Evangelism from Pauls Perspective (LHCOC)
Evangelism from Paul’s perspective
Romans 1:14-16
Introduction:
1. This morning I want to look at evangelism from the perspective of the apostle Paul.
a. Although Paul is never called an evangelist, he truly was!
b. If you know about the conversion of Paul (Acts 9; 22; 26), you know that he was on his way to Damascus to arrest Christians, and bring them back to Jerusalem to be punished.
c. It was on the road to Damascus that Paul encountered Jesus (in spirit form). Jesus told Paul to wait in Damascus and he will be told what he must do.
d. A man named Ananias was sent to Paul, and told him that he needed to be baptized in order to have his sins washed away.
e. After Paul was baptized, he immediately began preaching Christ in the synagogues.
2. When I read the writings of Paul, I cannot help but to notice how special this man was.
a. As his life was changed by the gospel, he wanted to tell others so their lives could be changed as well.
b. Paul was never motivated by money, attention, applause from men. Paul simply felt a deep obligation to preach the gospel.
I. PAUL WAS UNDER OBLIGATION – 14
A. Paul said, “I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise.”
1. The NKJV and KJV use the word, “debtor.” When we think of debt today, we usually think about owing money.
2. The word means “to be bound.”
a. It is the picture of a man who is chained to his master. He has surrendered all of his rights and privileges of a free man and has placed himself in subjection to someone in higher authority.
b. Jesus was the authority (Mt.28:18) and Paul was obligated to serve his master (Rom.1:1; Acts 13:47; 1 Cor.9:16).
B. Not only was Paul under obligation to the Lord, but Paul was under obligation to all men.
1. The Greeks – the rich and sophisticated.
2. The Barbarians – the poor and unsophisticated (these were the people who were rough and rude).
3. The wise – the educated.
4. The unwise/foolish – the uneducated.
C. When we think about it, isn’t that what the gospel is all about? i.e. taking the gospel to all men?
1. Because of what we know and what we have received, we are obligated to be bound to Christ for the sake of His gospel!
2. There are several things we can do in taking the gospel to all men.
a. | Not only was did Paul feel obligated to preach the gospel, he was… |
We can invite friends/family/acquaintances to service (or better yet over to our homes).
b. We can give a card/tract to someone.
c. We can live a life full of joy, happiness, and hope.
II. PAUL WAS READY TO PREACH THE GOSPEL – 15
A. Paul said, “I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.”
1. The word ready is commonly translated eager. Here Paul uses it to mean, prepared or willing.
2. Paul was ready and willing to go to Rome even if it cost him his life.
a. Why was Paul so ready to go to Rome? Was it because of the glorious attractions found throughout the city? Was it because it was convenient for him (his plans were to go to Spain, and he was planning on making Rome a stop Rom.15:24)?
b. His readiness was not to be a sightseer, but he was eager to be a soul-winner!
B. Why was Paul ready (or eager) to preach to the church at Rome? He was motivated!
1. Paul knew something about the fear of God (2 Cor.5:11).
2. Paul knew something about the love of Christ (2 Cor.5:14-15).
3. Paul knew something about urgency (2 Cor.6:1-2).
C. | What holds us back, was not going to hold Paul back because from his perspective… |
If we know something about the love of Christ, the fear of God, and the urgency of telling others about Him, we will have no problem developing the eagerness of Paul!
1. May our eagerness not be limited to just good intentions.
2. We must make sure our eagerness is put into action. Make today the day we make any changes needed in our life so we to can be ambassadors for the Christ.
III. PAUL WAS NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL – 16
A. Paul said, “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.”
1. Some have suggested a literal translation would read, “I will not blush at the gospel.”
a. We blush when we are made uncomfortable.
b. E.g. your hair looks so good today girl!
2. Paul was not going to stand down, or be made to feel uncomfortable when it came to preaching the gospel (1 Cor.1:18).
B. Paul was not going to stop preaching the gospel for a few reasons.
1. It was the gospel of Christ (16a).
a. Although the gospel of Christ truly is good news to those who have obeyed it, those who do not obey it, laugh, mock, and sometimes punish it.
b. Paul never said he was not afraid of preaching to the lost. He was, but this did not stop him (1 Cor.2:2-3).
2. It was the power of God (16b).
a. The word power is the word from which we get our English word dynamite (dunami).
b. Paul knew the gospel message was not his, but it was the powerful message given by God
3. It was to bring salvation to the believer (16c).
a. The word salvation in this context can also be translated “deliverance.” The gospel must be preached because its powerful influence causes men and women to believe.
b. The word believe here, as well as many other places in the NT does not mean only having mental faith, but it brings forth the idea of obedient faith.
4. It was for everyone (16d)
a. When there was a synagogue in the town Paul traveled to, he went to the Jews first. Many times the Jews did not want to hear what he had to say so he went to the Gentiles.
b. Whichever way it did not matter because he knew the gospel was for all!
C. The gospel is something to be proud of. Paul knew its power first hand (he went from persecutor to preacher).
1. We have the same message today.
2. Let us not forget…it is the gospel of Christ, it is the power of God, and its message brings salvation to everyone who will believe and obey it.
Conclusion:
1. So we have seen evangelism from the apostle Paul’s perspective. Now it is up to us to do something about it.
2. As Christians…
a. Evangelism is an obligation we have.
b. It is something we need to be ready and willing to do.
c. We must never be ashamed to share it with others.
3. As those who have yet confessed their belief in Christ by repenting of their sins and being baptized for the forgiveness of sins….
a. Obeying the gospel an obligation you have (2 Thess.1:8-9).
b. It is something you need to be willing and ready to do (Mt.24:44).
c. You must never let what others may think hinder you from doing what is right (Rom.14:12).
d. So the devil you are not ashamed of the gospel today by coming to the front as we sing the song of encouragement.
Romans 1:14-16
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.
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.
Matthew 28:18
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
Romans 1:1
Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God
Acts 13:47
For so the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’”
Acts 13:1
Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
Matthew 5:16
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Ephesians 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
Romans 15:24
whenever I journey to Spain, I shall come to you. For I hope to see you on my journey, and to be helped on my way there by you, if first I may enjoy your company for a while.
2 Corinthians 5:11
Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.
2 Corinthians 5:14-15
For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died;
and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
2 Corinthians 6:1-2
We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
1 Corinthians 1:18
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
1 Corinthians 2:2-3
For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.
John 14:15
“If you love Me, keep My commandments.
John 12:42
Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue;
Acts 6:7
Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.
Matthew 10:32-33
“Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.
But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.
2 Thessalonians 1:8-9
in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,
Matthew 24:44
Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
Romans 14:12
So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.