Unashamed of the Gospel: Power, Promise, and Purpose

Devotional

Day 1: The Gospel Is the Power of God for Salvation

The gospel is not just good advice or a religious message; it is the very power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes. This power is not found in human effort, religious rituals, or moral striving, but in the finished work of Jesus Christ—His sinless life, sacrificial death, and victorious resurrection. The gospel alone has the ability to free us from the penalty and power of sin, to transform lives, and to offer hope that extends beyond this life into eternity. No matter your background or past mistakes, the gospel is the one message that can change your life forever and secure your eternal future. [38:38]

Romans 1:16 (ESV)
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.

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to trust the power of the gospel to bring transformation or freedom today, rather than relying on your own strength or efforts?

Day 2: There Is No Condemnation for Those in Christ

When you surrender your life to Jesus, your guilt is replaced by grace, and your shame is covered by His mercy. No matter what your past holds, if you are in Christ, you are no longer defined by your failures but by what Jesus has done for you. The verdict against you—condemnation—has been overturned, and you are now under grace, not judgment. This truth frees you from living in the shadow of your past and invites you to walk in the light of God’s forgiveness and acceptance every day. [45:30]

Romans 8:1 (ESV)
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Reflection: What guilt or shame from your past do you need to surrender to Jesus today, trusting that He has already declared you “not condemned”?

Day 3: The Gospel Frees Us from the Power of Sin

Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, believers are not only forgiven but also empowered to live differently. The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead now lives in you, giving you the strength to overcome sin and to live according to God’s will. You are no longer a slave to old habits or destructive patterns; you have been set free to walk in newness of life. This freedom is not about trying harder, but about allowing Jesus to live His life through you by the power of the Holy Spirit. [49:16]

Romans 8:2 (ESV)
For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.

Reflection: What is one specific area where you need to rely on the Holy Spirit’s power to overcome temptation or sin this week?

Day 4: The Gospel Offers Hope Beyond Death

For those who belong to Christ, death is not the end but the beginning of eternal life. The same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal body, assuring you of resurrection and a future free from the presence of sin. This hope enables you to face life—and even death—without fear, knowing that your destiny is secure in Christ. The promise of a new, glorified body and eternal fellowship with God gives you courage to live unashamed and unafraid, no matter what comes. [59:16]

Romans 8:11 (ESV)
If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

Reflection: How does the promise of resurrection and eternal life with Christ change the way you view your present struggles or fears about the future?

Day 5: Saving Faith Is Surrendered Faith

Believing the gospel is not just an intellectual agreement but a wholehearted surrender to Jesus as Lord. True faith means signing a blank check with your life, inviting Jesus to lead, direct, and transform you. It is not enough to want Jesus as Savior from trouble; He must also be Lord over your decisions, desires, and direction. This surrendered faith is what brings the fullness of salvation and the joy of walking daily with Christ, empowered by His Spirit and guided by His love. [01:04:23]

Romans 10:9 (ESV)
Because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to move from simply believing in Jesus to fully surrendering to His lordship today?

Sermon Summary

The joy of gathering together as a church family is a reminder that the church is not a building, but a people called to share the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. Every event, every act of service, and every invitation is ultimately about one thing: making the gospel known. The gospel is not just good advice or a set of religious rules; it is the good news that God, in His love, sent Jesus to live the perfect life we could not live, to die the death we deserved, and to rise again so that all who trust in Him might have eternal life. This message is not just for a select few, but for everyone—no matter their past, their failures, or their background.

There are many messages in life that change us—marriage, new jobs, the birth of a child—but only the gospel changes us for eternity. The world is full of confusion, where right is called wrong and wrong is called right, and it can be tempting to shrink back in fear or shame. Yet, the gospel is the one thing we should never be ashamed of, for it is the very power of God to save. Paul’s declaration in Romans 1:16, “I am not ashamed of the gospel,” is a call to boldness, reminding us that the gospel alone has the power to free us from guilt, shame, and the penalty of sin.

Sin is the universal problem—every one of us has fallen short. But the good news is that Jesus took our place, bore our guilt, and offers us His righteousness. When we surrender to Him, our guilt is replaced by grace, and our lives are transformed from the inside out. The gospel is not about what we do for God, but what God has done for us. It is not about trying harder, but about trusting and surrendering to Jesus, allowing Him to live His life through us by the power of the Holy Spirit.

This salvation is available to all who believe—not just intellectually, but with a surrendered heart. The greatest miracle is not the parting of seas or the creation of worlds, but the resurrection of a soul from death to life. In Christ, we are freed from the penalty, power, and one day even the presence of sin. Because of this, we can live unashamed of the gospel and unafraid of death, knowing our eternal future is secure in Jesus.

Key Takeaways

1. The gospel is the only message with both earthly and eternal impact, offering true hope and transformation. While many things in life can change our circumstances, only the gospel can change our destiny and identity, freeing us from the power and penalty of sin. This is why it must remain central in our lives and witness. [36:36]
2. Shame often keeps believers silent, but the gospel is not something to hide. In a world where right and wrong are often reversed, it is easy to fear rejection or ridicule. Yet, the gospel is the power of God for salvation, and to be ashamed of it is to withhold the very cure for humanity’s deepest need. [40:28]
3. The gospel replaces guilt with grace, liberating us from the prison of our past. Many live trapped by shame and regret, unable to move forward. In Christ, we are no longer defined by what we have done, but by what Jesus has done for us—our identity is now rooted in His righteousness, not our failures. [48:14]
4. The power of the gospel is not just to forgive, but to transform. Jesus didn’t just die to free us from the penalty of sin; He rose to give us power over sin in our daily lives. The Christian life is not about striving in our own strength, but about Christ living in us through the Holy Spirit, enabling us to walk in newness of life. [52:36]
5. Salvation is not merely intellectual agreement, but a wholehearted surrender to Jesus as Lord. True faith is not just believing facts about Jesus, but entrusting our lives to Him, making Him both Savior and Lord. This surrender brings assurance of eternal life and empowers us to live boldly and unashamedly for Him. [64:13]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[31:26] - Gathering and Introduction
[31:36] - Community Outreach and Gospel Purpose
[33:07] - The Living Christmas Tree: A Metaphor for the Church
[34:17] - Prayer, Care, and Share: The Heart Behind Invitations
[34:57] - Life-Changing Messages vs. The Gospel
[36:36] - The Gospel: The Only Eternal Solution
[37:26] - Why We Must Share the Gospel
[38:18] - Romans 1:16: Not Ashamed of the Gospel
[40:28] - The Backwardness of Our Age and Gospel Boldness
[41:01] - What Is the Gospel?
[43:27] - Jesus’ Life, Death, and Resurrection
[45:30] - No Condemnation in Christ
[48:14] - Guilt Replaced by Grace
[50:20] - The Might and Power of the Gospel
[52:36] - Power Over Sin: Living by the Spirit
[56:31] - Christianity: Faith, Not Religion
[57:44] - The Ministry and Reach of the Gospel
[58:31] - The Future Hope: Resurrection and Freedom
[61:30] - Belief as Surrender, Not Just Knowledge
[64:13] - Making Jesus Lord: Surrendered Faith
[65:46] - Assurance of Salvation and Living Unashamed
[66:20] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
[74:21] - Celebrating New Life in Christ

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Romans 1:16 (ESV) — > 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.

Observation Questions

According to Romans 1:16, what does Paul say about the gospel and its power? What is the result for those who believe?
The sermon described the church as “not the building, but the people.” What example did the pastor use to illustrate this point? [[33:07]]
What are some of the “life-changing messages” mentioned in the sermon, and how are they different from the message of the gospel? [[36:09]]
What does the pastor say is the universal problem that the gospel addresses? [[37:01]]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Paul felt the need to say, “I am not ashamed of the gospel”? What might cause someone to feel ashamed of the gospel today? [[39:32]]
The sermon says, “Sin is the universal problem—every one of us has fallen short.” How does this understanding affect the way we see ourselves and others? [[42:26]]
The pastor said, “The gospel is not about what we do for God, but what God has done for us.” How does this change the way someone might approach their faith or religious activity? [[49:16]]
According to the sermon, what is the difference between believing in Jesus intellectually and surrendering to Him as Lord? [[01:03:38]]

Application Questions

The pastor shared that shame often keeps believers silent about the gospel. Can you think of a time when you felt hesitant or embarrassed to share your faith? What was the reason, and how might you respond differently now? [[40:28]]
The sermon says that the gospel replaces guilt with grace, freeing us from the prison of our past. Is there an area of your life where you still feel trapped by guilt or shame? What would it look like to let Christ’s grace define your identity instead? [[48:14]]
The message emphasized that the Christian life is not about “trying harder” but about trusting and surrendering to Jesus. Are there areas where you are striving in your own strength instead of relying on the Holy Spirit? What is one step you could take to surrender more fully? [[56:02]]
The pastor said, “The greatest miracle is not the parting of seas or the creation of worlds, but the resurrection of a soul from death to life.” Have you witnessed or experienced this kind of transformation? How did it impact you or those around you? [[01:00:24]]
The sermon challenged us to live “unashamed of the gospel and unafraid of death.” What would it look like for you to live more boldly for Christ in your daily life? Is there a specific relationship or situation where you sense God calling you to take a stand? [[01:05:56]]
The pastor said, “Salvation is not merely intellectual agreement, but a wholehearted surrender to Jesus as Lord.” What does wholehearted surrender look like in your life right now? Are there areas you are holding back from God? [[01:04:13]]
The church is described as a people called to share the life-changing message of Jesus. Who is one person in your life that you could pray for, care for, and share the gospel with this week? What is a practical step you can take? [[34:17]]

Sermon Clips

The good news is that Jesus came. Jesus lived a perfect life. He died on a cross to pay our sin debt. On the third day he rose from the grave. And he offers us eternal life through our faith in him alone. That's great news. That's simple news. That's news that everybody needs to hear. [00:43:27] (20 seconds) #GraceNotHell

When Christ died on that cross. He took our guilt. And he took our shame. And when we give our lives to Christ. We no longer have to define ourselves by what we've done. We can define ourselves by what Jesus has done for us. We no longer have to be governed by guilt of what we have done. We can live in the grace of what Jesus has done for us. [00:48:23] (21 seconds) #SinLeadsToDeath

Religion will tell you in the end it's up to you to make it. You've got to accomplish it. The Gospel not only tells us to fly, the Gospel gives us wings. The Gospel not only tells us to jump, it gives us legs. It not only tells us to walk, it gives us faith. It is the power of God unto salvation. And only the Gospel has the power to do in us what we need done in us. [00:56:48] (22 seconds) #VictoryOverDeath

Belief in the gospel is not intellectual. It's not in your mind. That word in Greek is a verb. It is an action word. It's not just something you think about. It's something that transforms your life because it's a volitional, surrender to Jesus. When you come to the realization that Jesus is who he says he is, that he did what he said he was going to do, the only choice that we have is to surrender our lives to Jesus. [01:02:15] (30 seconds) #LiveUnashamed

If you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you can rest assured that you know where you're going. You will arrive safely home. When you trust in Jesus, your eternal future is secure. There is only one way that we should live. And that is unashamed of the gospel. There is only one way that we should die. And that is unafraid of death. I want to live unashamed in my life. And I want to live unafraid of death. I want to be able to look death and grave in the eye and say, Death, you have no sting. And grave, you have no victory. And because of Jesus Christ, it doesn't. [01:05:48] (35 seconds)

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