The Power of God

Sermon Text

Romans 1:8-17

8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers, 10 making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you. 11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established— 12 that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

13 Now I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often planned to come to you (but was hindered until now), that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles. 14 I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. 15 So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.

The Just Live by Faith

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

New King James Version (NKJV) Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.

The Power of God

Text: Romans 1:16–17
Preacher: Bryan Schneider
Theme: The gospel is God’s power for salvation because it reveals the righteousness of God given through faith.

Key Points

• Paul is not ashamed of the gospel

  • The gospel means “good news” — the announcement of Christ’s victory over sin and death.

  • Cultural pressure often pushes Christians toward shame or silence about the gospel.

  • Christians should boldly proclaim the message because it is the message of Christ.

• The gospel is the power of God for salvation

  • The power is not merely in the words themselves but in God working through the message.

  • God uses the proclamation of the gospel to transform hearts and bring salvation.

• Salvation means deliverance from God’s wrath

  • Humanity is not merely struggling with self-esteem or circumstances.

  • We are sinners deserving judgment and in need of rescue from God’s righteous wrath.

• Salvation is for everyone who believes

  • The gospel is for both Jew and Gentile.

  • Faith is the instrument, not the ground, of salvation.

  • Faith receives Christ; it does not earn righteousness.

• The gospel reveals the righteousness of God

  • This righteousness is not produced by us.

  • It is an “alien righteousness”—a righteousness outside ourselves given through Christ.

  • God remains perfectly just while justifying sinners because Christ bore the wrath we deserved.

• Justification vs. Sanctification

  • Justification: Being declared righteous before God through Christ (Romans 1–11).

  • Sanctification: Growing in holiness after salvation (Romans 12–end).

• “The righteous shall live by faith”

  • The Christian life begins, continues, and ends by faith in Christ’s righteousness—not our own.

• Why might Christians today feel pressure to be ashamed of the gospel?

• What does it mean that the gospel is the power of God?

• Why is it important to understand the difference between justification and sanctification?

• How does the idea of “alien righteousness” bring comfort to believers?

• What does “the righteous shall live by faith” look like in daily life?

• Gospel – The good news that Jesus Christ saves sinners.

• Justification – Being declared righteous before God through Christ.

• Sanctification – The lifelong process of becoming more like Christ.

• Imputation – Christ’s righteousness credited to believers.

• Faith – Trusting in Christ alone for salvation.