Have you forgotten something this week? Would you agree with this statement, “Human beings are quite forgetful?” Consider these words from William Doane’s classic hymn: “Tell me the story often, for I forget so soon.” One early childhood educator puts it this way: “Repetition is the mother of learning and is an essential key to the physical development of a child’s brain.” Children love repetition, think of all the times that children want the same story read to them over and over. Unfortunately, as adults we often resist repetition because we are just sick and tired of hearing the same thing over and over again. If you think about it, repetition is required to sharpen any skill. Perhaps, this was way Jesus said to enter the Kingdom of Heaven one must become like a little child. Repetition was the main method of teaching people of all ages in the ancient Hebrew culture. This is evident when you look closely at the way Paul teaches. As Paul opens his letter to the Roman Christians, he proudly takes them back to the very beginning. You might say that he begins by introducing his readers to the Gospel once again. As he proclaims the simple message of the Gospel, he also introduces his readers to the different themes that will be woven throughout the entire letter. Today, as we hear the Gospel once again I would like us to listen like we are hearing it again for the first time. If we approach it in this manner, I believe that we might just gain some new insights if not a new perspective. Romans is the most theologically rich book in the New Testament so let’s begin our journey by getting more acquainted with the power of the Gospel message.
I. Understanding how the Gospel relates to us.
A. Paul demonstrated that God has the power to turn our perceived liabilities into assets.
1. Paul has never personally visited Rome at this point, so he provides a very detailed introduction.
2. Paul describes him as a servant of Christ using the Greek word “doulos” which is better translated slave.
a. There were over 60 million slaves in the Roman Empire in the first century.
b. Slaves were viewed as property rather than people.
c. Paul shows that he became a slave by choice out of his loving devotion for Christ.
3. Paul showed that he was handpicked as an apostle by Jesus.
a. Other places Paul stated that he did not deserve this call because of his past.
b. When you link the calling to him viewing himself as a slave you see Paul’s view that this calling was inescapable.
4. Paul believed that God had set him apart from birth for the work of proclaiming the Gospel.
B. Paul shows that the Gospel was not an afterthought but a part of God’s plan from the very beginning.
1. The Gospel is rooted in the way that he dealt with mankind throughout history.
2. The Old Testament clearly points to a time where it would be fulfilled.
a. Jeremiah spoke of a new covenant that God would make with His people.
b. From the book of Genesis through the prophets one can clearly see God preparing the way for this new covenant.
3. This Gospel that Paul proclaims is available and made a reality through Jesus Christ.
4. Paul focuses on the unique dual nature of Jesus.
a. He was fully human as a descendant of David.
b. He was divine because of being God’s Son from the very beginning.
C. Paul examines the call that God has put on the believer’s life.
1. God’s love mankind caused Him to call us to be saints.
2. When God extends this call to people, they have the choice of whether or not they will respond and accept the call.
3. The word “holy” or “saint” refers to the fact that a person has been set apart by God for a special relationship with Him.
4. We have been purchased by Jesus Christ. So like Paul we are His slaves because we have chosen to accept the call.
II. Understanding how the Gospel relates to the world.
A. The proclamation of the Gospel has a profound effect on the world around us.
1. Like the Greek civilization the Romans Empire was known for its lack of moral restraint and for the promotion of immorality.
2. The Roman Christians living their faith out in the capital of the empire would have a very profound effect.
a. Their faith and behavior would clearly be in opposition to the way the culture lived.
b. They would serve as encouragement to other Christians because of the fact they were a thriving congregation in the heart of the enemies territory.
3. Paul prayed constantly for the Christians in Rome and the reports of their strong faith were an answer to his prayers.
4. The Romans’ faith was so strong and unique Paul expressed his gratitude to God for it.
B. The Gospel not only has the power to change the individual but the world around them as well.
1. A growing church in a city that opposes the Gospel was amazing and served as a testimony to the life changing power of the Gospel.
2. Everything happening in Rome excited Paul and made the desire to share with Roman Christians grow stronger and stronger.
3. Paul realized spending time with these faithful Christians would encourage him as well as encouraging them.
4. Paul realized that regardless of how strong one’s faith is, there is always room for growth. He had the deep desire to take them to the Roman Christians to the next level.
III. Understanding Paul’s view of the Gospel.
A. The definition of Gospel as Paul viewed it.
1. Paul believed the very definition of Gospel explained why a person would risk everything to live out their faith.
2. The Greek word for Gospel actually means “good news” or “glad tidings.” The word carries a sense of excitement with it.
3. Paul viewed the Gospel as the greatest news ever announce to the world and was not ashamed to share this news with every person that crossed his path.
4. Paul viewed the Gospel as telling the whole story of Jesus Christ and the salvation that is available through Him.
B. The power that Paul saw contained within the Gospel.
1. Paul used the Greek word “dynamis” which is translated power to describe the Gospel. The word refers to something that has the ability to accomplish something.
2. In the proclamation of the Gospel Paul believed that very power of God was at work transforming the hearts of people.
3. The Gospel is not weak or ineffective; it unleashes God’s power which can accomplish anything.
4. The late evangelist Dwight L. Moody commented that the gospel is like a lion. All the preacher has to do is to open the door of the cage and get out of the way!
5. This power works in the lives of the hearers whenever the Gospel message is shared.
C. Paul in no way believes the Gospel is passive, he believes that it will always accomplish something.
1. The Gospel has the ability to open the door to salvation. Salvation actually means to bring about soundness or wholeness.
2. The term salvation actually refers to a very broad concept. It refers to more than just the forgiveness of sins.
a. It implies the restoration of all that has been damaged by sin.
b. It refers to man’s relationship with God being restored.
3. The message of the Gospel is not what saves us but the Gospel alerts us to our condition before God and shows that Christ has provided way to save us from our sinful condition.
4. Salvation is available to everyone but it all depends on one’s willingness to accept the message.
IV. Understanding how to allow the Gospel to change our lives.
A. As Christians we need to learn what it means to live by faith.
1. Faith is living with unconditional trust in God but it is so much more.
2. As Paul writes this he is quoting the prophet Habakkuk. So he is presented the Hebrew concept of faith which also included unconditional obedience.
3. Since we are made righteous before God through Jesus Christ it makes sense that faith would require both trust and obedience.
4. When a Christian lives by faith they will enjoy fullness in their earthly life as well as the promise of eternal life.
B. We need to understand the risks associated with living out our faith.
1. If we truly live out our faith we need to expect that people will sometimes make our lives miserable.
2. Faith is not a private matter. God expects us to put our faith on public display.
3. The Gospel is effectively preached without words every time a believer wholeheartedly lives out their faith.
4. Why take the risk? Faith justifies us, saves us and provides us with a purpose and a new life.
C. Our eternal fate depends on how we choose to respond to the message of the Gospel.
1. The Gospel is God’s final call for mankind to return to Him and like any call it demands action.
2. We cannot be indifferent to the Gospel message. We either accept it or we reject it. There is no other choice.
3. We do not deserve salvation but we receive it through God’s grace. He has chosen to give us what we do not deserve.
4. God has done all the work now the rest is up to each of us.
Closing:
In 1515, Martin Luther went from a man of torment to a man of great faith because of the book of Romans. John Bunyan in 1653, John Wesley in 1738, and Karl Barth in 1918 were never the same after they studied the book of Romans. These are but a few men who led great spiritual movements which left their marks on world history.
