One Man's Testimony
The sermon emphasizes the importance of being a debtor to the Gospel, being ready to share the message, and being unashamed of the Gospel, as exemplified by Paul's testimony in Romans 1:13-17.
Theodore Epp emphasizes Paul's testimony in Romans 1:13-17, where Paul expresses his sense of obligation, readiness, and lack of shame regarding the Gospel. Epp highlights that as believers reconciled through Christ, we have a duty to share the message of reconciliation with others. He stresses the importance of being mentally prepared to fulfill God's will and the significance of standing firm in our faith without shame. Ultimately, our faithfulness in this ministry will be a key aspect when we stand before Christ.
Text
Romans 1:13-17
In Romans 1:14-16 Paul made three significant statements about himself. First, he said, "I am debtor" (v. 14). He realized he had an obligation because he had seen the truth concerning Jesus Christ. Those of us who have been reconciled to God through the blood of Jesus Christ have a ministry of reconciliation--we have an obligation to take the message to others (see 2 Cor. 5:18-20). When we stand before Christ to give account, our faithfulness to this type of ministry will no doubt be one of the chief concerns.
Second, Paul stated, "I am ready" (Rom. 1:15). It's one thing to sense an obligation and even to be willing, but it is another thing to be ready. Readiness involves a mental attitude--putting ourselves at God's disposal to do His will.
Third, Paul said, "I am not ashamed" (v. 16). He was not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is a clear and strong reference to the great doctrine that the Holy Spirit, through Paul, established by irrefutable logic in the succeeding chapters of Romans; that is, the doctrine of justification by faith. Or one may simply call it the doctrine of salvation by grace.
"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear" (1 Pet. 3:15).
Sermon Outline
- Paul's Obligation
- Paul's Readiness
- Paul's Unashamedness
- Being a debtor to the Gospel
- Ministry of Reconciliation
- Mental Attitude
- Putting ourselves at God's disposal
- Not Ashamed of the Gospel
- The Doctrine of Justification by Faith
Key Quotes
“I am debtor” — Theodore Epp
“I am ready” — Theodore Epp
“I am not ashamed” — Theodore Epp
Application Points
- We have a ministry of reconciliation to take the message of Jesus Christ to others.
- We should strive to have a mental attitude and be at God's disposal to do His will.
- We should be ready to give an answer about our hope in Christ with meekness and fear.