Romans 1:16-17 & 1 Corinthians 4:19-20

Introduction:

Paul wrote to the Romans that he was not ashamed of the Gospel, “because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.” (Romans 1:16) This Gospel power has the ability to radically transform the way we live our lives. We are changed to become vessels of divine righteousness. (Romans 1:17) We are marked with the presence and the power of God.

Paul wrote to the Corinthians that “the Kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.” (I Corinthians 4:20) The Christian Standard Bible has translated this verse, “The Kingdom of God is not in talk but in power.” The New Living Translation says, “THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS NOT JUST FANCY TALK; IT IS LIVING BY GOD’S POWER.” Paul was anxious to distinguish between “big talkers” and “powerful citizens of Christ’s Kingdom.”

First-century Rome witnessed the worst possible manifestations of human depravity. It seemed as if there was no barrier in place to arrest people in their moral and spiritual bankruptcy. Things appeared to be degenerating from bad to worse. Corruption reigned from the halls of legal and political power to common venues throughout the empire, such as family and community. First-century Corinth was a city filled with every form of human brokenness. Society was coming apart at the seams. There was profound spiritual confusion. Truth was ill defined and casually sought after. The people were spiritually and morally adrift.