The power of the gospel

Tonight we begin a verse by verse study of the book of Romans (this evening - Romans 1:1-17).

I am really looking forward to it. 

The theme of the book of Romans wraps itself around one word.  Gospel.  Not any gospel but THE Gospel.

Paul writes in Romans 1:16, "For 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."

Let's unpack this wonderful verse.

The Gospel is power!

The Greek word is dunamis, from which we get the English words "dynamic," "dynamo," and "dynamite."

The Gospel contains the dynamic power of God.  That's why Paul said that he wasn't ashamed or felt the need to apologize for coming to Rome (the New York City of that day).

He knew that in the Gospel, there is a power that can overwhelm anything that comes against it.

It today's preaching culture, it is popular to use videos and drama to partner with the Word of God so that the message is relevant and easily assimilated. 

I get that.  In fact, I am for that.  In fact, further still, I have done that and will continue to do that.

But at the end of the day, there is nothing like the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Word of God found in both the Old and New Testaments.  There is power in the Word!

Notice this:  It is the power of God for salvation.

Only the Gospel can save sinners.  Not science, not education, not religion, not moral reformation, not a change in political party, not fame or fortune.  Only the Gospel saves sinners.

It has the power to forgive us for our sins (past), give us new life (in the present) and launch us into heaven (for eternity - in the future).

Notice this:  It is the power to save those who believe. 

Who what?  Who believe - or those who make a personal commitment, to trust by an act of the will.

By the very nature of its power, the Gospel always demands some kind of response.  A personal response. 

We can't just internalize it or read it like a great novel.  We must respond to it one way or another.

I often say that if a person is not changed in worship, they have not truly worshipped.  The thought just occurred to me that if I am not changed in some way as I read the Word, I have not truly read the Word.  The Word will always convict or encourage or challenge us in some way.

Notice this:   It is the power to save those who believe, to the Jew first and then to the Gentile.  The gospel is for everyone.

Now then, does that mean all the Jews must be saved before Gentiles can be saved?  No.  He's talking about chronology not importance or priority. 

God gave the message first to thew Jews, his chosen people, and they were to spread it around.  Why were the Jews called the "chosen people"? 

God chose one nation to be the missionaries to the world.  They were chosen to spread the gospel.  But the Jews blew it!

They took the good news of a relationship to God and they didn't share it.

They kept it to themselves.  God turned to Plan B - the Church.  He sent Jesus Christ to die for us.  Now the Gospel belongs to everybody no matter what your skin color, family background, religious preference, sexual orientation, race, education, age, income or moral degradation.  No matter how much you have "sinned" the Gospel can be for you!

Let me leave you with this - why not share that Gospel with someone today?

Just a thought for a Wednesday.