NOT ASHAMED TO SHINE

Romans 1:15–17 NKJV

So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

Eager or Ashamed?

Are you ready or ashamed to shine

There are two ways to feel about sharing the gospel: eager (v 15), or ashamed (v 16).

In these two verses, Paul will help us to be “not ashamed of the gospel.”

Why is the gospel shameful, or offensive, to people?

Here are four reasons. The gospel says:

• People who think their goodness means they don’t need saving.

• People believe that all people are good, so we don't need to be saved

• only Jesus can save; it offends those who think that all spiritual paths lead to the same place.

• The road to glory is one of suffering and sacrifice; it offends those who want following Jesus to be easy and comfortable.

I Am Not Ashamed

Why is Paul not ashamed of the gospel (v 16)?

Romans 1:16 NKJV

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

What does it do (v 16)? Who for?

This power of the Gospel goes to work in anyone and everyone who “believes.”

Here we see the only way to receive the gospel and its saving power is through faith.

Notice that the gospel does not come with power; it is power. It is the power of God

It has the power to change, transform, and give life to people.

It does what no other power on earth can do; it saves us.

What the Gospel Is

Romans 1:17 NKJV

For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

What is “revealed” in the gospel (v 17)?

It means to be completely acceptable to someone.

We can all receive that right relationship with God

The gospel is a complete reversal of both the natural tendency of the human heart and the universal thrust of other religions.

Everyone else thinks of salvation as being about providing our own righteousness to offer to God.

The gospel says salvation is all about receiving a righteousness from God.

PRAY

Thank God for this wonderful gospel. Ask God to make you so excited about what the gospel is, and does, that you are eager about living for it and sharing it.

Day

31

Why We Need Saving

Romans 1 v 18–32

Verse 18 literally begins with the word “For.” The next chapters will answer the questions: Why do I need saving? Why do I need to receive righteousness from God?

God’s Wrath

Read Romans 1 v 18–20

What does verse 18 tell us about God’s “wrath,” his settled anger?

Why are all people “without excuse” (v 19–20)?

All of Paul’s confidence, joy, and passion for the gospel rests on the assumption that all humans are, apart from the gospel, under God’s wrath. If you don’t understand or believe in the wrath of God, the gospel will not thrill, empower, or move you.

Human Worship

Read Romans 1 v 21–25

What do all people do instead of recognizing God as God, and living in gratitude to him (v 21–23)?

This is counterfeit-god construction. We were created to worship God; so, if we reject him, we will worship something else. Something must give our life purpose and meaning; and we serve that “something.” We will either worship the Creator or something he has created. And no created things can satisfy us (because they’re not God); and so we find ourselves enslaved by them.

Apply

Think of an idol you find it easy to worship, serve and obey instead of God.

Why is that thing attractive to you?

Can you identify how it fails to deliver what it promises, and enslaves instead?

Against Nature

Read Romans 1 v 26–32

Verses 26–27 are the longest passage in the Bible specifically about homosexuality. Here, homosexuality is described as “against nature” (para phusin). This means it is a violation of the nature God gave us: a sin. But notice that it comes after Paul has identified the root of all sin: worshiping something other than God. And it comes before a long list of other sins, including envy and gossiping. Active homosexuality is no more or less sinful than these—all come from worshiping the created, rather than the Creator.

Do any of the outworkings of “a depraved mind” in verses 29–31 particularly surprise or challenge you?

This whole section is about God’s present wrath, which is being revealed (v 18). In other words, God’s wrath is simply to “give us over” to the things we worship and want—yet which cannot satisfy or save us.

Pray

Use this passage to confess to God ways in which you worship created things.

Then use it to prompt you to praise God for who he is, and thank him for his gospel.

Day

32

The Religious Problem

Romans 2 v 1–16

Some people—religious, good people—would read Romans 1 and say, “Yes, of course God’s wrath lies on the immoral. But we’re not like that.”

Self-Judgment

Read Romans 2 v 1–11

What does Paul say about people who “pass judgment” on someone else (that is, accept that others deserve God’s wrath, but don’t think that they themselves do)?

The 20th-century theologian Francis Schaeffer called these verses “the invisible tape recorder.” It is as though there is a tape recorder around our necks, recording what we say about how others ought to live. At the last day, God will play the tape, judge us on the basis of what our own words say are the standards for human behavior; and no one in history will be able to escape being condemned by their own words.

How is someone who thinks they don’t deserve judgment misunderstanding what God

Timothy Keller, “Romans,” in 90 Days in John 14–17, Romans, James, Explore by the Book (The Good Book Company, 2017), 100–106.