Romans 1- Unashamed of Jesus

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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. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. Romans 1:16-17

As I reflect upon our scripture this morning, it brings me back to when I began this ministry. Some of you might know, this year is the 10th anniversary of my ministry, and this scripture (Romans 1:16) was the inspiration of naming my ministry Unashamed of Jesus. As I look through the past decade, I don’t think I ever realized how difficult it would be to preach the gospel and be a faithful servant of Christ. I’ve been called probably every name in the book, cursed at and mocked by many across the globe, my faith has been continually challenged by atheists, muslims, and false christians. But the Holy Spirit has never let me stray, I’ve always have been unashamed and unapologetic of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ

Now I don’t want you to think I’m being dramatic, my persecution has been nothing compared to the Apostles and Prophets that went before us, however you need to understand when you give your life to Christ, the world will come after you. One thing I continually try to emphasize to new Christians, is this is going to be a tough walk. As Jesus said “They will hate you because of me” (Matthew 10:22) This is obviously not a popular message, and many walk away after I preach these messages, but I feel its necessary to prepare Christias to “count the cost of being a disciple of Christ” (Luke 14:28) As Jesus said “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” (Matthew 16:24

Through this, God has prepared me to become the Pastor/Preacher I am today, its because my faith has been challenged, that I’ve grown spiritually strong enough to rebuke even some of the most clever demons. Once people, especially demons find out your a Pastor or Preacher, they will come after you. They know if they can take out the Shepherd, the flock will scatter. How many times have we seen this? A Pastor is removed from a Church, and alot of times that Church ends up closing, why? Because the flock is scattered, and Satan is a roaring lion looking to devour you (1 Peter 5:8)

The intro of John Macarthers channel “Grace To You” always begins with Macarther saying “Why are we so ashamed of the gospel”? And I take this to heart, because most Pastors/Preachers are afraid to just preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. There are many false converts today in Christianity because many Pastors are preaching a false gospel. It’s essential among anything, to preach the true gospel of Christ, that we are sinners and Christ died for our sins, rose again on the 3rd day defeating sin and death, and we must repent and put our faith in Christ alone for salvation.

So my question as I wrap this up, are you ashamed of your Lord Jesus Christ? And are you ashamed to preach the real gospel of Jesus Christ? I’ll end with the words of our Lord “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.” (Luke 9:26)

Romans 1- The Church Part 2

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For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles. 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. Romans 1:11-15

As Born Again Christians there should be a desire for community among other believers, as the Apostle Paul says here “For I long to see you” Paul had a great desire to be in fellowship with his brothers and sisters in Rome, but was unable to at the present time due to his mission of spreading the gospel. However Christians should not forsake the assembly of each other (Hebrews 10:25) There should be an actual desire for community and fellowship.

You might ask Why? Why does Paul need to fellowship with this community? Why do you need to be a part of a Church? Well as Paul says here “that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift” Hopefully most know, if you are a Born Again Christ, the Holy Spirit is living inside of you, you have been given gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12) When you forsake the Church, you forsake sharing your spiritual gifts with the rest of the body of Christ. This is a very self centered attitude, the Church needs you just as you need the Church. Paul had a great desire to share his spiritual gifts with the body of Christ, as he continues to bless us today with his writings inspired by the Holy Spirit.

Another reason we need the Church for community, as the Apostle Paul says here “that I may be comforted together with you by mutual faith” When you become set apart in Christ, fellowship in the world becomes almost impossible. While the world has desires of the world, Christians have the desire of Christ. Your soul longs and earns for mutual fellowship among other believers. You won’t find spiritual fellowship outside of Christ, or the fellowship you find may lead you away from Christ. It’s important to be part of a community of Christ that comforts one another. As the Apostle Paul also says , we the Church are to “bear each others burdens” (Galatians 6:2) 

As I continually try to teach new believers, this Christian walk will be difficult, there will be persecution, there will be trials and testing. Nobody is going to survive this walk alone, you need the Church and the Church needs you. As Jesus said “those who endure to the end, shall be saved” (Matthew 24:13) This is not going to be a easy walk, you need the Church!

The Apostle Paul again states “I don’t want you to be ignorant or unaware brethren (Church), I planned to come to you” The Apostle Paul continually had a strong desire to be with his brothers and sisters in Christ, why? “That I may have some fruit or have a harvest among you” We have a mission as the Church, to fulfill the Great Commision (Matthew 28:19) It’s another blessing to see the spiritual fruit that is produced by an active Church sharing the gospel in their community and reaping a harvest for The Lord, Amen!