Dock Resource Kit
Sunday sermon, 9 February 2025
This week, Michael spoke to us about the power and purpose of the gospel as introduced in Romans 1:1-17. He unpacked the historical context of Paul’s letter, showing how the gospel challenged Roman society by offering a radically different way of life—one based not on religious rituals or social status but on faith in Jesus Christ. He reminded us that while the world says, “Do this, and you will be well,” Jesus says, “I have done this, now come to me.” The gospel is not just something we hear but something we live, shaping every part of our lives. As we begin this journey through Romans, we are invited to step deeper into faith, trusting in Christ’s finished work and responding with lives transformed by his grace.
Dock Discussion Questions
In what ways do you see the world’s message of “Do this, and you will succeed” influencing your own life? How does the gospel challenge that mindset?
Paul writes in Romans 1:16, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation.” What do you think it means to live unashamed of the gospel in today’s culture?
The Romans struggled to understand a faith that wasn’t built on temples, sacrifices, or rituals. What aspects of Christianity do you think are most difficult for people to grasp today?
Michael shared that the gospel is not just about hearing—it’s about doing. How might God be calling you to respond to his grace in action this week?
Long-form, editted transcript
The Power of the Gospel
We’re starting a new sermon series today in the book of Romans, and I am really excited. There’s just so much to say, and honestly, I could have done two whole sermons just for today! But don’t worry—I’ll keep us moving. Not because this isn’t exciting, but because there is so much depth here that we need to focus in on the key moments, the real treasure of what Paul is saying, so that we can take something away.
Over the next ten weeks, leading us up to Palm Sunday, we are going to journey through Romans together. And I want to encourage you—lean in. Follow along in your own Bible, take notes, go away and read more, and if you miss a week, catch up online. Romans is one of the most significant and impactful books of the New Testament, and this is a series that can really shape and change us.
The Historical Context of Romans
Before we get into today’s passage, Romans 1:1-17, I want to spend a little bit of time exploring the history and context of this letter. Because when we understand what was happening in the world at the time, it makes the words on the page come alive in a whole new way.
So first, let’s establish some basics. Who wrote this letter? Well, unlike some other books of the Bible where there is debate, almost all scholars agree that Paul is the author of Romans. That’s helpful because it means we can get straight into what he is saying without needing to question its origins. And when was it written? Again, there is quite a consensus—Romans was written somewhere between AD 55 and AD 58. Some scholars debate the exact year, but for our purposes, that three-year window is enough.
But here’s where it gets interesting. Many of us know that the Roman Empire was a place of religious diversity. There were temples and shrines everywhere. The Romans had their own pantheon of gods, many inherited from the Greeks, and generally, they were quite tolerant of different religious practices. But despite this seemingly open and accepting culture, we also know that Christians faced enormous persecution in Rome. Why was that? Why was Christianity so uniquely challenging to the Roman world?
To answer that, we need to understand something about Roman society. Religion in Rome wasn’t just a private matter; it was deeply tied to civic life. Your participation in religious rituals was part of your social and political identity. The general belief was that the prosperity of Rome depended on honouring the gods, and failure to do so would bring disaster.
Why Was Christianity So Offensive?
There’s a fascinating account from the Roman historian Suetonius, who wrote about the reign of Emperor Claudius. He mentions that Claudius expelled the Jews from Rome because of disturbances caused by a figure he calls “Chrestus”—which most scholars believe was a misspelling of Christus, referring to Christ. We see confirmation of this in Acts 18:2-3, where we’re told that Aquila and Priscilla had to leave Rome because of this decree.
What does this tell us? It tells us that Christianity was already causing waves in Roman society. It was disruptive. And not long after this, under Nero’s rule, Christians faced even worse persecution. In AD 64, the Great Fire of Rome destroyed much of the city, and many believed that Nero himself had started the fire. To shift the blame, he pointed the finger at Christians, and from that moment, the persecution of the church intensified dramatically.
Many scholars believe that Paul himself was executed during this period. So when we read Romans, we are reading a letter written in a time of growing hostility toward Christians. And it forces us to ask—what was so different about Christianity? Why was it such a challenge to the world around it?
The key difference was this: in Roman religion, worship was about action rather than belief. You performed the right sacrifices, you took part in the right rituals, and in doing so, you secured favour from the gods. It was about doing the right things. But Christianity came along with an entirely different message.
Tim Keller often quotes Dick Lucas, who imagined a conversation between a Roman citizen and a Christian:
Roman: “I hear you’re religious. Great! Where is your temple?”
Christian: “We don’t have a temple—Jesus is our temple.”
Roman: “No temple? Then where do your priests serve?”
Christian: “We don’t need priests—Jesus is our high priest.”
Roman: “No priests? But where do you offer your sacrifices?”
Christian: “We don’t need sacrifices—Jesus is our sacrifice.”
Roman: “What kind of religion is this?”
And the answer? It’s not a religion at all—it’s a relationship.
Romans 1:1-17
With that context in mind, let’s turn to our passage for today.
1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— 2 the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures 3 regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, 4 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. 5 Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentilesto the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake. 6 And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.
7 To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. 9 God, whom I serve in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you 10 in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you.
11 I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— 12 that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. 13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.
14 I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. 15 That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
The Power and Purpose of the Gospel
This introduction to Romans is longer than any of Paul’s other letters, and it follows a very traditional Greco-Roman structure—introducing himself, the recipients, and a greeting. But Paul doesn’t just follow the standard format. He takes every opportunity to infuse this introduction with the gospel message.
In these opening verses, Paul highlights two key themes: the authority of the gospel and the purpose of the gospel.
The authority of the gospel is clear from the start:
It is from God (v.1).
It was foretold by the prophets (v.2).
It is centred on Jesus (v.3).
It is for all people (v.5).
But the purpose of the gospel is just as important. In verse 5, Paul speaks of receiving grace and apostleship—salvation and being sent. The gospel isn’t just about believing; it’s about living in response.
And that’s where it connects with our own lives.
Faith in the Midst of Struggle
I don’t know if you’ve had a difficult week, but I have. My wife was away on a work trip, and I was juggling everything at home—kids, work, studies, writing this sermon. And when I get overwhelmed, I procrastinate.
I tell myself, “If I can just get through this, then everything will be fine.” But that’s the world’s way of thinking. The world says, “Do this, and you will be well.” But Jesus says, “I approve of you as you are.”
Romans 5:8 says: “God demonstrates his love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Wherever you are today—whether you feel strong or weak—God loves you and invites you to live by faith.
The Righteous Will Live by Faith
Paul writes in verse 16: “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God that brings salvation.”
This is our call—to respond to Jesus, to live by faith, and to walk with Him. This is not a faith of simply hearing; it is a faith of action.
We do not worship because it earns us something. We worship because Jesus has already done it all. And when we truly grasp that, it changes everything. The gospel isn’t about achieving a better life—it’s about receiving a new life.
So I want to encourage you—over these next ten weeks, lean in. Ask God to reveal himself to you in fresh ways through the book of Romans. Because this is the message that has changed the world, and it is the message that can change our lives today.
Closing Prayer
Father, we thank you for the truth of your word. Thank you for the freedom that comes through Jesus, that we are not striving to earn your love, but that you have already poured it out for us.
As we journey through Romans, would you shape us, challenge us, and transform us? Help us to live by faith, to trust in your grace, and to walk with you each day.
May we not conform to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.