MOTIVATION TO SHARE THE GOSPEL (Romans 1:14-32) (Kent Smith Notes 8/18/24)

THE GOSPEL IS FOR THE UNRIGHTEOUS

ROMANS 1:14-32

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So far in this series we have looked at scriptures that present the manner in which we should engage our culture:

1.First we must have a sensitivity to the culture because we are the outsiders – we are the non-conformists to the current trends in society!)

2. Ephesians 6 we learned to understand that people are not the enemy – they are the goal.

3. In Colossians 4 we learned that our speech should always be seasoned with grace.

4. In Galatians 6 we learned that we should be doing good to everyone.

5. In 2 Corinthians 5 we learned that we are ambassadors of God to present His call to reconciliation.

6. In 2 Timothy 2 we learned that we need to be gentle addressing others, because we know that God alone brings understanding to those in spiritual captivity.

● Today we begin to move away from the manner in which we engage the culture, to the motive to engage the culture, and then the methods we are to use to impact the culture.

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THE CHRISTIAN’S OBLIGATION

Paul’s unique calling) Our unique calling

(Acts 9) (Mt. 28-19-20 / Acts 1:8)

To preach the Gospel To preach the Gospel

To the Gentiles To those around us

To the Jews To our community

*To the world

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Acts 9:15  But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel.

Romans 1:14-16   I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.  So, for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.  For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

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Acts 1:8 You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem (your local area), and in all Judea (community) and Samaria (region), and even to the remotest part of the earth.”

Mt. 28:19-20 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you;

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WHY THE NEED FOR THE GOSPEL?

REASON #1: God’s wrath on sinners

Because of…

• Ungodliness

• Unrighteousness

• Suppression of the truth

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Romans 1:18  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness

Ungodliness:

Unrighteousness

Suppression of the truth

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WHY THE NEED FOR THE GOSPEL?

REASON #2: Every human being will be accountable for their rebellion.

• Because God has made Himself known within every person.

• Because God has made Himself known in creation.

•  Because they knew God but rejected Him.

• Because they were foolish and followed their own gods.

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Romans 1:19 Because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. (Our conscience)

Romans 1:20 Because since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.

Romans 1:21 Because even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 

Romans 1:22-23  Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures. (idolatry)

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WHY THE NEED FOR THE GOSPEL?

REASON #3: Because God gave humanity over to impurity, so that they would reap dishonor.

• Impurity and depravity in their worship.

• Impurity and depravity in their sexuality.

• Impurity and depravity in their thoughts and minds.

• Impurity and depravity in their society.

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Romans 1: 24 Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. 

•Romans 1:25 For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator.

•Romans 1:26-27 God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.

•Romans 1:28-32 And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper,29  being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips,30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents,31 without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; 

•Romans 1:32 although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.

Impure – Corrupted by foreign objects or influences that degrades the object of its value, and worth.

Depraved – A perversion of the original function that corrupts the object's designed purpose.

The condition of this world is in part God’s plan to dishonor those who practice unrighteousness.

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HOW SHALL WE NOT LIVE IN THIS CULTURE?

• WE DO NOT CONDEMN SINNERS

• WE DO NOT JUDGE SINNERS

• WE DO NOT DISPARAGE SINNERS

• WE DO NOT DEVALUE SINNERS

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We are to have compassion for those who are lost, confused, and prisoners of the enemy.

If they are rabidly evil, it is in part because God has given them over to their fleshly thoughts and desires.

It does not make them beyond the reach of His grace offered in the Gospel.

1 Corinthians 2:14  But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. (Understanding the Gospel is the work of God)

 Paul’s letter to the Romans showing God’s judgment and wrath was written to the CHURCH!

Paul wanted us to know what’s at stake for humanity, to motivate us to share the gospel.

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HOW SHALL WE LIVE IN THIS CULTURE?

• BUILD BRIDGES

• INTENTIONAL ENGAGEMENT

• COMPASSIONATE CONVERSATIONS

• ACTS OF LOVE AND SERVICE

• SHARE THE GOSPEL OF RECONCILIATION

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Jesus on the cross looked at those who were guilty of carrying out his crucifixion and said,

(Luke 23:34) “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”

We must see lost people as prisoners WHO DO NOT COMPREHEND WHAT THEY ARE DOING.

No matter how evil or anti-god they may appear, we must assume that they are acting out of either ignorance (have not heard the truth) or rebellion (they understand the truth but reject it.)

If it is rebellion, and they reject the gospel we present, we can brush the dust from our feet and move on to another.

But understand that whether it is ignorance or rebellion they are not beyond hope, redemption, or reconciliation. 

If they still can hear and respond to the Gospel, God may yet draw them to Himself through the proclamation of the Gospel.

Before you give up on someone, be sure that God has given you permission to “give up.”

Next week we will look at Acts 17:16-34 to see how Paul sought to engage a pagan people with the gospel.

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