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The True Power of Faith

I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” ROMANS 1:14-17 ESV

As a Christian, I…

I have an obligation to share my faith

I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. ROMANS 1:14 ESV

I have an obligation to those closest to me.  

I must look for opportunities to share my faith

So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. ROMANS 1:15 ESV 

The gospel is most easily shared with:

… And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. 1 PETER 3:15-16 NLT

Be bold with what you believe.

Be gentle in how you share your beliefs. 

I must be honest about why I don’t share my faith

I am not ashamed of the gospel… ROMANS 1:16 ESV

For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. MARK 8:38 ESV

I must release the power of my faith

The gospel doesn’t contain power, it is power.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” ROMANS 1:16-17 ESV

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Find a quiet place and allow your thoughts and feelings to become calm. When you are ready, invite God into the time. Reflect on the sermon regarding our obligation to share the gospel. What thoughts and feelings surface as you think about doing this? Pray that God will help you discern which thoughts are true and which are not. Recall how the gospel has benefited your life. How do you feel about these benefits? Ask God, ”Why don’t I share my faith more? Do any of these reasons need to change? What can I do to cooperate with you to change them?” Have a conversation with him around these questions. Recall a positive experience you have had in sharing the gospel, and thank God for using you. If you sense you are ready, pray he will help you find a person to share the gospel with this week. Ask a friend to pray for the time, and share with them what God does. If you aren’t ready, ask him for one thing you can do this week to be better prepared to share the gospel.

Discussion Questions

  1. What have you been learning about yourself, God or others in your personal Bible reading time? What stood out to you this week?
  2. What types of obligations do you have in your life that you enjoy doing, and which ones would you rather not have to deal with?
  3. Read Romans 1:14-15. Why do you think God gave us an obligation or, said another way, made it mandatory for us to share our faith in Jesus with those in our relational spheres?
  4. Read 1 Peter 3:15-16. When was the last time you shared your faith in Jesus with someone, and what was the conversation like?
  5. Read Mark 8:38. When the consequences are high, the value of being real goes up. When you dig deep into yourself, what are the real reasons you turn down opportunities to share your faith? What do you need to do about it?
  6. Read Romans 1:16-17. Was there a time when your faith, or an encounter with God, gave you the confidence to share the gospel with someone? What practical things can you do this week to tap into that faith as you look for opportunities to share Jesus with someone in your life?