I am a debtor both to the Greeks and to the Barbarians; both to the wise and to the unwise.  So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.  For I am not ashamed of the gospel o f Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith.  It is written, "The just shall live by faith."    Romans 1:14-17

The Great Apostle, the Great Church Planner, the Bible Writer -- all these names could be Paul.  Most of the New Testament was written from the pen of Paul.

In writing the words "I am a debtor", Paul was a debtor to Christ.  What a change took place in Paul's life when he met Jesus.

Let me tell you this morning, no matter how wicked and vile you may think you have lived your life, Jesus love you and He sent you here this day to feel His love.

Paul said, "Because I am in such debt to Christ, I am in debt to people."  Jesus said, "If you want to serve, serve people.  If you want to help the kingdom, help people."

Why was Paul such a debtor?  Paul had been given a great gift.  Since he had been given such a great gift, he felt he would work hard for Christ.  He wanted to introduce as many people as he possibly could to Jesus, not because he owed the debt, but because he was so freed by the love of God that he wanted to share the good news.  He wanted to preach the word to everyone.

What is this good news?  Even today when people's hearts are hardened and their minds are filled with confusion, doubt or fear, the word of God still pierces through the night.  The light of God's love shines forth.

You know what?  I am in debt to Him, too!  Every born-again Christian in this church is in debt to Him because you have been given the gift, too.  You cannot earn it; you cannot purchase it.  You have nothing to give except yourself.

Jesus said these words, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments.  In other words, if the love of Christ is in my heart I'm going to do my best to live for Him.  I want people to see Jesus in me, not see me as just another hypocrite or just another church member.  I want people to see Jesus living in me.  Therefore, I will serve Him.  Paul said he was not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ; and folks, I am not ashamed of Him, either.  I am not embarrassed to call Him my Savior.  I've got too much to be (I don't want to use the word 'proud') -- Let me say I've got to much to be thankful for. 

I'm not ashamed of -- let me tell you what I am not ashamed of:

• I'm not ashamed to stand up and let people know who's side I'm on.  When people get out in a crowd they want to blend into the background; they don't want to stand out.  But I'll say to you this morning, "If you've got Christ in your heart, you will stand out and you will stand up."  Your heart has no fellowship with darkness.  God's light will shine through.

• I'm not ashamed to praise Him.  When Jesus save me, He gave me more than I needed.  Remember, I've been given a gift. I've got a lot of "stuff".  It's like this -- if I were to beg Lisa for something special for Christmas or my birthday --(I'm into fishing now).  I tell her I want this neat fishing pole.  I would say, "Lisa, I want this neat titanium, fiberglass pole." 
  She says, "No, we can't get that now." 
  I say, "Oh, Okay."
  Then on Christmas Day I open my gift and there is my brand new titanium, fiberglass pole.  I shout down the roof because I got what I wanted.

• I 'm not ashamed to testify for Him.  I'll tell others about His saving grace.  You the the one simple thing we can do in this life is tell someone what Jesus has done in our hearts.  It can be explained like this: "It's one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread."

• I'm not ashamed to love Him.  There was once a time in my life when I had a hard time showing love.  I had an even harder time telling someone I loved them.  I thought it was 'unmanly'.  If someone would tell me they loved me, I would twist my mouth into a "Yeh, love ya, too."  Come on men, you know what I am talking about!  Men have a hard time telling their wives they love them.  What is it so hard to do that?  It should be easy with God in your heart.

• I'm not ashamed to witness for Him.  I'll be loud-mouthed for Him until He comes back.  I 'm not ashamed to be a Christian.  As a matter of fact, I hope people can see enough Christianity in me to see Jesus living in me.  It used to be that a Christian was looked up to in the community.  Now they are looked upon as stale, old-fashioned and out-of-touch.  They have even been called "Fundamental Terrorists."

Here is the question -- Why share the good news?  We share it because it's the power of God, redemption power.  God will take the vilest sinner and transform him into something brand new.  He washes away all sin.  Life is short; eternity is not.

There is healing power; He keeps me well.  Just this past week I had two days of feeling sick.  Lisa brought home a sandwich from -- I won't say where, but I had two days of being sicker than the "proverbial dog".  I was preaching a revival, but God kept me going.  His healing power kept me well because I needed to be well.

Our country is in bad shape.  We have told Christ  we don't want Him in our schools, our courthouses, even in our homes.  We have said, "God, We don't need you."  He says, "Okay."  So how can I not preach the gospel to a lost and dying world?  You have been given a Royal invitation.  It was signed by Jesus Christ.  If you choose not to accept that invitation and then die, you will leave this world outside the arc of salvation.  Hell is waiting for you.  Paul said, "I am not ashamed of Jesus."  Jesus said, "If you are ashamed to confess me before men, I will be ashamed to confess you before my Father who is in Heaven."  Life is short -- eternity is forever!

Bro. Jr Fields........April 30, 2006.

Sermon edited by Mary King

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