Preaching Unashamedly Because of the Gospel

Romans 1:11-17

I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong – that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles. 

I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish.  That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.  For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed – a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

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Paul’s reason for wanting to be in Rome is two-fold: his desire to impart and receive spiritual gifts for the purpose of edification, and his desire to preach the gospel to those in Rome.  I like how he is straight up – he is truthful in that he wants to visit them so that he can be with them and encourage as well as be encouraged, but he also wants to be there because he knows that the harvest is ripe and ready for the “power of God” to bring salvation. 

                  That changes everything about “preaching.”  In my limited viewpoint it has often been about me getting up on stage and convincing people to change their lives somehow – but for Paul, as it should be for everyone, it was about allowing the power of God to work through him and bring salvation to those who believe. 

                  And it is all about the righteousness of God being revealed.  I have got to believe that people are not satisfied with their dirty lives – I know that I am not and that I struggle with it every day.  Why would the mess satisfy those students who are too cool for school?  Under the covering, I know they have to hate it and want out.  I know that I did – even though I probably didn’t realize it until after the fact.  There is a certain level of self-awareness that must take place. 

                  It is about learning righteousness and faith.  Living by faith – that is how the righteous do it. 

:My goal::Our goal:

to preach the gospel unashamedly – and to live by faith.

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