Romans 1:8-17

February 11th, 2025
by Stephen Handley

Hey Refuge Church,

We hope this blog finds you well and still reflecting on yesterday's sermon.

Summary: Romans 1:8-17 explores Paul's motivation for preaching the gospel and his bold declaration of not being ashamed of it. This sermon emphasized the power of the gospel to transform lives and the importance of understanding righteousness as something given by God through faith in Christ, rather than something we achieve through our own efforts.

Takeaways:

We are called to encourage one another in faith, just as Paul longed to encourage the Romans.
The gospel reveals God's righteousness and His way of making the unrighteous righteous through faith in Christ.
We should live by faith, not by trying to be "good enough" for God, as our righteousness comes from Christ alone.

As we go through this week, let's remember that we don't need to walk in shame because of our past or present struggles. Instead, let's embrace the freedom that comes from being declared righteous through faith in Christ.

Lord help us to all find renewed courage to share the gospel without shame, knowing it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.

Check out our discussion questions and the small group guide pulled from Romans 1:8-17 below...

Discussion Questions from Romans 1: 8-17

How does Paul's eagerness to preach the gospel in Rome challenge us to be more intentional about sharing our faith?
In what ways might we be tempted to feel ashamed of the gospel in our daily lives, and how can we overcome that shame?
How does understanding righteousness as something given by God, rather than earned, change our approach to faith and daily living?
What does it mean to 'live by faith' in practical terms, and how might this differ from simply trying to be good?
How can we cultivate a sense of spiritual motivation similar to Paul's, especially when facing obstacles or delays in our plans?
In what ways does the concept of Christ's righteousness being 'imputed' to us impact our understanding of salvation and our relationship with God?
How might viewing ourselves as 'declared righteous' rather than striving to be good enough change our approach to spiritual growth and discipleship?
What are some practical ways we can encourage and strengthen the faith of others in our community, as Paul desired to do for the Romans?
How does the idea of being 'under obligation' to share the gospel with all people challenge our comfort zones and prejudices?
In what ways can we apply Paul's confession of 'I am not ashamed of the gospel' to our own lives, especially in challenging or hostile environments?

Small Group Guide:

The Power of the Gospel (Romans 1:8-17)

Opening Prayer: Begin the session with a prayer, asking God to open hearts and minds to the truths discussed in the sermon.

Key Takeaways:

The gospel demonstrates the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.
We are called to confess "I am not ashamed of the gospel" as a reminder of what God has done for us.
God gives His own righteousness to make us righteous through faith in Christ.
Our lives should be focused on walking with Christ by faith, not on trying to be "good enough" for God.

Discussion Questions:

Pastor Josh mentioned that Paul felt a "gospel motivation" to visit Rome. What motivates you in your spiritual life? Share some examples with the group.
The sermon emphasized the importance of praying for and encouraging fellow believers. How can we practically implement this in our church community?
Reflect on the phrase "I am not ashamed of the gospel." Have you ever felt ashamed of your faith? How can this confession help us overcome those feelings?
Discuss the concept of God's righteousness being revealed through the gospel. How does this differ from trying to earn righteousness through our own efforts?
The pastor said, "Stop trying to be good." How does this statement challenge your understanding of the Christian life? How can we shift our focus from being "good" to living by faith?
Reflect on the "Man on Fire" analogy. How does this help you understand Christ's substitutionary sacrifice for us?

Practical Applications:

Commit to praying specifically for at least three fellow church members this week.
Practice one of the four ways to encourage others mentioned in the sermon (pray specifically, edify intentionally, serve humbly, give sacrificially) and share your experience at the next meeting.
Write down the confession "I am not ashamed of the gospel" and place it somewhere visible as a daily reminder.
Reflect on areas in your life where you might still be trying to earn God's favor through "being good." Surrender these to God in prayer.
Share the gospel with someone this week, emphasizing God's gift of righteousness through faith in Christ.

Closing Prayer:
End the session by thanking God for His gift of righteousness through Christ and asking for His help to live by faith daily.

Watch This Sermon