2025--10-26-2025 Romans 1:1-17

Romans 1:1-17

Message 1 – “Unashamed of the Gospel”

Text: Romans 1:1–17 (NKJV) Series: The Gospel of God’s Power Preacher: Pastor John Smith Jr. Location: First Baptist Church of Groton

———————————————————————————————————————————

Introduction – A Gospel Worth Living and Dying For

Paul’s letter to the Romans begins with the clearest declaration of what the Gospel really is. Written to believers in the capital of the world’s greatest empire, this letter shows us that the Gospel isn’t a mere philosophy or moral code — it’s the very power of God that transforms hearts and societies.

Paul was ready to preach in Rome, a city of power, pride, and persecution — because he knew this Gospel could reach anyone. And he was not ashamed.

———————————————————————————————————————————

I. Paul’s Identity and Calling (Romans 1:1–7)

Verse 1 – Paul’s Servanthood and Mission

“Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God.”

Paul calls himself a bondservant (Greek: doulos) — literally, a slave. He wasn’t his own; he was bought with a price (1 Cor. 6:19–20). His life, liberty, and labor belonged to Christ.

· Furthermore, study shows us that although in Greek culture DOULOS most often referred to the involuntary, permanent  service of a slave, Paul elevates this word by using it in its Hebrew sense to describe a  servant who willingly commits himself to serve a master he loves and respects

He was also called to be an apostle, called meaning— not self-appointed, but divinely chosen. His life had been separated— set apart for the Gospel, just as the prophets of old were set apart for their ministries.

Our passion to serve Christ should parallel that of Paul's – Moody Bible Commentary

Application:

· Are you living as though your life is your own — or as one purchased and set apart for Christ’s purposes?

· What is God asking you to do that you are not doing?

· What is God inviting you to be part of that you're not being part of?

———————————————————————————————————————————

Verse 2 – The Gospel’s Ancient Roots

“Which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures.”

The Gospel is not new. It was promised before. From Genesis 3:15 to Isaiah’s prophecies, God’s plan of redemption has been unfolding for centuries.

Application: Faith isn’t blind; it’s built on the faithful promises of God.

———————————————————————————————————————————

Verses 3–4 – The Person and Power of Jesus Christ

Romans 1:3“Concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.”

· Jesus is both fully human (“born of the seed of David”) and fully divine (“declared to be the Son of God with power”). The Resurrection confirmed His divine authority and power over death.

· Declared, let's take a look here at this word: The Greek word, from which the English word horizon comes, means “to  distinguish.” Just as the horizon serves as a clear demarcation line, dividing earth and sky,  the resurrection of Jesus Christ clearly divides Him from the rest of humanity, providing  irrefutable evidence that He is the Son of God. – John MaCarthur

Challenge: If Jesus truly rose from the dead, how could we ever be ashamed of Him?

———————————————————————————————————————————

Verse 5 – Grace and Apostleship

“Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name.”

Grace isn’t just what saves us; it’s what sends us. Paul’s calling was to bring people from every nation to “obedience to the faith” — believing and obeying the Gospel.

———————————————————————————————————————————

Verses 6–7 – Called and Loved

“Among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Every believer is called — not merely invited, but summoned by God. We are beloved and set apart as saints. Grace brings us into peace with God.

Application: Rome, Vermont, or America do not define you — you’re defined by God’s call on your life.

———————————————————————————————————————————

II. Paul’s Heart for the Church (Romans 1:8–15)

Verse 8 – Gratitude for Faith

“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.”

· The testimony of the church in  Rome was so strong that, in A.D. 49, the emperor Claudius expelled all the Jews because of the influence of “Chrestus,” which was undoubtedly a reference to Christ (cf. Acts 18:2).  throughout the whole world. As the center of the Roman Empire and the inhabited world,  whatever happened in Rome became known universally

So even in the capital of paganism, faith was flourishing. A faithful testimony travels farther than we imagine.  Same today here in VT, so much Darkness and witchcraft all around us, the most per capita in the USA, and yet the Gospel has the opportunity to shine and spread just as heavily, if not more.  But what are we doing to see this happen?

———————————————————————————————————————————

Verses 9–10 – A Minister’s Prayer Life

“For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers, making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you.”

Paul’s ministry wasn’t built on power or personality, but prayer. His longing was to visit Rome in the will of God.

Reflection: Do our prayers include a genuine desire for the spiritual growth of others?

———————————————————————————————————————————

Verses 11–12 – Mutual Encouragement

“For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established— that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.”

Paul knew that ministry is not one-sided. He would strengthen them, and they would strengthen him.

Application: We grow best when faith flows both ways — giving and receiving encouragement in Christ.

———————————————————————————————————————————

Verse 13 – God’s Timing

“Now I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often planned to come to you (but was hindered until now), that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles.”

· Fruit:  1.  Spiritual Lead Believers, 2. Righteous actions, 3. New converts.

Paul’s plans were often interrupted but never wasted. Even delays serve God’s purposes — including the writing of this letter.

———————————————————————————————————————————

Verses 14–15 – A Debt to Share the Gospel

“I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.”

Paul felt indebted because grace had been freely given to him. He owed the Gospel to everyone. Rome represented the heights of culture and the depths of corruption — yet Paul was ready to go.

Debtor.Paul had an obligation to God (cf. 1 Cor. 9:16–17) to fulfill His divine mandate to minister to Gentiles (1:5; Acts 9:15). Greeks.

· People of many different nationalities who had embraced the Greek language, culture, and education. They were the sophisticated elite of Paul’s day. Because of their deep interest in Greek philosophy, they were considered “wise.” Because of this prevalence of Greek culture, Paul sometimes used this word to describe all Gentiles (cf. 3:9).

· Barbarians. A derisive term coined by the Greeks for all who had not been trained in the Greek language and culture. When someone spoke in another language, it sounded to the Greeks like “bar-bar-bar,” or unintelligible chatter.  Although in the narrowest sense “barbarian” referred to the uncultured, uneducated masses, it was often used to describe all non-Greeks—the unwise of the world. Paul’s point is that God is no respecter of persons—the gospel must reach both the world’s elite and its outcasts (cf. John 4:4–42; James 2:1–9).

Challenge: Who do you owe the Gospel to this week?

———————————————————————————————————————————

III. The Theme of Romans: The Gospel’s Power and Righteousness (Romans 1:16–17)

Verse 16 – The Power of the Gospel

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvationfor everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”  Jew first, its roots came from the Jews.

· Power means: “mighty potency; an effective, transforming force and ability”

· In other words, to help us understand the idea of how strong this word power is, our English word “Dynamite” comes from this Greek word Dynamis (Dooh-Nah-Me-S) “POWER” that Paul used here.

· God’s Power is the only thing that can break our sin in our lives.  If we are expecting God to forgive us for our sin based on what we have done for God, forget it.

Salvation was a word used in Greco-Roman settings for an individual being rescued from some physical peril, perhaps from a burning house or from drowning.

The Gospel isn’t weak or outdated — it is the power of God to save. Paul wasn’t ashamed because the message that looks foolish to the world is the very power that changes it.

Applications & Questions:

Do you hide your faith out of fear of mockery?

The Gospel that saved you can save anyone — are you sharing it?

———————————————————————————————————————————

Verse 17 – The Revelation of God’s Righteousness

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

This is the heart of Romans — righteousness revealed. God’s righteousness isn’t achieved; it’s received. It’s given through faith, and sustained by faith.

Luther’s eyes were opened by this verse. He realized that righteousness wasn’t a demand to be met, but a gift to be received.

Application: We don’t live for faith — we live by faith. Every moment of the Christian life flows from trusting God’s righteousness, not our own.

Conclusion – The Unashamed Life

Paul’s introduction ends where his ministry began — with the power of the Gospel. It’s prophetic (foretold by the prophets), provable (confirmed by the Resurrection), personal (transforming each believer), powerful (changing lives), and preachable (for everyone).

Challenge to the Church:

Will you live unashamed this week?

Will you pray for opportunities to speak Christ’s name?

Will you trust that the same Gospel that reached Rome can reach Vermont?

“The Gospel is not good advice; it’s Good News.”