ROMANS 1:16 FOUR "FORS"
Paul was not ashamed to go that city of licentious living, idolatry and human political power with the message of the Gospel. The capital of the Roman empire is much less in importance than the Gospel of Christ. The Nazarene who was despised by His own people who would not receive Him, had an impact already in that great city. A carpenter from Galilee would seem to have been an insignificant Person but "the powers that be" in Rome were already affected by Him who they had put to death. They had seen and heard of many crucified people but there was something different about Jesus. It was the Gospel - the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ that changed everything. "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel" gives us an understanding of the impact of the Good News on Paul.
We do not have to be embarrassed when we declare the words of truth of a risen Savior to a dying world. The fact is that the message of the Gospel gives us a positive and glorious hope to pass on to a sinful and hopeless generation of people. Fear of reprisal makes us ashamed or embarrassed. The mocking words of scornful people may embarrass us. A lack of knowledge of the message so we fear to answer the questions people ask makes some ashamed. Confidence in God and the testimony of our own faith in Christ and its effect on us personally, will keep us from being ashamed of the Gospel.
The second "for" gives the reason for boldness. The death, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ is "the power of God unto salvation." It is the message of the Gospel itself, not the way it is delivered that is the power of God. "The word of the cross" is the power of the cross, not the cross itself, because the cross was only an object. People have and do form crosses that are only symbols of a death. The Gospel does not stop with the death of Christ. Its message includes the burial and resurrection "according to the scriptures."
Every person that presents the Gospel must know in their own soul the truth of the message they preach and teach. It is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes. This is not a casual assent to a historical event. This means one who preaches, heralds or publishes the Gospel knows personally the power of God in their own life that has brought them salvation.
One who proclaims the Gospel must know "For it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth." It is not our business to argue the message or to present the Gospel as a new philosophy. The person who is making a proclamation of the Gospel is passing on definite statements about the Lord Jesus Christ and His death burial and resurrection. He is proclaiming the revelation of a Person. Salvation is the result of his message, "For it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first and also the Greek."
The Jews had the law, the temple and forms of worship. They had what should have been to them a great advantage because of all the Word of God that had been given to them. The Gospel message originated in Jerusalem. The Gospel was first preached there. The offer of salvation was first given there. It is just a statement of fact that it began with the Jews, not that they were greater in importance. "There is no difference, for all have sinned."
Don't be ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, There is power there that is greater than men. The message of the Gospel is a truth to be prized, Which we have been given to tell unto them. There is no need to be embarrassed about telling the truth, Especially when it is the truth of God. The Gospel of Christ is of inestimable worth, Telling the Good News of Christ Jesus, the Lord.
Don't be ashamed of the Gospel, for it has real power To turn people from darkness to light. We can tell the same Gospel message over and over And it changes those who believe from wrong to right. They may not at first seem to pay much attention Because they probably have a lot on their mind. But there is the power of God that leads to salvation, When the lost believe, the Savior they find.
Don't be ashamed to declare your allegiance To the power of God in the Gospel. Some may hear only a word or a sentence And others may seem to be hostile. But God's Word doesn't return void, there is a reason For us to this Gospel proclaim. There is a sowing time and harvest has a season
When God's Gospel brings forth fruit in its time.
Don't be ashamed of the Gospel message you preach There are people God intends to save. To some at first it may seem what we teach Is nothing different than what they have. And then when they listen and compare what you say With what is written down in the Word of God. They will then consider they have been led astray And will come to receive Jesus as Lord.
"O God of the Gospel, the word of the Good News has borne some fruit in salvation and for this we give Thee ALL THE GLORY and our grateful thanks. May the words of salvation being preached presently in different places be sown in faith, watered with grace, and reaped in hope. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."
JEW FIRST Good News is the focus, it is not about you, For God had through ages a plan; That would bring back again those He loves to Himself, And a method to save fallen man.
But why to the Jews, what is special about them? Why did the Gospel to them first be preached? These ones that God chose had no special claim; But through them lost nations He would reach.
God wanted to show us His mercy and love, So, He picked out a nation so small, That they could never say what greatness they have, It was their weakness that was most important of all.
To them and through them, God had purposed to show, To the world His plan of salvation. In spite of the trials and grief the Jews go, He sent the Messiah through this nation.
For centuries they learned by His precepts and laws, What is needed to have fellowship with God. Even though they failed often and in sin they did fall, Christ did come through the Jews as The Word.
The moral restraints from the commandments God gave, Would have saved them from most of their trouble, But even though blessed as the people God loved, They fell, and their woes seemed to double.
Now, God again, though the Messiah who came, Would bring blessing through Jews to the world. When the Gospel is preached clearly, and Jesus is named; Those who receive Him are cleansed by His blood.
Some Jews believed, but many refused To accept Jesus as the Messiah to come. They heard the word first, and were able to choose, For Christ made that nation His home.
It is our turn now who are called “Church of God,” To declare to the world the Gospel. We must not fail this charge we have received from the Lord; Even though to us now, most are hostile.
Let it never be said, we are ashamed to be counted, As those whom God has trusted with truth. Do not stop now, though the truth may be flaunted For God is still saving souls through faith.
“O God and Father, the Sovereign Ruler over all nations: the nation Thou didst choose so long ago is in trouble. They are troubled from within as well as without. We pray with anticipation for the day to come when they turn to their God and finally find peace after so many centuries of trouble. We know this will be when they accept the Prince of Peace, their Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.”