The Simple Gospel

Standing on the edge of promise, God calls His people to preparation before movement. From Joshua 3 and Jesus’ words in Matthew 6, this message reminds us that God shapes our hearts before He advances our steps. As we consecrate ourselves and seek first His kingdom, we learn to trust God’s presence to lead us—into new seasons, new obedience, and the wonders He has ahead.

This Christmas message from Galatians 4:4–6 flows out of Romans 1–2 to show how God responded to the darkness of the human heart. When the fullness of time had come, God sent His Son to redeem sinners and adopt them into His family. Christmas is not humanity reaching for God, but God stepping into our darkness with redeeming, adopting grace.

In Romans 2:1–16, Paul turns from condemning pagan Gentiles to confronting religious Jews who assumed they were exempt from God’s judgment. He exposes self-righteousness, reveals God’s impartial judgment, and shows that all people are accountable—by the Law they know or the conscience they bear. Yet before judgment comes, God displays His kindness, patience, and mercy, ultimately revealed in Jesus Christ.

While Romans 1:24–32 exposes the tragic depth of humanity’s rebellion and the darkness of a world that exchanges God’s truth for lies, Isaiah 9 announces a greater hope. Into that darkness, God sends a rescuing Light—Jesus, the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father,  and Prince of Peace.

In this message, we confront the sobering truth of God’s righteous wrath. Paul shows that humanity suppresses the truth, rejects God’s revelation, and exchanges His glory for idols. We explore the wrath of God, the reality of wrath in a broken world, and the tragic results of wrath when people turn from Him. Yet even in judgment, God’s purpose is to draw us back to His saving grace.

In Romans 1:16–17, Paul boldly declares he is “not ashamed of the gospel” because it is the very power of God to save. This message exposes our sin, confronts our pride, and reveals that we cannot earn righteousness. We must receive it by faith in Christ. When we do, God takes our righteousness which is filthy rags and clothes us with the perfect righteousness of Christ. We are called to believe it, live it, and proclaim it without shame.

In Romans 1:8–15, Paul opens his heart and reveals the soul of a true pastor—one who begins with gratitude, is burdened in prayer for God’s people, and burns to strengthen and be strengthened by the church. This message explores Paul’s deep love for believers, his passion to reach all people with the gospel, and how his pastoral heart ultimately reflects the heart of Jesus for us today.

In this message from Romans 1:1-7, we explore how Paul introduces the gospel as God’s eternal promise fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The good news didn’t begin in the New Testament—it was promised long ago and revealed in Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. This gospel transforms who we are, calls us to obedience through faith, and commissions us to share God’s grace with all nations.

The book of Romans has sparked revival for centuries—awakening Augustine’s heart, igniting Luther’s Reformation, and setting Wesley’s faith on fire. In this opening message of Romans: Not Ashamed of the Gospel, we discover why this letter still transforms lives today. Romans confronts our sin, reveals God’s grace, and awakens our mission to impact the nations, our neighbors, and the next generation through the unashamed power of the Gospel.

In Matthew 18, Jesus tells of a servant forgiven a massive debt who refuses to forgive a small one. It’s a reminder that unforgiveness traps us in bitterness, while grace frees us. We forgive not because others deserve it, but because we have been forgiven far more by Christ. Forgiven people forgive people — releasing the offense, healing the heart, and reflecting the One who canceled every debt at the cross.