Rom 1:1-17 "Power of the Gospel"

In the words of Forest Gump, “I’m not a very bright man” but if I hear something often enough, I just might figure it is important.

If I suggest to you, “they melt in your mouth, not in your hand” you would know I’m talking about….

If I told you “They customize your insurance so you only pay for what you need” you would know I’m talking about…

If I described, “2 whole-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, and pickles on a sesame seed bun” you would know I’m describing a…

When we hear something often, it soaks into our long-term memory and becomes part of us. There is are two words that are repeated in each paragraph of today’s text. We see them in v.1, 9, and 16: the gospel.

What our world needs more than anything else is neither lower egg prices, nor more special interest parades. What the people of America and the world need is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

This Spring and Summer we will be going through a book of the Bible that mentions the gospel 4 times in the first chapter, then bookends the epistle with 4 more mentions in the final 2 chapters. The gospel drips from every page of this book.

After the events of this week, one could make an argument that the greatest need is safer air travel. Some might claim that Chase County’s greatest need is more access to healthcare, more affordable housing, or more funding for education. Some would claim that more stores, restaurants, or better roads are our greatest needs.

Other organizations may address those gaps in service, but I humbly suggest that Chase County’s greatest need is for each of our 2700 residents to hear, understand and respond to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And that is why Flint Hills Community Church was started in 1984 and why we continue to this day!

TRANSITION: Join me in the first 17 verses of the first chapter of Romans as we rediscover the beauty and depth of this truth so that we are compelled to proclaim it widely and often.

The Gospel Exalts Christ (vv.1-7)

Served (1:1)

I notice right away that Paul introduces himself and this letter with 2 titles, but he doesn’t lead with the authority, he leads with servanthood. A great lesson for each of us:

Mark 9:35 ESV:2016

And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”

2. Lest we think that serving is weakness, Paul continues with the 2nd title. Yes, he came to them as a servant, but he was sent by someone with authority to carry out this role of servanthood. He doesn’t serve because that is all that he is capable of doing, He serves because that is the most important way he could impact them because that is what he was sent to do.

3. You and I are not placed in this county to amass and exercise power, God has placed us here to serve our neighbors for His glory.

TRANSITION: One of the ways that we know this Gospel that Paul served was powerful, is that it had been promised for centuries.

Prophesied (1:2)

Paul was willing to leave his pharisee ways of living as a persecutor of the Church to become a servant of Christ because he realized Christ was the prophesied Messiah of his people.

The occasion for Paul’s writing is more than just one former pharisee’s interaction with one group of believers in Rome around 55-56 AD in the first century.  Paul views himself as a messenger of a plan and a purpose that came directly from God and had been in play for at least 1000 years (nearly twice as long as when Columbus discovered our continent and 4x as long as we’ve been a country) when David became king of God’s people.

This plan is not only historical, but also theologically significant because it was promised beforehand through [God’s] prophets in Holy Scriptures.

TRANSITION: This plan that Paul served with authority is not only old, but also divine.

Not Invented (1:1-7)

Notice that Jesus was not discovered to be the Son of God, or that He became the Son of God, but this Gospel, apostleship, obedience and faith among all nations was declared!

Look for a period in these verses and you won’t see one until the end of v.7

This run-on sentence was due to the exuberance that Paul had as he reflected in wonder at the multiple aspects of the gospel.

Left to a human being, NO person could devise a plan whereby a timeless God would make a promise, send prophets involving His only begotten Son coming through a centuries old lineage who both demonstrated holiness and resurrection from the dead that extends graciously through sent messengers that transforms people among all nations.

The Gospel Must be Spread (vv.8-15)

Aspiration

Last week we developed a principle of contentment that had been learned by the same human author who wrote this truth, both under God’s enablement and inspiration. Last week we saw that circumstances did not prohibit contentment, but we also see that contentment does not negate aspiration or desire.

Paul describes his mindset as Under obligation (v.14) to impart (v.11) to reap some harvest (v.13)

I recall a journal article several years ago that said we should not share the gospel. You may be interested in looking up the 35 times between Pentecost and the 2nd Coming that the Bible uses the word share. We share blessings, we share possessions, we share in suffering, we share in the inheritance and several others. But we are never commanded to share the gospel.

3. The closest you will find is an example in 1 Thes 2:8 where Paul described his ministry as not only sharing the gospel, but also his very existence.

4. n contrast, you will find preach near gospel in 23 verses, such as Eager to preach the gospel (v.15) – compelling others is considered politically incorrect or even illegal in countries with proselytizing laws. But Paul’s desire was not just to bring something to the potluck of ideas, but to compel others to “taste and see that the Lord is good”(Ps 34:8).

The Gospel is Universal Power (v.16)

The reason we preach, rather than just share or offer, is because it is relevant to ALL people, everywhere, at ALL times.

The Good news is that the power of God is available and needed by everyone who believes. Americans are neither more nor less entitled. It is neither a racial, nor cultural idea.

To handle this verse with integrity, I should point out that the promise does not extend to those who do not believe. Church history has documented long ideas about where the Bible is silent on those who do not believe.

In the late 4th and early 5th centuries ad. Pelagius taught that people are capable of avoiding sin and choosing to live righteous lives even apart from God’s grace. Pelagius rejected the ideas of original sin and predestination.[i] Pelagius was deemed a heretic, and his belief system is known as the Pelagian heresy.

In 1509-1564 a French Reformer named John Calvin preached that the glory of God was in contrast to the depravity of fallen man to the extent that unless God demonstrates unmerited favor by calling/drawing one to become adopted into His family, humans remain separated from God. By claiming that God only draws some, the question remains about those who do not believe—are they drawn but resist, or are they never drawn?

From 1560-1609 a man named Jacobus Arminius argued that everyone is capable of belief, but some (for a variety of reasons) never do.

I conclude that the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation for all who believe, and since neither you, nor I has insight into who will or will not believe, we must adopt Paul’s eagerness of v.15 and preach it in a compelling and attractive way until all have heard.

 The Gospel is Righteous (v.17)

Righteousness Undeserved by ALL

In contrast to Pelagius who said some could enter glory apart from faith in Christ (a heresy that has been revived by many religions) both Calvin and Arminius admit that the gift of forgiveness is the ONLY way to salvation and that NOBODY deserves this gift.

It is NOT a recompense that some deserve and others miss out. It is a gift that is bestowed upon all who believe. When anyone responds to the Gospel in Faith, God gives the ability to live according to that faith.

Righteousness’ Undeniable Availability

In the Gospel we learn that the righteousness of God is imparted to humanity only through faith in God’s Son.

By extending this Gospel to the Jew first (historically speaking because Jesus came to Israel, not because they were more deserving) and also to the Greek (as the Gospel spread during the first generation of Christians to Gentiles) we discover that the Gospel is not connected to race or culture! God is no respecter of persons,

Conclusion:

Before we conclude I want to make this Gospel undeniably relevant to every person hearing my voice.

There is only one gospel that must be preached! You must preach it to yourself and you are compelled to preach it to others.

Light & Lamp Application:

A Light for my Path

ONE Gospel is available to ALL people—share it!

A Lamp for my Steps

When tempted to think too highly of myself, preach the Gospel to myself.

\When tempted to think too lowly of others, remember Christ died for them and preach the Gospel.

Today can be your opportunity to respond to God’s gracious gift through faith. Place your trust and reliance upon Him, and He will change your present life AND your eternity!

[i] Barry, John D., David Bomar, Derek R. Brown, Rachel Klippenstein, Douglas Mangum, Carrie Sinclair Wolcott, Lazarus Wentz, Elliot Ritzema, and Wendy Widder, eds. 2016. “Pelagianism.” In The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.