Scripture: Romans 1:16
Title: “I Have Good News!”
Introduction: It has been said by scholars that the book of Romans is the PRINCIPLE part of the New Testament.
Throughout the centuries this Epistle has been able to furnish the impulse for SPIRITUAL RENEWAL.
When the CHURCH has drifted away from the GOSPEL, a DEEP study of Romans has repeatedly been the MEANS by which the loss has been recovered.
For a long time Paul had planned to visit the Roman church. Paul hoped to get the Roman church to assist him in evangelizing Spain. There had been a lot of controversy concerning Paul’s message. Therefore, Paul wanted to clear up any doubt as to his message. So he writes this letter to Rome.
“Gospel” originally could mean the messenger who carried good news or the good news itself.
Paul’s day term used for official pronouncements declaring such events as the birthday of the emperor or an imperial victory.
I. THE GOSPEL.
a. Paul begins his letter to the Roman church with the words, “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,” (Rom. 1:1)
b. As soon as someone walks into a room and says, “I have good news” that person has the attention of everyone in that room.
c. There is hardly a time in our lives that we couldn’t use some “Good News.” (especially since September 11, 2001)
d. In Paul’s day the term “Gospel” originally could mean the messenger who carried good news or the “Good News” itself.
e. Gospel was a term used for official pronouncements declaring such events as: the “Birthday” of the Emperor or and “Imperial Victory.”
f. Paul’s gospel to the Christians at Rome was “His joyful proclamation of the victory and exaltation of God’s Son, and the following amnesty and liberation from sin which we may enjoy through faith in Christ.”
g. The “Gospel” is the “Good News” of Jesus coming into this world to set mankind FREE from the BONDAGE of SIN through His LIFE, His DEATH, His RESURRECTION, and His ASCENSION to Heaven and the COMING of the Holy Spirit to the Christian Church.
II. I AM NOT ASHAMED (of the Gospel)
a. Paul didn’t want anyone at the Roman church to think because of his delay that he was ASHAMED of the MESSGE of Christ he had been preaching or had CHANGED his mind about what he believed.
b. The GOSPEL Paul was preaching was SUPERIOR to any CHALLENGE sin and the devil could THROW at him.
c. There are a GREAT MANY things that will bring SHAME to a person’s life, but the GOSPEL is not one of them.
d. Even after Christ had been EXAMINED by Pilate he said, “I find no fault in this man.” (Luke 23:4)
e. Paul wrote of the RESULTS of becoming a Christian (the “Fruit” of the Spirit) in the book of Galatians chapter 5 verse 23 “against such there is no law.”
f. There are many things I’m ASHAMED of in my life, but my BELIEF in the GOSPEL is not one of them.
g. I am a member of the fellowship of the unashamed.
h. The “Gospel” is the one and only message that has tremendous power and the one thing that Christians should not be ashamed of.
i. The “GOSPEL” is a message that came from God, and is centered around His Son, Jesus Christ.
III. THE GOSPEL IS THE POWER OF GOD.
a. The story is told of a couple who took their son, 11, and daughter, 7, to Carlsbad Caverns. When the tour reached the deepest point in the cavern, the guide turned off all the lights to dramatize how completely dark and silent it is below the earth’s surface. The little girl, suddenly enveloped in utter darkness, was frightened and began to cry. Immediately was heard the voice of her brother: "Don’t cry. Somebody here knows how to turn on the lights."
In a real sense, that is the message of the gospel: light is available, even when darkness seems overwhelming.
b. There’s a lot of things that has POWER, but none of them can do what the “Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ can do!”
c. Mankind has never developed anything that can remove SIN from a person’s life, but the Gospel can!
d. In the days of Jesus mankind had become very disenchanted with the RELIGION of that time with all of its HEAVY rules and rituals that brought no relief from the BURDENS of LIFE.
Illustration: Fritz Kreisler (1875-1962), the world-famous violinist, earned a fortune with his concerts and compositions, but he generously gave most of it away. So, when he discovered an exquisite violin on one of his trips, he wasn’t able to buy it. Later, having raised enough money to meet the asking price, he returned to the seller, hoping to purchase the beautiful instrument. But to his great dismay it had been sold to a collector. Kreisler made his way to the new owner’s home and offered to buy the violin. The collector said it had become his prized possession and he would not sell it. Keenly disappointed, Kreisler was about to leave when he had an idea. "Could I play the instrument once more before it is consigned to silence?" he asked. Permission was granted, and the great virtuoso filled the room with such heart-moving music that the collector’s emotions were deeply stirred. "I have no right to keep that to myself," he exclaimed. "It’s yours, Mr. Kreisler. Take it into the world, and let people hear it."
e. The “Gospel” is the same! We have no right to keep it to ourselves! It must be displayed to the WORLD by those who know its POWER!
CONCLUSION:
I have Holy Spirit power.
The die has been cast.
I have stepped over the line.
The decision has been made.
I am a disciple of His.
I won’t look back, slow down, back away, or be still.
My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure.
I am finished and done with low living, side walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, same visions, mundane talking, chincy giving, and dwarf goals.
I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, promotions, positions, plaudits, or popularity.
I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, regarded, rewarded, or praised.
I now live by present, lean by faith, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.
My face is set, my gate is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my Guide reliable, my mission is clear.
I cannot be bought, compromised, lured, manipulated, enticed, or bribed.
I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the Adversary, negotiate at the table of the Enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I won’t give up, shut up, or let up until I’ve stayed up, prayed up, and preached for the cause for Christ.
I am a disciple of His.
I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, work till He stops me.
And when He comes back He will have no problem recognizing me.
For I have forgotten all that is in the past, I’m pressing on for the prize, the high calling of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
My colors are clear.
I am a disciple of His!
Can you say, “Amen?” If not will you join me in PRAYER?
