Romans 1:16-17
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "But the righteous man shall live by faith."
A few years ago (2010) I was compelled by the Spirit through scripture to take to the world the gospel; the good news concerning Jesus the Christ the Son of God; He is risen! I was not clear as to how I should go about this, other than to tell people what Jesus had done. The Lord gave me a voice, a voice that can be heard, so I preached in the open-air. I have become a more proficient preacher, but I am still at the same place I was then, telling people what Jesus had done. I will usually begin any open-air sermon by introducing myself, saying what I am there to speak about by proclaiming Romans 1:16-17, then I give an exposition on the gospel; after that I will proclaim and explain another text out of scripture, concluding by pleading/begging men to come to Christ.
The gospel, the good news concerning Jesus the Christ the Son of God; He is risen! God is righteous, and this attribute must not be misunderstood; He is perfect, and His standard for man is perfect; but we are not righteous, we are not perfect, we are sinful. So what does a righteous God do with people like us, sinners? If He were to simply forgive our sins He would have to lower His righteous standard. The penalty for sin is the second death, the death of the soul; hell! If He overlooked our sin He would not be just. God is love, God is merciful! How can God be merciful to sinful men, forgiving our sins, and at the same time be just, retaining His righteous standard? The only answer is in the cross of Jesus Christ. God is love so He sent His only begotten son, Jesus the Christ to live the righteous life God requires of man for eternal life with God. He willingly gave up His life taking upon Himself the condemnation for our sins, dying in our place forsaken by God. He was buried, and on the third day He arose from the grave defeating death; proved to be the Son of God, having all authority in heaven and on earth to forgive sins. He offers to all men His righteousness before God, that is eternal life; and this offer is a free gift, a gift that we do not deserve and cannot earn. This gift is received one way, through faith in Jesus the Christ the Son of God. If you are in Christ God can forgive your sin, because Jesus paid the penalty for your sins in His own blood, and has given to the one who believes His righteousness before God. God therefore retains His righteous standard, and can be both just and merciful to the one who has faith in Jesus. So repent put your faith in Jesus the Christ the Son of God alone for the forgiveness of your sins.
Here is a video of my friend and brother in Christ Mike Anderson at the end of his open-air message, pleading/begging these students to come to Christ Jesus:
A slave of Jesus Christ
