WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.400 Romans 1-17 00:00:10.400 --> 00:00:22.719 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God, 00:00:22.719 --> 00:00:27.120 the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures, 00:00:27.120 --> 00:00:32.039 regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, 00:00:32.620 --> 00:00:37.399 and who through the spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God 00:00:37.399 --> 00:00:41.560 by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord. 00:00:42.420 --> 00:00:48.820 Through him and for his name's sake we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles 00:00:48.820 --> 00:00:54.960 to the obedience that comes from faith, and you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. 00:00:54.960 --> 00:00:59.399 To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints, 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:04.239 grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:01:04.960 --> 00:01:08.819 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, 00:01:09.180 --> 00:01:12.159 because your faith has been reported all over the world. 00:01:12.900 --> 00:01:17.500 God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, 00:01:17.500 --> 00:01:22.400 is my witness how constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times, 00:01:22.659 --> 00:01:28.439 and I pray that now at last, by God's will, the way may be opened for me to come to you. 00:01:29.340 --> 00:01:34.599 I long to see you, so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong, 00:01:35.060 --> 00:01:39.120 that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith. 00:01:39.120 --> 00:01:44.300 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I planned many times to come to you, 00:01:44.640 --> 00:01:47.060 but have been prevented from doing so until now, 00:01:47.500 --> 00:01:52.540 in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles. 00:01:53.120 --> 00:01:58.340 I am bound both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. 00:01:59.000 --> 00:02:03.880 That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are at Rome. 00:02:03.879 --> 00:02:10.699 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes, 00:02:11.219 --> 00:02:13.460 first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 00:02:14.060 --> 00:02:16.719 For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, 00:02:17.199 --> 00:02:20.139 a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, 00:02:20.579 --> 00:02:23.719 just as it is written, the righteous will live by faith. 00:02:28.579 --> 00:02:31.180 Thanks very much, Thirsty, for that. 00:02:31.180 --> 00:02:33.240 So please keep your Bibles open. 00:02:33.879 --> 00:02:34.719 Thank you. 00:02:34.719 --> 00:02:36.199 At Romans chapter 1. 00:02:36.719 --> 00:02:40.280 I do have, which I will leave at the back afterwards, 00:02:40.740 --> 00:02:45.000 which is really just an outline of what we are going to be looking at over the next lot of months, 00:02:45.680 --> 00:02:48.060 next lot of weeks, not months, 00:02:48.599 --> 00:02:51.120 and we will be picking it up again in the new year, 00:02:51.560 --> 00:02:52.819 from chapter 5. 00:02:52.939 --> 00:02:55.120 So there are those, and if you want your own copy, 00:02:55.180 --> 00:02:57.019 if there is not enough, I can email it to you. 00:02:57.519 --> 00:02:59.560 I will not give it to you now, because you will only read it, 00:02:59.560 --> 00:03:00.919 and you won't listen to me, 00:03:01.340 --> 00:03:02.599 so collect them afterwards. 00:03:03.879 --> 00:03:04.280 Please. 00:03:05.139 --> 00:03:08.060 So we're starting into a new series, 00:03:08.500 --> 00:03:09.539 Romans chapter 1. 00:03:09.639 --> 00:03:13.639 I guess the big heading that we're giving of Romans 1 to 4 00:03:13.639 --> 00:03:15.780 is the Gospel Explained, 00:03:16.000 --> 00:03:19.000 and we're going to get into the very heart of that 00:03:19.000 --> 00:03:20.740 in just a moment. 00:03:20.879 --> 00:03:22.579 But before we do, we're going to pray 00:03:22.579 --> 00:03:25.180 and ask for God's help for us all. 00:03:25.180 --> 00:03:26.760 So let's pray together. 00:03:34.700 --> 00:03:37.159 I am not ashamed of the Gospel, 00:03:37.379 --> 00:03:40.819 because it is the power of God 00:03:40.819 --> 00:03:45.280 for the salvation of everyone who believes. 00:03:45.280 --> 00:03:49.620 Father, we thank you for your Gospel. 00:03:49.780 --> 00:03:52.120 We thank you for its great power. 00:03:54.240 --> 00:03:57.319 And we pray that by your Holy Spirit, 00:03:58.319 --> 00:04:01.379 that power would be evident amongst us today, 00:04:02.379 --> 00:04:04.460 in our own lives individually, 00:04:04.460 --> 00:04:06.580 and together as a church, 00:04:06.580 --> 00:04:10.900 changing us and transforming us 00:04:10.900 --> 00:04:14.100 to be the people you have called us to be. 00:04:17.180 --> 00:04:18.840 We pray for us, 00:04:18.840 --> 00:04:21.920 that we may better understand your word 00:04:21.920 --> 00:04:24.900 and the good news of your Gospel, 00:04:25.199 --> 00:04:26.040 in Jesus' name. 00:04:26.840 --> 00:04:27.240 Amen. 00:04:27.240 --> 00:04:27.319 Amen. 00:04:29.400 --> 00:04:32.780 Well, we're going to start with a quiz this morning. 00:04:33.819 --> 00:04:36.460 And because we are on holidays in Germany, 00:04:36.600 --> 00:04:39.319 I thought I'd give a little bit of a German theme to it. 00:04:39.379 --> 00:04:41.199 So you've kind of got to think German, 00:04:41.379 --> 00:04:42.699 things German in this. 00:04:42.800 --> 00:04:44.199 Okay, so the first one is sport. 00:04:44.480 --> 00:04:44.759 All right. 00:04:45.759 --> 00:04:50.579 What do Podolsky, Schweinsteiger, and Klose have in common? 00:04:51.199 --> 00:04:52.819 Who said that? 00:04:53.379 --> 00:04:54.540 Well done. 00:04:54.720 --> 00:04:55.379 Well done. 00:04:56.060 --> 00:04:57.120 Top of the class. 00:04:57.600 --> 00:04:58.680 Food, right? 00:04:59.220 --> 00:05:02.660 What do Bratwurst, Currywurst, and Frankfurter have in common? 00:05:03.480 --> 00:05:04.259 Oh, well done. 00:05:05.160 --> 00:05:06.240 Here's a geography one. 00:05:06.340 --> 00:05:09.240 What do the Zugspitze, the Hotkelter, 00:05:09.360 --> 00:05:11.720 and the Großer Hundstöd have in common? 00:05:13.340 --> 00:05:14.780 Oh, you're very clever. 00:05:15.259 --> 00:05:15.960 This is leisure. 00:05:16.639 --> 00:05:21.180 What do Weiss, Helles, and Dunkel have in common? 00:05:21.180 --> 00:05:21.420 Deer. 00:05:22.480 --> 00:05:24.980 Spot all the students in the Lagerl out there. 00:05:24.980 --> 00:05:25.280 Hmm? 00:05:25.279 --> 00:05:26.199 Okay. 00:05:29.079 --> 00:05:31.779 This hasn't anything to do now with Germany. 00:05:31.899 --> 00:05:32.959 Just a general question. 00:05:33.079 --> 00:05:41.699 What do a committed Christian, a convicted criminal, and a convinced atheist have in common? 00:05:41.699 --> 00:05:47.219 A committed Christian, a convicted criminal, or a convicted criminal, and a convinced atheist. 00:05:47.219 --> 00:05:48.300 What do they have in common? 00:05:49.180 --> 00:05:50.159 They need the gospel. 00:05:50.560 --> 00:05:50.959 Hmm? 00:05:50.959 --> 00:05:53.000 They need the gospel. 00:05:53.000 --> 00:05:54.120 Well done, Sarah. 00:05:54.120 --> 00:06:00.599 The gospel is for everyone, whether we are religious or irreligious. 00:06:00.899 --> 00:06:03.259 Everybody needs the gospel. 00:06:03.259 --> 00:06:05.279 Look at verse 1 of Romans. 00:06:05.279 --> 00:06:13.740 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God. 00:06:14.699 --> 00:06:18.079 So he's been set apart, but who is this gospel for? 00:06:18.379 --> 00:06:20.180 Well, he tells us in verse 5. 00:06:20.560 --> 00:06:21.019 He says, 00:06:21.019 --> 00:06:39.979 Now, we can accept that, can't we? 00:06:39.980 --> 00:06:44.379 We can kind of think, yep, the gospel is for those who are not believers. 00:06:44.660 --> 00:06:45.939 Those are the Gentiles. 00:06:46.140 --> 00:06:47.939 The people who are out there. 00:06:48.620 --> 00:06:51.540 The people who don't go to church and who don't read their Bibles. 00:06:51.759 --> 00:06:53.580 That's who the gospel is for, isn't it? 00:06:55.300 --> 00:06:56.819 But look at verse 15. 00:06:56.819 --> 00:07:01.120 He says, 00:07:01.240 --> 00:07:06.259 I am eager to preach the gospel also to you. 00:07:07.139 --> 00:07:09.360 They were the Christians who were at Rome. 00:07:09.899 --> 00:07:12.300 I want to preach the gospel to you as well. 00:07:13.100 --> 00:07:16.300 You see, the gospel is also for Christians, for believers. 00:07:16.600 --> 00:07:17.959 And that's the big surprise. 00:07:18.319 --> 00:07:20.279 It's not just for bad people. 00:07:21.139 --> 00:07:23.899 It's also for those who think they are good. 00:07:23.899 --> 00:07:28.039 It's for those who go to church and who read their Bibles. 00:07:28.379 --> 00:07:31.299 They need the gospel just as much as everybody else. 00:07:32.419 --> 00:07:35.500 As he makes it crystal clear in verse 16, he says, 00:07:35.579 --> 00:07:37.259 I'm not ashamed of this gospel. 00:07:37.899 --> 00:07:42.199 Because it's the power of God for the salvation of everyone. 00:07:44.599 --> 00:07:49.279 Whether you are a committed Christian or a convinced atheist, 00:07:49.279 --> 00:07:53.719 there is not one person in this room, speaker included, 00:07:53.899 --> 00:07:55.839 who does not need the gospel. 00:07:56.479 --> 00:08:00.419 Whether you're Irish or German, a believer or a non-believer, 00:08:00.979 --> 00:08:02.519 moral or immoral, 00:08:03.579 --> 00:08:05.459 this is a universal need. 00:08:07.099 --> 00:08:10.759 And the big question we need to ask at the very beginning of our studies is, 00:08:10.879 --> 00:08:12.039 what is this gospel? 00:08:12.939 --> 00:08:14.519 Why does everybody need it? 00:08:14.560 --> 00:08:17.419 It's such a common term that we come across in the Bible. 00:08:17.819 --> 00:08:19.019 What is the gospel? 00:08:19.019 --> 00:08:22.919 Well, simply, the gospel means good news. 00:08:24.539 --> 00:08:25.439 Think of it this way. 00:08:25.479 --> 00:08:29.219 In the past, when kings conquered lands and people, 00:08:30.039 --> 00:08:31.819 they, after their great victories, 00:08:32.019 --> 00:08:33.679 they would appoint an evangel. 00:08:34.960 --> 00:08:39.899 Literally somebody who would bring the good news from the king to the people. 00:08:39.899 --> 00:08:44.139 And you could imagine his message would go something like this. 00:08:44.179 --> 00:08:46.899 He would go and stand up in the town square, 00:08:47.159 --> 00:08:48.659 up high with his scroll, 00:08:49.059 --> 00:08:50.459 and he would read his message, 00:08:50.759 --> 00:08:53.299 the king has won a great victory for you. 00:08:53.559 --> 00:08:56.079 You have now been rescued and set free. 00:08:56.419 --> 00:08:59.100 You have been liberated from your oppressor. 00:08:59.779 --> 00:09:01.299 Roll his scroll up and off he'd go. 00:09:01.299 --> 00:09:06.519 So there was this great message from the king to the people. 00:09:06.679 --> 00:09:08.459 Literally, it was the gospel. 00:09:09.120 --> 00:09:10.839 It was good news. 00:09:12.099 --> 00:09:13.319 And that's what gospel means. 00:09:13.379 --> 00:09:16.019 It's just good news about a great rescue. 00:09:17.000 --> 00:09:20.159 So in verse 9 we read that Paul, he says, 00:09:20.679 --> 00:09:23.299 God whom I serve with my whole heart 00:09:23.299 --> 00:09:26.899 in preaching the gospel of his son. 00:09:27.859 --> 00:09:30.359 So Paul is also an evangel. 00:09:30.360 --> 00:09:34.080 He has been appointed by God 00:09:34.080 --> 00:09:36.440 to announce the good news, 00:09:36.539 --> 00:09:38.480 literally the gospel to all people. 00:09:39.580 --> 00:09:42.879 The good news that the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:09:43.200 --> 00:09:45.800 the ultimate king, the true king, 00:09:46.340 --> 00:09:48.480 has won a great victory for us. 00:09:48.720 --> 00:09:51.340 Not by weapons and brute force, 00:09:52.279 --> 00:09:55.100 but through his death on the cross. 00:09:56.340 --> 00:09:58.440 Through the planned death of Jesus, 00:09:58.440 --> 00:10:00.279 the punishment that we deserve 00:10:00.279 --> 00:10:02.399 for rebelling against our king 00:10:02.399 --> 00:10:04.959 has all been taken by Jesus 00:10:04.959 --> 00:10:06.860 so that we can be set free 00:10:06.860 --> 00:10:11.000 to live under his loving and caring rule. 00:10:12.059 --> 00:10:14.559 This is what Paul had been appointed to do, 00:10:14.699 --> 00:10:16.000 to announce, 00:10:16.500 --> 00:10:18.000 to preach this gospel. 00:10:19.279 --> 00:10:21.079 But what makes this gospel 00:10:21.079 --> 00:10:22.799 particularly good news 00:10:22.799 --> 00:10:24.600 is that it is news 00:10:24.600 --> 00:10:26.740 that has been done for you. 00:10:26.740 --> 00:10:30.500 This is a victory that has been achieved for you 00:10:30.500 --> 00:10:32.200 by someone else, 00:10:32.740 --> 00:10:35.360 but is ours to enjoy and celebrate. 00:10:36.060 --> 00:10:37.759 And that's what makes it good news. 00:10:37.860 --> 00:10:40.139 It's not about what you can do to get it, 00:10:40.700 --> 00:10:42.919 but it's what has been done for you 00:10:42.919 --> 00:10:44.440 by Jesus on the cross, 00:10:44.680 --> 00:10:46.180 on our behalf. 00:10:46.179 --> 00:10:50.819 So this gospel is good news. 00:10:51.620 --> 00:10:52.759 And it's not just good news, 00:10:52.859 --> 00:10:55.000 it's powerful good news. 00:10:55.099 --> 00:10:56.199 Look at verse 16. 00:10:57.299 --> 00:10:57.979 He says, 00:10:58.059 --> 00:11:00.359 For I am not ashamed of this gospel, 00:11:00.859 --> 00:11:03.939 because it is the power of God. 00:11:05.899 --> 00:11:07.399 Now let's ask this question, 00:11:07.620 --> 00:11:09.939 what does God's power look like? 00:11:09.940 --> 00:11:13.460 If God's power were to show up 00:11:13.460 --> 00:11:14.960 right now in this room, 00:11:15.240 --> 00:11:16.920 what would you expect to see? 00:11:18.660 --> 00:11:20.700 Maybe the room would start shaking. 00:11:21.960 --> 00:11:23.800 That would be pretty powerful, wouldn't it? 00:11:24.220 --> 00:11:25.300 It would be scary too 00:11:25.300 --> 00:11:27.040 as things started falling off the wall. 00:11:28.200 --> 00:11:29.720 Maybe you would expect 00:11:29.720 --> 00:11:30.880 if God's power came, 00:11:30.940 --> 00:11:32.160 there would be something miraculous. 00:11:34.220 --> 00:11:36.560 Maybe there would be some healings going on. 00:11:37.320 --> 00:11:38.480 That would be powerful. 00:11:39.940 --> 00:11:41.660 Or maybe it might be something 00:11:41.660 --> 00:11:43.200 very personal to you, 00:11:43.440 --> 00:11:44.800 and there would be a change 00:11:44.800 --> 00:11:45.920 in your circumstances. 00:11:46.140 --> 00:11:47.840 You'd be given a brand new job, 00:11:47.980 --> 00:11:50.100 or things that were really difficult 00:11:50.100 --> 00:11:51.320 have all gone away. 00:11:52.560 --> 00:11:53.940 That would be powerful. 00:11:55.840 --> 00:11:57.660 But look what the verse says. 00:11:59.100 --> 00:11:59.920 It says, 00:12:00.060 --> 00:12:04.480 The gospel is the power of God. 00:12:06.280 --> 00:12:08.880 God's power is contained 00:12:08.879 --> 00:12:10.799 contained in the gospel. 00:12:11.720 --> 00:12:13.100 The gospel isn't just 00:12:13.100 --> 00:12:15.299 a demonstration of God's power. 00:12:15.419 --> 00:12:16.639 If the room started shaking, 00:12:16.899 --> 00:12:18.059 that would be a demonstration 00:12:18.059 --> 00:12:18.980 of his power. 00:12:19.799 --> 00:12:21.080 But it's saying that 00:12:21.080 --> 00:12:23.320 the gospel is God's power. 00:12:24.200 --> 00:12:25.860 So when this good news 00:12:25.860 --> 00:12:26.840 is being announced 00:12:26.840 --> 00:12:27.840 and being preached 00:12:27.840 --> 00:12:28.799 that Jesus Christ 00:12:28.799 --> 00:12:30.039 has come to rescue us 00:12:30.039 --> 00:12:30.879 and set us free, 00:12:31.759 --> 00:12:32.860 that's where 00:12:32.860 --> 00:12:34.379 God's power 00:12:34.379 --> 00:12:36.500 is seen to be active. 00:12:37.639 --> 00:12:39.439 That means right now, 00:12:39.659 --> 00:12:41.700 as we talk about this gospel, 00:12:42.100 --> 00:12:44.039 as we begin to open it up, 00:12:45.000 --> 00:12:46.080 God's power 00:12:46.080 --> 00:12:47.700 is actually present 00:12:47.700 --> 00:12:48.779 and is at work 00:12:48.779 --> 00:12:49.620 right now 00:12:49.620 --> 00:12:50.580 in my life 00:12:50.580 --> 00:12:51.840 and in your life. 00:12:54.519 --> 00:12:55.980 It's dynamite. 00:12:56.100 --> 00:12:57.519 That's what that word means, 00:12:57.659 --> 00:12:57.939 power. 00:12:58.059 --> 00:12:58.620 That's where we get 00:12:58.620 --> 00:12:59.700 the word dynamite from. 00:12:59.899 --> 00:13:00.980 It's explosive. 00:13:00.980 --> 00:13:02.620 It has an effect. 00:13:02.860 --> 00:13:04.379 It can't not have an effect 00:13:04.379 --> 00:13:04.960 in people. 00:13:07.779 --> 00:13:09.100 It changes us 00:13:09.100 --> 00:13:10.580 and it transforms us 00:13:10.580 --> 00:13:11.779 and it brings us 00:13:11.779 --> 00:13:12.519 the salvation 00:13:12.519 --> 00:13:14.500 that we all desperately need. 00:13:15.779 --> 00:13:17.159 So it's good news, 00:13:17.279 --> 00:13:18.580 but it is powerful 00:13:18.580 --> 00:13:20.159 good news. 00:13:21.680 --> 00:13:23.820 So what does this message contain? 00:13:23.960 --> 00:13:24.879 What's in it? 00:13:24.879 --> 00:13:27.759 Well, 00:13:28.379 --> 00:13:29.759 it's all about 00:13:29.759 --> 00:13:30.899 Jesus Christ. 00:13:31.759 --> 00:13:33.399 Look back at verse 2. 00:13:37.759 --> 00:13:38.620 He says, 00:13:38.720 --> 00:13:39.360 the gospel 00:13:39.360 --> 00:13:40.460 that he promised 00:13:40.460 --> 00:13:41.200 beforehand 00:13:41.200 --> 00:13:43.799 through his prophets 00:13:43.799 --> 00:13:46.019 in the Holy Scriptures 00:13:46.019 --> 00:13:46.779 regarding 00:13:46.779 --> 00:13:48.179 his son. 00:13:49.279 --> 00:13:50.179 The gospel 00:13:50.179 --> 00:13:51.120 is primarily 00:13:51.120 --> 00:13:51.940 all about 00:13:51.940 --> 00:13:52.840 Jesus Christ, 00:13:53.080 --> 00:13:53.679 God's son. 00:13:53.679 --> 00:13:55.159 it's not about 00:13:55.159 --> 00:13:55.539 me 00:13:55.539 --> 00:13:57.219 and it's not about 00:13:57.219 --> 00:13:57.559 you 00:13:57.559 --> 00:13:59.279 and it's not about 00:13:59.279 --> 00:14:00.219 denominations 00:14:00.219 --> 00:14:01.120 and it's not about 00:14:01.120 --> 00:14:01.659 traditions. 00:14:02.259 --> 00:14:03.079 It's not about 00:14:03.079 --> 00:14:03.939 a list of things 00:14:03.939 --> 00:14:04.799 we can't do 00:14:04.799 --> 00:14:05.959 or what we can do. 00:14:06.559 --> 00:14:07.659 It's all about 00:14:07.659 --> 00:14:08.479 a person. 00:14:08.719 --> 00:14:09.319 It's all about 00:14:09.319 --> 00:14:10.399 Jesus Christ. 00:14:11.939 --> 00:14:13.139 But who is he? 00:14:14.599 --> 00:14:14.979 Well, 00:14:15.039 --> 00:14:15.939 look at verse 3. 00:14:17.379 --> 00:14:18.419 It says there, 00:14:18.839 --> 00:14:19.500 who as to 00:14:19.500 --> 00:14:20.740 his human nature. 00:14:20.740 --> 00:14:20.779 nature. 00:14:22.399 --> 00:14:23.560 It's reminding us 00:14:23.560 --> 00:14:24.259 that he does have 00:14:24.259 --> 00:14:25.120 another nature 00:14:25.120 --> 00:14:25.700 as well. 00:14:26.519 --> 00:14:27.340 There was never 00:14:27.340 --> 00:14:28.159 a time 00:14:28.159 --> 00:14:29.159 when Jesus 00:14:29.159 --> 00:14:29.960 was not. 00:14:30.320 --> 00:14:31.360 Jesus is eternal. 00:14:31.700 --> 00:14:32.419 He's divine. 00:14:32.720 --> 00:14:33.279 He was from 00:14:33.279 --> 00:14:33.840 the beginning. 00:14:37.340 --> 00:14:38.340 But as to 00:14:38.340 --> 00:14:39.779 his human nature, 00:14:40.779 --> 00:14:41.659 he was a 00:14:41.659 --> 00:14:42.500 descendant 00:14:42.500 --> 00:14:43.600 of David. 00:14:43.600 --> 00:14:43.740 David. 00:14:44.820 --> 00:14:46.180 He became 00:14:46.180 --> 00:14:47.659 like one of us. 00:14:47.940 --> 00:14:49.040 The great God 00:14:49.040 --> 00:14:50.200 who created 00:14:50.200 --> 00:14:50.960 the universe, 00:14:51.440 --> 00:14:52.360 who's in control 00:14:52.360 --> 00:14:53.399 of all things, 00:14:54.080 --> 00:14:57.600 became like one of us. 00:14:57.620 --> 00:14:58.440 A human being 00:14:58.440 --> 00:15:00.080 with legs and arms, 00:15:00.360 --> 00:15:01.379 just like you and I, 00:15:02.100 --> 00:15:02.879 and entered into 00:15:02.879 --> 00:15:03.500 this world. 00:15:03.920 --> 00:15:04.740 A descendant 00:15:04.740 --> 00:15:05.200 of David. 00:15:05.379 --> 00:15:06.220 He could trace 00:15:06.220 --> 00:15:07.200 his family line 00:15:07.200 --> 00:15:08.040 all the way 00:15:08.040 --> 00:15:08.680 right back 00:15:08.680 --> 00:15:09.460 to that great 00:15:09.460 --> 00:15:09.840 king, 00:15:10.220 --> 00:15:10.560 David. 00:15:11.740 --> 00:15:12.560 Jesus was in 00:15:12.560 --> 00:15:12.920 the line 00:15:12.920 --> 00:15:13.640 of royalty. 00:15:18.960 --> 00:15:19.740 Verse 4, 00:15:19.800 --> 00:15:20.379 and who through 00:15:20.379 --> 00:15:21.080 the spirit 00:15:21.080 --> 00:15:21.800 of holiness 00:15:21.800 --> 00:15:23.200 was declared 00:15:23.200 --> 00:15:24.220 with power 00:15:24.220 --> 00:15:25.520 to be the 00:15:25.520 --> 00:15:26.540 son of God 00:15:26.540 --> 00:15:27.420 by his 00:15:27.420 --> 00:15:27.980 resurrection 00:15:27.980 --> 00:15:28.759 from the dead, 00:15:28.900 --> 00:15:29.940 Jesus Christ 00:15:29.940 --> 00:15:31.040 our Lord. 00:15:32.220 --> 00:15:32.980 Now we could 00:15:32.980 --> 00:15:33.400 read that 00:15:33.400 --> 00:15:33.920 and get a little 00:15:33.920 --> 00:15:35.120 confused and think 00:15:35.120 --> 00:15:36.460 that suddenly 00:15:36.460 --> 00:15:37.340 somehow Jesus 00:15:37.340 --> 00:15:38.220 became the 00:15:38.220 --> 00:15:38.700 son of God, 00:15:38.779 --> 00:15:39.200 but Jesus 00:15:39.200 --> 00:15:40.139 always has 00:15:40.139 --> 00:15:40.620 been the 00:15:40.620 --> 00:15:41.279 son of God. 00:15:41.960 --> 00:15:42.519 But his 00:15:42.519 --> 00:15:43.399 coming to earth, 00:15:43.440 --> 00:15:43.899 and I think 00:15:43.899 --> 00:15:44.580 what this verse 00:15:44.580 --> 00:15:45.480 is saying to us 00:15:45.480 --> 00:15:46.580 is that when 00:15:46.580 --> 00:15:47.320 he came to 00:15:47.320 --> 00:15:47.720 earth, 00:15:48.560 --> 00:15:49.379 he took on 00:15:49.379 --> 00:15:50.399 a new role. 00:15:51.860 --> 00:15:52.580 And his 00:15:52.580 --> 00:15:53.279 resurrection 00:15:53.279 --> 00:15:54.340 from the dead 00:15:54.340 --> 00:15:55.679 proves that 00:15:55.679 --> 00:15:56.240 he has the 00:15:56.240 --> 00:15:56.919 power to 00:15:56.919 --> 00:15:57.740 fulfil this 00:15:57.740 --> 00:15:58.120 role. 00:15:58.980 --> 00:15:59.399 And his 00:15:59.399 --> 00:16:00.259 role is summed 00:16:00.259 --> 00:16:00.779 up in that 00:16:00.779 --> 00:16:01.759 very last phrase 00:16:01.759 --> 00:16:02.460 of verse 4, 00:16:02.879 --> 00:16:04.000 Jesus Christ 00:16:04.000 --> 00:16:05.259 our Lord. 00:16:07.059 --> 00:16:08.139 These are both 00:16:08.139 --> 00:16:09.259 titles telling 00:16:09.259 --> 00:16:09.860 us about 00:16:09.860 --> 00:16:10.419 Jesus. 00:16:11.360 --> 00:16:12.220 Christ and 00:16:12.220 --> 00:16:12.919 Lord tell us 00:16:12.919 --> 00:16:13.620 who he is 00:16:13.620 --> 00:16:14.399 and what he 00:16:14.399 --> 00:16:14.919 will do. 00:16:15.940 --> 00:16:17.320 Christ is 00:16:17.320 --> 00:16:18.039 the Messiah, 00:16:18.220 --> 00:16:18.799 this long 00:16:18.799 --> 00:16:19.419 awaited 00:16:19.419 --> 00:16:20.580 saving king. 00:16:21.320 --> 00:16:22.460 Lord is 00:16:22.460 --> 00:16:23.299 the eternal 00:16:23.299 --> 00:16:24.159 ruling and 00:16:24.159 --> 00:16:25.019 sovereign king. 00:16:25.740 --> 00:16:26.240 So this 00:16:26.240 --> 00:16:27.740 Jesus has 00:16:27.740 --> 00:16:29.000 come both 00:16:29.000 --> 00:16:29.940 to save 00:16:29.940 --> 00:16:30.759 and to 00:16:30.759 --> 00:16:31.539 judge and 00:16:31.539 --> 00:16:32.019 he has the 00:16:32.019 --> 00:16:32.799 power to do 00:16:32.799 --> 00:16:33.259 it because 00:16:33.259 --> 00:16:33.840 it has been 00:16:33.840 --> 00:16:34.840 proved by 00:16:34.840 --> 00:16:35.659 his resurrection 00:16:35.659 --> 00:16:36.220 from the 00:16:36.220 --> 00:16:36.600 dead. 00:16:40.600 --> 00:16:41.539 So Jesus 00:16:41.539 --> 00:16:42.019 is our 00:16:42.019 --> 00:16:43.100 saving king 00:16:43.100 --> 00:16:43.600 and he's 00:16:43.600 --> 00:16:44.299 our sovereign 00:16:44.299 --> 00:16:44.720 king, 00:16:44.879 --> 00:16:45.519 not just 00:16:45.519 --> 00:16:46.179 of us 00:16:46.179 --> 00:16:47.179 or just 00:16:47.179 --> 00:16:47.700 the religious 00:16:47.700 --> 00:16:48.340 people. 00:16:49.439 --> 00:16:50.399 He's king 00:16:50.399 --> 00:16:51.740 of everyone. 00:16:53.100 --> 00:16:53.759 And that's 00:16:53.759 --> 00:16:54.319 why it is 00:16:54.319 --> 00:16:55.399 essential that 00:16:55.399 --> 00:16:56.299 we deal 00:16:56.299 --> 00:16:57.319 with this 00:16:57.319 --> 00:16:58.259 Jesus because 00:16:58.259 --> 00:16:59.080 he has the 00:16:59.080 --> 00:16:59.720 power both 00:16:59.720 --> 00:17:00.519 to save us 00:17:00.519 --> 00:17:01.220 and to 00:17:01.220 --> 00:17:01.919 judge us. 00:17:01.919 --> 00:17:03.319 we've got 00:17:03.319 --> 00:17:03.679 to make 00:17:03.679 --> 00:17:04.039 up our 00:17:04.039 --> 00:17:04.619 minds and 00:17:04.619 --> 00:17:04.859 think, 00:17:05.259 --> 00:17:05.720 is what's 00:17:05.720 --> 00:17:06.500 written here 00:17:06.500 --> 00:17:07.339 absolute 00:17:07.339 --> 00:17:08.299 hogwash and 00:17:08.299 --> 00:17:08.859 a nonsense 00:17:08.859 --> 00:17:11.420 and just 00:17:11.420 --> 00:17:12.399 silly talk? 00:17:14.000 --> 00:17:14.779 Or is it 00:17:14.779 --> 00:17:15.799 actually true? 00:17:16.180 --> 00:17:16.759 And if it 00:17:16.759 --> 00:17:17.420 is true and 00:17:17.420 --> 00:17:18.139 he is king, 00:17:18.279 --> 00:17:18.819 what are we 00:17:18.819 --> 00:17:19.500 going to do 00:17:19.500 --> 00:17:19.960 with him? 00:17:21.859 --> 00:17:22.519 Because he 00:17:22.519 --> 00:17:23.319 demands that 00:17:23.319 --> 00:17:24.299 he rules over 00:17:24.299 --> 00:17:25.039 our lives. 00:17:25.759 --> 00:17:26.720 He demands 00:17:26.720 --> 00:17:27.339 that he is the 00:17:27.339 --> 00:17:28.000 one who can 00:17:28.000 --> 00:17:28.759 save us 00:17:28.759 --> 00:17:30.000 and to 00:17:30.000 --> 00:17:30.660 ignore him 00:17:30.660 --> 00:17:31.000 as we'll 00:17:31.000 --> 00:17:31.640 discover in 00:17:31.640 --> 00:17:32.019 the coming 00:17:32.019 --> 00:17:34.299 weeks is 00:17:34.299 --> 00:17:34.779 really 00:17:34.779 --> 00:17:35.500 disastrous. 00:17:39.000 --> 00:17:39.700 So it's 00:17:39.700 --> 00:17:40.299 all about 00:17:40.299 --> 00:17:40.900 the person 00:17:40.900 --> 00:17:41.400 of Jesus 00:17:41.400 --> 00:17:42.039 Christ. 00:17:43.039 --> 00:17:43.660 But the 00:17:43.660 --> 00:17:44.200 second thing 00:17:44.200 --> 00:17:44.680 I think at 00:17:44.680 --> 00:17:45.039 the heart 00:17:45.039 --> 00:17:45.279 of the 00:17:45.279 --> 00:17:45.879 gospel is 00:17:45.879 --> 00:17:47.160 that it's 00:17:47.160 --> 00:17:47.579 all about 00:17:47.579 --> 00:17:48.220 Jesus who 00:17:48.220 --> 00:17:49.019 saves. 00:17:50.000 --> 00:17:50.440 As verse 00:17:50.440 --> 00:17:51.319 16 tells 00:17:51.319 --> 00:17:51.720 us, have a 00:17:51.720 --> 00:17:51.940 look at 00:17:51.940 --> 00:17:52.559 verse 16 00:17:52.559 --> 00:17:52.819 again. 00:17:52.879 --> 00:17:53.180 He says, 00:17:53.240 --> 00:17:53.500 I'm not 00:17:53.500 --> 00:17:54.119 ashamed of 00:17:54.119 --> 00:17:54.779 this gospel 00:17:54.779 --> 00:17:56.299 because it 00:17:56.299 --> 00:17:56.599 is the 00:17:56.599 --> 00:17:57.099 power of 00:17:57.099 --> 00:17:58.519 God for 00:17:58.519 --> 00:17:59.279 the salvation 00:17:59.279 --> 00:18:00.319 of everyone. 00:18:01.680 --> 00:18:02.460 The gospel 00:18:02.460 --> 00:18:04.019 is not 00:18:04.019 --> 00:18:05.139 just advice 00:18:05.139 --> 00:18:05.980 to people. 00:18:06.420 --> 00:18:07.099 It's not a 00:18:07.099 --> 00:18:07.680 good living 00:18:07.680 --> 00:18:08.039 guide. 00:18:08.180 --> 00:18:08.440 Sometimes 00:18:08.440 --> 00:18:09.299 people treat 00:18:09.299 --> 00:18:09.519 it and 00:18:09.519 --> 00:18:09.859 they think 00:18:09.859 --> 00:18:10.079 of it, 00:18:10.339 --> 00:18:10.720 well it's 00:18:10.720 --> 00:18:11.500 advice about 00:18:11.500 --> 00:18:11.980 how to 00:18:11.980 --> 00:18:12.379 live, what 00:18:12.379 --> 00:18:12.839 to do in 00:18:12.839 --> 00:18:13.579 this situation. 00:18:13.720 --> 00:18:13.960 Kind of 00:18:13.960 --> 00:18:14.440 flick open 00:18:14.440 --> 00:18:14.940 your Bible 00:18:14.940 --> 00:18:15.799 and, well, 00:18:16.200 --> 00:18:16.579 I don't 00:18:16.579 --> 00:18:16.899 know what 00:18:16.899 --> 00:18:17.259 to do 00:18:17.259 --> 00:18:17.799 about my 00:18:17.799 --> 00:18:18.259 exams. 00:18:18.379 --> 00:18:18.680 Flick it 00:18:18.680 --> 00:18:19.019 open and 00:18:19.019 --> 00:18:19.319 see what 00:18:19.319 --> 00:18:19.639 it has to 00:18:19.639 --> 00:18:19.680 do. 00:18:19.680 --> 00:18:20.099 It's got 00:18:20.099 --> 00:18:20.539 some kind 00:18:20.539 --> 00:18:21.099 of advice 00:18:21.099 --> 00:18:21.660 to help 00:18:21.660 --> 00:18:21.960 you. 00:18:23.460 --> 00:18:23.960 Or if 00:18:23.960 --> 00:18:24.579 you're in 00:18:24.579 --> 00:18:25.059 a difficult 00:18:25.059 --> 00:18:25.859 situation. 00:18:27.000 --> 00:18:27.579 Or maybe 00:18:27.579 --> 00:18:28.179 people see 00:18:28.179 --> 00:18:28.579 it as a 00:18:28.579 --> 00:18:29.419 helpful system 00:18:29.419 --> 00:18:29.879 for those 00:18:29.879 --> 00:18:30.139 who are 00:18:30.139 --> 00:18:30.639 weak and 00:18:30.639 --> 00:18:31.000 vulnerable, 00:18:31.179 --> 00:18:31.419 but if 00:18:31.419 --> 00:18:31.559 you're 00:18:31.559 --> 00:18:32.119 strong you 00:18:32.119 --> 00:18:32.299 don't 00:18:32.299 --> 00:18:32.859 need it. 00:18:35.819 --> 00:18:36.319 It's 00:18:36.319 --> 00:18:36.859 not just 00:18:36.859 --> 00:18:37.480 advice. 00:18:38.259 --> 00:18:38.699 And it's 00:18:38.699 --> 00:18:39.220 not just 00:18:39.220 --> 00:18:39.619 for the 00:18:39.619 --> 00:18:40.359 enthusiastic 00:18:40.359 --> 00:18:40.899 religious 00:18:40.899 --> 00:18:41.539 people who 00:18:41.539 --> 00:18:42.159 like reading 00:18:42.159 --> 00:18:42.899 their Bibles. 00:18:43.759 --> 00:18:44.139 No, it 00:18:44.139 --> 00:18:44.659 tells us 00:18:44.659 --> 00:18:44.980 that it 00:18:44.980 --> 00:18:45.699 is God's 00:18:45.699 --> 00:18:46.759 power to 00:18:46.759 --> 00:18:47.579 save 00:18:47.579 --> 00:18:48.839 everyone. 00:18:53.000 --> 00:18:53.699 And how 00:18:53.699 --> 00:18:54.119 does it 00:18:54.119 --> 00:18:54.460 save? 00:18:54.579 --> 00:18:54.859 Well, look 00:18:54.859 --> 00:18:55.179 at verse 00:18:55.179 --> 00:18:55.799 17. 00:18:56.939 --> 00:18:57.699 It tells 00:18:57.699 --> 00:18:58.139 us that 00:18:58.139 --> 00:18:58.759 in the 00:18:58.759 --> 00:18:59.299 gospel, 00:19:00.619 --> 00:19:00.939 a 00:19:00.939 --> 00:19:01.539 righteousness 00:19:01.539 --> 00:19:02.679 from God 00:19:02.679 --> 00:19:04.179 is revealed. 00:19:05.619 --> 00:19:06.099 That's 00:19:06.099 --> 00:19:06.419 what's in 00:19:06.419 --> 00:19:06.939 the gospel. 00:19:07.599 --> 00:19:08.099 You open 00:19:08.099 --> 00:19:08.559 it up and 00:19:08.559 --> 00:19:08.919 it's got 00:19:08.919 --> 00:19:09.579 a righteousness 00:19:09.579 --> 00:19:10.399 from God. 00:19:12.899 --> 00:19:13.379 What's 00:19:13.379 --> 00:19:13.639 all that 00:19:13.639 --> 00:19:13.919 about? 00:19:15.500 --> 00:19:16.159 Well, let 00:19:16.159 --> 00:19:16.559 me try and 00:19:16.559 --> 00:19:17.099 explain. 00:19:17.839 --> 00:19:18.279 I don't 00:19:18.279 --> 00:19:18.720 think there's 00:19:18.720 --> 00:19:19.379 any of us 00:19:19.379 --> 00:19:20.679 here who 00:19:20.679 --> 00:19:21.059 have ever 00:19:21.059 --> 00:19:21.539 treated 00:19:21.539 --> 00:19:22.960 Jesus the 00:19:22.960 --> 00:19:23.279 way he 00:19:23.279 --> 00:19:23.659 ought to 00:19:23.659 --> 00:19:24.119 be treated. 00:19:24.579 --> 00:19:25.819 We don't 00:19:25.819 --> 00:19:26.559 treat him 00:19:26.559 --> 00:19:27.240 as if he 00:19:27.240 --> 00:19:28.599 is the 00:19:28.599 --> 00:19:29.339 true king. 00:19:30.299 --> 00:19:31.079 Rather than 00:19:31.079 --> 00:19:32.000 serve him, 00:19:32.539 --> 00:19:33.119 we serve 00:19:33.119 --> 00:19:33.740 ourselves. 00:19:33.859 --> 00:19:34.220 We're always 00:19:34.220 --> 00:19:34.539 on the 00:19:34.539 --> 00:19:35.099 lookout for 00:19:35.099 --> 00:19:35.939 ourselves and 00:19:35.939 --> 00:19:36.379 what's good 00:19:36.379 --> 00:19:36.899 for me. 00:19:37.480 --> 00:19:38.019 And instead 00:19:38.019 --> 00:19:38.579 of seeking 00:19:38.579 --> 00:19:39.619 his fame, 00:19:40.199 --> 00:19:41.460 we promote 00:19:41.460 --> 00:19:42.079 ourselves. 00:19:42.919 --> 00:19:43.619 We live as 00:19:43.619 --> 00:19:44.159 if we are 00:19:44.159 --> 00:19:44.740 God and 00:19:44.740 --> 00:19:45.659 king, and 00:19:45.659 --> 00:19:46.179 that this is 00:19:46.179 --> 00:19:46.859 my world 00:19:46.859 --> 00:19:47.220 to do 00:19:47.220 --> 00:19:47.939 whatever I 00:19:47.939 --> 00:19:48.480 want to 00:19:48.480 --> 00:19:48.839 do with 00:19:48.839 --> 00:19:49.539 my money 00:19:49.539 --> 00:19:50.019 and my 00:19:50.019 --> 00:19:50.599 time and 00:19:50.599 --> 00:19:51.399 my possessions. 00:19:51.400 --> 00:19:52.340 it never 00:19:52.340 --> 00:19:53.100 occurs to 00:19:53.100 --> 00:19:53.420 us that 00:19:53.420 --> 00:19:53.940 we're not 00:19:53.940 --> 00:19:54.340 at the 00:19:54.340 --> 00:19:54.780 centre of 00:19:54.780 --> 00:19:54.900 the 00:19:54.900 --> 00:19:55.440 universe. 00:19:57.580 --> 00:19:58.200 Now the 00:19:58.200 --> 00:19:58.660 Bible's 00:19:58.660 --> 00:19:59.100 word for 00:19:59.100 --> 00:19:59.580 this kind 00:19:59.580 --> 00:19:59.980 of living 00:19:59.980 --> 00:20:00.320 is 00:20:00.320 --> 00:20:02.340 unrighteousness. 00:20:03.360 --> 00:20:04.040 It's saying 00:20:04.040 --> 00:20:04.460 that we're in 00:20:04.460 --> 00:20:05.300 opposition to 00:20:05.300 --> 00:20:05.680 God, that 00:20:05.680 --> 00:20:06.200 we don't have 00:20:06.200 --> 00:20:07.100 right standing 00:20:07.100 --> 00:20:07.800 with God. 00:20:08.500 --> 00:20:09.340 And to face 00:20:09.340 --> 00:20:10.160 God as we 00:20:10.160 --> 00:20:11.040 are, like 00:20:11.040 --> 00:20:12.340 that, would 00:20:12.340 --> 00:20:13.100 be horrific. 00:20:13.560 --> 00:20:14.060 We would be 00:20:14.060 --> 00:20:14.940 left open to 00:20:14.940 --> 00:20:15.480 his judgment 00:20:15.480 --> 00:20:16.019 and that would 00:20:16.019 --> 00:20:16.800 be terrible. 00:20:16.799 --> 00:20:19.399 We wouldn't 00:20:19.399 --> 00:20:20.059 be able to 00:20:20.059 --> 00:20:20.539 stand. 00:20:22.559 --> 00:20:23.240 But look 00:20:23.240 --> 00:20:23.779 what it says 00:20:23.779 --> 00:20:24.599 in verse 17. 00:20:24.759 --> 00:20:25.019 It says, 00:20:25.119 --> 00:20:25.740 but in the 00:20:25.740 --> 00:20:27.119 gospel, a 00:20:27.119 --> 00:20:27.680 righteousness 00:20:27.680 --> 00:20:28.639 from God 00:20:28.639 --> 00:20:29.519 is revealed. 00:20:30.440 --> 00:20:31.039 It's telling 00:20:31.039 --> 00:20:32.019 us that Jesus 00:20:32.019 --> 00:20:33.200 can deal with 00:20:33.200 --> 00:20:33.700 the problem 00:20:33.700 --> 00:20:34.339 of rebellion. 00:20:34.680 --> 00:20:35.500 He can deal 00:20:35.500 --> 00:20:35.980 with our 00:20:35.980 --> 00:20:36.899 deserved judgment. 00:20:37.299 --> 00:20:37.899 He gives 00:20:37.899 --> 00:20:39.519 us, literally, 00:20:39.759 --> 00:20:40.500 he gives us 00:20:40.500 --> 00:20:41.599 his own 00:20:41.599 --> 00:20:42.519 righteousness. 00:20:43.680 --> 00:20:44.099 There's a 00:20:44.099 --> 00:20:45.139 great exchange 00:20:45.139 --> 00:20:45.720 that takes 00:20:45.720 --> 00:20:46.059 place. 00:20:46.059 --> 00:20:46.599 He takes 00:20:46.599 --> 00:20:46.980 our 00:20:46.980 --> 00:20:47.839 unrighteousness 00:20:47.839 --> 00:20:48.539 on himself 00:20:48.539 --> 00:20:49.839 and he 00:20:49.839 --> 00:20:50.579 places his 00:20:50.579 --> 00:20:51.240 righteousness 00:20:51.240 --> 00:20:52.480 on us. 00:20:53.700 --> 00:20:54.440 So he 00:20:54.440 --> 00:20:54.899 gives us 00:20:54.899 --> 00:20:56.000 right standing 00:20:56.000 --> 00:20:56.679 and favour 00:20:56.679 --> 00:20:57.399 with God. 00:20:57.619 --> 00:20:58.419 It brings 00:20:58.419 --> 00:20:59.639 us salvation. 00:21:00.079 --> 00:21:00.819 It radically 00:21:00.819 --> 00:21:01.740 changes us 00:21:01.740 --> 00:21:02.179 from the 00:21:02.179 --> 00:21:03.000 inside out. 00:21:03.099 --> 00:21:03.319 It makes 00:21:03.319 --> 00:21:03.879 us brand 00:21:03.879 --> 00:21:04.599 new people 00:21:04.599 --> 00:21:05.539 to live a 00:21:05.539 --> 00:21:06.119 completely 00:21:06.119 --> 00:21:07.079 different way. 00:21:08.379 --> 00:21:09.039 And all 00:21:09.039 --> 00:21:09.679 of this will 00:21:09.679 --> 00:21:10.440 happen as we 00:21:10.440 --> 00:21:11.139 will see 00:21:11.139 --> 00:21:12.299 through the 00:21:12.299 --> 00:21:12.740 death of 00:21:12.740 --> 00:21:14.240 Jesus on 00:21:14.240 --> 00:21:14.839 the cross. 00:21:16.059 --> 00:21:17.339 So it's 00:21:17.339 --> 00:21:17.859 all about 00:21:17.859 --> 00:21:18.619 a person, 00:21:19.099 --> 00:21:19.919 Jesus Christ, 00:21:20.000 --> 00:21:20.339 it's all 00:21:20.339 --> 00:21:20.879 about his 00:21:20.879 --> 00:21:21.480 salvation. 00:21:22.960 --> 00:21:23.519 But how 00:21:23.519 --> 00:21:23.839 do we 00:21:23.839 --> 00:21:24.539 actually get 00:21:24.539 --> 00:21:24.700 it? 00:21:24.799 --> 00:21:25.200 How do 00:21:25.200 --> 00:21:25.859 people actually 00:21:25.859 --> 00:21:26.419 take this 00:21:26.419 --> 00:21:26.759 in for 00:21:26.759 --> 00:21:27.279 themselves? 00:21:28.619 --> 00:21:29.019 Well, look 00:21:29.019 --> 00:21:29.379 back at 00:21:29.379 --> 00:21:30.059 verse 16 00:21:30.059 --> 00:21:30.419 again. 00:21:32.159 --> 00:21:32.839 He says, 00:21:32.899 --> 00:21:33.500 I'm not ashamed 00:21:33.500 --> 00:21:34.119 of the gospel 00:21:34.119 --> 00:21:34.879 because it is 00:21:34.879 --> 00:21:35.579 the power of 00:21:35.579 --> 00:21:36.240 God for the 00:21:36.240 --> 00:21:37.000 salvation of 00:21:37.000 --> 00:21:37.700 everyone 00:21:37.700 --> 00:21:40.319 who believes. 00:21:40.319 --> 00:21:43.200 God for 00:21:43.200 --> 00:21:47.659 God for 00:21:47.659 --> 00:21:47.740 mankind. 00:21:47.740 --> 00:21:47.819 He says, 00:21:47.819 --> 00:21:48.319 it's true. 00:21:48.939 --> 00:21:49.720 Plenty of 00:21:49.720 --> 00:21:50.319 people can 00:21:50.319 --> 00:21:51.259 believe something 00:21:51.259 --> 00:21:52.079 it's true. 00:21:54.720 --> 00:21:55.439 But the 00:21:55.439 --> 00:21:56.200 word believe 00:21:56.200 --> 00:21:57.019 here means to 00:21:57.019 --> 00:21:58.099 trust or to 00:21:58.099 --> 00:21:59.099 have faith in 00:21:59.099 --> 00:21:59.599 something. 00:22:00.899 --> 00:22:01.599 It's to 00:22:01.599 --> 00:22:02.220 entrust your 00:22:02.220 --> 00:22:03.119 whole life to 00:22:03.119 --> 00:22:03.419 it. 00:22:04.240 --> 00:22:05.019 If you were 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:06.139 sick and I 00:22:06.139 --> 00:22:06.639 gave you a 00:22:06.639 --> 00:22:07.200 little bottle 00:22:07.200 --> 00:22:07.899 of medicine 00:22:07.899 --> 00:22:08.439 and I said, 00:22:08.519 --> 00:22:09.000 if you take 00:22:09.000 --> 00:22:13.799 this it's going to help you it's going to cure you you could look at it and say yes i believe it 00:22:13.799 --> 00:22:18.240 i believe that it says it's going to do what it says it's going to heal me it's going to make me 00:22:18.240 --> 00:22:26.440 better but lots of people can believe it but never take it if you were to take the medicine you were 00:22:26.440 --> 00:22:34.200 to entrust yourself to it and this is the kind of idea that we have here in belief belief means to 00:22:34.200 --> 00:22:42.000 have trust or faith to give your life to it as verse 17 says the second part a righteousness 00:22:42.000 --> 00:22:49.460 that is by faith from first to last from the very beginning to the very end it's all about faith 00:22:49.460 --> 00:22:58.519 just as it's written the righteous will live by faith now there's something profoundly simple 00:22:58.519 --> 00:23:06.099 about that but yet it's so difficult to grasp and here's why it's so simple there's nothing we can 00:23:06.099 --> 00:23:15.379 do to get this salvation because it's already been done for us by jesus on the cross it's all been done 00:23:15.379 --> 00:23:22.019 for you that's the message of the gospel it's a gift that you receive by faith that you take in for 00:23:22.019 --> 00:23:29.379 yourself complete trust not in your own performance but the perfect performance of jesus it's so easy 00:23:29.379 --> 00:23:39.559 it's so simple you've just got to take it but here's why it's so difficult to grasp every system 00:23:39.559 --> 00:23:46.519 every religious belief every culture that we come from teaches that if you want something 00:23:46.519 --> 00:23:54.879 you've got to do something to earn it and that's what makes christianity and the gospel so unique 00:23:54.879 --> 00:24:03.200 there's absolutely nothing we can do it shatters the whole notion that if we want something we must earn it 00:24:03.200 --> 00:24:11.920 but with the gospel this righteousness from god it comes by faith 00:24:11.920 --> 00:24:20.220 and that troubles people because they all want to do something they all want to say well look at me and look at what i've done 00:24:20.220 --> 00:24:24.660 but no it's all by faith 00:24:24.660 --> 00:24:32.320 now if we begin to take this gospel on board into our lives 00:24:32.320 --> 00:24:36.400 it's going to have a radical impact 00:24:36.400 --> 00:24:43.900 it's going to turn us upside down no longer is it just words on a page and no longer is it just kind of 00:24:43.900 --> 00:24:44.880 talk 00:24:44.880 --> 00:24:49.080 but it's actually going to begin to change us and transform us 00:24:49.080 --> 00:24:54.840 and i think there's two things here that are brought out that it's going to do to us 00:24:54.840 --> 00:24:59.940 first of all the impact of the gospel in our lives is it's going to lead 00:24:59.940 --> 00:25:01.800 to a global mission 00:25:01.799 --> 00:25:12.559 we've already said that the gospel is universal it's for everyone there is no one on this planet to whom this does not apply 00:25:12.559 --> 00:25:20.000 and it's god's desire to see that this gospel the good news about jesus is passed on that it's spread 00:25:20.000 --> 00:25:25.440 and that's what we have in verse one paul who's been set apart 00:25:25.440 --> 00:25:31.600 for the gospel of god he's been called he was converted he was changed he was given the gospel 00:25:31.600 --> 00:25:39.019 and verse nine says he that he wants to be the servant of the gospel he wants to preach it in verse 15 00:25:39.019 --> 00:25:41.980 he's so eager to preach it 00:25:41.980 --> 00:25:48.059 but it seems now that he wants to go to other people 00:25:48.059 --> 00:25:50.779 who have not heard this good news 00:25:50.779 --> 00:25:56.700 have a flick over keep your finger in chapter one and go to romans chapter 15 00:25:56.700 --> 00:26:00.079 and verse 20 00:26:00.079 --> 00:26:09.220 this really these couple of verses here really help us to understand why 00:26:09.220 --> 00:26:11.879 he actually wrote the book 00:26:11.879 --> 00:26:13.960 of romans wrote the letter 00:26:13.960 --> 00:26:17.240 so in chapter 15 verse 20 00:26:17.240 --> 00:26:18.819 this is paul he says 00:26:18.819 --> 00:26:21.839 it has always been my ambition 00:26:21.839 --> 00:26:24.099 to preach the gospel 00:26:24.099 --> 00:26:26.480 where christ was not known 00:26:26.480 --> 00:26:30.339 now down to verse 23 00:26:30.339 --> 00:26:35.619 but now that there is no more place for me to work 00:26:35.619 --> 00:26:39.299 guess that work is the same thing as preaching the gospel 00:26:39.299 --> 00:26:42.079 there's no more places for me to do that in these regions 00:26:42.079 --> 00:26:43.019 they've all been done 00:26:43.019 --> 00:26:46.679 and since i have been longing for many years to see you 00:26:46.680 --> 00:26:49.799 i plan to do so when i go to spain 00:26:49.799 --> 00:26:53.160 because the people there haven't heard the gospel 00:26:53.160 --> 00:26:54.759 at that stage they hadn't 00:26:54.759 --> 00:26:58.560 and so i hope to visit you while passing through 00:26:58.560 --> 00:27:01.019 and to have you assist me on my journey there 00:27:01.019 --> 00:27:03.779 after i've enjoyed your company for a while 00:27:03.779 --> 00:27:10.920 so he's wanting to take this gospel to new places to new lands 00:27:10.920 --> 00:27:16.779 and once the gospel begins to impact us it changes our lives 00:27:16.779 --> 00:27:21.420 so that we are incorporated into this global mission of god 00:27:21.420 --> 00:27:24.300 if you have the gospel 00:27:24.300 --> 00:27:26.900 you've got to have a global vision 00:27:26.900 --> 00:27:30.600 once we've experienced this salvation 00:27:30.600 --> 00:27:32.620 we will want to pass it on 00:27:32.620 --> 00:27:38.320 and what's so amazing is that when we begin to pass on this good news 00:27:38.320 --> 00:27:41.320 remember we said it's god's power at work 00:27:41.320 --> 00:27:44.340 when we begin to announce this gospel 00:27:44.340 --> 00:27:46.080 when we begin to speak it 00:27:46.080 --> 00:27:47.420 begin to live it out 00:27:47.420 --> 00:27:49.840 and begin to explain it to other people 00:27:49.840 --> 00:27:53.560 then god's power begins to be demonstrated 00:27:53.560 --> 00:27:55.340 god's power is at work 00:27:55.340 --> 00:27:58.779 and people's lives begin to be changed 00:27:58.779 --> 00:28:00.440 not because of who we are 00:28:00.440 --> 00:28:01.680 not because we're perfect 00:28:01.680 --> 00:28:02.560 we're messed up 00:28:02.560 --> 00:28:03.300 we're sinful 00:28:03.300 --> 00:28:05.640 not because of clever arguments 00:28:05.640 --> 00:28:07.880 because half the time we never know what to say 00:28:07.880 --> 00:28:10.920 but because of god's power 00:28:10.920 --> 00:28:14.200 the power is contained in the message 00:28:14.200 --> 00:28:15.539 and as the message go out 00:28:15.539 --> 00:28:17.080 people are changed 00:28:17.079 --> 00:28:20.159 and so we have a responsibility 00:28:20.159 --> 00:28:22.019 just as paul did 00:28:22.019 --> 00:28:24.480 to make sure that this gospel goes global 00:28:24.480 --> 00:28:26.899 it's our job 00:28:26.899 --> 00:28:29.279 to go and make jesus famous 00:28:29.279 --> 00:28:32.519 so that people start talking about him 00:28:32.519 --> 00:28:37.019 and for us that may mean there'll be some people here 00:28:37.019 --> 00:28:39.399 going to different countries and different places 00:28:39.399 --> 00:28:44.079 it may mean that we're having to look at our bank accounts 00:28:44.079 --> 00:28:45.079 and our finances 00:28:45.079 --> 00:28:47.359 and thinking well i could actually cut back here 00:28:47.359 --> 00:28:50.199 and give a little bit more to support this other person 00:28:50.199 --> 00:28:51.139 who's doing that 00:28:51.139 --> 00:28:54.839 it's going to mean praying 00:28:54.839 --> 00:28:59.779 it's going to mean starting where we are 00:28:59.779 --> 00:29:02.359 right now with the people that god has given us 00:29:02.359 --> 00:29:03.460 with our neighbours 00:29:03.460 --> 00:29:04.839 or where we work 00:29:04.839 --> 00:29:07.419 and beginning 00:29:07.419 --> 00:29:10.980 to place the power of god 00:29:10.980 --> 00:29:12.240 the gospel 00:29:12.240 --> 00:29:13.819 in people's lives 00:29:13.819 --> 00:29:17.959 and if we place the gospel in people's lives 00:29:17.959 --> 00:29:19.179 it's dynamic 00:29:19.179 --> 00:29:22.539 it'll begin to have an effect 00:29:22.539 --> 00:29:25.859 but whatever we're going to do 00:29:25.859 --> 00:29:27.299 we've got a responsibility 00:29:27.299 --> 00:29:29.720 to make this 00:29:29.720 --> 00:29:31.099 a global mission 00:29:31.099 --> 00:29:35.200 and the other impact 00:29:35.200 --> 00:29:36.680 that i think the gospel has 00:29:36.680 --> 00:29:37.920 is that it will lead to 00:29:37.920 --> 00:29:38.700 a united 00:29:38.700 --> 00:29:40.039 community 00:29:40.039 --> 00:29:43.200 paul knows that if this gospel 00:29:43.200 --> 00:29:44.579 is going to go global 00:29:44.579 --> 00:29:46.980 he's not going to be able to do it on his own 00:29:46.980 --> 00:29:49.019 he needs the support of other people 00:29:49.019 --> 00:29:50.559 he needs a community 00:29:50.559 --> 00:29:52.420 he needs the church behind him 00:29:52.420 --> 00:29:55.779 and the church that paul was writing to 00:29:55.779 --> 00:29:56.960 as we'll see over the weeks 00:29:56.960 --> 00:29:58.480 was very culturally 00:29:58.480 --> 00:30:00.480 and religiously diverse 00:30:00.480 --> 00:30:03.379 you had the jews on the one side 00:30:03.379 --> 00:30:04.700 they were the religious elite 00:30:04.700 --> 00:30:07.139 and they were very proud of their religious background 00:30:07.139 --> 00:30:11.139 and they saw themselves as far superior 00:30:11.139 --> 00:30:12.839 to those pagan gentiles 00:30:12.839 --> 00:30:15.139 they hadn't a religious bone in their body 00:30:15.139 --> 00:30:17.859 we're much better than them 00:30:17.859 --> 00:30:19.939 and then the two of them are together in the church 00:30:19.939 --> 00:30:22.459 and not only that 00:30:22.459 --> 00:30:24.799 you had these uneducated Greeks 00:30:24.799 --> 00:30:28.179 who didn't do very well in their leaving church 00:30:28.179 --> 00:30:30.079 and they didn't manage to get to university 00:30:30.079 --> 00:30:33.199 and they saw themselves as very inferior 00:30:33.199 --> 00:30:34.839 to those other Greeks 00:30:34.839 --> 00:30:37.139 who were very well educated 00:30:37.139 --> 00:30:38.240 and very well spoken 00:30:38.240 --> 00:30:40.399 and did terribly well in life 00:30:40.399 --> 00:30:44.679 and so you have this right mishmash of people 00:30:44.680 --> 00:30:47.860 and this diversity has potential for division 00:30:47.860 --> 00:30:50.259 in fact it was causing problems 00:30:50.259 --> 00:30:53.220 and how does he tackle it all? 00:30:53.720 --> 00:30:55.600 well as we see in verse 14 00:30:55.600 --> 00:30:57.779 he says I am bound both to Greeks 00:30:57.779 --> 00:31:00.560 and to the non-Greeks 00:31:00.560 --> 00:31:03.140 both to the wise and the foolish 00:31:03.140 --> 00:31:04.480 I don't care who you are 00:31:04.480 --> 00:31:07.200 that is why I'm so eager 00:31:07.200 --> 00:31:09.180 to preach the gospel to you 00:31:09.180 --> 00:31:14.900 he deals with this division 00:31:14.900 --> 00:31:16.759 by preaching the gospel 00:31:16.759 --> 00:31:19.660 because the gospel is a great leveller 00:31:19.660 --> 00:31:22.600 it brings us all back onto the same playing field 00:31:22.600 --> 00:31:27.519 because we all need the gospel 00:31:27.519 --> 00:31:29.400 because Jesus has done it all 00:31:29.400 --> 00:31:31.900 because it can only be received by faith 00:31:31.900 --> 00:31:33.500 it makes us all equal 00:31:33.500 --> 00:31:37.039 no one can think of themselves as superior 00:31:37.039 --> 00:31:39.640 and nobody needs to feel inferior 00:31:39.640 --> 00:31:46.400 as he reminds them in chapter 15 verse 7 00:31:46.400 --> 00:31:49.680 after a long long section about unity 00:31:49.680 --> 00:31:51.180 and trying to bring them together 00:31:51.180 --> 00:31:52.460 he says this in verse 7 00:31:52.460 --> 00:31:54.940 he says accept one another then 00:31:54.940 --> 00:31:57.680 just as Christ accepted you 00:31:57.680 --> 00:32:00.599 in order to bring praise to God 00:32:00.599 --> 00:32:03.180 don't be falling out with each other 00:32:03.180 --> 00:32:04.860 accept each other 00:32:04.860 --> 00:32:07.420 be joined together in partnership in the gospel 00:32:07.420 --> 00:32:08.980 come on board with me 00:32:08.980 --> 00:32:10.320 I'm coming to visit you 00:32:10.320 --> 00:32:12.799 and then you can help me as I go off to Spain 00:32:12.799 --> 00:32:14.840 be united in one purpose 00:32:14.840 --> 00:32:20.500 or as he reminds them in chapter 1 verse 7 00:32:20.500 --> 00:32:21.740 to all in Rome 00:32:21.740 --> 00:32:23.900 who are loved by God 00:32:23.900 --> 00:32:26.820 and called to be saints 00:32:26.820 --> 00:32:29.120 he doesn't refer to them as 00:32:29.120 --> 00:32:31.060 to the Jews loved by God 00:32:31.060 --> 00:32:32.200 or to the Gentiles 00:32:32.200 --> 00:32:34.500 they're all saints 00:32:34.500 --> 00:32:37.580 educated or uneducated 00:32:37.580 --> 00:32:39.200 whether they passed their exams 00:32:39.200 --> 00:32:40.860 or whether they didn't pass their exams 00:32:40.860 --> 00:32:42.200 they're all saints 00:32:42.200 --> 00:32:47.220 now look at us 00:32:47.220 --> 00:32:50.759 we're a pretty mixed bunch of people 00:32:50.759 --> 00:32:51.240 aren't we 00:32:51.240 --> 00:32:53.900 there's different nationalities 00:32:53.900 --> 00:32:54.960 represented here 00:32:54.960 --> 00:32:57.440 we've got different cultures 00:32:57.440 --> 00:33:00.799 we've all got different family experiences 00:33:00.799 --> 00:33:04.700 some of us have more money than others 00:33:04.700 --> 00:33:06.940 some of us have jobs 00:33:06.940 --> 00:33:07.900 some of us don't 00:33:07.900 --> 00:33:10.580 some of us do well in university 00:33:10.580 --> 00:33:11.620 some of us struggle 00:33:11.620 --> 00:33:16.320 and there's great potential for division 00:33:16.320 --> 00:33:19.299 great potential for superiority 00:33:19.299 --> 00:33:21.160 and inferiority 00:33:21.160 --> 00:33:25.779 but when we begin to apply the gospel 00:33:25.779 --> 00:33:29.580 we're suddenly all reminded that 00:33:29.580 --> 00:33:31.500 we're all equal 00:33:31.500 --> 00:33:34.620 we all need the gospel 00:33:34.620 --> 00:33:37.500 nobody is above anybody else 00:33:37.500 --> 00:33:39.800 we're united as one 00:33:39.800 --> 00:33:42.140 we have one common goal and purpose 00:33:42.140 --> 00:33:44.259 and what unites us together 00:33:44.259 --> 00:33:45.779 is to see this gospel 00:33:45.779 --> 00:33:46.900 this good news 00:33:46.900 --> 00:33:49.900 spread to our friends 00:33:49.900 --> 00:33:50.700 and our family 00:33:50.700 --> 00:33:52.019 and all the different contacts 00:33:52.019 --> 00:33:52.820 that we have 00:33:52.820 --> 00:33:55.000 you see 00:33:55.000 --> 00:33:55.860 once the gospel 00:33:55.860 --> 00:33:57.280 begins to impact 00:33:57.280 --> 00:33:58.259 our lives 00:33:58.259 --> 00:34:01.160 it doesn't just leave us 00:34:01.160 --> 00:34:02.640 as isolated people 00:34:02.640 --> 00:34:04.900 enjoying my nice little relationship 00:34:04.900 --> 00:34:06.300 with God over in the corner 00:34:06.300 --> 00:34:08.800 we're incorporated 00:34:08.800 --> 00:34:11.280 into the community of God 00:34:11.280 --> 00:34:13.880 into the family of God 00:34:13.880 --> 00:34:16.079 where all other differences 00:34:16.079 --> 00:34:17.760 are all taken away 00:34:17.760 --> 00:34:20.619 and we are united together 00:34:20.619 --> 00:34:22.519 as one people 00:34:22.519 --> 00:34:24.500 with one purpose 00:34:24.500 --> 00:34:26.140 and one goal 00:34:26.140 --> 00:34:30.960 the gospel is powerful 00:34:30.960 --> 00:34:32.880 it can't not 00:34:32.880 --> 00:34:35.200 impact our lives 00:34:35.200 --> 00:34:37.599 the gospel 00:34:37.599 --> 00:34:39.480 is good news 00:34:39.480 --> 00:34:43.099 it is powerful good news 00:34:43.099 --> 00:34:45.860 and it's a gospel 00:34:45.860 --> 00:34:48.139 for everyone 00:34:48.139 --> 00:34:51.699 let's pray together 00:34:51.699 --> 00:35:10.980 our father God 00:35:10.980 --> 00:35:11.980 we thank you 00:35:11.980 --> 00:35:15.699 that there have been people 00:35:15.699 --> 00:35:18.280 who have bothered 00:35:18.280 --> 00:35:21.519 to pass on the gospel 00:35:21.519 --> 00:35:23.139 the good news to us 00:35:23.139 --> 00:35:25.639 we thank you 00:35:25.639 --> 00:35:27.420 for the power of God 00:35:27.420 --> 00:35:30.139 at work in our lives 00:35:30.139 --> 00:35:31.940 to save us 00:35:31.940 --> 00:35:34.219 and to change us 00:35:34.219 --> 00:35:37.099 we thank you 00:35:37.099 --> 00:35:38.340 that it is not about 00:35:38.340 --> 00:35:39.000 what I 00:35:39.000 --> 00:35:40.280 or we can do 00:35:40.280 --> 00:35:42.880 but all about 00:35:42.880 --> 00:35:43.579 what Jesus 00:35:43.579 --> 00:35:44.200 has done 00:35:44.200 --> 00:35:47.800 thank you for the 00:35:47.800 --> 00:35:48.700 wonderful fact 00:35:48.700 --> 00:35:50.760 that we can be 00:35:50.760 --> 00:35:51.820 united together 00:35:51.820 --> 00:35:53.039 as one people 00:35:53.039 --> 00:35:55.420 with one purpose 00:35:55.420 --> 00:35:57.720 to reach 00:35:57.720 --> 00:35:58.820 the world 00:35:58.820 --> 00:36:00.940 our local community 00:36:00.940 --> 00:36:02.840 our friends 00:36:02.840 --> 00:36:04.600 with the gospel 00:36:04.599 --> 00:36:06.319 help us 00:36:06.319 --> 00:36:06.739 help us to have 00:36:06.739 --> 00:36:07.460 courage 00:36:07.460 --> 00:36:09.519 not in 00:36:09.519 --> 00:36:11.579 ourselves 00:36:11.579 --> 00:36:14.259 but confidence 00:36:14.259 --> 00:36:15.980 in the power 00:36:15.980 --> 00:36:17.099 of your message 00:36:17.099 --> 00:36:19.239 that when it is 00:36:19.239 --> 00:36:19.679 spoken 00:36:19.679 --> 00:36:22.039 it begins to 00:36:22.039 --> 00:36:22.579 change 00:36:22.579 --> 00:36:25.019 father 00:36:25.019 --> 00:36:26.480 keep changing us 00:36:26.480 --> 00:36:28.079 to be the people 00:36:28.079 --> 00:36:29.159 you want us to be 00:36:29.159 --> 00:36:31.380 we ask this in 00:36:31.380 --> 00:36:32.079 Jesus name 00:36:32.079 --> 00:36:33.639 amen 00:36:33.639 --> 00:36:33.739 amen 00:36:33.739 --> 00:36:35.879 you