Gospel

The Power of Gospel (Rom. 1:1-13, 16-17) The Life/World Changing Influence of Paul’s Letter to the Romans Martin Luther discovered forgiveness of his sins in the Paul’s message to the Romans. Luther said every Christian should memorize Romans and meditate on it every day. John Calvin claimed that understanding Romans opens the door to understanding the rest of the Bible. John Wesley said that Romans led him into a life changing relationship with Christ. The Gospel The Greek word translated "gospel" here is the word euangelion, which is were we get our words evangelist and evangelism. This word was used to describe "good news" or "glad tidings" when something really exciting took place The word is used 76 times in the New Testament, and it goes back to the very first sermon of Jesus himself at Matt. 4:23, where it is written that “ … he went throughout the whole of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the good news of the kingdom …”. This is the same word the angel of the Lord used to calm the fears of the shepherds at his announcement of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:10-11). The Power of the Gospel There are six Greek words in the New Testament that are translated “power”. The word found in Romans 1:16 is dunamis; from which we get our word, “dynamite”. Power to do what? Power to change (contrast: Jeremiah 13:23) Power to save (Rom. 1:16) He that believes will be saved (Mark 16:16, Rom. 10:9-10) What is the “dynamite” message of the gospel? (Isa. 53:5-6) In the Gospel we see a righteousness from God centered in His Son, who died on the Cross as the sacrifice for our sins. We must see that Christ is righteousness and that He imparts His righteousness to us if we believe in and accept His sacrifice.

Ashamed of the Gospel? Faith in the Gospel is often thought of by non-Christians as a crutch for the weak minded and a relic from premodern life. (1 Cor. 1:18)

In Luke 9:26 & Mark 8:38, Christ told his hearers that those who are ashamed of Him in this world will discover that He will be ashamed in the next (see also Heb. 10:38) How do we overcome fear & “shame”? By recognizing/remembering the power of the Gospel to change & to save (Rom. 1:16-17) By praying for one another, sharing our spiritual gifts with one another and encouraging one another’s faith (Rom. 1:9-12) By relying on the Holy Spirit to work in an through us (1 Pe. 1:12) By walking by faith instead of sight (2 Cor. 5:6-7) The Gospel will be preached in all the earth before the end (Matt. 24:14, Mark 13:10) Living by Faith The righteous one shall live by faith (Rom:1-17, Hab. 2:4, Gal. 3:11, Heb. 10:38, see also Matt. 6:33) What does it mean in practical, everyday terms to live by faith? Faith is the assured expectation of things hoped for, the evident demonstration of realties though not beheld (Heb. 11:1, several testimonies to faith in this chapter!) The basic idea of faith is trust — our English word “faith” comes from the Latin fidere = to trust (cf. confide, confidential, fidelity, infidel, infidelity). The New Testament usage of pistis (faith) refers to belief in the truthfulness of God (Acts 8:12) Our acceptance of the truth of God is based upon solid evidence of His credibility (Tit. 1:2) But more than the intellect must be involved in faith (James 2:19) We demonstrate our faith by our works (James 2:18) Our faith will be rewarded (Rom. 10:11) There is incredible power in sincere faith (Matt. 17:20, 21:21) Without faith it is impossible to please God. Will Christ find faith upon the earth when he returns? (Luke 18:8)