Week 1 | The Power of the Gospel

Big Idea: The gospel isn't just a message; it's the power of God that transforms our everyday lives.

Scripture: Romans 1:1-17

Introduction:

Roman Fact:

A recent social media trend has revealed that many people, particularly men, think about the Roman Empire more frequently than one might expect. Some men report thinking about it a few times a week or even daily

Week 1 fact:

One crazy fact about the Roman Empire is that Emperor Caligula appointed his favorite horse, Incitatus, as a senator, suggesting he believed the animal could do a better job than the Senate itself.

Hook:

Imagine getting a phone call that you’ve won a lifetime supply of free groceries. At first, you're in shock. You double-check, and it's real. You celebrate.

But then… you never go to the store to claim them. You forget the address, lose the card, or just get too busy. What was meant to change your life ends up changing nothing.

That’s what it’s like when we know about the gospel but don’t live in the power of it.

Let me show you something — [hold up a phone or flashlight]. This is pretty useful, right? But if I take out the battery, or it’s not charged, it doesn’t do anything. Without power, it’s just a fancy paperweight.

And you know what? That’s what many people’s faith looks like. It exists… but it has no power.

And the truth is — without the gospel actively working in our lives, we’re just going through the motions.

What if the gospel is more than just information — what if it's the very power that can change everything about you?

Tension:

Let’s be honest — we all want to be better.

We want to stop sinning.

We want to overcome bad habits.

We want to feel peace and joy and purpose.

And in our search to get there, we try everything:

motivational videos, better time management, “positive vibes,” devotionals, podcasts, resolutions, discipline.

We read books on how to change.

We make to-do lists and bucket lists and vision boards.

And maybe some of that stuff helps for a little while. But eventually, most of us hit the wall.

Even as Christians, we can fall into the trap of thinking the gospel is just about getting saved. Like, it got us into the faith — but now we’re on our own to figure everything else out.

So we work hard. We try to be better. We serve, and attend, and perform. But deep down, we’re exhausted. We’re frustrated. And we wonder why we’re not seeing real, lasting change.

Here’s the truth: the gospel isn’t just a doorway — it’s the whole house. It’s not just what gets you in — it’s what sustains you, transforms you, empowers you. If you want peace, power, healing, direction, purpose — it’s all found in the gospel.

Why does this matter? Because real change — real hope — only comes from the power of the gospel.

Big Idea:

The gospel isn't just a message; it's the power of God that transforms our everyday lives.

Truth:

Background of Romans

Author: 

The Apostle Paul.

Before encountering Jesus, Paul was a Pharisee named Saul, known for persecuting Christians and trying to destroy the early church.

But in Acts 9, Paul meets the risen Christ on the road to Damascus.

That single encounter radically transforms his life.

He goes from being the church's greatest threat to one of its greatest advocates, a missionary who plants churches, writes letters, and gives his life to proclaiming the message of Jesus.

Paul’s story is a testimony to the very power of the gospel he’s about to preach.

Audience: 

The letter is written to a diverse group of believers living in Rome — both Jews and Gentiles.

Rome was the center of the empire, full of cultural influence, political power, and spiritual confusion.

The church there likely consisted of people from different backgrounds, ethnicities, and social statuses, all trying to follow Jesus together in a city that often opposed their faith.

Paul writes with a pastor's heart and a theologian's precision, knowing that clarity on the gospel would bring unity, maturity, and boldness.

Purpose: 

Paul’s purpose in writing is clear: he wants to explain the gospel thoroughly and show how it transforms every part of life.

He’s never met most of these believers, but he wants to visit them, encourage them, and partner with them in spreading the gospel even further west — toward Spain.

But before he can do that, he lays out what might be the clearest, most powerful summary of the gospel in the entire Bible.

Romans is not just an abstract theological textbook; it’s a passionate, Spirit-filled manifesto of the good news that changes everything.

Challenge: Over the next 6 weeks read the book of Romans.

Romans 1:1—7 The Gospel's Foundation

Romans 1:1–7 ESV

1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, 6 including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, 7 To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Key Point: The gospel is from God, not man (v. 1).

Key Point: The gospel is about Jesus — His life, death, and resurrection (vv. 3-4).

Key Point: The gospel is for all people — Jew and Gentile alike (vv. 5-7).

Romans 1:8-15 - Paul’s Passion for the Gospel

Romans 1:8–15 ESV

8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you 10 always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God’s will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. 11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— 12 that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. 13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles. 14 I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. 15 So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.

Paul’s heart reveals his relentless drive to share the gospel.

Key Point: The gospel isn't just for unbelievers — believers need it daily too (v. 15).

The ESV Study Bible Chapter 1

1:15 Why would Paul preach the gospel to people who were already Christians?

Romans 1:16-17 - The Power of the Gospel

Romans 1:16–17 ESV

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

"I am not ashamed..." – Paul is bold because he knows the gospel's power.

Key Point: The gospel is God’s power for salvation — past (justification), present (sanctification), and future (glorification).

Key Point: Righteousness is given by faith — not works, effort, or merit (v. 17).

Illustration: Imagine a drowning person who can't save themselves.

Salvation is not a lifeguard throwing a manual; it's Jesus pulling you out of the water.

Application:

Embrace the Gospel Daily.

Don’t treat the gospel like something that happened once in your life. It's not just a spiritual moment from your past; it’s the power that sustains your present.

The gospel reminds you who you are: not what others say, not what your past says, not what your feelings say — but what God says. That you are loved. Forgiven. Chosen. Free.

When fear hits, remember the gospel.

When you feel shame, go back to the cross.

When you're tempted, call on the Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead — because He lives in you.

Ask yourself each day: "What truth from the gospel do I need to remember right now?"

It is that you are so lost and flawed, so sinful, that Jesus had to die for you, but you are also so loved and valued that Jesus was glad to die for you.

Timothy Keller; Kathy Keller

Share the Gospel Boldly.

Paul says he’s not ashamed of the gospel — can we say the same?

Maybe you feel scared to share. Maybe you feel unqualified. But remember, you’re not pointing to yourself — you’re pointing to Jesus. The power isn’t in your words; it’s in the message.

Look around. Who in your life needs hope? Who is drowning? Who feels stuck in sin, guilt, or anxiety? They don’t need a pep talk. They don’t need empty religion. They need Jesus.

Challenge: Ask God to show you one person to pray for and share the gospel with this week. Be bold. Be loving. Trust the power of the message.

Live with Gospel Confidence.

You don’t have to perform for God. You don’t have to earn your place. You don’t have to pretend to have it all together. Because Jesus already did the work.

Let that free you. Let that anchor you.

You can walk into any situation — school, home, friendships, struggle — knowing the power of the gospel is alive in you. That changes everything.

Landing:

The gospel is not just a church word. It’s not a slogan. It’s not a song lyric or a dusty truth in your Bible. It’s the power of God. And it’s for you.

It’s power for your past — because your sins are forgiven.

It’s power for your present — because Christ lives in you.

It’s power for your future — because your story is secure.

You don’t have to stay stuck. You don’t have to rely on your strength. You don’t have to carry the pressure of being enough.

Big Idea: The gospel isn't just a message; it's the power of God that transforms our everyday lives.

So plug into that power. Trust it. Share it. Walk in it. Every single day.

Pray