The Good News of God
by Rev. Kirby Williams
Learning the nature, the Source, the Instigator and the fruit of the Good News of God.
Text: Rom. 1:1
Date: 08/02/2026, the Combined service.
Series: "Romans: Unashamed of the Gospel" Part 3
Description:
As we wrap up this first, introductory verse of Romans, Paul reveals that he has been set apart by God as a herald of His Gospel. We will first delve deeply into what Paul means by "the Gospel" by looking at its nature, its Source, its Instigator, and the necessary fruit that it bears. After gaining a fresh perspective on the Good News itself, we will notice that Paul refers to the Gospel as the "Gospel of God". We will then take a Scriptural look at how each member of the Holy Trinity is involved with the Gospel in perfect balance and how the many corruptions of the Gospel tend to break that balance. Ultimately we will turn the discussion inward as we ask the poignant question: "Is the Gospel I have put my faith in the true Good News of God?"
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I. Introduction
II. Exposition of the text, Rom. 1:1.
A. Context
B. Analyzing the Gospel of God.
1. Emphasizing God's Providence.
a. Defining the word.
i. Set apart for a purpose, Acts 13:2.
ii. The Providential work of God, Gal. 1:15; Jer. 1:5; Psa. 22:9-10; Matt. 1:21.
b. God's will is not thwarted, Prov. 19:21; Jer. 29:11; Gen. 50:20.
c. An ironic play on words, Acts 23:5-6.
2. Focus on the "Good News".
a. Set apart for the expansion of the Gospel, Acts 9:15, 13:2, 22:21; Gal. 2:7.
b. Set apart to reveal the Gospel.
i. Misconceptions of the Good News.
1) Purely heretical misconceptions.
2) Limiting misconceptions.
ii. The Good News.
1) The nature of the Good News, Matt. 5:20.
a) More than obedience to the Law, Matt. 5:48.
b) More than forgiveness, Psa. 32:1-2; 2Chr. 7:14; Deut. 4:31.
c) An alien righteousness.
2) The source of the Good News, Rev. 5:12-13; John 3:16; 1Cor. 6:19-20; 1Pet. 2:9.
3) The Instigator of the Good News.
a) The Good News cannot depend on fallen sinners, Rom. 3:10-12; Isa. 64:6.
b) Paul's insistence upon grace, Gal. 2:11-14.
4) The fruit of the Good News.
a) The joy of angels, Luke 2:8-14; John 1:14.
b) The joy of heaven, Luke 15:7,10.
c) The thrill of the Good News, Rom. 8:16-17.
3. The Good News of the Triune God.
a. A complex Being, Deut. 6:4; Rom. 1:3-4.
b. The Trinity and the Gospel.
i. God the Father and the Gospel.
1) The Gospels speak of the work of the Father, John 3:16, 5:19, 6:37-39, 17:1.
2) Paul's focus on the work of the Father, Gal. 4:4; 2Cor. 5:5,18-19; Gal. 4:6.
ii. God the Son and the Gospel.
1) The focus of the Gospels, John 1:14, 2:13-26, 6:41, 10:11, 11:25-26, 14:6; Luke 22:19-20; Mark 15:24.
2) The focus of Paul's writings, Phil 1:21, 2:5-11; 1Cor. 23-24; Col. 3:17.
iii. God the Spirit and the Gospel.
1) An "experiential gospel".
2) The Spirit's work in Scripture.
a) In the words of the Prophets, Isa. 52:7, 61:1.
b) In the pages of the Gospels, John 14:26, 15:26; Luke 1:35, 3:22, 4:1; Matt. 4:1, 12:28, 3:11; John 3:3-6, 4:23.
c) In the writings of Paul, Rom 5:5, 8:9,14-16, 15:30.
c. Summary
III. Application
A. Is your faith in the Gospel of God?
B. Is your faith in a Trinitarian Gospel?
C. Do you bear the mark of the Gospel?
IV. Conclusion
