Romans #8, 1: 16-17

Sunday December 28, 1997

Brian Kocourek

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Let’s Pray................

Paul speaking to the Saints, that is the sanctified ones, those who have been set apart for service, those who have come out from among that which is unclean and who have allowed the Word of God to cleanse them through a separation from the unclean thoughts of the world, it is to these people that Paul is speaking here when he says, For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth....

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, I am not ashamed....I am not ashamed.

Why would Paul be speaking to this group of people he called saints, or sanctified ones, to this group of people who had come out from the filth of the world, and had been set apart for service. why would Paul be speaking to them about not being ashamed of the Gospel of Christ. To me this is a paradox. we all know what the people at Rome suffered for their commitment to the Gospel. They were blamed for the burning of Rome which Nero himself had done so he could tax the people more for new buildings, and then he blamed the Christians for the burning.

It sounds to me that history repeats itself. We have a massacre at Waco Texas where the government went in and burned out the people and killed everyone they could so no witness could testify and then they had to the audacity to blame the burning on the people whom they burned. Telling the press that the Davidians started the fire that destroyed themselves. Just like in Oklahoma City, there has been so much disinformation going out to the public that we will never really know the full story until the white thrown judgment. Yet we are hearing bits and pieces of information being leaked out that the government knew well in advance of an attempt to blow up the building and did nothing to ensure the safety of those inside except for the BATF agents were told not to show up for work that day.

And so we see the same scenario taking place in this hour where the government has come down against those that it arbitrarily considers to be a cult just because they are different. Anything or any one who is different they want to classify them as a cult or a cult leader. Just like they did back in Paul’s day. In fact we hear Paul testifying on his own behalf before the governor of Judaea [Acts 24:14] Paul said, “But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:“

Now it is interesting to not that Paul was considered a heretic in his day. But just like it has always been, the people today who profess to be Christian look to Paul as God’s anointed in his day. In other words, they can look back and bless but when it comes in their own day, they just look upon the One who God has truly anointed and consider him to be some kind of a flake. And man does not change. They told Jesus right flat that they believed Moses but had nothing to do with Jesus. They even called Him Beelzebub, which is a name for the devil himself which means the lord of evil spirits. And if they did this to Jesus, then how much more will they do to you and me.

[Matt 10:25]

Therefore, I believe that Paul in his address to the sanctified ones at Rome, to those who had separated themselves from the world and the filth of the world, I believe that Paul was telling them early on in his epistle to them to get ready for a spiritual warfare. And he was telling them that whatsoever happened, they like him were not to be ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for “It is the very Power of God”.

Now, in understanding what Paul is telling not only the early Roman Believers, but ourselves in this hour as well, we must first know what it means to be ashamed. Therefore if we are to know what it is to be ashamed, then we must know what the word itself means. Now, our best source for this is our friend Noah Webster. And he tells us that the word ashamed simply means to be shamed, or to put to shame. Therefore if Paul tells us that he is not ashamed, it is because he does not want us to be ashamed either. For to allow yourself to feel shame is to allow within you a painful feeling of having lost the respect of others, because of some improper behavior or incompetence on your part. Because after all, Shame is a feeling of dishonor or disgrace and is associated with guilt. And guilt is associated with knowingly doing wrong.

Romans #8, 1: 16-17

But how can we then feel guilt or shame because of the Gospel? When you are walking in the Light as He is in the Light how could you feel guilt? For Jesus Said, I am the way , the Truth and the Life.” And since guilt is fear of condemnation, how can you have this fear when God tells us in His Word that “there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus.” In [Romans 8:1] we read , [There is] therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Now, this morning I would like to focus our thoughts upon this text and to look more deeply at this thought that Paul is bringing to our attention here. Here we find Paul telling us that He himself is not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, now why would Paul say this to this group of people who know what it means to be separated and ostracized on account of their separation. Look, Paul knew first hand himself what it means to be made fun of for his beliefs. Because after all, he had been one of those who made fun and even to the point where he felt that it was his duty to do away with those who believed in Christ.

But something happened to Paul. He came into the Presence of the Pillar of Fire, the very God He worshipped, and he became a changed man. And if you once ever into His Presence you will never be the same again. And so Paul was changed. And the proof of his change was the way he committed himself to the Truth. Therefore, when you know something to be the Truth, and that everything else is headed for death and destruction, it has a way of making you act different. You talk different, you act different, and your life has a different focus about it. Things which may at one time in your life seemed to be important don’t seem to have the same effect upon you any longer.

I remember back in the mid seventies, when many of us came into the Message. The imminence of the end-time was made very real to us and all we could think about was the end of the world. we lived it and we breathed it and when it did not come as we thought it would come, many fell away and then tried to make up for lost time. But those people never really believed it. They just fell under the influence of a Truth which they could not endure for more than a short season. But I still believe that although more than 23 years has gone bye since I first heard this Message, I still believe that anytime now, the world will end as we know it. The only difference between what how I act now and back then is that my actions now are seasoned with more years of knowledge and experience, and I know that I must live everyday as though it is my last and yet I must also plan as if I will be around for another fifty years. And that is where a balance will come into your life, because I do not believe that God is in any big hurry to kill of the entire planet. In [II Peter 3:9] we read, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

And the more we learn of Him the more we come to rest in His Promises. He promised that He would not leave His Elect behind, and that in order to take them out of here in what we term a Rapture, but what He terms a catching away, He promised to send us an end-time Message that would gather us together and would bring about a change of the mind and get us ready for a change of the body. This Message is called the Shout according to scripture, and those who are caught up into it are guaranteed to be caught away with Him when He leaves this earthly dimension.

Therefore, the more I have learned of Him the more I have come to trust in His Promises and the more I trust in His Promises, the more I enter into His Rest as Peter taught us in [II Peter 1:2] Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

Now, this brings us to the next thought that Paul is bringing to our attention here in this first chapter of his Epistle to the Romans.

Romans 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. Now, Paul is telling us here that the very righteousness, or the right-wise-ness of God is revealed from revelation to revelation. In other words, we do not just stop once we have first received the revealed word. But as brother Branham taught us in the church age book about revelation, He said, it is like a roman candle that goes up and out from it comes another flame and from that another and from that another and another and on into eternity. And this is the key to understanding our day and it’s message.

Romans #8, 1: 16-17

Now, this what Paul said here is exactly the order in which God works through His Word. Remember, we had just read in verse 16 where Paul was telling us that the Gospel is nothing to be ashamed about because in fact, it is the very power of God to us and it brings forth salvation to the believer. In other words, it is believing the Gospel that saves the believer.

Let’s read again what Paul says here in verse 16. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Then notice in the next verse how Paul tells us this Power of God goes into operation. He says from faith to faith, from revelation to revelation. Therefore if this Power of God is unto something, then that ought to tell us that it’s very purpose is to bring forth something, or to bring us forth to something. And when he adds that it comes from faith to faith, he in turn is telling us that this salvation is more than just a saving of the soul. In fact the word he uses here for the word salvation is a Greek word soteria which means salvation, deliverance, preservation, and safety, and does not restrict itself to the soul alone but also tot he body as well.

Therefore what we should be gaining in our understanding here is that the Gospel of Christ is an actual power that through the release of this power, or the exercise of this power we have been given promises of strength for our earthly journey, health for our bodies, preservation of our souls, deliverance for our minds, and over all protection and safety for our Body, soul and Spirit. In other words, everything we have need of pertaining to life comes from and out from this Word. Then how in the world could we ever find ourselves feeling guilty or ashamed of that?

[II Peter 1:3-4] According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that [pertain] unto life and godliness, ( and how does it come?) through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these( That by these what? Precious Promises, and what will these precious promises produce in you?) ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust”.

Now, with something so full of power as this word, how could anyone be ashamed of it? But many are and I will tell you why they are. Because they do not understand what it is Paul is telling them. They hear us talking about what this Power of God will do for you but they have never experienced that power in their lives and therefore it is only a myth to them. And that is the condition of many children today who are raised in this Message unless they have seen for themselves what I am talking about.

[Psalms 34:1-22]1 [A Psalm] of David, when he changed his behavior before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed. I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise [shall] continually [be] in my mouth. 2 My soul shall make it’s boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear [thereof], and be glad. 3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. 4 I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. 5 They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. 6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard [him], and saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. 8 O taste and see that the LORD [is] good: blessed [is] the man [that] trusteth in him. 9 O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for [there is] no want to them that fear him. 10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good [thing]. 11 Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD. 12 What man [is he that] desireth life, [and] loveth [many] days, that he may see good? 13 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. 14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. 15 The eyes of the LORD [are] upon the righteous, and his ears [are open] unto their cry. 16 The face of the LORD [is] against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. 17 [The righteous] cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. 18 The LORD [is] nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. 19 Many [are] the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all. 20 He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken. 21 Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate. 22 The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.

Now, how could anyone who had any knowledge of God not want to receive all that God promises.

Romans #8, 1: 16-17

Remember, there are some 800 promises in this Bible that are just waiting for you to take God at His Word. He said, try me and prove me. We have seen this morning just a few of them, where He has promised to deliver us out of all our trials and how can you be ashamed of receiving a promise like that. I would much rather take my chances with God than without Him. What hope do the young people of today have. If they live another 30 years from now, we are promised a tax rate of 85%. Now, you know that is a trick of the devil to take away all that you have. But don’t you worry, I don’t believe we will be here long enough for that to happen. But what if we are? I am sure today many young people think about that and it drives them to desperation. What will they do when 85% of their income will go to the government. The make believer will say, well it look’s like I won’t be able to pay my tithe then. And the believer will say, I can’t afford not to pay my tithe then. And the make believer will say, How in the world will you be able to pay your tithe to God when the government takes 85% and tithe would take another 10%. That would only leave you with 5%. But the believer says, Oh but God promised that I my barns would never go empty, and my cup will overflow.

You see, the devil wants you to look to his promises, which he speaks through his messengers the governments of this world. But God wants you to look only to His Promises, which will never fail. Though Heaven and earth itself will pass away, yet God has promised that not one of His Words will fail.

[Isaiah 55:10-56: 7] For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper [in the thing] whereto I sent it. For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap [their] hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign [that] shall not be cut off. Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation [is] near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed. Blessed [is] the man [that] doeth this, and the son of man [that] layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil. Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I [am] a dry tree. For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose [the things] that please me, and take hold of my covenant; Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off. Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices [shall be] accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.

He promised never to leave us, nor forsake us. The Son is always there. Sometimes you don't see it because of the stormy clouds, but behind those dark and gloomy clouds shines the same Son that shone yesterday, today and forever. He will not leave you, He promised He would not leave here without taking His Elect with Him. Therefore, when those clouds of fear and doubt get between you and the Light of the Son, just remember one thing, He’s still on the scene. All you have to do is to look beyond those dark and gloomy clouds and you’ll find yourself in the Presence of the Son. Hallelujah!

119 Be Certain Of God V-5 N-12 59-0125 In Germany once I saw a picture, and it always stuck with me. A German painter has painted the--a picture that's--that's called "The Cloud Land." And when you see it off at a distance, it's the horriblest looking gloom you ever seen, just clouds matted together when you're looking at it from a long distance. But when you get real close to it, it changes; it's angels' wings beating together, singing hallelujahs to the Lord. So that's what gloom is sometime. If you look at it at a long distance, it looks gloomy and dark; but take God at His Word and be certain that He's God, and move up close to it; you'll find out it's just angels' wings a-beating together.