"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,) Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you. 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. 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."
Please mark the phrase in verse 16 of Romans chapter one where Paul says that the gospel is the "power of God unto salvation."
The Greek word for "power" used here is "Dunamis" where we get our word for Dynamite! It means a miraculous power. The gospel is literally the dynamite of God unto salvation. When people trust Christ as their Savior, their lives are never the same. They are transformed and it is the testimony of these transformed lives that is truly powerful!
They go from sinner to saved.
From a child of Satan to a child of God.
From an enemy of God to a friend of God.
From being lost to being found.
From having God’s wrath abiding on us to having the Love of God save us.
From being destined for an eternity without God in hell to inheriting eternal life with God in heaven.
From having the debt, penalty, and bondage of sin in our lives to enjoying freedom and multiplied gifts from our Savior for the rest of our lives.
From being in darkness to entering His marvelous light.
That’s the power of a changed life!!!!!!
Story:
It is said that the strongest argument for the Gospel of Christ is the personal testimony of someone whose life has been changed by it. Charles Bradlaugh, an avowed infidel, once challenged the Rev. H. P. Hughes to a debate. The preacher, who was head of a rescue mission in London, England, accepted the challenge with the condition that he could bring with him 100 men and women who would tell what had happened in their lives since trusting Christ as their Savior. They would be people who once lived in deep sin, some having come from poverty-stricken homes caused by the vices of their parents. Hughes said they would not only tell of their conversion, but would submit to cross-examination by any who doubted their stories. Furthermore, the minister invited his opponent to bring a group of non-believers who could tell how they were helped by their lack of faith.
When the appointed day arrived, the preacher came, accompanied by 100 transformed persons. But Bradlaugh never showed up. The result? The meeting turned into a testimony time and many sinners who had gathered to hear the scheduled debate were converted to Christ!
The gospel is the one and only message that has tremendous power and the one thing that you and I as believers should not be ashamed of. It is a message that came from God, and is centered around His Son, Jesus Christ. And as God’s people, we need to look at, realize, and explore the power or the dynamite that this gospel contains.
#1). POWER FOR SALVATION
I John 1:9 says,
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
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 song says,
"would you be free from your burden of sin, there’s power in the blood, power in the blood, would you o’er evil a victory win, there’s wonderful power in the blood, there is power, power, wonder working power, in the precious blood of the lamb"
Or how about,
"Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power? Are you washed in the blood of the lamb?
And what about,
"Dear dying Lamb, Thy precious blood shall never lose its power. Till all the ransomed church of God be saved to sin no more"
God demonstrated His great power and omnipotence when He paid the price for our sins by becoming a man without ceasing to be God, being virgin born, living a sinless life, dying on the cross in our place, rising in victory over death, hell and the grave so that we can have salvation.
We all know how modern man has made great strides in medicine and technology, but none of his achievements can bring forgiveness and cleansing to his own heart and soul, and never will, like salvation can!
The gospel is the power of God to bring salvation to all mankind and not just to a select few.
II Peter 3:9,
"not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."
Romans 10:13,
"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
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."
Once again, Paul said to the Roman Christians,
"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."
Story:
A.B. Simpson is reported to have said that the gospel "Tells rebellious men that God is reconciled, that justice is satisfied, that sin has been atoned for, that the judgment of the guilty may be revoked, the condemnation of the sinner canceled, the curse of the Law blotted out, the gates of hell closed, the portals of heaven opened wide, the power of sin subdued, the guilty conscience healed, the broken heart comforted, the sorrow and misery of the Fall undone.
All I can say to that is "Amen" and Praise the Lord for the power of His salvation!!!
#2). POWER FOR SERENITY (or peace)
Philippians 4:7 says,
"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
Romans 5:1 says,
"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
You can’t have the "peace of God" without having "Peace with God" first!
You’ve probably all seen the bumper sticker that says,
"Know Jesus, Know peace"
"No Jesus, No peace."
Story:
A Perfect Picture of Peace
Long ago a man sought the perfect picture of peace. Not finding one that satisfied, he announced a contest to produce this masterpiece. The challenge stirred the imagination of artists everywhere, and paintings arrived from far and wide. Finally the great day of revelation arrived. The judge’s uncovered one peaceful scene after another, while the viewers clapped and cheered. The tensions grew. Only two pictures remained veiled. As a judge pulled the cover from one, a hush fell over the crowd. A mirror-smooth lake reflected lacy, green birches under the soft blush of the evening sky. Along the grassy shore, a flock of sheep grazed undisturbed. Surely this was the winner.
The man with the vision uncovered the second painting himself, and the crowd gasped in surprise. Could this be peace? A tumultuous waterfall cascaded down a rocky precipice; the crowd could almost feel its cold, penetrating spray. Stormy-gray clouds threatened to explode with lightning, wind and rain. In the midst of the thundering noises and bitter chill, a spindly tree clung to the rocks at the edge of the falls. One of its branches reached out in front of the torrential waters as if foolishly seeking to experience its full power. A little bird had built a nest in the elbow of that branch. Content and undisturbed in her stormy surroundings, she rested on her eggs. With her eyes closed and her wings ready to cover her little ones, she manifested peace that transcends all earthly turmoil. A peace that passes all human understanding.
The gospel not only is the power of God unto salvation, but it is also the power of peace to the soul that rests in the God of all comfort. Do you need that peace today? Is there something that you can’t handle alone and you need God’s help and peace? Go to Him today with your burdens and your cares and find true peace. A powerful peace.
All of man’s amazing scientific achievements have failed to bring any lasting peace in this world:
1. There are more strife’s
2. There are more conflicts
3. There are more wars than ever before
The Personnel Journal reported this incredible statistic: since the beginning of recorded history, the entire world has been at peace less than eight percent of the time! In its study, the periodical discovered that of 3530 years of recorded history, only 286 years saw peace. Moreover, in excess of 8000 peace treaties were made—and broken.
The only source of real and lasting peace today is found in the power of the gospel!
When we accept Jesus Christ as Savior, we may claim the promise,
"The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus"
#3) POWER FOR SECURITY
1 Peter 1:4-5 says,
"To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power (dunamis) of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."
Millions today are searching for security through education, popularity, and accumulation of wealth, but the only real and lasting source of security is found in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Earth’s treasures wear out, rust, and decay, but the love of God, salvation, and the assurance of eternal life will last forever and bring security to our hearts.
Jesus said in Matthew 6:19,
"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal."
That’s security!
John 10:27-30 Jesus comforted His disciples with these words,
"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."
That is what we call be under double lock and key. When you are in Christ, you are secure!!!
We’ve seen Power for salvation, power for peace, and power for security. Last we see,
#4) POWER FOR SERVICE
Acts 1:8, one fifth of the great commission says,
"But ye shall receive power (dunamis), after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
The same word translated "power" here is the same word in Romans 1:16, it is the power of God unto salvation." "Dunamis" or dynamite is what we need to break through to the hardened hearts of the lost as we "work" while it is still day, for the night cometh when no man can work. (John 9:4)
Born again, Holy Spirit filled Christians are given power to serve the Lord for ministry in the local New Testament church.
In Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus is giving the great commission to His disciples and He says,
"And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore (or because I have all power), and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."
The God of all power not only commands us but He also promises to be with us if we obey His commands. We used to have a saying that went like this, Jesus promised if we "go" that "lo" He would be with us and we would have His divine power and presence. But if we do not go then we will not have His presence or His power to enable us to serve Him as we should.
Let’s make up our mind that we can have the same power, the dynamite of God, if we will obey His commands in His word.
The gospel of Christ is:
The power of salvation. Are you saved this morning? Have you ever trusted Christ as your personal savior and had your sins forgiven? Then you haven’t yet experienced the power of salvation.
The power of serenity or peace.
The power for security.
And the power for service.
Where are you? Please respond appropriately during the invitation. Allow the Lord to do a powerful work in your life.