I AM READY TO PREACH
ROMANS 1:14-17
Intro:
1. Have you ever had to preach when you were unprepared: mentally, spiritually, or emotionally?
2. Have you ever preached and then felt that the sermon was a complete failure?
3. Have you preached when you were ready! There is a contrast in feelings and results.
4. Paul was ready to preach!
5. Purpose of this lesson is to enable us to see what is necessary if we can say, "We are ready to preach."
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1. WE ARE DEBTORS
(Rom. 1:14)!
Debtor: "One held by some obligation, bound by some duty."
Became indebted by becoming a Christian (Matt. 28:18-20).
"Woe is me if I do not preach" (1 Cor. 9:16).
A man is not ready to preach unless he feels an indebtedness to the lost.
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2. WE ARE EAGER; "AS MUCH AS IN ME IS" (Rom. 1:15).
"All that depends on me is eager, i.e., for my part I am ready."
Confidence is:
Born of conversion (Educated ministry is desirable but a converted ministry is indispensable").
Born of dedication.
Born of preparation.
See the need - people are lost!
Eager to:
Get a job? Position? Preach? Paul was eager to preach the gospel (Rom. 1:15).
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3. WE ARE HANDLING GOD'S POWER (Rom. 16,17)!
There are six words in Greek language for power- Paul chose dunamis.
Power of God seen in created universe (Rom. 1:20)
Power in message to move men:
Churchill's "blood, sweat, and tears" during world war 2 gave people courage.
Roosevelt's "nothing to fear but fear" during the great depression gave people hope.
To save - what is it? The gospel of Christ.
Power to produce faith (Rom. 1:17).
Conclusion:
It is an honor to preach.
It is necessary to proclaim the gospel of Christ if:
God is pleased.
Men are saved.
The feet of preachers are beautiful (Rom. 10:15) as they go forth with the good news of salvation.
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