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                      "THE EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS"

                  Not Ashamed Of The Gospel (1:14-17)

INTRODUCTION

1. As Paul began his grand epistle to the Romans, he wrote of his desire
   to see them...
   a. His diligent prayers toward that end - Rom 1:9-10
   b. His desire to encourage them through mutual edification - Rom 1:11-12
   c. His plans to come, that he might have some fruit among them - Rom 1:13

2. His desire to see them was related to the gospel...
   a. Which he served as an apostle of Christ - Rom 1:1
   b. The good news concerning Jesus - Rom 1:3
   c. Of which he was not ashamed - Rom 1:16

3. Are we ever ashamed of the gospel of Christ...?
   a. Embarrassed to tell others about Jesus?
   b. Could this be a reason why many are not active in personal
      evangelism?

[Perhaps by examining how and why Paul was not ashamed of the gospel, we
might be more diligent in our efforts to share the good news of Jesus
Christ...]

I. PAUL WAS NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL

   A. HOW HE WAS NOT ASHAMED...
      1. He felt obligated to preach the gospel to everyone
         a. To Greeks and barbarians (non-Greeks), to wise and unwise
            - Rom 1:14
         b. His obligation, partly due to the favor God had shown him - 1 Cor 15:9-19;
            1Ti 1:12-14
      2. He was ready to preach the gospel in Rome
         a. Whatever opportunity was given him, he would take it! - Rom 1:15
         b. Even though his preference was to preach where Jesus had not
            been proclaimed before - Rom 15:20
      -- Paul showed that he was not ashamed by his willingness and
         preparedness to preach the gospel anytime and anywhere!

   B. WHY HE WAS NOT ASHAMED...
      1. It is the power of God to salvation
         a. For everyone who believes, both Jew and Greek (Gentiles)
            - Rom 1:16
         b. For it tells of Christ, the power of God and wisdom of God
            - 1 Co 1:23-24
      2. It reveals the righteousness of God in salvation
         a. How the just shall live by faith - Rom 1:17
         b. How God is both just and the justifier of those who believe
            in Jesus - Ro 3:21-26
      -- Because of its power and message, Paul was not ashamed to
         preach the gospel to anyone willing to listen!

[From Paul, then, we should note several reasons why...]

II. WE SHOULD NOT BE ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL

   A. THE GOSPEL REMAINS THE SAME...
      1. It is still God's power to save
         a. The power to produce faith in the hearts of those who hear
            it - Rom 10:17
         b. The power to produce fruit in those who hear and know the
            truth - Col 1:5-6
      2. It still reveals God's righteousness in salvation
         a. How Jesus died for our sins - 1 Cor 15:1-4
         b. How we can receive remission of our sins in Jesus through
            faith, repentance, and baptism - Acts 2:36-38; Acts 22:16
      -- The passing of time has not weakened the power and message of
         the gospel of Christ!

   B. THE NEED REMAINS THE SAME...
      1. Souls are in need of salvation
         a. All have sinned - Rom 3:23
         b. The wages of sin is death - Rom 6:23
      2. Both wise and foolish, both near and afar
         a. Jesus is still the only way to the Father - Jn 14:6
         b. His gospel still needs to be preached to every creature - Mk 16:15-16
      -- The passing of time has not lessened the need or scope of the
         gospel of Christ!

[From the example of Paul, we can know the proper attitude and conduct
of..]

III. THOSE NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL

   A. WILL FEEL A SENSE OF OBLIGATION...
      1. To God who saved them
         a. Are we not thankful for what God has done for us?
         b. Will this not affect how we live our lives? - cf. Gal 2:20
      2. To those who are lost
         a. Are we not concerned about their eternal destiny should they
            die in their sins?
         b. Will this not move us to do something? - cf. 2 Cor 5:11
      -- Those not ashamed of the gospel will feel an obligation similar
         to Paul's - Rom 1:14

   B. WILL MAKE THEMSELVES READY...
      1. To share the gospel as they have opportunity
         a. If uncertain what to say, they will learn it (even relearn
            it) - cf. 1 Pe 3:15; Heb 5:12
         b. They will not rest until they have found some method, aids,
            or tools, whereby they can communicate the gospel to others
         c. Then they will be looking for "open doors" to teach others
            - cf. 1 Cor 3:5
      2. To spread the gospel as they have opportunity
         a. They may not be in a position to go, but they can still send
            - cf. Rom 10:14-15; 3 Jn 5-8
         b. They may not be in a position to teach, but they can still
            invite - e.g., Acts 10:24; Ac 10:33
         c. Then they will be looking for "open doors" to send - e.g.,
            Philippians 4:15-16
      -- Those not ashamed of the gospel will make themselves ready like
         Paul - Rom 1:15

CONCLUSION

1. Are you ashamed of the gospel of Christ?  You may be, if you are
   not...
   a. Doing anything to share the gospel yourself
   b. Involved in helping others to spread the gospel

2. You have no reason to be ashamed, it is still the same gospel!
   a. With power to save the souls of men
   b. Revealing the wonderful righteousness of God to save men

May we never be ashamed of the gospel, or of Jesus Himself...

   "For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and
   sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when
   He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels." (Mk 8:38)

   "Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but
   let him glorify God in this matter." (1 Pe 4:16)

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