R O M A N S              Chapter 1

 

One of the outstanding passages, and perhaps one of the most encouraging, is that in the first chapter of Paul’s Letter to the Romans.

This chapter is the Epistle for the service on Sunday, and further chapters wil be the Epistle for several weeks.

I have always liked to preach from Paul, who has been described by many famous preachers, his voice being described as the voice of God. For some reason, probably having heard others talking, some women call him as being anti-women, which is shown to be incorrect  as you read through Romans. I have been told numerous times by women that they have not liked my sermon; when I tell them I am talking about one of the great names of  the Bible, it made little acceptance.  One woman was jumping up and down in her seat whilst I was preaching, she was so furious.

‘I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.  For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: the righteous shall live by faith’. 

Paul is writing to Christians in Rome, the mightiest city of the day, a city full of learning, yet also full of immorality, where Christianity would not be appreciated; and he was ready and eager to go and preach the gospel, no matter what the cost, even though Christians were in danger of persecution; a sort of London of the day.

Paul says he was not ashamed, in fact he glorified in the gospel, and that is what all Christians should do.  But sadly, I fear we all do not. How many Church members are embarrassed when asked if they believe?  Indeed. how many are ready to acknowledge they attend Church?  How would we answer is asked, to give our opinion on moral questions?   If you are not ashamed you are ready to speak out about your faith.  

Some people are fearful of their friends finding out they attend Church, in case they get mocked, or because it might restrict the way they want to behave.  Remember the words of Jesus, ‘for whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this sinful and adulterous generation, of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed when He comes back.

Preachers should be prepared to tell the Bible as it is written, telling people what they need to hear, rather than what they might like to hear.  Preachers can however be intimidated, and be frightened of upsetting modern susceptibilities. To preach fundamental truth, will inevitably cause some upset. If people are upset, they should consider why.  But let us take heart from Paul, who faced all that could be put against him, and so caused Christianity to spread throughout the ancient world, and is still by his words reaching out to people for His Lord.

I have been to three services in recent times, when there has been a child being baptized , with people who have not been to Church for a long time, if ever.  What an opportunity of preaching the gospel, yet there has been a nebulous sermon meaning absolutely nothing.

Then look at what is meant by the gospel   How many Christians I wonder, would be able to answer if asked what the gospel is?  The gospel is a simple story of a baby, born to a young Jewish girl by divine and virginal conception, who lived a sinless life until God called Him to die on a Cross, so that all who truly believe in Him and accept Him as their Lord and Savior, will have all their wrongdoings forgiven, so that one day they will live for ever with Him in heaven.

There is false teaching being given from within the Church, that all will go to heaven. The funeral liturgy gives that clear impression. It is said that God would not send anyone to hell, and that is right, but people choose to go there by their own neglect.  To believe as some do, and preach that everyone will go to heaven, is nowhere stated, nor can be found in the Bible. 

We Ministers are constantly meeting bereaved people, who sincerely believe their loved ones are bound for heaven, despite never having a religious thought or action in their lives.  We are too compassionate to make any comment in such a situation, but it is a terribly sad feeling and situation to be in, when you know the Bible’s teaching.   

The gospel is the story of Jesus Christ, who gave Himself to be crucified for our sins in order to reconcile us to God.  Why should anyone be ashamed to tell that story?  We all no doubt are ashamed of things we have done in our lives, and the things we have said but wished we hadn’t, and that is understandable.  But we allow ourselves to become ashamed of something for which there is no need to be ashamed of. 

Righteousness.  We cannot make ourselves righteous before God, but we can be through Jesus’ atoning death.  Jesus acts as a bridge between God and us, putting us in good standing in God’s eyes, making it thus possible for us to be acceptable to God. This is God’s powerful way of bringing all who believe to heaven.  We are saved by grace (Great Riches At Christ’s Expense) through faith.  The gospel is the power that gives us salvation. 

Faith. You must have faith and believe. We are prepared to place our faith in many people, but reluctant to trust in God.  We travel by plane, and put our faith that the pilot knows what he is doing, although we know nothing about him. If you go to the doctor for some illness and he gives you a prescription, you then get dispensed and take, trusting the doctor and the chemist, but you don’t just leave it in a cupboard if you want to get better.  So with the gospel. There is no point in just seeking a spiritual prescription; you can listen for some inspiration, but then act upon it by faith, which means reaching out to God and accepting the gospel, and come to live by the Scripture.  . 

For all who believe. This power is for everyone who believes.  This means more than just believing there is a God, the devil accepts that; believing means making a commitment.  Too many say they believe but do nothing, which is why regular preaching of the gospel is important.

They are religious, and even show some outward inclinations toward Christianity. They come from a Christian background. They think that Jesus was a great religious figure. But they have not believed in Christ. Though the gospel is God's power for salvation, because they have not believed, they have not experienced this power nor have they known the gospel for what it truly is.The reason so many people are not willing to accept the Bible, is because the message is too simple. We know there are many people who are not prepared to accept the Bible story, as they find it too incredible to believe.  They are more ready to listen to the strident outpourings of nauseating, insulting, self- indulgent secularists.  For others, accepting the gospel would mean a change of hedonistic lifestyle.  It means accepting a standard of morality they are not prepared to accept. 

You will find theologians complicating matters by having all kind of discussions, on who wrote this and that, and it is all very well for academics sitting in their common rooms to do this for their amusement, but it sends out a wrong message. 

Martin Luther was so inspired by this passage; the Reformation was based on the words, the just shall be saved by faith, it caused him to start the Protestant Reformation, and if all preachers were inspired similarly there would be less empty seats in Churches.   Let us proceed by faith and never ever be ashamed.

Looking at verses 18 to 32, three times it is stated ‘God gave them up’. God abandoned those who engaged in immoral relationships. The Bible states, they know God’s decree, that those who practice such things , yet they not only do them, but give approval to those who practice them.’

The wrath of God was displayed for those who not only offended, but did so deliberately,

There is opportunity for those who wish to live with someone of the same sex to do so in civil union, but  there should be realization that the Church has its own faith and faithfulness to the Scriptures .It would be interesting to know how many who wish to have a ceremony, ever attend Church.

In a speech, the new Pope Leo corrected a previous approval of marriage in secular places. Saying marriage was a sacred act to be performed before God in Church between man and woman. How good it is to find the most prominent Church leader in the world to speak truth

The wrath of God is righteously revealed against sinners, and his anger is a response to human wickedness.  The Bible states, the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against ungodliness and unrighteousness, by those who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. This indicates God’s moral character, and his sense of justice. Nations have gone their own way, and often protected sinners and made life easier for them, by making laws protecting those whose activities are contrary to Scripture. This in turn has led to honorable people who have taken an alternative attitude, to be suspended from their place of employment.

The greatest aim of activists who wish to destabilize society, is the family. Totalitarian regimes have all chosen such attacks. Strife is played up and families break, and a route taken is by sexuality. Today, we see this being played out with sex dominating all forms of entertainment, with the internet excelling into pornography.

The saddest and most tragic result of such immorality, is the number of innocent and lovely young women being sexually attacked, and bodies being found in rivers. The impression being created, is that sex now is an inevitable part of relationships.

The most wonderful and fulfilling gift God gave mankind, is that of a man and woman being united in Holy Matrimony . This leading to the two making a family, in which all members share, love, and care for each other. If such can be broken up, there will be chaos. The one body that can overcome such tragedy is the Church. Jesus said ,to Peter, ‘feed my sheep’; a call to all the Lord’s followers to make the love of God and Jesus known, spreading the gospel in simple and plain words. The Church should not be seen as merely a profession for men and women, with personal ambition, but the voice, feet and hands of God on earth.

The last words of Jesus on this earth, were a call for the gospel to go to all nations. All Christians should do their part in return for the sacrifice so readily given by Jesus on the Cross.

Praise God for His Holy Gospel 

l