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Scripture Reading:  Romans 1:13-17

THE GOSPEL WE PREACH

Intro.
1.  Believe many Christians want to preach but are not ready to preach.

2.  No accident that early Christians went everywhere preaching (Acts 8:4).

  a.  Prepared with faith (2:42; 8:1-4).

  b.  Prepared with favor (God’s) (4:29-31).

  c.  Prepared with fervor (5:40-42).

  d.  Prepared without fear (undeterred, 8:1-4).

3.  Rom. 1:13-15: Paul had planned & was willing to preach in Rome:

  a.  Ready: pro (before) + thumos (passion, heat, fierceness).

  b.  He was prepared & eager to preach the gospel.

4.  The gospel he preached (we preach) is unique, unparalleled & unrivaled, Gal. 1:11-12.

5.  To preach it we must understand & value its unique nature.

I. THE GOSPEL IS PERSUASIVE, Acts 2:40 (26:28); 2 Cor. 5:11.

  A.  Credible, Believable & Reliable, Acts 26:25; Gal. 1:11.

    1.  Paul presented the evidence from OT about the Christ & identified Him as Jesus, Acts 17:2-3.

    2.  Some were persuaded, Acts 17:4.

    3.  The gospel addresses the heart (intellect & emotion) to save, Rom. 10:8, 13-14.

  B.  Supported by Miraculous Evidence, cf. Acts 4:16-20; 14:3 (Mk. 16:20; Heb. 2:3-4).

    1.  NT miracles are God’s testimony that the gospel is genuine.

    2.  Gospel came “in power” & grants us “much assurance,” 1 Ths. 1:5.

II. THE GOSPEL IS PERVASIVE, 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:3-4.

  A.  Touches & Changes Every Part of our Lives, Heb. 4:12.

    1.  Every relationship; every moral issue.

    2.  Every trial & victory, every pain & joy: All that is the human experience.

  B.  All Things Become New When we “Learn Christ,” Eph. 4:20-24 (2 Cor. 5:17).

III. THE GOSPEL IS DEMONSTRATIVE.

  A.  The Effect of the Gospel on Us Will be Seen, Jas. 1:21-25.

    1.  Removal of sin & obedience – Changed person.

    2.  Faith is observable in our lives, Jas. 2:14-26.

IV. THE GOSPEL IS DECLARATIVE, 1 Cor. 2:1-5.

  A.  Not Giving Mere Suggestions, Col. 1:5-6.

  B.  Not the Offering of Alternate Views, Matt. 12:30; 2 Ths. 1:8.

    1.  Not merely an academic study – choices exist!

    2.  The alternative leads to hell!

  C.  Not Silent…Militant, 2 Tim. 4:2. (aggressive & confrontational)

    1.  Militant message:  The word (truth, Jno. 14:6).

    2.  Militant manner:  Reprove, rebuke, exhort w/ longsuffering & teaching.

    3.  Militant moment: Urgently, in season & out of season.

V.   THE GOSPEL IS REDEMPTIVE, Rom. 6:17-18.

  A.  Word of Salvation, Eph. 1:13 (Rom. 1:16).

    1.  Gospel reveals the redemptive blood of Christ, 1 Pet. 1:18-21.

    2.  By the gospel, our faith & hope are in God (1:21).

    3.  Without the gospel there would be no faith…no redemption! 1:22

Conclusion

1.  We must live worthy of the gospel, Phil. 1:27-28.

2.  Prepared with faith, fervor & God’s favor we can eagerly preach the gospel without fear.

3.  Because it is God’s gospel, not ours (Rom. 1:16).