I invite you to turn with me tonight to Romans chapter 1. Romans 1, as we read together the first 17 verses, considering specifically verse 16. Romans chapter 1, beginning at verse 1. Hear now the Word of God. Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God, the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures, regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord. Through Him and for His name's sake, we receive grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints, grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you because your faith is being reported all over the world. God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of His Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times, and I pray that now at last, by God's will, the way may be open for me to come to you. I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong, that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith. I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I planned many times to come to you, but have been prevented from doing so until now, in order that I might have a harvest among you just as I have had among the other Gentiles. I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are at Rome. I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes, first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the Gospel, a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written, the righteous will live by faith. There ends the reading of God's holy word. Beloved in Christ the Lord, as Reformed Christians, as those who are familiar with the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century, as we read Paul's words here, it sort of seems that he may have known the struggles that the church would face some 15 centuries later with regard to the role of grace and faith in salvation. And even more, as if Paul knew that a young Martin Luther would struggle to achieve the righteousness that he knew that God required. But instead, Luther would become increasingly tormented in his heart and mind as the harder he tried, the more he saw how sinful he was. Luther dreaded the day that he would stand before God to give an account of himself, and he confessed, I had no love for that holy and just God who punished sinners. I was filled with secret anger against him." It's as if Paul knew that Martin Luther would struggle in that way, and as if he wrote, especially verse 17, just for Luther. For in the Gospel, a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written, the righteous will live by faith. By God's grace, through those words, Luther's eyes were opened to the truth that the righteousness needed to stand before a holy God is not one that we can achieve, not one that we can attain, but it's a righteousness that comes from God and it is a free gift to His people. No, Paul didn't know about Martin Luther. Paul didn't know about the Reformation. But God did. And God delivered Luther from the hopelessness of himself to confidence in Christ alone. So that on October 31, 1517, with courage, we know he posted the 95 Thesis on the door of the castle church at Wittenberg. And a few years later, in 1521, at the Diet of Worms, when asked if he would recant his writings, writings that he had written against the Pope and against the Roman Catholic Church and against indulgences, to name a few things. When asked if he would recant his writings standing firm on the Word of God, in essence, Martin Luther says, I can't recant. He said, here I stand. I can do no other. And that was Martin Luther's own way of saying with Paul, I am not ashamed of the Gospel. It is agreed by many commentators that verses 16 and 17 are Paul's theme for this entire epistle to the Roman church. These verses are the essence of Christianity, teaching how one may become right with God as here we have Paul's appraisal of the Gospel. Boys and girls, an appraisal means to give a value to something. For example, if your parents have their house appraised, what they are doing is finding out how much that house is worth. Therefore, we might say we have here Paul's appraisal of the value of the Gospel. Noticing, first of all, it's honor. Not an honor to the Gospel, but the honor that the Gospel gave to Paul. Someone has said it was not an honor for the Gospel to be served by Paul, but it was an honor for Paul to serve the Gospel. He himself said he was eager to preach the Gospel in Rome. He was eager to preach it without shame. I am not ashamed of the Gospel. We all know what it means to be ashamed of something. It means to feel shame, to feel a disgrace or an embarrassment because of something, and therefore a desire to distance oneself from that something. Paul makes it clear in Romans 6, verse 21, what we ought to be ashamed of and what we ought to distance ourselves from. He says, what benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death. And he's talking about when they were slaves to righteousness, slaves to sin. To be ashamed. Now, someone might say, but we understand the Gospel is so wonderful. Why would he be ashamed? What reason would Paul have to be ashamed of the Gospel? Well, in Paul's day, both the unbelieving Jews and unbelieving Gentiles, for all that they did not agree on. They agreed upon one thing, and that was that the gospel of Jesus Christ was foolishness. That the cross where someone is hideously put to death, that one rising again from the dead, that hope in a man who isn't even around anymore, that all of that was foolishness. The gospel was a stumbling block that offended people by telling them that they needed something that they can't provide themselves when in pride, man thinks that he doesn't need anything. And if he does, certainly he can take care of himself. It was a day of wise philosophers who spoke with all kinds of reason while the Gospel, you see, was unreasonable. The Gospel drew persecution not only in the sense of laughter and ridicule as if people would laugh at Paul as he's going down the street and say, you're wasting your time. But it drew persecution in the sense of hardship and threats and eventually Paul's life. There are many things like that that would cause someone to be ashamed because of the effect. And we know that the Gospel still draws persecution today, even though our society and our culture portrays a certain veneer, a thin skin of religious tolerance. yet we know that it is still very intolerant of and very hostile toward the gospel of Jesus Christ. However, sadly, it seems that even many in the church and many churches are ashamed of the gospel. Preaching of the gospel has been given second place or even a lower place to a variety of other worship techniques. And that which calls itself preaching focuses on current events or current issues or maybe human relationships or success or self-help techniques or conquering addictions or man's felt needs. And we can be sure for the unbeliever, sin is not a felt need. And all of these things, you see, are preached without shame. They're preached courageously. But there is shame. There are many who are ashamed of the preaching of the Gospel because at very least, the offense of the cross, the offense of sin, that very foolishness of the message by which God saves those who believe, that offense is watered down. It is made to seem more palatable, more acceptable. It's made to seem as if one is doing God a favor by believing in Him. The heart of the gospel is so far removed because so many are ashamed of its offense and afraid to be offensive. And many professing Christians, maybe even some among us tonight, shrink back from standing up for the truth and standing up for the name of Jesus. Maybe we get embarrassed at times to admit that we go to a Christian school, students, or to admit that we belong to a church or admit that we are Christians. Maybe we become ashamed at times and we really don't want that news to be known. The Reformation found a time in history of man-made invention when it came to spiritual things. As if the Gospel was not sufficient or as if man needed a different Gospel which Paul says in Galatians 1 is no Gospel at all. If it's not the true Gospel according to the Scriptures, it is no Gospel at all because it has a different content. In other words, it has no good news. It has a different conclusion. It has no hope. Beloved, are we truly zealous in a God-pleasing way for the truth of Jesus Christ? Do we demonstrate that zealousness in God-pleasing ways? Indeed, a better example for us would be Guido de Bray. You ought to recognize that name. He is the one who wrote the Belgic Confession. He ought to be an example. He is an example for us along with the Reformed believers who surrounded Him at that time on their behalf, he wrote that they were willing to offer their backs to stripes, their tongues to knives, their mouths to gags, their whole bodies to the fire, rather than deny the truth expressed in this confession, the Belgic Confession. They were not ashamed of the Gospel, willing to be tortured, willing to suffer, willing to die for the sake of the Gospel. Paul was not ashamed, afraid, embarrassed of or by the Gospel for any reason. But instead, he was eager to preach it with confidence. Because it is good news. We know that's what the Gospel is, good news. That good news is, as verse 17 says, a righteousness from God is revealed. From the Gospel, a righteousness from God is revealed. And that's a good translation. The righteousness of another and that other is Jesus Christ. As Paul makes clear in verses 3 and 9, he's preaching the Gospel of God's Son, whom he makes clear is Jesus Christ. And that righteousness of Jesus Christ gave Luther peace. That righteousness by which we must and can only stand before and be right with a holy God. And Paul was not ashamed of it, but he was excited about it. And beloved, we easily and eagerly promote to others the things that we love. Whether it be something as simple as a book or a hairstylist or a restaurant or even a new dish or boys and girls, if you're excited about something, you tell your friends, you've got to try this. For Paul, that was the Gospel. He loved it. Because it is the greatest news. It is news that is indispensable. It is guaranteed. It is necessary. Beloved, may we be honored to know by faith the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to share that Gospel. You see, we would never be ashamed to broadcast a guaranteed cure for a deadly disease. I suspect not one of us would be ashamed to broadcast that. We want to be the first ones out there to broadcast that news. That's what Paul is broadcasting. That was Paul's appraisal of the Gospel. It was most valuable. And it was most valuable in the second place because of its effect. I am not ashamed of the Gospel because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes. The Gospel is power. It is a power of God. And the effect of the Gospel is exclusive with God because it is His power. Regarding that righteousness, verse 17 goes on to say, it is a righteousness that is by faith from first to last. Again, another good translation pointing us to the truth that this righteousness is ours by faith alone. Put alone in capital letters. By faith alone. It needs nothing, no help from you and I. There are some, even in our day, even some among the Reformed camp who teach that we are saved by grace and that sounds good. But they go on to say that we are saved, that we stay saved by our works. That we are saved by grace, but we stay saved by our works. And therefore, our works are indispensable toward our salvation. Now, that also would have tormented Luther because he knew just how hideous his works were. That as Isaiah says, even his best works were like filthy rags. The Gospel is power of God. Again, an amazing thing, a bold thing for Paul to state, especially to this church in Rome, because Rome, we know, was powerful, powerful in its achievements. It was a world power at that time. Or as we mentioned this morning, we think of mankind today. Mankind has been able, indeed, by the blessing of God, to achieve amazing things and to have all kinds of human power. Yet Paul knew that no human might and no human power, you could put it all together, yet altogether it could not even accomplish what Gospel power alone could accomplish, and that is to give real deliverance, eternal deliverance from sin and its power, and to give reconciliation with God. Only Gospel power can accomplish the greatest need, the most important need for mankind. the need for salvation. And Paul teaches that need very clearly in chapters 2 and 3 as he teaches of the sinfulness of man. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. There is none righteous. No, not one. That means that we are all guilty before God. We are all completely polluted with gross pollution of sin. We are all in bondage to sin in and of ourselves. Our most urgent need of each and every one is to be rescued and saved. And that salvation is provided through Jesus Christ. Through His saving work on the cross. Giving His righteous life. Paying for our filthy sin. Enduring the wrath of God that should have been against you and me. And conquering the grave through His resurrection. That is that greatest news. He has powerfully accomplished and secured the salvation of all those chosen by God. And, beloved, that good news preached, though foolishness to the world, and again, many are ashamed and water it down, so it's not even the true gospel anymore, but that good news preached is powerful in the hand of God by the Holy Spirit to transform hearts and lives. Powerful to accomplish God's purpose. And that means that Gospel power by the Holy Spirit results in transforming hearts of stone into fertile soil in which the seed of the Word of God finds root and grows. And the result is a rescue from the greatest evil and placing in possession of the greatest good, which includes a rescue from sin's guilt and placing in possession of that state of righteousness from pollution of sin to holiness in Christ. from slavery to sin, to freedom from slavery to sin, and freedom in Christ, from the punishment of God, which includes alienation from God, and the wrath of God, and everlasting death, to the blessedness of God, which includes fellowship with God, and the love of God, and everlasting life. That is Paul's appraisal of the Gospel. There's nothing more valuable in the whole world than the Gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord and Paul was not ashamed of it because God is the accomplisher by His power. Our God does not just tell us about it. It does no good to tell somebody good news if they can't get their hands on it. Our God does not simply tell us about it, but God Himself gives this salvation and righteousness that we need in order to be acceptable to and accepted by Him. And that Gospel power by the working of the Holy Spirit still works today. It still works today. Overturning lives and bringing the greatest change in mankind from enemies of God to friends with God, from hating God to loving Him, from one not thinking they need Him to one realizing they can't do without Him, from selfishness in my relationship with others to selflessness. Our beloved, may we not be ashamed of the Gospel, but preach it faithfully and boldly and fully, knowing that God will accomplish, in the third place, its scope. I am not ashamed of the Gospel because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes, first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. Notice that scope of God's salvation is qualified. It's qualified, it's only to those who believe. In other words, God's salvation is not for everyone. It calls for faith. For those who by the grace of God exercise that gift of faith they have been given. It does not call for circumcision or baptism or public profession of faith or doing all kinds of good things. As good and necessary and wonderful as those things are, those things apart from true faith are nothing and worthless. It's for those who by the grace of God receive and confide in Jesus Christ with confident assurance and trust in Him alone that through Christ's atoning work their sins are forgiven, their debt is canceled. Now they are adopted children of the King leaning on His everlasting arms. It is for those who forsake themselves and look outside of themselves only to Jesus Christ. Yet that scope of God's salvation is not only qualified, it's also clarified. it is only for those who believe, but it is for everyone who believes. First, for the Jew, and then for the Gentile. Very simply, we are to understand this, that it's for all who believe, no matter who they are, no matter where they are from. All who believe, regardless of race or nationality or age or sex or social rank or degree of education, no matter how tall or short. This is equality at its best. No one can do without the salvation of Jesus Christ. And beloved, this is the very same, the one and only gospel that saves us, that has saved us by the grace of God. As believers, we are recipients of the work of God's power through the gospel by His grace. And as recipients of that, beloved, we are called to cherish and desire that many would encounter the power of the gospel apart from which no one will see God. And that is why it is just as important to preach the gospel to two or three in a small village in Africa as to a stadium filled with 50 or 60,000. If one does not hear the gospel and believe, as Paul says later in chapter 10, how will they hear if someone doesn't preach? but if one does not hear and believe, they will go to hell. Thanks be to God that those who first told you and me were not ashamed. And may God give to each one of us boldness to tell the gospel of Jesus Christ. And that gospel power of which we hear is also made visible to us tonight at the Lord's table. Where we honor the host and where we are honored guests of the host, the Lord Jesus Christ. Where He promises to effect His blessing upon His own through this means of grace. Where He calls all who trust in Him alone to come for the feast to spread. Beloved, we are to rejoice in the gospel of Jesus Christ for the power that it displays in us and the comfort that it offers to us. God's Word alone is mighty to save and God will do what He says. He fulfills what He promises. And therefore, may our lives, complete with our thoughts and our words and our actions, be a demonstration of confidence in Jesus Christ alone. And may we speak with courage and excitement of that good news for which all people have a need. And may we not be content that any should not hear. And beloved, may we remember that not being ashamed of the gospel does not mean pressing the Christian faith by force or threat, but with courage and confidence simply telling and showing what Jesus Christ has done for you and me. Amen.