WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.480 Okay, so today's reading, as you can see, is taken from Romans chapter 1 verses 1 to 7. 00:00:09.439 --> 00:00:15.040 ! Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God. 00:00:15.919 --> 00:00:22.480 The gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures regarding his son, 00:00:22.480 --> 00:00:32.280 who, as to his earthly life, was a descendant of David, and who, through the Spirit of the Holiness, was appointed the Son of God in power. 00:00:33.060 --> 00:00:46.299 By his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through him we will receive grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles the obedience that comes from faith for his name's sake. 00:00:46.920 --> 00:00:51.960 And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. 00:00:52.479 --> 00:01:03.099 To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people, grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:01:04.239 --> 00:01:12.500 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. 00:01:12.500 --> 00:01:19.980 God, whom I serve in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness. 00:01:20.439 --> 00:01:24.239 How constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times. 00:01:24.680 --> 00:01:30.299 I pray that now, at last, by God's will, the way may be opened for me to come to you. 00:01:30.299 --> 00:01:37.640 I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong. 00:01:38.679 --> 00:01:44.000 This is that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith. 00:01:44.399 --> 00:01:54.420 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to come to you, but have never been prevented from doing so until now. 00:01:54.420 --> 00:02:03.859 In order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles. 00:02:05.240 --> 00:02:11.379 I am a debtor both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. 00:02:11.379 --> 00:02:17.199 This is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome. 00:02:17.799 --> 00:02:25.199 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes. 00:02:26.219 --> 00:02:28.699 First to the Jew, then to the Gentile. 00:02:29.519 --> 00:02:32.419 For in the gospel, the righteousness of God is revealed. 00:02:33.280 --> 00:02:39.419 A righteousness that is by faith, from first to last, just as it is written. 00:02:39.419 --> 00:02:41.859 The righteous will live by faith. 00:02:42.339 --> 00:02:43.819 This is the word of the Lord. 00:02:47.359 --> 00:02:49.339 Thank you for reading for us, Marochi. 00:02:49.739 --> 00:02:51.060 Do keep the passage open. 00:02:51.259 --> 00:02:54.939 I'm going to pray, ask for the Lord's help as we come and look at his word together. 00:02:55.019 --> 00:02:55.359 Let's pray. 00:02:58.899 --> 00:03:04.439 Heavenly Father, we confess that we are very easily distracted. 00:03:04.439 --> 00:03:11.359 It is the thing that we need most, we often find the hardest. 00:03:12.460 --> 00:03:13.800 We want to hear your voice. 00:03:14.460 --> 00:03:15.539 We want to listen. 00:03:16.520 --> 00:03:18.780 We want you to speak to us through your word. 00:03:19.539 --> 00:03:25.680 Please help us, all of us, me included, as we look together to listen to what it is that you're saying to us from your word. 00:03:25.680 --> 00:03:28.360 Help us to understand it truly, rightly. 00:03:29.460 --> 00:03:36.300 Help us not to leave here unchanged by your spirit, through your word, as we ask in Jesus' name. 00:03:37.140 --> 00:03:37.500 Amen. 00:03:37.500 --> 00:03:52.639 I wonder if perhaps on a week like this, the best and easiest way to introduce the book of Romans is to start by the fact that we all agree that this world is a broken world. 00:03:52.639 --> 00:04:00.839 You ask anybody here, you ask anybody that you meet on your street or in your work, is this world broken? 00:04:01.599 --> 00:04:07.139 And they would say to you, well, if they're over the age of about 10, they'll say, yes, definitely. 00:04:08.079 --> 00:04:09.519 Especially at the moment. 00:04:10.259 --> 00:04:21.860 War, political violence, domestic abuse, racism, knife crime, immorality, overwhelmed public services, the rise of nationalism. 00:04:21.860 --> 00:04:25.199 You name it, but you can't hide from it, can you? 00:04:26.120 --> 00:04:32.879 This world is not what it could be and not what all of us instinctively feel like the world should be. 00:04:33.400 --> 00:04:35.139 So we acknowledge the world is broken. 00:04:36.100 --> 00:04:45.620 Now, as we go through this letter in the weeks and months to come, we're going to hear Paul articulate the reasons why he believes the world is broken and in what manner it is broken in. 00:04:45.699 --> 00:04:49.400 We're going to see some of those things in weeks to come, a lot of them next week. 00:04:49.399 --> 00:04:57.599 But this morning, just as we look at these opening 17 verses of the letter, which essentially are Paul's introduction to what he's writing here, 00:04:57.959 --> 00:05:04.359 I want you to see that Paul's letter is all about, as we were looking with the kids, salvation or rescue. 00:05:05.399 --> 00:05:12.079 So yes, says Paul, the world is in a mess, but there is salvation, says Paul. 00:05:12.079 --> 00:05:14.120 Look down at verse 16. 00:05:14.839 --> 00:05:15.300 Paul writes, 00:05:15.419 --> 00:05:22.240 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation. 00:05:23.399 --> 00:05:29.620 In other words, while Paul's letter will be about a lot of things, we've got lots of great treasures to see in the letter to the Romans. 00:05:29.959 --> 00:05:33.139 There's going to be much for us here, much to discover. 00:05:33.139 --> 00:05:39.240 It is, though, at its heart about salvation, rescue, deliverance. 00:05:39.759 --> 00:05:51.180 And this rescue, deliverance, salvation, we will discover, is found not in human efforts or in religious experience or in some kind of emotional renewal. 00:05:51.439 --> 00:05:55.039 Rather, salvation, we are told, is found in a message. 00:05:55.039 --> 00:05:56.500 Look again at verse 16. 00:05:56.979 --> 00:06:02.680 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation. 00:06:03.139 --> 00:06:09.240 The word gospel there literally just means good news or maybe important news or big news. 00:06:09.860 --> 00:06:17.639 Salvation that everyone is looking for everywhere is, says Paul, found in the news about Jesus Christ. 00:06:18.339 --> 00:06:19.199 Big news. 00:06:21.120 --> 00:06:21.779 Think about it. 00:06:21.800 --> 00:06:22.659 Imagine it like this. 00:06:23.300 --> 00:06:29.659 Imagine for a moment that you have been struggling with your maths homework for hours and hours and hours. 00:06:29.660 --> 00:06:33.400 There is seemingly no solution to the problem. 00:06:33.540 --> 00:06:35.160 It's an equation that needs resolving. 00:06:35.300 --> 00:06:36.020 It makes no sense. 00:06:36.080 --> 00:06:37.260 It doesn't matter what you try. 00:06:37.680 --> 00:06:39.980 It doesn't matter how hard you stare at the page. 00:06:40.520 --> 00:06:41.420 Nothing is working. 00:06:41.920 --> 00:06:43.100 Nothing seems to happen. 00:06:44.300 --> 00:06:48.120 Been trying for ages, applying all the methods that you know. 00:06:48.120 --> 00:06:51.680 But then someone else comes in. 00:06:51.759 --> 00:06:54.399 Your friend comes around and they look at the maths problem. 00:06:54.480 --> 00:06:55.300 They say, no, no, no, no, no. 00:06:55.399 --> 00:06:56.840 You've been looking at it all the wrong way. 00:06:56.939 --> 00:06:57.920 This is how you do it. 00:06:58.199 --> 00:07:00.540 And they get a pen out and they solve it. 00:07:01.340 --> 00:07:03.860 In a sense, this is the letter to the Romans. 00:07:04.699 --> 00:07:06.519 You all know that you're looking at a problem. 00:07:07.040 --> 00:07:08.439 The problem is the broken world. 00:07:08.920 --> 00:07:09.819 And Paul says, no, no, no. 00:07:09.860 --> 00:07:11.959 You've been looking at the problem in all the wrong ways. 00:07:12.459 --> 00:07:14.839 You don't solve this in your own efforts. 00:07:15.539 --> 00:07:19.159 You need the salvation that belongs to God and the message of the gospel. 00:07:20.000 --> 00:07:21.079 That's what's going on here. 00:07:21.719 --> 00:07:26.099 All of our efforts, our spiritual awakenings, our politics, our public services, 00:07:26.240 --> 00:07:28.319 our plans for moral improvement are going to be better. 00:07:29.019 --> 00:07:31.079 Our online rage, none of it works. 00:07:31.500 --> 00:07:33.399 Salvation, says Paul, comes in a message. 00:07:33.879 --> 00:07:35.179 And it's good news. 00:07:35.779 --> 00:07:38.179 It's why if you look at the passage, look down at verse 1. 00:07:38.180 --> 00:07:42.000 Paul introduces himself as an apostle, literally a sent one. 00:07:42.400 --> 00:07:44.300 He is set apart for the gospel of God. 00:07:44.620 --> 00:07:45.439 He's a messenger. 00:07:45.980 --> 00:07:48.220 I'm sent to tell of this message of salvation. 00:07:48.800 --> 00:07:51.960 In verse 9 and verse 15, he calls himself a preacher. 00:07:52.759 --> 00:07:55.340 I am the speaker of the message of salvation. 00:07:56.000 --> 00:07:59.500 Salvation is found in a message, says Paul, and I'm speaking it. 00:07:59.500 --> 00:08:09.560 In 1545, the great reformer Martin Luther wrote an introduction to the letter of Paul to the Romans. 00:08:10.459 --> 00:08:13.040 And in his opening sentence, he says this. 00:08:13.100 --> 00:08:13.759 Let me read it to you. 00:08:14.060 --> 00:08:17.899 This letter is truly the most important piece in the New Testament. 00:08:18.439 --> 00:08:19.879 It is purest gospel. 00:08:20.639 --> 00:08:24.899 It is well worth a Christian's while not only to memorize it word for word, 00:08:24.899 --> 00:08:30.359 but also to occupy himself with it daily as though it were the daily bread of the soul. 00:08:31.719 --> 00:08:33.379 Now, I think Martin Luther is probably right. 00:08:34.120 --> 00:08:38.679 And that means that I need to moderate your expectations, both of the sermon this morning, 00:08:38.740 --> 00:08:40.459 but also of this series in the book of Romans. 00:08:41.199 --> 00:08:47.120 Romans is a letter that you need to be delving into day by day and week by week. 00:08:47.519 --> 00:08:50.360 What I'm going to do really is going to introduce it to you, 00:08:50.379 --> 00:08:53.199 and you're going to need to go away and do some of that hard work yourself. 00:08:53.200 --> 00:08:59.080 It's why over these weeks, our community groups are also going to be looking at the letter of Romans, 00:08:59.140 --> 00:09:01.060 and they're going to be following up these sermons with questions. 00:09:01.160 --> 00:09:05.540 So if you're not in a community group, this is a good plug for joining a community group 00:09:05.540 --> 00:09:08.300 so you can discuss in the week the letter to the Romans. 00:09:09.500 --> 00:09:15.820 So let me give you four things, four, I guess, aspects of this message of salvation 00:09:15.820 --> 00:09:18.740 that we see from Romans 1. 00:09:19.280 --> 00:09:21.980 And really, our focus is just going to be on verses 16 and 17. 00:09:21.980 --> 00:09:25.100 The first one is this, the message is powerful. 00:09:25.899 --> 00:09:27.360 Again, look down at verse 16. 00:09:27.460 --> 00:09:32.580 I'm not ashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God that brings salvation. 00:09:33.560 --> 00:09:36.740 Notice that the message is not about the power of God, 00:09:37.060 --> 00:09:38.920 that the power of God doesn't exist over here, 00:09:38.960 --> 00:09:41.779 and the message is describing the power of God which is over there. 00:09:42.180 --> 00:09:46.740 No, Paul senses it is the message itself which is the power of God to save. 00:09:46.740 --> 00:09:50.799 This is what makes it good news. 00:09:51.519 --> 00:09:55.560 Not only because the content is wonderful and brilliant, and we'll see that together in a moment, 00:09:55.980 --> 00:10:01.259 but because in preaching the news, Paul is unleashing the power of God. 00:10:02.299 --> 00:10:04.620 This is so foundational to the letter of the Romans. 00:10:04.740 --> 00:10:07.060 If you don't get this, the whole thing will make no sense to you at all. 00:10:07.059 --> 00:10:12.459 Paul's conviction is that he is preaching about Jesus Christ, 00:10:12.539 --> 00:10:17.119 the one who was promised in the past, crucified, risen, ascended, and returning. 00:10:17.439 --> 00:10:22.879 And it is the preaching of that news about that person that changes lives, 00:10:23.359 --> 00:10:30.039 rescues, saves, transforms individuals, builds churches, sustains Christians, 00:10:30.739 --> 00:10:34.879 gives sinners like us a place in God's eternal glorious kingdom. 00:10:34.879 --> 00:10:38.759 That conviction then, it makes sense, doesn't it, of these opening verses. 00:10:39.200 --> 00:10:41.600 Paul has this real strong desire to go to Rome. 00:10:42.419 --> 00:10:45.279 His desire is to preach, to impart some spiritual gift, 00:10:45.519 --> 00:10:48.179 to fulfill what he calls his obligation or his debt. 00:10:48.679 --> 00:10:50.500 It's not because he's got a career to build. 00:10:51.039 --> 00:10:54.279 Oh, you know, if I'm going to be a preacher, I've got to conquer Rome. 00:10:54.419 --> 00:10:55.720 Like, Rome is the place I've got to go. 00:10:56.379 --> 00:10:57.320 It's not that, is it? 00:10:57.600 --> 00:11:00.720 It's because the message is the power of God to save, 00:11:00.720 --> 00:11:03.860 and he wants to see that salvation spread all over the world, 00:11:03.860 --> 00:11:06.139 so I must go, I must preach. 00:11:07.860 --> 00:11:10.019 I think this is so easy to get confused about. 00:11:10.060 --> 00:11:12.300 I know I have been confused about this at times. 00:11:13.279 --> 00:11:16.159 Because if what Paul is saying here is true, 00:11:16.960 --> 00:11:20.480 then you and I need to understand that the sort of the power encounters 00:11:20.480 --> 00:11:22.460 that we long for with the living God 00:11:22.460 --> 00:11:25.840 are not first and foremost emotional experiences. 00:11:25.840 --> 00:11:30.360 I mean, we long for emotional experiences, don't we? 00:11:30.540 --> 00:11:32.500 And it will involve emotion. 00:11:33.139 --> 00:11:36.899 But an emotional experience itself does not mean that you've encountered the power of God. 00:11:37.120 --> 00:11:40.019 Rather, you know that you've encountered the power of God 00:11:40.019 --> 00:11:45.360 by listening to him as he speaks in the gospel, 00:11:46.120 --> 00:11:47.720 this great message of salvation. 00:11:49.000 --> 00:11:50.240 Let me try and put it another way. 00:11:50.240 --> 00:11:53.139 Because the power of God is in the message of the gospel, 00:11:53.299 --> 00:11:58.539 it means that that preaching or listening to God's spoken word, 00:11:58.620 --> 00:12:02.279 his word declared, is central to the Christian life. 00:12:03.340 --> 00:12:06.320 The gospel is not something that you first sort of dissect 00:12:06.320 --> 00:12:08.899 or analyze or sit around and discuss, 00:12:09.220 --> 00:12:11.299 or even something that you first feel. 00:12:11.700 --> 00:12:14.200 No, the gospel is something you first hear. 00:12:15.200 --> 00:12:16.080 That's the dynamic. 00:12:17.419 --> 00:12:19.419 Jump forward in your Bibles to Romans 10. 00:12:19.419 --> 00:12:20.539 You might want to turn there. 00:12:20.919 --> 00:12:23.719 I think sometimes turning to passages during the sermon 00:12:23.719 --> 00:12:25.219 helps you stay awake and concentrated. 00:12:25.360 --> 00:12:28.819 It is on the screen for all the people too lazy to turn to it. 00:12:28.919 --> 00:12:31.360 Romans chapter 10 and verse 12. 00:12:31.500 --> 00:12:32.719 This is what Paul says there. 00:12:33.299 --> 00:12:36.000 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile. 00:12:36.599 --> 00:12:41.059 The same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him. 00:12:41.699 --> 00:12:44.620 Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. 00:12:44.620 --> 00:12:50.000 How then can they call on the one they have not believed in? 00:12:50.519 --> 00:12:52.960 How can they believe in the one of whom they've not heard? 00:12:53.179 --> 00:12:55.779 And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 00:12:56.139 --> 00:12:58.419 And how can anyone preach unless they're sent? 00:12:58.759 --> 00:12:59.539 As it is written, 00:13:00.100 --> 00:13:03.100 how beautiful the feet are of those who bring good news. 00:13:03.679 --> 00:13:05.879 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. 00:13:05.980 --> 00:13:06.700 For Isaiah says, 00:13:06.820 --> 00:13:08.120 Lord, who has believed our message? 00:13:08.120 --> 00:13:14.340 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message. 00:13:15.120 --> 00:13:19.159 And the message is heard through the word of Christ. 00:13:20.860 --> 00:13:22.440 I remember a few years ago, 00:13:22.580 --> 00:13:26.279 a friend of mine telling me about her son going on cub camp 00:13:26.279 --> 00:13:27.480 for the very first time. 00:13:28.120 --> 00:13:31.560 It was the first time her boy had been away from home overnight. 00:13:32.419 --> 00:13:34.519 I mean, I think they probably stayed at relatives' houses, 00:13:34.519 --> 00:13:38.620 but this was the first time sort of on their own away from home. 00:13:39.480 --> 00:13:43.980 So she worked with the little boy to pack his bag really carefully. 00:13:44.120 --> 00:13:46.799 So they made sure that they put in everything that he would need, 00:13:46.899 --> 00:13:51.620 you know, like soap, towel, change of clothes, pants, that kind of thing. 00:13:52.019 --> 00:13:53.340 And they carefully packed the bag. 00:13:53.379 --> 00:13:55.819 And she dropped him off in an emotional drop off 00:13:55.819 --> 00:13:57.740 and returned to pick him up a few days later. 00:13:58.559 --> 00:14:00.319 When she returned to pick him up, 00:14:00.320 --> 00:14:02.180 there she met her son, 00:14:03.060 --> 00:14:04.320 slightly disheveled, 00:14:05.300 --> 00:14:06.200 smelling bad, 00:14:06.840 --> 00:14:09.460 standing in exactly the same clothes 00:14:09.460 --> 00:14:11.240 that she had dropped him off in, 00:14:11.800 --> 00:14:15.760 holding a perfectly packed bag with him, 00:14:15.960 --> 00:14:19.860 which had been completely unopened for three days. 00:14:20.720 --> 00:14:22.960 All of the things that he needed 00:14:22.960 --> 00:14:25.360 remained in the bag, 00:14:26.520 --> 00:14:26.920 sealed, 00:14:27.580 --> 00:14:28.820 just as his mother had left him. 00:14:28.820 --> 00:14:31.840 I want to suggest to you, 00:14:31.920 --> 00:14:33.780 that's how lots of people live their Christian life. 00:14:34.980 --> 00:14:37.820 Maybe you wonder why spiritually you feel like 00:14:37.820 --> 00:14:39.680 and smell like a nine-year-old boy 00:14:39.680 --> 00:14:41.180 who's been on a three-day camping trip 00:14:41.180 --> 00:14:42.820 in the same clothes day and night. 00:14:43.820 --> 00:14:45.360 It might be because 00:14:45.360 --> 00:14:48.280 God has given you everything that you need 00:14:48.280 --> 00:14:49.760 in his word 00:14:49.760 --> 00:14:52.680 and you've left it in a sealed bag. 00:14:53.580 --> 00:14:55.380 God has given us the power 00:14:55.380 --> 00:14:56.820 in the message of the gospel. 00:14:57.120 --> 00:14:58.560 It's here in our hands. 00:14:58.820 --> 00:15:01.440 But we choose to make something else 00:15:01.440 --> 00:15:03.400 the centre of our spirituality. 00:15:04.440 --> 00:15:06.940 Soundbites on Insta or Christian music 00:15:06.940 --> 00:15:09.460 or our own moral efforts or Christian friendships, 00:15:09.780 --> 00:15:10.860 all of which are good, 00:15:11.320 --> 00:15:13.780 but it is in the message of the gospel 00:15:13.780 --> 00:15:16.840 that the power of God to save is. 00:15:17.560 --> 00:15:18.980 And that message, 00:15:19.160 --> 00:15:20.260 because it's in the gospel, 00:15:20.379 --> 00:15:23.400 it demands preaching and listening to preaching. 00:15:23.399 --> 00:15:26.759 And so that must be at the centre of our Christian lives. 00:15:27.819 --> 00:15:28.740 The power is in the message. 00:15:28.860 --> 00:15:30.980 The message, secondly, is for everyone. 00:15:31.419 --> 00:15:32.620 Look again at verse 16. 00:15:33.059 --> 00:15:34.659 The message of the gospel brings salvation 00:15:34.659 --> 00:15:37.199 to everyone who believes. 00:15:38.319 --> 00:15:40.860 It's also the implication of the purpose of the letter itself. 00:15:40.959 --> 00:15:41.919 Look back at verse 5. 00:15:41.919 --> 00:15:44.799 Through him we receive grace and apostleship 00:15:44.799 --> 00:15:47.419 to call all the Gentiles to obedience 00:15:47.419 --> 00:15:50.439 that comes from faith for his namesake. 00:15:51.079 --> 00:15:53.799 And you also are among those Gentiles 00:15:53.799 --> 00:15:55.899 who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. 00:15:56.679 --> 00:15:58.439 The word translated Gentiles there 00:15:58.439 --> 00:16:00.360 is simply the Greek word for the nations. 00:16:00.939 --> 00:16:03.099 Ethne, from which we get ethnicity. 00:16:03.860 --> 00:16:07.139 And Paul's point is that he has been called by God 00:16:07.139 --> 00:16:09.700 to take this message to the nations 00:16:09.700 --> 00:16:12.000 that they might come to what really is 00:16:12.000 --> 00:16:13.940 the obedience of faith. 00:16:14.440 --> 00:16:16.259 I know I've been translations give the impression 00:16:16.259 --> 00:16:18.800 that it is obedience which comes from faith, 00:16:18.860 --> 00:16:20.940 as if those are two separate things. 00:16:21.019 --> 00:16:22.159 But it's not really that. 00:16:22.340 --> 00:16:24.220 It's more the sense is that obedience, 00:16:24.680 --> 00:16:26.620 which itself is faith. 00:16:27.560 --> 00:16:29.080 In other words, it is having faith, 00:16:29.180 --> 00:16:31.019 which is the obedient response to the gospel. 00:16:31.019 --> 00:16:33.460 And Paul has been called to go everywhere 00:16:33.460 --> 00:16:35.519 and tell everyone that through the power of God 00:16:35.519 --> 00:16:36.500 in the message of the gospel, 00:16:37.000 --> 00:16:39.419 God might call his people to himself, 00:16:39.960 --> 00:16:40.980 to faith in him. 00:16:42.340 --> 00:16:44.319 The purpose that Paul writes his letter 00:16:44.319 --> 00:16:45.980 kind of demonstrates this. 00:16:46.419 --> 00:16:47.860 You often, in New Testament letters, 00:16:47.939 --> 00:16:49.939 find the purpose of the letter at the end. 00:16:50.419 --> 00:16:51.299 And that's the same in Romans. 00:16:51.379 --> 00:16:52.840 In Romans 15, you find out 00:16:52.840 --> 00:16:54.159 why he's really writing the letter. 00:16:54.600 --> 00:16:56.220 You can turn to chapter 15 as well, 00:16:56.259 --> 00:16:56.720 if you'd like to. 00:16:56.799 --> 00:17:00.639 Turn over a few pages to Romans 15 and verse 23. 00:17:01.019 --> 00:17:03.139 Romans 15 and verse 23. 00:17:06.359 --> 00:17:07.599 Here, this is what Paul writes. 00:17:07.660 --> 00:17:07.859 He says, 00:17:07.920 --> 00:17:10.099 but now there is no more place for me 00:17:10.099 --> 00:17:11.339 to work in these regions 00:17:11.339 --> 00:17:14.240 since I've been longing for many years to visit you. 00:17:14.740 --> 00:17:16.980 I plan to do so when I go to Spain. 00:17:17.480 --> 00:17:19.240 I hope to see you while passing through 00:17:19.240 --> 00:17:21.420 and that you will assist me on my journey there 00:17:21.420 --> 00:17:24.900 after I've enjoyed your company for a while. 00:17:24.900 --> 00:17:29.620 Paul's plan is that he's going from Rome to Spain. 00:17:29.920 --> 00:17:32.300 That's where his preaching tour is taking him. 00:17:32.380 --> 00:17:35.200 He wants to go to places where they've never heard before. 00:17:35.759 --> 00:17:37.000 Spain is next on the list. 00:17:37.100 --> 00:17:38.240 He's done Turkey. 00:17:38.360 --> 00:17:39.100 He's done Greece. 00:17:39.460 --> 00:17:40.759 Now he needs to get to Spain 00:17:40.759 --> 00:17:43.340 and his jumping off point is Rome. 00:17:43.460 --> 00:17:46.060 And so he writes the letter to the church in Rome 00:17:46.060 --> 00:17:47.400 that they might send him on. 00:17:47.400 --> 00:17:52.000 Now that means for us too, doesn't it, this morning 00:17:52.000 --> 00:17:54.860 that there is no one this morning 00:17:54.860 --> 00:17:56.600 for whom this message is not relevant. 00:17:57.660 --> 00:17:58.980 It doesn't matter who you are. 00:17:59.060 --> 00:18:01.100 It doesn't matter whether you're young or old 00:18:01.100 --> 00:18:02.000 or black or white. 00:18:02.060 --> 00:18:04.180 It doesn't matter whether you're from a Christian family 00:18:04.180 --> 00:18:05.940 or this is the very first time 00:18:05.940 --> 00:18:07.460 you've ever sat in a church building. 00:18:08.300 --> 00:18:09.480 This message is for you. 00:18:10.340 --> 00:18:12.980 What I am saying is not irrelevant to anybody in the room. 00:18:13.400 --> 00:18:14.980 You and I, we must listen. 00:18:14.980 --> 00:18:18.500 I don't know why, 00:18:18.579 --> 00:18:20.559 but we're going to get back to a maths classroom. 00:18:20.819 --> 00:18:22.519 This is, Megan, I'm really sorry. 00:18:22.640 --> 00:18:23.839 This is not singling you out in any way. 00:18:23.960 --> 00:18:26.720 But I studied A-level maths 00:18:26.720 --> 00:18:28.519 and we had a girl in our class called Helen 00:18:28.519 --> 00:18:31.180 and she sat on the front row 00:18:31.180 --> 00:18:32.980 and every maths lesson, 00:18:33.079 --> 00:18:34.819 she would have an existential crisis. 00:18:35.799 --> 00:18:36.440 And she would say, 00:18:36.500 --> 00:18:38.220 what is the point of all of this? 00:18:38.339 --> 00:18:38.920 You know, like that. 00:18:39.380 --> 00:18:40.120 Very dramatic. 00:18:40.339 --> 00:18:41.360 I don't understand. 00:18:41.759 --> 00:18:43.620 Why does this matter anyway? 00:18:43.620 --> 00:18:44.240 She'd say. 00:18:44.980 --> 00:18:47.140 I'm bored. 00:18:47.860 --> 00:18:48.259 Boring. 00:18:48.960 --> 00:18:49.460 It's irrelevant. 00:18:49.599 --> 00:18:50.660 When am I going to use this? 00:18:50.839 --> 00:18:52.839 There's often tears, swearing, 00:18:53.420 --> 00:18:55.620 and a teacher desperately trying to calm her down. 00:18:56.759 --> 00:18:58.440 But the thing with Helen is 00:18:58.440 --> 00:18:59.740 she really did have a point. 00:19:00.480 --> 00:19:03.160 You know, I never used any of that maths ever again. 00:19:03.220 --> 00:19:04.400 And if you ask me to do it now, 00:19:04.440 --> 00:19:06.559 I can't as much as I try. 00:19:06.559 --> 00:19:09.500 But not the gospel. 00:19:10.759 --> 00:19:13.799 None of you can sit here like Helen sat in those maths lessons. 00:19:15.099 --> 00:19:16.740 Because this is relevant to you. 00:19:17.299 --> 00:19:18.299 Whoever you are, 00:19:18.839 --> 00:19:19.519 wherever you're from, 00:19:19.599 --> 00:19:20.460 whatever your background. 00:19:21.599 --> 00:19:22.279 You know, think about it. 00:19:22.359 --> 00:19:23.460 Do you live in a broken world? 00:19:23.539 --> 00:19:24.179 You do, don't you? 00:19:24.179 --> 00:19:24.619 I do. 00:19:24.779 --> 00:19:25.399 We all do. 00:19:26.700 --> 00:19:29.220 Do you know that the brokenness is not just out there in the world, 00:19:29.279 --> 00:19:30.859 but it's in here in our own hearts? 00:19:30.919 --> 00:19:31.599 You know that, don't you? 00:19:31.599 --> 00:19:32.219 I know that. 00:19:32.759 --> 00:19:33.599 It's true for me. 00:19:33.659 --> 00:19:34.259 It's true for you. 00:19:35.480 --> 00:19:37.939 Do you know, therefore, that you need salvation? 00:19:38.179 --> 00:19:39.059 You need rescue? 00:19:40.019 --> 00:19:40.959 You know that, don't you? 00:19:41.000 --> 00:19:41.599 I know it. 00:19:42.719 --> 00:19:46.139 Do you want to experience the power of God to rescue you? 00:19:46.539 --> 00:19:47.839 Oh, yes, please. 00:19:49.279 --> 00:19:50.899 Well, then this message is for you. 00:19:51.279 --> 00:19:54.879 Because this message is the power of God for everyone to hear. 00:19:56.439 --> 00:19:58.699 Thirdly, the message is about God's righteousness. 00:19:58.700 --> 00:20:01.720 If the powerful message is for everyone, 00:20:01.819 --> 00:20:02.880 it's a message that saves, 00:20:03.240 --> 00:20:06.660 what is it about the message itself that makes that happen? 00:20:07.519 --> 00:20:08.940 Well, look at verse 17. 00:20:10.140 --> 00:20:11.259 Verse 17 says, 00:20:11.779 --> 00:20:14.759 For in the gospel, the righteousness of God is revealed. 00:20:15.299 --> 00:20:17.580 Notice it starts with the word for or because. 00:20:18.319 --> 00:20:20.080 This is why the message saves. 00:20:20.440 --> 00:20:22.120 The message saves, says Paul, 00:20:22.620 --> 00:20:25.960 for in the gospel, the righteousness of God is revealed. 00:20:26.600 --> 00:20:27.819 This is why it saves. 00:20:27.819 --> 00:20:31.059 Because the message reveals the righteousness of God. 00:20:31.579 --> 00:20:33.299 Now, if you're thinking this morning, 00:20:33.359 --> 00:20:35.439 which I encourage you to do as you're listening to preaching, 00:20:35.799 --> 00:20:36.439 do think. 00:20:36.899 --> 00:20:38.399 But if you're thinking, you should be going, 00:20:38.799 --> 00:20:40.039 that's not that exciting. 00:20:40.899 --> 00:20:44.179 I mean, if the message simply shows that God is right, 00:20:44.259 --> 00:20:45.799 in the right, he is righteous, 00:20:46.220 --> 00:20:48.399 I think, well, I assumed that before I came in this morning. 00:20:49.200 --> 00:20:51.000 Everybody assumes that about God, don't they? 00:20:51.259 --> 00:20:53.559 God is the one who is in the right. 00:20:53.700 --> 00:20:54.460 He is righteous. 00:20:55.039 --> 00:20:56.200 How is that good news? 00:20:56.200 --> 00:20:57.460 How is that going to save me? 00:20:57.700 --> 00:21:00.779 In fact, that actually feels a little bit more like bad news, 00:21:00.840 --> 00:21:01.279 doesn't it? 00:21:01.900 --> 00:21:04.980 If I told you that the God of the universe is a God who is in the right, 00:21:05.059 --> 00:21:05.720 he's righteous, 00:21:06.200 --> 00:21:07.580 and you're going to face him one day, 00:21:08.140 --> 00:21:09.519 that doesn't sound like good news, does it? 00:21:10.500 --> 00:21:12.340 But Paul means more than that, doesn't he? 00:21:12.400 --> 00:21:15.059 He doesn't just mean to tell you that God is in the right, 00:21:15.120 --> 00:21:15.840 that God is righteous. 00:21:16.519 --> 00:21:18.080 You can see that by what comes next. 00:21:18.140 --> 00:21:18.900 Look at the verse again. 00:21:18.900 --> 00:21:21.780 For in the gospel, the righteousness of God is revealed. 00:21:22.040 --> 00:21:23.780 What is that righteousness, Paul? 00:21:24.340 --> 00:21:26.400 A righteousness that is by faith. 00:21:27.140 --> 00:21:27.840 Do you see it? 00:21:27.900 --> 00:21:30.040 Paul is explaining the righteousness of God, 00:21:30.140 --> 00:21:33.340 and he says that this righteousness of God that is revealed 00:21:33.340 --> 00:21:36.580 is also a righteousness that is by faith. 00:21:37.420 --> 00:21:39.780 In other words, the righteousness that he is talking about 00:21:39.780 --> 00:21:43.280 is not just a righteousness that belongs to God in him, 00:21:43.540 --> 00:21:47.800 but it is a righteousness that God is able to give away to others by faith. 00:21:47.799 --> 00:21:51.039 We'll think more about faith in a moment. 00:21:51.799 --> 00:21:55.220 But this is why the message is powerful to save everyone who believes, 00:21:55.319 --> 00:22:00.299 because the gospel is about how the good, true, righteous God 00:22:00.299 --> 00:22:03.559 can give his righteousness to others. 00:22:04.279 --> 00:22:06.059 The God who is judge of all the world, 00:22:06.139 --> 00:22:09.319 before whom all of us in this room will one day stand, 00:22:09.779 --> 00:22:13.579 that righteous God is able, ahead of that day we meet him, 00:22:13.659 --> 00:22:16.220 to give to you, to me, his righteousness. 00:22:16.220 --> 00:22:21.039 Maybe the language here is too theological or religious sounding 00:22:21.039 --> 00:22:22.559 for you to sort of see the impact of it, 00:22:22.600 --> 00:22:24.980 but let me change it a bit and try and help us see. 00:22:25.640 --> 00:22:30.720 The message of the gospel saves by transforming people 00:22:30.720 --> 00:22:36.400 to be holy and perfect and as unbroken as God is himself. 00:22:37.539 --> 00:22:38.720 I'll put it another way. 00:22:38.720 --> 00:22:40.960 It is possible, says Paul, 00:22:41.100 --> 00:22:44.779 simply through the listening to the message of the gospel, 00:22:45.720 --> 00:22:49.539 for God through that to do something in you 00:22:49.539 --> 00:22:52.500 that transforms you from being the broken sinner 00:22:52.500 --> 00:22:54.259 that you and I are by nature 00:22:54.259 --> 00:22:57.640 to being someone who is as righteous as God himself. 00:22:58.920 --> 00:23:00.319 It's perfect as him. 00:23:00.319 --> 00:23:04.119 I don't know whether you like the Shrek movies, 00:23:04.839 --> 00:23:08.779 but you know that part in Shrek, it's in Shrek 2, 00:23:08.939 --> 00:23:10.819 I was reliably informed this week, 00:23:11.179 --> 00:23:13.720 when they drink their happily ever after potion. 00:23:13.859 --> 00:23:14.419 Do you know the bit? 00:23:16.000 --> 00:23:17.679 And the donkey becomes a stallion, 00:23:17.799 --> 00:23:19.359 Shrek becomes a handsome man. 00:23:19.759 --> 00:23:21.399 The label on the potion reads this, 00:23:21.659 --> 00:23:23.460 happily ever after potion, 00:23:24.259 --> 00:23:27.299 maximum strength for you and your true love. 00:23:27.299 --> 00:23:31.200 If one of you drinks this, you both will be fine. 00:23:31.799 --> 00:23:35.159 Happiness, comfort and beauty divine. 00:23:36.139 --> 00:23:38.799 Warning, side effects may include burning, 00:23:39.019 --> 00:23:40.299 itching, oozing, weeping, 00:23:40.460 --> 00:23:41.839 not intended for heart patients 00:23:41.839 --> 00:23:43.299 or those with nervous disorders. 00:23:43.919 --> 00:23:46.619 Now, the illustration doesn't scan perfectly. 00:23:46.720 --> 00:23:47.779 I don't want to push it too hard, 00:23:48.099 --> 00:23:51.099 but notice that the drinking of the happily ever after potion 00:23:51.099 --> 00:23:52.819 gives beauty divine. 00:23:53.159 --> 00:23:55.039 It is the moment of drinking 00:23:55.039 --> 00:23:57.680 which gives you beauty divine. 00:23:58.200 --> 00:24:01.000 Taking what is ugly and making it beautiful. 00:24:01.940 --> 00:24:03.839 And spiritually, that's what Paul is saying, 00:24:03.940 --> 00:24:06.240 listening to the gospel message does. 00:24:06.720 --> 00:24:10.859 The message of the gospel is the righteous making power of God. 00:24:11.359 --> 00:24:14.779 It is how God can transform ugly sinners like us 00:24:14.779 --> 00:24:15.819 who have lived for ourselves 00:24:15.819 --> 00:24:17.619 in the brokenness of this selfish world 00:24:17.619 --> 00:24:19.599 and make us new. 00:24:19.960 --> 00:24:22.240 More than that, make us like him. 00:24:22.240 --> 00:24:24.539 Not by our works, not by our efforts, 00:24:24.640 --> 00:24:26.299 but by his power, 00:24:26.940 --> 00:24:29.440 defeating our sin and clothing us with his perfection. 00:24:30.720 --> 00:24:32.079 Now, if you look down at Romans 1, 00:24:32.140 --> 00:24:34.039 you'll notice that this gospel potion 00:24:34.039 --> 00:24:35.779 has been a long time in the making. 00:24:36.440 --> 00:24:38.460 Verse 2 tells you it was promised long ago 00:24:38.460 --> 00:24:39.359 by the Old Testament. 00:24:40.079 --> 00:24:42.620 This gospel message is a story of the whole Bible. 00:24:42.740 --> 00:24:44.180 It's been promised to in the Old Testament. 00:24:44.779 --> 00:24:47.200 Verse 3 tells you it's about the eternal son of God 00:24:47.200 --> 00:24:50.039 who is born in flesh as the descendant of King David. 00:24:50.039 --> 00:24:54.059 Verse 4 tells you that this man, Christ Jesus, dies, 00:24:54.460 --> 00:24:56.539 but is raised by the power of the Spirit 00:24:56.539 --> 00:24:59.500 and is enthroned as the Lord and King of his people. 00:25:00.339 --> 00:25:02.779 Verse 5 tells you that he is now calling people 00:25:02.779 --> 00:25:04.200 to come and belong to him. 00:25:05.639 --> 00:25:09.440 Now, the rest of the letter will explain 00:25:09.440 --> 00:25:11.000 the content of the gospel message. 00:25:11.700 --> 00:25:12.759 But here in verse 17, 00:25:12.879 --> 00:25:15.740 its powerful effect is on display for all to see. 00:25:15.740 --> 00:25:18.720 God is the righteous maker, 00:25:19.380 --> 00:25:23.339 making sinners righteous through the message of his son 00:25:23.339 --> 00:25:24.740 who died and rose. 00:25:25.700 --> 00:25:27.299 Just think about this for a moment. 00:25:28.099 --> 00:25:30.640 This is why content really matters in church. 00:25:31.140 --> 00:25:33.440 This is why preaching really matters in church. 00:25:33.519 --> 00:25:36.819 This is why listening in church really matters. 00:25:37.440 --> 00:25:40.839 Because this powerful news is so simple. 00:25:41.559 --> 00:25:43.220 You know, a child can understand it, 00:25:43.220 --> 00:25:46.319 but it takes the whole Bible to tell it 00:25:46.319 --> 00:25:47.700 it's that deep and complex. 00:25:48.559 --> 00:25:50.860 You will never get to a point in your Christian life 00:25:50.860 --> 00:25:52.920 where you don't need to hear this message anymore. 00:25:53.579 --> 00:25:55.319 You will never get to a point in your Christian life 00:25:55.319 --> 00:25:57.120 where you've plumbed all of its debts. 00:25:57.480 --> 00:25:59.779 It will take a lifetime for you to wrestle with it. 00:26:00.559 --> 00:26:03.200 This message is not just for an unbelieving world to hear, 00:26:03.279 --> 00:26:06.460 but it's for Christians to hear Sunday by Sunday by Sunday 00:26:06.460 --> 00:26:08.240 as they listen together. 00:26:08.240 --> 00:26:10.680 Because this message is about God's, 00:26:11.180 --> 00:26:12.000 his righteousness, 00:26:12.460 --> 00:26:15.200 and how that righteousness can be yours and mine 00:26:15.200 --> 00:26:17.000 through the work of his son. 00:26:18.019 --> 00:26:20.200 Finally then, the message needs to be believed. 00:26:20.660 --> 00:26:21.539 Let's end with this. 00:26:22.140 --> 00:26:24.140 If the gospel is the power to make us righteous, 00:26:24.299 --> 00:26:25.039 what do we do? 00:26:25.380 --> 00:26:26.000 What do we do? 00:26:26.380 --> 00:26:28.039 Look again at the end of verse 17. 00:26:28.039 --> 00:26:30.720 For in the gospel, 00:26:30.859 --> 00:26:32.500 the righteousness of God is revealed, 00:26:33.180 --> 00:26:36.059 a righteousness that is by faith from first to last. 00:26:36.599 --> 00:26:37.740 Just as it is written, 00:26:38.359 --> 00:26:41.180 the righteous will live by faith. 00:26:42.019 --> 00:26:43.319 This is it then, isn't it? 00:26:44.220 --> 00:26:47.240 We both need to hear the audible words 00:26:47.240 --> 00:26:48.460 of the message of the gospel, 00:26:49.420 --> 00:26:51.420 and we need to believe the message. 00:26:52.460 --> 00:26:54.039 Put our faith and our hope in it. 00:26:54.059 --> 00:26:54.980 That's how it works. 00:26:54.980 --> 00:26:57.220 The message is powerful to save 00:26:57.220 --> 00:27:00.160 because it makes people righteous by faith. 00:27:00.539 --> 00:27:02.640 You know, no hearing, no faith. 00:27:03.039 --> 00:27:03.660 Romans 10. 00:27:04.299 --> 00:27:05.940 You don't hear, you don't have faith. 00:27:06.500 --> 00:27:07.740 No faith, no righteousness. 00:27:08.460 --> 00:27:10.079 No righteousness, no salvation. 00:27:11.579 --> 00:27:13.819 I wonder if you've ever just thought about this before. 00:27:13.920 --> 00:27:14.740 Just think about it with me. 00:27:15.120 --> 00:27:16.440 You know, here you are, it's Sunday morning, 00:27:16.640 --> 00:27:17.700 and you're sat in church. 00:27:18.120 --> 00:27:19.599 You and I are listening together 00:27:19.599 --> 00:27:22.059 to a message that has the power to transform us 00:27:22.059 --> 00:27:23.420 from the inside out. 00:27:23.420 --> 00:27:26.560 A message that for centuries has taken men and women, 00:27:27.060 --> 00:27:27.980 boys and girls, 00:27:28.200 --> 00:27:29.900 from every nation in the world 00:27:29.900 --> 00:27:32.080 and made them into righteous saints, 00:27:32.840 --> 00:27:34.039 destined for glory. 00:27:34.720 --> 00:27:37.539 It's a message that's taken them safely through this life 00:27:37.539 --> 00:27:38.779 until their death, 00:27:39.279 --> 00:27:40.720 till they've been in God's presence, 00:27:41.200 --> 00:27:42.480 waiting for Christ's return. 00:27:43.240 --> 00:27:43.820 And this morning, 00:27:43.880 --> 00:27:46.279 all you have to do to receive the benefits of this message 00:27:46.279 --> 00:27:46.779 is believe, 00:27:47.019 --> 00:27:50.740 to stop trusting in your own salvation projects. 00:27:50.740 --> 00:27:52.200 Stop thinking, 00:27:52.319 --> 00:27:52.900 no, I'm okay. 00:27:53.700 --> 00:27:55.579 Stop painting over the cracks in your life 00:27:55.579 --> 00:27:56.859 and come to God and say, 00:27:56.920 --> 00:27:57.240 no, listen, 00:27:57.579 --> 00:27:58.779 I trust in you. 00:27:59.480 --> 00:28:00.859 I trust in your work, 00:28:00.920 --> 00:28:01.620 not my work. 00:28:01.740 --> 00:28:03.160 I trust in your righteousness, 00:28:03.420 --> 00:28:03.940 not mine. 00:28:05.259 --> 00:28:06.240 I mean, just tease this out. 00:28:06.279 --> 00:28:08.059 This is the uniqueness of the Christian gospel. 00:28:08.720 --> 00:28:08.799 Right? 00:28:09.200 --> 00:28:10.299 If you go to the mosque 00:28:10.299 --> 00:28:11.799 and you speak to the imam and say, 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:12.279 you know, listen, 00:28:12.700 --> 00:28:13.259 I've been thinking, 00:28:13.419 --> 00:28:14.619 how can Allah save me 00:28:14.619 --> 00:28:16.259 from the brokenness of this world 00:28:16.259 --> 00:28:18.460 and the sort of ugliness of my own heart? 00:28:18.539 --> 00:28:20.799 What can Allah do for me? 00:28:20.859 --> 00:28:22.099 How can he save me? 00:28:23.240 --> 00:28:24.819 He will tell you what to do. 00:28:25.680 --> 00:28:28.680 He will tell you to sincerely recite the shahada 00:28:28.680 --> 00:28:30.839 and live it out in your life. 00:28:31.460 --> 00:28:32.399 Then you won't be okay. 00:28:33.460 --> 00:28:35.759 And so you go away and do it, 00:28:36.319 --> 00:28:38.599 hoping that salvation somewhere along that line 00:28:38.599 --> 00:28:40.199 might come to you through what you've done. 00:28:41.199 --> 00:28:42.439 You know, go to a religious person, 00:28:42.519 --> 00:28:43.399 a religious Christian, 00:28:44.279 --> 00:28:44.719 and say, listen, 00:28:44.939 --> 00:28:46.000 how can I be saved? 00:28:46.019 --> 00:28:46.919 We live in a broken world. 00:28:46.959 --> 00:28:47.779 It's a terrible place. 00:28:48.159 --> 00:28:49.099 How can I be saved 00:28:49.099 --> 00:28:50.319 from the brokenness of this world 00:28:50.319 --> 00:28:52.039 and the ugliness of my own heart? 00:28:52.879 --> 00:28:54.119 They will tell you what to do. 00:28:54.679 --> 00:28:55.559 Clean up your life. 00:28:56.559 --> 00:28:57.439 Come to church. 00:28:58.399 --> 00:28:59.099 Read your Bible. 00:29:00.059 --> 00:29:00.719 Get baptized. 00:29:01.740 --> 00:29:02.480 And you go away 00:29:02.480 --> 00:29:03.819 and you do all those things. 00:29:04.599 --> 00:29:05.679 And salvation comes to you 00:29:05.679 --> 00:29:06.500 somewhere along the line 00:29:06.500 --> 00:29:07.699 where you've done those things enough. 00:29:08.599 --> 00:29:10.339 Or go to a secular agnostic 00:29:10.339 --> 00:29:11.079 and you say, listen, 00:29:11.399 --> 00:29:12.480 this world is broken. 00:29:13.359 --> 00:29:14.439 My heart is ugly. 00:29:14.539 --> 00:29:16.500 How can I be saved and rescued 00:29:16.500 --> 00:29:17.859 from the brokenness of this world 00:29:17.859 --> 00:29:19.139 and the ugliness of my life? 00:29:20.899 --> 00:29:21.959 And they will tell you what to do. 00:29:23.079 --> 00:29:23.879 Work harder. 00:29:25.199 --> 00:29:27.119 Be the best version of yourself. 00:29:27.819 --> 00:29:28.319 They'll tell you. 00:29:29.319 --> 00:29:30.500 Stop doubting yourself. 00:29:30.599 --> 00:29:31.619 Look in the mirror every morning 00:29:31.619 --> 00:29:32.299 and tell yourself 00:29:32.299 --> 00:29:33.500 that you believe in yourself. 00:29:34.379 --> 00:29:35.819 Take a bit of exercise as well. 00:29:35.819 --> 00:29:38.919 Go away and do it. 00:29:39.619 --> 00:29:40.899 And somewhere along the line, 00:29:40.980 --> 00:29:41.799 you might have done enough 00:29:41.799 --> 00:29:42.700 to save yourself. 00:29:44.099 --> 00:29:45.500 But in the Christian church, 00:29:45.539 --> 00:29:46.720 it's totally different, right? 00:29:47.279 --> 00:29:48.319 You come here this morning 00:29:48.319 --> 00:29:49.299 and you say, listen, 00:29:50.019 --> 00:29:51.559 how could we live in a broken world? 00:29:52.179 --> 00:29:53.299 It's terrible out there. 00:29:54.299 --> 00:29:55.339 How can I be saved 00:29:55.339 --> 00:29:56.519 from the brokenness of this world 00:29:56.519 --> 00:29:57.179 and the ugliness 00:29:57.179 --> 00:29:58.119 that I feel inside? 00:29:58.179 --> 00:29:58.659 I know. 00:29:59.659 --> 00:30:00.939 How can I be saved? 00:30:00.940 --> 00:30:03.580 And the gospel says to you, 00:30:03.680 --> 00:30:03.880 listen, 00:30:04.279 --> 00:30:06.700 I can do that for you right now. 00:30:07.559 --> 00:30:08.420 Right now. 00:30:10.620 --> 00:30:12.960 Hear this and believe. 00:30:13.620 --> 00:30:14.680 Hear about Christ. 00:30:15.240 --> 00:30:16.920 Hear about his death in your place. 00:30:17.279 --> 00:30:19.000 Hear about his resurrection to new life. 00:30:19.320 --> 00:30:20.320 Hear about how your sin 00:30:20.320 --> 00:30:21.680 can be transferred onto him 00:30:21.680 --> 00:30:22.480 and his righteousness 00:30:22.480 --> 00:30:24.019 can be transferred over to you. 00:30:24.420 --> 00:30:25.779 Hear how he is calling people 00:30:25.779 --> 00:30:27.140 from all over the world 00:30:27.140 --> 00:30:29.000 to belong to him 00:30:29.000 --> 00:30:29.940 and be part of his family. 00:30:29.940 --> 00:30:31.740 And put your faith in him. 00:30:32.460 --> 00:30:33.740 Stop trusting in yourself 00:30:33.740 --> 00:30:35.920 and put your faith in him 00:30:35.920 --> 00:30:36.980 and you will be saved. 00:30:37.240 --> 00:30:38.000 Right here. 00:30:38.779 --> 00:30:39.539 Right now. 00:30:40.100 --> 00:30:40.820 Not tomorrow 00:30:40.820 --> 00:30:43.299 when you start acting like a Christian. 00:30:43.700 --> 00:30:44.960 Not in a few months time 00:30:44.960 --> 00:30:46.360 when you've really proved yourself 00:30:46.360 --> 00:30:47.600 to be worthy of it. 00:30:48.320 --> 00:30:49.460 But right now. 00:30:51.019 --> 00:30:52.420 The old hymn writer put it like this. 00:30:52.500 --> 00:30:53.660 Oh, perfect redemption, 00:30:53.940 --> 00:30:55.039 the purchase of blood 00:30:55.039 --> 00:30:56.500 to every believer, 00:30:56.600 --> 00:30:57.500 the promise of God, 00:30:57.880 --> 00:30:59.059 the vilest offender 00:30:59.059 --> 00:31:00.559 who truly believes 00:31:00.559 --> 00:31:02.879 that moment 00:31:02.879 --> 00:31:04.720 from Jesus 00:31:04.720 --> 00:31:06.440 a pardon receives. 00:31:08.539 --> 00:31:09.579 We were thinking about this 00:31:09.579 --> 00:31:11.740 in my sermon read-through 00:31:11.740 --> 00:31:12.500 on Fridays 00:31:12.500 --> 00:31:14.139 where with a little group of people 00:31:14.139 --> 00:31:15.240 I read through 00:31:15.240 --> 00:31:16.139 what I've got so far 00:31:16.139 --> 00:31:16.700 for my sermon 00:31:16.700 --> 00:31:17.679 and we talk about it. 00:31:18.159 --> 00:31:19.119 And we're thinking about 00:31:19.119 --> 00:31:19.899 some of the objections 00:31:19.899 --> 00:31:20.659 that might come 00:31:20.659 --> 00:31:21.859 and one person said, 00:31:21.940 --> 00:31:22.059 listen, 00:31:22.200 --> 00:31:22.779 that just sounds, 00:31:22.940 --> 00:31:23.960 it just sounds too good 00:31:23.960 --> 00:31:25.039 to be true, doesn't it? 00:31:25.039 --> 00:31:26.599 All I have to do 00:31:26.599 --> 00:31:27.259 to be rescued 00:31:27.259 --> 00:31:28.119 from the brokenness 00:31:28.119 --> 00:31:28.579 of this world 00:31:28.579 --> 00:31:29.159 and the ugliness 00:31:29.159 --> 00:31:29.680 of my own heart, 00:31:29.700 --> 00:31:30.339 all I have to do 00:31:30.339 --> 00:31:30.839 is believe. 00:31:31.399 --> 00:31:32.139 Is that right? 00:31:32.619 --> 00:31:33.539 Is that too good 00:31:33.539 --> 00:31:34.139 to be true? 00:31:34.799 --> 00:31:35.559 Let me tell you, 00:31:35.619 --> 00:31:36.539 it is too good 00:31:36.539 --> 00:31:38.000 not to be true. 00:31:38.519 --> 00:31:39.659 Because if anybody else 00:31:39.659 --> 00:31:40.059 in this room 00:31:40.059 --> 00:31:41.299 was making up a message 00:31:41.299 --> 00:31:42.379 whereby you might be saved, 00:31:42.599 --> 00:31:43.399 I guarantee 00:31:43.399 --> 00:31:44.799 that every one of us 00:31:44.799 --> 00:31:45.279 would have written 00:31:45.279 --> 00:31:46.980 some duty for us in it. 00:31:47.920 --> 00:31:49.000 This is what you do. 00:31:49.799 --> 00:31:51.279 But this is profoundly humbling. 00:31:52.259 --> 00:31:53.019 You do nothing. 00:31:53.799 --> 00:31:55.099 All you bring is your sin 00:31:55.099 --> 00:31:57.559 and Jesus saves and rescues 00:31:57.559 --> 00:31:58.420 with his righteousness 00:31:58.420 --> 00:31:59.519 and all you do is believe. 00:31:59.880 --> 00:32:01.279 It's too good not to be true. 00:32:03.099 --> 00:32:04.259 Maybe though you've been 00:32:04.259 --> 00:32:05.740 a Christian for a long time 00:32:05.740 --> 00:32:07.460 and maybe as you hear 00:32:07.460 --> 00:32:08.019 this message, 00:32:08.200 --> 00:32:08.920 something is happening 00:32:08.920 --> 00:32:09.460 in your heart 00:32:09.460 --> 00:32:10.200 which is what happens 00:32:10.200 --> 00:32:11.140 in my heart as I hear it. 00:32:11.200 --> 00:32:11.740 It's like, yes, 00:32:12.200 --> 00:32:13.140 I want to believe 00:32:13.140 --> 00:32:14.259 all over again, Lord. 00:32:14.779 --> 00:32:15.519 I want to become 00:32:15.519 --> 00:32:16.339 a Christian again. 00:32:17.180 --> 00:32:18.880 Again, I reject my efforts 00:32:18.880 --> 00:32:20.020 and my own righteousness 00:32:20.020 --> 00:32:21.140 and I trust in you. 00:32:21.780 --> 00:32:22.400 And that's exactly 00:32:22.400 --> 00:32:23.340 how this works. 00:32:24.640 --> 00:32:26.080 That's salvation. 00:32:27.040 --> 00:32:28.220 Salvation is in a message, 00:32:28.300 --> 00:32:29.340 a message for everyone, 00:32:29.480 --> 00:32:30.460 a message with the power 00:32:30.460 --> 00:32:31.560 to make sinners perfect, 00:32:32.040 --> 00:32:33.560 a message which is about Jesus, 00:32:33.960 --> 00:32:34.800 a message that we need 00:32:34.800 --> 00:32:35.180 to believe. 00:32:36.580 --> 00:32:37.560 I hope as I finish 00:32:37.560 --> 00:32:38.240 you can just see, 00:32:38.340 --> 00:32:39.520 kind of why Paul starts 00:32:39.520 --> 00:32:40.820 his sentence in verse 16 00:32:40.820 --> 00:32:41.760 with I'm not ashamed. 00:32:44.440 --> 00:32:45.440 It's because the gospel 00:32:45.440 --> 00:32:46.300 is so good. 00:32:46.299 --> 00:32:49.019 I don't know if you've ever 00:32:49.019 --> 00:32:49.799 sold anything 00:32:49.799 --> 00:32:51.819 on like Vinted or eBay. 00:32:53.259 --> 00:32:54.700 I've sold a few cars 00:32:54.700 --> 00:32:55.079 on eBay. 00:32:56.159 --> 00:32:58.419 And I admit it now, 00:32:58.480 --> 00:32:59.659 but some of the cars 00:32:59.659 --> 00:33:00.299 that you sell, 00:33:00.720 --> 00:33:01.440 you were just hoping 00:33:01.440 --> 00:33:02.319 to get rid of them. 00:33:02.960 --> 00:33:03.579 You were hoping 00:33:03.579 --> 00:33:04.680 that they drive away 00:33:04.680 --> 00:33:05.379 far enough 00:33:05.379 --> 00:33:06.099 that they aren't able 00:33:06.099 --> 00:33:07.039 to bring it back to you 00:33:07.039 --> 00:33:08.099 and tell you 00:33:08.099 --> 00:33:09.139 what it was really like. 00:33:12.119 --> 00:33:13.000 But sometimes, 00:33:13.139 --> 00:33:13.319 you know, 00:33:13.379 --> 00:33:14.079 you've got something 00:33:14.079 --> 00:33:14.819 that's really, 00:33:14.939 --> 00:33:15.460 really brilliant. 00:33:16.579 --> 00:33:17.259 And you know 00:33:17.259 --> 00:33:18.000 you're selling it 00:33:18.000 --> 00:33:20.799 for like a knockdown price. 00:33:21.619 --> 00:33:23.240 This is a bargain. 00:33:24.639 --> 00:33:25.859 And so when you speak 00:33:25.859 --> 00:33:26.379 to the person 00:33:26.379 --> 00:33:26.879 who's buying it, 00:33:26.939 --> 00:33:28.220 you're like full of enthusiasm. 00:33:29.179 --> 00:33:30.699 This is brilliant. 00:33:31.379 --> 00:33:32.240 I have never had it. 00:33:32.240 --> 00:33:32.759 I don't even know 00:33:32.759 --> 00:33:33.539 why I'm selling it. 00:33:33.899 --> 00:33:34.659 I've never had a car 00:33:34.659 --> 00:33:35.379 like this before. 00:33:35.899 --> 00:33:37.079 And I'm not at this price. 00:33:38.159 --> 00:33:38.699 Now listen, 00:33:39.679 --> 00:33:42.179 the price is nothing to us. 00:33:42.600 --> 00:33:43.560 Everything to Jesus. 00:33:44.299 --> 00:33:45.480 It's come and believe. 00:33:46.140 --> 00:33:46.740 Trust in him 00:33:46.740 --> 00:33:47.840 and you will be saved. 00:33:49.060 --> 00:33:50.220 And Paul is not ashamed. 00:33:50.340 --> 00:33:51.160 Why is he not ashamed? 00:33:51.680 --> 00:33:53.940 Because there's nothing like this. 00:33:54.420 --> 00:33:55.759 This is the best news ever. 00:33:56.340 --> 00:33:57.519 Of course I'm not ashamed. 00:33:57.840 --> 00:33:58.759 There's nothing else 00:33:58.759 --> 00:34:01.140 that can come anywhere near this 00:34:01.140 --> 00:34:02.660 in terms of value. 00:34:03.720 --> 00:34:04.420 Hear and believe. 00:34:04.680 --> 00:34:05.759 Salvation from God. 00:34:06.560 --> 00:34:06.740 You know, 00:34:06.740 --> 00:34:08.519 shame on you religious teachers 00:34:08.519 --> 00:34:09.360 who are telling people 00:34:09.360 --> 00:34:10.400 to go away and do stuff. 00:34:10.559 --> 00:34:11.780 It's a shoddy product. 00:34:12.379 --> 00:34:14.159 It's like a broken down car 00:34:14.159 --> 00:34:14.940 that Steve sold 00:34:14.940 --> 00:34:15.679 and he's trying to get you 00:34:15.679 --> 00:34:16.539 down the road far enough 00:34:16.539 --> 00:34:17.599 so you won't come back to him. 00:34:17.819 --> 00:34:18.879 It's a shoddy product. 00:34:19.139 --> 00:34:20.039 You don't want that. 00:34:20.599 --> 00:34:21.599 You want this. 00:34:22.299 --> 00:34:23.339 The good news. 00:34:23.839 --> 00:34:24.899 And Paul has no need 00:34:24.899 --> 00:34:25.559 to be ashamed. 00:34:26.699 --> 00:34:27.199 So for you, 00:34:27.259 --> 00:34:28.139 if you're a Christian this morning, 00:34:28.219 --> 00:34:29.099 go and preach the gospel. 00:34:29.440 --> 00:34:30.699 Go and tell people about Jesus. 00:34:31.419 --> 00:34:32.440 Invite them to church. 00:34:32.619 --> 00:34:33.500 Tell all your friends. 00:34:33.919 --> 00:34:34.039 You know, 00:34:34.059 --> 00:34:35.059 put the sticker on your car, 00:34:35.119 --> 00:34:36.059 put the band around your wrist, 00:34:36.059 --> 00:34:37.319 put the flyer in your hand. 00:34:38.019 --> 00:34:39.780 You have nothing to be ashamed of 00:34:39.780 --> 00:34:41.100 because there is no news 00:34:41.100 --> 00:34:42.780 like this news in this world. 00:34:43.460 --> 00:34:44.519 Jesus saves 00:34:44.519 --> 00:34:46.620 through the power of the gospel. 00:34:47.420 --> 00:34:48.240 Let's pray 00:34:48.240 --> 00:34:49.980 as we close. 00:34:49.519 --> 00:34:49.960 Let's close. 00:34:49.960 --> 00:35:01.099 Oh, Heavenly Father, 00:35:01.659 --> 00:35:02.800 we thank you 00:35:02.800 --> 00:35:04.179 that in our broken world 00:35:04.179 --> 00:35:05.240 and into the ugly 00:35:05.240 --> 00:35:07.960 hearts that we have 00:35:07.960 --> 00:35:09.740 comes this powerful gospel 00:35:09.740 --> 00:35:11.659 of your righteousness 00:35:11.659 --> 00:35:13.300 gifted to us 00:35:13.300 --> 00:35:15.420 through your son's work 00:35:15.420 --> 00:35:16.220 on the cross 00:35:16.220 --> 00:35:18.099 by faith. 00:35:18.099 --> 00:35:19.960 how we pray 00:35:19.960 --> 00:35:21.619 that you might well up 00:35:21.619 --> 00:35:22.779 in each of our hearts 00:35:22.779 --> 00:35:23.860 that we might believe 00:35:23.860 --> 00:35:25.039 and trust in you. 00:35:25.980 --> 00:35:26.400 Oh, Lord, 00:35:26.440 --> 00:35:27.039 do that work 00:35:27.039 --> 00:35:28.239 for the sake of your glory, 00:35:28.339 --> 00:35:29.000 we ask. 00:35:29.559 --> 00:35:30.719 In Jesus' name. 00:35:31.480 --> 00:35:31.799 Amen. 00:35:32.360 --> 00:35:32.679 Amen. 00:35:32.900 --> 00:35:33.159 All right. 00:35:33.199 --> 00:35:34.380 As we draw to a close, 00:35:34.440 --> 00:35:35.440 I want to say thank you, 00:35:35.480 --> 00:35:35.759 Steve, 00:35:35.880 --> 00:35:37.819 for bringing us 00:35:37.819 --> 00:35:38.599 into the introduction 00:35:38.599 --> 00:35:39.659 of the book of Romans, 00:35:39.759 --> 00:35:42.179 which is a wonderful book, 00:35:42.179 --> 00:35:43.139 as Steve has said, 00:35:43.239 --> 00:35:45.019 but I would encourage you all. 00:35:45.179 --> 00:35:45.839 It would be nice 00:35:45.839 --> 00:35:47.259 to see you in the weeks to come 00:35:47.260 --> 00:35:49.100 because Romans really talks 00:35:49.100 --> 00:35:51.180 about everybody has sinned, 00:35:51.260 --> 00:35:52.000 nobody exempt. 00:35:52.200 --> 00:35:53.860 It talks about God's salvation 00:35:53.860 --> 00:35:55.360 for every single person. 00:35:55.940 --> 00:35:57.400 It talks about God's sovereignty. 00:35:58.140 --> 00:35:59.900 It talks about service 00:35:59.900 --> 00:36:01.480 and, yeah, 00:36:01.560 --> 00:36:02.580 God's sovereignty again. 00:36:02.720 --> 00:36:03.880 So it'd be wonderful 00:36:03.880 --> 00:36:04.680 to see you all 00:36:04.680 --> 00:36:05.520 in the weeks to come 00:36:05.520 --> 00:36:06.240 as we venture 00:36:06.240 --> 00:36:06.960 through this book. 00:36:07.040 --> 00:36:08.240 I'm sure we'll receive a lot. 00:36:08.900 --> 00:36:10.180 What really helped me, 00:36:10.280 --> 00:36:11.280 what Steve said as well, 00:36:11.280 --> 00:36:12.180 what we heard today 00:36:12.180 --> 00:36:14.160 was really interesting 00:36:14.160 --> 00:36:14.860 when he mentioned 00:36:14.860 --> 00:36:16.220 about a three-year-old boy 00:36:16.220 --> 00:36:17.240 or a three-year-old girl 00:36:17.240 --> 00:36:18.800 going on a camping trip 00:36:18.800 --> 00:36:20.599 and not opening their bag, 00:36:20.700 --> 00:36:20.900 you know, 00:36:20.960 --> 00:36:22.480 to see the things 00:36:22.480 --> 00:36:23.380 that their parents 00:36:23.380 --> 00:36:25.099 had actually packed for them. 00:36:25.160 --> 00:36:25.820 And, you know, 00:36:25.880 --> 00:36:26.880 if we look at that 00:36:26.880 --> 00:36:27.680 as a kind of metaphor 00:36:27.680 --> 00:36:29.059 for us not really looking 00:36:29.059 --> 00:36:30.780 into God's perfect words, 00:36:31.200 --> 00:36:31.440 you know, 00:36:31.519 --> 00:36:32.420 it hinders us 00:36:32.420 --> 00:36:33.400 to actually know 00:36:33.400 --> 00:36:35.059 the power of the gospel. 00:36:35.680 --> 00:36:36.940 So my prayer is that, 00:36:37.019 --> 00:36:37.220 you know, 00:36:37.240 --> 00:36:38.519 as well as we're here today 00:36:38.519 --> 00:36:40.160 and as well as we hear the gospel, 00:36:40.780 --> 00:36:42.019 the gospel will impact 00:36:42.019 --> 00:36:44.300 our hearts and our minds 00:36:44.300 --> 00:36:46.559 that we too will feel like Paul, 00:36:46.639 --> 00:36:48.059 that we are under obligation, 00:36:48.239 --> 00:36:49.960 knowing that many people 00:36:49.960 --> 00:36:51.300 for various reasons 00:36:51.300 --> 00:36:52.599 are not going to come church 00:36:52.599 --> 00:36:54.480 because of experience 00:36:54.480 --> 00:36:56.440 that has put a barrier 00:36:56.440 --> 00:36:57.340 up towards them 00:36:57.340 --> 00:36:58.119 to make them figure, 00:36:58.259 --> 00:36:59.519 I'm not going into the building. 00:36:59.780 --> 00:37:00.800 But likewise, 00:37:01.099 --> 00:37:02.519 as we proclaim the gospel 00:37:02.519 --> 00:37:03.940 to our loved ones, 00:37:04.480 --> 00:37:05.199 family members, 00:37:05.320 --> 00:37:05.940 our friends, 00:37:06.300 --> 00:37:07.559 and even as we've seen 00:37:07.559 --> 00:37:08.239 God's grace 00:37:08.239 --> 00:37:09.079 through many people 00:37:09.079 --> 00:37:10.099 bringing friends here, 00:37:10.420 --> 00:37:11.320 we've seen them come 00:37:11.320 --> 00:37:12.340 to know the Lord Jesus. 00:37:12.580 --> 00:37:14.420 So thanks again, Steve, 00:37:14.480 --> 00:37:15.340 and it's important again 00:37:15.340 --> 00:37:15.900 as a church 00:37:15.900 --> 00:37:17.180 that we don't just hear, 00:37:17.519 --> 00:37:18.280 but we listen 00:37:18.280 --> 00:37:19.420 and we take heed. 00:37:19.800 --> 00:37:20.680 So let me just pray 00:37:20.680 --> 00:37:22.720 and then we'll thank the Lord. 00:37:23.680 --> 00:37:24.320 Father God, 00:37:24.380 --> 00:37:25.480 we do thank you again 00:37:25.480 --> 00:37:26.200 for your word 00:37:26.200 --> 00:37:26.940 and introduction 00:37:26.940 --> 00:37:28.340 into the book of Romans. 00:37:28.559 --> 00:37:28.700 Lord, 00:37:28.780 --> 00:37:30.600 I pray that you would help 00:37:30.600 --> 00:37:31.760 each and every one of us 00:37:31.760 --> 00:37:33.940 not just to be hearers 00:37:33.940 --> 00:37:34.600 of your word, 00:37:34.720 --> 00:37:36.000 but help us to be doers, 00:37:36.100 --> 00:37:37.180 help us to understand 00:37:37.180 --> 00:37:37.840 the impact 00:37:37.840 --> 00:37:39.039 of what we've heard today, 00:37:39.160 --> 00:37:39.340 Lord. 00:37:39.720 --> 00:37:40.820 Help us too, Lord, 00:37:40.820 --> 00:37:42.019 as we come church 00:37:42.019 --> 00:37:43.820 and as we hear the gospel, 00:37:44.220 --> 00:37:45.400 help us to rejoice 00:37:45.400 --> 00:37:47.200 and know that we are not ashamed 00:37:47.200 --> 00:37:49.019 because we all have 00:37:49.019 --> 00:37:50.220 that personal experience 00:37:50.220 --> 00:37:51.080 of what you've done 00:37:51.080 --> 00:37:51.860 in our lives 00:37:51.860 --> 00:37:52.640 and in the lives 00:37:52.640 --> 00:37:53.740 of those around us. 00:37:54.180 --> 00:37:55.820 So as already been said, 00:37:55.920 --> 00:37:56.080 Lord, 00:37:56.140 --> 00:37:56.920 we do pray 00:37:56.920 --> 00:37:57.880 and desire 00:37:57.880 --> 00:37:59.420 that you would be glorified 00:37:59.420 --> 00:38:00.320 in all things, 00:38:00.380 --> 00:38:01.120 in our words, 00:38:01.539 --> 00:38:02.220 in our thoughts, 00:38:02.300 --> 00:38:02.980 and our deeds. 00:38:03.100 --> 00:38:04.019 So I pray that you bless 00:38:04.019 --> 00:38:04.920 your people throughout 00:38:04.920 --> 00:38:05.760 this week, Lord, 00:38:05.760 --> 00:38:07.200 and help us to live, 00:38:07.199 --> 00:38:08.019 to be a light 00:38:08.019 --> 00:38:09.579 wherever you lead us. 00:38:09.859 --> 00:38:10.859 In Jesus' name, 00:38:11.139 --> 00:38:11.399 Amen. 00:38:11.899 --> 00:38:12.359 Amen. 00:38:12.599 --> 00:38:12.819 Thank you.