Power of the Gospel Personalized

Romans 1:14-17

Howdy neighbors. Welcome to our western round up here on Open House Sunday. We are delighted to have you and your horse in attendance today. You and your family are invited to the fun activities and events that will occur throughout the morning and into the afternoon. If you are a first time guest, we would love for you to stop by the welcome center and drop off your connection card so we can connect with you. Lunch is provided free of charge for you and your family today. There will not be a regular service back this evening at 5:00 PM. So relax and enjoy your afternoon with us.

Our church theme for this year has been Engage in the Cause. The cause is Christ. Under the cause of Christ, the message is the gospel. The Bible teaches that the gospel is Jesus Christ came to the is earth to die on the cross, He was buried, and rose from the dead on the third day. Because of the resurrection we can be assured from this fact in history, that what Jesus did for us guarantees us home in heaven. He paid the price for all of mankind’s sin. In his passage it speaks about the power of the gospel. The gospel is like dynamite that when it explodes everything near it will be affected.

Have you ever wondered how the power of the gospel affects your life? What does it mean to you personally? What will the gospel do for you?

There are certain events which come into our lives which affect us for the rest of our lives. When you graduate from high school and/or college, the trajectory of your life will be different. When you are married, when you start a career, and when you have children, your life will be dramatically changed. In other words, these decisions and events that occur, bring a tremendous change to our lives. When you receive Jesus Christ as your Savior, your life is changed.

The gospel changes everything in our life. The power of the gospel not only changes our present life but also our future life in eternity.

It is significant that power is connected to the gospel. The power of the gospel is so powerful that it can literally change the world in which we live in. When a Holy Spirit-sent revival occurs, the power of the gospel gives new life and new purpose. Here in this passage we read about the amazing work of the gospel in our lives and how it affects us.

The gospel is personal and today as we personalize the gospel, we realize there four ways the Bible shows us its affect on us.

First . . .

It changes our purpose v. 14

In the first century Rome who was the world empire, selfishness was the norm. Everyone was all about themselves and how to advance themselves. However, the gospel has a different purpose. The gospel is not just for us, but it is also for others. Paul is exhorting the Roman believers that the gospel gives us a profound concern for others.

As a believer, Paul shows he has a new purpose in life: giving out the gospel to others. Because the gospel had such a profound affect on him, he wants to share this message with others.

A believer goes from being self-absorbed to being concerned for others. If a believer is self absorbed, he has lost his purpose.

1 John 3:14 “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.” In other words, the power of the gospel works in our heart to want others to know Christ.

Someone invited you today because they genuinely love and care for you. They want to know this power of the gospel in your life. Believers are zealous to tell others about Christ and days like today is our effort to tell the unconvinced of the greatness of the Good News message.

The church unites around this purpose so that we can tell others the greatest message on earth. There is a tremendous joy and purpose in sharing the gospel. You cannot help it. You want everyone to know Jesus and our purpose today with all plans is to let you know the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Paul here writes about a debt we owe to others. A debt means there is an obligation we have to give what is rightfully owed to someone. Your friends, your family members, your neighbors, your work associates are people who we owe to tell them the gospel. It is a driving purpose that when we receive Christ, we will have that purpose of telling others.

You cannot get over what God is done for you and you want others to know this message as well. It is a new purpose.

When you accept Jesus Christ as your Savior, everything in your life will be different. Your Savior will be with you in your health battles, in your financial difficulties, in your child rearing struggles, and when you face a trauma, He is there with you. Your perspective on life changes because you live above your circumstances.

The gospel is so powerful that when you hear it, you cannot forget it. The Holy Spirit will keep reminding you of the message. As a teenager, it kept reverberating in my heart that Jesus loves me, He died for me by shedding His blood on the cross. He suffered for me. He was buried, and He rose again. This message is life changing and gives us that purpose to live for.

I cannot pass an accident or funeral home or cemetery that I don’t think about how many do not know Christ. Power of the gospel.

Second way . . .

It gives us an urgency

The Bible says our life is a vapor, which means it doesn’t last long. This means our life will be gone in an instant and the need to share our message is an urgent one. Are you ready to die? A preacher friend many years ago told me: Be ready to preach, pray or die. There have been people over the years who I have thought I would tell them the gospel but they died before I told them. We don’t want to waste time.

The need to receive Jesus Christ as your Savior is urgent. Perhaps someone has told you the gospel and how you can receive Christ, but you have put it off.

2 Corinthians 6:2 “(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)” The Bible reminds us our need for Christ is urgent and God wants to be your Savior today. Let me encourage you to accept Christ today. We are not asking you to get baptized or turn over a new leaf in your life, we are asking you turn from your sin and accept Christ as your personal Savior.

Sometimes we believe we have to get better or be a in better place to receive Christ, but the Bible urges us to turn to Him today. This is why Paul says, he is ready to preach the gospel. There are always people who need the gospel.

To deny the urgency is to remain comfortable and complacent in our current condition. This is a deception because none of us have a lease on life.

Several years ago a friend was trying to tell a teenager the gospel. They were both standing by a street sign in downtown. The teenager said, “ Sir, I don’t have time for what you are saying. I have too much living to do. As the young boy went around the corner to head on his way, something happened when he crossed the street two blocks down. He was hit by a car and lost his life.

Third way . . .

It promises us a home in heaven

The only way a man can be assured of a home in heaven is found in the gospel. The reason is because a home in heaven has been bought and paid for by Jesus Christ’s blood on the cross. A home in heaven is a gift given to us through Jesus Christ John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Jesus is saying you cannot go to heaven by climbing up your own way or doing your own thing. You don’t go to heaven because you have a religious ascent for spiritual things. We must have Jesus.

It is in Jesus is found a gift of eternal life. Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” This eternal home is guaranteed because of what Jesus did by dying on the cross. When we receive Christ, we are guaranteed a home in heaven. John 10:9 “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” Jesus is the doorway to heaven. Man doe not have the key to heaven in his or her own merits, he only has the door way to heaven through Jesus Christ. I have a reservation up there because of what Jesus did for me.

What assurance do you have to go to heaven? Your goodness, your intelligence, or do you have Jesus? He is the only door way to heaven. That is the power of the gospel.

Fourth way. . .

It promises us a new life

John 10:10 “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” Jesus offers an abundant life which brings peace. Knowing Christ is the beginning of a new life of peace and contentment.

Jesus summons all to come to Him and He will show you peace

Matthew 11:28–30 “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” A yoke is what they put two oxen in those days for plowing the field. Having two yoked together will have the strength to be able to move the plow and do the work in the field.

Life is filled with struggles, difficulties, and challenges but when you are yoked up with Christ, He makes your yoke easy and burden light. There is an internal peace and joy that comes with knowing Christ.

John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

This peace will mean the enjoyment of all that reconciliation with God means, a peace that pervades the whole of life and cannot be dispelled by the conflicts life brings.

Leon Lamb Morris

Money can buy a house, but not a home. Money can buy a bed but not sleep. Money can buy a clock but not time. Money can buy a book but not knowledge. Money can buy food but not an appetite. Money can buy friends, but not love. Money can buy medicine but not health. Money can buy amusements but not happiness.

The power of the gospel gives you things that money cannot buy. Will you personalize the gospel?

This is the power of the gospel. When you personalize these, you realize the power of the gospel in your life. Do you know Christ as your personal Savior? If you have not done that today, we want to offer you an opportunity t accept Jesus. There is a tent located right outside next to Moffitt Hall where you can go to receive Christ. In a moment when we stand, if you will just slip out to the tent, there will be someone there to greet you.

If you are a Christian, what is God speaking to you about? Are you waiting to share the gospel with your family member or friend? Are you holding back being totally surrendered to God? Will decide today to make God first place in your life?

Will you settle things with God today?