WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.960 Alright, and please take your copy of God's Word out and turn to Romans chapter 16. 00:00:13.960 --> 00:00:17.080 Wes, thank you for saying be seated. I lost track of where we were in those verses. 00:00:17.080 --> 00:00:18.740 ! No, the song was over. 00:00:21.940 --> 00:00:25.839 Romans chapter 16. We're going to look together today at verses 1 through 16. 00:00:25.839 --> 00:00:31.079 And as I said to you before, we've completed now Paul's doctrinal treatise. 00:00:31.160 --> 00:00:33.960 He ended in chapter 15, verse 13 with that. 00:00:34.060 --> 00:00:38.700 We're sort of in the epilogue stage now. He's winding it down for us. 00:00:38.799 --> 00:00:46.820 And we come here to what could be, at a first glance, sort of a meaningless list of names. 00:00:46.960 --> 00:00:50.340 Just his cordiality towards the church in Rome. 00:00:50.420 --> 00:00:52.480 And he's just kind of wrapping things up. 00:00:52.479 --> 00:00:58.979 But if we look at it carefully, and we really begin to think about who Paul is, his life, his ministry, 00:00:58.979 --> 00:01:01.959 and why it is that he's writing these words that he's writing. 00:01:02.099 --> 00:01:05.099 Why it is that he pins it in this way. 00:01:05.179 --> 00:01:09.319 There's still much to glean in this last chapter of Romans. 00:01:10.199 --> 00:01:13.699 So let's read it together, and I'll lead us in a prayer, and we'll begin. 00:01:15.379 --> 00:01:16.799 Romans 16, verse 1. 00:01:16.799 --> 00:01:21.700 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church of Kincray, 00:01:22.399 --> 00:01:25.120 that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, 00:01:25.280 --> 00:01:27.200 and help her in whatever she may need from you. 00:01:27.759 --> 00:01:30.920 For she has been a patron of many, and of myself as well. 00:01:31.780 --> 00:01:35.200 Greet Prissa and Achilla, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 00:01:35.280 --> 00:01:36.939 who risked their necks for my life, 00:01:37.239 --> 00:01:41.640 to whom not only I give thanks, but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well. 00:01:42.500 --> 00:01:44.120 Greet also the church in their house. 00:01:44.120 --> 00:01:50.480 Greet my beloved Aponatus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia. 00:01:50.880 --> 00:01:52.560 Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you. 00:01:53.280 --> 00:01:56.560 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and fellow prisoners. 00:01:56.820 --> 00:02:00.219 They are well known to the apostles, and they were in Christ before me. 00:02:00.960 --> 00:02:03.240 Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. 00:02:03.620 --> 00:02:07.340 Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys. 00:02:07.820 --> 00:02:09.719 Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. 00:02:10.259 --> 00:02:12.819 Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus. 00:02:12.819 --> 00:02:15.019 Greet my kinsmen Herodian. 00:02:15.459 --> 00:02:18.280 Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus. 00:02:18.780 --> 00:02:22.060 Greet those workers in the Lord, Trephania and Trephosa. 00:02:22.639 --> 00:02:25.099 Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord. 00:02:25.719 --> 00:02:29.759 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, also his mother, who has been a mother to me as well. 00:02:30.560 --> 00:02:36.699 Greet Asencretus, Phlegion, Hermes, Patrobos, Hermes, and the brothers who are with them. 00:02:36.699 --> 00:02:41.139 Greet Philologus, I knew that was the one that was going to get me. 00:02:41.599 --> 00:02:46.139 Julia, Nerus, and his sister, and Olympus, and all the saints who are with them. 00:02:46.579 --> 00:02:48.299 Greet one another with a holy kiss. 00:02:48.579 --> 00:02:50.819 All the churches of Christ greet you. 00:02:51.339 --> 00:02:52.019 Let's pray. 00:02:52.020 --> 00:02:56.439 Father, we praise you for your word, and we believe that all of it is inspired. 00:02:57.120 --> 00:03:00.340 And we believe it is sufficient as the guide for holy living. 00:03:01.140 --> 00:03:06.120 So I pray, Father, as we approach a text that may seem meaningless on the surface, 00:03:06.240 --> 00:03:09.219 you will help us to glean what should be gleaned from it. 00:03:09.300 --> 00:03:14.920 That you will apply it to our hearts and have it yield wisdom and proper living in our lives. 00:03:15.320 --> 00:03:16.660 We pray this in Christ's name. 00:03:17.480 --> 00:03:17.780 Amen. 00:03:17.780 --> 00:03:22.539 So I want to bring to you four observations from the text this morning. 00:03:22.699 --> 00:03:26.219 And we're actually going to come back to this text, I believe, next week. 00:03:26.520 --> 00:03:29.060 Lord willing, I think that's what he would have me do, 00:03:29.400 --> 00:03:32.240 to look at the first few verses in a little greater detail. 00:03:32.340 --> 00:03:37.199 But I want to show you some overarching observations from the text. 00:03:37.280 --> 00:03:41.000 So four observations, and the first being the names. 00:03:42.580 --> 00:03:45.580 Paul names off 27 people. 00:03:45.580 --> 00:03:49.320 He asks others to be greeted, those of the household, etc., 00:03:49.320 --> 00:03:52.360 those that meet in the church, in so-and-so's home. 00:03:52.640 --> 00:03:56.080 But he names specifically 27 people. 00:03:56.580 --> 00:04:00.760 We see Phoebe, who she's believed to be the one carrying this letter. 00:04:00.900 --> 00:04:03.280 We don't know that for a fact, but with fair certainty, 00:04:03.580 --> 00:04:06.360 there are some clues that tell us she's the one that's actually carrying the letter 00:04:06.360 --> 00:04:07.660 to the church in Rome. 00:04:07.860 --> 00:04:12.300 And then 26 others who are in Rome at this time. 00:04:12.300 --> 00:04:15.920 Now just in brief, just to give you a little bit of background for Phoebe, 00:04:16.120 --> 00:04:17.420 and then Prissa, and Achilla. 00:04:17.520 --> 00:04:20.020 And that's who we're going to look at next week, I believe. 00:04:20.780 --> 00:04:26.000 Phoebe here is referred to as a sister, a servant, a patron of many. 00:04:26.520 --> 00:04:29.080 She's from a little port, which is now a town. 00:04:29.139 --> 00:04:31.420 It actually still exists, called Kincray. 00:04:31.540 --> 00:04:33.439 I believe I'm pronouncing that correctly. 00:04:33.680 --> 00:04:36.319 Which is a port that's southeast of Corinth. 00:04:36.980 --> 00:04:38.280 So she's a Corinthian. 00:04:38.279 --> 00:04:39.419 She lives there in Corinth. 00:04:39.559 --> 00:04:43.679 It's believed that that's where Paul was wintering when he wrote this letter. 00:04:44.579 --> 00:04:48.259 And then Prissa, or Priscilla, you'll find that in Acts 18. 00:04:48.379 --> 00:04:49.239 She's called Priscilla there. 00:04:49.299 --> 00:04:50.759 It would be like William and Will. 00:04:51.359 --> 00:04:52.779 And Achilla, her husband. 00:04:53.579 --> 00:04:55.739 They're tent makers, and Paul stayed with them. 00:04:55.819 --> 00:04:58.759 They were the ones that Paul was actually with in Corinth. 00:04:58.919 --> 00:05:05.439 And we see a great commendation of these three individuals to the church there in Rome. 00:05:05.439 --> 00:05:11.339 But the real point I want to make to you as he's laying out all of these names in this way, 00:05:11.560 --> 00:05:15.399 is that we ought to know one another's names. 00:05:16.540 --> 00:05:18.759 And that might seem kind of obtuse, right? 00:05:18.819 --> 00:05:20.839 Like, well, sure, we ought to. 00:05:21.240 --> 00:05:23.100 But don't we fail at that? 00:05:23.720 --> 00:05:28.459 Aren't we really kind of pitiful at really knowing one another's names? 00:05:28.920 --> 00:05:31.220 And we use all kinds of excuses for that. 00:05:31.220 --> 00:05:37.100 Certainly all of us have a capacity for knowledge and being able to remember faces and names. 00:05:37.160 --> 00:05:39.500 But don't we tend to use an excuse? 00:05:39.820 --> 00:05:42.800 I'm just not good at remembering names, right? 00:05:43.140 --> 00:05:46.520 As an excuse for not really knowing one another. 00:05:46.960 --> 00:05:49.820 Now, there's evidence in this text that Paul knew some of these individuals. 00:05:49.960 --> 00:05:51.300 We see that throughout it. 00:05:51.720 --> 00:05:54.280 But we don't know for a fact how he knew them, 00:05:54.680 --> 00:05:57.020 what interaction he had had with them. 00:05:57.019 --> 00:06:00.199 It would be my assumption that many of them he's just simply heard of. 00:06:00.519 --> 00:06:03.620 He's heard of their faithfulness as their Roman believers. 00:06:04.000 --> 00:06:06.899 But yet he knew their names. 00:06:07.539 --> 00:06:10.680 I believe he took as Jesus his great example. 00:06:11.560 --> 00:06:13.859 Jesus knows our names. 00:06:14.240 --> 00:06:15.479 John 10, 3 says, 00:06:15.620 --> 00:06:19.459 The sheep hear his voice and he calls his own sheep by name. 00:06:19.979 --> 00:06:21.259 And he leads them out. 00:06:21.259 --> 00:06:27.599 We have, I think, a particularly difficult setting in which to learn names. 00:06:27.740 --> 00:06:29.659 Because we have a lot of college students that come here. 00:06:29.719 --> 00:06:31.620 And this is an abnormal service for us. 00:06:31.659 --> 00:06:33.539 If this is your first time here, 00:06:33.659 --> 00:06:35.500 the college students have been released for the summer. 00:06:35.959 --> 00:06:37.279 And they'll be back in the fall. 00:06:37.420 --> 00:06:38.819 And they come and they go. 00:06:38.920 --> 00:06:42.539 And they kind of become, at times, the faceless masses. 00:06:42.980 --> 00:06:45.560 That show up right before the service and sit down. 00:06:45.659 --> 00:06:46.779 And up and out they go. 00:06:46.920 --> 00:06:50.019 And I've gotten this horrible habit of learning people's names by what they're wearing. 00:06:50.019 --> 00:06:52.959 But, you know, people don't tend to wear the same thing every week. 00:06:53.279 --> 00:06:54.259 I wish you would. 00:06:54.419 --> 00:06:56.319 That would help me a lot in that way. 00:06:57.560 --> 00:07:01.419 But we use that, at least I have, as an excuse. 00:07:01.899 --> 00:07:04.299 And then we're embarrassed when we don't know people's names. 00:07:04.639 --> 00:07:04.839 Right? 00:07:05.019 --> 00:07:06.120 So you feel like you should, 00:07:06.199 --> 00:07:08.279 I'm pretty sure I've seen him here like three or four times. 00:07:08.319 --> 00:07:10.079 I really ought to know his name. 00:07:10.599 --> 00:07:14.620 But we become embarrassed by the fact that we don't know one another's names. 00:07:14.939 --> 00:07:19.639 And this church is going to have to take a big slice of humble pie. 00:07:20.019 --> 00:07:21.979 And start going to each other and saying, 00:07:22.180 --> 00:07:23.219 I know I should know your name. 00:07:23.399 --> 00:07:25.519 I know that we've been here together for a year. 00:07:25.639 --> 00:07:29.299 And I've never taken the time to come and even ask you what your name is. 00:07:29.379 --> 00:07:32.659 But we ought to know one another's names. 00:07:33.859 --> 00:07:34.659 Simple, right? 00:07:34.740 --> 00:07:35.560 The first observation. 00:07:36.279 --> 00:07:39.479 More than that, though, we ought to know one another. 00:07:39.479 --> 00:07:44.379 Not just know somebody's names, but actually know one another. 00:07:44.539 --> 00:07:45.779 And so that's the second observation. 00:07:45.779 --> 00:07:50.579 Notice the differing relationships that Paul lays out for us throughout this text. 00:07:50.939 --> 00:07:52.479 I'm just going to rattle them off for you here. 00:07:52.839 --> 00:07:53.179 He says, 00:07:53.879 --> 00:08:08.939 Sister, brother, servant, saints, patron, fellow workers, church, first fruits, kinsmen, fellow prisoners, beloved, approved in Christ, elect, and mother to me. 00:08:09.039 --> 00:08:12.939 You find all of these differing relationships throughout the text. 00:08:12.939 --> 00:08:20.160 And as you come to know more people and to actually know them, to actually share your life with them, 00:08:20.500 --> 00:08:25.560 you are going to find that God is going to bring grace to your life in varying ways, in different measures, 00:08:25.899 --> 00:08:28.839 and people are going to take on different forms of relationship with you. 00:08:29.000 --> 00:08:32.019 And you will be a grace to them. 00:08:32.019 --> 00:08:38.639 So we must not only know each other's names, but we must actually know one another. 00:08:38.980 --> 00:08:40.159 Be honest with one another. 00:08:40.399 --> 00:08:43.779 Become transparent and share with one another what's going on in our lives. 00:08:43.980 --> 00:08:49.860 Be willing to ask difficult questions when people want to put up barriers and not share with you what's going on in their life. 00:08:50.120 --> 00:08:53.220 Have a deep, real concern for people's souls. 00:08:53.220 --> 00:09:02.820 Thirdly, notice the Christ-centered nature of these relationships. 00:09:04.100 --> 00:09:06.240 The Christ-centered nature of these relationships. 00:09:07.240 --> 00:09:08.920 In verse 2, he says, 00:09:09.040 --> 00:09:09.960 Welcome her in the Lord. 00:09:10.300 --> 00:09:11.080 Verse 3, 00:09:11.320 --> 00:09:13.360 My fellow workers in Christ Jesus. 00:09:14.060 --> 00:09:15.100 Verse 5, 00:09:15.180 --> 00:09:16.560 The first convert to Christ. 00:09:16.680 --> 00:09:17.200 Verse 7, 00:09:17.500 --> 00:09:18.899 They were in Christ before me. 00:09:19.000 --> 00:09:19.560 Verse 8, 00:09:19.820 --> 00:09:21.000 My beloved in the Lord. 00:09:21.000 --> 00:09:22.039 Verse 9, 00:09:22.120 --> 00:09:23.399 My fellow worker in Christ. 00:09:23.519 --> 00:09:24.000 Verse 10, 00:09:24.299 --> 00:09:24.679 Apelles, 00:09:24.860 --> 00:09:26.480 Who is approved in Christ. 00:09:26.759 --> 00:09:27.399 Verse 11, 00:09:27.779 --> 00:09:29.500 Greet those in the Lord. 00:09:29.840 --> 00:09:30.600 Verse 12, 00:09:30.899 --> 00:09:32.139 Greet those workers in the Lord. 00:09:32.419 --> 00:09:33.139 Verse 13, 00:09:33.500 --> 00:09:33.940 Persis, 00:09:34.000 --> 00:09:35.659 Who has worked hard in the Lord. 00:09:35.940 --> 00:09:36.639 Verse 14, 00:09:36.960 --> 00:09:37.360 Rufus, 00:09:37.679 --> 00:09:38.740 Chosen in the Lord. 00:09:38.799 --> 00:09:42.759 You see the theme that he's carrying on as he begins to speak about these people. 00:09:43.320 --> 00:09:46.559 Remember that Paul's not writing to us to teach us something in this case, 00:09:46.559 --> 00:09:51.079 but we can learn from the way he talks about the saints. 00:09:52.279 --> 00:09:58.139 How we speak about others bears witness of the condition of our hearts. 00:09:58.939 --> 00:10:00.659 When you're speaking with others, 00:10:00.779 --> 00:10:05.199 when you're interacting with them on the phone and in person and through email and on Facebook, 00:10:06.199 --> 00:10:07.679 do you speak of Christ? 00:10:07.779 --> 00:10:12.179 Is your relationship centered on Christ in this way? 00:10:12.179 --> 00:10:16.099 As you speak of others, 00:10:16.559 --> 00:10:18.359 you talk about those in the church. 00:10:18.919 --> 00:10:20.199 Is it in these terms? 00:10:20.379 --> 00:10:21.519 Is it this way? 00:10:21.579 --> 00:10:22.479 And some of you may say to me, 00:10:22.719 --> 00:10:24.559 Well, I just don't really like to talk spiritual. 00:10:25.019 --> 00:10:25.819 It's not really my thing. 00:10:25.859 --> 00:10:28.000 I don't like to wear my faith on my sleeve. 00:10:28.099 --> 00:10:32.079 But the greater issue here is the condition of our hearts. 00:10:33.419 --> 00:10:35.959 Are our relationships Christ centered? 00:10:36.079 --> 00:10:36.959 Are they Christ centric? 00:10:37.039 --> 00:10:39.179 Are they saturated with the gospel? 00:10:39.179 --> 00:10:41.459 And I present to you that if they are, 00:10:41.759 --> 00:10:42.819 we'll speak this way. 00:10:43.699 --> 00:10:45.279 We'll talk about Christ. 00:10:45.479 --> 00:10:51.479 We'll couple him up with these people we talk about that we love and genuinely care about so very much. 00:10:52.059 --> 00:10:53.319 Matthew 12, 34, 00:10:53.459 --> 00:10:53.819 Jesus said, 00:10:53.959 --> 00:10:56.959 For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 00:10:57.879 --> 00:11:01.559 What you say gives clear evidence to who you are. 00:11:02.779 --> 00:11:04.919 You must ask yourself that question. 00:11:05.079 --> 00:11:08.120 I've had to ask it of myself this week. 00:11:08.120 --> 00:11:14.100 Is Christ on my lips as I speak to and speak about the church? 00:11:16.340 --> 00:11:21.700 Fourthly, notice the love that saturates these relationships. 00:11:22.519 --> 00:11:24.820 The love that saturates these relationships. 00:11:25.340 --> 00:11:31.659 The overarching, the repeated command that Paul continues to give to them is this word greet. 00:11:32.220 --> 00:11:33.680 Verb, greet. 00:11:34.460 --> 00:11:37.279 Which means to draw to oneself. 00:11:37.279 --> 00:11:38.240 Right? 00:11:39.259 --> 00:11:42.959 Picture wise, you can think of somebody reaching out and grabbing somebody and embracing them. 00:11:43.399 --> 00:11:43.500 Right? 00:11:43.740 --> 00:11:44.839 So what he's saying to them is, 00:11:45.039 --> 00:11:46.759 As this letter is being circulated, 00:11:46.819 --> 00:11:51.299 As you're traveling this letter around Rome to these multiple churches that are meeting in homes, 00:11:52.000 --> 00:11:53.220 Embrace one another. 00:11:53.720 --> 00:11:58.720 Have an endearing love one another that is fueled by the gospel. 00:11:58.720 --> 00:12:03.420 Notice four times, verse 5, verse 8, verse 9, and verse 12. 00:12:03.740 --> 00:12:04.759 He uses the term, 00:12:05.120 --> 00:12:05.680 My beloved. 00:12:06.240 --> 00:12:07.860 A great term of endearment. 00:12:08.639 --> 00:12:10.860 And at the very end, in verse 16, 00:12:11.360 --> 00:12:11.840 He says, 00:12:12.180 --> 00:12:14.740 Greet one another with a holy kiss. 00:12:16.100 --> 00:12:17.920 Now, ladies and gentlemen, 00:12:18.019 --> 00:12:19.899 I'm not going to suggest that we start kissing one another. 00:12:20.060 --> 00:12:22.500 So, let your guard down. 00:12:22.820 --> 00:12:22.960 Alright? 00:12:22.960 --> 00:12:24.920 Culturally, 00:12:25.860 --> 00:12:27.280 And we're this way some too. 00:12:27.400 --> 00:12:28.240 Some families do this. 00:12:28.300 --> 00:12:28.840 But culturally, 00:12:29.180 --> 00:12:32.080 Families in this day always kissed. 00:12:32.240 --> 00:12:33.400 In greeting and in departure. 00:12:33.600 --> 00:12:35.840 That was a common thing that they did. 00:12:35.920 --> 00:12:37.160 They would embrace each other's faces. 00:12:37.500 --> 00:12:38.740 And they would kiss on the forehead. 00:12:39.120 --> 00:12:39.840 Or for men, 00:12:40.019 --> 00:12:40.800 You'd kiss their beard. 00:12:40.860 --> 00:12:41.700 Which I thought was really interesting. 00:12:41.780 --> 00:12:43.440 I don't really know what that means exactly. 00:12:43.639 --> 00:12:46.580 But somewhere on the face region, 00:12:47.020 --> 00:12:48.440 They would kiss their beard. 00:12:48.500 --> 00:12:49.800 This was a common thing you did. 00:12:49.860 --> 00:12:53.060 And it was a way that you endeared yourself to a family member. 00:12:54.340 --> 00:12:55.340 So, in these days, 00:12:55.379 --> 00:12:57.680 As people were claiming Christ, 00:12:57.780 --> 00:12:59.440 Becoming part of the Christian church, 00:12:59.940 --> 00:13:02.600 Many of them were being wholly rejected by their families. 00:13:03.139 --> 00:13:05.300 They were now orphans, so to speak. 00:13:05.379 --> 00:13:06.540 They no longer had a family. 00:13:06.900 --> 00:13:08.200 They didn't go to family reunions. 00:13:08.320 --> 00:13:10.240 They didn't have a place to go on Mother's Day. 00:13:10.640 --> 00:13:10.820 Right? 00:13:11.500 --> 00:13:13.200 So, the church became their family. 00:13:13.759 --> 00:13:15.840 And it became common practice in these days 00:13:15.840 --> 00:13:17.320 To display. 00:13:17.940 --> 00:13:20.080 We're a family in this way. 00:13:20.500 --> 00:13:21.420 They greeted one another. 00:13:21.800 --> 00:13:23.100 They called it a holy kiss. 00:13:23.160 --> 00:13:25.899 That became the common vernacular for what that was. 00:13:25.920 --> 00:13:26.660 A holy kiss. 00:13:26.780 --> 00:13:29.080 We are now family in Christ. 00:13:29.820 --> 00:13:31.840 So, he's encouraging them to do that. 00:13:31.920 --> 00:13:33.200 And to continue doing that. 00:13:33.580 --> 00:13:35.980 To treat each other in that way. 00:13:36.080 --> 00:13:41.500 So, you can see that love absolutely saturates these relationships. 00:13:42.200 --> 00:13:43.980 And they ought for ours. 00:13:43.980 --> 00:13:47.080 Christians, fellow Christians, 00:13:47.500 --> 00:13:49.920 Will be precious to one another 00:13:49.920 --> 00:13:52.740 When they feel deeply the realities of the gospel. 00:13:54.279 --> 00:13:56.159 Christians will be precious to one another 00:13:56.159 --> 00:14:00.000 When they feel deeply the realities of the gospel. 00:14:01.000 --> 00:14:02.879 Now, notice I say, feel deeply. 00:14:02.960 --> 00:14:05.180 I didn't say, when they know the realities of the gospel. 00:14:05.340 --> 00:14:07.379 I say, when they feel deeply. 00:14:07.440 --> 00:14:09.379 Because a lot of us have a lot of mental knowledge. 00:14:09.379 --> 00:14:13.799 We could expound for you all of the promises of the gospel. 00:14:14.039 --> 00:14:15.080 How they're carried out. 00:14:15.139 --> 00:14:18.039 We could use large words to make our points. 00:14:18.820 --> 00:14:20.500 But until we feel it. 00:14:20.559 --> 00:14:23.379 Until it actually works down in us and softens our hearts. 00:14:24.539 --> 00:14:27.980 Christians will not be precious to us the way they should. 00:14:29.820 --> 00:14:32.799 We have been saved from great sin. 00:14:33.500 --> 00:14:34.600 Every one of us. 00:14:34.600 --> 00:14:36.659 It doesn't matter where you grew up. 00:14:36.800 --> 00:14:38.360 It doesn't matter the household you were in. 00:14:38.440 --> 00:14:39.899 It doesn't matter how moral you were. 00:14:39.980 --> 00:14:41.080 You were an enemy of God. 00:14:41.820 --> 00:14:44.560 And God has rescued you because of his great love for you. 00:14:44.960 --> 00:14:46.879 And that binds us together. 00:14:48.300 --> 00:14:49.840 If you realize what you've been saved from. 00:14:49.920 --> 00:14:53.440 Can you just imagine if all of us were in a great natural disaster together. 00:14:53.680 --> 00:14:54.940 If suddenly this ground shook. 00:14:55.480 --> 00:14:57.320 This building collapsed on all of us. 00:14:57.360 --> 00:14:59.600 And we were all trapped together in this building for days. 00:15:00.240 --> 00:15:02.540 Rescue crew came and dug us out a week later. 00:15:02.539 --> 00:15:05.740 Think of like the Chilean miners and all that time they spent underground. 00:15:06.139 --> 00:15:07.159 We would be tight. 00:15:07.500 --> 00:15:07.679 Right? 00:15:07.919 --> 00:15:09.759 We would be really, really good friends. 00:15:09.759 --> 00:15:12.860 Because we had gone through a great tragedy together. 00:15:13.579 --> 00:15:15.059 This is true of us. 00:15:15.839 --> 00:15:19.659 We have all lived in sin and been rescued from sin. 00:15:20.159 --> 00:15:22.279 When we understand the weight of that. 00:15:22.959 --> 00:15:25.559 It will make us precious to one another. 00:15:25.959 --> 00:15:30.480 We will see pictures of God's grace in each other's faces. 00:15:31.039 --> 00:15:31.139 Right? 00:15:31.139 --> 00:15:34.220 We will make expressions of who he is to us. 00:15:34.360 --> 00:15:36.299 And we will love one another. 00:15:36.519 --> 00:15:38.480 This gospel will permeate our hearts. 00:15:38.699 --> 00:15:41.779 And it will trickle out in loving relationships. 00:15:43.139 --> 00:15:45.860 John 13, 35. 00:15:45.960 --> 00:15:46.439 Jesus says, 00:15:46.580 --> 00:15:51.519 By this all people will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another. 00:15:51.519 --> 00:15:58.019 People will know we are disciples of Christ if we love one another. 00:15:58.519 --> 00:16:00.840 It doesn't say if we go to church on Sunday morning. 00:16:01.379 --> 00:16:03.240 It doesn't say if we dress a certain way. 00:16:03.579 --> 00:16:06.179 Do or don't listen to certain music. 00:16:06.439 --> 00:16:07.679 Eat certain foods. 00:16:07.799 --> 00:16:09.480 Abstain from certain drinks. 00:16:10.039 --> 00:16:11.639 That's not what he says to us here. 00:16:12.039 --> 00:16:17.980 He says the true mark of the Christian life is if we love one another. 00:16:17.980 --> 00:16:20.720 Turn back in Romans with me to chapter 12. 00:16:21.700 --> 00:16:22.840 Verses 9 through 13. 00:16:22.960 --> 00:16:27.480 You remember Paul finishes his heavy doctrine at the end of chapter 11. 00:16:28.300 --> 00:16:29.320 He goes on to say then, 00:16:29.560 --> 00:16:33.200 Therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, present your bodies as a living sacrifice. 00:16:33.320 --> 00:16:34.200 Holy and acceptable to God. 00:16:34.320 --> 00:16:35.539 Which is your spiritual worship. 00:16:35.539 --> 00:16:39.839 And I've shown you how his logic follows. 00:16:40.199 --> 00:16:46.259 That the overarching thing he's saying to us in verse 9 of chapter 12 is let love be genuine. 00:16:46.879 --> 00:16:52.759 And then he's fleshing out for us the rest of that through chapter 15 verse 13. 00:16:53.299 --> 00:16:55.799 He's showing us what that actually looks like. 00:16:55.860 --> 00:16:59.039 It's summed up in those four words. 00:16:59.319 --> 00:17:00.079 Let love be genuine. 00:17:00.240 --> 00:17:02.879 Or let love be without hypocrisy. 00:17:03.319 --> 00:17:04.599 So let's read the rest of that. 00:17:04.599 --> 00:17:05.579 Let love be genuine. 00:17:05.939 --> 00:17:06.759 Abhor what is evil. 00:17:07.099 --> 00:17:08.319 Hold fast to what is good. 00:17:08.859 --> 00:17:10.679 Love one another with brotherly affection. 00:17:11.139 --> 00:17:12.980 Outdo one another in showing honor. 00:17:13.379 --> 00:17:14.779 Do not be slothful in zeal. 00:17:14.879 --> 00:17:15.919 Be fervent in spirit. 00:17:16.379 --> 00:17:17.259 Serve the Lord. 00:17:17.740 --> 00:17:18.659 Rejoice in hope. 00:17:18.879 --> 00:17:20.039 Be patient in tribulation. 00:17:20.419 --> 00:17:21.480 Be constant in prayer. 00:17:21.899 --> 00:17:23.219 Contribute to the needs of the saints. 00:17:23.579 --> 00:17:24.980 And seek to show hospitality. 00:17:25.439 --> 00:17:29.459 And he goes on to talk about the way in which we should love the world and beyond that. 00:17:29.659 --> 00:17:30.519 Even when it's difficult. 00:17:30.719 --> 00:17:32.299 Even when we have to give up our own rights. 00:17:32.299 --> 00:17:32.779 Right? 00:17:32.940 --> 00:17:38.359 But here's where he's thrusting this idea of what it looks like to be a Christian. 00:17:38.899 --> 00:17:42.759 To be a life sacrifice to God in light of what he's done for us. 00:17:42.819 --> 00:17:44.259 It's that our love is genuine. 00:17:44.259 --> 00:17:48.579 1 Corinthians 13.1 says, 00:17:48.700 --> 00:17:50.819 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels. 00:17:51.460 --> 00:17:52.099 We get that. 00:17:52.140 --> 00:17:53.319 If I can speak all languages. 00:17:53.859 --> 00:17:55.779 And I can even speak the language of the angels. 00:17:55.980 --> 00:17:56.819 But I have not love. 00:17:56.920 --> 00:17:58.759 I am a noisy gong or clanging cymbal. 00:17:58.900 --> 00:18:02.759 The things that come out of my mouth are absolutely worthless. 00:18:02.759 --> 00:18:08.099 Love is the thing that should characterize us. 00:18:08.180 --> 00:18:09.779 And look at Paul's life. 00:18:10.200 --> 00:18:13.440 As he speaks of these 27 believers. 00:18:13.680 --> 00:18:16.539 The love that permeates that text. 00:18:16.819 --> 00:18:19.940 Do you love the church in that way? 00:18:21.160 --> 00:18:23.019 I don't think I do all the time. 00:18:24.579 --> 00:18:27.839 I express to you some of my own failure in this regard. 00:18:27.839 --> 00:18:33.099 A man that I love dearly in this church brought to me this week. 00:18:33.199 --> 00:18:35.559 That I have been neglecting his soul. 00:18:36.139 --> 00:18:37.599 He needed me at some times. 00:18:37.659 --> 00:18:38.819 And I wasn't there for him. 00:18:40.720 --> 00:18:42.159 My initial reaction was, 00:18:42.240 --> 00:18:43.000 Well, you've got to ask. 00:18:43.299 --> 00:18:44.079 You've got to ask me. 00:18:44.319 --> 00:18:44.799 I'm available. 00:18:45.720 --> 00:18:47.619 But he wasn't even in a state to ask. 00:18:47.879 --> 00:18:49.299 He really wanted to avoid me. 00:18:49.359 --> 00:18:50.980 What he really needed was me to be in his life. 00:18:51.059 --> 00:18:54.399 He really needed me to pour out gospel into him. 00:18:54.400 --> 00:18:57.920 And I realized as he talked to me. 00:18:58.120 --> 00:19:02.040 As I was going through stages of defense and acceptance. 00:19:02.380 --> 00:19:03.080 As he's talking. 00:19:03.900 --> 00:19:04.080 Right? 00:19:04.620 --> 00:19:06.540 I realized a painful truth. 00:19:06.820 --> 00:19:07.960 And it's even embarrassing to say. 00:19:08.019 --> 00:19:08.660 But it needs to be said. 00:19:09.160 --> 00:19:13.340 That I have felt inadequate for the task God's given me here. 00:19:14.160 --> 00:19:15.519 I felt inadequate for it. 00:19:15.860 --> 00:19:19.780 And I have waited for you guys to give me the approval. 00:19:20.019 --> 00:19:22.240 By asking me to be involved in your life. 00:19:22.240 --> 00:19:24.859 Nathan, we want you to input into our lives. 00:19:25.940 --> 00:19:28.740 And this young man said to me very well. 00:19:29.140 --> 00:19:30.400 They've already asked. 00:19:30.859 --> 00:19:31.799 They're here. 00:19:32.500 --> 00:19:34.059 They sit in the congregation. 00:19:34.319 --> 00:19:35.079 You're the pastor. 00:19:35.279 --> 00:19:36.559 They've already asked. 00:19:36.740 --> 00:19:38.319 Should they have to vocalize it? 00:19:38.660 --> 00:19:40.200 And I realized all at once. 00:19:40.420 --> 00:19:43.940 That my insufficiency. 00:19:44.339 --> 00:19:47.259 Was coming from the fact that I don't believe the gospel in this area. 00:19:47.880 --> 00:19:48.079 Right? 00:19:48.400 --> 00:19:49.279 Because if I did. 00:19:49.519 --> 00:19:51.079 I would believe God's put me in this position. 00:19:51.079 --> 00:19:52.759 And he has made me sufficient. 00:19:52.899 --> 00:19:54.399 Not that I have sufficiency of myself. 00:19:54.559 --> 00:19:57.159 But that he has made me sufficient. 00:19:58.899 --> 00:20:01.179 So we need to preach the gospel to one another. 00:20:02.199 --> 00:20:05.579 I had to preach the gospel to myself every hour. 00:20:05.740 --> 00:20:06.939 Since I had that conversation. 00:20:07.159 --> 00:20:08.139 To remind myself. 00:20:08.399 --> 00:20:09.480 My sufficiency is not in me. 00:20:09.599 --> 00:20:10.419 I am insufficient. 00:20:11.039 --> 00:20:11.839 Of my own accord. 00:20:12.720 --> 00:20:14.039 But Christ in me. 00:20:14.299 --> 00:20:15.659 Is supremely sufficient. 00:20:16.079 --> 00:20:16.980 Beyond sufficient. 00:20:17.759 --> 00:20:18.599 Overflowingly sufficient. 00:20:18.599 --> 00:20:20.819 He has given me everything I need. 00:20:20.819 --> 00:20:23.879 To minister to those in their time of need. 00:20:24.559 --> 00:20:25.879 And I've been asked. 00:20:27.219 --> 00:20:29.559 So I wanted to show you this morning. 00:20:29.779 --> 00:20:31.000 My own failure. 00:20:31.279 --> 00:20:32.679 I think you need to see. 00:20:33.059 --> 00:20:34.699 That I need grace. 00:20:35.199 --> 00:20:37.019 I am so far. 00:20:37.279 --> 00:20:38.019 So far. 00:20:38.419 --> 00:20:39.099 From perfect. 00:20:40.059 --> 00:20:41.899 And this is how the gospel then. 00:20:42.159 --> 00:20:43.719 Ministers to every aspect. 00:20:43.720 --> 00:20:45.059 Of our living. 00:20:45.860 --> 00:20:47.360 The great hurt for me. 00:20:47.640 --> 00:20:48.600 As we're talking. 00:20:48.779 --> 00:20:50.299 Is not so much. 00:20:51.000 --> 00:20:52.000 That I neglected. 00:20:52.360 --> 00:20:52.920 The relationship. 00:20:53.420 --> 00:20:54.059 Which was the. 00:20:54.420 --> 00:20:55.319 Then the horizontal. 00:20:55.680 --> 00:20:56.039 Outworking. 00:20:56.519 --> 00:20:56.700 Right. 00:20:57.220 --> 00:20:58.140 But that the. 00:20:58.559 --> 00:20:59.920 Vertical axis had been. 00:21:00.299 --> 00:21:00.839 Messed up. 00:21:01.819 --> 00:21:03.259 That I had missed the ultimate point. 00:21:03.259 --> 00:21:03.920 Of the gospel. 00:21:04.140 --> 00:21:04.980 In my ministry. 00:21:05.420 --> 00:21:05.920 And that is that. 00:21:06.160 --> 00:21:06.500 Christ. 00:21:06.740 --> 00:21:07.720 Is my sufficiency. 00:21:08.900 --> 00:21:09.140 Right. 00:21:09.579 --> 00:21:10.900 So how does that work into. 00:21:11.319 --> 00:21:12.039 Your life. 00:21:12.039 --> 00:21:14.579 As you're hearing these things. 00:21:14.619 --> 00:21:15.539 As you're saying. 00:21:15.700 --> 00:21:16.000 You know. 00:21:16.379 --> 00:21:18.259 Nathan kind of got me on the obtuse point. 00:21:18.319 --> 00:21:19.559 I don't know everybody's name. 00:21:20.099 --> 00:21:22.279 I'm not even really working at knowing everybody's name. 00:21:22.720 --> 00:21:24.559 I certainly don't know people. 00:21:24.659 --> 00:21:25.779 The way I ought to know people. 00:21:26.779 --> 00:21:27.680 I can't say that I. 00:21:28.159 --> 00:21:29.779 My relationship with Christ centered. 00:21:29.920 --> 00:21:31.420 That he's on my lips all the time. 00:21:31.420 --> 00:21:32.339 As I talk about them. 00:21:32.379 --> 00:21:33.319 As I talk with them. 00:21:34.019 --> 00:21:35.619 And I don't know that love saturates. 00:21:35.819 --> 00:21:37.279 The relationship in this way. 00:21:38.639 --> 00:21:40.559 Recognize that Christ has made you sufficient. 00:21:40.559 --> 00:21:42.119 For the place that he has called you. 00:21:42.519 --> 00:21:43.000 As well. 00:21:43.500 --> 00:21:43.700 Right. 00:21:44.259 --> 00:21:45.919 You may not be good at remembering names. 00:21:46.379 --> 00:21:47.379 He's sufficient for that. 00:21:47.960 --> 00:21:48.220 Right. 00:21:49.099 --> 00:21:50.419 There are mnemonic devices. 00:21:50.579 --> 00:21:51.259 There are ways. 00:21:51.399 --> 00:21:52.159 To work it out. 00:21:52.240 --> 00:21:52.440 Right. 00:21:53.159 --> 00:21:54.519 Keep a notepad in your pocket. 00:21:55.079 --> 00:21:55.940 God will give you the grace. 00:21:56.019 --> 00:21:56.859 To remember names. 00:21:57.099 --> 00:21:58.259 Through a notepad in your pocket. 00:21:58.940 --> 00:21:59.839 Find a way. 00:21:59.940 --> 00:22:01.059 To do these things. 00:22:01.619 --> 00:22:02.059 Christ. 00:22:02.519 --> 00:22:03.700 Is sufficient for them. 00:22:05.179 --> 00:22:05.579 Moms. 00:22:05.980 --> 00:22:06.839 It's Mother's Day. 00:22:06.839 --> 00:22:09.019 And a lot of sermons are being preached today. 00:22:09.019 --> 00:22:10.759 On a charge to you. 00:22:11.519 --> 00:22:13.159 You know your responsibilities. 00:22:13.939 --> 00:22:16.079 You know that those precious babies are yours. 00:22:16.079 --> 00:22:17.059 To raise up. 00:22:17.759 --> 00:22:17.859 Right. 00:22:17.919 --> 00:22:18.439 You know. 00:22:18.559 --> 00:22:19.720 Day in and day out. 00:22:19.819 --> 00:22:20.899 You're experiencing it. 00:22:21.159 --> 00:22:21.359 Right. 00:22:21.699 --> 00:22:22.799 Keeping the house picked up. 00:22:22.839 --> 00:22:24.740 And keeping fingers from getting cut off. 00:22:24.819 --> 00:22:25.379 You know. 00:22:25.879 --> 00:22:26.740 The great challenges. 00:22:27.179 --> 00:22:28.119 That are in front of you. 00:22:28.279 --> 00:22:29.859 And Christ is sufficient for that. 00:22:30.220 --> 00:22:30.439 Right. 00:22:30.659 --> 00:22:31.859 He will fill you up. 00:22:31.919 --> 00:22:33.679 That you can accomplish that task. 00:22:33.679 --> 00:22:35.579 Because he's put you in that role. 00:22:35.579 --> 00:22:37.460 Father's the same is true. 00:22:37.639 --> 00:22:38.460 To pastor. 00:22:38.699 --> 00:22:39.159 Provide. 00:22:39.240 --> 00:22:39.740 And protect. 00:22:40.059 --> 00:22:40.899 For our families. 00:22:41.859 --> 00:22:43.439 The task has been given to you. 00:22:43.539 --> 00:22:44.199 And therefore. 00:22:44.939 --> 00:22:46.199 Christ has made you sufficient. 00:22:46.899 --> 00:22:47.619 For it. 00:22:48.759 --> 00:22:50.199 2 Corinthians 9. 00:22:50.259 --> 00:22:50.720 8 says. 00:22:50.819 --> 00:22:53.319 And God is able to make all grace abound to you. 00:22:53.519 --> 00:22:55.019 So that having all sufficiency. 00:22:55.240 --> 00:22:55.980 In all things. 00:22:56.019 --> 00:22:56.899 At all times. 00:22:57.199 --> 00:22:58.119 You may abound. 00:22:58.439 --> 00:22:59.159 In every. 00:22:59.899 --> 00:23:00.500 Good work. 00:23:01.199 --> 00:23:01.980 Let's pray together.