Not My Gospel | Chattanooga Valley Baptist Church
Romans 1:1–7 • Unashamed Series

Not My
Gospel

In a world obsessed with customization and self-designed truth, Romans opens like a thunderclap. The Gospel does not belong to us. We do not edit it, soften it, remix it, or reshape it around our preferences. It has a source. It has a center. It has a purpose. And all of it belongs to God.

Sermon Summary

Romans begins with Paul establishing that the Gospel originates with God Himself, not with human creativity, preference, or cultural trends. Paul presents himself not as an innovator, but as a servant and messenger entrusted with divine truth. The Gospel was promised beforehand through Scripture, centered fully upon Jesus Christ, and given for the purpose of producing obedient faith among the nations. In a culture built on endless customization, Romans reminds us that Christianity is not something we invent. It is something we receive with repentance, submission, and faith. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

The Gospel Has a Source

The Gospel belongs to God. It is not ours to edit, soften, modernize, or reshape according to preference.

The Gospel Has a Center

Christianity is not fundamentally about ideas, values, or spirituality. It centers completely upon Jesus Christ.

The Gospel Has a Purpose

The Gospel exists not merely for comfort, but to produce obedient faith and glorify Christ among the nations.

The Gospel Demands Submission

You do not get to reshape Jesus into your image. The Gospel calls us to bow before Him as Lord.

Romans 1:1
“Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God...”

Memorable Quotes

“You can customize your coffee, but you can’t customize the Gospel.”

“This isn’t Paul’s masterpiece. It is Paul’s clearest window into God’s masterpiece.”

“The Gospel is about a person, not a preference.”

“You don’t get to admire Jesus without submitting to Him.”

“The Gospel doesn’t exist for our comfort. It exists for His glory.”

“Once you customize the Gospel, eventually you no longer have the Gospel.”

Reflect & Discuss

1. In what ways does modern culture encourage people to “customize” Christianity according to personal preference?
2. Why is it significant that Paul identifies himself first as a servant before identifying himself as an apostle?
3. Why does Paul place such importance on the historical resurrection of Jesus?
4. What is the difference between behavior modification and the “obedience of faith” Paul describes?
5. What are some practical ways Christians today are tempted to soften, reduce, or reshape Jesus?

Not My Gospel

Opening message in the Unashamed series through Romans at Chattanooga Valley Baptist Church.



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