Series | The
Heart of Soul Winning
Scripture | 1 Thessalonians
2:4, “On the contrary, we speak as those
approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please
people but God, who tests our hearts.”
Lesson 13 | Paul and the Gospel
Other than Jesus, Paul is the most significant person in
the New Testament concerning the gospel.
In his book to the Romans, he writes the most in-depth treatise on the
subject. He boldly writes in the first verse that he was, “set apart for the gospel of God.”
In Romans 1:16 he writes, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God
that brings salvation.” Then in the
very next verse he explained the blessing of the gospel, “For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed— a
righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The
righteous will live by faith.’”
In chapter 1 he describes the gospel and his calling, in
chapters 2-3 he speaks of the need of gospel, in chapters 4-7 he teaches how to
receive the gospel, in chapters 8-11 he discussed the power of the gospel for
all nations, in chapters 12-15 he wrote how to practically live out the gospel,
and in chapter 16 he described those who lived their lives preaching the
gospel!
Literally, in every chapter of Romans the Holy Spirit
inspired Paul to explain and give sound teachings in regards to the great message
of the gospel. Paul wrote that we will
be judged according to the gospel in Romans 2:16, he said enemies try to stop
the gospel in Romans 11:28, Paul considered it every Christian’s duty as
Christ’s priests to preach the gospel in Romans 15:16, Paul said it was his joy
to preach the gospel to those who had never heard it before in Romans 15:20,
and lastly, Paul taught that God established and matured us through the gospel
in Romans 16:25. Therefore, from start
to finish, it was all about the gospel for Paul.
Not only did Paul write an entire book devoted to the
gospel, he also made mention of the gospel in every one of his other thirteen
books! Why? Because as the verse above
states, Paul lived his life to please God, not man. And in doing so he gave his life to
proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ.
May we all learn a lesson in passionate preaching from
Paul’s obedience and work in proclaiming the gospel!
Reflection | Do you try to please men or God?
Action | (1) Take some time to review the book of Romans and find all the references to the gospel. (2) Ask God to use you to preach the gospel with passion and perseverance like Paul. (3) Lastly, center your life around pleasing God, not man.
One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Isaiah 12:1-14:32, 2 Corinthians 13:1-14, Psalm 57:1-11, & Proverbs 23:9-11. Click here to read online.
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