Theme: The gospel of Jesus Christ reveals God’s power to save all who believe.
Introduction
The book of Romans is one of the most important letters ever written. It is Paul’s masterpiece — a letter filled with truth, grace, and the heart of the gospel.
In Romans chapter 1, the Apostle Paul introduces himself, declares his mission, and presents the central message of Christianity: salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
The world is full of knowledge, technology, and power, but none of these can save a soul. Only the gospel — the good news of Jesus — has the power to change hearts, forgive sins, and bring eternal life.
1. The Servant and the Message (Romans 1:1–7)
“Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God.” — Romans 1:1
Paul begins this letter with humility. Before anything else, he identifies himself as a servant of Christ. His life is no longer his own. He lives to serve the Lord and share the gospel.
The gospel he preaches is not man-made — it is “the gospel of God”, promised long before through the prophets and fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
Key Lessons:
True calling begins with surrender. Paul was once Saul, an enemy of Christ, but God transformed his heart.
The gospel is God’s message, not human opinion. It comes from heaven, not from human wisdom.
We are called to belong to Christ. In verse 6, Paul says believers are “called to belong to Jesus Christ.” That’s our true identity.
The more we understand who we are in Christ, the more we will live with purpose and confidence in God’s calling.
2. The Power of the Gospel (Romans 1:8–17)
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…” — Romans 1:16
This is one of the greatest verses in the Bible. Paul boldly declares that he is not ashamed of the gospel. In a world that mocked faith and worshiped idols, Paul stood firm because he knew the gospel is the only hope for humanity.
The gospel is not weak or outdated — it is the power of God. The word “power” here comes from the Greek dunamis, from which we get the word dynamite. The gospel has explosive power — the power to change lives, break addictions, and restore hope.
Why the Gospel Is Powerful:
It brings salvation. No one is too far gone for God to save.
It is for everyone. The gospel is for “the Jew first and also for the Greek” — meaning it’s for all people, every nation, every background.
It reveals God’s righteousness. Through Christ, we are made right with God — not by our works, but by faith.
Paul ends this section with the declaration:
“The righteous shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:17)
That is the heart of Christianity — living by faith, not by fear or self-righteousness.
3. The Need for the Gospel (Romans 1:18–32)
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men…” — Romans 1:18
After explaining the beauty of the gospel, Paul explains why it is needed. Humanity has turned away from God and fallen into sin. Though God’s existence is clear through creation, many choose to ignore Him.
People exchange the truth of God for lies, worshiping created things rather than the Creator. As a result, sin corrupts the human heart, leading to brokenness, confusion, and spiritual death.
Key Lessons:
Sin begins when we turn from truth. When people stop honoring God, darkness enters their thinking.
God allows free will. He lets people follow their choices, but those choices have consequences.
Only the gospel can restore what sin has broken.
Paul’s message is not to condemn but to awaken — to help us see our need for grace. Without Jesus, we are lost; but through Him, we are forgiven and made new.
4. Living Unashamed of the Gospel
As believers, we are called to live boldly and faithfully, just like Paul. In a world that often rejects God, we must not be ashamed of our faith.
To live unashamed means:
To speak the truth in love.
To share our faith with compassion.
To live with integrity, showing Christ through our actions.
When the gospel truly transforms our hearts, we become living witnesses of God’s power.
Conclusion
Romans 1 teaches us three unshakable truths:
The gospel is God’s message of salvation.
The gospel has power to transform anyone who believes.
The gospel reveals the righteousness of God through faith.
The same power that changed Paul can change us. The same grace that saved him can save anyone.
Let us, like Paul, declare with confidence:
“I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God unto salvation.”
May we live each day with faith, courage, and gratitude for the amazing grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
