Paul is in Corinth. The Lord sure has brought him a long way in the past twenty years. He has been an apostle called out of due time for two decades after living a life of a blasphemer and seeking to kill off those that had left Judaism and from that Messiah imposter, Jesus. Once he trusted “that” Jesus on the road to Damascus, things were never the same. He reminisces concerning the things God has done for him and the desires God has placed in his heart. He hears of a Christian lady named Phebe that lives in Cenchrea. She is a worker in the church and is planning a trip to Rome. Wow! The capital city of the Empire. That is the place the gospel can be spread like no other. “All roads lead to Rome” was a common saying in those days thanks to the Romans and their engineering. The Romans did not only kill with efficiency, but they also built with efficiency. The Apostle was always thinking of ways to spread the gospel. The city of Rome may have been at the top of his list. Each of those roads that led to Rome also led away from Rome. If he could put the Gospel of Christ on those roads leaving, the message of salvation could be spreading everywhere. He thinks, “I will write the Christians in Rome a letter and Phebe can deliver it when she arrives.” Phebe agrees to be the mail lady (16:1). She carefully takes the scroll placing it in a hidden pocket inside her robe and boards the ship heading to Rome. The precious cargo she is carrying is considered to be the greatest epistle of them all according to many great Christians.
How did the church at Rome begin? My best thought is this. On the day of Pentecost 3000 people were saved from many, many countries. The Bible mentions at least seventeen distinct groups that heard the gospel in their native language that day (Acts 2:9-11). Some of these new believers made their way back to Rome and began little churches throughout the city (1:8 “for you all” also see 16:5, 10-14). Paul did not start the churches in Rome, but he seeks to identify with them (1:1-7). He thanks God for them (1:8) and prayed for them (1:9). At least one of his purposes in writing to them is to see them and give them spiritual teaching and help (1:10-12). He has been personally hindered but wants to go to Rome (1:13). He has never met these people, but he knows about them. So, he sends them this epistle (letter) around 56 A.D. by the hand of a “deaconess”, our lady Phebe.
Rome was a proud city. Why would they want anything from a place like Jerusalem? Christians were from the lower rungs of society; many were even slaves. The leader of this religion was a weakling put to death on a cross. That is the Roman’s hierarchy thinking. The people of Rome did not know they needed the message of salvation. Unsaved people live unsuspecting lives heading for a Christless eternity without a clue of the damnation that awaits, until they are told. That is why Paul wanted to somehow get to this epicenter. He was a debtor (1:14) and wished to pay his debt to others. He was ready to go and ready to preach (1:15). He was not ashamed of the gospel that saved him and would save others also (1:16).
He had preached in cities and places that were hard before. Athens, Corinth, Ephesus, and Jerusalem to name a few. If the message of salvation worked in those places it would also work in Rome. He was excited, eager to preach there. Let me share with you three things about the gospel.
- The Beginning of the Gospel. It began with God. It belongs to him (1:1). Salvation starts with the Lord and he sets the requirements. Notice Paul begins with righteousness and not love. God sets the standard for acceptance into Heaven. We come according to his plan, or we do not get in. The gospel is for everyone! If only intellectuals were allowed, it would be unfair to morons. If only the wealthy were allowed, it would be unfair to the poor. The ground is level at the cross. Everyone comes the same way. May I tell you the condition; the standard God sets? Perfection! God does not make deals with sinners. People think, “I will do some and God does some and everything works out.” Some think, “I will work for 20% and God will do 80% and I will make it to heaven.” You take your 20% and throw it away. It is all of God and nothing of ourselves. It is a free gift not an earned gift, which sounds to me to be an oxymoron. If it is earned it is a reward not a gift.
- The Strength of the Gospel. It is the power of God (1:16). The very power that spoke the world into existence. The very power that called Lazarus from the grave. The power that restored sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, speech to the mute, walking and running to the cripple, turning water into wine, and feeding 20,000 with five loaves and two little fish. It is the power that puts new furniture in the drunkard’s house, makes a sinful woman pure, and a drug addict clean. The gospel can change any sinner that is willing to come to the foot of the cross.
- The Conclusion of the Gospel. It is the power of God unto salvation. Salvation carries the idea of deliverance. Deliverance from the wrath of God (1:18). No one outside of Jesus has deliverance from this awful wrath. I mentioned in a recent sermon, referring to those that fight against God, that the Lord will take you out in the first round. No one is going the distance and receiving a split decision in their battle with God. That same Lord that by the word of his mouth spoke the world into existence will by the might of his hand also save a wicked sinner. The gospel is for everyone that believes “to the Jew first and also the Gentiles.” Salvation came to Israel first. The early church was mostly Jewish believers. Then came “we” Gentiles. Praise the Lord everyone is invited. From the beginning of salvation to our final redemption it begins with faith and every step of the way on our journey is by faith. Has there been a time in the past when you have been ashamed to tell others about the gospel? Are you ashamed right now? The greatest thing that could ever happen to you occurred when you were born again. Let’s let others know they can have it also.