Why Do We Preach The Gospel?

Title: “Getting the Gospel Right III: Why Preach the Gospel?” Script: Rom. 1:14-17

Type: Series Where: GNBC 1-25-21

Intro: How many times have you heard a master of ceremonies say, “And now it is my pleasure to introduce to you a man who needs no introduction …”? Why are the longest introductions often for those who “need no introduction”? My father in law tells story of famous missionary, Dr. Paul Gibaour, who came and spoke at his German Baptist Church when a teen in Chicago in the 1940’s. Into went on for nearly 30 minutes! Dr. Gibaour came to pulpit: With great solemnity, read the passage, raised his hands: “God bless you. Let’s pray!” A good introduction accomplishes important tasks. It arouses the interest of the audience. It can also build a relationship between the speaker and his audience. This is important if the speaker is not well-known by his audience. The introduction can also acquaint us with the speaker’s message and his method so that we can follow him as he speaks. That’s Paul goal in these first 17 verses.

Prop: Examining Rom. 1:14-17 we’ll see 3 Reasons Why Christians are to Preach the Gospel.

BG: 1. Paul wrote Romans in 57 AD from Corinth. Emperor Nero was 19yrs. Not yet persecuting.

2. Romans is the clearest, most systematic presentation of doctrine in the NT.

3. The “big idea” of the letter is “The Gospel”.

Prop: Let’s examine Rom. 1:14-17 so as to see 3 Reasons Why We Should Preach the Gospel.

I. 1st Reason: The Admission: We Are Under Obligation v. 14

A. The 1st Reason we see is Paul stated he was under obligation to Preach.

1. Paul clearly realized he had a duty, a responsibility to herald the Gospel.

a. “I am under obligation” v. 14 – ophilitace- an ower. An indebted person. (Illust: Hope you all enjoyed your $600 stimulus checks. It will cost your children $5k to pay back!) Have you ever had a mortgage or a car loan? Monthly obligation to bank or mortgage company. May want to go on trip, or out to eat, or purchase extra items, however, in back of your mind you know you first need to have your monthly obligations covered first. Why? Because you owe it! Paul owed a debt, a debt of gratitude to Jesus. He had an obligation to fulfill and that’s why he preached the Gospel.

b. Why did Paul owe a debt to both Romans and Barbarians? Did he have an unpaid bill? Meal? Had ordered some Italian shoes or suits? No! He had come to Christ. Received grace from Christ. Owed a debt to God. Illust: Do you pay your debts? As long as there are those who have not heard we have a debt to the lost. Wonderful old hymn declares this truth: “O to grace how great a debtor daily I’m constrained to be!”

2. Paul stated he was under obligation to 2 Groups.

a. Group 1 – Greeks and Barbarians v. 14a. Washington, DC, is the 1st capitol to be considered a swamp. Rome was a cesspool of vile behavior and immorality. Rome was sin on steroids. We will see next week. Rome was a city of idolatry. It was arrogant. It was the Empire’s center of perversion. One commentator called Rome “the clogged toilet” of morality. Greeks were wise, sophisticated elites. Barbarians – barbarous – play on words – babbles, Couldn’t speak properly to the cultured ears of the elites.. Hicks of the Empire. Looked down on.

b. Group 2 – Wise and foolish v. 14b. Wise- philosophers. Foolish – Barbarians. Paul realized the Gospel has a soul saving message for every group of people the world may ask to divide us into. That’s why the world hates and fears the Gospel. World seeks division, oppression, and slavery, The Gospel brings freedom.

B. As followers of Christ you and I are under obligation to Preach the Gospel.

1. You and I have a duty to herald the Gospel. Look at the verse again. Paul said “I am” under obligation.” He was indicating that he was presently under obligation. You and I are too as long as we are alive. Right now where you are Christian. You and I are obliged to share Christ.

2. The modern Christian is under obligation to engage the culture with the message of Xst.

a. Today we don’t necessarily designate the world into Greeks and Barbarians, however, we certainly to still have “the wise and the foolish” v. 14b.

b. In every culture and every historical time period the Gospel has confronted the culture. During the years of Christ’s ministry, it challenged the mistreatment of the poor. During the Reformation, it drove Martin Luther to condemn the selling of indulgences. During the late 1700s, it inspired William Wilberforce to abolish the slave trade. Today the Gospel confronts the evils of abortion, gender confusion, societal hopelessness. It directly condemns the heresies of Critical Race Theory, Intersectionality, with a true definition of sin and salvation. The message of Christ’s redemptive love and free gift of forgiveness for all has been the force behind centuries of social change. Christians who understand the implications of this gospel can’t help but find ways to apply its principals as they live and work in secular society.