Greetings to all present and on the internet. Today we continue in our study through the excellent book of Romans, in this compelling study through one of the most influential letters written by the Apostle Paul to the church in Rome. Last Lord’s day, Straight Gate Ministries Pastor teacher, Landis Fisher presented a message about the calling and duty of those who have been selected by God to believe in His Son Jesus and referred to them as ‘Saints” which is a title meaning set apart or ‘holy ones’. Since the gospel by the world’s standards is controversial, is it possible to be ‘ashamed’ of it? Just what priority does God place on the message we call ‘the gospel’? Well grab your bible and listen to this installment of our study that we have called: “Not Ashamed of the Gospel”
Old Testament Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 9:23 – 26 (NASB)
Jer 9:23 Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches;
Jer 9:24 but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.
Jer 9:25 “Behold, the days are coming,” declares the LORD, “that I will punish all who are circumcised and yet uncircumcised–
Jer 9:26 Egypt, and Judah, and Edom, and the sons of Ammon, and Moab, and all those inhabiting the desert who clip the hair on their temples; for all the nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised of heart.”
New Testament Scripture Reading: Romans 1:13 – 16 (KJV)
Rom 1:13 Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles. Rom 1:14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. Rom 1:15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Transforming Power Statements:
#1) Even when we are servants of God it is possible that we can be prevented by difficulties from doing all that is in our hearts to do, but we can rest assured that through the grace of God in Christ Jesus that we shall accomplish all the things that God has ordained that we should do. (1 Th 2:18 For we wanted to come to you– I, Paul, more than once– and yet Satan thwarted us.)
#2) Being called to such a great position as a ‘saint of the most High God’ comes with great privilege as well as great responsibilities and the evidence of this calling can be seen through the fruitfulness of our lives in actions, attitudes and influence of people, both Jews and Gentiles) for the cause of the gospel of Christ.
#3) Since the gospel itself is “the power of God” our primary message is therefore the most disputed and despised message in all the world and by the world’s standards is considered ‘a disgraceful thing for which Christians should be ashamed’; However, we who have received spiritual sight by the gospel must learn not to be ashamed of the gospel knowing that it is the only means by which anyone may become righteous according to Almighty God as He has stated in the Law, the Prophets and the Psalms.
