We Are Evangelical

Sermon Title: We Are Evangelical
Scripture Text: Romans 1:16-17

1. Key Scriptures

• Romans 1:16-17

• Galatians 6:14

• Habakkuk 2:4

• 2 Corinthians 3:18

• 1 Corinthians 1:17–31; 2:6

• Isaiah 55:1-3

• Psalm 98:1-3

• Psalm 95:1-3

2. Sermon Flow & Takeaways

I. Setting the Series Context: Who We Are
We’ve looked at being Catholic, Apostolic, Protestant, and Baptist; now we see that to be Evangelical means to be a “gospel people.”

• Evangelical identity is rooted in conversion, Scripture, the cross, and gospel proclamation.

II. “I am not ashamed of the gospel” (v. 16a)
Paul confronts shame in a culture of honour. The cross looks weak and foolish, yet it is God’s wisdom.

• Do not hide your faith out of fear of mockery or rejection.

• True freedom begins when we stop fearing the world’s verdict.

III. “For it is the power of God for salvation” (v. 16b)
Rome trusted legions and law; today we trust progress and self-help. Only the gospel has power to save sinners.

• Human power cannot conquer sin or guilt.

• God’s power saves everyone who believes, Jew and Gentile, insider and outsider.

IV. “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed” (v. 17a)
The gospel shows God’s righteous character, His saving action, and His gift of justification.

• Righteousness is not achieved but received by faith.

• Stop seeking worth in performance or approval; Christ’s righteousness is yours by faith.

V. “The righteous shall live by faith” (v. 17b)
Faith was the way in Habakkuk’s day, Paul’s day, and ours. Life is not secured by achievement, approval, control, or pleasure, but by trusting God.

• Everyone lives by faith in something, only faith in God holds firm.

• To be evangelical is to confess that from first to last, we live by faith.

VI. Evangelical Identity: Identity with a Purpose
Evangelicals are marked by conversion, Scripture, the cross, and mission. This identity fuels worship, community, and global witness.

• Being evangelical is not political branding but gospel conviction.

• We hold out Christ, not ourselves, as the world’s only hope.

3. Primary Sources (cited)

• John Chrysostom, Homilies on Romans

• Robert H. Mounce, Romans (NAC)

• Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible

• H. D. M. Spence-Jones, The Pulpit Commentary: Romans

• Thomas Kidd, “When Did Evangelical Christianity Begin?” (The Gospel Coalition)

• National Association of Evangelicals, What is an Evangelical?

• What I Mean When I Call Myself a “Reformed Evangelical” - Paul Carter (The Gospel Coalition)

•   Charles Spurgeon's sermon on 2 Timothy 4:13 for the "Lion quote"

4. Additional Resources

• R.C. Sproul: Faith Alone: The Evangelical Doctrine of Justification

• Tim Keller: The Centrality of the Gospel (sermon/essay)

• D.A. Carson: Basics for Believers: An Exposition of Philippians (gospel-centered living)

• Kevin DeYoung: “What Is the Mission of the Church?” (article & book with Greg Gilbert)