#91 Unashamed of the Gospel - Romans 1:16
Introduction
Today we are going to be studying Romans 1:16 which says “for I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” That is Romans 1:16. This verse was written by Paul to Christians in the 1st century. He was traveling when he wrote this yet the persecution of christians was already underway. Paul was later put in prison for his beliefs. And others many of those that he wrote to were martyred. That is they were put to death for their beliefs.
To understand the power of God for salvation, we must look to Jesus Christ the very embodiment of God’s love and grace. Jesus willingly took on human flesh, lived a sinless life, and died on the cross for our sins. His death was not just a tragic event, but a deliberate act of sacrificial love. Jesus took upon Himself the punishment that was rightfully ours, reconciling us to God. When we talk about not being ashamed of the gospel, we are declaring that we are not ashamed of this ultimate act of love. We are not ashamed of a Savior who died for us, who rose again, and who offers eternal life to all who believe. This is the foundation of our faith, and it is this message that has the power to transform lives.
To fully appreciate the significance of this verse, we need to understand the context in which it was written. Rome, at this time, was the heart of the vast Roman Empire, a city filled with both grandeur and brutality. It was a place of immense power, wealth, and influence, but also of deep spiritual darkness. The emperor, who was often worshiped as a god, demanded absolute loyalty, and any allegiance to another ‘king’ was seen as a direct threat to Roman authority. Christianity, which proclaimed Jesus as the true Lord and King, was therefore considered dangerous and subversive.
Believers in Rome faced daily challenges not just from the government, but also from their neighbors and families. Christians were often viewed with suspicion and hostility. Many were accused of atheism because they refused to worship the Roman gods, and some were even blamed for natural disasters or other calamities. The historian Tacitus records that Christians were thought to be guilty of "hatred against humanity" and were punished accordingly. Persecutions could be sporadic but were often brutal and deadly, as Christians were crucified, burned, or thrown to wild animals in public spectacles for entertainment.
When Paul wrote Romans 1:16 he was not speaking flippantly or half heartedly but in full seriousness. And in that vein we must read and understand his words today. He knew that identifying as a Christian was a risk to life itself, yet he declared boldly that he was "not ashamed of the gospel." He knew that this message, despised by many, was the very "power of God for salvation."
Let us pray together (for the faith to trust in God when we share the gospel)
Let’s take a look at Romans 1:16 again. Imagine if you will, you read the newspaper this morning and it said ten christians were caught in a police raid yesterday and have been put to death. Mayor praises the swift action of the anti religious league. And on your way to the car your neighbor greets you and says did you read the news? I can’t believe christians in our own neighborhood! I am just glad they have been taken care of. We have kids here.
This is what it was like for the believers in Rome that Paul wrote to. Many were seen as terrorists and put to death. It was a crime to be a christian in Rome. Furthermore, there was tension between those from a jewish background and those of a gentile background. In Romans 1:16 Paul uses the greeks to refer to all gentiles including romans. Those of a jewish background were being hard headed about their cultural practices and its relevance to christianity. In a way making all christians stand out more in a dangerous situation. Whereas those from a gentile background were seen as lowering the standard of faith and potential informers to the authorities in Rome.
How would you face these trials that were all too common in the early church? Do you see yourself as brave or as a coward? I would hope that you see yourself as brave. That you could handle anything that is thrown at you. Yet I know it is not easy and we need God in order to face persecution.
Part 1 - The Fear
I want to tell you a quick story. When I was 17, I was in junior college. I was taking a political science course that met three times a week at 8 a.m. It was one of those classes that felt like a struggle to attend because it was so early, but I liked it enough, and the professor seemed like a decent guy. My professor was a pretty nice guy. He had a calm demeanor and a good sense of humor, and he didn’t mind the fact that I would fall asleep in his class sometimes, which I often did.
I was a pretty good Christian. I wasn’t perfect by any means, but I tried to live my faith. I read the Bible daily, went to church on Sundays, and actively participated in my youth group. I had seen the movie God’s Not Dead, where a student stood up to his philosophy professor who claimed that God was dead. That movie made a big impact on me, and I remember thinking, 'Would I be brave enough to do the same?' But of course, those were just thoughts at the time. I had never been put in a situation like that—until one day, in that political science class, it happened.
One morning, I went to class, and the professor was lecturing on the separation of church and state. He was making some good points, and I was half-listening, taking notes while trying to stay awake. And at one point, he asked, "Is anyone in the room a Christian?" There was a moment of uncomfortable silence, a kind of tension that you can feel in the air. Only one student raised his hand. I knew that there were at least three Christians in that room of 25 people. I was one of them. My heart started racing, my palms got sweaty. I felt like everyone was looking at me, even though I was just sitting there, staring at my notebook. I didn’t raise my hand.
The professor said, "You believe in God?" The student replied, "I am a Catholic." The professor's face was neutral, but you could sense a challenge in his tone. It was as if he was inviting the student to justify his faith in front of everyone. I don’t exactly remember what happened next, but the student ended up saying that his beliefs shouldn’t inform his political actions and even went as far as to say that maybe he didn’t believe in God after all. You could see the discomfort in his eyes, his body language, like he wished he hadn’t raised his hand in the first place. And there I was, watching him struggle, knowing that I was hiding my own faith out of fear.
Fear of those in power is a very real thing. It's paralyzing. It keeps you silent when you know you should speak. It is easy to be silent, yet it is hard to stand up for your beliefs, even when there is no pressure at all! No one was threatening me, no one was putting me in danger. And yet, I felt like my whole world would crumble if I stood up and admitted, 'Yes, I am a Christian too.' That fear wasn’t just about the professor. It was also about my peers, what they might think, how they might react. And looking like a fool.
It is so easy not to talk about what you believe; you just say nothing. It's like there’s this invisible wall between what you know to be true and what you’re willing to say out loud. When your friends at work or school say something you believe to be wrong, do you say nothing, or do you stand up for the truth? I wish I could say I stood up for my faith that day. But the truth is, I stayed silent. And that experience taught me how powerful fear can be, but also how much we need God’s strength to overcome it.
When Paul writes to the christians in Rome he does not say do not be afraid he says I am not ashamed. We might be afraid of speaking the truth. But really that fear is shame. If we do not say what we believe it is not because of fear no. It is shame. We think that others will see us as stupid, less than, or mock us. If all your friends are talking about their favorite movies would you be ashamed to say your favorite movie is Dumb and Dumber? Maybe? But probably not. Your friends might mock you and laugh at you if you gave that response but you would probably laugh with them because you know its a crazy choice. Yet when it comes to the gospel will you not share that? Is your belief in the gospel any more absurd than other things about you?
We are not to be ashamed of the gospel. The gospel is John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” It is Christ, Christ crucified and resurrected.
Fear cannot hold us down, our story doesn’t end at the cross. Jesus was resurrected on the third day, conquering death and proving His authority over all things. In His resurrection, Jesus secured victory not only over sin and death but also over all fears that might keep us silent. When Paul urges us not to be ashamed, he does so knowing that Jesus is alive, reigning at the right hand of God, and interceding for us. This gives us boldness. We do not serve a dead prophet or a good teacher; we serve a risen Savior who empowers us with His Spirit to share His truth.
Part 2 - The Power
Jesus himself was not silent in the face of opposition. He boldly proclaimed the truth of God’s kingdom, even when it meant facing rejection, suffering, and death. As His followers, we are called to emulate His courage and love. When we share our faith, we are continuing Jesus' mission to seek and save the lost. The power of God that Paul speaks of in Romans is not some abstract force; it is the living, active presence of Jesus in us. It is His strength that enables us to speak truth in love, and to do so without fear, because we know that He is with us always, even to the end of the age.
How does Paul prepare us for these trials? He reminds us that “it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). The "power of God" is not just a concept but a dynamic, active force that enables believers to endure hardship, face persecution, and stand firm in their faith. This power is not rooted in human strength or wisdom but in the divine authority and presence of God. To understand what this power looks like, we turn to 2 Timothy 1:7, which says, “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity” (2 Timothy 1:7).
Paul here uses three critical terms: power, love, and discipline. The "power" refers to the strength and courage given by the Holy Spirit to face persecution, rejection, or any adversity without fear. "Love" is the motivating force that compels us to share the gospel, even with those who may oppose or mock us. "Discipline" represents the self-control and steadfastness needed to stay committed to our calling, despite difficulties. And at the center of it all is "testimony" — the story of the gospel itself and how it has transformed our own lives.
Paul emphasizes that our calling and ability to endure trials are not based on our own merit or strength. We are not called according to our works but according to God’s purpose and grace. God does not allow us to encounter trials because we are ready for them or to test us beyond our capacity. Rather, He places us in these situations because they serve His divine purpose. When we are called to share our faith, it is not our own cleverness or courage that sustains us; it is God working through us. This is the true "power of God."
We do not need to be ashamed of the gospel because it is the truth, and God Himself speaks through us when we are obedient to His calling. When we rely on our own abilities, we either fail to stand up for the truth or, in trying to defend it, fail to communicate it effectively. It is only through the power of God that we can stand firm and proclaim His message boldly and clearly. This divine empowerment allows us to witness with confidence, knowing that it is God who ultimately accomplishes His purpose through us.
Part 3 - The Response
It is not by our works that we are able to stand up for our beliefs; it is by God’s work in and through us. Our ability to share our faith does not come from our experience or knowledge, but from what God has already accomplished for us. As Matthew tells us, “But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say. For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you” Matthew 10:19-20. This passage reassures us that when we are called upon to share our faith, we do not need to rely solely on our own abilities or preparation. Instead, we must lean on God and trust that He will speak through us, providing the words we need at the right moment.
Yet, there is a balance here. While we are called to depend on God, we are also called to study and be prepared. Scripture encourages us to be ready to give an answer for the hope that is within us. This means engaging with the Bible, understanding our faith, and being equipped to share it. However, in all our preparation, we must remain sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit, ready for God to use us in ways we might not have anticipated. It is a partnership: we prepare, but we also surrender to God's guidance, allowing Him to work through us.
Before we wrap up for the day, I want to introduce you to a simple yet profound way to share your faith: using John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” I challenge you to memorize this verse. But don’t stop there — go deeper. Understand who God is and what it means that He loved the world so much that He gave His only Son. Reflect on the relationship between the Father and the Son, what it truly means to believe in Jesus, and what eternal life entails. If you can grasp and articulate the meaning of this one verse, you have a powerful tool for sharing your faith. With this verse, you can confidently proclaim that God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.
Summary
Today we explored Romans 1:16, “for I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” We know that in us there is fear about sharing the gospel yet in God there is power. With God all things are possible. We must learn to rely on God for what we shall say when the time comes to share our faith. Again I urge you to remember John 3:16 as a simple explanation of what you believe. And ask yourself are you ashamed of the gospel or do you rely on the word of God?
Prayer (thank God for his provision for our needs when we share the gospel)
