SERMONS

Sunday  21st September 2008

The Gospel of Romans

“I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.” Romans 1:16

 The Gospel is a Message

    1)  A Jesus Message

    2)  A Preached Message

    3)  An Uncomfortable Message

 I) A Jesus Message (2-4)

                     Promised in OT Scriptures (2)

                    Jesus – Son of David, Son of God (3,4)

                    Resurrected from the dead (4)

            The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Mark 1:1

            the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 2 Cor 4:4

                    Not primarily about us, but God’s purposes

                                                            2) A Preached Message (1,5-13)

                 Message needs Messengers

                 Messengers must be called (1,5)

                 Messengers are whole hearted (9-13)

“the gospel must first be preached to all nations.” Mark 13:10

“the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.”  Acts 20:20; Rom 15:6; 1 Cor 9:16

                                                                            A Preached Message

                 An authoritative message

                 A consistent message

                 An understandable message

                 A message to be passed on

What about St Francis, “Preach the gospel at all times, use words if necessary.”?

 In Chapter XVII of his Rule of 1221, Francis told the friars not to preach unless they had received the proper permission to do so. Then he added, “Let all the brothers, however, preach by their deeds.

                                                                         3) An Uncomfortable Message  (14-17)

                 ”not ashamed of the Gospel”

                 Who might be ashamed? Why?

                 How might I be ashamed?

                                                                         1) It exposes our foolishness (21)

                      Message of the cross is foolishness  1 Cor 1:18

                      Beyond finding out (2)

the gospel I preached is not something that man made up. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. Gal 1:11,12

“In the 1960s people rejected the Gospel because they said it wasn’t true. Today they reject it because they say there is no such thing as truth”

                                                                         2) It condemns our unrighteousness (17-18)

“all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Rom 3:23

 Paul’s own righteousness is worthless  Gal 1:13

Sat nav Until we see our need we will not ask for help

                                                                         3) It challenges our pride (14-16)

                 Jew / Gentile hostility

                 Gospel undermined Jewish traditions

                 Who is Gospel for?

There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Gal 3:28

                                                                        4) It emphasises our weakness

                 All we have is a man on a cross

            “he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God's power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God's power we will live with him to serve you.” 2 Cor 13:4

            “the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.” 1 Cor 1:22-29

Rock of Ages

Not the labour of my hands
Can fulfil Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.

                                                                    4) Are you ashamed of the Gospel?

                 Simplicity

                 Universality

                 Uniqueness

                 Divinity

                 Followers

When do you leave Jesus behind?

Jesus not Ashamed

a) Of us and our shame (Gen 3:8-10)   Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. Heb 2:11

He came to take our shame and clothe us with his righteousness

 Jesus not Ashamed

b) Of the cross

            Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Heb 12:2

         Not Ashamed of the Gospel

Public and Passionate

            “of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.”  2 Tim 1:11-12