The Gospel
Romans 1:1-17
How many times have you heard a master of ceremonies say,
“And now it is my pleasure to introduce to you a man who needs no introduction …”? Why are the longest introductions often for those who “need no introduction”?
A good introduction is important.
A good introduction should arouse the interest and attention of the audience. A good introduction should help build a relationship between the speaker and his audience. A good introduction should also let us know something about what the speaker is going to talk about so we can follow him as he speaks.
We come this morning to the introduction of the book of Romans.
While all of Paul’s letters have an introduction, this one is particularly important. You’ll remember from last week, that Paul had not yet been to Rome. So, in a sense, Paul needs to introduce himself and his main message to the Christians in Rome. And it’s a long introduction.
It’s a “stretch limo” kind of introduction. It’s the longest of any of his introductions of any of his letters.
The theme of the introduction is: “The Gospel.”
The word "Gospel" is used 4 times in these first 17 verses.
In the New Testament times, letters were usually pretty short.
Paper was hard to get. Paper was made of papyrus (“paper”).
It was expensive. Even more expensive was when they wrote on vellum which is animal skins. Either way, it meant paper was so expensive you didn’t write long letters. The average letter in the Roman Empire during this time was probably about 150 words. The Roman historian Cicero wrote a letter that was actually a treatise and it had 4,500 words in it. Everyone thought it was enormous. Paul, when he writes to the Romans, uses over 7,000 words! He’s got a lot to say. We’ve got a lot to learn from it. Ready to dive in? Here we go...
1. Relating the Gospel (1:1-7)
Paul immediately confronts us with the gospel’s relationship to himself, then to God’s plan and then to believers. Let’s look at what he has to say about these relationships...
• To Paul (v. 1) Paul says 3 things about himself:
1. "a servant of Christ Jesus"
He was born a free man. Yet he introduces himself as a “servant of Christ Jesus.” The fact is everybody is a servant.
Who are you a servant to?
Everybody has a master. Who is your master?
It may be something or someone. In John 8:34 Jesus says, "Whoever sins is a slave to sin." In Romans 6:16, Paul talks about being a servant to sin. Paul changed masters when he met Jesus Christ on a road going to Damascus. He changed masters when he trusted Christ as his Savior and Lord. Before that, Paul had been a slave to sin and legalism. Now he says, "I’m gladly a slave to Jesus Christ."
Paul introduces himself as a servant of Jesus Christ.
2. "Called to be an apostle".
God’s army is not a volunteer army. You are commissioned. You don’t volunteer to serve the Lord or use your ministry or use your gift. You are commissioned. You are called. The fact is, if you’re not serving the Lord, you’re AWOL because we’re all called into service, called to be part of the gospel. You may not be called to be an apostle like Paul, but you’re called to do something else based on your gifts and your talents.
3. "Set apart for the gospel of God".
The Greek term for "set apart" literally means "off horizon."
It has the idea of being removed from one sphere and placed into another. In Paul’s case, he was moved from the sphere of sin to the sphere of salvation, from the horizon of rebellion against God to the horizon of service under God. It literally means “streamlined or purposely narrowed down.” Paul is saying "God set me apart for the gospel. This is my one thing. I do one thing. I’m not a jack of all trades. The good news is my life, it’s the one thing I do."
This was the great theme of his life. And the great theme of this book.
After relating the Gospel to his life, Paul then relates the Gospel...
• To God’s plan (vv. 2-7)
In these verses, Paul moves from sharing his personal testimony to sharing several things about the gospel’s relationship to God’s plan of salvation:
1. It’s promised in the Bible (v. 2)
vs. 2 "The gospel was promised beforehand through the prophets in the Holy Scripture." He’s talking about the Old Testament.
In Hebrews 1:1-2 the author there says, "God, in times past, spoke to us by his prophets many different ways but now He’s spoken to us through His son, Jesus Christ." In Luke 24:27, after He had resurrected from the dead, Jesus is talking to a couple of men.
We read in Luke 24:27 "And beginning with Moses and all the prophets He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself." Jesus took the entire Old Testament and taught about Himself. The Gospel didn’t start in the New Testament. In its infancy stage...Abraham preached the Gospel. Moses preached the Gospel. David preached the Gospel.
All through the Old Testament we see this good news.
We see it through signs, sacrifice, symbols, promises of God, predictions. The Old Testament is saying, "He’s coming...he’s coming... he’s coming..." The Gospel, of course, is fully developed in Christ.
But Paul says that the first thing we can say about the gospel is this:
It’s promised in the Bible! God did not keep the gospel a secret!
2. It’s a Person (vv. 3-4)
v. 3 "Regarding His Son, who as to His human nature, was a descendant of David." The gospel is a Person: Jesus Christ. "Regarding" means "about." The Phillips translation says, "The Gospel is centered in God’s son." If you take Buddha out of Buddhism you still have a great philosophy. If you take Mohammed out of Islam you still have a bunch of rules and regulations and a system by which people can live by. But if you take Jesus Christ out of Christianity, it falls apart. It’s all based on His Son.
Without Jesus...there is no good news...no hope for eternal life...
...no hope for freedom from the death penalty of sin
...no hope from the slavery of sin!
Christianity is not a religion, it’s a relationship!
It’s a relationship with God through Jesus Christ alone.
What does the gospel say about Jesus Christ? 2 things:
1. He’s an actual human being. He’s 100% human.
2. He’s 100% God.
It said he had a human nature. v. 3b “...who as to his human nature was a descendant of David,” It says here He was a descendent of David. Who was David? David was the king and it was promised all through the Old Testament that Jesus Christ would come through the genealogy of David. In Matthew 1 and Luke 3 we find two genealogies. If you compare those two you’ll find they don’t match. Why? One of them is the genealogy of Joseph. The other is the genealogy of Mary. Joseph was supposed to be the father; we know he was the step father to Jesus because Mary was a virgin. But through either Joseph or Mary you see that Jesus was the Son of David. He was a real human being, not part man and part God. He was 100% God and He was 100% man. Some people think Jesus was kind of a schizophrenic -- half human and half God. No! He was 100% man. When you pricked Him, He bled, He hurt.
Why is that important? Hebrews 4:15. If Jesus Christ was not a human being we couldn’t have this verse. "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way just as we are without sin." If Jesus Christ had not been a whole human being He couldn’t be an example for us. He couldn’t die for us because, as a man, He had to take our place. He couldn’t experience the suffering we experience. He couldn’t comfort us because He wouldn’t know what it was like.
But because He was 100% human, He went through what we went through and we can come to Him and say, "Lord Jesus, I’m struggling today" and He understands. He was 100% human. He had real hurts and actually died.
He was not only human but He was also 100% God. v. 4: "and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by His resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ, our Lord." Jesus Christ was not only 100% man, He was also 100% God.
What is it that proves that Jesus Christ was God? The resurrection.
The resurrection proves that Jesus Christ was God.
He came back to life on His own.
1 Corinthians 15:14 "If Jesus Christ had not raised from the dead then our faith is in vain."
Notice in v. 4 it says that He is Jesus Christ, our Lord. That is His full name, Jesus Christ, our Lord. There is the difference between these three terms:
• Jesus is His personal name. Jesus is the Greek word for Joshua. Jesus’ real name in Hebrew was Joshua. Joshua, in Greek, is Jesus. Joshua means "Jehovah is salvation."
God is salvation. Jesus’ name meant "God is salvation."
• Christ is His official name. It’s the Greek word for Messiah.
It means "anointed."
• Lord is His title.
That’s the word "kurios" in the Greek which means “Lord.”
So what do we say about this gospel? What have we learned about God’s plan of salvation?
1. It’s promised in Scripture
2. It’s centered in a person -- Jesus Christ.
And Jesus Christ was 100% God and 100% man.
3. It’s a gospel of grace (v. 5a)
The third thing we see about this gospel is in v. 5: "Through Him and for His name’s sake we received grace..."
We’ll cover this more in the coming weeks. But, for now, we can at least ask the question: “What does grace mean?”
God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is when you give somebody what they need, not what they deserve. The Bible says that God doesn’t give you what you deserve. If you got what you deserved, would anybody be alive today? No. God doesn’t give us what we deserve, but what we need. So, the Gospel (the good news) is good news through the Bible, good news about Jesus Christ, the good news of grace.
4. It’s for the whole world (vv. 5b-7)
vv. 5-7 "Through Him and for His name sake we receive grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles and to the obedience that comes from faith. And you also are among those who are called and belong to Jesus Christ. To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.”
In the Jewish mind there are only two types of people -- Jews and non Jews. They didn’t recognize any other race. The non Jews were grouped into one group and they were called Gentiles. Paul said the gospel is for all Gentiles! It’s a global gospel!
It’s a gospel for Jews and non-Jews!
That’s why we must be involved in supporting world missions!
It’s a universal message!
Review: We’ve been looking at the gospel and how it relates to Paul the man. He’s a servant, called and set apart to preach the gospel.
We’ve been looking at how the gospel relates to God’s plan of salvation. It’s the gospel that’s been in the Bible for hundreds and thousands of years. It’s gospel about Jesus Christ, who is 100% God and 100% man. It’s a gospel about God’s grace.
And it’s a gospel for everybody.
Whew! And that’s just the introduction within the introduction to the book!
After completing his long introduction and formal salutation, Paul turns next to...
2. Proclaiming the Gospel (vv. 8-15)
• To the world (v. 8)
v. 8 "First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world."
Notice Paul gives thanks to God because the faith of the Roman believers was “...being reported all over the world." The Christians in Rome had a world famous faith. They were famous. He said everywhere I go, all over the world, people talk about your faith.
What a reputation! Rome wasn’t exactly an easy place to be a Christian, either! Rome was sin city. Kind of like the Las Vegas of the Mediterranean. Nero was emperor at this time and there were all kinds of orgies and things going on. It was a totally corrupt city. Yet it’s kind of like the saying, "The darker the night, the brighter the stars."
The more corrupt a society is, the more Christians can stand out.
The stronger the wind, the stronger the oak tree becomes.
What do you think a church ought to be famous for?
Some churches are famous for their size.
Some churches are famous for their building -- their architecture is well known.
Some churches are famous for the teachings of their pastor.
Some churches are famous for their music.
But that’s not really what God wants churches to be famous for.
Rome was known for their faith. That’s what Paul could say about the Roman church. Their faith was world famous.
What are we known for? What is our reputation? If Paul would write us a letter, what would his introduction be? Should the Lord Himself speak to us, what would He say He thinks of us?
The answer is: Our church is known for whatever you are. You are the church. What do people think about you? Is your faith growing? Do you radiate love wherever you go? Our church is not our building, our church is not the pastor, our programs, our music. Our church is people. It’s you! It’s me!
And whatever we are, that’s what our reputation is.
Paul thanks God for the Roman believers because of their faith. Their faith was famous.
Well, why do you think the Roman believers grew so strong in their faith? We see it in vv. 9-15...
Proclaiming the gospel not only to the world, but also...
• To the believers in Rome (vv. 9-15)
Why did this church in Rome have such a great reputation? v. 9-10: "God whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you."
One of the reasons I think they were so strong is Paul continually prayed for it. He says, “God is my witness.” He couldn’t prove it. Nobody was there when he prayed. He was often alone when he prayed. Praying members make a strong church. Paul said he prayed for them constantly. How often this past week did you remember to pray for your church? We might expect Paul to pray for people he led to the Lord. But Paul’s praying for people he’s never even seen. He’s never been to Rome. Yet he says, I pray for you every single day. If we would commit ourselves to pray daily for our church what kind of difference would that make? What kind of change could we see?
I want us to stop right now and pray...
"Lord, I pray that our faith might grow...that our love will increase."
Take some time right now to pray for that person on your right: "Lord, fill that person with Your faith. Help them to grow in faith. Lord, fill that person with Your love."
Then pray for that person on your left:
"Lord, will You fill that person with Your faith. Help them to grow. Help them to be stronger. Help them to believe You in a greater way this week. Help them to love You more and to love other Christians."
Father, I just want to thank You right now for this body of believers. Help us to grow in faith. Help us to grow in love. Lord, may we become a world famous church like the Roman church who was famous not for buildings, programs or pastors or music or ministry, but because of our faith and our love. I pray that people will look at us as a church and they’ll say "That’s the church that really believes God and they believe Him for miracles." I pray that we will be the kind of church that people will say, "That’s the church where they love each other" and that our love for each other will increase. In Jesus’ name. Amen. [Return to message]
Paul not only prayed for the believers in Rome, he also longed to see them...
v. 11-12 "I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong. That is that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith."
Paul wanted to share with them “some spiritual gift.” What this gift is, is not stated. But whatever the gift, notice the purpose he had in sharing it: “...to make you strong...and be mutually encouraged...”
When spiritual gifts are shared two things happen. "...it will make you strong..." -- that’s the first thing that will happen when we share our gifts with each other.
"...that you will be encouraged..." -- we are encouraged.
This is a mutual thing. Even though Paul was an apostle he needed encouragement. We need each other. Paul was a spiritual giant but he’s humble enough to say, I need to receive as well as give. Christian sharing is a two-way street.
So, the question I must ask:
“Are you sharing your spiritual gift with the body?”
As you use your gift, people are strengthened and people are encouraged. Are you doing your part?
What’s going to happen when we do our part? Look at v. 13
v. 13 "I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles."
Paul was looking forward to a harvest. Harvest is a great time of year isn’t it? Are you looking forward to a harvest? Are you looking forward to seeing people you know and love come to the Savior?
Then, get involved! Get in the game! Stop complaining on the sidelines, and get in the game! We’ve got a job to do and we need everyone in the game!
How’s it going to happen? Paul lays out the method for us in vv. 14-15
“I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are at Rome.”
Notice that Paul was obligated (v. 14)
Do you share Paul’s obligation to share the good news?
v. 14. "I’m obligated (debtor) to both the Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and to the foolish." Illustration: Let’s say I discovered the cure for AIDS this week. I discovered how to wipe it out with a simple injection. If I knew something that powerful and life changing and could change millions of lives, would I be under obligation to do something with it? Sure. If you discovered the cure for cancer, would you keep it a secret or would you be obligated to share it? Of course you’d pass it on, right? If you have Christ in your life then you’re obligated to share Him. You’re responsible to tell the gospel!
It’s too important to keep a secret! The greatest thing you could do for somebody is to share the gospel with them. Those people in your life that don’t know Jesus, who do you think is responsible to share Jesus with them? Who’s closest to them? Acts 1:8 says, "You will be witnesses to all the world, first in Jerusalem and Judea and then the uttermost parts of the world." Where were they when He said that? In Jerusalem and Judea. Jesus said start with the people closest to you then work out. We’re obligated to share the gospel!
We have an obligation. Will we be obedient?
But it’s not just enough to be obligated. You need more. You can have an obligation and have the attitude, "I guess I have to go share the gospel with my friends. I’m obligated."
v. 15: "I am eager to preach the gospel to you who are at Rome."
It wasn’t a duty. He was prepared. There’s no hesitation here!
He’s totally committed to the gospel! He’s eager and ready!
Did you know that the greatest thing in the world to share Christ with somebody? It is!
Are you eager to share the wonderful news of the gospel of Christ?
What is the gospel of Christ anyway?
(TRANSITION to 3rd main point)
After Relating the Gospel and then Proclaiming the Gospel, Paul moves next to Explaining the Gospel (1:16-17)
• What does it mean?
The word “gospel” means “good news.”
There’s a sense of excitement with the word. (“We’re engaged! We’re having a baby! It’s a boy! It’s a girl! The war’s over! I got the job!)
It conveys the idea of shouting out something to someone else.
In the case of the gospel about Christ, it means to proclaim to all the complete salvation that is available only through Him, the eternal Son of God.
And how is it available? By trusting in Christ alone and his death on the cross for your sins. By believing that He rose again proving that He is God. That’s the gospel! And that’s good news!
Paul goes on further to explain what the gospel is in v. 16:
v. 16 "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile
Why are we ashamed of the gospel? Why are we ashamed to name the name of Jesus? Why are we embarrassed to be known as a Christian? Why don’t we share this good news? Maybe we just don’t realize what the gospel is. What is it? “it is the power of God for salvation" (v.16)
This word power is the Greek word from which we get our word dynamite. He says, God’s word is dynamite. It’s man’s only hope.
It is the power of God -- the power of God to change lives. He says, “I’m not ashamed of the good news because it has the power to change lives.
And this power to change lives is available to everyone who believes. It is so simple, yet so powerful.
What does this gospel do? Look at v. 17:
"For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous shall live by faith”
v. 17 clarifies v. 16. What does the gospel do?
Answer: It provides the way for a person to have a right standing before God (righteousness).
How do we do that? Paul says by faith from first to last.
It’s completely faith. It’s not work for it, earn it, be baptized into a church. No! It’s faith from first to last. It’s available and provided for those who trust in the gospel from start to finish. You start your relationship with God by accepting Christ by faith, and then you continue to live your life with God by faith.
This verse shows us how complete our salvation in Christ is:
When we first come to put our trust in Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, we are saved from the penalty of sin (justification by faith).
As we live out our Christianity in obedience to Christ we are saved by the power of sin (sanctification by faith).
And after the final judgment and the creation of the new heavens and the new earth, we will experience salvation from the presence of sin (glorification by faith).
So, you see, we have a complete gospel. We have a whole gospel for the whole world that covers whole persons throughout their whole lives
4. Applying the Gospel
• The gospel requires a response
God did not give us the gospel so that we could simply study it, memorize it, and marvel at it! He expects us to respond to it!
And what is the response He longs for?
He longs for us to believe it. To accept it. And by believing and accepting this wonderful good news, we receive the gift of salvation.
• Our response to the gospel determines our destiny
One response: Reject this good news by not believing. When you do that you remain under God’s wrath and condemnation.
Another response: When we, by faith, receive the salvation that God has provided through Christ, we come under the full benefits of His undeserving grace.
What is your response?
If you have chosen to reject this good news, I plead with you: reconsider. Believe this good news! Accept God’s offer of salvation! Receive the gift of life and experiencing a relationship with God.
If you believe the gospel and have accepted by faith Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, I have a challenge for you.
You’re obligated! If you’re a Christian you’ve got the greatest news in the world! You’re obligated to share it!
If you don’t share it, you’re robbing somebody else from receiving it!
But, you’re not only obligated. You should be eager to share this good news. Do you know what it will do? It has the power to change lives! It’s the very best thing in the world you can do for anybody, and that’s to share the gospel (the good news) of Christ with them!
But you’re not only obligated, and not only should you be eager, you should also be unashamed. You don’t have to apologize for the gospel. You don’t have to be afraid or ashamed that you’re a Christian.
A final challenge to you: Will you join me in becoming a part of
“The Fellowship of the Unashamed”? Look at bulletin insert.
I will read this first, then, if you are committed to what is written, I’m going to ask you to stand and read it with me when I read it a 2nd time.
This was originally written by a pastor in the Seattle area in 1980.
He was the pastor of Overlake Christian Church, the largest church in Washington. It’s been reported that in 1995, these words were found in the holding cell of a humble pastor in Zimbabwe after he was martyred for his faith.
[Read “The Fellowship of the Unashamed,” and then ask those who want to read it, to stand and read it with you]
Before we have our closing song, I would like everyone here to close their eyes and let me talk to you as if it’s just me and you here this morning...
We’ve been looking at “The Gospel” this morning. We’ve just barely scratched the surface as we’ve looked at the introduction of Romans. This gospel is the good news.
What is your response to it?
Do you believe it?
Will you accept it and trust Jesus Christ and His death on the cross for our sins?
Do so now if you haven’t yet. Don’t put it off!
(Have prayer of invitation and raise hand as indication if so led)
Maybe you have already done that. Most of you here this morning have.
Let me ask you, then: Can you think of one person in your life who needs the gospel (this good news)?
A family member, friend, co-worker, neighbor?
Does it scare you to share your faith with this person? Relax! Talk to the Lord about it. Ask Him, "Lord, would You work out a way to make it natural and easy to share my faith?" And He will.
I guarantee that if you start praying for that person and praying for an opportunity to share your faith, God will make one so easy that you will not be uptight about it. Let it come naturally.
Don’t force it. Just allow God to work in your life.
Just say to the Lord, "Lord, Thank You. I realize my obligation to share the gospel. Help me, Lord, to be ready, enthusiastic, confident and not ashamed."
