I can remember as a youngster, arguing with a friend and then being called a name, with the response, “I am not!” only to have them retort, “You are too!” This past week I was listening to a lesson concerning Christ’s journey to the cross and the men who journeyed with Him for some three years. I marvel at Peter’s conviction after Jesus had told them, “all of you will be made to stumble” (Matthew 26:31) and how convinced he was that it would never happen to him, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And, the rest of the disciples shared in the same sentiment (Matthew 26:35). The gospel of John gives details of the events directly after this that are nothing short of gut wrenching. As Jesus is taken to be falsely accused, Peter and another disciple, which many think is John, followed Jesus as He is brought to the high priest (John 18:15). Peter “stood at the door outside” while the other disciple “went with Jesus into the courtyard” (John 18:16). This disciple comes out to get Peter, and the servant girl who kept the door asks him a question, “You are not also one of this Man’s disciples, are you?” (John 18:17). Now inside, warming himself, watching the proceedings and the abuse of his Lord, Peter is suddenly asked again, “You are not also one of His disciples, are you?” (John 18:25). Then, “a servant of the high priest, a relative of him whose ear Peter cut off, said, ‘Did I not see you in the garden with Him?’” (John 18:26). What a gut-wrenching story. Luke tells us that “Peter went out and wept bitterly” (Luke 22:62).
When it comes to the gospel, the claim that there is but one way to the heavenly Father (John 14:6) and by which there is no “other name…by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12), it is rather easy to talk about this amongst ourselves. But when it comes to others around us who desperately need to hear the gospel, that need to come to know the saving grace found in our risen Savior, we hesitate. My neighbor recently came over to my house during our young adult gathering, wanting to learn what we believe. Although nothing really occurred that night, it took me several days before I went to speak to him. Sharing the gospel. What, at least in part, moves us to share it? What causes us to hesitate? Our text today is Romans 1:16.
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ…” (Romans 1:16a)
Shame! It is one of the most powerful motivators we have. It can cause someone to speak up, “I am really sorry for what I did” and it can cause us to turn our backs on someone. The apostle Paul has come to a place of conviction concerning the gospel he once sought to extinguish. I am not ashamed of Christ! You have often heard me quote 2nd Timothy 3:12, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” He knew what he was talking about. His fellow Jewish brethren plotted to kill him (Acts 9:23) and he escaped in a basket down a wall (Acts 9:25). He and Barnabas were expelled from a region (Acts 13:50). He faced being stoned in Iconium (Acts 14:5) and in Lystra was stoned and left for dead (Acts 14:19-20). He was beaten and imprisoned (Acts 16:22-24). Paul would say, “We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now” (1st Corinthians 4:13). Of course, there is more to his story, but this is sufficient to make the point. This man who faced such extraordinary things, did so because he was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. He was convinced it was a story worth telling, a story that needs telling. Why?
“…for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes…” (Romans 1:16b)
The Greek word dunamai means force. This word at times is associated with the miracles recorded in the New Testament (Matthew 11:23). Jesus, when He taught about the resurrection to come spoke of the “power of God” (Matthew 22:29). Paul says that the gospel has the POWER of GOD! One person writes, “A powerful agency put forth by God Himself—the lever, as it were, by which He would move the world.” Still another writes, “It is the efficacious or mighty plan, by which power goes forth to save, and by which all the obstacles of man’s redemption are taken away.” The gospel could reach anyone and do for them what nothing else could do, save their soul. Paul knew this better than most. Once a murderer of those in Christ (Acts 8) and when it came to self-righteousness, he had his ducks in a row (Philippians 3:4-6). But he had come to count it “loss for Christ” (Philippians 3:7), for the righteousness he sought after could only be found through faith in Christ (Philippians 3:9). His conversion is recorded in Acts 9 where we find him coming to believe in Christ.
So, when we read Romans 1:16, we are caused to remember that it is a transformed man who pens these words. A sinful man that became convinced of the good news of Jesus Christ. So convinced, that he endured persecutions beyond what we could imagine, because he was not ashamed of his Savior. Paul knew of the power of the gospel, because it changed him completely. Help us Lord to have such a conviction of the salvation that is found only in Christ.
Biddeford Church of Christ 