Go! And Be Unashamed - Romans 1:16
Opening Prayer
Gracious and almighty God,
As we open Your Word today, speak clearly into our hearts. Stir our affections for Jesus. Embolden us by Your Spirit to live unashamed of the Gospel. May we leave here transformed—renewed in our love for Christ, strengthened in our commitment to His mission, and ready to proclaim His saving power to the world. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Introduction: The Power We Cannot Afford to Hide
There are things in life we can afford to keep private. Our bank details. Our Netflix passwords. Even what we had for dinner last night. But there is one thing that should never be hidden, silenced, or shied away from—it’s the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
Our key text today is Romans 1:16 (NLT): “For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.”
Paul is writing to the believers in Rome, a city filled with political might, religious pluralism, and social stratification. Yet in the midst of that cultural pressure, Paul boldly declares, “I am not ashamed!” Let’s unpack why.
Point 1: The Gospel Is the Power of God
Let’s begin with the Greek word for “power”—d??aµ?? (dunamis)—from which we get the word dynamite. Paul is saying the Gospel isn’t just a message; it is explosive, supernatural, divine power at work.
The Gospel isn’t advice. It’s not a self-help method. It’s not a motivational speech. The Gospel is God’s saving action—through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection—bringing dead hearts to life.
1 Corinthians 1:18 (NLT): “The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.”
In Corinth, a Greek cultural hub, people prized intellectualism and eloquent speech. The idea of a crucified Saviour sounded absurd! Yet Paul affirms: this “foolish” message is where God’s power truly lies.
John Piper wrote: “The Gospel is not a help-wanted ad. It’s a help-available ad. God is not recruiting for assistants but rescuing sinners.”
Amen! We are not co-pilots with God—we are the rescued passengers on a plane going down, saved by His sheer grace.
Point 2: The Gospel Is for Everyone Who Believes
Romans 1:16 continues: “…saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.”
This isn’t just about ethnicity or chronology—it’s about universality. From the religious to the rebellious, from synagogue to street corner, the Gospel is for all.
Acts 4:12 (NLT): “There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”
Peter and John boldly proclaimed this in Jerusalem after healing a man at the temple gate. They weren’t whispering this truth—they were declaring it before religious leaders who had the power to imprison or kill them!
The word “saved” here is s?t???a (soteria)—meaning deliverance, rescue, safety, and health. It carries the full sense of spiritual, eternal salvation through Christ alone.
Tim Keller once said: “The Gospel is this: We are more sinful and flawed than we ever dared believe, yet more loved and accepted in Christ than we ever dared hope.”
What a glorious truth! That no matter your background, past, or present, salvation is available through faith in Christ.
Point 3: The Gospel Calls for Boldness, Not Shame
Why does Paul emphasise being “unashamed”? Because in Roman culture—just like in ours—the message of the cross was offensive. It undermined human pride. It exposed our sin. It called for repentance. And it lifted up a crucified Saviour.
2 Timothy 1:7–8 (NLT): “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord.”
We are tempted to be silent. To soften the message. To avoid discomfort. But the Gospel calls for courage.
The Underground Church
A young believer in North Korea, discovered with a smuggled Bible, was sentenced to a labour camp. When asked why she risked everything, she said, “Because I found the truth in Christ, and the truth set me free—even in chains.”
Friends, may we never take for granted what others suffer to proclaim. If she can stand unashamed under threat of death, surely we can stand boldly in our freedom!
Charles Stanley once said: “Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.”
That’s not reckless—it’s faithful. It’s trusting that the One who saved us will sustain us as we speak for Him.
Point 4: The Gospel Must Be Proclaimed
Romans 1:16 implies proclamation. You can’t be unashamed of something you never talk about! The Gospel must be shared—with our lips and our lives.
Romans 10:13–15 (NLT): “For ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ But how can they call on him unless they believe in him? And how can they believe... unless they hear? And how will they hear unless someone tells them?”
God has chosen to spread the Gospel through us—ordinary people with an extraordinary message.
The Lighthouse Keeper
A man was in charge of maintaining a lighthouse on a rocky coast. He ran out of oil one night and didn’t refill the lamp. Several ships crashed and lives were lost. When questioned, he sobbed, “I didn’t mean to hide the light. I just didn’t think it mattered that night.”
Church, we are keepers of the light. Don’t let fear, apathy, or distraction dim the flame. Someone’s soul may depend on your faithfulness to share.
R.T. Kendall observed: “The greatest tragedy is a Gospel that is not shared. It’s like hiding oxygen from those gasping for air.”
And make no mistake—our world is gasping. Drowning in sin. Suffocating in despair. Only Jesus saves.
The Gospel Presentation: Jesus Christ—Our Hope, Our Life
Here is the Good News:
Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, lived a sinless life.
He willingly died on the cross in our place, paying the penalty for our sins.
He was buried, and on the third day, He rose again in victory over sin and death.
Through faith in Him, anyone—yes, anyone—can be forgiven, redeemed, and made new.
Ephesians 2:8–9 (NLT) reminds us: “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.”
Salvation is not about being good enough. It’s about trusting the One who was good for us. His name is Jesus.
Call to Action: Go! And Be Unashamed
Believers: Go and proclaim the Gospel. Share your testimony. Speak truth. Be bold. Be unashamed.
Seekers: Come to Jesus today. He knows you, loves you, died for you, and calls you to Himself.
Invitation to Salvation:
If you know today that you’ve never fully surrendered your life to Christ, do not delay. The Gospel is God’s power to save—if you believe.
Pray this from your heart:
Lord Jesus, I believe You are the Son of God. I know I am a sinner and cannot save myself. I trust in Your death and resurrection for my salvation. Forgive me, make me new, and help me to follow You. I give You my life. Amen.
Benediction
May the boldness of Christ dwell in you.
May the truth of the Gospel ignite your heart.
May the Spirit empower you to speak and live without shame.
And may you go from this place with joy, knowing that the power of God is at work in you and through you—for His glory.
In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.
