The Power of God
Romans 1:8-17
Power Video
Power / dunamis: (miraculous) power, might, strength
ability to act or produce an effect
1.
These are things that wield great power, if a person
from the first century AD were to see this video clip, it would be overwhelming
at the power that now rests in the hands of men.
a.
But there is a greater power, not a power that
lifts, or destroys, or swallows up star systems, but a power that has the
ability to change a life.
b.
And the Apostle Paul was eager to bring
this power to the city of Rome.
The power of Prayer
8
First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is
spoken of throughout the whole world. 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve
with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of
you always in my prayers, 10 making request if, by some means, now at last I
may find a way in the will of God to come to you.
2.
Apparently the faith of the Roman church was
known far and wide, but that didn't cause Paul to pray less for them...
a.
Interesting, we usually think when someone is
doing well, we don't need to pray for them, but this would indicate just the
opposite: Paul prayed more or them, "without ceasing."
b.
Leading some of you to wonder "If that's
how I'm supposed to pray, how do I get anything done?"
3.
Paul isn't telling us to close our eyes and pray
24x7
a.
What Paul is giving us is a picture of being in
a state of continual communication with God.
b.
Driving down the road, suddenly a person comes
to your mind, you could think
c.
“yea, so-and-so is going through a tough time,
man what a bummer, I hope everything works out…”
d.
OR.. “Lord, please be with so-and-so, strengthen
them, bring them through this ordeal.”
4.
See, having sympathetic thoughts for someone
might us feel good, but it doesn't help their situation one bit!
a.
But prayer, even a shotgun prayer, puts the
power of God into action!
5.
Something Paul prayed for: “by some means, now
at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you”
a.
Paul had a desire to visit Rome, and it was a
good desire, but notice that he submitted that desire to the will of God.
b.
Paul prayed “thy will, not mine.” In other
words, Paul was giving God permission to use whatever means necessary to get
him to Rome!
c.
God brought him to Rome, at the expense and
protection of the Roman government, a free ride! (Sometime you have to be
careful what you pray for!)
The Power of Fellowship
11 For
I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you
may be established— 12 that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by
the mutual faith both of you and me.
6.
I want you to notice something here: Paul is revealing
here the mutual benefit of Christian fellowship.
a.
See as Christians we are called “out” into the
world to tell people about Christ,
b.
At the same time, we’re called “in” to encourage
and strengthen other believers, “making disciples…”
7.
I wouldn't describe it as “balance,” I would
describe it as “give and take,” an “ebb and flow,” of relationships with
the people around us.
a.
If you think about it: If you and I only hang
out with other believers, only associate with saved people, shunning those
“sinners,”
b.
Then how will those sinners ever hear the
gospel? Who will tell them the good news that they can be free?
8.
By the same token, if we only hang out with
sinners, even with the good intentions of leading them to Christ, chances are
we will start to compromise.
a.
Christians need the encouragement of other
believers to remain strong in our walk with the Lord.
b.
We also need opportunities to share our faith
9.
And no doubt Paul saw it that way, he was very
intent to get into proximity with people who had never heard the gospel,
a.
but he also was very intent to fellowship with
other believers,
The power of a Burden
13 Now
I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often planned to come to you
(but was hindered until now), that I might have some fruit among you also, just
as among the other Gentiles. 14 I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians,
both to wise and to unwise. 15 So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach
the gospel to you who are in Rome also.
10. Paul
is saying, “I want to come to you so we can be mutually encouraged, but I also
want to preach the gospel. I want to preach it to anyone who will listen.” And
he begins to talk about cultural divides
a.
The Greeks, with their philosophy and their
education, saw people only two colors:
i. Greeks
(wise), and everyone else, (barbarians, unwise).
b.
The Romans, with their strong government and
powerful military, saw people in only two colors:
i. Romans
(strong), and everyone else (weak).
c.
In other words, Paul was addressing the cultural
reality of that time.
11. Paul
also saw people in only two colors: Saved, and lost.
a.
Saved, or under the power of sin.
b.
Saved, or condemned.
12. I
believe that’s why Paul said “I am ready.” Paul knew that he was going
into: a city full of people who were:
a.
Powerful: Soldiers, commanders,
politicians, wealthy; people who could move the world.
b.
Proud: Rank, prestige, privilege; People
who were looked up to.
c.
Educated: Schooled in everything from
philosophy, medicine, technology;
13. But
Paul knew that without Christ, these people were all slaves to their sin, condemned
for their sin, and destined to spend all eternity in hell, separated from God.
a.
Paul had a burden, he knew the power of God
could set these people free, and that burden motivated Paul.
14 I am
a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. 15 So,
as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome
also. 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of
God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the
Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith;
as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”
14. Paul
makes three declarative "I am" statements: “I am a Debtor, I am
ready, I am not ashamed
a.
Another way to say it: “under obligation / eager
/ confident” – these are the markers of a mature believer.
b.
During our last series, in the section on
spiritual gifts, we talked about how the Spirit of God distributes supernatural
gifts to believers, but we then have to develop that gift.
c.
We have to take possession of that gift and
exercise it in order for that gift to be effective.
15. Well
it's the same in our Christian walk: When a person is born again, they
become a new creation, they receive God’s Spirit, they are forgiven, they've
been delivered
a.
A person who is born again is immediately
justified, righteous before God…
b.
But it takes time, the rest of our lives here,
to grow in faith, our knowledge of God, our love, and our holiness.
16. Just
like when a baby is born: (who here has had children? We've had four,
well, my wife 'had' them, I just watched...)
a.
They come out, bundled up, they’re fully human,
and they’re so cute, and they smell good (well, most of the time), but that's
not all they are.
b.
They are LAZY, they never get anything for
themselves.
c.
They’re demanding; “feed me, change me, hold
me…” it never ends!
d.
They’re rude; they’ll go to the bathroom right
in front of you, make all kinds of weird noises…
e.
They’re self-centered; its pretty much all
about them!
f.
My point is: Yes they’re fully human,
they’re our children, they have great potential, but we have train them, we
have to learn them up!
17. Same
with new Christians; Say you come to church, at the end you lift your hand and
accept Christ, you’re saved!
a.
You go to work the next day, tell you’re buddy
“Dude, I got saved this past Sunday!”
b.
they say… “thats great, hey it’s almost lunch, you want to go smoke some weed?”
SURE! “Wait, I thought
you were a Christian…”
c.
“well I
am, umm, does that mean I can’t smoke weed anymore?”
18. In
other words, holiness doesn't come instantaneously. As we grow we learn
Christ, we grow in our knowledge and faith, and our holiness.
a.
And as we grow (and stop smoking weed…), things
begin to change, we start becoming more like what Paul is describing, these three markers of maturity
19. When
we're new Christians, it's all about me: “What I need help with, what I need
God to do for me…
a.
But as we mature, it becomes less about me, and
more about others.
b.
In other words, I realize what God has done for
ME, and I start to have a concern for OTHERS.
c.
Just like a baby is totally self-centered, once
they grown a little, even as little children, they start thinking about others.
d.
“Mom, can I get you anything? Can I help
with the dishes?”
20. We
start realizing how sin ensnares people, we start thinking about that friend at
work, how they are really in bondage to their weed.
a.
Once we told them “I’m not gonna smoke weed
anymore” they’re like “OK, see ya…” – “wow, they just dropped me!”
b.
Look, it’s not because they’re a horrible, shallow
person, it’s because they’re ENSLAVED to their sin – they need Jesus to set
them free!
c.
And guess what, YOU are under obligation to tell
them.
The Power of Obligation
21. Think
about it; If Christ has set YOU free, isn’t it only right that you tell
them they can be set free?
a.
“Hey, I care about you (bro-care!), man Jesus
set me free from that junk, He’ll do the same for you…”
b.
It's like I'm in a burning building, and I found
the escape route, but I left my friend sleeping on the sofa. (Geoff story)
22. Mature
believer is under obligation...
The Power of Readiness
23. Have
you ever noticed that the more you know about something, the more eager you are
to put that knowledge to use?
a.
I remember when I was first learning to play guitar,
the first song I learned was “House of the Rising Sun”
b.
And the first time I had an opportunity to play
in front of people, I was terrified! I didn't quite have all the licks
down, I knew I would mess up, and look dumb to all the girls.
c.
But once I mastered that song, I was ready! Put
me up there! Let’s do this!
24. Soldiers,
when they first enlist they’re like “I want to fight for my country…” but if
you put them in a firefight right out of bootcamp, they’re likely to duck and
hide, they don't know what to do.
a.
But something strange happens once they are
trained, prepared, equipped; They are ready, even eager to go into
battle!
b.
We see them and think “why would you WANT to get
into a firefight with the Taliban?” but they’re thinking “lets do this!”
25. Same
with some Christians: Some believers are not very eager to share their faith,
because they’re not prepared.
a.
“I don't know how, I forget which scriptures to
use, I cant even find Romans, much less Roman’s road!”
b.
They’ve never grown in their knowledge of the
Lord, they haven't matured.
c.
Look, it’s OK to be there as a new Christian,
just don’t stay there!
26. Thought: “Maybe I could sit down and read my bible.
I could read ahead in Romans, and Pastor Clay teaches, it’ll make more
sense, I’ll understand it.”
a.
“Maybe I could practice sharing my faith with a
friend” (hey, it's a great way to tell an unsaved friend about Christ!)
b.
Because as we grow, we become ready, eager, and
more confident…
The Power of Confidence
27. I
don’t believe Paul is saying this from a negative perspective, “I know its
stupid, but I’m not ashamed…”
a.
No, what Paul is saying is “I am confident.”
28. Question:
What is it that makes a person confident?
a.
Answer: Seeing something work.
29. When
my kids and I got into motocross, I found that things had changed a little
since 30 years ago.
a.
Back in my day, a jump was a single ramp, and
you landed on the flat area. Like a ski jump.
b.
Things have changed, now there are two
components: A launch ramp, and a landing ramp. You fly off one, and land
on the decline. And while it allows you
to jump farther, and land softer, you DO NOT want to come up short.
c.
Something like this;
Moto-cross Double Jump
d.
So you have to figure out how fast to be going,
how much spring, and once you got it, then you hit it with confidence.
30. Once
you use a product and it works, you’re confident to share it with your friends.
a.
(FLOWBEE)
31. It's
the same here: Once you’ve seen the gospel change someone’s life, like YOURS,
you become more confident to share it with others.
a.
That’s why your own testimony is so powerful.
b.
“I can’t
explain everything, and I can’t quote the whole bible, but I know what God did
in my life, and He’ll do the same for you!”
32. Why?
Because the gospel is…
The Power of God
[the
gospel] is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes
33. It
is the Power of God to change a life.
a.
I was reading recently about the need to make
the gospel message “relevant.”
b.
You know, I get that, and I think being relevant
has its place…
c.
Dress, music, video... Our youth ministry uses Vine,
and most of you have no idea what that is, but any kid knows
34. But
let me tell you: Being relevant is not going to change anyone’s life.
a.
Relevance will not help the woman addicted to drugs,
who lost her child to protective services.
b.
Relevance will not help the man addicted to pornography,
and it's tearing his family apart.
35. Relevance
does not have the power to change a life, the one and only thing that has the
power to change is an encounter with the gospel message of Jesus Christ.
a.
THAT is power. for salvation, for ALL who
believe.
b.
It doesn't say "to all who behave," it
says "to everyone who believes."
17 For
in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is
written, “The just shall live by faith.”
From faith to faith
36. You
see, righteousness is something that every heart longs for; To be justified
before God.
a.
For example, suppose somebody criticizes you to
your face. What do you do?
b.
Instinctively you start explaining yourself,
justifying yourself.
c.
But after you have explained yourself, you’re
not satisfied unless the person has agreed with you.
d.
We are continually seeking justification in
another's eyes.
37. But
check this out, this is exactly what the gospel provides: Justification
with God.
a.
Justification means: "Just
as if I never sinned" and it's found only in the gospel of Jesus
Christ.
b.
It’s not self-justification, but it’s God saying
to the believer in Jesus Christ:
c.
"You
are justified in my sight! You are righteous in my sight, not by virtue of what
you did, but by virtue of what My Son Jesus Christ did for you!"
38. I
don’t know about you, but I think of the times I tried to stop doing this, or
that, and I failed miserably.
a.
But when the power of God went into action in my
life, I was changed!
39. That
is why Paul could say, "I am not ashamed of the gospel." IN OTHER
WODS “I am confident because I’ve seen what
it can accomplish in the lives of men and women.”
a.
I’ve seen the gospel message release the power
into people’s lives to set them free from the sins that so tightly gripped
them.
b.
I’ve seen the gospel message open prison doors,
and turn hardened criminals into loving, caring, compassionate people.
c.
I have seen the gospel release the power in
peoples lives to give their lives purpose and meaning.
d.
I have seen the gospel release the power to free
men and women from trying to make themselves acceptable to God through good
works and following rules.
e.
I have seen the gospel justify men and women,
and give them freedom and a righteous standing before God.
40. That
is the life of FAITH;
a.
See the gospel simply tells us not to “behave,”
but to BELIEVE!
b.
The “just” - those who have been justified by
the gospel, live not by sights, or by works, or by rules, but by FAITH
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