The Substance of the Gospel

Romans 1:16 KJV:
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

I have been severally taught that 'gospel'  has its root word in Greek and means 'good news'. I could then substitute 'gospel' with 'good news' and see whether it sheds more light on our focal passage above: ' I am not ashamed of the good news of Christ.......'. It then means that there's good to be found in Christ or there's a good to be enjoyed in having Christ. For as many that have received him, Christ then must be at work in them, working in the power of God to bring out his good purposes. If then there's good news in Christ, why are Christians then the most persecuted people? Why does it look as if the more of Christ you profess, the more 'bitter' the trials and tribulations? Does it not atimes look like there's nothing good about our profession of Christ?
I just believe that there's something very personal about the good news that Christ brings which cannot be shared like every other gift. What today's passage talks about the good news of Christ as the 'power of God unto salvation'. God's greatest expression of power is the grace of salvation: where a man can willingly come to God through Christ and he's set free from his past and given a new and fresh start. The workings of God's salvation through Christ isn't according to reason, logic or common sense; its not what your human mind can fathom. It is a gift from God to ALL mankind, but which will only work for 'anyone who believes'.
This is the issue. We complain a lot about the issues we face in life but we do nothing concrete about it. We want to enjoy a life free from fear but we seek help in the wrong places. We desire God's will and purpose for our lives but we desire to find this will through the wrong person or means. We have raised man to the level of God and made him our source of help. We just cannot get used to the simple idea that Christ, in God, is all we need.
This morning, let us seek help from the right source and person. Try the channel God has provided and approved as the only way to salvation. Many options seem available, but if God has laid down one and only available channel, then our lives will only start when we come to that channel.
God is waiting for us. His free gift of salvation through Chrisst is available for 'anyone who believes'.  Better to risk all on God and lose all, than to risk nothing at all and then really lose all. His time of favour is here.