Romans 1:16: How to Overcome Fear When Sharing the Gospel

by Dale Partridge

The Gospel is offensive to humanity. In fact, one of the names of Jesus is “The Rock of Offense.” But why does the message of the cross produce such vitriol and hate? Why are people so angry with the claims of Jesus Christ?

In this episode, we look to not only the reasons people reject the Gospel but also how that rejection cannot influence our willingness to preach it. In other words, we will see why some Christians have been ashamed of the Gospel and how you can overcome this temptation to remain quiet and speak boldly about the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Today’s text is from Romans 1:16 which is arguably the first half of what many theologians claim to be the most important passage in all of the Bible. Join pastor Dale Partridge as he looks to this passage to understand how Paul can maintain such confidence, stamina, and hope in the midst of such rejection and persecution.

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Scripture References

Romans 1:16

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.
John 3:18-21

Whoever believes in me is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.
1 Corinthians 2:14

The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.
1 Corinthians 1:18

For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing.
1 Corinthians 1:23

We preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles
Romans 5:8

but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
2 Corinthians 5:21

For our sake God made Jesus to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Christ we might become the righteousness of God.
John 3:36

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.
Romans 10:17

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

After watching or listening to this episode, what is your opinion? Do you have any questions or comments? Maybe you have something to add to the discussion? If so, let us know in the comments below.

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