“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek.”

Paul is not ashamed of the gospel, and neither are we.

First, the gospel is for “everyone.” Including you. The gospel is for sinners. 1 Timothy 1:15 - "The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost."

If Paul was the chief of sinners, then surely Christ will save you. If he saved the worst, then he’ll save another worst, even you. Only come to him, and receive the blessing.

You need salvation because you’re under the wrath of God. Judgment hangs over you, and God will hunt you down. Romans 1:18 - "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth." The manslayer is in hot pursuit. Flee to the City of Refuge. You must.

Secondly, the gospel is the power of God to everyone "who believes.” Without faith it will not help us. Hebrews 11:6 - "And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him." Merely understanding is not enough. The demons believe and tremble, but there’s no repentance and faith. Faith trusts the Son of God as Lord and Savior. Romans 10:9 - "because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

The Lordship of Christ must be confessed. It is not merely forgiveness; it is bowing for grace to serve the Lord, and to bring glory to Christ [Luke 5:12-13]. We can put our confidence in Christ, because God raised him from the dead. He finished the work, and God saves us because of Christ alone.

Thirdly, Christ did the work. The gospel declares God's righteousness, because he punished Christ in the sinner's place. Romans 1:17 - "For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith."" 2 Corinthians 5:21 - "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."

The only way to be righteous is Christ taking our sins, and imputing righteousness to us. Romans 4:5 -"But to the one who does not work, but believes on Him who declares the ungodly to be righteous, his faith is credited for righteousness." We’re ungodly, and cannot contribute to our cleansing. We must be made righteous. Believing is our only hope.

Martin Luther said, “‘As it is written, 'He who through faith is righteous, shall live?' Here, I felt that I was altogether born again and had entered paradise itself through open gates.”

Fourthly, the gospel is the only thing that we need. It's “God's power” for the whole of salvation, from start to finish.

When I was a younger Christian, a gifted evangelist came to us. I’d heard him preach the gospel many times. On this occasion, however, he pointed us to ourselves. I went home discouraged, upset, and I searched the Scriptures. I knew that he was wrong. I came across this text in Romans 1:16, and it alleviated my mind. The gospel is God’s ONLY POWER from start to finish. 1 Corinthians 1:18 echoes it, “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is THE POWER of God.” It is the only thing he uses to build us up. It is his power in sanctification, justification, and adoption; it is his power in perseverance, good works, and gospel joy. It's the only power to defeat Satan. Ephesians 3:16-19 - "that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith--that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God." It's the power of the Holy Spirit, who's given to us through faith in Jesus.

When there’s no condemnation, then the Spirit helps us, even as Noah exited the ark, and Israel crossed the Sea on dry ground. We must be fully accepted and loved for God to help, and that is the gospel. He’s not merely commanding, but he’s helping us obey.

Fifth, the gospel must be preached to the world. Paul says, “I am not ashamed of the gospel.” Jesus said,"Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation." This is our message. We suffer for it, and we sacrifice for it to be known. This is the most important thing in our life, and the meaning in our life. Without this, we have no purpose, no peace, and no constant walk with God in fellowship.

Have compassion on those who have not heard. Remember where you were before you heard the gospel, and how you toiled in religious bondage. Remember how you were a slave to your own lusts.

Your life and my life are about one thing: It is not about money or personal pleasure; it is living for the glory of Christ - to be like him, and to make him known - that thrills us. God will work with us here, and nowhere else. Matthew 28:20 - "teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.""

Everyone must hear this message, and there are no excluded persons. It’s for “the Jews first,” who murdered our Lord, and also for the Gentiles who are as far off from God as possible, snared in LGBTQ+. The gospel is mighty enough to save the sinner. Don’t ever look at people and say, “The gospel won’t work for you.” No, preach it, and give God glory. All of the elect will be saved. God is able to make something out of nothing, as we preach the gospel faithfully in love.