This morning after my quiet time,

I was reading through my notes from a sermon last week

and I wanted to share my thoughts...

Romans 1:14-16

“I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians;

both to the wise, and to the unwise.

So, as much as in me is,

I am ready to preach the gospel

to you that are at Rome also.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:

for it is the power of God unto salvation

To every one that believeth;

To the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”

In verse 14, Paul claims that he saw himself as a debtor.

He had the power of the gospel,

he knew what Christ had done for him,

and he acknowledged that he owed it to Christ

to share that Good News to all men.

We, as born-again believers, are debtors, too.

For what Christ has done for us,

we owe it to Him and others to spread that Good News!

He set for us the example…

“And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues,

and preaching the gospel of the kingdom…” ~ Matthew 4:23

(Matthew 9:35)

He sent the disciples…

“And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God…” ~ Luke 9:2

“And they departed, and went through the towns,

preaching the gospel…” ~ Luke 9:6

He sends us…

“As thou hast sent me into the world,

even so have I also sent them into the world.” ~ John 17:18

“Go ye into all the world,

and preach the gospel to every creature.” ~ Mark 16:15

“… Go out into the highways and hedges,

and compel them to come in…” ~ Luke 14:23

In verse 15 (Romans 1), Paul said that

“…as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel…”

With all that he had, he was ready.

He was able, he was willing, he was ready…

as much as was in him, he was ready to give.

He knew he was serving the Lord Jesus Christ

and was ready to do so with all that was within him.

“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily,

as unto the Lord, and not unto men;

Knowing that of the Lord

ye shall receive the reward of your inheritance:

for ye serve the Lord Christ.” ~ Colossians 3:23,24

He did not glory in preaching the gospel…

did not boast, brag, make a spectacle, etc.. of himself..

He knew it was a necessity to preach it

and knew it was to his shame if he did not…

“For though I preach the gospel,

I have nothing to glory of:

For necessity is laid upon me;

Yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!”

1 Corinthians 9:16

It is to my shame (our shame) if I assume

that my neighbor across the street, next to me, or down the road

has heard the one True Gospel.

It is to my shame if I assume

that the people I pass by in the store

have heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

It is to my shame if I assume

the waitress, the bank teller, the mailman, etc…

have heard the one True Way to get to Heaven.

It is to my shame if I assume

that my friends and family

know the saving Grace and forgiveness of Christ.

How can I (we) keep silent?

How can I not do as Paul claimed

and share the Good News

with all that is within me?

In verse 16, Paul said,

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:

for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth…”

Jesus said,

“For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words,

of him shall the Son of man be ashamed,

when he shall come in his own glory,

and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels.” ~ Luke 9:26

May we not be quiet…

“…Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” ~ Romans 10:11

“Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord…”

~ 1 Timothy 1:8

“…that I may open my mouth boldly,

to make known the mystery of the gospel,

… that therein I may speak boldly,

as I ought to speak.” ~ Ephesians 6:19,20

May “…the love of Christ constraineth us…” (2 Corinthians 5:14)

(constraineth = urge with irresistable power; compel, drive)

to share the Gospel.

Lord, lay on us the burden for lost and dying souls.

May we not have peace until we are bolding sharing the Peace of peace.