| Romans - The Gospel of God |
| Romans 1:1 |
| “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)” (Romans 1:1-2). |
Here in verse one we see that Paul is said to be a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an
apostle and separated unto the gospel of God. Paul was sold out to the preaching and teaching
of the Gospel, the good news of salvation. This is the greatest news the sinner can hear. It is
the good news that God has brought eternal salvation to all who will believe in His only
begotten Son, the One who personally brought salvation to this world.
There are three things that I would like for us to consider this morning, concerning the gospel
of God that Paul mentions here.
apostle and separated unto the gospel of God. Paul was sold out to the preaching and teaching
of the Gospel, the good news of salvation. This is the greatest news the sinner can hear. It is
the good news that God has brought eternal salvation to all who will believe in His only
begotten Son, the One who personally brought salvation to this world.
There are three things that I would like for us to consider this morning, concerning the gospel
of God that Paul mentions here.
| The Gospel is Promised |
God had promised the gospel in the Old Testament. Notice in verse two it says, “Which he
had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures.” The gospel was not an
afterthought of God. It was planned before the foundation of the world, prophesied and
pictured in the Old Testament.
had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures.” The gospel was not an
afterthought of God. It was planned before the foundation of the world, prophesied and
pictured in the Old Testament.
It Was Pictured in the Lambs Slain on the Altar
The lambs were selected without blemish and without spot, and were brought to the altar and
slain. There, their death and shed blood was a picture of the Lord Jesus going to the cross of
Calvary, and there offered Himself as the sacrificial Lamb for our sins. When John the Baptist,
who was the forerunner of the Lord Jesus Christ, introduced Christ to the nation of Israel, and
to the world, he said to all, “Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world.”
Here God had sent His Son into the world to be the sacrifice for sin. This was ordained before
the foundation of the world. Peter says in (I Peter 1:18-20) “Forasmuch as ye know that ye
were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation
received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb
without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the
world, but was manifest in these last times for you,” This is just one of the many types that
pictures the death of Christ on the cross and the redemption that He accomplished for the
sinner who will come to Him.
slain. There, their death and shed blood was a picture of the Lord Jesus going to the cross of
Calvary, and there offered Himself as the sacrificial Lamb for our sins. When John the Baptist,
who was the forerunner of the Lord Jesus Christ, introduced Christ to the nation of Israel, and
to the world, he said to all, “Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world.”
Here God had sent His Son into the world to be the sacrifice for sin. This was ordained before
the foundation of the world. Peter says in (I Peter 1:18-20) “Forasmuch as ye know that ye
were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation
received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb
without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the
world, but was manifest in these last times for you,” This is just one of the many types that
pictures the death of Christ on the cross and the redemption that He accomplished for the
sinner who will come to Him.
It Was Prophesied by the Prophet Isaiah
We see in the fifty third chapter of Isaiah one of the clearest prophecies in the Old Testament
of the substitutionary death of Christ. He says in (Isaiah 53:4-6) "Surely he hath borne our
griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and
afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the
chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like
sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid
on him the iniquity of us all." This is the Gospel of God set forth in a very clear manner. It's
teaching us the fact that Jesus is the only way of salvation, because He took our sins upon
Himself and paid the price for them on the cross by dying in our place. He was made sin for
us. The Bible says in (II Corinthians 5:21) “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew
no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
So by these two things we can see that the Gospel of God was promised in the Old Testament
through pictures and prophecies. Let me say here, that there are hundreds of types and
prophecies in the Old Testament that picture and foretell the coming Gospel of God through
the Lord Jesus Christ.
of the substitutionary death of Christ. He says in (Isaiah 53:4-6) "Surely he hath borne our
griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and
afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the
chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like
sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid
on him the iniquity of us all." This is the Gospel of God set forth in a very clear manner. It's
teaching us the fact that Jesus is the only way of salvation, because He took our sins upon
Himself and paid the price for them on the cross by dying in our place. He was made sin for
us. The Bible says in (II Corinthians 5:21) “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew
no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
So by these two things we can see that the Gospel of God was promised in the Old Testament
through pictures and prophecies. Let me say here, that there are hundreds of types and
prophecies in the Old Testament that picture and foretell the coming Gospel of God through
the Lord Jesus Christ.
| The Gospel is Powerful |
It is Powerful in Satisfying God's Justice
The law of God has all sinners under condemnation. The person who sins transgresses God’s
law, thus comes under the curse of the law, and is declared guilty before God. The Bible says
in (Romans 3:23) “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” And it says in
(Romans 3:19-20), “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who
are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty
before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight:
for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is
manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;” So we see that all have sinned,
and come short of the glory of God. We have transgressed God’s law, and we have failed to
reach God’s holy standard, which is absolute perfection. The wages of this sin is death, as we
see in (Romans 6:23), “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life
through the Lord Jesus Christ our Lord.”
You see, it is through the Lord Jesus Christ that the wages of sin is paid for us. The Bible says
in (Galatians 3:10) “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is
written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of
the law to do them.” Now we have seen that all have sinned and come short of the glory of
God. This means that we have failed to keep all the law in perfection, so we are found guilty,
and are under the curse of the law. But look at (Galatians 3:13), “Christ hath redeemed us
from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one
that hangeth on a tree.”
Now, we see in (Romans 3:24-26) “Being justified freely by his grace through the
redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through
faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past,
through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he
might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” Here we see that God set
Christ Jesus forth to be a “propitiation” for our sins. That is, He is the “Satisfaction” for our
sins. He satisfies all the demands of God’s law, God’s holiness and righteousness, removing all
obstacles, that we may come to Christ and be saved. This "Satisfaction" was accomplished in
the redemption of Christ paying the price that justice demanded, of which we were not able to
pay. Christ, in His death, paid the price for us, thus satisfying justice. So when we come to
Christ, repenting and trusting in Him, God justifies us, declaring us not guilty, and imputes, or
puts to our account, the righteousness of Christ, making us accepted in the Beloved, and fit to
stand in His presence holy and without blame in love. Yes! there is power in the gospel of God
to satisfy His justice in our place.
law, thus comes under the curse of the law, and is declared guilty before God. The Bible says
in (Romans 3:23) “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” And it says in
(Romans 3:19-20), “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who
are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty
before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight:
for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is
manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;” So we see that all have sinned,
and come short of the glory of God. We have transgressed God’s law, and we have failed to
reach God’s holy standard, which is absolute perfection. The wages of this sin is death, as we
see in (Romans 6:23), “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life
through the Lord Jesus Christ our Lord.”
You see, it is through the Lord Jesus Christ that the wages of sin is paid for us. The Bible says
in (Galatians 3:10) “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is
written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of
the law to do them.” Now we have seen that all have sinned and come short of the glory of
God. This means that we have failed to keep all the law in perfection, so we are found guilty,
and are under the curse of the law. But look at (Galatians 3:13), “Christ hath redeemed us
from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one
that hangeth on a tree.”
Now, we see in (Romans 3:24-26) “Being justified freely by his grace through the
redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through
faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past,
through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he
might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” Here we see that God set
Christ Jesus forth to be a “propitiation” for our sins. That is, He is the “Satisfaction” for our
sins. He satisfies all the demands of God’s law, God’s holiness and righteousness, removing all
obstacles, that we may come to Christ and be saved. This "Satisfaction" was accomplished in
the redemption of Christ paying the price that justice demanded, of which we were not able to
pay. Christ, in His death, paid the price for us, thus satisfying justice. So when we come to
Christ, repenting and trusting in Him, God justifies us, declaring us not guilty, and imputes, or
puts to our account, the righteousness of Christ, making us accepted in the Beloved, and fit to
stand in His presence holy and without blame in love. Yes! there is power in the gospel of God
to satisfy His justice in our place.
It is Powerful in Securing Our Souls
When we are saved we receive eternal life. We are then secure in the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus
Himself said in (John 10:27-30) "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow
me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man
pluck them out of my hand; My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man
is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one." What a joy it is to at
one with Christ. This means that He is in us, and we are in Him. The Holy Spirit is the One
who gives us the new birth. In the new birth, which is regeneration, the Holy Spirit places
Christ in us. That’s what Jesus meant when He said in (John 10:29), “My Father which gave
them me,...” This means that God gave us His Son, Christ in us, the hope of glory, as Paul
tells us in Colossians 1:27. So the work of the Holy Spirit in regeneration places Christ in us,
His life, which makes us partakers of the divine nature. This is what it means to “receive
Christ.” It is the work of the Holy Spirit placing Christ in us.
Now, in regeneration, the Holy Spirit places Christ in us. In His work of “spiritual baptism,”
He places us in Christ. Regeneration is the work of the Spirit putting Christ in us, His eternal
life. Spiritual baptism is the work of the Holy Spirit putting us in Christ, by identifying us in His
death, burial, and resurrection, and in His body, the church. Regeneration and the baptism of
the Spirit happens at the same time. This makes us one with Christ, thus we are secure in Him.
Himself said in (John 10:27-30) "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow
me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man
pluck them out of my hand; My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man
is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one." What a joy it is to at
one with Christ. This means that He is in us, and we are in Him. The Holy Spirit is the One
who gives us the new birth. In the new birth, which is regeneration, the Holy Spirit places
Christ in us. That’s what Jesus meant when He said in (John 10:29), “My Father which gave
them me,...” This means that God gave us His Son, Christ in us, the hope of glory, as Paul
tells us in Colossians 1:27. So the work of the Holy Spirit in regeneration places Christ in us,
His life, which makes us partakers of the divine nature. This is what it means to “receive
Christ.” It is the work of the Holy Spirit placing Christ in us.
Now, in regeneration, the Holy Spirit places Christ in us. In His work of “spiritual baptism,”
He places us in Christ. Regeneration is the work of the Spirit putting Christ in us, His eternal
life. Spiritual baptism is the work of the Holy Spirit putting us in Christ, by identifying us in His
death, burial, and resurrection, and in His body, the church. Regeneration and the baptism of
the Spirit happens at the same time. This makes us one with Christ, thus we are secure in Him.
| The Gospel is Personal |
Because it is Through a Person
The gospel is the good news of salvation. It is the good news that God has sent His Son into
the world to save sinners. (John 3:16) says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his
only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting
life.” There is no salvation in clubs, social organizations, works, religious ceremonies or man.
Salvation is only through the Divine Person, the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself said (John 14:
6) “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the
Father, but by me.” The only way sinful man can approach the divine holy God is through the
one Mediator, the man Christ Jesus. He is the way to God. The Bible says in (Acts 4:12)
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given
among men, whereby we must be saved”
the world to save sinners. (John 3:16) says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his
only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting
life.” There is no salvation in clubs, social organizations, works, religious ceremonies or man.
Salvation is only through the Divine Person, the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself said (John 14:
6) “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the
Father, but by me.” The only way sinful man can approach the divine holy God is through the
one Mediator, the man Christ Jesus. He is the way to God. The Bible says in (Acts 4:12)
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given
among men, whereby we must be saved”
Because it is Believed Personally
The apostle Paul says in (Romans 1:16), “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” The gospel must be believed by the hearer. No one can be saved for you. Every
person must come to Jesus Christ. No one can come to him for another. Salvation is an
individual matter between each of us and God. We are not saved just because we have, or
have had good Christian parents. This is good, but it will not save you. You must call upon the
Lord yourself. Have you done this? Listen to the invitations that are given to you. God says in
(Isaiah 1:18) “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as
scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as
wool.” The Lord Jesus said in (Matthew 11:28) “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are
heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek
and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my
burden is light.” And we see in the last book of the Bible, (Revelation 22:17) “And the Spirit
and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst
come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”
The gospel of God is a promised gospel, promised by the Lord God all down through the ages.
It is a powerful gospel in that it brings salvation to all who will believe it, and it is a personal
gospel because it is through a Person, the Lord Jesus Christ, and because every one must
believe it personally. Will you believe it and come to the Lord Jesus Now?
is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to
the Greek” The gospel must be believed by the hearer. No one can be saved for you. Every
person must come to Jesus Christ. No one can come to him for another. Salvation is an
individual matter between each of us and God. We are not saved just because we have, or
have had good Christian parents. This is good, but it will not save you. You must call upon the
Lord yourself. Have you done this? Listen to the invitations that are given to you. God says in
(Isaiah 1:18) “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as
scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as
wool.” The Lord Jesus said in (Matthew 11:28) “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are
heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek
and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my
burden is light.” And we see in the last book of the Bible, (Revelation 22:17) “And the Spirit
and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst
come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”
The gospel of God is a promised gospel, promised by the Lord God all down through the ages.
It is a powerful gospel in that it brings salvation to all who will believe it, and it is a personal
gospel because it is through a Person, the Lord Jesus Christ, and because every one must
believe it personally. Will you believe it and come to the Lord Jesus Now?
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Blessed Hope
A Continuing Ministry of Milford Cecil
A Continuing Ministry of Milford Cecil
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