Untitled Sermon

Unashamed: The Power of God's Righteousness

Bible Passage: Ro 1:16–32

Summary: Romans 1:16–32

Big Idea: God reveals Himself to all, but we must believe in Him, not allowing the world to take hold of us, but instead remembering God’s Holiness, righteousness, and wrath towards those who reject him.

Righteousness used 9 times, 8 of which are in Romans

Recommended Study:

Audience: Paul is writing to the Roman Christians on his way to Jerusalem.

Purpose: This is debated.

1. Boldly Believing in the Gospel

Ro 1:16-17: Paul’s Pride for the Gospel

16: For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.

Why isn’t Paul ashamed of the Gospel (good news)? Another way to put this would be “I am proud that I share the gospel.

Greco/Roman/Honor/Shame; Some of the people of his time, would have been upset at his “law-free” gospel.

He knows the Gospel is Jesus Christ, who stands in between us and the “power of God”, leading to salvation for those who believe.

Salvation means to “be saved”; we think of this as a past event (“when were you saved”), but Paul is most likely thinking being saved from the coming judgement.

This salvation is available “to everyone who believes”

Believing requires a response; not necessarily works, but (accepting the gift and putting full trust and faith in God)

“Jew, then to the Gentile” — meaning to EVERYONE

Gift of grace:

17: For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed — a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteousness will live by faith.”

“the righteousness of God is revealed” What does this mean?

Attribute: God is faithful

God giving us righteousness (or justifying) — we can now stand before God with a new status

Righteousness completed by God; intervening for us to make right the evil in creation

God putting believers in a right relationship with him

“righteousness that is by faith from first to last”

The person who is righteous through their faith will attain life.

Hab. 2:4

Application:

2. Recognizing Rebellion's Results

Ro 1:18-23:

18: The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.

The wrath of God: this is not anger as we feel it when someone wrongs us, but the reaction God has to sin.

“suppress the truth” — God is Holy, and those who reject Him are subject to his wrath.

Someone who suppresses the truth about God assumes they have knowledge of God — but what of those who have never heard? Paul addresses this

Not the easiest thing to hear, but even those who have not heard his word are without excuse…

Natural revelation: God has revealed himself in his creation to all.

Psalm 19:1 “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.”

Picture yourself watching the sunset, etc.

20: For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities — his eternal power and divine nature — have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

21: For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.

22: Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools

23: and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.

3. Forsaking God’s Design

Ro 1:24-27

Perhaps focus on how these verses depict the darkened path that results from forsaking God, using it as a warning against conforming to worldly patterns. You could encourage teens to recognize the subtle compromises that lead away from God's truth and instead pursue holiness. This might inspire them to set boundaries and trust in God’s design for their lives.

4. Pursuing Godly Purpose

Ro 1:28-32

You could conclude with Paul's description of societal breakdown when God is removed from the center of life, stressing the importance of aligning one’s life with God's purpose. This might challenge teens to be aware of cultural influences and inspire them to live distinctly different lives that are marked by God’s righteousness, bringing hope and light to those around them.