The Power of the Gospel
by Rev. Kirby Williams
Paul emphatically states the central theme of Romans-- that the power of God for salvation IS the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Text: Rom. 1:16
Date: 11/15/2026, the Combined service.
Series: "Romans: Unashamed of the Gospel" Part 16
Description:
After completing his introductory remarks, Paul establishes the primary theme of his letter to the Romans by emphatically "boasting" that the Gospel is the power of God for salvation. We will find great significance in the negative way Paul words his opening statement-- for to "be ashamed" of the Gospel is a nefarious temptation that virtually every Christian faces. We will delve into some of the reasons the Gospel is so offensive to the world, and therefore why it disdains and ridicules those who believe it. We will then analyze the rest of his statement, including the meaning and scope of the "power of God" and the nuances of what Paul means by "salvation". We will notice Paul's emphasis on the sovereignty of God in all of this-- for it is His Gospel, His Power, His Salvation, and those who are saved and sanctified are indeed His precious possessions. Ultimately we will realize that far from being weak and foolish as the world claims us to be, Christians are the "light in the darkness"-- for the true power and wisdom of the world is manifest in the Power of the Gospel.
View:
Options:
I. Introduction
II. Exposition of the text, Rom. 1:16.
A. Context, Rom. 1:14,15; 1Cor. 9:16.
B. The Gospel and the power of God.
1. Unashamed of the Gospel, vs. 15a.
a. Looking at the words.
i. Paul's "emphatic negative".
1) What it means to be "ashamed", Luke 9:26.
2) The power of "litotes".
ii. What it means to be ashamed of the Gospel, 2Tim. 1:8.
b. Why the Gospel is offensive to the world.
i. The nature of the story.
ii. The message of the story, Gen. 6:5; Jer. 17:9; Matt. 15:19; Rom. 3:10,23; Isa. 64:6.
iii. The Gospel runs contrary to the "human spirit".
iv. Why the world hates the Gospel, Matt. 27:39-44; Acts 17:18,32; 1Cor. 1:22-24.
c. "Gospels" that don't offend.
i. Some of the more prevalent false views.
1) The de-supernaturalism of Liberal Theology.
2) The autonomy of Arminianism.
3) The charismatic pursuit of power.
4) The prosperity "gospel".
5) A host of others.
ii. Tickling the ears of the culture, 2Tim. 4:3-4; Gal. 1:8.
2. The power of God for salvation, vs. 15b.
a. The power of God.
i. In the Old Testament.
1) The power of God in Creation, Gen. 1:1,3.
2) The power of God in the Exodus, 2Cor. 13:4.
ii. In the Gospels, Isa. 53:2-3; Matt. 5:3-6; 2Cor. 12:9.
iii. The greatest manifestation of power.
b. The fullness of "salvation".
i. Understanding the nuances of salvation
1) Saved from the guilt of sin, Isa. 1:18.
2) Saved from the power of sin, John 8:34,36; Luke 4:18-19; Psa. 68:18; Acts 26:18.
3) Saved from the pollution of sin, Isa. 64:6; Psa. 51:5; Rom. 7:22-24.
ii. Understanding the timing of salvation.
1) We ARE saved, Rom. 5:1, 8:1.
2) We ARE BEING saved, Phil. 2:12; 1John 1:9.
3) We WILL BE saved, Phil. 3:20-21.
iii. The power of salvation
1) Not man's Gospel.
2) Only by the power of God.
3. God's plan of Redemption in microcosm, Isa. 45:22, 60:1-3; Matt. 8:10-12, 10:5-6; John 10:16.
III. Application, Ex. 5:2.
IV. Conclusion
