Where To Look For Power (Romans 1:16) by Dr. John DeBrine

When can we expect to see the Power of God activated? Romans 1:16 flatly states it is when we present the Gospel. The Gospel reminds man of his complete ruin in sin and God's perfect remedy in Jesus Christ (study 1 Cor. 15:3-4). Much of what we hear in the pulpit is not the Gospel. Let me explain. In 1 Corinthians 15:3 there are 4 verbs: died, buried, raised, appeared. Only one of those 4 verbs is the real key to our message and it is this: Christ died for our sins! This means Jesus Christ died on behalf of our sins, i.e. His death becomes our substitute - He suffered the penalty of our sins. How do I know this is sufficient? The answer is because of the Resurrection. In other words, the Resurrection brings proof that the death of Christ satisfied God the Father. The Resurrection is our canceled check - paid in full! Now here's the point: When we proclaim the full Gospel we have the backing of God. That is the divine dynamic, which works efficaciously to save the sinner by arousing him to repentance, faith and obedience! That is where the power is - the Gospel. Romans 1:16 makes it clear that God's omnipotence is wrapped up in the Gospel because at the very heart of this message is the risen, triumphant Lord Himself.

There are many questions we believers will face at the Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Cor. 5:10) and one of the questions will be - "Did we make the Gospel clear?" It is not enough to just say "come to Christ". It is a must to say, "you have broken every one of the 10 commandments (Gal. 3:24) and therefore you have nothing that a Holy God will accept! That's the bad news. The good news is the Gospel!

"For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the scriptures.”

- JDB

Pray for and help Songtime USA get the Gospel to people and service personnel all over the world! The days after the war will be as opportune as the days during the war. When you go to church, do you hear the Gospel? If so you are aware of the power of God. That is what Romans 1:16 is all about!