WHY PREACH THE GOSPEL?
Romans 1:13-17
TO OBTAIN SOME FRUIT
What is fruit?
Galatians 5:22-23 “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
Isaiah 5:1-7 – good grapes versus bad ones “justice” “righteousness”
Ezekiel 17 “bring forth boughs and bear fruit and become a stately cedar”
Implications of fruitlessness
Matthew 13:22 “worries of the world”, “deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful”
Ephesians 5:6-12 “unfruitful deeds of darkness”
Fruit-bearing is a test of discipleship – John 15:2, 8, 16
How to be fruitful – 2 Peter 1:4-11
YOU ARE UNDER OBLIGATION
The message itself makes us obligated
1. Forgiveness – Acts 13:38-39
2. Redemption – Ephesians 1:7
3. Justification – Romans 3:24; 5:18
4. Peace – Colossians 1:20; Ephesians 2:14-17; 6:15
5. Reconciliation – 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
6. Salvation – Acts 4:12; 13:47
His apostleship made Paul obligated
1. Chosen to bear fruit – John 15:16
2. Stewardship entrusted – 1 Corinthians 9:17
The recipients of the message make us obligated to all
1. To all creatures – Mark 16:15
2. To all nations – Matthew 28:18-20
3. To the uttermost ends of the earth – Acts 1:8
4. Greeks (sophisticated) – Acts 17:10-12
5. Barbarians (savage) – Acts 28:1-6
6. Wise – Acts 18: 24-28
7. Foolish – Acts 4:13
YOU ARE EAGER TO PREACH
Because of his desire to obtain fruit and his obligation, he is ready and eager to preach.
Isaiah said “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8)
Paul said “For the love of Christ controls [compels] us” (2 Corinthians 5:14)
Also, “woe is me if I do not preach the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:16)
Again, “But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.” (Acts 20:24)
IT IS THE POWER OF GOD FOR SALVATION TO EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES (Literally “is believing”)
1. In it the power of God is revealed
2. In it the love of God is revealed (John 3:16; 15:13; 1 John 4:9)
3. In it the impartiality of God is revealed (Ephesians 3:4-6)
4. In it the salvation of God is revealed (1 Peter 1:10-12)
IN IT THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD IS REVEALED
1. Righteousness is essential to inheriting the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9)
2. The righteousness of God is to be sought after (Matthew 6:33)
3. The righteousness of God is associated with “gaining Christ,” being “found in Him,” and “knowing Christ” (Philippians 3:7-11)
4. Two options for righteousness: Law or Faith
a. Our own righteousness, from the Law, it just not possible with man
b. “Righteousness of faith” (Romans 4:13) however, is possible
5. The righteousness of God has been manifested (Romans 3:21-22)
6. The righteousness of God is to be subjected to (Romans 10:3)
7. The righteousness of God is appropriated (received) through faith and produces more faith.
2 Timothy 1:8-10 “8Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, 9who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, 10but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel”