Romans | Week 1 | Daniel Goulding | Echoes Church

The big idea

Because the gospel comes from God, centers on Jesus, produces obedience, is for everyone, and carries real power to save, we can be unashamed of it rather than concealing it.

The gospel is still good news with the power to transform any life, marriage, or addiction from the inside out. Paul, who lost everything for following Jesus, could still say he was unashamed of the gospel — and Pastor Daniel invites the church to stop hiding a message that powerful and start celebrating it.

Point 1 of 5

Pastor Daniel walks through Romans 1:1-2, noting Paul calls himself a slave of Christ Jesus rather than boasting in status. He argues the cross was never a backup plan — God promised the gospel long ago through the prophets, and Peter confirms Jesus was chosen as our ransom before the world began.

Point 2 of 5

From Romans 1:3-4, Pastor Daniel shows Jesus fulfilled being born in David's line naturally and was proven the Son of God supernaturally through His resurrection. He points to over 500 witnesses who died claiming Jesus rose, arguing the resurrection is the linchpin that changes everything.

Point 3 of 5

Using Romans 1:5, Pastor Daniel shares his own testimony of losing interest in partying after meeting Jesus at 19, not because of rules but because God changed his desires. He says right living doesn't save you, but it is the evidence that Christ has saved you.

Point 4 of 5

He notes Christianity is the only religion with a wide-open door, pointing to Paul's burden for Gentiles and Romans 10:13's promise that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. He pictures God as a father sprinting to meet anyone who merely turns toward home.

Point 5 of 5

Pastor Daniel unpacks the Greek words dunamis (power, like dynamite) and soteria (a holistic salvation, not just a get-out-of-jail card) from Romans 1:16. He tells of a man who wept to him at the gym about his marriage being restored weeks after surrendering to Jesus, as proof the gospel still holistically transforms lives.

Take it into your week

Pastor Daniel's challenge is to become people who celebrate the gospel rather than conceal it.