Unashamed - Pt. 2

Sunday Service

Romans 1:16-17

THEME: All of us who call ourselves Christians at one time or another have been intinmidated or embarrased to share the gospel with someone. We know the gospel is often unattractive and even repulsive to unbelievers because it confronts their sin and demands they repent of it. At the same time, it exposes and shatters their self-righteous efforts to earn God's favor. Consequently, the gospel is rarely well-received. So we avoid sharing the gospel with others because we fear being criticized, laughed at, or worst of all shunned. Or perhaps we just want to be embarrassed if they ask us questions or present counter arguments we cannot answer. If there was anyone who might have been gun-shy to share the gospel it would be Paul. He had endured all sorts of persecution and pain for the sake of the gospel. And as he anticipated traveling to Rome, there was no telling what would happen to him when he showed up in what was the most powerful, perverse, [agan city in the world. And yet, rather than being gun-shy about sharing the gospel, Paul was gung-ho for the gospel. In verses 16-17, he explained THREE REASONS we should nebver be ashamed of the gospel.

1. IT IS EFFECTUAL - WHAT IT DOES (v. 16b)

2. IT IS UNIVERSAL - WHO IT DOES IT TO (v. 16c)

3. IT IS RADICAL - HOW IT DOES IT (v. 17)

Thank God for graciously replacing your rancid rags with Christ's righteous robes so you are now presentable before Him. Ask Him to help you not fall back into trusting in your own self-effort to earn His approval. Ask Him to provide you with opportunities to share  the good news about faith-based righteousness with those who have only ever known about a works-based righteousness.