The Book of Romans: Unashamed

The Book of Romans

Introduction:

Good morning Eastern Shore Baptist Church. Welcome to all of our visitors as well. My name is Stuart Davidson and I am the pastor here at ESBC. If you are joining us online this morning, we are so happy that you have tuned in. 

Do you have a prayer request this morning? If you do, take a moment and text that request to our prayer teams. You can text a prayer to this number, 251-222-8977. A member of our prayer team will receive your message and pray for you on the spot. Your prayer request will also come to our staff and we will pray for you. 

Friends, the year was 2009. It was the BCS National Championship between the Florida Gators and Oklahoma Sooners. The game was legendary. There legendary coaches: Bob Stoops and Urban Myer. The game had legendary players: Sam Bradford, Percy Harvin, DeMarco Murray and Jermaine Gresham among others. The game took place in a legendary place: Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida. 

There was something else legendary about this game. Believe it or not, it was not the fact that two Heisman quarterbacks were squaring off with one another. It was not that players on both sides would go on to the NFL and win Super Bowls. It was not a clutch field goal. It was not a timely touchdown or fourth down stop. Nope! 

The moment that occurred that is considered legendary took place before the game actually kicked off. Do you remember that legendary moment? Florida quarterback Tim Tebow took the field with something unusual under his eyes. Written on his eye black in silver lettering was the Biblical reference “John 3:16”. Friends, this was not just a fashion statement, it was a bold witness for Jesus Christ. 

For weeks Tebow had been writing Biblical inscriptions on his eye black in silver sharpie. This game was different though. This was the national championship. Tebow knew that millions would be tuning in watching. 

This is a quote from Tebow’s testimony, 

“I was contemplating, really agonizing, over what verse I was going to go with. But God kept bringing to my heart and my head John 3:16. Because as a Christian, that’s the essence of our Christianity, it’s the essence of our hope. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life.” That’s what we believe in as Christians. So I decided that’s the verse I’m going to go with.”

What happened next is pretty incredible. During that one game, over 94 million people Googled “John 3:16. Millions encountered the Gospel because one young man  used his platform to point people to Christ…unashamedly. 

Three years later, while playing in the NFL, Tebow led the Broncos to an upset playoff victory. After the game, someone pointed out that he threw for 316 yards, averaged 31.6 yards per completion, and that the TV ratings peaked at 31.6. Once again, “John 3:16” started trending…God’s Word on display to the world. 

Oh friends, there is great power in being unashamed of the Gospel. God can use our boldness and bravery to impact countless people for Christ. 

In fact, that is the title of my message this morning. “Unashamed”. 

Today’s Message:

“Unashamed”

Brothers and sisters, fill in the blanks under “Today’s Thought”. Our goal? Share the gift of the Gospel, all for the glory of God. 

Today’s Thought:

Our Goal? Share The Gift of The Gospel, All For The Glory of God!

Do you agree with me this morning that the Gospel is mankind’s one salvation? It is not our works. It is not how good we are. It is not all of our good deeds piled on top of each other. It is not helping the little old lady across the street. It is not raking the leaves at our next door neighbor’s yard. We are not saved by how much we give, by how often we come to church, or by how often we say nice things about others. Salvation does not come through even the most sincere worship. It doesn’t come from baptism. We are not saved if our daddy is a preacher or our uncle is a deacon. The only thing that truly saves us is the Gospel. The Gospel is found unaltered in God’s Word. 

Maybe you are new to Christianity. Let me explain a few things to you this morning. 

First, what is “the Gospel”? The Gospel is the “good news” of what God has done through Jesus Christ to rescue sinners and bring them into a right relationship with Himself. It is not just advice for moral living—it is a divine announcement of salvation. At its core, the Gospel proclaims: Jesus lived the life we couldn’t live, died the death we deserved to die, and rose again to offer us the life we could never earn.

Where can we find the Gospel? In Scripture. Simply put, Romans 1:16-17 tells us that the Gospel is the “power of God for the salvation to everyone who believes”. John 3:16 tells us that God’s love is expressed through His Son. Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us that salvation is by grace through faith, not works. 

Who is the Gospel for? The Gospel is for everyone: Jew and Gentile, rich and poor, old and young, religious and irreligious. Paul tells us again in Roman s 1:16 that the Gospel is for “everyone who believes”.

Who is the Gospel about? Well let me say first who the Gospel is not about. The Gospel is not about me and it is not about you. It is for me and for you but it is not my story. 

The Gospel is about Jesus Christ. Jesus was sinless, providing a perfect sacrifice, delivered unto His Father a victorious resurrection, and He is reigning today. 

The Gospel is the good news that Jesus Christ came to save sinners through His life, death, and resurrection, offering forgiveness, righteousness, and eternal life to anyone who believes in Him by faith.

I love what Ken Ham tells us concerning the Gospel. Listen to his quote this morning. 

Today’s Quote:

“God’s people need to unashamedly and uncompromisingly stand on the Bible. We need to unashamedly proclaim a Christian worldview and the Gospel, all the while giving answers for the hope we have.”

—Ken Ham’s “Answers In Genesis”

Background and Context:

Friends this morning we are going to be reading from Romans 1:16-17. 

Romans 1:16–17 is really the heart of the whole letter—Paul’s big theme in one bold statement. He’s writing to believers in Rome, a city full of power, pride, and pagan influence, and he’s letting them know right up front that he’s not the least bit ashamed of the Gospel. Why? Because it’s God’s power to save anyone who believes—no matter who they are. These two verses introduce the main message of Romans: that we’re made right with God not by being good enough or following all the rules, but by putting our faith in Jesus. Paul’s saying, “This is the good news, and I’m all in.”

Statement of Belief and Introduction of Scripture:

Friends, open your Bibles to Romans 1:16-17. Let’s read together the introduction of Paul’s letter to the Church in Rome. Before we do that I want to remind you that…

We believe the Bible to be inspired, God breathed, infallible, and authoritative. We believe the Bible is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training believer’s in righteousness. God’s Word gives life. It provides peace in trouble and protection in tribulation. It is alive, active, and cuts to the core of the human soul. Since there is no other book like it, let us stand to show our reverence and respect.

Today’s Scripture:

Romans 1:16-17 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. [17] For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith."

Pastor: This is the Word of the Lord.

Congregation: Praise His name. Praise His Holy name. 

I. The Boundaries to Sharing The Gospel  

So, let’s dive in this morning to Roman numeral one. Now that we have taken the time to properly define the Gospel, we understand that Paul was clearly unashamed of sharing the Gospel.

If we know what it is and we know that we are expected to share it boldly, what holds us back? Why do we fail so often to relay it to those that need to hear it the most?

Several years ago, I was talking to a church member who had felt super convicted to share the Gospel with a lost friend. So, he finally worked up the courage to text his friend a heartfelt message about Jesus. There was just one problem. He must have been more nervous than he realized. He fumbled the number and he accidentally sent his message to the wrong number. A few minutes later he got back a reply, 

“I have no idea who you are… but thanks for the message. I really needed that today.”

My buddy was so embarrassed. He couldn’t believe that he had just sent what he thought was a personal highly religious message to a complete stranger. 

When he was telling me the story, he told me that a while later he had a realization. 

God still used his error. God blessed his mistake! Sometimes we’re so scared of getting it wrong that we forget that God’s power works even though our failures, through our fumbling, even through our flaws. My friend had inadvertently shared the Gospel. He had planted a seed. Now God would have to water it. 

Fill in the blanks under A., B., and C for me this morning. What are some boundaries to sharing the Gospel? 

Fear.

Forgetfulness.

And Familiarity.

A. Fear: “Fear of rejection or confrontation can paralyze us, but God’s Spirit empowers us with courage and love.”

2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”

As a pastor who talks to Christians on the regular about sharing their faith, fear is often the top excuse as to why people chose to hold back their witness from friends, family, co-workers or classmates. We are afraid of offending. A Barna study found that 47% of practicing Christian Millennials are afraid of offending others. Therefore, they choose to say nothing at all. I want to remind you this morning that the fear of rejection or confrontation can paralyze us, but God’s Spirit empowers us with courage and love. After all, Paul reminds Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:7 that “God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”

B. Forgetfulness: “We may forget the transformative power of the gospel in our own lives, leading to a lack of urgency in sharing it.”

Psalm 103:2 (NIV84)

“Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.”

Another boundary to sharing the Gospel is forgetfulness. As I look around this room, I see some very spiritually mature people. Some of you have been believers for decades. You have been walking with Jesus for many many years. For some, you have been walking longer with Jesus than you walked without Him. People are naturally forgetful. We need reminding. For some, you have been with Jesus so long you have forgotten the transformation that occurred when you encountered the Holy Spirit. That’s a terrible thing to say and it is probably a terrible thing to admit, but for some of us, it is the truth. You have forgotten what state you were in before Christ. You have forgotten how He brought you from dead to life, from darkness to light, from hell to heaven. It is easy to forget the transformative power of the gospel in our own lives, leading to a lack of urgency in sharing it. I’m reminded of Psalm 103:2, “praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.”

C. Familiarity: “Becoming too accustomed to the gospel can dull our passion for sharing it with others.”

Revelation 2:4 (NASB)

“But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.”

The last barrier this morning is that sometimes we are just to familiar. We’ve become so accustomed to the Gospel that our passion for sharing it has been dulled. Have you ever come to church and said something like this, “I’ve heard this story a thousand times, there is nothing else for me to learn”?

What about this one, “Ive read that part of the Bible over and over, there is nothing new to read.”

What about this one, “Why do I need to go to that Bible study? That preacher just talks about the same stuff over and over”.

When we start saying things like that, it’s not because the Gospel has lost its power—it’s because we may have lost our first love.

Jesus said in Revelation 2:4 (NASB), “But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.”

What a sobering reminder. Sometimes we’re not silent because of fear or pride—we’re silent because we’ve lost our fire. The Gospel has become background noise instead of our life’s anthem. We’ve gotten used to grace. We’ve stopped being amazed.

But the good news is this: Jesus doesn’t just point out the problem—He invites us back. The very next verse says, “Remember from where you have fallen, and repent.” (Revelation 2:5)

It’s time to remember the wonder again. To return to that first love. To stop yawning at the cross and start shouting about it again. Because when the Gospel is fresh in your heart, it will come out of your mouth.

II. The Recipients of Redemption 

So, we have talked about the barriers, what about those who might receive redemption? 

Fill in the blanks under Roman numeral 2 this morning. The recipients of redemption are…

The faithful.

The forgotten. 

And the far off. 

A. The Faithful: “The gospel is for all who believe, offering eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ.”

Let’s stop for a second and talk about the faithful. Oh friends, the Gospel is for anyone who may believe in Jesus Christ, offering eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. 

The other day I heard a story about a faithful maintenance man named Francis Apraku. Francis was really a glorified janitor at James Madison High School in Vienna, Virgina. It was 2023 when the students decided to do something special for Francis because he had done so much for them. After all, Francis took his job seriously. He showed up every single day, worked hard, and tried to be a good example to the students. 

Francis wasn’t a preacher, teacher, or deacon—he just cleaned the floors and emptied the trash. But he also prayed. Every morning before the first bell rang, Francis would walk the hallways and pray over every locker, asking God to protect the students and draw them to Christ. He didn’t tell anyone. He wasn’t trying to be noticed. He was just faithful.

That same year, the students raised $20,000 to buy Francis and his family a Jeep Wrangler. His dream car. In an interview with a local news outline, one of those students, now a youth pastor, shared that he came to Christ during his senior year. He never knew why, but something just started tugging at his heart every morning when he stepped into the building. That youth pastor found out about Fred’s quiet prayers at his and his classmates lockers each and every morning. That student turned youth pastor wept at Francis’ consistent faithfulness to the Gospel.

Oh friends, that is what faithfulness looks like. No stage. No spotlight. Just a man with a mop and a mission. The Gospel is for the faithful, and God still uses ordinary people in extraordinary ways when they simply show up and trust Him. 

Francis lived out John 3:16. 

John 3:16 (ESV)

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

B. The Forgotten: “Jesus came to reach those who feel forgotten or marginalized, extending His grace to all. Jesus came to save sinners.”

The faithful are the recipients of redemption. Yes. What about the forgotten? Jesus came to reach those who feel forgotten or marginalized, extending His grace to all. Jesus came to save sinners.

Jesus came to save the woman at the well. A Samaritan. A woman. An outcast. Married 5 times and living with a man who was not her husband. She was rejected by society. Rejected by society but not by Jesus.

She was broken, forgotten, and morally messy—and Jesus called her to Himself. 

Jesus came to save Bartimaeus the blind beggar. Poor, blind, and sitting by the roadside—he was easily ignored by the crowd. But when he cried out to Jesus, “Son of David, have mercy on me,” Jesus stopped everything for him. Others tried to silence him, but Jesus healed him and restored his dignity.

The world saw a nuisance. Jesus saw a man worth stopping for.

Jesus came to save the leper. Diseased. Cut off from family. Unable to enter the church. Tossed out by the community. Jesus didn’t just heal him—He touched him. That one touch said, “You matter. You’re not untouchable to me.”

Jesus didn’t avoid the unclean—He embraced them.

Jesus came to save the woman caught in adultery. She was caught. She was dragged out into the streets naked, embarrassed, public. She deserved to be stoned. Jesus said “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.” He didn’t condone her sin, but He also didn’t condemn her. He gave her grace and a new start.

She was shamed by people—but saved by the Savior.

Jesus came for the broken. He walked toward the marginalized, not away. He gave hope to the hurting, healing to the rejected, and grace to the undeserving. That’s the heart of the Gospel. That’s why we must be unashamed to share it.

Luke 19:10 (GW)

“The Son of Man has come to seek and to save people who are lost.”

C. The Far-Off: “The gospel bridges the gap between God and those who feel distant, offering reconciliation and peace. The Gospel saves sinners from hell.”

The faithful. The forgotten. Lastly, the far off. The gospel bridges the gap between God and those who feel distant, offering reconciliation and peace. The Gospel saves sinners from hell.

The Gospel reaches even those who seem a million miles away from God.

There are people in our lives—and maybe even in this room—who feel too far gone. 

Too stained by sin. 

Too broken by their past. 

Too hardened by pain. 

They think, “There’s no way God could want someone like me.” 

Maybe they’ve never darkened the doors of a church. Maybe they have, but they walked away years ago. They feel far from grace, far from hope, far from home.

But friend, the Gospel is not intimidated by distance. The blood of Jesus is strong enough to cross every chasm. Paul writes in Ephesians 2:13 (NLT):

“But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ.”

Think about that phrase: “once you were far away.” That was every single one of us. We weren’t born close—we were brought near. Not by our good works, not by religious effort, not by trying harder—but by the blood of Christ. The cross is the bridge. The Gospel is the outstretched hand of God to the prodigal,

the skeptic,

the addict,

the atheist, 

the criminal, 

the morally decent unbeliever, 

and yes—even the church kid who never really knew Jesus personally.

The far off aren’t unreachable—they’re why Jesus came.

And now, Church, we are His hands and feet. That Gospel that rescued you is meant to be shared by you. That message that brought you near is now your mission.

So don’t just be thankful for the Gospel—be a carrier of it.

Don’t just marvel at the grace that found you—go and tell others it can find them too.

The faithful need encouragement.

The forgotten need love.

The far off need hope.

And all of them need Jesus.

So Church, go and take the Gospel with you. Take it to your neighbor. To your co-worker. To your waitress. To your family. To the ballfield. The boardroom. The classroom. Wherever God puts your feet this week, let your mouth speak of the One who saved your soul.

Because you were once far off…

But now you have been brought near.

And someone else is waiting for that same invitation.

Go And Take The Gospel With You!

Closing Prayer:

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the power of the Gospel—the good news that saves, restores, and brings us near through the blood of Jesus. We confess that too often fear, forgetfulness, or familiarity have kept us from sharing it. Forgive us, Lord, and reignite our passion for Your name.

Thank You for reaching the faithful, the forgotten, and the far off. Thank You for pursuing the broken, touching the unclean, and restoring the rejected. And thank You for reaching us—when we were far from You.

Now, send us out as unashamed witnesses. Let us carry the Gospel with courage, compassion, and conviction. Help us to speak boldly and love deeply—because someone else is waiting for the same grace that found us.

In Jesus’ name we pray,

Amen.