mgpcpastor's blog

As mentioned previously, we’re launching into the book of Romans at mgpc, beginning tomorrow. Last Sunday we overviewed the theme of the whole book. Even as we move through I want to move through substantial portions and not engage in verse by verse sermons. We’ll be finished before the end of the year, God willing.
So, the title of tomorrow’s sermon is: ‘Nothing To Be Ashamed Of’. There’ll be two major areas examined. The man, the mission. Not too imaginative, I know, but this is classic material.
Firstly we’ll consider Paul, who describes himself as a servant, an apostle and an encourager and a person who is Gospel centered. I want to identify a couple of little flags in this self description, particularly in the areas of serving and encouraging because Paul will return to these themes in Chapter 12 and following. Just as these qualities flowed from Paul’s relationship with God, so they should flow from the life of every Christian.
Secondly we’ll consider the mission. The center of the Christian Gospel is the person of Jesus. It is not a set of moral lessons that He taught or an ethical system derived from observation of His life. He is the Gospel. The Gospel is for all people, regardless of background. This is important because we’ll soon learn that Jesus is the only plan God has to save people, and all people need to be saved. Lastly, we’ll observe again that the end outcome of the Gospel is the display of God’s power. The power of God rightly appreciated leads us to worship and glorify Him. I think that theme is well laid out in the book of Revelation, among others.
So there you have it. Romans week one.
Hope your encounter with the Word of God as the Scriptures are read and preached will be a blessing to you and reveal the glory of God.