Paul's Epistles Part 3 – Romans - I am not Ashamed

Paul's Epistles

Part 3 – Romans - I am not Ashamed

Pastor Bruce A. Shields

House of Faith Church | www.PS127.org | www.TruthDigest.org

INTRODUCTION

We are going to look at the Epistles of Paul in this series of sermons.

The Epistles written by Paul are Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon and Hebrews.

We have already looked at who Paul was,

Last week we discussed our faith being reported around the world.

Today we will take a look at Romans 1:14-17. I am not Ashamed of the Gospel.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE

Romans 1:14-17  

 ¹⁴ I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. ¹⁵ That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.

¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. ¹⁷ For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

Do you feel a sense of desire, or need to share the Gospel with those around you?

Are you compelled to help others with the wisdom of scripture, or need to build a bridge for them to cross from their lost lives into the hand of our Father in heaven?

Are you eager to show, or explain to others how God saved you from sin?

Or are you ashamed of the power of God which saved you, and fear speaking of Him or His plan to others?

We have an obligation to share the truth of the Gospel, and a command from Christ to do so. We need not be ashamed of the power of God which saved us, millions before us, and perhaps millions more, if we fulfill our duty to God!

I.                   I AM OBLIGATED OR IN DEBT TO

a.      Paul says he is obligated, or in debt to the Greeks.

                                                             i.      Paul considered himself to be under obligation.

                                                          ii.      He said, "I am a debtor."

b.     Paul says he is in debt to the non-Greeks.

                                                             i.      This does not mean he preached because of this debt and he did not truly care for the souls of the lost.

                                                          ii.      We can see in Romans 10:1 that he does care.

                                                       iii.      However, Paul lived according to a deep sense of obligation, and that is expressed here in this language, "I am a debtor."

c.      Paul says he is in debt to the wise as well as the foolish.

                                                             i.      As an apostle of Christ, as a Christian, and a caring human being, he considered himself under obligation to preach the gospel.

d.     In other words, Paul is in debt, or obligated to all people, whoever they may be, and wherever they might be.

                                                             i.      Paul was fully committed to this work to his full capacity. He said, "as much as is in me." To the limits of his ability and according to every opportunity afforded him, he intended to preach the gospel.

                                                          ii.      Likewise, we should pay our debt to the full extent of our ability.

II.               THAT IS WHY I AM EAGER TO SHARE THE GOSPEL

a.      Do you see, or feel your obligation?

                                                             i.      There was this necessity laid upon him to preach the gospel. It should be no different with each one of us.

                                                          ii.      The same underlying attitude of obligation should characterize every child of God. Not just full-time preachers, but each one of us should live out this debt to preach the gospel.

b.     Do you discriminate between who you are willing to share the Gospel with?

                                                             i.      Paul's efforts were not limited by class.

                                                          ii.       In Roman society there were these classifications: "Greeks" and "Barbarians." Also there some considered "wise" and others "unwise." Paul considered himself obligated to all!

                                                       iii.      In our society there are also a variety of classifications according to income, education, race, age and worldly standards. In preaching the gospel we ought to ignore all of this, and consider ourselves obligated to preach to everybody the unsearchable riches of Christ.

Matthew 28:18-20 " ¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."

c.      Are you eager to share?

                                                             i.      This means each one must use the Word of God and prayer to assess himself and determine, what can I do? and then get up every day and work toward the payment of the debt in full, "as much as is in me."

                                                          ii.      Paul was ready to preach the gospel. You cannot wait until the world is ready!

1.      You cannot wait until someone brings up the subject, or asked to be baptized.

2.      You certainly cannot wait until after your friend or neighbor has died. 

3.      We should be ready now to preach the gospel.

2 Timothy 4:2 "Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction."

III.            I AM NOT ASHAMED OF IT

a.      "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes:"

                                                             i.      If you are not sharing with all, is it because you are ashamed?

b.     If you are not eager, have you lost zeal, or is it because you are ashamed?

                                                             i.      Either way, the Lord has an answer for you!

1.      Galatians 4:18 "It is good to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always, not just when I am with you."

2.      Titus 2:11-14 " ¹¹ For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. ¹² It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, ¹³ while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, ¹⁴ who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good."

3.      Romans 10:11 "As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”

c.      Do not be ashamed of the power of God which brought you to Salvation.

                                                             i.      Some may think you're mad, but that's OK, the lost often thought Paul was mad.

1.      Acts 26:24 "At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.”

                                                          ii.      Why do the lost think you are mad?

1.      John 3:3 "Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again."

2.      John 8:47 "Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God."

d.     The Righteousness of God is revealed in your faith.

                                                             i.      Meaning, the Righteousness of God is revealed when you share the Gospel in faith with ALL people, regardless of whom or where they are.

                                                          ii.      The Righteousness of God is revealed when you show in faith your eagerness to pay the debt you owe to the lost.

                                                       iii.      Finally, the Righteousness of God is revealed when you show in faith that you are not ashamed of the power of God unto Salvation to every one who believes!

                                                         iv.      Romans 1:17b "...It is written, the just shall live by faith."

Righteousness by faith is no new idea, but found in the prophets.

Habakkuk 2:4 ~ "See, the enemy is puffed up; his desires are not upright—but the righteous person will live by his faithfulness—"

CONCLUSION

We must recognize that as followers of Christ, we have been commanded by the Lord, all of us, not just preachers, to share the Gospel of Salvation with ALL people!

We must also be eager in doing so, not losing our Zeal or becoming ashamed of the power of God which saved us, and can save others.

Do not be ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God, saving the lost, and freeing them from the bondage of sin.

Want to learn more about Salvation and Getting Saved?    CLICK HERE!