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."

Introduction: "A burglar had done an excellent job of casing the house. When the family left on vacation, he knew his heist would be easy. He entered the house just like planned but was startled by an unsuspected voice. It said, 'Jesus sees you.' The burglar initially panicked but realized nobody could be home. This voice repeated the phrase, and he shined his flashlight in the general direction. To his delight, it was nothing more than a talking parrot. He relaxed and turned on the main light switch. To his horror, he saw a huge Doberman pinscher crouched in the corner. Then came the voice of the parrot again: 'Sic 'em, Jesus'" (Stories for Preachers & Teachers). This may be one way to "unleash" the power of Jesus, but there's a better way to release God's power upon the world - and it impacts the heart of man, rather than his seat.

There is much talk today in our churches about power. Christians everywhere seem to want some miraculous, wonder-working power from God. But, what would you say if I told you that God has given you a wonder-working, life-changing power and has placed it at your disposal and all you have to do is pick it up and us it? It's true! God has given every believer the power to change the world forever, all you have to do is unleash it! Do you want to know how?

Transition: Let's look at God's Word, beginning in verse 16 to see. . .

I. How To Unleash God's Power (v.16).
1. By not being ashamed of the Gospel (v.16a).

A. Paul was not ashamed to take God's gospel to sophisticated Rome.

- "ashamed," ("epaischunomai" {ep-ahee-skhoo'-nom-ahee}); to be ashamed, denoting a sense of fear of embarrassment that one's expectations may prove false, be embarrassed, hesitate.

B. Rome was a proud city, and the Gospel came from Jerusalem, the capital city of one of the little nations that Rome had conquered (BEC).

1) The Christians in that day were not among the elite of society; they were common people and even slaves.

2) Rome had known many great philosophers and philosophies so many probably would think very little of Jewish tentmaker, going to Rome to preach such a message.

3) But Paul was not ashamed of the Gospel because he had confidence in the gospel message.

If we would be as zealous for sharing the good news of salvation with others as we are with the worldly things, then we would forever change this church, and the surrounding area. Its been said, "The church that does not evangelize will fossilize"  (Oswald J. Smith, Leadership Journal). We have nothing to be ashamed of when it comes to our faith, because we have a Savior who wasn't ashamed of us, and willingly took our judgment upon Himself and died for our sins. Let's keep in mind what the Lord said in Matthew 10:32-33, "Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven."

Transition: One reason why we don't have to be ashamed of the gospel is. . .

2. By recognizing who's power does the saving (v.16b).

A. God does the saving!

1) The Holy Spirit's ministry in the salvation process is to convict and draw people to God.

- John 16:8-11, "And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of  righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged."

A) First, He clarifies the issue of sin in an individual's life (i.e., Convicts).

B) Second, He clarifies the issue of God's righteousness verses man's unrighteousness.

C) Third, He clarifies the issue of God's judgment upon the unrighteous.

2) So it's God job to do the convicting and saving of lost people - not ours.

B. What is our part?

1) Our part is to unleash God's Power, that is, to share the gospel message with the lost.

A) 1 Corinthians 3:6-7, "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase."

B) So every time that we share the gospel we are either planting the seeds of salvation or we are helping the seeds to grow and blossom into salvation by watering them with the springs of living water of the gospel.

- 1 Peter 1:23, "having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever,"

C) But it is God alone who saves.

2) The Greek word for "power" (dynamis) is where we get our English word dynamite.

A) Only the power of God is capable of blasting its way into that harden heart of man.

B) The gospel is not simply the story of a good man, but a powerful, dynamic life-changing force that can give eternal life (JISL).

(1) Hebrews 4:12, "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

(2) Isaiah 55:11, "So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it."

Transition: We are also to unleash the power of God. . .

3. By sharing the gospel with everyone (v.16c).

A. Paul deliberately proclaimed that the gospel is for everyone (LBC).

1) Paul did this because there were many Jewish believers who thought the gospel was not for the heathen, the Gentile.

2) The gospel is for all, it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone, without distinction of age, sex, race, social status, or condition.

B. There's an old saying that the "ground is level at the cross," because it is for everyone.

Transition: Now lets look at. . .

II. The Result Of Unleashing God's Power (v.17).
1.It reveals God's righteousness to the lost (v.17a).

A. The word "righteousness" carries the idea of being acceptable to God, upright, or the right behavior that God requires.

B. The book of Romans presents the righteousness of God in 3 different ways (WGB).

1) The book of Romans reveals that God is righteousness.

A) God's righteousness has to do with law, morality, and justice (Basic Theology, Ryrie).

- It is in God's very nature to do what is right, moral and just.

B) Psalm 11:7, "For the LORD is righteous, He loves righteousness; His countenance beholds the upright." (also Dan.9:7).

C) It is impossible for God to deviate from His righteousness according to James 1:17, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning."

2) The book of Romans also reveals that God demands righteousness.

A) Since God is a just and righteous God, and is the Creator of all things it is impossible for Him to ignore sin, so we all be judged by Him someday by His righteous standards.

(1) Hebrews 9:27, "And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment."

(2) Romans 14:12, "So then each of us shall give account of himself to God."

B) God has revealed to us, through the Law (10 Commandments), what His standards are so no one will have an excuse.

(1) He has put the law in our hearts to guide our consciences.

- Romans 2:15, "who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them)"

(2) He has given us the law to reveal our sinfulness and unrighteousness.

- Romans 3:20, "Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin."

(3) He has given us the law to reveal to us our need for God's mercy and grace.

- Galatians 3:24, "Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith."

3) The book of Romans also reveals that God provides righteousness.

A) Since no human being is capable of living up to God's holy standards, God in his love have reached down to us to provide a way to be forgiven.

(1) 2 Corinthians 5:21, "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."

(2) Romans 5:8-10, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life."

B) It is God who imparts His own righteousness to those who put their trust in His offer of forgiveness.

Transition: Not only does the gospel reveal the righteousness of God, but. . .

2. It reveals God's way of salvation, through faith (v.17b).

A. Faith activates the divine power that brings salvation (MacArthur).

1) When a person first exercises faith in Christ, that person is saved from the penalty of sin and declared righteous or justified by God (NBC).

- John 5:24, "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life."

2) As the believer lives by faith, God continues to save him or her from the power of sin to live righteously (NBC).

- 1 Corinthians 10:13, "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it."

B. Not only is God's righteousness imputed to us through faith, but the gospel gives us a right standing before God, beginning and ending with faith (JISL).

Invitation:
1. Let me encourage you to "unleash" the power of God.

A. Don't look at witnessing as a scary task, but as an opportunity to watch God perform a miracle in a life of a spouse, a child, a parent, a grandparent, a friend, coworker, or a neighbor.

- God made it suitable for everyone.

B. A. R. Torrey, in his book on the power of prayer, said that if you don't like something about your Pastor then take it to God in prayer and then go to church and watch God change him - but lets apply this basic thought to our church.

1) If you don't like the present size of our church, then not only should you pray about it, but unleash the power of the gospel and come and watch God bring the increase to our church.

2) If you want to see more children in your Sunday School class, then unleash the power of the gospel and come and watch God fill a class room.

3) If you are concerned about church funds, then unleash the power of the gospel and come watch God give all the resources did you need to do even more for Him.

C. God has given us the power and ability to turn this church upside down and inside out, if we will just open our mouths and let God do His work on the hearts of all who hear the gospel.

- Are you willing to make that commitment today?

A. To refuse God's forgiveness, leaves God no other choice but to do what is just, and that is to judge you according to His standards.

1) God's gavel will fall, and the pronouncement of guilt will be proclaimed (read the end of the book - Rev.20).

2) The penalty is eternal separation in the Lake of Fire, which the Bible describes this way;

A) A place where the fire never dies, and darkness (Mark 9:43-48; Luke 3:17; Jude 1:7, 13).

B) A place of shame, contempt, anguish, wrath and indignation (Dan. 12:2; Rom.2:8-9).

C) A place of everlasting punishment (Matt.25:46).

D) A place of weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matt.24:51).

E) A place that is total devoid and separate from the goodness of God (2Thes.1:9).

B. But the good news is, you don't have to face God's judgment if you accept God's gift of Salvation.

1) Allow God's power to unleash your heart and set you free from the penalty of sin right now!

2) Romans 10:9-11, "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, 'Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.'"

BEC - Bible Exposition Commentary, Warren W. Wiersbe, Victor Books
JISL - Journey Into Spiritual Liberation, Tommy C. Higle, Tommy Higle Publishers
LBC - Liberty Bible Commentary on the New Testament, Jerry Falwell, Editor, Thomas Nelson Inc, Publishers
MacArthur - John MacArthur's New Testament Commentary: Romans.
NBC -Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Commentary, Earl Radmacher, Ronald Allen, & Wayne House, Thomas Nelson Inc.
WGB - Willmington's Guide To The Bible,
SL - Expository notes on Romans, by Dr. Thomas Constable, (http://soniclight.com/).
 

V.16.
- "not," ("ou" {oo: particle neg}); no, not.
- "ashamed," ("epaischunomai" {ep-ahee-skhoo'-nom-ahee: v, indic, pres, mid or pass, dep, 1per, sg}); to be ashamed, denoting
    a sense of fear of embarrassment that one's expectations may prove false, be embarrassed, hesitate.
- "the gospel" {"o euaggelion" {yoo-ang-ghel'-ee-on: def art, acc, neut, sg; n, acc, neut, sg}); good news, used in the NT of God's
    message of salvation through Jesus Christ, the gospel.
- "it is," ("esti" {es-tee': v, indic, pres, act, 3per, sg}); denotes what exists, "to be"
- "power," ("dunamis" {doo'-nam-is: n, nom, fem, sg}); strength, power, ability, might, capability.
- "of God," ("theos" {theh'-os: n, gen, masc, sg}); God the Father, spoken of the only true God.
- "to," ("eis" {ice: prep, acc}); into, in, unto, to. (KJV = unto)
- "salvation," ("soteria" {so-tay-ree'-ah: n, acc, fem, sg}); salvation, deliverance, preservation, safety, used here of being saved
    or delievered from eternal separation and punishment from God.
- "everyone," ("pas" {pas: adj, dat, masc, sg}); all, each, every, everyone.
- "who believes," ("pisteuo" {pist-yoo'-o: v, part, pres, act, dat, masc, sg}); to be persuaded of, place confidence in, believed, to have
    confidence in. (KJV = that believeth)
- "Jew," ("loudaios" {ee-oo-dah'-yos: adj, pron, dat, masc, dat}); a Jew, Jewish, the people of Israel.
- "first," ("proton," {pro'-ton: adj, adv, ord}); first in time or place.
- "and," ("te" {teh: conj, coord}); not only. . .but also.
- "Greek," ("Hellen" {hel'-lane: n, dat, masc, sg}); Greek, also used in general to speak of Gentiles as opposed to Jews.

V.17.
- "for," ("gar" {gar: conj, subord}); for, because, used here to giving grounds for a conclusion.
- "in it," ("en" {en: prep, dat}); in, by, with. (KJV = therein)
- "righteousness," ("dikaiosune" {dik-ah-yos-oo'-nay: n, nom, fem, sg}); the state of him who is as he ought to be, the condition
    acceptable to God, uprightness, righteousness, the right behavior that God requires.
- "of God," ("theos" {theh'-os: n, gen, masc, sg}); God the Father, spoken of the only true God.
- "revealed," ("apokalupto" {ap-ok-al-oop'-to: v, indic, pres, pass, 3per, sg}); to uncover, lay open what has been veiled or covered up,
    reveal, make bare, to make known, disclose what before was unknown.
- "from," ("ek" {ek: prep, gen}); out of, from, by, away from.
- "faith," ("pistis" {pis'-tis: n, gen, fem, sg}); of belief directed toward a person or thing, confidence, faith, trust, reliance on, conviction of the truth.
- "to," ("eis" {ice: prep, acc}); into, unto, to.
- "faith," ("pistis" {pis'-tis: n, acc, fem, sg}); of belief directed toward a person or thing, confidence, faith, trust, reliance on, conviction of the truth.
- "as," ("kathos" {kath-oce': conj, subord}); according as, just as, since, seeing that, as.
- "written," ("grapho" {graf'-o: v, indic, perf, pass, 3per, sg}); to write, record.
- "just," ("dikaios" {dik'-ah-yos: adj, pron, nom, masc, sg}); righteous, upright, just.
- "shall live," ("zao" {dzah'-o: v, indic, fut, mid, 3per, sg}); to live, be living, live by.
- "by," ("ek" {ek: prep, gen}); out of, from, by, away from.
- "faith," ("pistis" {pis'-tis: n, gen, fem, sg}); of belief directed toward a person or thing, confidence, faith, trust, reliance on, conviction of the truth.