Introduction:      In these 2 verses, we are given one of the greatest summaries of the Gospel ever written by man. For it is in these verses that we can see a clear declaration of God's power and purpose in the Gospel message. Many in our day are ashamed of the Gospel message! What did Paul know that made him keep on going for God? What was it about the Gospel that invigorated the Apostle and kept driving him around the world preaching the same hated message? The answer to those questions is found in the truths that Paul reveals to us about the Gospel. In these verses, Paul reminds us that we have A Gospel Worth Sharing.

I.          THE POWER OF THE GOSPEL

Paul tells us that the Gospel is the "power of God". The word "power" comes from a word that refers to the "might, energy, force and strength that dwell within God."

            A.        It’s Experience

God could have revealed His power against sin in any way that He chose. He could have wiped men from the face of the earth. He can do anything! Therefore, it is a blessing to notice that when the Lord moved to do something about sin, He exercised His power in sending men the Gospel of grace. (Ill. Nowhere is the power of God as visible as it is in the Gospel of Christ! Think about it! When God takes a lost sinner and saves him by His grace and makes him a new creature, that is a powerful thing. God could have sent us all to Hell, but He instead chose to send us His love wrapped up in His Son, the Lord Jesus. I thank the Lord that He loved us first - 1 John 4:19.)

            B.         It’s Exclusiveness

Notice that Paul's message is the "gospel of Christ." Make no mistake about it, there are many different gospels being preached in our day.

·         There is the Gospel of religion that says, "Turn over a new leaf."

·         There is the gospel of materialism that says, "Your worth is determined by what you have. Gain is the goal of life."

·         There is the Gospel of liberalism that says "I'm OK and you're OK. God accepts us like we are and will take us to Heaven if Heaven really exists."

·         There is the Gospel of society that says, "Do as you please for life is short."

·         The Gospel Of Christ, on the other hand, says, "You are a sinner, and if you die in your sins, you will go the Hell.

However, God loves you and sent His Son, the Lord Jesus into the world. Jesus died for your sins and rose from the dead. If you will place your faith in Him, then you can and will be eternally saved." Tell me, Which Gospel are you trusting in tonight?

II.         THE PURPOSE OF THE GOSPEL

Why did God go to such lengths for men? Why did He give up His Son to die on the cross for the sins of humanity? The primary answer is simply that He loves us. However there is more to it than that. God's plan and God's purpose in giving the Gospel message is "salvation."

A.        Fulfilling God’s Desire

The word "salvation" is a very important word. It means, "safety, preservation, deliverance." It carries the idea of "being rescued from all harm and danger." God's desire in saving sinners is to forever deliver them from spiritual death, spiritual defilement, spiritual deception and spiritual destruction. Lest we forget, the end of all sinners, outside the Lord Jesus, is the fire of Hell. God purpose in giving the Gospel is to change man's destination in eternity and his life here on earth as well.

B.         Fixing Mankind’s Deliverance

The primary purpose of the Gospel message is the salvation of the lost. I don't know about you all, but I truly enjoy being saved! I am grateful to the Lord that He gave us a salvation that we do not have to worry about. It is good for as long as He lives!

III.       THE PLAN OF THE GOSPEL

Verse 16 tells us in no uncertain terms exactly how this Gospel message of salvation is activated. Notice that it is "to every one that believeth. 

            A.        Not By Reformation

This makes it perfectly clear that biblical salvation does not involve complicated religious rituals or ornate and elaborate religious exercises (John 1:12-13) "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: {13} Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."      

            B.         But By Regeneration

Salvation is the product of faith and faith alone! (Ill. Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 2:5). This is the point where many people stumble. People like to do things for themselves. They like to feel that they have a part of everything in their lives. However, in the matter of salvation, the sinner can have no part. It is all God, all the way. Salvation comes to the person who is willing to simply receive the message of Christ be faith, John 6:47; John 3:16; John 5:24; Acts. 16:31. I am thankful that the Lord kept His Gospel easy to understand! My question for you is this, "What are you trusting in this today?"

IV.       THE PRODUCT OF THE GOSPEL

The product of the Gospel in the life of the believer is "righteousness." You see, man has 2 great problems. 1.) He thinks he is righteous and is therefore acceptable to the Lord. 2.) He is absolutely wrong about #1! Man is not righteous, and cannot produce righteousness by self-will, or his own works. However, when faith is placed in the Gospel message and Jesus is believed on in the heart, God takes the sinners and declares him to be righteous. What man cannot do by effort, God does by His power, 1 Cor. 6:9-11; Rom. 8:33.

A.        Given By God For Conformation

Simply stated, everything man looks for in religion: peace with God, acceptance by God, a right relationship with God, etc, are all given to the believer when he receives the Gospel message. That is a message worth sharing!

            B.         Given By God for Continuation

What does the phrase "from faith to faith" mean? It simply refers to the fact that the believer's life is to be one of faith in God, and as life is lived in faith, the righteousness of God is revealed in the believer's life from "beginning faith" to "ending faith." As this verse concludes, faith is to be the way of life for the child of God.

Conclusion:       We have been given a Gospel worth believing and one that is worth sharing. The questions as we bring these thoughts together are these: Are you trusting in the Gospel of Christ for salvation? Are you sharing the Gospel like Paul did? Are you ashamed of the Gospel of Christ? The same message that was able to save then, can save now. The same power that worked in Paul's day is working in our day. All we need to do to see the Gospel work in power is to believe it and to share. When we do these, God will do the rest!