SERMON NOTES!
The Greatest Story Ever Told – Series Message 1
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO PAUL
Theme Verse - Romans 1:16 - 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel [a]of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
Romans 1:1-7 - 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[a]was a descendant of David, 4 and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power[b] by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.5 Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from[c] 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.
2 Timothy 1:9-10 - 9 He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
Luke 24:44-47 - 44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” 45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day,47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
John 1:14 - 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
THREE WORDS THAT DEFINE EVERY BELIEVER:
2 Corinthians 5:17 - 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here!
CONCLUSION – The Gospel That Changes Everything
So today remember:
You are called by God, loved beyond measure, and set apart for His glory.
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO PAUL
Theme Verse - Romans 1:16 - 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel [a]of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
Romans 1:1-7 - 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[a]was a descendant of David, 4 and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power[b] by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.5 Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from[c] 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.
- THE GOSPEL’S ORIGIN – IT COMES FROM GOD (V.1)
- Paul opens with humility and identity. He calls himself a servant (Greek: doulos), a bondservant fully devoted to his Master.
- The gospel is not a human invention; it’s a divine revelation.
- It’s not a new idea, its God’s eternal plan unfolding through time.
2 Timothy 1:9-10 - 9 He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
- THE GOSPEL’S CENTER – IT’S ALL ABOUT JESUS (VV.2–4)
- Paul roots the gospel in promise. It’s not new; it was foretold throughout Scripture, from Genesis to Malachi. Every prophecy, every sacrifice, every psalm pointed to the coming of the Son.
- The Resurrection was God’s divine stamp saying, “This is My Son, and His work is finished.”
Luke 24:44-47 - 44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” 45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day,47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
John 1:14 - 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
- THE GOSPEL’S REACH – IT CALLS AND TRANSFORMS (VV.5–7)
THREE WORDS THAT DEFINE EVERY BELIEVER:
- Called – God personally invites you into relationship. You are not an accident.
- Loved – His love is not based on performance but presence.
- Set Apart – You are separated from sin and for His purpose.
2 Corinthians 5:17 - 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here!
CONCLUSION – The Gospel That Changes Everything
So today remember:
You are called by God, loved beyond measure, and set apart for His glory.