Scripture Text: Romans 16:25-27 (NIV) “Now to Him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him– to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.”
Main Idea: The gospel not only saves us; it matures us.
Key Points:
- It’s not just a rocket booster to get us into the spiritual cosmos; it propels us ever closer to the Lord.
- Our faith as believers is not faith in faith; it has an object, and that object is Christ. To grow in faith is to grow in our relationship with Christ.
- Growing in maturation means growing in trust in Christ, dependence on Christ, and connection with Christ.
- The gospel not only leads us to a relationship with Christ, but it also deepens our relationship with Him.
Verse 25: “Now to Him who is able to establish you by my gospel…”
- He establishes us by the gospel. The good news that was hidden, but is now revealed and supported by the prophetic writings of the Scripture.
- When we say that God establishes us by the gospel, it means that the truth of the gospel provides us a firm foundation for our faith in God. That truth provides us with spiritual strength, stability, and security as we navigate this life on earth.
What truth, specifically?
- God Became Flesh: The truth that God became flesh and dwelt among us. Jesus is not a myth!
- 2 Peter 1:16 “We didn’t follow cleverly devised tales. We were eyewitnesses.”
- Jesus’ Sacrifice: The truth that He gave His life to pay for our sins so we could have eternal life.
- We are forgiven, once and for all. And our sins and lawless deeds God remembers no more.
- Resurrection and Holy Spirit: The truth that He rose from the dead and sent His Holy Spirit to live inside of us.
- He didn’t just give His life for us; He is now living His life in us, through the Holy Spirit.
- Return of Jesus: God establishes us by the truth that one day He will return for us.
- Acts 1:11 (NIV): “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
The “Why” of the Gospel: There is only one “why” for the gospel’s existence: And that one reason is Love. He loves us!
- The gospel establishes us in God’s love for us because the facts of the gospel will never change. It was a once-and-for-all, ultimate and glorious demonstration of God’s love for us. It is His masterpiece.
When doubt begins to creep in, the gospel establishes you. When sin deceives you and destabilizes you, the gospel establishes you. When the evil one tries to assail you with accusations, the gospel establishes you. When difficulties arise that range from unpleasant to unbearable, the gospel establishes you. When sorrows like sea billows roll, the gospel establishes you. When it feels like God is being inattentive to your cries; the gospel establishes you.
God establishes us by reinforcing the truth of the gospel through His word, through one another, and by creatively manifesting that truth in a myriad ways. The Holy Spirit is infinitely clever and creative with His touches of the heart. Amen?
The gospel establishes me by helping me to not think of myself as having less value or more value than anyone else.
- Through the gospel, according to passages like Galatians 3:28, outward distinctions like Jew, Gentile, slave, free, male or female give no one an advantage or disadvantage before God. In Christ, we are all equal before Him and united with one another,
- It establishes me by reminding me that I am not alone in this; I am part of God’s forever family. Part of the body of Christ. God works through me to support and encourage others, and He works through others to support and encourage me.
God delights in our love. Psalms 147:11 (NIV): “The LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.”
All human history led up to the revelation of this mystery. And when each of us stands before God, it will be the reference point for His post-life interview with each person. When we stand before God to give an account for our lives, the only interview question will be: “What did you do with my offer of forgiveness and love?”
The gospel establishes us in God’s love.
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