Here’s an outline I used last week from Romans 1:1-17, the prologue of the book of Romans. The key text was verse 16.
Introduction: Sometimes we’re timid, intimidated, and embarrassed about our faith, but such feelings were unthought-of in the New Testament. The early Christians could not help speaking of what they had seen and heard. This attitude is reflected in Romans 1:1-17.
1. We Have a Vocation (vv. 1-16a) – Paul said he was called and set apart to share the Good news of Christ to all the world, just as we are (vv. 1-6). He said he was:
- Obligated (v. 14)
- Eager (v. 15)
- Unashamed (v. 17).
2. We Have a Vocabulary (v. 16b) – Romans 1:16 is a basic primer in the great words of the Christian faith:
- Gospel
- Power
- Salvation
- Everyone
- Believes
3. We Have a Victory (v. 17) – Romans 1:17 tells us that our message is one of faith from first to last, for the just will live by faith (and this is the victory that overcomes the world).
Conclusion: A message is of limited value without messengers. We’ve got to be ready to say, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ….”