Gospel Power Series

Jordan Tkacsik was looking through his friend Paul Bartlett’s sports memorabilia and trading card shop when he noticed something unusual in a section full of Pokémon collectibles.

It was a Cheetos cheese puff, but not just any Cheeto. It was a Flamin’ Hot Cheeto that bore an uncanny resemblance to Charizard, an orange dragon-like creature that is one of the Pokémon universe’s original and most beloved characters. The Cheeto itself was housed in a small plastic container, and the three-inch cheesy treat even had a name: Cheetozard.

Mr. Tkacsik was not exactly a Pokémon aficionado, but he knew it was an unusual item. So, he made it his mission to build a case for the puff and get it ready for sale.

Still, Mr. Tkacsik had no way of knowing that Cheetozard was bound for global celebrity. In March 2025, the dragon-shaped snack sold at auction for $72,000 (plus fees that pushed the price to $87,840) amid a bidding frenzy. That’s right, a “Flamin’ Hot” snack with an uncanny resemblance to a fire-breathing Pokémon dragon was a hit on the auction block (Scott Cacciola, “A Single Cheeto Sold for Nearly $90,000?,” New York Times, 3-12-25; www.PreachingToday.com).

I’d say Tkacsik accomplished his mission! But I can think of a mission far more valuable and important than selling a Cheeto Cheese Puff for nearly $88,000. If you have your Bibles, I invite you to turn with me to Romans 1, Romans 1, where the Apostle Paul identifies that mission worth giving your life to.

Romans 1:1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God… (ESV).

The Gospel was Paul’s goal. Announcing good news was Paul’s one and only mission in life. He considered himself “set apart” especially for that task.

The word, “gospel,” literally means “to announce good news.” In ancient Rome it often referred to announcements of the birth of an heir to the throne, his coming of age, or his coronation. Announcements of that type were called “gospel” in Rome.

And that’s exactly the kind of gospel or “good news” Paul wants to announce. He wants to announce the birth of an heir to the throne. He wants to announce the coronation of a King. Only this is no Roman king. Rather, it is the King of kings, who’s coming has been foretold from ancient times.

Romans 1:2 …which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures… (ESV).

The Old Testament, from Genesis to Malachi, promised the coming of a King! That’s good news…

Romans 1:3 … concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh… (ESV)

An heir to David’s throne has been born—the One promised long ago, who is none other than God’s own Son.

Romans 1:4 …and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord… (ESV)

God declared Jesus to be His own Son when He raised Him from the dead. That is to say God declared Jesus as King of kings and Lord of lords.

You see, in the Bible, to be declared “the Son of God” is to be declared King! Israel’s kings took as one of their titles, “Son of God,” on their coronation day (2 Samuel 7:12-14; Psalm 2:7).

Well, for Jesus, His coronation day was the day of His resurrection. That’s when God declared Him King, so that now Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father in the place of all authority and power (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 10:12; 1 Peter 3:22).

In his book, Forever Triumphant, F. J. Huegel told a story that came out of World War II. After General Jonathan Wainwright was captured by the Japanese, he was held prisoner in a Manchurian concentration camp. Cruelly treated, he became “a broken, crushed, hopeless, starving man,” to use Huegel’s words.

Finally, the Japanese surrendered and the war ended. A United States army colonel was sent to the camp to announce personally to the general that Japan had been defeated and that he was free and in command.

After Wainwright heard the news, he returned to his quarters and was confronted by some guards who began to mistreat him as they had done in the past. Wainwright, however, with the news of the allied victory still fresh in his mind, declared with authority, “No, I am in command here! These are my orders…” And from that moment on, General Wainwright was in control (Frederick Huegel, Forever Triumphant, Bethany House, 1967; www. PreachingToday.com).

Have you heard the news? Jesus won the victory for us 2,000 years ago! He died on the cross and rose again. Now, He sits as King of kings and Lord of lords at the Father’s own right hand. So reject the abuse of the enemy from now on. Discard Satan’s pressure to conform, and in the name of Jesus, stand up and say, “NO!” to the enemy of your soul. Stand on resurrection ground with Christ as your King and live for Him!