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. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. (Romans 1:16-17)
This has been quite a week. While some have seen pagan rituals and practices contrary to the faith, others have seen great hope for the cause of Christ as they view the history of the church.
Today, we are gathered to celebrate Homecoming, 2006. What is the purpose of Homecoming? For some it is the only time of year they will grace the house of the Lord and then it is because of some sense of familial duty and not out of reverence to the Lord.
For others, it is a time of meeting with friends and family. A time when fellowship is had and a wonderful meal enjoyed. However, if this is our sole purpose today then we are in grave error.
Then for others, this is a time of commemoration, to remember those who founded the local body, those who helped to define the faith and those who left us during the year. It is with thankfulness to God that we come and remember.
This morning, I would like for us to think about who we are as Christians. For the faith we practice is very different from what the church of the 1400’s and 1500’s was practicing. Some things have changed based upon the technological advances; however, some changes were needed from a doctrinal stance.
The text we read this morning is instrumental to what is known as the Reformation of the church. Journey with me if you will to the 1500’s. The pope is involved in a massive building program, but monies are running short. In order to fund the building project the pope authorizes the sell of indulgencies.
Now, in our twenty-first century mindset, we cannot understand how it is that someone would buy such a thing. But, times were different, people were far more superstitious than today. Furthermore, the only scripture they had was written in Latin and many of the priests themselves no longer understood the readings.
There is a small man who is searching diligently for God. He finds himself teaching in Wittenberg. In order for him to excise the metaphorical demons that are plaguing him, he has been assigned to teach theology. In preparation to teach class, this professor finds a key text in Romans and the light of the Reformation was birthed.
Of course, you know that the young Reformer was none other than Martin Luther. Martin Luther was the right man, in the right place at the right time. The Reformation had its beginnings far earlier than Luther, but with the invention of the printing press and the fire within Luther, the Reformation process was firmly entrenched. This past Tuesday, we remember October 31, 1517, as the day in which Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-Five Theses to the door of the church and from there Christendom has never been the same.
With this background, let us look that key text.
I. For I am not ashamed of the gospel.
This portion of Paul’s letter to the Romans in many cases is the rallying cry of many Christians. We openly and firmly declare that we are not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ – when in church. Together we are unified and together we stand.
However, there comes a time when we must leave the company of fellow believers and venture into the world. It is then and only then that we prove whether we are ashamed of the Gospel or not. For you see, the world has no regards for the message of Jesus. In most aspects they will grant us the historicity of Jesus, but the claim that he is the Son of God seem preposterous.
The teaching and preaching of Jesus and his sacrifice is a stumbling block for some, but for the majority of the world, it is mere foolishness. It is therefore incumbent upon us that we be not ashamed of the Gospel.
However, in many instances we fail. For we are ashamed of the Gospel when we allow course jokes to be told in front of us, we are ashamed of the gospel when we allow tax dollars to fund blasphemous art, we are ashamed of the gospel when we fail to take a stand for the rights and liberties secular texts have given us in regards to our ability to worship privately or publicly. When we fail to take a stand against all sorts of bigotry and prejudices then we are ashamed of the gospel. This morning, as we sit in the facilities that have stood for decades, beneath the banner which reads Free Union Free Will Baptist church, we must ask ourselves, “Are we really not ashamed of the Gospel?”
However, before you answer too quickly, I would encourage you to consider Brother Paul, for he was not ashamed of the gospel and he lived a life rich in blessing, but also of trial. To not be ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ will require that we take a stand both inside and outside of the church which may not be well favored.
II. For it is the power of salvation
Paul states that the gospel of Jesus Christ is powerful, for it is from this good news that salvation is available. The Good News, or Gospel, is simply this, God loved humanity enough, that he sent his only begotten Son to come to earth and to become the sacrifice which was needed to redeem humanity to a holy and righteous God. The Good News is that because of the redemptive act of Calvary, we now have the ability to come into the presence of God the father.
My friends, on this Homecoming morning, if there would be one here today who cannot say that they have asked Jesus to forgive them of their sins, that they are saved from eternal separation from God, on this day, come to this altar and seek the forgiveness of our Lord. Do not put off or delay what God is calling you to today.
Paul was not ashamed of the Gospel, because Paul knew the power of the gospel and the power is to save souls.
III. The just shall live by faith
This in the end is the famous verse of scripture, which stirred Luther’s heart. For until that moment, he was struggling with the scripture, wrestling with the practices of the church and trying to equate and/or justify each. However, as the story goes, Martin Luther read this verse and penned the simple inscription, Sola scriptura, which is Latin for by Scripture alone. At that point, Luther begins to set aside the traditions and practices of the church that are contrary to scripture.
At the Diet of Worms, when asked to deny his writings, Luther reasonably argues that he cannot make full recantation of his writings, because in doing so he would recant some teachings, which even that august group, would approve. Therefore, Luther concludes:
"Unless I am refuted and convicted by testimonies of the Scriptures or by clear arguments (since I believe neither the Pope nor the Councils alone; it being evident that they have often erred and contradicted themselves), I am conquered by the Holy Scriptures quoted by me, and my conscience is bound in the word of God: I can not and will not recant any thing, since it is unsafe and dangerous to do any thing against the conscience."
My friends, we would be remised if we did not speak directly to the passage. First, who are the just? The just are those who have been washed in the blood of the Lamb. The just are those dear saved saints. Anyone who calls upon the name of the Lord as their savior is a redeemed being and are therefore justified in the sight of God.
Being justified means being cleansed in such a manner that when we stand before the holy judge, because of his actions and not our own, we stand as though we had never sinned.
Furthermore, we must then ask how are we to live? We are to live by faith, faith in the risen Savior, faith in a God who loved us enough that he died for us, faith in the one who now sits at the right hand of God the Father, making intercession for you and I.
Again, this is far easier said than done, for the kind of faith which is discussed here is able to set aside the foolishness of the world, is not dependent upon rutuals and trappings of religion. The justified kind of faith is a serving faith and is willing to allow someone else get the credit, so long as God’s will is done. The justified kind of faith does not have to have their way, is willing to be last and as Free Will Baptist, is willing to wash the disciples feet.
This morning, we celebrate homecoming and we have attempted to remember those who have gone before us and to rach back through the centuries and examine some of the issues which caused the church to go through the reformation age.
But my friend, the greatest issue which stands before us today, is what will you do with the person called Jesus? This morning, if there is one here who cannot say they have given their lives to him, would you come and bow before his majesty. Would you come and seek his forgiveness? Would you come and give your heart to him today? This is the greatest celebration we could hold.
Today, maybe you are troubled. Maybe you carry a burden. Would you come to this altar and seek the comfort of the Lord. Would you come and allow him to minister to your heart?
Whatever need you might have or decision you may need to make, this altar is opened for you. Our hymn of invitation is ________, would you come?
