WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.000 And we're going to read from Romans chapter 15 from verse 8. 00:00:07.900 --> 00:00:09.320 Well, let's read from verse 7. 00:00:09.419 --> 00:00:10.480 The NIV starts from there. 00:00:10.800 --> 00:00:16.699 We'll read from verse 7 of chapter 15 down to the end of the chapter. 00:00:17.140 --> 00:00:21.059 And then we're going to look at a bit of chapter 16 later tonight. 00:00:21.219 --> 00:00:24.240 So we're going to look at the first section of that bit in chapter 15 this morning. 00:00:24.240 --> 00:00:28.300 And then a second section of 15 into 16 tonight. 00:00:28.300 --> 00:00:32.380 And looking at this wonderful theme of grace to the world. 00:00:32.759 --> 00:00:36.760 So let's read and hear from God's word. 00:00:38.399 --> 00:00:44.780 Accept one another then just as Christ accepted you in order to bring praise to God. 00:00:45.679 --> 00:00:51.179 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God's truth. 00:00:51.179 --> 00:00:54.179 To confirm the promises made to the patriarchs. 00:00:54.179 --> 00:00:58.359 So that the Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy. 00:00:58.979 --> 00:01:03.079 As it is written, therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles. 00:01:03.299 --> 00:01:05.260 I will sing hymns to your name. 00:01:06.079 --> 00:01:09.739 Again it says, rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people. 00:01:10.460 --> 00:01:13.560 And again, praise the Lord, all you Gentiles. 00:01:13.719 --> 00:01:15.819 And sing praises to him, all you peoples. 00:01:15.819 --> 00:01:18.439 And again Isaiah says, 00:01:18.439 --> 00:01:21.059 The root of Jesse will spring up. 00:01:21.439 --> 00:01:23.839 One who will arise to rule over the nations. 00:01:24.559 --> 00:01:26.039 The Gentiles will hope in him. 00:01:27.119 --> 00:01:31.739 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him. 00:01:32.099 --> 00:01:36.399 So that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. 00:01:36.400 --> 00:01:42.760 I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness. 00:01:43.080 --> 00:01:46.060 Complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another. 00:01:46.820 --> 00:01:49.320 I have written to you quite boldly on some points. 00:01:49.520 --> 00:01:51.480 As if to remind you of them again. 00:01:51.680 --> 00:01:56.700 Because of the grace God gave me to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. 00:01:56.820 --> 00:01:59.740 With the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God. 00:01:59.739 --> 00:02:03.759 So that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God. 00:02:04.439 --> 00:02:06.459 Sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 00:02:07.899 --> 00:02:11.000 Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God. 00:02:11.659 --> 00:02:15.859 I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me. 00:02:16.060 --> 00:02:19.819 In leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done. 00:02:20.579 --> 00:02:22.539 By the power of signs and miracles. 00:02:22.959 --> 00:02:24.300 Through the power of the Spirit. 00:02:24.959 --> 00:02:28.459 So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum. 00:02:28.460 --> 00:02:32.280 I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ. 00:02:32.980 --> 00:02:38.360 It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known. 00:02:38.920 --> 00:02:42.219 So that I would not be building on someone else's foundation. 00:02:42.760 --> 00:02:44.040 Rather as it is written. 00:02:44.659 --> 00:02:47.280 Those who were not told about him will see. 00:02:47.939 --> 00:02:50.860 And those who have not heard will understand. 00:02:51.740 --> 00:02:54.879 This is why I have often been hindered from coming to you. 00:02:54.879 --> 00:02:58.560 But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions. 00:02:58.900 --> 00:03:01.500 And since I have been longing for many years to see you. 00:03:01.560 --> 00:03:03.879 I plan to do so when I go to Spain. 00:03:04.439 --> 00:03:06.859 I hope to visit you while passing through. 00:03:07.060 --> 00:03:09.599 And to have you assist me on my journey there. 00:03:10.060 --> 00:03:12.319 After I have enjoyed your company for a while. 00:03:13.479 --> 00:03:14.139 Now however. 00:03:14.400 --> 00:03:17.539 I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the saints there. 00:03:18.280 --> 00:03:19.879 For Macedonia and Achaia. 00:03:19.879 --> 00:03:24.099 Were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. 00:03:24.840 --> 00:03:26.039 They were pleased to do it. 00:03:26.099 --> 00:03:27.519 And indeed they owe it to them. 00:03:28.159 --> 00:03:31.479 For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews spiritual blessing. 00:03:31.740 --> 00:03:34.740 They owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings. 00:03:35.840 --> 00:03:38.259 So after I have completed this task. 00:03:38.300 --> 00:03:41.099 And have made sure that they have received this fruit. 00:03:41.300 --> 00:03:43.400 I will go to Spain and visit you on the way. 00:03:44.359 --> 00:03:45.900 I know that when I come to you. 00:03:45.900 --> 00:03:49.080 I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ. 00:03:49.780 --> 00:03:52.280 I urge you brothers by our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:03:52.439 --> 00:03:54.040 And by the love of the spirit. 00:03:54.180 --> 00:03:58.219 To join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. 00:03:59.020 --> 00:04:01.760 Pray that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea. 00:04:01.960 --> 00:04:05.480 And that my service in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints there. 00:04:05.879 --> 00:04:08.759 So that by God's will I may come to you with joy. 00:04:08.900 --> 00:04:10.379 And together with you be refreshed. 00:04:11.060 --> 00:04:13.480 The God of peace be with you all. 00:04:14.120 --> 00:04:14.500 Amen. 00:04:14.500 --> 00:04:22.420 As letters go it would be fair to say that this one is quite important. 00:04:22.660 --> 00:04:23.120 Isn't it? 00:04:23.600 --> 00:04:29.660 In the history of the world this letter is one of the most read that has ever existed. 00:04:30.920 --> 00:04:32.579 And although it's a wonderful letter. 00:04:32.699 --> 00:04:34.860 And we've probably heard many many sermons. 00:04:35.259 --> 00:04:35.800 Talks. 00:04:36.060 --> 00:04:37.660 Read books about this letter. 00:04:38.920 --> 00:04:43.019 Sometimes we can overlook the reason that this book was written. 00:04:43.019 --> 00:04:48.599 Sometimes we can overlook the reason that Paul writes to the church in Rome. 00:04:49.060 --> 00:04:51.859 Yes he's absolutely wanting to get across to them. 00:04:52.060 --> 00:04:54.120 What is the gospel of grace? 00:04:54.719 --> 00:04:58.579 What is it for us to be in a right relationship with God through Christ? 00:04:59.240 --> 00:05:03.699 But the big drive underneath all of this is for Paul to be saying. 00:05:03.699 --> 00:05:09.379 And this gospel cannot be contained to the small places that we've already been before. 00:05:09.800 --> 00:05:11.959 This gospel is grace for the world. 00:05:11.959 --> 00:05:15.079 And this gospel must go to the ends of the earth. 00:05:16.000 --> 00:05:17.079 And I'm going to Spain. 00:05:17.639 --> 00:05:18.859 And you're going to send me. 00:05:20.239 --> 00:05:23.120 And that's effectively what he says at the end of this section. 00:05:23.199 --> 00:05:24.979 So I should just sit down now and we should all go home. 00:05:25.019 --> 00:05:25.099 Yeah? 00:05:26.199 --> 00:05:29.859 That's what he's trying to help people to understand in the church in Rome. 00:05:29.860 --> 00:05:33.780 He's wanting them to get a grasp of the gospel of grace. 00:05:33.780 --> 00:05:37.319 But he's saying this gospel of grace is good news for the whole world. 00:05:37.319 --> 00:05:38.879 And it needs to go out. 00:05:40.560 --> 00:05:47.319 His desire is to see the believers in this church in Rome captivated by God's glory in Christ. 00:05:48.020 --> 00:05:52.120 And he wants them to be participants in this mission of God. 00:05:52.120 --> 00:06:03.319 He says that he wants them to be fully active in taking this gospel into every aspect of their lives in that city. 00:06:03.699 --> 00:06:07.600 And to see that gospel of grace flow out from them. 00:06:08.079 --> 00:06:13.780 So that there would be many more people who would come to know and understand Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. 00:06:14.740 --> 00:06:20.720 And what he's saying in this section, this first bit that we're going to look at from verse 8 to the middle of verse 9 this morning, 00:06:20.720 --> 00:06:28.200 is that the reason we can have great confidence in doing this is because God is fulfilling his promises. 00:06:28.780 --> 00:06:31.040 God has fulfilled his promises in Christ. 00:06:31.300 --> 00:06:35.060 And God is fulfilling his promises through his people to the world. 00:06:35.900 --> 00:06:40.080 So as we spend some time together today and come to receive the bread and wine, 00:06:40.700 --> 00:06:44.680 let's spend some time considering the grace of God for the world. 00:06:44.680 --> 00:06:50.900 And also rejoice in the reality that the promises of God have been fulfilled in Christ. 00:06:51.300 --> 00:06:59.060 And are in many ways still being fulfilled through his people taking that gospel to the ends of the earth. 00:07:00.860 --> 00:07:02.860 Two things I want to gather our thoughts under. 00:07:03.259 --> 00:07:06.819 First one is that there is the hope for all people, verses 8 through 13. 00:07:06.819 --> 00:07:11.639 And then there is the part one of the ministry of God's people. 00:07:11.959 --> 00:07:15.339 I deliberately did that so that you would get excited and come back later on tonight, didn't I? 00:07:16.959 --> 00:07:22.680 Not that that's the motivator, but verses 8 through 13, the hope for all people. 00:07:24.480 --> 00:07:28.000 Now it's not a new thing for Paul to have dealt with cross-cultural tension. 00:07:28.839 --> 00:07:31.399 Cross-cultural tension in the church had existed for decades, 00:07:31.399 --> 00:07:35.019 and it was very normal for Paul to experience this. 00:07:35.599 --> 00:07:41.620 Years, decades of ministry had taught him that old habits die hard. 00:07:42.759 --> 00:07:45.759 That's what he had learned from a long time in ministry. 00:07:46.599 --> 00:07:51.379 Reconciling centuries of segregation and separation was not easy. 00:07:52.019 --> 00:07:57.000 And it came to the forefront of Paul's ministry among the Gentiles so frequently. 00:07:57.739 --> 00:08:01.299 Effectively, that's what we see being worked out from chapter 14. 00:08:01.399 --> 00:08:03.539 Through to chapter 15. 00:08:04.620 --> 00:08:06.779 Don't think of yourself as more important than others. 00:08:07.779 --> 00:08:11.459 You are God's people and you are to be united around about this gospel. 00:08:12.620 --> 00:08:14.739 There are people who will find things more difficult. 00:08:15.179 --> 00:08:18.659 And therefore, as someone who is a believer, don't make them stumble. 00:08:21.359 --> 00:08:23.219 It's not something which has disappeared. 00:08:25.139 --> 00:08:30.560 Squabbling due to our ethnic or cultural preferences may not seem prevalent or important. 00:08:31.399 --> 00:08:32.480 But it really is. 00:08:33.000 --> 00:08:35.980 Because it tells us a lot about how we understand the gospel. 00:08:36.519 --> 00:08:39.259 Tells us a lot about how we understand God's grace. 00:08:40.819 --> 00:08:43.100 Where we elevate what we think should happen. 00:08:43.799 --> 00:08:45.860 Because this is what we have experienced. 00:08:46.679 --> 00:08:49.980 About people receiving the gospel and the grace of God. 00:08:50.840 --> 00:08:52.279 Something's just not quite right there. 00:08:52.279 --> 00:08:59.579 When this becomes the dominant theme of a local church or churches in a nation. 00:08:59.699 --> 00:09:02.539 It highlights that the big picture of God fulfilling his promises. 00:09:03.079 --> 00:09:04.639 Of sending Christ. 00:09:05.819 --> 00:09:08.360 So that the whole world would come under his lordship. 00:09:08.439 --> 00:09:10.000 And experience his grace and mercy. 00:09:10.339 --> 00:09:13.100 It kind of shows that that big picture of what God is doing. 00:09:13.919 --> 00:09:15.899 Has maybe just got a little bit distorted. 00:09:16.899 --> 00:09:18.379 Or potentially has been lost. 00:09:18.379 --> 00:09:21.840 Do you remember Dr. McCoy from Star Trek? 00:09:22.879 --> 00:09:23.820 It's life, Jim. 00:09:24.379 --> 00:09:25.279 But not as we know it. 00:09:27.120 --> 00:09:28.600 This was the people of God. 00:09:28.679 --> 00:09:29.639 But not as they knew it. 00:09:30.320 --> 00:09:32.779 They didn't quite know what was happening. 00:09:32.919 --> 00:09:35.220 There had been people coming from different backgrounds. 00:09:35.340 --> 00:09:36.399 Different social strata. 00:09:36.659 --> 00:09:37.539 Coming together. 00:09:38.620 --> 00:09:40.279 And it was strange. 00:09:40.740 --> 00:09:41.840 It was different. 00:09:43.159 --> 00:09:44.179 It got difficult. 00:09:44.179 --> 00:09:46.399 And as was the same then. 00:09:46.519 --> 00:09:47.699 We are all broken people. 00:09:48.259 --> 00:09:50.879 We are falling short of the glory of God. 00:09:52.239 --> 00:09:54.139 And what happens as a result of that. 00:09:54.259 --> 00:09:57.839 Is that we can begin to canonize our culture. 00:09:58.099 --> 00:10:00.620 We can begin to canonize our heritage. 00:10:00.959 --> 00:10:04.019 And we become unaware of our own cultural blind spots. 00:10:04.019 --> 00:10:08.139 So that the way we have understood how to express faith. 00:10:08.279 --> 00:10:10.679 Becomes the way it must happen. 00:10:14.179 --> 00:10:14.839 Pause for a moment. 00:10:16.039 --> 00:10:18.379 What are the things that you and I have become blind to? 00:10:19.539 --> 00:10:20.620 We all have it. 00:10:21.379 --> 00:10:22.539 We all do it. 00:10:24.439 --> 00:10:25.719 Just not aware of it. 00:10:26.819 --> 00:10:28.120 That's why it's a blind spot. 00:10:29.959 --> 00:10:31.779 Things that we hold so dearly. 00:10:33.959 --> 00:10:38.279 But aren't actually keys to understanding the orthodoxy of the gospel. 00:10:38.279 --> 00:10:45.879 You see living in secular Scotland provides us with great opportunities to announce the gospel of hope for all people. 00:10:46.079 --> 00:10:47.879 We don't throw out orthodoxy. 00:10:47.919 --> 00:10:49.879 We don't throw out what is true about the gospel. 00:10:50.419 --> 00:10:52.360 Gospel truths can never be conceded. 00:10:53.419 --> 00:10:56.120 We need to state that so clearly right at the very beginning. 00:10:57.120 --> 00:11:00.759 But we do need to come in humility to learn from God's word. 00:11:00.759 --> 00:11:07.299 That what it means to be a faithful follower of Christ in our secular age in Scotland today. 00:11:08.480 --> 00:11:11.480 Means that we need to be sensitive to the leading of God by a spirit. 00:11:11.639 --> 00:11:13.340 Into what is this going to look like? 00:11:14.279 --> 00:11:17.360 Do you know one of the greatest challenges is that none of us have got a clue what we're doing. 00:11:18.340 --> 00:11:18.740 Actually. 00:11:19.100 --> 00:11:20.819 We've never faced this before. 00:11:21.939 --> 00:11:23.519 A post-Christian age. 00:11:24.340 --> 00:11:27.000 It's something that we actually don't know what to do. 00:11:27.000 --> 00:11:31.259 And that can cause us to be very scared and fearful. 00:11:31.779 --> 00:11:33.419 And when we become scared and fearful. 00:11:33.899 --> 00:11:35.399 We grab on to what we know. 00:11:38.679 --> 00:11:41.139 Yet that means because of the secular age. 00:11:41.220 --> 00:11:42.539 There are great opportunities. 00:11:43.259 --> 00:11:44.299 Which exist. 00:11:44.519 --> 00:11:47.840 For us to share something about this amazing person called Jesus. 00:11:48.159 --> 00:11:49.980 That people may never have heard about before. 00:11:50.580 --> 00:11:53.299 Who have never encountered the real and risen Christ. 00:11:53.399 --> 00:11:54.919 Yeah they may have encountered religion. 00:11:54.919 --> 00:11:57.039 They may have encountered a church before. 00:11:57.120 --> 00:11:59.099 But they've never met with the risen Jesus. 00:12:01.519 --> 00:12:05.479 God is opening up opportunities for all people in this city. 00:12:05.919 --> 00:12:08.319 He is opening up opportunities throughout the nations. 00:12:08.319 --> 00:12:11.779 To hear this message of Jesus Christ. 00:12:12.839 --> 00:12:15.439 One of the questions we need to think about as we read this. 00:12:15.699 --> 00:12:19.319 Is how are we being sensitive to God's leading by his spirit. 00:12:19.519 --> 00:12:22.659 So that we are part of those who are seeing those opportunities created. 00:12:22.659 --> 00:12:25.120 And also proactive participants with God. 00:12:25.279 --> 00:12:29.259 In being involved in those opportunities that he is opening and presenting for us. 00:12:29.459 --> 00:12:30.519 As God's people. 00:12:32.039 --> 00:12:34.939 That's why Paul helps the believers in Rome to remember. 00:12:35.399 --> 00:12:37.419 That across their cultural barriers. 00:12:37.980 --> 00:12:39.219 They have one example. 00:12:40.000 --> 00:12:40.899 It is the Lord Jesus. 00:12:41.679 --> 00:12:43.399 There is one person who they follow. 00:12:43.879 --> 00:12:46.759 There is one example that we should chase after. 00:12:46.759 --> 00:12:49.519 And it is not what we have known from our past. 00:12:49.519 --> 00:12:51.759 It is pressing on with Jesus Christ. 00:12:52.720 --> 00:12:53.620 Accept one another. 00:12:53.720 --> 00:12:54.220 Verse 7. 00:12:54.759 --> 00:12:56.700 Then just as Christ accepted you. 00:12:56.980 --> 00:12:58.460 In order to bring praise to God. 00:12:58.539 --> 00:13:01.220 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant. 00:13:02.580 --> 00:13:04.700 Christ has become a servant. 00:13:05.799 --> 00:13:11.500 And in this way he fulfills the glorious hope of what we read right at the very beginning of our time of worship. 00:13:11.500 --> 00:13:15.480 The servant who has been despised and rejected. 00:13:15.659 --> 00:13:19.620 The one whose body has been pierced for the transgression of his people. 00:13:19.919 --> 00:13:23.940 His wounds are the only wounds in the whole of the entirety of the universe. 00:13:23.940 --> 00:13:26.399 Which can bring healing and wholeness to sinners. 00:13:26.559 --> 00:13:28.039 No matter where they are from. 00:13:28.120 --> 00:13:29.159 Where they have been. 00:13:29.299 --> 00:13:30.779 What has been happening to them. 00:13:30.919 --> 00:13:31.759 What they have done. 00:13:31.879 --> 00:13:32.480 He alone. 00:13:32.860 --> 00:13:35.620 This servant is the only one who brings that hope. 00:13:35.740 --> 00:13:36.200 That healing. 00:13:36.320 --> 00:13:37.019 That restoration. 00:13:37.600 --> 00:13:38.679 At cost to himself. 00:13:38.679 --> 00:13:40.899 I don't know all of you here. 00:13:41.679 --> 00:13:43.719 You may not know or trust Jesus yet. 00:13:43.779 --> 00:13:45.979 But please hear from him. 00:13:46.679 --> 00:13:47.759 The servant of all. 00:13:48.899 --> 00:13:50.079 He cares for you. 00:13:50.779 --> 00:13:53.719 He knows what has happened in your life. 00:13:54.120 --> 00:13:55.259 He knows what you have done. 00:13:55.419 --> 00:13:57.039 He knows what has been done to you. 00:13:57.239 --> 00:13:59.419 And he says that does not put me off. 00:13:59.459 --> 00:14:03.879 Because I come to you to bring grace and mercy and healing and peace with God. 00:14:03.879 --> 00:14:10.480 Now we as God's people are not the servant of the Lord. 00:14:11.299 --> 00:14:11.620 We are. 00:14:12.399 --> 00:14:12.620 You know. 00:14:12.740 --> 00:14:14.720 Jesus is the servant of the Lord. 00:14:14.939 --> 00:14:17.360 But we are the Lord's servants. 00:14:18.120 --> 00:14:22.139 And this means that our lives should be colored with the beauty of Christ's likeness. 00:14:22.460 --> 00:14:24.460 And Paul exemplifies this. 00:14:24.960 --> 00:14:26.299 Paul exemplifies this. 00:14:26.460 --> 00:14:28.419 Showing what it means to speak truth. 00:14:28.659 --> 00:14:32.740 And yet not endorse cultural, ethnic or racial superiority. 00:14:32.740 --> 00:14:35.580 He comes to them and says our example is Jesus. 00:14:36.480 --> 00:14:38.159 That's what I'm going to take you back to. 00:14:38.399 --> 00:14:42.680 I'm not going to take you back to the things that I could call upon as things which would give me importance. 00:14:42.960 --> 00:14:44.580 I'm going to call you back to Jesus. 00:14:44.899 --> 00:14:47.019 Because he is the person that we are following. 00:14:48.899 --> 00:14:54.620 What unites people who have been born again through Christ is greater than what divides them. 00:14:54.620 --> 00:14:57.940 And I'm very specific in saying that. 00:14:58.019 --> 00:15:01.600 I'm not just saying people who own the name of Christian are all the same. 00:15:02.240 --> 00:15:03.539 People who are born again. 00:15:03.720 --> 00:15:06.600 People who know the grace of God at work in their lives. 00:15:06.940 --> 00:15:08.960 People who have received the gift of the Spirit. 00:15:09.639 --> 00:15:11.519 Regenerating them and making them new people. 00:15:11.879 --> 00:15:15.399 What unites us is greater than that which divides us. 00:15:15.399 --> 00:15:21.059 And that's what he moves on to explain next in that section, isn't it? 00:15:21.740 --> 00:15:30.319 He transcends the false divisions which more often than not we as fallen people begin to establish in our minds and our habits and our patterns and our hearts. 00:15:31.059 --> 00:15:35.000 He says, guys, this is not our thing. 00:15:36.139 --> 00:15:37.679 He's far more eloquent than that. 00:15:37.679 --> 00:15:40.539 But he says, this is not our thing. 00:15:41.199 --> 00:15:46.379 The gospel, the salvation, the church, the grace of God, this is not our thing. 00:15:46.459 --> 00:15:47.699 These are all God's things. 00:15:48.620 --> 00:15:50.399 It is him who owns these things. 00:15:50.500 --> 00:15:52.439 It is him that these things are for. 00:15:53.139 --> 00:15:54.019 I don't own it. 00:15:54.519 --> 00:16:01.419 We are but recipients of unmerited favor through grace and providence given out by the hand of God. 00:16:04.559 --> 00:16:07.099 Jesus had come as a Jewish man, is what Paul says. 00:16:08.679 --> 00:16:13.659 Christ came as a servant of the Jews on behalf of God's truth to confirm the promises to the patriarchs. 00:16:14.359 --> 00:16:19.219 He says he came as a Jewish man to serve the Jewish people because they are his people. 00:16:19.739 --> 00:16:25.519 Because in God's purposes of salvation, this was the means for salvation to be worked out in time and space. 00:16:25.519 --> 00:16:27.839 For salvation to be worked out in history. 00:16:29.559 --> 00:16:35.759 But it was always the intention of the God of hope to invite the whole world to worship him through Jesus Christ. 00:16:35.759 --> 00:16:40.799 Because he was not only the servant of the Jewish people, but he was the servant of the Lord. 00:16:41.139 --> 00:16:45.779 The servant of all of the people who would come to praise and to hope in him. 00:16:45.779 --> 00:16:50.139 We are united because we need the same Lord. 00:16:51.240 --> 00:16:52.659 It is not Jew or Gentile. 00:16:53.159 --> 00:16:54.839 It is not Scott or English. 00:16:55.480 --> 00:16:57.000 It is not the UK or the American. 00:16:57.579 --> 00:16:58.720 It is not any of those things. 00:16:58.720 --> 00:17:02.240 It is the people of God being united around the one Savior. 00:17:03.540 --> 00:17:04.579 The one Christ. 00:17:05.620 --> 00:17:14.600 The global glorification of God in unity as the people of God is not a new thing that Paul is introducing. 00:17:15.259 --> 00:17:16.960 That's what he cracks on to, isn't it? 00:17:17.519 --> 00:17:21.180 He says, if you don't believe me, I'm just going to quote quite a few places in the Old Testament. 00:17:21.319 --> 00:17:24.400 So as that, you know, you don't really have any option or wiggle room to get out of this. 00:17:24.400 --> 00:17:26.860 This has always been God's plan. 00:17:26.980 --> 00:17:28.720 This has always been God's purposes. 00:17:29.200 --> 00:17:32.640 That the world would come to know him. 00:17:32.880 --> 00:17:36.420 That the world would be under the lordship of the risen Christ. 00:17:37.820 --> 00:17:40.940 It was the heartbeat of the faith of God's people all along. 00:17:41.040 --> 00:17:43.560 Because it was the heart of God from the beginning. 00:17:43.559 --> 00:17:47.119 Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles. 00:17:47.220 --> 00:17:48.720 I will sing hymns to your name. 00:17:49.480 --> 00:17:51.299 Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people. 00:17:52.019 --> 00:17:54.000 Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles. 00:17:54.079 --> 00:17:56.259 And sing praises to him, all you peoples. 00:17:57.000 --> 00:17:58.579 The root of Jesse will spring up. 00:17:58.940 --> 00:18:01.339 One who will arise to rule over the nations. 00:18:02.359 --> 00:18:04.679 The Gentiles will hope in him. 00:18:06.019 --> 00:18:06.919 Now let's pause. 00:18:08.519 --> 00:18:10.740 Stick up for a bit of breath of fresh air. 00:18:10.740 --> 00:18:20.440 In what ways are you and I living as believers to display our unity in Christ with believers from different backgrounds? 00:18:21.039 --> 00:18:22.319 And remember what I mean by believer. 00:18:22.420 --> 00:18:25.420 I mean someone who has been born again by the spirit of God. 00:18:26.279 --> 00:18:29.500 I'm not simply saying someone who takes Christian on the census sheet in Scotland. 00:18:30.120 --> 00:18:33.079 I mean someone who has been born again by the spirit of God. 00:18:33.079 --> 00:18:42.699 What ways are we seeking to live and display unity with Christians, people who believe in Christ, born again people from different backgrounds? 00:18:44.240 --> 00:18:45.519 Man, it is not easy. 00:18:46.439 --> 00:18:47.519 It is hard. 00:18:48.899 --> 00:18:51.639 It can be really difficult to reconcile some of these things. 00:18:51.759 --> 00:18:54.519 But this is where the most difficult thing is. 00:18:54.679 --> 00:18:55.379 It's the gospel. 00:18:55.380 --> 00:19:01.780 The gospel is that we live in unity with others who have also been born again. 00:19:02.840 --> 00:19:06.520 Yes, in our local church community context, but also further afield. 00:19:07.360 --> 00:19:09.300 That's what you see further on in this letter. 00:19:14.000 --> 00:19:18.100 Dr. Harvey Kouiani was speaking at a conference in Glasgow last week. 00:19:18.460 --> 00:19:20.700 He's involved in teaching at Liverpool University. 00:19:20.700 --> 00:19:25.519 He's a professor of African Christianity and looking into the diaspora African mission movement. 00:19:25.980 --> 00:19:31.799 And he said this really challenging, difficult thing for us to hear. 00:19:33.039 --> 00:19:33.960 It's very moving. 00:19:34.059 --> 00:19:36.220 He said British Christians prayed for revival. 00:19:37.360 --> 00:19:42.480 When it came, they did not recognize it because it was black. 00:19:42.480 --> 00:19:52.740 Now, zoom out from that in our own local setting within the UK, within Scotland. 00:19:53.220 --> 00:19:53.599 Zoom out. 00:19:54.120 --> 00:20:00.819 Does it disturb us that there are people who live on God's earth who do not know that Jesus Christ even existed at all? 00:20:02.740 --> 00:20:07.740 They just don't know who he is and therefore they cannot glorify God in Christ. 00:20:07.740 --> 00:20:13.819 I think sometimes in the Western world, we forget there are people who do not know that Jesus ever existed. 00:20:19.660 --> 00:20:22.440 The hope for all people flows out from the God of hope. 00:20:22.839 --> 00:20:32.620 The God who Paul asks will fill his church in Rome with joy and peace as they push forward in seeing ethnic, linguistic, and cultural barriers broken down. 00:20:32.619 --> 00:20:41.159 They push on for these things because the desire is that the glory of God would be seen and that the salvation of many peoples would happen. 00:20:43.219 --> 00:20:47.799 Now, let's land Paul's prayer that last little bit in verse 13 into our everyday. 00:20:48.279 --> 00:20:49.419 What are we hoping in? 00:20:49.979 --> 00:20:53.719 He talks about this God of hope, the one that we are to place our hope into. 00:20:53.799 --> 00:20:56.279 But what are we actually placing our hope into? 00:20:56.879 --> 00:21:01.139 God has fulfilled his promise in sending this person, the Messiah. 00:21:01.140 --> 00:21:04.380 He is also fulfilling his promises through his people. 00:21:04.460 --> 00:21:07.700 But what is it that we are putting our hope into in our everyday? 00:21:09.320 --> 00:21:10.500 Perhaps it's our careers. 00:21:11.580 --> 00:21:14.460 Maybe it's our educational achievements, our academic ability. 00:21:16.240 --> 00:21:17.900 Possibly it's a perfect looking family. 00:21:18.500 --> 00:21:22.300 But as I'm starting to find out very quickly, that just doesn't happen. 00:21:23.740 --> 00:21:25.780 Because they just don't do what you ask them to. 00:21:25.779 --> 00:21:41.240 As good as these things can be, the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ and the word of God in power communicate to us an even greater story that all of us, as the people of God, are a part of. 00:21:42.240 --> 00:21:44.019 They communicate an even greater story. 00:21:44.019 --> 00:21:52.259 And through the work of the Spirit in us, we too share in the privilege of carrying, displaying, and announcing this hope for all people. 00:21:52.379 --> 00:21:54.440 That is why you exist on the earth. 00:21:55.500 --> 00:21:56.980 That's why you have breath. 00:21:57.940 --> 00:22:00.799 To declare the praises of the one who has set you free. 00:22:01.700 --> 00:22:05.039 In every aspect and dimension there is your everyday existence. 00:22:06.460 --> 00:22:07.799 That is why I exist. 00:22:08.500 --> 00:22:09.440 Does it mean I'm perfect? 00:22:09.819 --> 00:22:11.099 Does it mean I do it all the time? 00:22:11.299 --> 00:22:12.299 Does it mean I do it right? 00:22:12.299 --> 00:22:13.180 No, it doesn't. 00:22:13.379 --> 00:22:15.220 But that is what we are here to do. 00:22:18.539 --> 00:22:27.619 Can I suggest to you that one of the greatest reasons for the discontent and disconnect in the church in the Western world today is because of our misplaced hopes. 00:22:30.240 --> 00:22:41.220 We would rather, or we would often rather spend more or give more in terms of our money, our attention, our abilities, everything, in every way, to see our thirst for entertainment quenched. 00:22:42.299 --> 00:22:47.839 To see our hunger for security or belonging in a world which is chaotic, satiated. 00:22:47.960 --> 00:22:50.220 We would rather invest everything in those things. 00:22:50.659 --> 00:22:59.319 We would also rather that our physical needs in either food, sex, or exercise were gratified in more extreme, inventive, or elaborate ways. 00:22:59.319 --> 00:23:01.599 And yes, I am speaking about the church here. 00:23:01.659 --> 00:23:03.519 I'm not just speaking about the world around about us. 00:23:03.559 --> 00:23:05.179 I mean the people of God. 00:23:05.299 --> 00:23:07.899 We place our hopes in these things. 00:23:09.000 --> 00:23:15.740 When actually really our joy is being robbed because we are misplacing our hope. 00:23:15.740 --> 00:23:26.120 Our joy and our peace is found in proactively participating in seeing the church of Christ being established throughout the world. 00:23:26.839 --> 00:23:29.579 Because this is the hope which does not fail. 00:23:31.620 --> 00:23:33.099 Why are you discontent? 00:23:34.640 --> 00:23:36.859 Why do you feel disconnected in church? 00:23:37.900 --> 00:23:40.059 Why does it not kind of maybe make sense? 00:23:40.059 --> 00:24:10.039 Why do you feel disconnected in church? 00:24:10.139 --> 00:24:11.799 Lord, before God jobbar with you. 00:24:12.039 --> 00:24:13.259 Why do you feel connected in your need? 00:24:13.259 --> 00:24:13.779 That the God's glory would be improved. 00:24:14.099 --> 00:24:20.200 And the people, young, old, would be saved and come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. 00:24:21.000 --> 00:24:22.980 As you come to this table this morning. 00:24:23.839 --> 00:24:26.879 You come declaring afresh that there is one Lord. 00:24:27.259 --> 00:24:28.200 There is one Savior. 00:24:28.519 --> 00:24:30.700 There is one hope for all people throughout the world. 00:24:30.980 --> 00:24:32.079 No matter where they are from. 00:24:32.259 --> 00:24:33.559 And no matter what they have done. 00:24:33.720 --> 00:24:35.319 And no matter what has been done to them. 00:24:35.579 --> 00:24:37.539 Let that thrill your soul this morning. 00:24:37.539 --> 00:24:41.139 let that be something which kindles in you a fire that's maybe gone out. 00:24:42.240 --> 00:24:46.899 Let it be something that encourages you to head into your meetings tomorrow and work, 00:24:47.079 --> 00:24:49.720 to do the housework that you just can't be bothered doing, 00:24:49.899 --> 00:24:53.119 or to just get up to face whatever tomorrow brings. 00:24:53.980 --> 00:24:55.960 Because Christ is building his church, 00:24:56.099 --> 00:25:01.119 and he is inviting all of us to take part in that building project for his glory. 00:25:02.000 --> 00:25:03.139 The ministry of God's people then, 00:25:03.139 --> 00:25:05.200 the second thing that we're going to draw our thoughts under, 00:25:05.639 --> 00:25:06.920 verses 14 through 19. 00:25:07.539 --> 00:25:10.200 What does it look like being involved in this building project? 00:25:10.359 --> 00:25:12.720 You'll be glad to know this second section is shorter than the first one. 00:25:13.379 --> 00:25:14.240 That's why it's split in two. 00:25:15.779 --> 00:25:18.279 What does it look like to be involved in the building project 00:25:18.279 --> 00:25:22.819 that is Christ involved in forming his church throughout the world and across cultures? 00:25:25.059 --> 00:25:29.200 Grace for the world comes through the worship and witness of the people of God. 00:25:29.799 --> 00:25:31.480 We are like signposts in an airport. 00:25:31.480 --> 00:25:33.059 You know, you get off the airport and you're like, 00:25:33.139 --> 00:25:35.019 I have no idea how to speak the language here. 00:25:35.019 --> 00:25:38.559 It's one of the most difficult things when we go over to East Asia, 00:25:38.900 --> 00:25:42.200 especially if you go somewhere where English is not a common language. 00:25:42.440 --> 00:25:43.859 I just look and I go, I don't know where I'm going. 00:25:45.639 --> 00:25:48.519 And equally, people get off the plane in Edinburgh and go, 00:25:48.680 --> 00:25:50.000 I have no idea how to speak English. 00:25:50.000 --> 00:25:57.380 We, as the people of God, are like signposts pointing people to the end of the journey. 00:25:57.480 --> 00:26:00.359 There is life on God's earth. 00:26:00.980 --> 00:26:05.099 And Paul's great desire is that all of God's people would be united in Christ, 00:26:05.500 --> 00:26:06.960 reaching out to the world. 00:26:08.660 --> 00:26:10.640 He looks through, there's three Ps. 00:26:10.740 --> 00:26:12.059 We're going to cover two of them this morning. 00:26:12.059 --> 00:26:16.099 He talks about a priestly ministry that God has given, 00:26:16.220 --> 00:26:18.639 verses 16 and 17 of chapter 15, 00:26:18.700 --> 00:26:21.279 a priestly ministry that God has given to him. 00:26:22.440 --> 00:26:25.419 And this priestly ministry revolves around our worship. 00:26:26.200 --> 00:26:28.359 This isn't simply about music. 00:26:28.799 --> 00:26:30.579 We probably all know that. 00:26:30.639 --> 00:26:32.179 It's not simply about how we sing. 00:26:32.659 --> 00:26:36.299 That's sometimes how the contemporary English language would define it. 00:26:36.339 --> 00:26:38.059 But this is about whole life worship. 00:26:38.059 --> 00:26:38.619 Worship. 00:26:39.899 --> 00:26:42.379 Paul is offering over these Gentiles. 00:26:43.079 --> 00:26:46.440 He is offering them over to God in an act of worship. 00:26:46.720 --> 00:26:48.980 These people that God has brought to know him, 00:26:49.659 --> 00:26:52.299 Paul is offering them back to God. 00:26:54.659 --> 00:26:58.299 Because as they respond to the beautiful truth of the gospel in Christ, 00:26:58.559 --> 00:26:59.980 he can do nothing else but say, 00:27:00.279 --> 00:27:01.940 this was not my work, this was yours. 00:27:02.339 --> 00:27:05.240 So receive them back because I have not done any of this. 00:27:05.240 --> 00:27:08.900 The Gentiles are not Paul's. 00:27:09.680 --> 00:27:10.859 They are the Lord's. 00:27:12.539 --> 00:27:15.960 Every aspect of our life is an avenue of worship. 00:27:16.940 --> 00:27:19.700 Perhaps one of the reasons that many churches in the Western world 00:27:19.700 --> 00:27:22.019 become detached to wider global needs 00:27:22.019 --> 00:27:25.539 is down to misunderstanding who it is that we are worshiping. 00:27:25.539 --> 00:27:30.819 As Paul travels around that huge part of the known world, 00:27:31.000 --> 00:27:32.579 seeing people come to know Christ, 00:27:32.639 --> 00:27:33.859 he does not claim them for himself. 00:27:34.139 --> 00:27:36.279 He offers them back as an offering saying, 00:27:36.659 --> 00:27:37.920 these are your people, not mine. 00:27:41.420 --> 00:27:43.519 Because he understands who it is that he is worshiping. 00:27:43.599 --> 00:27:45.240 He understands who it is that he is following. 00:27:45.759 --> 00:27:47.440 And sometimes in the Western world, 00:27:47.539 --> 00:27:52.200 we can downplay the size, scope, magnitude, and majesty of God. 00:27:52.200 --> 00:27:56.360 And we forget that he is not a local tame deity. 00:27:57.580 --> 00:27:59.980 The earth is the Lord's and everything that is in it. 00:28:02.340 --> 00:28:05.519 How do you worship God with all that you have 00:28:05.519 --> 00:28:09.900 and all that you are and all that you will be? 00:28:11.620 --> 00:28:13.000 How do you view God? 00:28:14.500 --> 00:28:17.059 It's probably a more pertinent question. 00:28:17.160 --> 00:28:18.220 How do you view God? 00:28:18.220 --> 00:28:21.640 Paul says the priestly ministry that I have been given, 00:28:21.920 --> 00:28:22.700 yes, he's an apostle, 00:28:22.839 --> 00:28:24.700 but there are things which apply to us as well. 00:28:25.920 --> 00:28:28.339 That life of worship offering over everything. 00:28:30.019 --> 00:28:31.799 How do you respond? 00:28:33.380 --> 00:28:34.799 How do you view God? 00:28:41.440 --> 00:28:43.779 Do you not just love that Paul speaks so boldly 00:28:43.779 --> 00:28:46.000 about the power of gospel ministry? 00:28:46.000 --> 00:28:48.319 He moves on talking about the priestly aspect 00:28:48.319 --> 00:28:49.960 to going down to verse 19. 00:28:50.039 --> 00:28:50.480 And he says, 00:28:50.819 --> 00:28:51.859 it comes by power, 00:28:52.380 --> 00:28:53.859 the power of signs and miracles 00:28:53.859 --> 00:28:54.980 through the power of the spirit. 00:28:56.819 --> 00:28:59.519 See that verse is 18 through the beginning of verse 19. 00:29:00.460 --> 00:29:02.140 Sometimes we can read this 00:29:02.140 --> 00:29:03.660 and people get very excited. 00:29:03.799 --> 00:29:04.920 It's about healing miracles. 00:29:05.359 --> 00:29:06.700 It's about things happening. 00:29:06.859 --> 00:29:08.599 We see stuff taking place. 00:29:09.140 --> 00:29:11.799 And we're not here to debate that this morning. 00:29:11.799 --> 00:29:16.180 What we are here to announce with Paul 00:29:16.180 --> 00:29:18.019 is that gospel ministry, 00:29:18.720 --> 00:29:20.700 the proclamation of God 00:29:20.700 --> 00:29:22.480 in his grace and his mercy, 00:29:22.700 --> 00:29:24.240 that is powerful stuff. 00:29:24.460 --> 00:29:26.839 What it is that we are involved in week by week, 00:29:26.980 --> 00:29:28.180 moment by moment in our lives 00:29:28.180 --> 00:29:30.220 and proclaiming Christ is powerful. 00:29:34.419 --> 00:29:36.740 Witness to Christ in the power of the spirit, 00:29:36.740 --> 00:29:38.579 which brings dead people to life 00:29:38.579 --> 00:29:42.420 through announcing God's word is powerful. 00:29:43.380 --> 00:29:44.819 It can be in a pulpit. 00:29:44.960 --> 00:29:46.099 It can be in a train station. 00:29:46.220 --> 00:29:47.480 It can be at the toddler group 00:29:47.480 --> 00:29:49.019 when you can't even hear over the racket 00:29:49.019 --> 00:29:50.779 and the noise that's taking place around about you. 00:29:50.980 --> 00:29:52.339 It can be at a family gathering 00:29:52.339 --> 00:29:54.039 where there is tension between different members. 00:29:54.180 --> 00:29:56.779 Wherever that word of the gospel goes forward, 00:29:56.980 --> 00:29:59.660 that is powerful ministry. 00:30:00.160 --> 00:30:02.700 Because it is not us who has the power. 00:30:02.700 --> 00:30:04.620 For it is God by the power of his spirit, 00:30:04.759 --> 00:30:05.819 which takes his word, 00:30:06.319 --> 00:30:08.360 which is true to people's hearts 00:30:08.360 --> 00:30:10.360 and to their lives. 00:30:12.460 --> 00:30:14.480 If we are failing to recognize the God 00:30:14.480 --> 00:30:16.759 who deserves worship from all that he has made, 00:30:17.000 --> 00:30:18.720 then we will inevitably shrink back 00:30:18.720 --> 00:30:19.840 from allowing God 00:30:19.840 --> 00:30:22.940 to use our lives to display his power 00:30:22.940 --> 00:30:24.460 as we are transformed. 00:30:25.640 --> 00:30:27.519 Our worship, what we worship, 00:30:27.779 --> 00:30:30.000 how we understand the one who we are worshiping 00:30:30.000 --> 00:30:32.700 is inevitably going to impact our witness, 00:30:32.940 --> 00:30:34.859 how we communicate, what we share, 00:30:35.700 --> 00:30:37.079 whether we should share or not. 00:30:42.160 --> 00:30:44.920 Have you forgotten just how powerful the gospel is? 00:30:46.180 --> 00:30:47.420 Do you know why I ask that question? 00:30:47.940 --> 00:30:50.079 Because Martin forgets how powerful the gospel is. 00:30:50.700 --> 00:30:53.240 Because Martin sometimes makes God a tame little deity 00:30:53.240 --> 00:30:54.299 that he's got to know, 00:30:55.839 --> 00:30:58.359 forgetting that the earth is the Lord's 00:30:58.359 --> 00:30:59.979 and everything that is in it. 00:31:00.599 --> 00:31:04.039 The gospel was powerful enough to save Martin, 00:31:04.719 --> 00:31:07.119 to transform him from someone who was dead 00:31:07.119 --> 00:31:08.740 to someone who is alive. 00:31:10.059 --> 00:31:11.919 Yours, like mine's, 00:31:12.199 --> 00:31:15.479 your conversion is a power encounter with God. 00:31:16.779 --> 00:31:18.099 Do not forget that. 00:31:20.099 --> 00:31:22.159 He has changed you. 00:31:22.160 --> 00:31:25.100 He has changed me. 00:31:25.900 --> 00:31:28.560 And that is a powerful display 00:31:28.560 --> 00:31:30.120 to an onlooking world 00:31:30.120 --> 00:31:34.140 of the God who is powerful to save. 00:31:35.640 --> 00:31:36.880 Friends, we know these things 00:31:36.880 --> 00:31:38.620 and Paul says that to the church in Rome. 00:31:38.820 --> 00:31:40.820 That's what he says in verses 14 through 15. 00:31:41.080 --> 00:31:43.180 He says, I'm convinced that you understand these things, 00:31:43.220 --> 00:31:44.220 that you can teach each other, 00:31:44.460 --> 00:31:47.840 but I'm writing these things to remind you of them. 00:31:47.839 --> 00:31:52.099 We always need reminded of these things 00:31:52.099 --> 00:31:54.299 so that we keep living out the life of faith, 00:31:54.579 --> 00:31:57.199 so that we keep living out the ministry of the gospel 00:31:57.199 --> 00:31:58.639 as God's people. 00:31:58.799 --> 00:32:00.839 It needs to be at the forefront of our minds. 00:32:00.919 --> 00:32:03.619 That's what we need to be reminded of all of the time. 00:32:04.579 --> 00:32:07.819 Because spiritual amnesia can very easily lead 00:32:07.819 --> 00:32:08.919 to spiritual apathy. 00:32:08.920 --> 00:32:13.560 And from there, the core of what it means to believe 00:32:13.560 --> 00:32:14.700 this message of hope, 00:32:15.000 --> 00:32:17.120 that God has sent his one and only son 00:32:17.120 --> 00:32:18.320 as savior and Lord, 00:32:18.660 --> 00:32:20.120 that he is fulfilling his promises, 00:32:20.460 --> 00:32:23.700 these things can very quickly disappear off like a mist. 00:32:24.519 --> 00:32:25.360 We forget the point. 00:32:26.380 --> 00:32:27.259 When we forget the point, 00:32:27.820 --> 00:32:29.120 we don't understand our purpose. 00:32:31.420 --> 00:32:34.460 Perhaps one of the reasons why our witness in the church 00:32:34.460 --> 00:32:37.060 in Scotland locally and globally 00:32:37.059 --> 00:32:38.759 is more often than not anemic 00:32:38.759 --> 00:32:42.819 comes as a result of our bent towards spiritual amnesia. 00:32:42.899 --> 00:32:46.539 We just forget consistently throughout God's word 00:32:46.539 --> 00:32:50.359 there is this call to remember what he has done. 00:32:51.179 --> 00:32:54.200 So we take the lead from Paul in this whole section. 00:32:54.740 --> 00:32:55.879 Indeed, throughout the whole letter, 00:32:56.200 --> 00:32:59.279 he has been going back to time after time after time. 00:32:59.460 --> 00:33:01.319 Remember what God has done. 00:33:01.679 --> 00:33:03.500 Remember what God has said. 00:33:03.779 --> 00:33:05.700 The Gentiles are to come to faith. 00:33:05.700 --> 00:33:08.000 The Gentiles were always part of the plan. 00:33:08.259 --> 00:33:09.360 This is no new thing. 00:33:09.620 --> 00:33:11.620 The earth is the Lord's and everything in it. 00:33:11.700 --> 00:33:14.660 And I have been privileged to be set apart by God 00:33:14.660 --> 00:33:16.559 for that ministry of proclaiming his name 00:33:16.559 --> 00:33:17.620 to the ends of the earth. 00:33:18.100 --> 00:33:21.019 And friends, in some very amazing ways, 00:33:21.120 --> 00:33:23.160 so have we been included in that mission of God. 00:33:24.799 --> 00:33:26.200 To see the Gentiles, 00:33:26.460 --> 00:33:28.620 which we are part of, 00:33:29.380 --> 00:33:32.420 come to know the glory of God in Christ. 00:33:32.420 --> 00:33:35.580 And I pray that that is something that will encourage you 00:33:35.580 --> 00:33:37.180 in the everyday realities of your life. 00:33:38.100 --> 00:33:40.960 And I pray that it is something which will penetrate down 00:33:40.960 --> 00:33:43.259 all of the layers of your life. 00:33:43.779 --> 00:33:46.900 As we come to receive the bread and the wine, 00:33:47.759 --> 00:33:50.840 we remember that it is by his body and his blood 00:33:50.840 --> 00:33:53.140 that this relationship of grace 00:33:53.140 --> 00:33:55.880 and this ministry of grace and hope, 00:33:56.240 --> 00:33:58.400 this ministry of worship and witness 00:33:58.400 --> 00:34:01.440 is what we have been given by God, 00:34:01.600 --> 00:34:02.660 by his grace. 00:34:03.200 --> 00:34:05.840 We are worshiping witnesses with each other 00:34:05.840 --> 00:34:07.880 and also to an onlooking world. 00:34:08.619 --> 00:34:10.820 Let that go through all of the layers of your life. 00:34:11.480 --> 00:34:13.619 Let it filter down through each one of them 00:34:13.619 --> 00:34:16.860 and grow to respond to the Lord's leading 00:34:16.860 --> 00:34:19.139 in your serving him 00:34:19.139 --> 00:34:21.960 throughout the worship of your life 00:34:21.960 --> 00:34:24.300 and throughout the witness of your life. 00:34:24.639 --> 00:34:26.700 Whatever it is that he places you in the world, 00:34:26.699 --> 00:34:28.679 everyone has taught see to see 00:34:28.679 --> 00:34:30.279 each other's leading-show to see 00:34:30.279 --> 00:34:32.960 and if in the audience and as live-stadt 00:34:32.960 --> 00:34:34.399 that we are watching you live in the work 00:34:34.399 --> 00:34:36.239 of the work of the past, 00:34:36.559 --> 00:34:49.099 even in the walk of thelaughter 00:34:49.159 --> 00:34:51.559 beginning second half of the day 00:34:51.799 --> 00:34:52.559 and how the truth is trying to correct 00:34:52.559 --> 00:34:53.759 things other things. 00:34:53.759 --> 00:34:54.559 What I do here for is