1. INTRODUCTION
1. As Paul began his grand epistle to the Romans, he wrote of his desire to see them...
a. His diligent prayers toward that end - Ro 1:9-10
b. His desire to encourage them through mutual edification - Ro 1: 11-12
c. His plans to come, that he might have some fruit among them - Ro 1:13
2. His desire to see them was related to the gospel...
a. Which he served as an apostle of Christ - Ro 1:1
b. The good news concerning Jesus - Ro 1:3
c. Of which he was not ashamed - Ro 1:16
3. Are we ever ashamed of the gospel of Christ...?
a. Embarrassed to tell others about Jesus?
b. Could this be a reason why many are not active in personal evangelism?
[Perhaps by examining how and why Paul was not ashamed of the gospel, we might be more diligent in our efforts to share the good news of Jesus Christ...]

2. Romans 1:14-17  I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.  (15)  So, for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.  (16)  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.  (17)  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."

3. Paul Was Not Ashamed How He Showed He Was Not Ashamed
He Felt Obligated To Preach The Gospel
PAUL WAS NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL
HOW HE WAS NOT ASHAMED...
He felt obligated to preach the gospel to everyone
To Greeks and barbarians (non-Greeks), to wise and unwise - Ro 1:14
His obligation due partly to favor God had shown him - 1Co 15:9-10; 1Ti 1:12-14
He was ready to preach the gospel in Rome
Whatever opportunity was given him, he would take it! - Ro 1:15
Even though his preference was to preach where Jesus had not been proclaimed before - Ro 15:20
-- Paul showed that he was not ashamed by his willingness and preparedness to preach the gospel anytime and anywhere!
Rom 1:14  I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.
1 Cor 9:16  For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to
boast of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I
do not preach the gospel.

4. Paul Was Not Ashamed How He Showed He Was Not Ashamed
He Felt Obligated To Preach The Gospel
He Was Ready To Face The Emperor
Rom 1:15  So, for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.
Rom 15:20  And thus I aspired to preach the gospel, not where Christ was already named, so that I would not build on another man's foundation; 
PAUL WAS NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL
HOW HE WAS NOT ASHAMED...
He felt obligated to preach the gospel to everyone
To Greeks and barbarians (non-Greeks), to wise and unwise - Ro 1:14
His obligation due partly to favor God had shown him - 1Co 15:9-10; 1Ti 1:12-14
He was ready to preach the gospel in Rome
Whatever opportunity was given him, he would take it! - Ro 1:15
Even though his preference was to preach where Jesus had not been proclaimed before - Ro 15:20
-- Paul showed that he was not ashamed by his willingness and preparedness to preach the gospel anytime and anywhere!

5. Paul Was Not Ashamed How He Showed He Was Not Ashamed
Why He Was Not Ashamed
It Is The Power Of God To Salvation
WHY HE WAS NOT ASHAMED...
It is the power of God to salvation
For everyone who believes, both Jew and Greek (Gentiles) - Ro 1:16
For it tells of Christ, the power of God and wisdom of God - 1Co 1:23-24
It reveals the righteousness of God in salvation
How the just shall live by faith - Ro 1:17
How God is both just and the justifier of those who believe in Jesus - Ro 3:21-26
-- Because of its power and message, Paul was not ashamed to preach the gospel to anyone willing to listen! [From Paul, then, we should note several reasons why...]
John 1:7  He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him.
1 Cor 1:23-24  but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness,  (24)  but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

6. Paul Was Not Ashamed How He Showed He Was Not Ashamed
Why He Was Not Ashamed
It Is The Power Of God To Salvation
It Reveals The Righteousness Of God In Salvation
WHY HE WAS NOT ASHAMED...
It is the power of God to salvation
For everyone who believes, both Jew and Greek (Gentiles) - Ro 1:16
For it tells of Christ, the power of God and wisdom of God - 1Co 1:23-24
It reveals the righteousness of God in salvation
How the just shall live by faith - Ro 1:17
How God is both just and the justifier of those who believe in Jesus - Ro 3:21-26
-- Because of its power and message, Paul was not ashamed to preach the gospel to anyone willing to listen! [From Paul, then, we should note several reasons why...]
Rom 1:17  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." 
Rom 3:23  for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 
Rom 3:26  for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. 

7. When We Are Not Ashamed We Will Feel A Sense Of Obligation
To God Who Saved Us
THOSE NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL
WILL FEEL A SENSE OF OBLIGATION...
To God who saved them
Are we not thankful for what God has done for us?
Will this not affect how we live our lives? - cf. Ga 2:20
To those who are lost
Are we not concerned about their eternal destiny should they die in their sins?
Will this not move us to do something? - cf. 2Co 5:11
Gal 2:20  "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. 

8. When We Are Not Ashamed We Will Feel A Sense Of Obligation
To God Who Saved Us
To Those Who Are Lost
THOSE NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL
WILL FEEL A SENSE OF OBLIGATION...
To God who saved them
Are we not thankful for what God has done for us?
Will this not affect how we live our lives? - cf. Ga 2:20
To those who are lost
Are we not concerned about their eternal destiny should they die in their sins?
Will this not move us to do something? - cf. 2Co 5:11
2 Cor 5:11  Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest to God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences. 

9. When We Are Not Ashamed We Will Feel A Sense Of Obligation
We Will Make Ourselves Ready
To Share The Gospel As They Have Opportunity
B. WILL MAKE THEMSELVES READY...
To share the gospel as they have opportunity
If uncertain what to say, they will learn it (even relearn it) - cf. 1Pe 3:15; He 5:12
They will not rest until they have found some method, aids, or tools, whereby they can communicate the gospel to others
Then they will be looking for "open doors" to teach others - cf. 1Co 3:5
To spread the gospel as they have opportunity
They may not be in a position to go, but they can still send - cf. Ro 10:14-15; 3Jn 5-8
They may not be in a position to teach, but they can still invite - e.g., Ac 10:24,33
Then they will be looking for "open doors" to send - e.g., Php 4:15-16
-- Those not ashamed of the gospel will make themselves ready like Paul - Ro 1:15
1 Pet 3:15  but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; 
2 Tim2:15  Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that doesn’t need to be ashamed, using God’s word correctly. 

10. When We Are Not Ashamed We Will Feel A Sense Of Obligation
We Will Make Ourselves Ready
To Share The Gospel As They Have Opportunity
To Spread The Gospel As They Have Opportunity
If You Can’t Go – Send
B. WILL MAKE THEMSELVES READY...
To share the gospel as they have opportunity
If uncertain what to say, they will learn it (even relearn it) - cf. 1Pe 3:15; He 5:12
They will not rest until they have found some method, aids, or tools, whereby they can communicate the gospel to others
Then they will be looking for "open doors" to teach others - cf. 1Co 3:5
To spread the gospel as they have opportunity
They may not be in a position to go, but they can still send - cf. Ro 10:14-15; 3Jn 5-8
They may not be in a position to teach, but they can still invite - e.g., Ac 10:24,33
-- Those not ashamed of the gospel will make themselves ready like Paul - Ro 1:15
3Jn 1:8  Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth. 

11. When We Are Not Ashamed We Will Feel A Sense Of Obligation
We Will Make Ourselves Ready
To Share The Gospel As They Have Opportunity
To Spread The Gospel As They Have Opportunity
If You Can’t Go – Send
If You Can’t Teach - Invite
B. WILL MAKE THEMSELVES READY...
To share the gospel as they have opportunity
If uncertain what to say, they will learn it (even relearn it) - cf. 1Pe 3:15; He 5:12
They will not rest until they have found some method, aids, or tools, whereby they can communicate the gospel to others
Then they will be looking for "open doors" to teach others - cf. 1Co 3:5
To spread the gospel as they have opportunity
They may not be in a position to go, but they can still send - cf. Ro 10:14-15; 3Jn 5-8
They may not be in a position to teach, but they can still invite - e.g., Ac 10:24,33
-- Those not ashamed of the gospel will make themselves ready like Paul - Ro 1:15
Act 10:24  On the following day he entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 
Act 10:33b  Now then, we are all here present before God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord." 

12. CONCLUSION
Are you ashamed of the gospel of Christ? You may be, if you are not...
Doing anything to share the gospel yourself
Involved in helping others to spread the gospel
You have no reason to be ashamed, it is still the same gospel!
With power to save the souls of men
Revealing the wonderful righteousness of God to save men May we never be ashamed of the gospel, or of Jesus Himself...
For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels." (Mk 8:38)
“Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter." (1Pe 4:16)