Read Romans 1:14-16
3 Statements that will change the world
Scripture: Romans 1:14-16
The Big Idea: Meaningful conversations are a must for world change. Believers must engage people with a life-changing message.

Introduction:
In make Christmas Count, we are asking everyone to do three things:

• Give
• Invite
• Pray

Our goal is to create ministry environments where people can be impacted by the power of God’s word for life change with minimal distractions. Let’s face it; seating, cleanliness, etc. can be distractions and hindrances.

Our hope is to minimize these distractions and impact people. In
essence, we desire to have faith in little and God will give much.

God has called each one us to be world changers. To impact the nations with an important message, the only message that brings salvation. This message is called the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul, the author of our text today, mentions the word “gospel” 2x in three verses.

In the Greek New Testament, gospel is the translation of the Greek nouneuangelion (occurring 76 times) “good news,” and the verb euangelizo (occurring 54 times), meaning “to bring or announce good news.” Both words are derived from the noun Angelos, “messenger.” In classical Greek, a Euangelos was one who brought a message of victory or other political or personal news that caused joy.

In Romans 1:15 the verb form meaning “to bring or announce good news” is used.

Paul defines the gospel of Jesus Christ in 1 Corinthians 15:1 & 3-4 ESV

1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand,
3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,

The reason the gospel is so effective and important is that it shows the sacrificial price and love of Jesus, His life, to provide for the forgiveness everyone sins.

Essentially, we are saying that anyone and everyone regardless of their sins can be forgiven because Jesus death paid the price for the consequences of those sins.

Paul makes three POWERFUL “I am” statements that motivated him to live a fruitful life, that impacted the world. Paul was a missionary and disciple maker who planted an estimate of nearly 20 churches.

This text reflects Paul’s heart to get to the people of Rome, not to explore the beauty of Rome, but to impact the people there for the glory of God. It reveals the true motivation of Paul’s life.

This motivation isn't just for Missionaries, Pastors, church leadership, or full-time Evangelists. This motivation is an inward burden that every believer should submit to and make a priority.

Paul’s motivation should be our motivation because it is God’s plan for every child of God, to bring the good news to the world.
Paul’s first statement reveals that spreading the good news of Jesus to the world should be more than a passive option for us.

Paul states, “I am under obligation.” Paul is saying that he believes the need to share the good news with the people of Rome, really everyone, is a must. A requirement. A debt that must be paid.

This is really the testimony of his life. He lived each day, proclaiming to people the salvation of the Lord. He prayed about where to go and he strategized trips and conversations because he knew that he was saved to be a voice for Christ in the world.

It should be no different for the church today. Every one of us should feel obligated to share the message of Jesus Christ to the world. The weight and the importance of this message and how it has affected our lives should make us feel obligated to share it.

Sharing our faith should be a normal part of our lives because that is why we are here. When days go by that we do not share our faith with friends, family, etc., we are failing to see the value of our lives. God has left us to change the world, one person at a time, with one message.

So, do you feel obligated? I do. We should if we are truly saved and have a living relationship with God.

Obligation brings action. You are obligated to pay your bills. So, you get up and go to work even on days when you would rather not
because you know you are obligated.

I am convinced that we view sharing the gospel as more of a passive option, than an obligation because we would see more of it.

Paul’s second statement reveals, however, that it is more than the mechanics of sharing his faith. He reveals that he is passionate about it.
Paul says, “I am eager.” Some people translate the word eager as ready, so we will use both.

For something to be a passion in your life, you must be excited about it. Paul is saying, “I can’t wait to share the gospel with you!” It wasn't something he dreaded doing, he looked forward to it.

His passion came from his purpose. He was able to answer the why of his life. Why he was here, why the world needed him and what he could do about it.

When a believer finally realizes they were saved and left here on earth to bring about world change through only one message, it can create great passion and resolve. Life doesn't seem aimless anymore. Rather, we are now on this purposeful journey to tell everyone about the message of Jesus.

Our life exists to have meaningful conversations with others.

To be ready, all you need is a testimony and courage to share it. Everyone saved has a miraculous story to tell. The miracle of the story is not how many bad things you did or didn't do. The miracle is that God loved us so much that He sent Jesus to die for us to forgive us and we responded.

I think every believer should be ready to share their testimony at any time with anyone.

Look at your neighbor right now and practice by saying the following: “May I tell you about my miracle? The miracle of my life is when I was ___________. I heard that God loved me and died for me, to forgive me, if I repented and followed Jesus Christ. So, I did. So, my miracle is that I am a forgiven/changed person today because of Jesus. How about you?

Believers should never get tired of sharing this message. We need to remain passionate and ready to share our message with anyone we meet. This is our ultimate demonstration to God of our love for Him and our desire to obey Him.

Paul’s third statement reveals how fear doesn't affect his proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Paul says, “I am not ashamed of the gospel.” Paul doesn't feel embarrassed or hesitant to share this message. Paul knows of its power because He has experienced its power in his life. He truly lives for Christ and is not ashamed to speak to others about Jesus.

The only way the world will be changed is if believers will get serious about God. We must accept why He has left us here and respond obediently, without hesitation and fear of failure, rejection, or messing it up.

If God wanted perfection, He wouldn't have chosen humans to share His message. We are all imperfect but when imperfect people are used by God, the story has a greater effect.

Paul revealed this in 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 ESV

26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.

The whole reason God has chosen to use imperfect people for a perfect work is so that when others are saved, we all know and glory in Christ, instead of man for our salvation. The method God has chosen to use, people, to change the world, creates a magnificent story about God and His love and power.

Today, we need believers unashamed to proclaim the message of Jesus to people in the world. When we get to that place, lives will be changed because God works through this message.

Paul says this message is the power of God unto salvation. The word power is where we get our English word dynamite from. Paul is saying the church will see the explosive power of God when we proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ.

Conclusion: If we live by the three statements and live them out through meaningful conversations regularly, lives can be saved, and the world can be changed.

God is at work through His message, the Gospel, and His method, you. So, let’s join Him and be more faithful to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.

3 Statements that will Change the World
Scripture: Romans 1:14-16
Believers must engage people with a life-changing message.

Questions to Consider
1. In Make Christmas Count, we are asking everyone to do three things:
a. ____________ b. _____________ c. _____________
What have you done this week to fulfill at least one of these three things?
How could you do more? How could you encourage others to do more?

2. It is the desire of our church to create ministry environments where people can be impacted by the power of God. What can you do to foster a life-changing environment here at Foundation? What do you believe would help us save the lives of the people in our community?

3. Consider the meaning of the word Gospel. The Greek noun Euangelion means good news. The Greek verb Euangelizo means to bring or announce good news. The word Angelos means messenger from which both previous words are derived. Euangelos is a person who brings a message of victory, political or personal news, that caused joy.
a. What is our Euangelion?
b. Who is the Euangelos?
c. Euangelos not only reveals the who but also the how. How does this person deliver the news?

4. Read 1 Corinthians 15:3.
a. Do you ever hear of news, witness something, or read something on social media that you cannot wait to tell? A person comes to mind and you fervently text or call them because you can’t wait to be the first one to tell it!
b. Consider Paul in this verse and yourself in the previous scenario. What connections can you make between the two?

5. Paul makes 3 statements that demonstrate his motivation for his life’s work. What is the first statement? When you read this statement what is the first thing that comes to your mind? What is he saying he is under _______________ to? Do you think Paul is the only one in scripture that felt this way? Give an example.

6. What is Paul’s second statement? What is the first thing that comes to your mind? Do you think of a Christmas as a child, when you were eager to open gifts? Does your wedding day or other major life event come to mind when you think of a time when you were eager? What prevents or hinders us from feeling eager to share the power of our salvation with others?

7. What is Paul’s third statement? Was there ever a time when you had to defend something or someone you believed in? Maybe someone questioned you or your child’s character or actions. Perhaps you had to defend a decision you made at work. What made you able to stand firm, without hesitation? How can your answer encourage you to be unashamed of the Gospel?

Discuss and Apply
Take time to discuss your answers with your group.

8. Read 1 Corinthians 1:26-29. What encouragement can you find in these verses? What caution do you sense from them?




Be sure to check out Foundation Growth Track. In our Growth Track you will learn how to make a difference in the world for Jesus and how Foundation can help equip and empower you. Contact us at: foundationgrowthtrack@gmail.com

These questions can be used for personal study and/or Small Group discussion. We’d love to hear how you are putting them to use. Let us know at fbchurch@yahoo.com