Not Ashamed of the Gospel

“Not Ashamed of the Gospel”
Romans 1:8-17
September 30, 2018

What does God have to say to Christians living in the most powerful empire in the world?

The emperor is not the most powerful person in the world, Jesus is.

The Gospel is the bigger story of what God has done, is doing and will do in the world.

Creation

Godlessness and Wickedness

God Gives Them Over

God Reveals Hope

The Coming of Jesus

The King Is in Place

God’s Patience

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
-2 Peter 3:9

Jesus Revealed and Returns

Judgement and Destruction

Re-creation and Renewal

“But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.”
-2 Peter 3:13

Once we know the bigger story, then we can see where we fit.

If Romans and the Gospel do not speak to those things which occupy my time and attention today, then Romans and the Gospel don’t speak to me.

“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.”
Genesis 1:31

“Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you.”
-Genesis 3:17-18

We live in the midst of a broken world.

As we suffer during this time of God’s patience, we are sharing in the sufferings of Jesus for the sake of others who will come to faith.

“So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel.”
-2 Timothy 1:8

“And 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 Timothy 1:11-12

The Gospel changes the way we see the world.

Can I stand with Paul and say that I am not ashamed of the Gospel because I know it is true?