Open:
What is shame? What drives it?
Why do you think it dwells deep in the hearts of so many men…and women?
Objective:
Understand the transformational power of the gospel in our lives and how we can move forward in truth with confidence, despite our own insecurities and inadequacies.
Read:
Rom. 1:16 -17, “16 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. 17 For in the gospel 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.’”
Study
What does tradition and the scriptures tell us about Paul? Would he have been an impressive person? What were some of his inadequacies?
If Paul was not so impressive and he was aware of his own inadequacies, why would he say he’s not ashamed?
Paul’s confidence in the gospel was based on what? Why could he be so confident?
Paul may have felt intimidated or insecure as he traveled and proclaimed the gospel, but what was it that ultimately drove his actions?
In verse 16 we read that the gospel is “the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.” In what ways do you see the “inclusive nature of the exclusive gospel?”
Focus on Paul’s declaration in verses 16-17. What do these verses reveal about the power of the gospel?
How did Martin Luther view the righteousness of God before and after his conversion?
What does Paul mean by (a) the righteousness from God and (b) from faith to faith in verse 17? In what ways does this give us hope and confidence?
Paul’s letter ends with the famous phrase “The righteous will live by faith.” In practical terms, what does this mean?
This passage uses important words like gospel, salvation, righteousness, and faith. How are these terms related to each other?
Apply:
Now think about the gospel. Are you at all ashamed of the gospel? Why? What is the antidote?
What you believe, value, do.