Romans 1:16 - Paul was Not Ashamed of the Gospel 

•        Paul told us in verse 14 that he was obligated to preach the gospel

•        Paul told us in verse 15 that he was eager to preach the gospel

•        Paul now tells us in verse 16 that he is not ashamed of the gospel

•        Paul endured tremendous hardship as he preached the gospel:

–      2 Corinthians 11:24-27 -  Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.

•        Yet Paul did not shrink from continuing to preach the gospel! Why?

•        Because Paul recognized that the gospel is:

–      A power of (or from) God

–      For the salvation of everyone who believes it

–      Whether Jew or Gentile