgiven, hope restored—because of the Gospel. This was not just good advice or moral teachings; this was the very power of God unleashed in human history. The Inclusive Nature of the Gospel (Romans 1:5-7)

Universal Salvation: When Paul says, "to everyone who believes," he transcends social, economic, and racial lines. In Christ, there is no Jew or Gentile, rich or poor, male or female.

Crosses Boundaries: The Gospel is not an isolated message for a certain group of people. It is a message for humanity in its entirety.

Transcending Divisions: It is the only message that can truly unite people across the most divisive lines—be it nationality, language, or culture.

The Gospel as The Remedy (Romans 1:8-13)

Solution, not Theory: Paul brings us back to the crux of the matter: our sin and our need for salvation. It is a practical solution, not a theoretical one.

Sin as the Disease: The diagnosis is clear—the human condition is one of sin that leads to death.

Salvation as the Cure: Jesus Christ provides the only cure to this disease, offering not just a better life, but a new life altogether.

Part II: Why Churches Lose the Gospel

Assuming the Gospel

Presumption is Dangerous: Once a church begins to assume the Gospel is understood, they inadvertently begin to dilute its essence and potency.

Loss of Mission: Without the Gospel, the church loses its unique selling point—salvation and transformation through Christ. Everything else becomes social work and life-coaching.

Confusing the Gospel

Substitution of Message: Many churches, in an attempt to be progressive or appealing, substitute the Gospel with social or political messages.

Paul’s Warning: Paul was strict on this; any gospel other than the one he preached is to be considered anathema (Galatians 1:8-9).

Fading into Irrelevance

Cultural Captivity: The Gospel should inform the culture, not the other way around. Churches trying too hard to be culturally relevant often end up making the Gospel irrelevant.

Timeless Relevance: The Gospel speaks to issues that are eternal—sin, salvation, purpose, and eternity. These will never be irrelevant.

Part III: Preaching the Whole Gospel

Christ Crucified

Gravity of Sin: The crucifixion is God’s commentary on the severity of human sin. It required nothing less than the death of His Son to atone for it.

Enormity of Love: On the flip side, it shows the unfathomable love God has for us.

Christ Resurrected

Seal of Validation: The resurrection validates everything Jesus claimed and did. Without it, we have no basis for faith. Living Hope: The resurrection is the cornerstone of our hope, both for this life and the one to come.

Meeting the Deepest Problems

Existential Crises: When life loses meaning, the Gospel restores it.

Emotional Turmoil: Christ brings peace that surpasses all understanding.

Spiritual Warfare: The Gospel provides us with the armor of God to fight against the spiritual forces of evil.

Conclusion

In summary, Paul’s unequivocal commitment to the Gospel serves as a clarion call for us to elevate the Gospel to its rightful place—front and center in our lives and ministries. This is not a message to be sidelined, confused, or lost. It's a comprehensive, inclusive, and powerful doctrine that speaks to the deepest issues humanity faces: sin, purpose, and ultimate destiny.

We have also seen the dangers that come when churches drift away from the centrality of the Gospel. Such missteps lead to dilution, distortion, and, ultimately, irrelevance.

Lastly, the whole Gospel—encapsulating Christ crucified and resurrected—stands as the beacon of hope and the solution to life’s deepest problems. It addresses not just the intellectual or the emotional, but the existential and the eternal.

So, let us commit to preach, uphold, and live out the full Gospel of Jesus Christ, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes." In doing so, may we find the resources to meet the deepest problems of our world with the deepest truths of God’s Word.

Amen.