Kaleidoscope
- It was invented 1817 by Sir David Brewster.
- Named from two Gk words meaning 'beautiful' and 'form', and added the word scope to show that it was something that you look through.
- A tube lined with mirrors set at angles to each other
- A continually changing pattern of shapes and colors
- Ro. 1:16-17 is a Kaleidoscope giving beauty in its conciseness of the gospel
- Formulating the theme of Romans into two verses
- It summarize the gospel that he explains in the rest of the book.
Paul was “…not ashamed?”
- It’s not the feeling of shame
- Disgrace
- The shame brought by judgment of authority
Luke 16:3 (AV)
3 Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed. (I would be disgraced)
Hebrews 12:2 (AV)
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
THE MESSAGE | Ro 1:16
It’s news I’m most proud to proclaim, this extraordinary Message of God’s powerful plan to rescue everyone who trusts him, starting with Jews and then right on to everyone else!
GNB | Ro 1:16
I have complete confidence in the gospel; it is God’s power to save all who believe, first the Jews and also the Gentiles.
Three I Am’s
v. 14, “I am debtor v. 15, “. . . I am ready . . .”v.16, “. . . I am not ashamed . . .” s
The gospel: — What grand truths lie concealed in this Scripture, as in a kaleidoscope! The gospel being its focal point, several easy turns bring into clearest view some of the most precious things of our Christian faith.
Turn the Kaleidoscope to see its:
I. EFFECTIVENESS:
- “It is…power.”
- δύναμις [dunamis /doo•nam•is
- Dynamite - from Gk. dynamis "power"
- Hebrew [koach] Strength
Genesis 4:12 (AV)
12 When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; ….
- You see it at work in the reproductive forces of nature
II. DIVINITY
“It is the power of God.”
- TO CREATE
Jeremiah 10:12 (AV)
12 He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion (understanding, [intelligence TLB} ).
- HIS POWER IS INFINITE
- HIS POWER HAS NO BOUNDARY
Genesis 18:14 (AV)
14 Is any thing too hard for the LORD? …….
Luke 1:37 (AV)
37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.
Luke 18:27 (AV)
27 And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.
Jeremiah 32:17 (AV)
17 Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:
- HIS POWER IS EVERLASTING
- Isaiah 26:4 (AV)
4 Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:
III. OBJECT:
“It is the power of God unto salvation.”
- How we need salvation
- Scalpers are selling tickets to “The Dark Knight Rises” for $300
- Crites are receiving death threats if they give a poor review
- Denver – gunman kills 12 people at the 12:00 showing – injuring at least 58 others
Hebrews 2:3 (AV)
3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
- Forgiveness is not an end, but a means to an end.
- Believers have been forgiven so that they will worship God.
-This will not happen until they understand that the greatest reward of forgiveness is being brought back into a right relationship with God.
- Purpose of salvation is to bring glory to God
IV. IMPARTIALITY:
“It is the power of God unto salvation to everyone.”
- A judge might show undue favor because of private friendship, bribery, rank, power, or political affiliation
Romans 3:23 (AV)
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Romans 2:11 (AV)
11 For there is no respect of persons with God.
- No one is left out
- No matter what external circumstances
V. CONDITION:
“It is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth.”
- Num. 21:5-6
- Without active faith there is no salvation
- Believe what?
- A boat anchor will not rescue us from drowning
- The object of what is given will really save
Acts 4:12 (AV)
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
VI Order
Romans 1:16 (AV)
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.
The way which it was to be preached
“To the Jews first, and also to the Greek.”
- He is “ready to preach” it anywhere.
- To those who are around you
- To those who are beyond you
Psalm 22:27 (AV)
27 All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.
- It’s not living according to your wisdom
- Salvation comes before righteousness
Andrew brought Peter—just one. But that one was many, for under God, Peter brought three thousand in one day. The three thousand went to the ends of the earth
