Unashamed: Romans 1:1-17

Welcome

Hope break was good

spent time with family

Relaxing

Starting a new series on Paul’s letter to the Roman Churhces

Paul has not met these people who he is writing to

He has heard of the churches and their faith

Setting the stage

Rome was a superpower

was the ruling power where Jesus and Paul taught

They crucified Jesus

Had the power to imprison or execute those who threatened their power or beliefs

But in this power there were still groups that met in houses to:

spread the Gospel

pray

collect funds for the church

convert believers

They met in secret to avoid being imprisoned for their beliefs but still spread the Gospel

Paul had never been to Rome

he was planning to go and wanting to go

he eventually will go to Rome

But he was busy planting other churches and developing leaders for those churches

He hears stories of their faith and numbers and is excited to preach to them

he also hears of some disputes and wants to immediately stop the disputes and get back to harmony

Paul is a jewish man who previously did not believe in Christ and persecuted Christ followers. He

attacked them

arrested them

murdered them

He had an encounter with the Risen Christ on the road to Emmaus

He was blinded and spoken to by Jesus

He was then converted to a Christ follower and sent out by Jesus to spread the Gospel to the Gentiles

Paul is our model for being Christlike

He wrote the majority of the New Testament including Romans

Romans 1:1 states

Romans 1:1 NIV

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

Paul starts out by telling the Roman readers who he is and how he is relevant

The people have yet to meet him

I am sure that he was talked about by the planters of the churches in Rome

He is letting them know that he is not one of the disciples in the Gospel but was sent out by Jesus to proclaim the Gospel to others.

We are commanded by Jesus to do the same thing

to spread the Gospel to all nations.

Now saying this might seem like we need to leave our families.

remote village analogy

not all just those called to missions

We are called to spread the Gospel in every interaction we have

Daunting task?

May seem scary

May be intimidating

But talking isn’t the only way

Modeling Christ to others is a great ice breaker

treat others with

kindness

love

compassion

be humble

control your emotions

do things without anything in return

This will have people come to you to ask why and how you are like this

This opens the door for you to share Jesus with them

Paul is just like us

never had one on one teaching with Jesus

didn’t observe a sermon

didn’t walk by Jesus’ side

we also did not get this amazing opportunity

but he still walked through life like Jesus and converted many and planted many churches

Paul does everything for Jesus and he is telling his readers this through his introduction

he states that he wasn’t with Jesus, but is still called to share the Gospel

Apostle definition

One sent out on a mission

this mission is to spread the Gospel

Romans 1:2-4 states

Romans 1:2–4 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, 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.

Pauls most basic overview of the Gospel

The cliff note of all cliff note

the tik tok version

But Paul is saying this is who i am, and why i am credible

i know the Gospel like the back of my hand

This is what we are doing when we share the Gospel with others

We are telling them i know this fact and i am telling you it.

I know Jesus is my Lord and Savior

You may be thinking, Dan how can I, a teenager, tell an adult that I know anything to be fact.

You have the perfect tool

What is that tool?

WAIT FOR ANSWER

The Bible

I have had an instance when I was attempting to share the Gospel with an older adult about a year ago. He was struggling with money and going through a divorce and troubles with his kids. He didn’t feel like he could get out of the rut he was in and continue to be happy. He knew me and that I was struggling with my own problems, but I was happier and in a positive mood. I shared with him that I know that Jesus is my Lord and Savior and to trust in God. He questioned me for about an hour as to how and why I knew that. I pulled out my bible app and went over a couple of passages and what I pray on. He walked away from the conversation with his chin held up a little higher, his will to push on a little stronger. I saw him last week after the new year. He has found a relationship with Jesus, gotten better in his struggles and is repairing his relationship with his kids and is more financially secure. This was all possible through sharing the Gospel with him. I utilized this tool and was able to show him the credibility and trust I have in the Gospel, and in turn he put his trust in it as well.

Do you trust in the Gospel?

I trust in it just like Paul did.

Not only do i trust in it i trust in the transformative power

Paul experienced the transformative power on a daily basis.

i have seen some instances, but hearing stories constantly renews my trust in its transformative power

Romans 1:8 states

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 had yet to go to Rome

But through word of mouth he heard of all the transformation that the Gospel was doing throughout Rome

These people didn’t have one on one interaction with Christ either

but they heard the Gospel message and converted and their lives were transformed

They went from Death to Life

Isn’t this what happened to us?

We heard the Gospel and Believed

we went from Deah to Life

Now it is our job to trust in the same Gospel and continue to spread it

In turn we will deliver the catalyst to transform lives

Another way we can trust in the Gospel is the fact that it if for literally everyone on the face of Earth.

Paul knew this

Romans 1:14-15 states

Romans 1:14–15 NIV

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.

Paul tells this to the Roman readers

The Greeks are non-Jewish Believers

The non-Greeks are Jewish Believers

There was fighting among these different groups of believers

they each thought they were more righteous than the other

they thought that their way of worship was the right way

Paul wanted to stop the fighting and unify the churches

He wanted the message of the Gospel to spread farther and faster than it already had

As Christians we need to trust in the Gospel, Spread the message, and live our lives like Jesus.

Culture today is to be the best at whatever you are doing

But there is only one “the best” christian

and that is Jesus

we are called to be like Jesus, not to be above Jesus

We are the Hands and Feet of Jesus

We should be constantly learning and improving our faith

When we fall into the trap that the Roman Churches experienced we will do more harm than good

We will then need someone eager to preach and teach us like Paul is for the Roman churches

We should be eager to spread the Gospel

Leaders are eager

SMT is eager

Be eager to spread it with

your friends

teammates

families

people you encounter

This sounds pretty good huh?

you may be thinking

Yeah, Dan, in theory, but im

Shy

have stage fright

stumble over my words

afraid people wont believe me or make fun of me

Paul has the answer for this

Romans 1:16 states

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.

Paul straight out says I am not ashamed or afraid or emberassed to share the Gospel

He is willing to tell anyone and everyone

even with the threat of death or imprisonment

We dont have that same fear

We just have to fear people not listening

but that is where persistence comes into play

continue to model your life like Jesus

not every conversation has to be sharing the Gospel, but modeling Christ will open doors.

As we dive deeper into Romas we will explore more aspects of the Gospel.

We will see how the Gospel can show us how to live like Christ.

To live like Christ, we first need to be unashamed of the Gospel, Eager to share the Gospel, and trust in the Gospel.

Once we can do that our Christlike modeling can begin and flourish.

Will you Pray with me?

Father God, thank you for the opportunity to meet with these students. Thank you for the Gospel. Thank you for sending your son to save us. Thank you for the apostle Paul being a model for us who did not see Jesus face to face yet. I pray for all these students and leaders here tonight, Lord. I pray that they can be unashamed of the Gospel. I pray that they are eager to share it with others. I pray that they trust in the Gospel and in you Lord. I pray that anyone who has questions about the Gospel can have the conviction to ask these questions. I pray that the Great Commission can be completed and all can come to know you. I hope in the coming of your Son Jesus Christ so that one day we can be with you in your Heavenly kingdom. I pray for those in Sussex that they can heal with the tragedy that occurred last week. I pray for the Katona family. I pray that they can find peace in you. I pray for these students in the second semester. I pray that they can come to know you a little more than they already do. I pray all of this in the powerful name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.