“Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God — the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 1:1-4, NIV).
Have you cherished anything in your life?
Have you felt or showed great love for someone or something? Have you remembered or held an idea, experience, person, place, or whatever in a deeply felt way?
Think of the first person who attracted you. Think about the place or experience that you really enjoyed. Think about the unexpected favor that someone extended to you. Think about the book that you could not let go until you finished reading it. Think about the movie that you wanted to view again and again. Think about the adventure you were so thrilled.
But, how about the Gospel – do we really cherish it? Or, do we just regard it just a set of Christian belief that we want others also to believe?
Is it just a religious term that religious person used?
So, this time, as we explore our text, let us learn to…CHERISH THE GOSPEL (Romans 1:1-4).
Why do we need to cherish the Gospel? Are there concrete grounds where we could really point out anything why we could cherish it?
First, let’s realize that Paul wrote this letter, while he was in Corinth in AD 55. He wrote to the church at Rome composed of both Jews and Gentiles, the latter being the more numerous and possible to a great extent accepting Christianity by way of previous conversion to Judaism.
As he wrote this, he had not yet visited the church and intimated his intention to visit the believers “to impart to them as an apostle of Jesus Christ ‘some spiritual gift.’ … He has completed as far as lies within his power the evangelization of the Gentiles eastward; now he sets his face to a new missionary enterprise westward. He writes to engage their co-operation in this scheme since Rome is a real strategic centre and the Roman fellowship an influential group in that direction. All the doctrinal part of the Epistle was penned for this very purpose, that the Roman church might apprehend the greatness of divine grace and the wideness of Gods mercy, so amazing and so all-embracing that evangelization on his part (and on theirs also) was absolutely imperative."
In our text we could also have a glimpse why evangelization is a must. But, this time, let’s just contain ourselves to some points, why we need to cherish the Gospel. Again, what are the reasons why cherish the gospel?
I – First, IT’S THE GOSPEL OF GOD (verses 1-2).
We read verses 1-2, “Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God — the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures…”
Note the words, “…the gospel of God…”
Paul pointed out to the believers in Rome the Gospel was a Divine Message. It was not manufactured by man; the original source is God. It’s heavenly. It belongs to Him, no man can claim credit to it. Thus, the man who planted the church in their place should not be looked upon as the “owner” of it.
Further, the message was really good, because it came from the Good God. And it was perfectly right, pure, undiluted and could be trusted for it came from the Holy and Trustworthy God.
And it was promised by God – not just by man who is subject to many limitations, failures and inabilities. It was promised by the Sovereign God – All-Powerful and impossible to lie. His every promise is as good as done.
Also, Paul would like to impress on the mind of the believers then, that the message was really unique, it was a message of news “promised beforehand…” Even before the event actually happened, it was already announced or proclaimed through the prophets of God. Normally, whether it is bad or good, the news is proclaimed after the event happened. But the Good News of God was proclaimed even before it happened!
And it was proclaimed not only orally, but it was proclaimed in the Holy Scriptures – it was written down -- meaning it could easily be validated, it could be checked and reviewed again and again. We could read it as it is written in the Scripture.
The Gospel, then, should not be taken lightly. It is not of any man. It is not the Gospel of John, Matthew, Mark, or Luke. It is of God. He who created the whole universe, who created all things – both the seen and the unseen, is the One who also made this Good News – the Gospel!
Do we admire the beauty of the picture of the galaxies, or the different stars, or the beautiful sceneries on the earth God made for us to appreciate? It is the same God who made the Gospel – the news that is good. We ought to be more than be pleased with it.
When I viewed Hallmark movies, I really admired the scriptwriters for their good stories. But the combination of the good scriptwriters with their nice stories in Hallmark could not match the Excellence Gospel and the Good God who is the Source of it. Besides, the stories in Hallmark movies are fictions, but the Gospel is a solid fact.
And because the Gospel is true and comes from the True God no one ought to tamper it. It should never be altered.
Paul gave this warning in Galatians 1:8-9 –
“But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!”
Notice the implied purity and the sanctity of the Gospel in that passage. Notice the importance that it should be preached truthfully. Paul pronounced a double curse for anyone who would falsify it. He declared a double course for anyone who would preach not the original gospel.
In verse 8, he said: “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!”
We could also learn the significance of the gospel in that verse. Carefully note that even if we…” – those who claim to be servants of God – “or an angel from heaven…” – or the appearance or the stature of the bearer of the message is good or noble or heavenly in our eyes – “should preach a gospel other than gospel of God preached by the apostles a curse was pronounced against them. Again in verse 9, “…If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!”
The Goodness of the Gospel does not really depend on the human messenger or means that it reaches us. It’s Goodness depends on its truthfulness. It’s Goodness depends on the fact that it is of God, who is Good. And its Goodness shines more – it becomes more evident -- when it is placed over the bad news that every man deserves to suffer in hell for eternity and on our own we cannot save ourselves from it.
How about us here in the church? Do we perceive the Gospel in the heavenly level of importance?
Or, do we count it just like any ordinary good news on this earth? Do we equate it with some exciting or wonderful news that truly gladdens our heart, but just for a while?
Do we feel that it’s just a news announced by an ordinary reporter, or news coming BBC?
If we regard the gospel just in the earthly level of importance, if we even consider it valuable, it’s easy for us to accept or believe or patronize just any kind of gospel. We could even trade it with seemingly more exciting or thrilling exciting good news promoted in this world.
What is more unfortunate, we would even dwell in passivity in declaring it to others. And become more passionate in proclaiming the things of this world.
So, henceforth, what should we remind ourselves always? Constantly remind ourselves that the Gospel is the Gospel of God. Its value is as valuable as its Source. Its benefit is as good as God Himself, who gives us the air to sustain our life. Its purity is as pure as the Holy God. Thus, we should not be content to settle for any different version of it. We should be careful to present it as God intends it to be, no more no less.
And we should be so motivated to proclaim it to others. Why? Because we have something very precious – not only it could bless others with everlasting joy, but also glorify the One, who originally promised it beforehand.
What is another reason, we ought to cherish the gospel?
II – Second, IT’S REGARDING GOD’S SON (verses 3-4).
We read verses 3-4, “…regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.”
In the King James Version, we read: “Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead…”
Paul pointed out the subject – the essence – of the Gospel to his readers: Jesus Christ.
And he nailed their attention on the fact that Jesus was “made of the seed of David” or a descendant of David; but He was “declared” -- literally, "marked off," "defined," "determined," that is, "shown," or "proved" – to be the Son of God. And He was powerfully declared as such by being resurrected from the dead. In short, Jesus has two natures: human nature, to suffer and die for our sins and divine nature to rise again from the dead, in order for us also to be declared righteous. As Paul stated also in Romans 4:25 that Jesus “…was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.”
Paul did not left out the important part that happened to Jesus, when He came as our Savior and King: His resurrection.
The Gospel, therefore, is not about an idea. It’s not about a place. It’s not about time. It’s not about a dominion. It’s not about a technique or strategy. It’s not about a condition or situation. It’s not about prosperity formula. t’s not about beauty or health tips. It’s not about prophecy.
But, what is it all about?
Paul wrote, “…the gospel of God — the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son…”
The Gospel is “regarding His Son” – it’s about a Person -- the Person, who is the Son of God. It concerns about Jesus Christ.
And this Person is truly unique. He has two natures. He has human nature that not only He knew our every need and pain, but He also experienced it. He has Divine nature that it is not impossible for Him to supply all our needs and heal not only all our physical, but also our spiritual infirmities.
How about us in GCF – do we receive and promote the Gospel concerning the Person of Jesus Christ?
Do we acknowledge that through His given faith to us, we are now free from God’s wrath? Do we also realize that because of the same faith in Him, we are given the privilege to become God’s children and, in His sight, holy, obedient and beloved children?
If we do, we ought also to feel an extra-ordinary love for Jesus that we can rejoice with an expressible and glorious joy, though we go through various trials.
So, be sure, that you have the right Gospel. You may even claim that you have faith in Jesus, but there are many “Jesus” in the religious market today.
In the time of Paul, there were already other versions of Jesus. He warned the believers in Corinth:
“I am afraid that your minds will be corrupted and that you will abandon your full and pure devotion to Christ - in the same way that Eve was deceived by the snake's clever lies. For you gladly tolerate anyone who comes to you and preaches a different Jesus, not the one we preached; and you accept a spirit and a gospel completely different from the Spirit and the gospel you received from us!” (2 Cor. 11:3-4, Good News Translation).
Our joyful satisfaction could not be found exactly in the perfect church people around us, or in the excellent preacher before us. But on the Perfect Jesus we have entrusted our life.
Only then that we could truly cherish the Gospel.
CONCLUSION:
In closing, if we grasp the value of the Gospel, if we consider it the Precious Pearl, we will really cherish it.
So, let us not let it go in our mind that it is the Gospel of God and it concerns about Jesus Christ.
If we have the Gospel, we have something more precious than silver and gold. Let’s cherish it and proclaim it to the world!
