WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.939 So Romans chapter 15, and we'll read from verse 17 to 16, verse 16. 00:00:11.519 --> 00:00:14.740 Romans chapter 15 at verse 17. 00:00:14.740 --> 00:00:20.260 Therefore, I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God. 00:00:20.879 --> 00:00:26.420 I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me 00:00:26.420 --> 00:00:31.540 in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done, 00:00:31.880 --> 00:00:36.040 by the power of signs and miracles through the power of the Spirit. 00:00:36.660 --> 00:00:42.920 So from Jerusalem all the way round to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ. 00:00:43.140 --> 00:00:47.840 It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known 00:00:47.840 --> 00:00:51.380 so that I would not be building on someone else's foundation. 00:00:52.280 --> 00:00:55.980 Rather, as it is written, those who were not told about him 00:00:55.979 --> 00:00:59.739 will see and those who have not heard will understand. 00:01:00.459 --> 00:01:03.559 This is why I have often been hindered from coming to you. 00:01:04.479 --> 00:01:07.479 But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, 00:01:07.799 --> 00:01:10.759 and since I have been longing for many years to see you, 00:01:11.120 --> 00:01:13.120 I plan to do so when I go to Spain. 00:01:13.579 --> 00:01:18.819 I hope to visit you while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there 00:01:18.819 --> 00:01:21.420 after I have enjoyed your company for a while. 00:01:21.420 --> 00:01:26.780 Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the saints there. 00:01:27.379 --> 00:01:33.760 For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. 00:01:34.280 --> 00:01:37.680 They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. 00:01:38.219 --> 00:01:42.099 For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews' spiritual blessings, 00:01:42.560 --> 00:01:46.920 they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings. 00:01:46.920 --> 00:01:52.900 So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this fruit, 00:01:53.260 --> 00:01:56.500 I will go to Spain and visit you on the way. 00:01:57.200 --> 00:02:02.840 I know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ. 00:02:03.460 --> 00:02:09.300 I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit 00:02:09.300 --> 00:02:13.379 to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. 00:02:13.379 --> 00:02:17.419 Pray that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea 00:02:17.419 --> 00:02:21.740 and that my service in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints there, 00:02:22.019 --> 00:02:28.719 so that by God's will I may come to you with joy and together with you be refreshed. 00:02:29.219 --> 00:02:31.060 The God of peace be with you all. 00:02:31.479 --> 00:02:31.900 Amen. 00:02:32.780 --> 00:02:38.180 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church in King Chira. 00:02:38.180 --> 00:02:42.460 I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints 00:02:42.460 --> 00:02:45.480 and to give her any help she may need from you, 00:02:45.879 --> 00:02:49.400 for she has been a great help to many people, including me. 00:02:50.099 --> 00:02:53.700 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus. 00:02:54.300 --> 00:02:56.120 They risked their lives for me. 00:02:56.840 --> 00:03:00.700 Not only I, but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. 00:03:01.500 --> 00:03:03.920 Greet also the church that meets at their house. 00:03:03.919 --> 00:03:09.799 Greet my friend Eponetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia. 00:03:10.579 --> 00:03:13.299 Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you. 00:03:13.919 --> 00:03:18.839 Greet Andronicus and Junius, my relatives who have been in prison with me. 00:03:19.279 --> 00:03:24.000 They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was. 00:03:24.739 --> 00:03:27.539 Greet Ampliatus, whom I love in the Lord. 00:03:28.060 --> 00:03:31.119 Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ. 00:03:31.120 --> 00:03:37.659 Greet my dear friend Stachys, greet Apelles, tested and approved in Christ. 00:03:38.200 --> 00:03:41.500 Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus. 00:03:42.039 --> 00:03:44.120 Greet Herodian, my relative. 00:03:45.000 --> 00:03:48.960 Greet those in the household of Narcissus, who are in the Lord. 00:03:49.319 --> 00:03:54.159 Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord. 00:03:54.800 --> 00:04:00.180 Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord. 00:04:00.180 --> 00:04:06.340 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me too. 00:04:07.020 --> 00:04:13.740 Greet Asencritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers with them. 00:04:14.740 --> 00:04:22.180 Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympus, and all the saints with them. 00:04:22.960 --> 00:04:25.519 Greet one another with a holy kiss. 00:04:25.519 --> 00:04:29.799 All the churches of Christ send greetings. 00:04:30.839 --> 00:04:31.240 Amen. 00:04:31.240 --> 00:04:38.579 I do hope you've had a good time this afternoon, a blessed time, to just rest and be refreshed. 00:04:38.699 --> 00:04:42.759 And I pray that it will be a good time for us again around God's Word this evening. 00:04:42.920 --> 00:04:49.740 Can I just invite you to open up where James has read from in the book of Romans from chapter 15. 00:04:49.840 --> 00:04:53.340 We're going to be looking the second half of verse 19. 00:04:53.339 --> 00:04:59.519 And so the bit that says, so from Jerusalem, to that section in chapter 16. 00:05:00.259 --> 00:05:08.719 So we're going to pick up this evening at the point where Paul had left us earlier on in verse 19. 00:05:08.959 --> 00:05:14.739 And it seems like he was giving inspiration to the wonderful Disney and Pixar character Buzz Lightyear. 00:05:15.120 --> 00:05:18.179 He gets to a section and it's like, to infinity and beyond, church. 00:05:18.479 --> 00:05:19.639 That is where we are going. 00:05:19.639 --> 00:05:23.240 Into the future we are going to the ends of the earth. 00:05:24.659 --> 00:05:32.740 Because the grace that has been revealed through our Lord Jesus, the beauty of this gospel, is not something which is to be contained. 00:05:33.659 --> 00:05:38.500 Flowing out from that grace, we saw that God was fulfilling his promises. 00:05:38.979 --> 00:05:42.879 But he was also creating new communities of people. 00:05:43.199 --> 00:05:47.699 Outposts, signposts for the kingdom of God. 00:05:47.699 --> 00:05:58.139 Friends, the grace of God in Jesus Christ creates transnational, supernatural communities which are growing all over the world. 00:05:58.920 --> 00:06:00.539 That is what is taking place. 00:06:00.899 --> 00:06:02.980 That is what Paul saw in his ministry. 00:06:03.319 --> 00:06:07.259 That is why he's so excited and wants to encourage the church in Rome. 00:06:07.259 --> 00:06:15.379 These are transnational, supernatural communities which are spreading because this gospel is untamable. 00:06:15.599 --> 00:06:18.659 Because the God of the gospel is untamable. 00:06:19.399 --> 00:06:23.019 So we're going to just gather our thoughts under three headings. 00:06:23.180 --> 00:06:26.800 The first of which is the ministry of God's people, part two. 00:06:27.159 --> 00:06:29.259 So if you were here for part one, exciting times. 00:06:29.539 --> 00:06:35.120 If you were not here for part one, well you get part two and you just get the last of the three Ps that sum up that section. 00:06:35.120 --> 00:06:39.920 Firstly, there had been priestly ministry that the apostle was involved in. 00:06:40.199 --> 00:06:42.319 There was powerful ministry because of the gospel. 00:06:42.780 --> 00:06:48.399 But also ministry in the gospel is often pioneering. 00:06:49.139 --> 00:06:51.879 The ministry of the gospel is something which is pioneering. 00:06:53.019 --> 00:06:55.319 Now not all of us get excited with geography. 00:06:55.860 --> 00:06:57.420 Some of us might have loved it at school. 00:06:57.560 --> 00:07:01.139 Some of us may even have went to the university here and studied geography. 00:07:01.139 --> 00:07:09.279 But for some of us, the thought of looking at a map fills us with fear because we've got no idea which country we're even in ourselves. 00:07:09.959 --> 00:07:14.259 Or it potentially throws up to us this concept of boredom like, I don't need to know. 00:07:14.439 --> 00:07:14.860 I'm here. 00:07:15.639 --> 00:07:17.560 The countries and the nations are there. 00:07:18.419 --> 00:07:25.620 Well, we're not going to find out whether the phobia of geography or the boredom that comes with geography is your bent this evening. 00:07:25.620 --> 00:07:31.819 What is important to understand is what Paul is saying in this section about the places that he has been. 00:07:33.259 --> 00:07:33.420 Okay? 00:07:33.639 --> 00:07:36.220 The places that he has been are very, very important. 00:07:36.759 --> 00:07:37.939 Now let's clear something up. 00:07:38.000 --> 00:07:43.019 In that section, Paul has seemed to have said, well, the gospel has been fully proclaimed. 00:07:43.939 --> 00:07:45.399 There's no need for me to be here anymore. 00:07:45.980 --> 00:07:48.800 That's what it seems to say in that second half of verse 19. 00:07:48.800 --> 00:07:53.699 From Jerusalem all the way around to Lyricrum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ. 00:07:54.240 --> 00:07:56.879 It seems to be, well, you know, everyone's a Christian now, aren't they? 00:07:57.259 --> 00:07:58.600 Fully proclaimed the gospel. 00:07:59.439 --> 00:08:01.840 Well, no, that's not what he means when he says that. 00:08:02.439 --> 00:08:05.319 What he is saying is that there are churches in these areas. 00:08:05.960 --> 00:08:09.500 There are outposts of the kingdom of God which have been established here. 00:08:09.580 --> 00:08:12.540 There are people who have come to trust in Jesus Christ. 00:08:12.800 --> 00:08:16.500 And these churches are seeking to evangelize those who live around about them. 00:08:16.500 --> 00:08:27.620 And they are also seeking to establish new communities, new supernatural communities empowered by the Holy Spirit to conform to the image of Christ as they receive the word of God. 00:08:28.519 --> 00:08:31.639 In shorthand, he's saying there's churches in these areas. 00:08:32.220 --> 00:08:34.080 There are people who know something of Christ. 00:08:34.679 --> 00:08:39.139 And these churches are getting on with that ministry. 00:08:40.120 --> 00:08:41.799 It's a good job well done. 00:08:43.960 --> 00:08:45.519 But that's not enough for Paul. 00:08:46.500 --> 00:08:52.379 Paul effectively says, no, no, no, we need to keep going now. 00:08:53.580 --> 00:08:55.279 We can't just stop where we are. 00:08:55.539 --> 00:08:56.460 We need to keep going. 00:08:56.840 --> 00:08:58.080 We need to keep pushing forward. 00:08:58.419 --> 00:09:03.539 We need to keep taking this message of the gospel of Christ because Christ must be heard. 00:09:04.100 --> 00:09:08.580 So that God is glorified by everything and everyone that he has made. 00:09:09.240 --> 00:09:13.600 The gospel doesn't just stop when we've got a couple of good things to show for it. 00:09:13.600 --> 00:09:15.519 The gospel pushes forward. 00:09:15.980 --> 00:09:19.639 And that is what Paul is super excited about in this letter to the Romans. 00:09:19.759 --> 00:09:25.399 He wants them to see that this gospel of grace for the world cannot just stop at Rome. 00:09:25.659 --> 00:09:27.379 It cannot just stop in Corinth. 00:09:27.500 --> 00:09:29.120 It cannot stop in Jerusalem. 00:09:29.379 --> 00:09:32.519 It has to go to the ends of the earth. 00:09:32.519 --> 00:09:35.980 So why is he speaking about Jerusalem and Illyricum? 00:09:36.740 --> 00:09:43.179 It's actually very bold and audacious when you begin to understand the geography that he's talking about. 00:09:43.519 --> 00:09:50.779 He is effectively saying that the four prefectures of the Roman Empire, the four divisions that the Roman Empire was put into, 00:09:50.779 --> 00:09:56.480 he says there's churches in the furthest east where Jerusalem is representative. 00:09:56.980 --> 00:10:00.439 In Illyricum, I have spent ministry and there are churches which are based there. 00:10:00.759 --> 00:10:05.939 You're in the province of Italia in Rome that covers the north of Africa and the whole of Italy. 00:10:06.240 --> 00:10:07.899 We're going to the last frontier. 00:10:08.360 --> 00:10:12.339 We're going to the last prefecture because this is where Christ needs to be seen. 00:10:12.720 --> 00:10:14.679 This is where Christ has not been made known yet. 00:10:14.899 --> 00:10:15.759 And we're going there. 00:10:15.759 --> 00:10:18.980 I'm going there because the gospel has not been heard. 00:10:22.240 --> 00:10:29.419 The spirit of pioneering new works of the gospel is something which should characterize the ministry of God's people locally and globally. 00:10:30.620 --> 00:10:36.360 We should not be content because there are some nice things for us to point to and say, isn't that amazing? 00:10:37.259 --> 00:10:40.000 We should rejoice in that and we should be encouraged by that. 00:10:40.000 --> 00:10:50.179 But that encouragement should fuel us to taking that gospel to the next places where Christ has not been honored, where Christ has not been proclaimed. 00:10:51.259 --> 00:10:58.679 We want to see the unreached come to hear about Christ because we know that this is what thrills God's heart. 00:10:59.879 --> 00:11:02.220 Those who are not told about him will see. 00:11:03.120 --> 00:11:06.139 And those who have not heard will understand. 00:11:06.139 --> 00:11:15.439 When believers are convinced that the earth is the Lord's and that there is only one mediator between people and God, 00:11:15.600 --> 00:11:23.639 they will passionately pursue preaching Christ in pioneering ways and situations so that those who do not know will hear 00:11:23.639 --> 00:11:32.259 and that those who have never come in contact with the gospel before will have that opportunity to hear about God and to see something of his glory. 00:11:32.259 --> 00:11:42.799 A couple of years ago, I was in China and I was able to go to a region where Tibetan Buddhism is the predominant religion. 00:11:43.480 --> 00:11:46.179 And that is the thing which shapes the culture. 00:11:47.139 --> 00:11:51.960 I'm going to read to you something of a biography from someone who had been involved in ministry in this place. 00:11:52.399 --> 00:11:53.620 A man called Frank Lerner. 00:11:54.399 --> 00:11:55.159 And he says this, 00:11:55.159 --> 00:12:00.879 My call, for I can use no other word, was heard while on a visit to the Kumbom Lama Sury. 00:12:01.480 --> 00:12:07.779 I'd taken tracts and gospels with me, but I had a very limited knowledge of the Tibetan language then, 00:12:07.919 --> 00:12:13.839 and the attempt to impart the great message to the Lama's understanding seemed very feeble. 00:12:15.519 --> 00:12:21.459 One afternoon, feeling burdened with a sense of their need, I walked up a hill at the back of the Lama Sury. 00:12:21.460 --> 00:12:27.120 Sitting on the grassy slopes, I gazed at the mountains which separate China from Tibet. 00:12:28.580 --> 00:12:33.460 Their peaks were sparkling in the afternoon sun, and as my eyes rested on the purity of their whiteness, 00:12:33.560 --> 00:12:38.180 the question, but what is beyond, thrust itself upon me. 00:12:39.160 --> 00:12:44.460 I thought of the millions of lips uttering meaningless prayers, millions of bodies daily bowed in frustrations, 00:12:45.180 --> 00:12:49.560 millions of people awaiting the blessing of men who call themselves incarnate Buddhas, 00:12:49.559 --> 00:12:52.959 and so little was being done to bring the light to them. 00:12:54.419 --> 00:12:56.939 And suddenly it seemed as if a voice was speaking. 00:12:58.319 --> 00:13:02.159 I want you to do something for these people. 00:13:04.739 --> 00:13:09.459 I went up the back of that same hill and looked out across that same monastery, 00:13:09.460 --> 00:13:16.700 and still to this day, there is no active, flourishing witness to the gospel among these people, 00:13:17.580 --> 00:13:18.800 nearly a hundred years later. 00:13:20.220 --> 00:13:25.660 Who is willing to go so that the earth will resound to the praise of God's glory? 00:13:27.019 --> 00:13:30.980 Who is willing to sacrifice all of these comforts that we have in our everyday life 00:13:30.980 --> 00:13:36.379 so that these many, many millions of Tibetans will have an opportunity to respond to Jesus Christ? 00:13:36.379 --> 00:13:41.820 Do you know what we did when we sat looking out across that monastery? 00:13:42.639 --> 00:13:44.259 We sung that wonderful song, 00:13:45.240 --> 00:13:50.379 And can it be that I should gain an interest in the Savior's blood? 00:13:53.580 --> 00:13:54.320 Who will go? 00:13:54.320 --> 00:14:01.300 So what are the ways that we can be pioneers in this great city of Edinburgh? 00:14:02.460 --> 00:14:03.600 This is something for us. 00:14:03.940 --> 00:14:07.100 I'm not going to give you the answers, because I'll be honest, I don't have the answers. 00:14:07.720 --> 00:14:11.120 The takeaway for this is really a case of what are we thinking through? 00:14:11.660 --> 00:14:16.180 What are the things we can do in terms of pioneering ministry in this great city of Edinburgh? 00:14:17.120 --> 00:14:20.320 Which communities don't have a gospel church? 00:14:20.320 --> 00:14:25.960 Which ethnic minorities or religious groups that exist in this great city 00:14:25.960 --> 00:14:29.160 have little to no concept of the gospel 00:14:29.160 --> 00:14:33.560 and have little to no access to disciples of Jesus Christ? 00:14:38.180 --> 00:14:39.640 Take the wider angle then. 00:14:41.240 --> 00:14:43.480 Who is being raised up in this church 00:14:43.480 --> 00:14:47.740 to pioneer ministry in other parts of Scotland, 00:14:48.240 --> 00:14:49.759 in other parts of Edinburgh, 00:14:50.240 --> 00:14:51.940 in other parts of the world? 00:14:53.300 --> 00:14:55.879 Because that is one of the markers of a church 00:14:55.879 --> 00:14:57.980 which is healthy and which is growing, 00:14:58.139 --> 00:15:00.960 is that there is this desire to see people raised up within it 00:15:00.960 --> 00:15:03.060 to proclaim Christ 00:15:03.060 --> 00:15:07.879 locally, nationally, globally. 00:15:07.879 --> 00:15:13.120 Identify them. 00:15:13.639 --> 00:15:14.439 Love them. 00:15:15.320 --> 00:15:18.259 Allow them like me to make all the mistakes in the world 00:15:18.259 --> 00:15:20.240 and just love them through that. 00:15:20.960 --> 00:15:21.799 Train them up. 00:15:22.320 --> 00:15:24.000 Show them the way that they should go 00:15:24.000 --> 00:15:26.460 and send them off as a blessing 00:15:26.460 --> 00:15:29.120 to bless and to announce Christ 00:15:29.120 --> 00:15:30.860 wherever it is he takes them. 00:15:30.860 --> 00:15:35.919 So that is the second section 00:15:35.919 --> 00:15:38.060 that comes in with the ministry of God's people 00:15:38.060 --> 00:15:39.919 is this idea of a pioneering ministry. 00:15:40.740 --> 00:15:43.399 But there is also a root that comes with our zeal. 00:15:44.659 --> 00:15:46.820 We were through in Edinburgh recently 00:15:46.820 --> 00:15:48.600 to see In the Night Garden live. 00:15:49.159 --> 00:15:51.620 I don't know how many people know about In the Night Garden, 00:15:51.700 --> 00:15:52.379 about Iggle Piggle 00:15:52.379 --> 00:15:55.019 and the Ninky Nonk and the Pinky Ponk. 00:15:55.340 --> 00:15:56.300 But it is great fun 00:15:56.300 --> 00:15:58.759 and that's the season of life that I find myself in now. 00:15:58.759 --> 00:16:02.439 And Sophia wanted a helium balloon of the Pinky Ponk. 00:16:03.039 --> 00:16:05.379 And, you know, the balloon cost eight pounds 00:16:05.379 --> 00:16:07.220 so I was making sure this balloon 00:16:07.220 --> 00:16:09.259 was nailed down to the pram. 00:16:09.639 --> 00:16:13.059 It was not flying off across the Edinburgh skyline. 00:16:13.580 --> 00:16:16.480 It needed to be rooted so that it didn't meander off, 00:16:16.740 --> 00:16:18.600 so that it didn't just go floating away off 00:16:18.600 --> 00:16:19.899 into the sunset. 00:16:20.879 --> 00:16:24.860 And Paul, even though he was passionate to get to Spain, 00:16:25.179 --> 00:16:27.019 to that last prefecture of the empire 00:16:27.019 --> 00:16:28.139 that didn't have a church, 00:16:28.139 --> 00:16:30.879 is someone who had a rooted zeal. 00:16:31.399 --> 00:16:32.399 He was passionate, 00:16:32.720 --> 00:16:34.879 but it didn't mean that he just went and did his own thing. 00:16:36.319 --> 00:16:39.240 His zeal was not at the expense of real relationships 00:16:39.240 --> 00:16:40.740 with other believers. 00:16:41.319 --> 00:16:42.939 You see that so plainly. 00:16:43.500 --> 00:16:44.639 I plan, verse 24, 00:16:44.699 --> 00:16:46.539 I plan to do so when I go to Spain. 00:16:46.759 --> 00:16:48.740 I hope to visit you while passing through 00:16:48.740 --> 00:16:50.439 having a relationship with the church in Rome 00:16:50.439 --> 00:16:52.980 and to have you assist me on my journey. 00:16:53.779 --> 00:16:55.159 After a while, I'll enjoy your company. 00:16:55.159 --> 00:16:57.480 Now, however, I'm on my way to Jerusalem 00:16:57.480 --> 00:16:59.679 in the service of the saints there. 00:16:59.799 --> 00:17:02.319 He has not sacrificed real relationships 00:17:02.319 --> 00:17:04.740 as a result of his passion and his zeal. 00:17:05.619 --> 00:17:07.579 No, Paul was tethered to the church, 00:17:07.940 --> 00:17:10.639 longing to see his fellow believers in Jerusalem 00:17:10.639 --> 00:17:12.980 encouraged through the financial gifts 00:17:12.980 --> 00:17:15.180 of other churches which had been established 00:17:15.180 --> 00:17:16.700 through his ministry. 00:17:16.700 --> 00:17:21.420 You see, gospel ministry is zeal with a root. 00:17:22.019 --> 00:17:23.720 Yes, in Christ, absolutely. 00:17:23.860 --> 00:17:26.000 We are not denying that or taking away from it, 00:17:26.140 --> 00:17:28.900 but it is also rooted in the people of God. 00:17:29.360 --> 00:17:31.759 It is rooted in Christ's people as well. 00:17:34.740 --> 00:17:36.559 Do you grow cold towards the church? 00:17:39.340 --> 00:17:41.740 The number of times I have conversations with people, 00:17:42.440 --> 00:17:43.940 either believers or non-believers, 00:17:43.940 --> 00:17:45.840 and it is the church which comes 00:17:45.840 --> 00:17:47.640 under the greatest amount of criticism. 00:17:49.759 --> 00:17:51.960 The church is what gets in the way of mission, 00:17:52.600 --> 00:17:54.180 is what I hear far too often, 00:17:54.539 --> 00:17:55.620 and that is wrong. 00:17:57.420 --> 00:17:59.900 Because God has a church for his mission. 00:18:00.779 --> 00:18:02.340 We do not replace the church 00:18:02.340 --> 00:18:05.740 with our own exciting, passionate ideas for zeal. 00:18:05.740 --> 00:18:09.120 Yes, there can be challenges, 00:18:09.920 --> 00:18:12.460 but please don't let them lead you to become cold, 00:18:13.259 --> 00:18:15.740 cynical, and self-determining in your heart 00:18:15.740 --> 00:18:18.200 that God has given me this thing to do, 00:18:18.299 --> 00:18:19.920 and I'm going to do the thing. 00:18:22.620 --> 00:18:25.079 The church was bought with the blood of Christ, 00:18:25.460 --> 00:18:28.160 and it is the church which will be presented to Christ 00:18:28.160 --> 00:18:31.000 as his bride perfected on the last day. 00:18:31.539 --> 00:18:32.740 The church is his inheritance, 00:18:34.000 --> 00:18:35.200 the inheritance of nations. 00:18:35.200 --> 00:18:40.120 Being a pioneer in ministry 00:18:40.120 --> 00:18:42.519 doesn't mean being a lone ranger. 00:18:43.539 --> 00:18:46.360 Having a great idea to see something new happen 00:18:46.360 --> 00:18:48.380 in Edinburgh or the ends of the earth 00:18:48.380 --> 00:18:50.340 doesn't mean that you just go ahead and do it. 00:18:50.400 --> 00:18:51.720 Being a pioneer in ministry 00:18:51.720 --> 00:18:53.880 is coming to the church leaders and to your elders 00:18:53.880 --> 00:18:54.660 and saying, guys, 00:18:55.680 --> 00:18:58.019 have we thought about this? 00:19:01.680 --> 00:19:03.480 This is profoundly counter-cultural 00:19:03.480 --> 00:19:06.380 in the Western world where our identity is asserted. 00:19:06.440 --> 00:19:07.660 We tell people who we are. 00:19:08.120 --> 00:19:09.480 We tell people what we will do. 00:19:10.299 --> 00:19:12.019 Where we determine who we are, 00:19:12.240 --> 00:19:12.819 what we'll do, 00:19:13.220 --> 00:19:15.039 that is the way that our identity 00:19:15.039 --> 00:19:16.799 is constructed in the Western world. 00:19:17.180 --> 00:19:18.640 And what Paul is saying is profoundly 00:19:18.640 --> 00:19:20.519 counter-cultural for our day and age. 00:19:21.519 --> 00:19:21.980 And yet, 00:19:22.400 --> 00:19:24.579 this is a wonderful window 00:19:24.579 --> 00:19:26.799 through which people can marvel 00:19:26.799 --> 00:19:29.220 at the gospel of God's grace in Christ, 00:19:29.220 --> 00:19:29.680 does it not? 00:19:31.079 --> 00:19:32.259 You have this great zeal, 00:19:32.360 --> 00:19:33.160 this great passion, 00:19:33.259 --> 00:19:35.220 but you are willing to come in humility 00:19:35.880 --> 00:19:37.140 and submission to people 00:19:37.140 --> 00:19:38.680 and work this together 00:19:38.680 --> 00:19:41.160 and not just blaze your own trail, 00:19:41.539 --> 00:19:42.720 do your own thing, 00:19:42.920 --> 00:19:45.440 and actually kind of take the glory for yourself 00:19:45.440 --> 00:19:46.660 instead of coming together 00:19:46.660 --> 00:19:47.600 as the people of God 00:19:47.600 --> 00:19:48.019 and saying, 00:19:48.400 --> 00:19:49.779 all glory be to Christ, 00:19:50.279 --> 00:19:50.660 our King, 00:19:50.720 --> 00:19:52.700 all glory be to Christ. 00:19:52.700 --> 00:20:01.120 are we willing to be 00:20:01.120 --> 00:20:03.740 an accountable and encouraging people? 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:06.620 Not cynical, 00:20:07.279 --> 00:20:09.460 not critical of the bride of Christ. 00:20:10.279 --> 00:20:11.920 Always remember that phrase 00:20:11.920 --> 00:20:13.799 when you start with the axe on the church. 00:20:15.600 --> 00:20:17.519 To come as an encouraging people, 00:20:17.600 --> 00:20:19.279 but to come as an accountable people. 00:20:19.279 --> 00:20:24.059 Longing to see the church encouraged, 00:20:24.720 --> 00:20:26.160 longing to see people grow 00:20:26.160 --> 00:20:27.700 in their faith relationship 00:20:27.700 --> 00:20:29.019 with the Lord Jesus 00:20:29.019 --> 00:20:30.319 as they are held accountable. 00:20:32.399 --> 00:20:33.779 Having a rooted zeal, 00:20:34.539 --> 00:20:36.220 a real relationship with God 00:20:36.220 --> 00:20:38.039 and a real relationship with his people 00:20:38.039 --> 00:20:40.160 means that we will desire 00:20:40.160 --> 00:20:42.399 to pray 00:20:42.399 --> 00:20:46.099 and to see the gospel move forward. 00:20:46.480 --> 00:20:47.660 You see that in that section, 00:20:47.779 --> 00:20:49.059 verse 30 to 33. 00:20:49.859 --> 00:20:51.299 He's rooted in the local church, 00:20:51.420 --> 00:20:52.379 but that rootedness, 00:20:52.680 --> 00:20:53.859 that zealous rootedness 00:20:53.859 --> 00:20:55.339 also leads us, 00:20:55.660 --> 00:20:57.839 it drives us to want to pray 00:20:57.839 --> 00:21:00.940 and to bring the challenges, 00:21:01.319 --> 00:21:02.139 the joys, 00:21:02.200 --> 00:21:02.940 the whatever it is 00:21:02.940 --> 00:21:04.539 before God. 00:21:04.660 --> 00:21:05.720 And it's only when we have 00:21:05.720 --> 00:21:07.079 that real relationship with God 00:21:07.079 --> 00:21:08.420 and we have that real relationship 00:21:08.420 --> 00:21:08.899 with others 00:21:08.899 --> 00:21:11.079 that we will ever get into the place 00:21:11.079 --> 00:21:12.399 where we do not see this 00:21:12.399 --> 00:21:14.180 praying for the church, 00:21:14.359 --> 00:21:15.700 praying for the mission of God, 00:21:15.839 --> 00:21:17.879 praying for his people as a burden. 00:21:18.540 --> 00:21:19.700 It will become a delight 00:21:19.700 --> 00:21:21.360 because we know that we are then 00:21:21.360 --> 00:21:23.440 serving together side by side, 00:21:23.860 --> 00:21:26.340 not one person being really important 00:21:26.340 --> 00:21:28.180 and the rest of us kind of just being here. 00:21:28.240 --> 00:21:29.680 No, we are the people of God 00:21:29.680 --> 00:21:31.140 involved in the mission of God 00:21:31.140 --> 00:21:32.060 to see his glory 00:21:32.060 --> 00:21:33.840 extended to the ends of the earth, 00:21:33.900 --> 00:21:36.280 which means that there's not somebody 00:21:36.280 --> 00:21:38.860 who's superior or inferior in many ways. 00:21:38.859 --> 00:21:43.139 Where these relationships with God 00:21:43.139 --> 00:21:45.519 and his people are cold or non-existent, 00:21:46.179 --> 00:21:48.259 then prayer at best 00:21:48.259 --> 00:21:50.219 usually becomes ritualistic 00:21:50.219 --> 00:21:53.259 and at worst it becomes non-existent. 00:21:55.159 --> 00:21:57.339 Prayer overflows from a rooted passion 00:21:57.339 --> 00:21:59.619 to see the kingdom of God grow 00:21:59.619 --> 00:22:01.000 and for his people 00:22:01.000 --> 00:22:04.419 to be effective ambassadors in his hands. 00:22:04.420 --> 00:22:07.039 It's one of my great concerns, 00:22:07.140 --> 00:22:07.840 I have to be honest, 00:22:07.920 --> 00:22:09.500 spending time going to different churches 00:22:09.500 --> 00:22:11.539 in Scotland from different traditions. 00:22:15.120 --> 00:22:15.980 And this is something 00:22:15.980 --> 00:22:17.220 that's probably aimed more at people 00:22:17.220 --> 00:22:18.620 who are my sort of age and stage, 00:22:18.779 --> 00:22:20.220 maybe about 10 or 15 years older 00:22:20.220 --> 00:22:21.720 and younger than me. 00:22:22.480 --> 00:22:23.279 What's gonna happen 00:22:23.279 --> 00:22:24.160 when all of these people 00:22:24.160 --> 00:22:26.500 who are over their 70s 00:22:26.500 --> 00:22:27.880 are no longer here and there 00:22:27.880 --> 00:22:28.860 with the Lord and glory? 00:22:28.859 --> 00:22:33.539 The people who have prayed, 00:22:34.659 --> 00:22:37.019 the people who commit these things to the Lord 00:22:37.019 --> 00:22:39.119 and yet so often I have to confess, 00:22:39.579 --> 00:22:40.559 I see in my generation 00:22:40.559 --> 00:22:42.479 a real lack of wanting to bring these things 00:22:42.479 --> 00:22:43.459 before the Lord in prayer. 00:22:44.379 --> 00:22:46.779 Deeply rooted prayer. 00:22:50.119 --> 00:22:52.559 You see, your church leaders need your prayers. 00:22:53.939 --> 00:22:55.799 Your pastor needs your prayers. 00:22:55.939 --> 00:22:58.559 Your mission partners need your prayers, 00:22:58.559 --> 00:22:59.539 your fellow believers 00:22:59.539 --> 00:23:01.220 sitting next to you right now. 00:23:01.480 --> 00:23:02.799 They need your prayers. 00:23:04.359 --> 00:23:06.059 Sometimes in the UK society, 00:23:06.240 --> 00:23:07.940 we are so bad at actually just saying, 00:23:08.240 --> 00:23:09.779 I really need you to pray for this 00:23:09.779 --> 00:23:11.639 because we have to tick a box 00:23:11.639 --> 00:23:13.139 of some sort of conformity 00:23:13.139 --> 00:23:14.099 to kind of, you know, 00:23:14.119 --> 00:23:15.539 not causing people a bit of offense 00:23:15.539 --> 00:23:16.619 or not really getting in their way. 00:23:16.839 --> 00:23:17.879 Guys, drop that. 00:23:19.099 --> 00:23:21.220 We need each other to pray for each other 00:23:21.220 --> 00:23:24.419 so that that amazing message of the gospel 00:23:24.419 --> 00:23:26.679 goes throughout the whole world. 00:23:28.559 --> 00:23:34.440 Being rooted in the church community locally 00:23:34.440 --> 00:23:37.940 and globally will see us overflow into believing prayer. 00:23:38.819 --> 00:23:40.779 Knowing that this God of peace, 00:23:41.879 --> 00:23:44.019 knowing that the God of peace 00:23:44.019 --> 00:23:46.919 will work in accordance to his perfect will 00:23:46.919 --> 00:23:50.619 to fulfill his mission amongst all peoples. 00:23:50.619 --> 00:23:51.959 Are you rooted? 00:23:51.959 --> 00:23:52.039 Are you rooted? 00:23:55.039 --> 00:23:58.139 Are you rooted in Christ? 00:23:58.879 --> 00:24:02.500 Are you rooted in his church? 00:24:03.919 --> 00:24:06.539 What do you pray for? 00:24:06.539 --> 00:24:12.039 What are the things that you pray for? 00:24:12.819 --> 00:24:13.879 And leading on from that, 00:24:14.019 --> 00:24:15.159 who do you pray for? 00:24:17.579 --> 00:24:20.639 Who do you spend time committed before God 00:24:20.639 --> 00:24:21.039 and saying, 00:24:21.440 --> 00:24:24.759 I am praying for X person in their challenges? 00:24:25.519 --> 00:24:28.000 I urge you brothers by our Lord Jesus Christ 00:24:28.000 --> 00:24:29.299 and by the love of the spirit 00:24:29.299 --> 00:24:30.779 to join me in my struggle 00:24:30.779 --> 00:24:33.180 by praying to God for me. 00:24:34.139 --> 00:24:35.399 Who do you pray for? 00:24:35.400 --> 00:24:37.320 And what do you pray for? 00:24:38.580 --> 00:24:39.360 Now finally, 00:24:40.040 --> 00:24:40.700 we see this, 00:24:41.060 --> 00:24:42.660 we see a wonderful example 00:24:42.660 --> 00:24:45.900 in chapter 16 of unity and diversity. 00:24:47.380 --> 00:24:49.200 Paul effectively goes through a list 00:24:49.200 --> 00:24:50.519 of lots of different people 00:24:50.519 --> 00:24:52.240 and he actually highlights 00:24:52.240 --> 00:24:53.519 just what he's been talking about 00:24:53.519 --> 00:24:55.340 in these last few verses. 00:24:56.560 --> 00:24:59.280 That the gospel brings unity 00:24:59.280 --> 00:25:01.780 even though we are very different from each other. 00:25:01.779 --> 00:25:03.680 It's a delightful picture 00:25:03.680 --> 00:25:05.000 of what Paul has been reminding 00:25:05.000 --> 00:25:06.019 the church in Rome about. 00:25:06.539 --> 00:25:07.619 So many people, 00:25:08.319 --> 00:25:10.160 so many from different places, 00:25:10.539 --> 00:25:11.720 different working backgrounds, 00:25:11.879 --> 00:25:13.279 different cultural heritages, 00:25:13.960 --> 00:25:15.539 but perhaps one of the most wonderful 00:25:15.539 --> 00:25:17.480 and countercultural things to note 00:25:17.480 --> 00:25:18.960 is the important place 00:25:18.960 --> 00:25:21.379 that Paul gives in thanking the women 00:25:21.379 --> 00:25:22.759 in the church. 00:25:22.759 --> 00:25:25.099 They are not a subclass human 00:25:25.099 --> 00:25:27.039 as would have been the case 00:25:27.039 --> 00:25:28.119 in that day. 00:25:28.640 --> 00:25:30.059 They were equally valued, 00:25:30.240 --> 00:25:34.160 equally loved by God in Christ. 00:25:34.920 --> 00:25:37.339 Nine out of the 26 people mentioned 00:25:37.339 --> 00:25:38.980 are women in this section 00:25:38.980 --> 00:25:41.339 and they have served side by side, 00:25:41.500 --> 00:25:41.740 yes, 00:25:41.799 --> 00:25:42.640 in different ways 00:25:42.640 --> 00:25:44.200 in seeing the gospel 00:25:44.200 --> 00:25:45.319 cross boundaries 00:25:45.319 --> 00:25:46.680 and cross barriers. 00:25:46.680 --> 00:25:49.220 Now let me be clear, 00:25:49.779 --> 00:25:50.840 I hold to the same 00:25:50.840 --> 00:25:52.140 complementarian perspective 00:25:52.140 --> 00:25:53.500 that we do as a church. 00:25:56.060 --> 00:25:58.019 But something I'm always challenged 00:25:58.019 --> 00:26:00.180 about reading this section is this, 00:26:00.820 --> 00:26:02.340 how do I seek to encourage 00:26:02.340 --> 00:26:03.740 sisters in Christ 00:26:03.740 --> 00:26:06.120 to love and good works 00:26:06.120 --> 00:26:08.519 as fellow partners in the gospel? 00:26:09.799 --> 00:26:12.480 How does Martin seek to encourage 00:26:12.480 --> 00:26:13.580 the many sisters 00:26:13.580 --> 00:26:15.340 that he has spent time with? 00:26:16.680 --> 00:26:18.180 and say, 00:26:18.299 --> 00:26:18.759 do you know what? 00:26:19.120 --> 00:26:20.740 Go on to love and good works. 00:26:21.940 --> 00:26:23.500 I really want to encourage you 00:26:23.500 --> 00:26:25.299 to see these things through 00:26:25.299 --> 00:26:27.420 in your work, 00:26:27.680 --> 00:26:28.640 with your family, 00:26:29.740 --> 00:26:30.440 wherever it is 00:26:30.440 --> 00:26:31.539 that God has placed you 00:26:31.539 --> 00:26:32.060 in your life. 00:26:32.519 --> 00:26:33.940 Can I just pray for you? 00:26:36.920 --> 00:26:38.060 What are the ways 00:26:38.060 --> 00:26:40.100 that I'm seeking 00:26:40.100 --> 00:26:40.960 to encourage 00:26:40.960 --> 00:26:42.180 the many gifted women 00:26:42.180 --> 00:26:43.039 that I know 00:26:43.039 --> 00:26:44.240 in ways 00:26:44.240 --> 00:26:45.060 that they know 00:26:45.060 --> 00:26:45.779 they are valued? 00:26:46.680 --> 00:26:48.019 not just filling in 00:26:48.019 --> 00:26:48.360 something 00:26:48.360 --> 00:26:49.420 that I don't want 00:26:49.420 --> 00:26:50.180 to do as a man. 00:26:54.820 --> 00:26:55.460 One thing 00:26:55.460 --> 00:26:56.360 that we can be sure of 00:26:56.360 --> 00:26:57.180 from this section 00:26:57.180 --> 00:26:58.620 is that Paul 00:26:58.620 --> 00:26:59.640 is not the chauvinist 00:26:59.640 --> 00:27:00.680 of popular culture. 00:27:01.700 --> 00:27:03.080 He often gets characterized 00:27:03.080 --> 00:27:03.720 as someone 00:27:03.720 --> 00:27:04.920 who hated women 00:27:04.920 --> 00:27:06.380 and he's demonized 00:27:06.380 --> 00:27:08.120 in many sections 00:27:08.120 --> 00:27:08.700 of thinking 00:27:08.700 --> 00:27:10.220 that he just hated women. 00:27:11.180 --> 00:27:11.860 He had nothing good 00:27:11.860 --> 00:27:12.799 to say about them. 00:27:13.299 --> 00:27:13.660 Oh, clearly, 00:27:13.799 --> 00:27:14.560 people have never read 00:27:14.559 --> 00:27:15.259 this section. 00:27:18.339 --> 00:27:19.579 And it should be something 00:27:19.579 --> 00:27:21.299 that is not found 00:27:21.299 --> 00:27:23.220 in the church of Christ. 00:27:24.980 --> 00:27:26.519 Women are equally loved 00:27:26.519 --> 00:27:28.240 and known by God. 00:27:29.619 --> 00:27:30.779 Fallen, broken people 00:27:30.779 --> 00:27:31.980 just like men. 00:27:34.899 --> 00:27:35.859 What am I doing 00:27:35.859 --> 00:27:36.419 to encourage? 00:27:36.579 --> 00:27:37.480 What is it that we 00:27:37.480 --> 00:27:38.899 are doing to encourage 00:27:38.899 --> 00:27:39.960 the sisters 00:27:39.960 --> 00:27:41.299 in our congregation, 00:27:41.519 --> 00:27:41.659 brothers? 00:27:41.660 --> 00:27:44.759 Yes, there are things 00:27:44.759 --> 00:27:45.740 which are not appropriate. 00:27:46.460 --> 00:27:47.040 We know that. 00:27:47.440 --> 00:27:48.200 The Bible is clear 00:27:48.200 --> 00:27:48.680 about that. 00:27:48.980 --> 00:27:49.720 But what are ways 00:27:49.720 --> 00:27:50.320 that we are seeking 00:27:50.320 --> 00:27:51.200 to encourage 00:27:51.200 --> 00:27:52.680 our fellow sisters 00:27:52.680 --> 00:27:53.240 in Christ? 00:27:54.000 --> 00:27:54.800 What ways 00:27:54.800 --> 00:27:55.320 do you seek 00:27:55.320 --> 00:27:56.740 to enable your sisters 00:27:56.740 --> 00:27:57.480 to be released 00:27:57.480 --> 00:27:58.519 for good works? 00:27:59.420 --> 00:28:00.180 Something that's really 00:28:00.180 --> 00:28:01.200 challenged me recently 00:28:01.200 --> 00:28:02.440 is stepping back 00:28:02.440 --> 00:28:02.779 and saying, 00:28:02.860 --> 00:28:03.380 no, do you know what, 00:28:03.460 --> 00:28:03.660 Jennifer? 00:28:03.920 --> 00:28:05.000 I'm going to stay in 00:28:05.000 --> 00:28:06.000 so that you can go out 00:28:06.000 --> 00:28:06.580 and do this. 00:28:06.580 --> 00:28:06.660 What? 00:28:06.660 --> 00:28:12.460 Sisters, 00:28:12.660 --> 00:28:13.140 you are known 00:28:13.140 --> 00:28:14.160 and loved by God. 00:28:15.840 --> 00:28:16.980 He knows you. 00:28:17.060 --> 00:28:17.680 He loves you. 00:28:17.740 --> 00:28:18.580 He cares for you. 00:28:19.740 --> 00:28:21.380 Press on with us 00:28:21.380 --> 00:28:23.140 to love and good works 00:28:23.140 --> 00:28:24.800 as we seek 00:28:24.800 --> 00:28:26.480 to announce Christ together, 00:28:27.480 --> 00:28:30.000 whether that's 00:28:30.000 --> 00:28:31.120 in our offices, 00:28:32.519 --> 00:28:33.080 whether that's 00:28:33.080 --> 00:28:33.960 in the toddler room, 00:28:34.060 --> 00:28:34.480 whether that's 00:28:34.480 --> 00:28:35.140 in the lecture hall, 00:28:35.140 --> 00:28:35.980 wherever it is 00:28:35.980 --> 00:28:37.060 that you find yourself 00:28:37.060 --> 00:28:37.800 to have been placed 00:28:37.800 --> 00:28:38.540 by God, 00:28:40.200 --> 00:28:41.280 lets each of us 00:28:41.280 --> 00:28:43.500 seek to move forward, 00:28:43.640 --> 00:28:44.560 enabled by God 00:28:44.560 --> 00:28:45.180 in the Spirit, 00:28:46.480 --> 00:28:47.080 into love 00:28:47.080 --> 00:28:47.820 and good works. 00:28:50.400 --> 00:28:51.620 And as we do this together, 00:28:51.940 --> 00:28:53.080 living in such unity, 00:28:53.280 --> 00:28:54.140 affirming our diversity, 00:28:54.980 --> 00:28:55.340 saying, 00:28:55.680 --> 00:28:55.840 yes, 00:28:55.920 --> 00:28:57.580 there is differences here 00:28:57.580 --> 00:28:59.320 because that is something 00:28:59.320 --> 00:29:00.640 which as the church 00:29:00.640 --> 00:29:01.700 we need to affirm. 00:29:01.820 --> 00:29:02.960 There is difference. 00:29:02.960 --> 00:29:03.019 difference. 00:29:04.019 --> 00:29:04.920 But that difference 00:29:04.920 --> 00:29:05.600 does not mean 00:29:05.600 --> 00:29:06.920 disharmony and disunity. 00:29:06.920 --> 00:29:08.160 As we move forward 00:29:08.160 --> 00:29:08.759 in unity, 00:29:09.120 --> 00:29:10.180 an onlooking world 00:29:10.180 --> 00:29:11.880 cannot help but asking, 00:29:12.380 --> 00:29:13.460 why do you guys 00:29:13.460 --> 00:29:15.400 love each other so much 00:29:15.400 --> 00:29:16.660 and why do you love 00:29:16.660 --> 00:29:18.019 each other in this way? 00:29:19.279 --> 00:29:21.000 We look out at our society 00:29:21.000 --> 00:29:21.759 and it just seems 00:29:21.759 --> 00:29:22.779 not to make sense. 00:29:23.240 --> 00:29:24.019 But you guys 00:29:24.019 --> 00:29:25.140 seem to get this 00:29:25.140 --> 00:29:26.160 and you seek 00:29:26.160 --> 00:29:27.340 to move forward together 00:29:27.340 --> 00:29:28.600 and seek to love 00:29:28.600 --> 00:29:29.240 each other. 00:29:29.240 --> 00:29:32.440 Is that not the door 00:29:32.440 --> 00:29:33.140 that we are waiting 00:29:33.140 --> 00:29:34.120 to see opened up? 00:29:34.440 --> 00:29:35.000 Somebody saying, 00:29:35.140 --> 00:29:36.359 why is it that you do this? 00:29:37.819 --> 00:29:38.160 I mean, 00:29:38.240 --> 00:29:39.940 that's like gospel goals, 00:29:40.039 --> 00:29:40.539 isn't it? 00:29:41.339 --> 00:29:42.400 Why do you do this? 00:29:42.480 --> 00:29:42.620 Well, 00:29:42.680 --> 00:29:43.680 there's a guy called Jesus, 00:29:43.880 --> 00:29:44.400 by the way, 00:29:44.559 --> 00:29:47.120 and he changes everything. 00:29:49.259 --> 00:29:50.019 Can I tell you 00:29:50.019 --> 00:29:50.880 a little bit about him? 00:29:50.880 --> 00:29:51.099 Can I tell you 00:29:51.099 --> 00:29:52.980 a little bit about him? 00:29:52.980 --> 00:29:55.400 The church is a 00:29:55.400 --> 00:29:56.579 supernatural community 00:29:56.579 --> 00:29:57.319 drawing together 00:29:57.319 --> 00:29:58.360 a disparate group 00:29:58.360 --> 00:29:59.460 to reflect, 00:29:59.640 --> 00:30:00.200 to display, 00:30:00.380 --> 00:30:01.019 and announce 00:30:01.019 --> 00:30:01.980 the kingdom 00:30:01.980 --> 00:30:03.160 which is to come. 00:30:04.120 --> 00:30:05.160 This was the pattern 00:30:05.160 --> 00:30:05.960 of the early church. 00:30:06.059 --> 00:30:06.640 This was the way 00:30:06.640 --> 00:30:07.360 that things worked. 00:30:07.440 --> 00:30:07.980 This is why 00:30:07.980 --> 00:30:09.019 they penetrated 00:30:09.019 --> 00:30:09.740 and permeated 00:30:09.740 --> 00:30:11.160 so many different aspects 00:30:11.160 --> 00:30:12.500 of the Roman world 00:30:12.500 --> 00:30:13.680 because when disease 00:30:13.680 --> 00:30:14.279 broke out, 00:30:14.519 --> 00:30:14.960 the believers 00:30:14.960 --> 00:30:16.539 didn't flee the cities 00:30:16.539 --> 00:30:17.680 where the disease was. 00:30:17.960 --> 00:30:18.140 No, 00:30:18.279 --> 00:30:19.259 some of them remained 00:30:19.259 --> 00:30:20.980 and they sought to serve 00:30:20.980 --> 00:30:22.019 and some of them died 00:30:22.019 --> 00:30:24.119 as a result of remaining to serve. 00:30:24.759 --> 00:30:26.519 When believers were persecuted, 00:30:26.859 --> 00:30:27.799 they didn't respond 00:30:27.799 --> 00:30:29.359 with warfare or revolution. 00:30:29.779 --> 00:30:30.720 They prayed for those 00:30:30.720 --> 00:30:31.859 who were nailing them down 00:30:31.859 --> 00:30:34.079 and they were praying 00:30:34.079 --> 00:30:35.180 for those who were signing 00:30:35.180 --> 00:30:36.799 the arrest and death warrants 00:30:36.799 --> 00:30:37.480 and they were praying 00:30:37.480 --> 00:30:38.160 for the person 00:30:38.160 --> 00:30:39.779 who was holding the sword 00:30:39.779 --> 00:30:41.379 above their head. 00:30:42.519 --> 00:30:43.200 And in the middle 00:30:43.200 --> 00:30:44.660 of Rome's empire, 00:30:44.859 --> 00:30:45.859 filled with all of the 00:30:45.859 --> 00:30:46.759 ethnic tensions 00:30:46.759 --> 00:30:47.660 that there were 00:30:47.660 --> 00:30:48.759 at that time, 00:30:48.839 --> 00:30:50.359 the church was the first place 00:30:50.359 --> 00:30:51.440 in the world 00:30:51.440 --> 00:30:52.860 where all of the 00:30:52.860 --> 00:30:54.059 common social markers 00:30:54.059 --> 00:30:55.360 which caused division 00:30:55.360 --> 00:30:57.320 were brought down. 00:30:59.160 --> 00:31:00.480 Because in Christ, 00:31:01.000 --> 00:31:02.380 there is one new humanity. 00:31:03.140 --> 00:31:03.700 In Christ, 00:31:03.799 --> 00:31:05.180 there is one people of God 00:31:05.180 --> 00:31:06.840 and in Christ alone, 00:31:07.480 --> 00:31:08.400 the mission of God 00:31:08.400 --> 00:31:09.440 will move forward 00:31:09.440 --> 00:31:11.340 to the praise of His glory 00:31:11.340 --> 00:31:12.660 and grace. 00:31:13.940 --> 00:31:14.559 You see, 00:31:14.620 --> 00:31:15.700 these are the sort of churches 00:31:15.700 --> 00:31:17.240 that the Lord Jesus 00:31:17.240 --> 00:31:18.799 desires to see. 00:31:19.559 --> 00:31:20.960 Churches which are united 00:31:20.960 --> 00:31:22.200 behind the gospel, 00:31:22.419 --> 00:31:23.599 seeking to spur each other 00:31:23.599 --> 00:31:24.859 on to love and to good works, 00:31:25.159 --> 00:31:26.779 to proclaim and display 00:31:26.779 --> 00:31:27.899 that gospel 00:31:27.899 --> 00:31:28.980 to the ends 00:31:28.980 --> 00:31:29.960 of the earth. 00:31:31.559 --> 00:31:32.779 And that is what Paul 00:31:32.779 --> 00:31:33.579 desires to see 00:31:33.579 --> 00:31:34.419 in the church in Rome. 00:31:35.139 --> 00:31:35.919 Because remember, 00:31:36.059 --> 00:31:36.859 what is it that Paul 00:31:36.859 --> 00:31:37.619 is saying to them? 00:31:38.240 --> 00:31:39.639 I'm writing these things, 00:31:40.220 --> 00:31:40.899 telling you about 00:31:40.899 --> 00:31:41.980 the obedience that comes 00:31:41.980 --> 00:31:43.599 by faith for the Gentiles. 00:31:43.659 --> 00:31:44.539 And the reason I'm saying 00:31:44.539 --> 00:31:45.539 these things is because 00:31:45.539 --> 00:31:46.799 there is still a section 00:31:46.799 --> 00:31:47.599 of the Gentiles 00:31:47.599 --> 00:31:49.159 in the Roman world 00:31:49.159 --> 00:31:50.899 which is yet to be reached. 00:31:52.359 --> 00:31:53.379 Are you united 00:31:53.379 --> 00:31:54.419 behind the gospel? 00:31:54.980 --> 00:31:56.059 And in your unity 00:31:56.059 --> 00:31:56.980 behind the gospel, 00:31:57.419 --> 00:31:58.599 send me to Spain 00:31:58.599 --> 00:32:00.940 so that when I come to you 00:32:00.940 --> 00:32:02.159 and we have fellowship together 00:32:02.159 --> 00:32:03.500 and I encourage you 00:32:03.500 --> 00:32:04.139 with the gospel, 00:32:04.440 --> 00:32:05.440 you see, you hear, 00:32:05.500 --> 00:32:05.960 and you say, 00:32:06.259 --> 00:32:07.899 Paul, we will send you 00:32:07.899 --> 00:32:09.960 to the last place 00:32:09.960 --> 00:32:10.720 on earth 00:32:10.720 --> 00:32:12.279 where there has not been 00:32:12.279 --> 00:32:13.159 someone to speak 00:32:13.159 --> 00:32:13.680 about Jesus. 00:32:13.680 --> 00:32:19.240 Paul is passionate 00:32:19.240 --> 00:32:19.940 to get to Spain 00:32:19.940 --> 00:32:20.940 because Paul is passionate 00:32:20.940 --> 00:32:22.500 about the God of glory 00:32:22.500 --> 00:32:24.220 who has come in Jesus Christ 00:32:24.220 --> 00:32:25.900 to display grace upon grace. 00:32:27.440 --> 00:32:28.980 The one who has loved him 00:32:28.980 --> 00:32:30.480 and who has given himself 00:32:30.480 --> 00:32:31.940 for him. 00:32:33.660 --> 00:32:34.180 Friends, 00:32:34.279 --> 00:32:35.940 we are supernatural communities. 00:32:37.539 --> 00:32:38.420 Our communities 00:32:38.420 --> 00:32:39.779 are transnational communities. 00:32:41.120 --> 00:32:41.820 Our ministry 00:32:41.819 --> 00:32:42.599 is to be marked 00:32:42.599 --> 00:32:44.439 with a pioneering spirit 00:32:44.439 --> 00:32:45.559 that we want to see 00:32:45.559 --> 00:32:46.200 the gospel 00:32:46.200 --> 00:32:47.500 dig down into 00:32:47.500 --> 00:32:48.919 every aspect of life 00:32:48.919 --> 00:32:49.679 because Christ 00:32:49.679 --> 00:32:50.720 deserves the glory 00:32:50.720 --> 00:32:51.240 and the honor 00:32:51.240 --> 00:32:51.839 and the praise. 00:32:52.779 --> 00:32:53.819 We want to make sure 00:32:53.819 --> 00:32:54.559 that we are rooted 00:32:54.559 --> 00:32:55.859 even in our zeal 00:32:55.859 --> 00:32:56.539 so that we are not 00:32:56.539 --> 00:32:57.200 just going off 00:32:57.200 --> 00:32:58.740 and doing our own thing. 00:32:59.460 --> 00:33:00.519 And we want to be people 00:33:00.519 --> 00:33:01.339 who are united 00:33:01.339 --> 00:33:02.779 in our diversity. 00:33:04.679 --> 00:33:05.379 Christ delights 00:33:05.379 --> 00:33:06.339 to see his people 00:33:06.339 --> 00:33:08.039 diverse and disparate 00:33:08.039 --> 00:33:08.599 as they are, 00:33:09.319 --> 00:33:10.019 broken sinners 00:33:10.019 --> 00:33:10.799 from all corners 00:33:10.799 --> 00:33:11.339 of the earth 00:33:11.339 --> 00:33:13.240 coming before him, 00:33:13.960 --> 00:33:14.720 praising his name 00:33:14.720 --> 00:33:16.960 because he has brought them 00:33:16.960 --> 00:33:18.339 to unity with himself.