WEBVTT 00:00:00.480 --> 00:00:04.560 Good evening everyone. I think that is the best Amen I've ever heard in a long time. 00:00:05.400 --> 00:00:09.480 I've been to Malawi and they love an Amen as well, but that was superb, Alistair. 00:00:09.939 --> 00:00:17.039 If you have your Bibles, Romans 16 is where we are this evening and we're bringing home this Letter to the Romans. 00:00:17.719 --> 00:00:23.000 This series that we've been in for since, it feels like about 1993, I don't know about anyone else, 00:00:23.100 --> 00:00:25.780 but we've been in here a long time, but it's been fantastic. 00:00:25.780 --> 00:00:33.280 And it's an absolute joy for me and it's absolute joy for us as a church to finish this letter, this glorious letter. 00:00:33.439 --> 00:00:36.840 So Romans chapter 16 and verse 17. 00:00:37.359 --> 00:00:43.180 And let me pray and let's ask that God would be so gracious and kind to us as we come to his words this evening. 00:00:43.460 --> 00:00:43.980 Let's pray. 00:00:46.840 --> 00:00:50.340 Oh, our gracious Father, you are so, so good to us. 00:00:50.340 --> 00:01:00.340 And Lord, we ask now as we finish this letter that you would encourage us and that you would equip us 00:01:00.340 --> 00:01:09.640 and that you would inflame us to take your gospel, the good news about your son, the risen Lord Jesus Christ, to the world. 00:01:10.580 --> 00:01:16.100 And this is our prayer that you would help us now because we ask in his name. Amen. 00:01:16.099 --> 00:01:22.379 So a few weeks ago, I had the privilege of doing a wedding up in Inverness. 00:01:23.280 --> 00:01:28.219 And I've lived in Scotland my whole life, but I'm really ashamed to say that is the first time I've ever been to the Highlands. 00:01:29.140 --> 00:01:30.659 First time I've ever been to the Highlands. 00:01:31.379 --> 00:01:33.659 But it was a thoroughly lovely experience. 00:01:34.319 --> 00:01:35.119 Glorious weather. 00:01:35.919 --> 00:01:38.139 The colours of summer are everywhere. 00:01:38.439 --> 00:01:40.979 And I've got the view where I'm looking down on the Murray Firth. 00:01:41.379 --> 00:01:42.280 I think that's what it's called. 00:01:42.359 --> 00:01:43.519 I looked into it, the Murray Firth. 00:01:43.519 --> 00:01:46.079 And there is the sun shining on the water. 00:01:46.259 --> 00:01:47.539 And it is absolutely glorious. 00:01:47.659 --> 00:01:50.420 I mean, I feel like I'm in a Visit Scotland video campaign here. 00:01:50.560 --> 00:01:51.539 It's glorious. 00:01:52.879 --> 00:01:55.659 And we're staying at this lovely hotel the night before the wedding. 00:01:56.840 --> 00:01:59.919 And after the rehearsal, we come back to our hotel room. 00:01:59.959 --> 00:02:00.819 And it's quite late. 00:02:01.280 --> 00:02:03.340 So we decide we quite want something to eat. 00:02:03.399 --> 00:02:05.519 But we can't be bothered going out again. 00:02:05.620 --> 00:02:07.120 So we're going to eat in the hotel. 00:02:08.120 --> 00:02:11.780 But at that time of night, we go down to the hotel. 00:02:12.000 --> 00:02:14.960 And we discover that the only thing you can eat at that time of night is fine dining. 00:02:15.719 --> 00:02:17.659 So we thought, well, we're only in Inverness once. 00:02:19.200 --> 00:02:20.180 So let's go for it. 00:02:20.259 --> 00:02:22.599 Let's go out and let's go fine dining. 00:02:23.400 --> 00:02:27.659 So after a while, and I'll get this on the screen for you here because this is good. 00:02:27.659 --> 00:02:31.599 After a while, I'm studying this menu for a while. 00:02:32.199 --> 00:02:33.180 I'm studying this menu. 00:02:33.680 --> 00:02:36.300 And I look and I think, I don't have a clue what half of these things are. 00:02:36.379 --> 00:02:37.340 But I'm just going to go for it. 00:02:37.800 --> 00:02:46.639 And I ordered slow cooked pork belly, pork fillet, fennel puree, rumbledy thumps, bok choy, 00:02:47.159 --> 00:02:49.939 and all topped with just a glistening of apple cider. 00:02:50.900 --> 00:02:52.740 Now, you're probably thinking to yourself two things. 00:02:53.419 --> 00:02:55.859 Firstly, what is a rumbledy thump? 00:02:56.820 --> 00:02:59.240 And I'll be honest, I still don't know what a rumbledy thump is. 00:03:00.720 --> 00:03:03.460 The second question, how does he know that off the top of his head? 00:03:04.660 --> 00:03:08.000 And the reason I know that off the top of my head is because it was awesome. 00:03:09.420 --> 00:03:10.940 It was so good. 00:03:11.020 --> 00:03:14.080 I mean, my taste buds were having a party like they've never seen before. 00:03:14.300 --> 00:03:15.900 It was absolutely incredible. 00:03:16.520 --> 00:03:19.600 And the reason I knew during the meal that I was having a good time 00:03:19.940 --> 00:03:22.760 was that because I actually stepped back and I put my fork down 00:03:22.760 --> 00:03:25.540 just so I could savor it and take it in. 00:03:25.860 --> 00:03:27.420 Now, I'm from a family of boys. 00:03:28.080 --> 00:03:29.920 We didn't really do put your fork down. 00:03:30.000 --> 00:03:31.100 It was more shovel it in. 00:03:31.520 --> 00:03:33.500 It wasn't as much fine dining as time dining. 00:03:33.600 --> 00:03:34.880 And if you weren't quick, you didn't eat. 00:03:35.880 --> 00:03:37.060 So this is the meal. 00:03:37.520 --> 00:03:38.540 And I'm loving this meal. 00:03:38.600 --> 00:03:39.820 And I come to the end of this meal. 00:03:39.880 --> 00:03:43.080 And at the corner of the plate, I eat up a little bit of pork fillet. 00:03:43.080 --> 00:03:44.920 And I think I want to finish there. 00:03:45.300 --> 00:03:46.520 It's where I want to finish. 00:03:47.219 --> 00:03:48.560 So it goes into my mouth. 00:03:49.580 --> 00:03:49.980 Awesome. 00:03:51.240 --> 00:03:52.080 Absolutely incredible. 00:03:52.220 --> 00:03:57.320 So incredible was it that I turn into this kind of pork fillet, pork belly evangelist. 00:03:57.319 --> 00:04:02.180 And I start telling everybody that I meet about how amazing this pork fillet was. 00:04:02.840 --> 00:04:06.719 Alex, who's sitting across from me from my wife, I'm telling her about how incredible it was. 00:04:06.780 --> 00:04:10.840 The people I met the next day at the wedding, I'm telling them how incredible it was. 00:04:11.099 --> 00:04:13.979 My friends and family, I'm telling them how incredible it was. 00:04:13.979 --> 00:04:14.919 And here I am tonight. 00:04:15.599 --> 00:04:19.099 And I'm telling you how incredible this meal was. 00:04:20.800 --> 00:04:22.860 So this week, I'm in Romans chapter 16. 00:04:23.980 --> 00:04:27.519 And I'm asking myself, how should I feel? 00:04:27.839 --> 00:04:30.459 How should we feel as a church as we leave this book of Romans? 00:04:32.039 --> 00:04:33.120 No, how should I feel? 00:04:33.199 --> 00:04:34.519 But also, what should I do? 00:04:35.039 --> 00:04:37.860 What should we do as we leave the book of Romans? 00:04:37.939 --> 00:04:40.680 I mean, I think if we close it shut tonight and think, oh, that was nice. 00:04:40.839 --> 00:04:41.939 On it goes the shelf again. 00:04:42.379 --> 00:04:43.420 I think we've kind of missed it. 00:04:44.400 --> 00:04:47.960 How should we feel and what should we do as we leave this book of Romans? 00:04:48.120 --> 00:04:51.319 It occurred to me this week, it's probably a bit like that meal, isn't it? 00:04:52.439 --> 00:04:55.400 In fact, I would say that the whole book of Romans has felt a bit like that meal. 00:04:55.480 --> 00:04:59.439 I mean, there's been times where I've wanted to put down my fork and think, I just want to savor that. 00:04:59.700 --> 00:05:00.900 I just want to take that in. 00:05:00.900 --> 00:05:04.939 I mean, we got to Romans chapter 8, which I think is my favorite chapter in the Bible. 00:05:05.020 --> 00:05:06.080 I just want to take it in. 00:05:07.600 --> 00:05:11.120 But the question now as we come to the end and as we take our final bite, 00:05:11.120 --> 00:05:14.340 our final mouthful, as it were, of this letter, 00:05:15.139 --> 00:05:19.680 and as the original readers of this letter, as they take their final mouthful, 00:05:20.379 --> 00:05:24.720 what are they supposed to feel and what are they supposed to do? 00:05:24.720 --> 00:05:30.220 And what I want us to see this evening is that as they finish this letter, 00:05:31.080 --> 00:05:35.100 Paul wants the last taste on their lips to be one of praise. 00:05:36.680 --> 00:05:37.120 Praise. 00:05:37.120 --> 00:05:42.879 The book of Romans, the letter to the Romans, I should say rather, is meant to inspire doxology. 00:05:43.379 --> 00:05:48.079 It's meant to inspire, that's a big word meaning just praise of God. 00:05:48.139 --> 00:05:49.459 That's what it's meant to inspire. 00:05:50.060 --> 00:05:54.120 It's meant to inspire praise of God and it's meant to inspire mission. 00:05:55.199 --> 00:06:00.800 To take this glorious news of Jesus Christ, this gospel, to the whole world. 00:06:00.800 --> 00:06:04.939 Because it tastes so good. 00:06:07.439 --> 00:06:09.660 In other words, God is awesome. 00:06:10.740 --> 00:06:16.000 And as my mind, as it tries to comprehend how good he is, how gracious he is, 00:06:16.180 --> 00:06:18.639 as my heart is gripped by grace, 00:06:19.340 --> 00:06:21.840 oh, I want to worship him with everything that I have. 00:06:22.040 --> 00:06:25.379 And I want to tell everybody that I meet about his goodness. 00:06:25.379 --> 00:06:30.759 Now here's what I want us to see just really quickly this evening as we finish this letter, 00:06:30.879 --> 00:06:32.560 as we finish our Romans meal, 00:06:33.379 --> 00:06:36.219 the taste that these readers are left with, 00:06:36.300 --> 00:06:38.920 and the taste I think we want to be left with, 00:06:39.920 --> 00:06:43.740 this praise taste, this taste of praise, it's got three flavors to it. 00:06:45.000 --> 00:06:47.339 And as they take their final mouthful, 00:06:47.540 --> 00:06:49.759 as those three flavors, as they hit the palate, 00:06:50.839 --> 00:06:52.620 they're meant to inspire praise. 00:06:52.620 --> 00:06:56.100 And Paul wants them to know and go. 00:06:57.800 --> 00:06:59.160 So what Paul is saying is, 00:06:59.340 --> 00:07:01.220 let the praise of God, 00:07:01.800 --> 00:07:07.680 let the praise of God propel you to go and proclaim the greatness of God. 00:07:08.780 --> 00:07:09.840 Now, are you ready for this? 00:07:09.920 --> 00:07:11.519 Let's forget about the PowerPoint for a minute, okay? 00:07:11.639 --> 00:07:13.379 It's a cracker, but we can wait for it. 00:07:13.399 --> 00:07:14.180 I can do it without it. 00:07:14.800 --> 00:07:16.019 Here's the first flavor. 00:07:16.120 --> 00:07:16.939 Now, if you've got it there, 00:07:16.939 --> 00:07:19.360 look at verses 17 to 20. 00:07:20.379 --> 00:07:21.579 Verses 17 to 20, 00:07:21.579 --> 00:07:26.139 the first flavor of this praise taste is the church. 00:07:27.120 --> 00:07:29.219 And Paul is saying to them in these verses 00:07:29.219 --> 00:07:33.500 that the church is the miracle worth fighting for. 00:07:34.579 --> 00:07:35.779 Now, what is the miracle? 00:07:35.939 --> 00:07:39.279 Well, scan your eye over the first part of chapter 16, 00:07:39.779 --> 00:07:43.240 which John so beautifully and helpfully took us through last week. 00:07:44.000 --> 00:07:45.000 Now, what do we see? 00:07:45.000 --> 00:07:48.060 We see Paul give us a long list of names. 00:07:48.060 --> 00:07:51.480 These are the people who are in this Roman church. 00:07:51.560 --> 00:07:52.759 And Paul is effectively saying, 00:07:52.860 --> 00:07:54.240 would you say hello to them for me? 00:07:54.280 --> 00:07:54.980 That's what he's saying. 00:07:55.439 --> 00:07:56.199 Would you greet them? 00:07:57.360 --> 00:07:59.040 Now, is that just a bunch of names? 00:07:59.079 --> 00:08:00.860 That's what we were considering last week. 00:08:01.620 --> 00:08:02.319 Well, no. 00:08:03.220 --> 00:08:06.079 It is so much more to it than that. 00:08:06.160 --> 00:08:07.319 Just look at these names. 00:08:08.199 --> 00:08:09.259 Here are Jewish people. 00:08:09.980 --> 00:08:11.600 Here are the names of Greek people. 00:08:12.240 --> 00:08:14.060 Here are the names of rich people. 00:08:14.060 --> 00:08:16.100 Here are the names of poor people. 00:08:16.480 --> 00:08:18.480 Here are the names of free people. 00:08:18.660 --> 00:08:19.980 Here are the names of slaves. 00:08:20.939 --> 00:08:22.379 Here are female names. 00:08:22.939 --> 00:08:24.560 Here are male names. 00:08:25.100 --> 00:08:28.019 Here is a different church. 00:08:28.959 --> 00:08:31.600 But here is one church. 00:08:32.460 --> 00:08:36.259 That is the beauty of what God has done through Jesus Christ. 00:08:36.259 --> 00:08:41.439 Where the world would look at this group of people and say, 00:08:42.019 --> 00:08:43.980 where the world would look at this people and say, 00:08:44.100 --> 00:08:45.819 different and irreconcilable, 00:08:46.600 --> 00:08:49.059 Paul wants them to know and Paul wants them to see 00:08:49.059 --> 00:08:50.620 that because of the gospel, 00:08:51.259 --> 00:08:53.500 because they have Jesus as their Lord, 00:08:54.000 --> 00:08:55.059 whoever they are, 00:08:55.379 --> 00:08:56.360 whatever they do, 00:08:56.659 --> 00:08:57.759 wherever they are from, 00:08:58.139 --> 00:09:00.679 their common life in Jesus Christ 00:09:00.679 --> 00:09:02.200 makes them one. 00:09:03.980 --> 00:09:04.419 One. 00:09:04.419 --> 00:09:05.939 And look, 00:09:06.000 --> 00:09:06.620 if you've got it there, 00:09:06.740 --> 00:09:08.360 chapter 15 and verse 5, 00:09:08.439 --> 00:09:10.159 just flick back one page. 00:09:11.179 --> 00:09:12.500 Or if you've got a really small Bible, 00:09:12.599 --> 00:09:13.559 maybe it's half a page. 00:09:14.459 --> 00:09:15.579 Paul writes this, 00:09:15.959 --> 00:09:17.679 chapter 15 and verse 5. 00:09:19.399 --> 00:09:21.599 May the God of endurance and encouragement 00:09:21.599 --> 00:09:25.120 grant you to live in such harmony with one another, 00:09:25.599 --> 00:09:27.219 in accord with Christ Jesus, 00:09:27.559 --> 00:09:30.419 that together you may with one voice, 00:09:32.179 --> 00:09:33.539 what are they going to do with that one voice? 00:09:33.539 --> 00:09:38.240 Please glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:09:39.259 --> 00:09:41.139 Now you see why we were singing that last song, 00:09:41.240 --> 00:09:41.779 weren't you? 00:09:42.299 --> 00:09:43.980 That's why we were singing that last song. 00:09:44.699 --> 00:09:47.059 These people God has called together, 00:09:47.120 --> 00:09:49.500 not just to sip tea and play happy families, 00:09:50.000 --> 00:09:52.059 but he's called them together with a purpose, 00:09:52.779 --> 00:09:54.620 to be a worshipping community 00:09:54.620 --> 00:09:57.740 that's on mission for the living God, 00:09:58.039 --> 00:10:00.919 declaring his greatness to the watching world. 00:10:00.919 --> 00:10:04.839 And as people see that community in action, 00:10:05.419 --> 00:10:08.099 as they see unity and diversity, 00:10:08.519 --> 00:10:10.339 what a powerful witness 00:10:10.339 --> 00:10:13.019 to the transforming power of the gospel 00:10:13.019 --> 00:10:14.099 to the watching world. 00:10:16.279 --> 00:10:18.579 Now I used to live for a few years in Bristol, 00:10:18.699 --> 00:10:19.699 in the southwest of England. 00:10:19.700 --> 00:10:24.220 And the thing about Bristol is it's a very multicultural city. 00:10:24.879 --> 00:10:25.220 For me, 00:10:25.259 --> 00:10:27.700 I'd spent my whole life in Edinburgh and Glasgow, 00:10:27.840 --> 00:10:28.900 and a bit in Aberdeen as well, 00:10:28.960 --> 00:10:29.820 whole life in Scotland. 00:10:30.800 --> 00:10:32.080 And so when I came to Bristol, 00:10:32.400 --> 00:10:35.320 I was amazed about just how many different people 00:10:35.320 --> 00:10:36.300 were in Bristol. 00:10:37.180 --> 00:10:37.560 In fact, 00:10:38.100 --> 00:10:39.280 remember when I moved there, 00:10:39.360 --> 00:10:41.480 one of the estate agents who I asked to kind of 00:10:41.480 --> 00:10:42.480 suss it out for me, 00:10:42.560 --> 00:10:44.160 I lived in this area called Montpellier, 00:10:44.300 --> 00:10:45.720 which was on the border of St. Paul's, 00:10:46.040 --> 00:10:48.400 and she told me that it was bohemian and earthy. 00:10:48.399 --> 00:10:49.500 Now I don't know what that means. 00:10:50.000 --> 00:10:51.679 I think it means it's a bit rough and ready. 00:10:51.819 --> 00:10:53.480 So this is the area that I lived in. 00:10:54.199 --> 00:10:55.539 And at the bottom of my street, 00:10:56.039 --> 00:10:56.980 I had this junction, 00:10:57.579 --> 00:10:59.699 and I had a Somalian community here. 00:10:59.919 --> 00:11:01.639 I had a Jamaican community here. 00:11:01.699 --> 00:11:03.259 There was an Indian community over here. 00:11:03.319 --> 00:11:05.179 There was an English community around it all. 00:11:05.620 --> 00:11:07.939 And then there was a token Scot in the midst as well. 00:11:08.939 --> 00:11:11.079 So this was what Bristol was like. 00:11:11.620 --> 00:11:13.799 And I heard a story when I was down there 00:11:13.799 --> 00:11:15.939 about one of the local churches 00:11:15.939 --> 00:11:17.340 in one of these local communities. 00:11:17.340 --> 00:11:19.940 And one day, the local MP, 00:11:20.280 --> 00:11:21.680 he'd heard about their work, 00:11:21.759 --> 00:11:23.680 and he goes to visit one of their Sunday services. 00:11:24.340 --> 00:11:25.500 And he walks in, 00:11:26.139 --> 00:11:27.080 and what does he see? 00:11:27.660 --> 00:11:29.180 He sees different people, 00:11:30.080 --> 00:11:31.060 different skin colours, 00:11:31.660 --> 00:11:32.620 different accents, 00:11:33.220 --> 00:11:34.100 dressed differently. 00:11:35.040 --> 00:11:36.639 And what are these different people doing? 00:11:37.120 --> 00:11:37.879 Well, they're laughing, 00:11:38.440 --> 00:11:39.519 and they're smiling, 00:11:40.060 --> 00:11:40.840 and they're singing, 00:11:41.440 --> 00:11:42.540 and they're praying, 00:11:43.160 --> 00:11:43.820 and they're hugging, 00:11:44.460 --> 00:11:45.280 and they're praising, 00:11:45.279 --> 00:11:46.539 and they're gathering, 00:11:47.220 --> 00:11:49.459 and they're doing it all as one. 00:11:50.659 --> 00:11:54.179 And he sees the beauty of unity in diversity. 00:11:54.379 --> 00:11:55.659 He sees the church. 00:11:56.120 --> 00:11:57.759 And the story goes something like this. 00:11:57.799 --> 00:12:00.139 He goes up to one of the leaders of that church, 00:12:00.199 --> 00:12:01.179 and he remarks, 00:12:02.179 --> 00:12:02.600 he said, 00:12:02.600 --> 00:12:03.680 all these years, 00:12:03.759 --> 00:12:05.680 I've been spending millions of pounds 00:12:05.680 --> 00:12:07.460 trying to get people from that area 00:12:07.460 --> 00:12:10.300 to talk to people from that area, 00:12:10.500 --> 00:12:12.019 let alone live alongside them. 00:12:12.440 --> 00:12:13.480 And I come in here, 00:12:14.019 --> 00:12:15.519 and I see that you do it for free. 00:12:18.320 --> 00:12:19.220 What does he see? 00:12:19.300 --> 00:12:21.540 He saw unity in diversity. 00:12:21.540 --> 00:12:23.500 He saw the beauty of the church. 00:12:23.500 --> 00:12:26.500 And so as Paul lays out this list, 00:12:27.000 --> 00:12:28.759 as he talks about the implications 00:12:28.759 --> 00:12:30.320 of what God has done for them 00:12:30.320 --> 00:12:32.059 in and through Christ 00:12:32.059 --> 00:12:34.000 by creating one new man, 00:12:35.000 --> 00:12:35.559 in Christ, 00:12:35.659 --> 00:12:37.220 smashing down all the barriers 00:12:37.220 --> 00:12:38.259 that kept them apart, 00:12:38.379 --> 00:12:39.299 he wants to see 00:12:39.299 --> 00:12:42.759 that that is the miracle worth fighting for. 00:12:44.159 --> 00:12:45.980 And so in these verses here, 00:12:47.259 --> 00:12:49.039 Paul is telling them 00:12:49.039 --> 00:12:50.100 to do all that they can 00:12:50.100 --> 00:12:52.240 to protect that miracle 00:12:52.240 --> 00:12:53.980 for the glory of God. 00:12:54.960 --> 00:12:56.259 Now, how are they going to protect 00:12:56.259 --> 00:12:56.879 that miracle? 00:12:57.800 --> 00:12:59.220 Well, they're going to do it 00:12:59.220 --> 00:13:00.800 by protecting and uniting 00:13:00.800 --> 00:13:02.340 around the gospel message 00:13:02.340 --> 00:13:03.720 that is brought around 00:13:03.720 --> 00:13:05.060 the miracle in the first place. 00:13:05.840 --> 00:13:07.300 Now, remember what Paul had said, 00:13:07.600 --> 00:13:08.180 Paul's saying, 00:13:08.360 --> 00:13:09.399 right back at the beginning 00:13:09.399 --> 00:13:10.060 of this letter, 00:13:10.180 --> 00:13:11.540 chapter 1, verse 16. 00:13:12.300 --> 00:13:13.620 The power of God. 00:13:13.720 --> 00:13:15.139 Where is the power of God? 00:13:15.519 --> 00:13:16.540 It's in the gospel. 00:13:17.720 --> 00:13:18.460 The Greek word there, 00:13:18.580 --> 00:13:19.000 dinamos, 00:13:19.120 --> 00:13:19.840 it literally means 00:13:19.840 --> 00:13:21.899 the explosive power of God. 00:13:21.980 --> 00:13:22.540 It's to be found 00:13:22.540 --> 00:13:24.060 in the gospel message. 00:13:25.019 --> 00:13:26.019 So you can understand 00:13:26.019 --> 00:13:27.060 that if you take away, 00:13:27.160 --> 00:13:28.060 if you start to dilute 00:13:28.060 --> 00:13:29.180 that gospel message, 00:13:29.840 --> 00:13:31.620 then you're going to rid 00:13:31.620 --> 00:13:32.660 the gospel of its power. 00:13:33.360 --> 00:13:34.879 Because what does Paul envisage 00:13:34.879 --> 00:13:35.580 is going to happen 00:13:35.580 --> 00:13:36.100 in these, 00:13:36.620 --> 00:13:37.740 to this church? 00:13:38.480 --> 00:13:39.460 People are going to come 00:13:39.460 --> 00:13:40.220 into their midst 00:13:40.220 --> 00:13:41.000 and they're going to try 00:13:41.000 --> 00:13:41.700 and twist 00:13:41.700 --> 00:13:42.840 and distort 00:13:42.840 --> 00:13:44.060 that gospel message. 00:13:44.580 --> 00:13:45.420 What does he say 00:13:45.420 --> 00:13:46.300 at verse 17? 00:13:46.299 --> 00:13:48.519 watch out 00:13:48.519 --> 00:13:50.240 for these people. 00:13:51.839 --> 00:13:52.740 What will they try 00:13:52.740 --> 00:13:53.159 and do? 00:13:53.479 --> 00:13:54.039 They will try 00:13:54.039 --> 00:13:54.859 and cause divisions. 00:13:55.599 --> 00:13:56.919 They will put up obstacles. 00:13:57.159 --> 00:13:57.939 They will pitch 00:13:57.939 --> 00:13:59.439 to you untruths. 00:13:59.859 --> 00:14:00.699 And they will try 00:14:00.699 --> 00:14:01.620 and deceive you. 00:14:01.639 --> 00:14:02.139 And how are they going 00:14:02.139 --> 00:14:02.539 to do it? 00:14:02.579 --> 00:14:03.099 They're going to do it 00:14:03.099 --> 00:14:04.139 by smooth talk 00:14:04.139 --> 00:14:05.179 and flattery. 00:14:07.059 --> 00:14:07.799 Now, we don't know 00:14:07.799 --> 00:14:09.000 what that deception was. 00:14:09.039 --> 00:14:09.679 We don't know exactly 00:14:09.679 --> 00:14:10.279 what it was. 00:14:10.319 --> 00:14:11.099 But it's not too hard 00:14:11.099 --> 00:14:11.939 to imagine, is it? 00:14:11.940 --> 00:14:12.940 A scenario where 00:14:12.940 --> 00:14:15.340 a church of, you know, 00:14:15.400 --> 00:14:16.540 devout Jews come along 00:14:16.540 --> 00:14:17.200 and start teaching 00:14:17.200 --> 00:14:17.940 this church that, 00:14:18.040 --> 00:14:19.120 yeah, Paul, he's a nice guy 00:14:19.120 --> 00:14:20.300 but sometimes he's, you know, 00:14:20.320 --> 00:14:21.360 gets things messed up 00:14:21.360 --> 00:14:22.580 and actually you do need 00:14:22.580 --> 00:14:23.840 to obey the Jewish laws 00:14:23.840 --> 00:14:24.920 to be a good Christian. 00:14:25.260 --> 00:14:26.340 And you can imagine 00:14:26.340 --> 00:14:27.080 how something of that 00:14:27.080 --> 00:14:27.660 would happen. 00:14:27.960 --> 00:14:29.940 But whatever the teaching is, 00:14:30.560 --> 00:14:31.100 how are they going 00:14:31.100 --> 00:14:31.960 to recognize it 00:14:31.960 --> 00:14:32.840 that it's false? 00:14:33.620 --> 00:14:34.440 Because it's going to 00:14:34.440 --> 00:14:35.260 fly in the face 00:14:35.260 --> 00:14:35.960 of everything 00:14:35.960 --> 00:14:36.700 that Paul has been 00:14:36.700 --> 00:14:37.700 outlining in this letter 00:14:37.700 --> 00:14:38.320 so far. 00:14:39.940 --> 00:14:40.940 This is the gospel, 00:14:41.100 --> 00:14:41.580 says Paul. 00:14:41.580 --> 00:14:42.720 This is the gospel 00:14:42.720 --> 00:14:43.300 in Romans. 00:14:44.040 --> 00:14:45.060 Protect yourselves, 00:14:45.220 --> 00:14:46.220 protect your church 00:14:46.220 --> 00:14:47.160 by protecting 00:14:47.160 --> 00:14:48.860 the gospel message 00:14:48.860 --> 00:14:49.940 and watch out 00:14:49.940 --> 00:14:50.580 for one another 00:14:50.580 --> 00:14:51.400 as you do that. 00:14:53.940 --> 00:14:54.620 And so, 00:14:54.740 --> 00:14:55.160 with danger 00:14:55.160 --> 00:14:56.220 always on the horizon 00:14:56.220 --> 00:14:56.820 for this church, 00:14:56.879 --> 00:14:57.300 what does Paul 00:14:57.300 --> 00:14:57.940 want them to do? 00:14:58.020 --> 00:14:59.300 Notice three little phrases. 00:15:00.200 --> 00:15:00.639 Firstly, 00:15:00.759 --> 00:15:01.560 at verse 19, 00:15:01.639 --> 00:15:02.259 what does he say? 00:15:02.340 --> 00:15:02.759 He talks about 00:15:02.759 --> 00:15:03.580 your obedience. 00:15:05.960 --> 00:15:06.660 He's called them 00:15:06.660 --> 00:15:07.180 at chapter, 00:15:07.440 --> 00:15:08.860 beginning of chapter 12 00:15:08.860 --> 00:15:09.660 to live a life 00:15:09.660 --> 00:15:11.340 of worship to God. 00:15:11.580 --> 00:15:13.139 to make their lives 00:15:13.139 --> 00:15:14.040 both individually 00:15:14.040 --> 00:15:14.960 and corporately 00:15:14.960 --> 00:15:16.100 all about being 00:15:16.100 --> 00:15:17.240 a living sacrifice 00:15:17.240 --> 00:15:17.940 and how are they 00:15:17.940 --> 00:15:18.740 going to do that? 00:15:19.780 --> 00:15:19.980 Well, 00:15:20.000 --> 00:15:20.379 they're going to be 00:15:20.379 --> 00:15:21.460 radical in how 00:15:21.460 --> 00:15:22.340 they obey. 00:15:24.000 --> 00:15:24.860 And he commends 00:15:24.860 --> 00:15:25.379 them for that. 00:15:25.420 --> 00:15:25.879 Do you see that 00:15:25.879 --> 00:15:26.600 in verse 19? 00:15:26.720 --> 00:15:27.460 He rejoices 00:15:27.460 --> 00:15:28.759 that he knows 00:15:28.759 --> 00:15:29.660 that he's heard 00:15:29.660 --> 00:15:31.180 that these guys 00:15:31.180 --> 00:15:31.920 have a reputation 00:15:31.920 --> 00:15:33.020 for being obedient. 00:15:33.980 --> 00:15:34.320 Saying, 00:15:34.420 --> 00:15:34.480 no, 00:15:34.520 --> 00:15:34.980 I'm not going to 00:15:34.980 --> 00:15:35.800 go my own way. 00:15:35.860 --> 00:15:36.240 I'm not going to 00:15:36.240 --> 00:15:37.280 just go with the world 00:15:37.280 --> 00:15:37.740 on this one. 00:15:37.780 --> 00:15:38.440 I'm going to go 00:15:38.440 --> 00:15:39.340 with God. 00:15:39.380 --> 00:15:39.640 I'm going to 00:15:39.640 --> 00:15:40.220 be radically 00:15:40.220 --> 00:15:41.020 different here. 00:15:41.660 --> 00:15:42.040 I'm going to 00:15:42.040 --> 00:15:42.860 go with God's 00:15:42.860 --> 00:15:43.340 word and what 00:15:43.340 --> 00:15:43.780 he's said. 00:15:43.820 --> 00:15:44.120 I'm going to 00:15:44.120 --> 00:15:44.600 honour him 00:15:44.600 --> 00:15:45.480 with my life. 00:15:45.840 --> 00:15:46.300 And I'm not 00:15:46.300 --> 00:15:46.660 going to bow 00:15:46.660 --> 00:15:47.160 like everyone 00:15:47.160 --> 00:15:47.700 else to what 00:15:47.700 --> 00:15:48.080 the world 00:15:48.080 --> 00:15:48.800 says. 00:15:49.720 --> 00:15:50.020 It's not an 00:15:50.020 --> 00:15:50.760 incredible thing 00:15:50.760 --> 00:15:51.060 if you just 00:15:51.060 --> 00:15:51.620 pause there for a 00:15:51.620 --> 00:15:52.040 minute to be 00:15:52.040 --> 00:15:52.800 known for as 00:15:52.800 --> 00:15:53.360 a church. 00:15:54.700 --> 00:15:55.060 Radical 00:15:55.060 --> 00:15:56.100 obedience. 00:15:58.040 --> 00:15:58.580 And the thing 00:15:58.580 --> 00:15:59.100 about everyday 00:15:59.100 --> 00:16:01.040 obedience is that 00:16:01.040 --> 00:16:01.780 it's not glamorous, 00:16:01.980 --> 00:16:02.280 is it? 00:16:03.560 --> 00:16:04.100 We're not going 00:16:04.100 --> 00:16:04.700 to get a call 00:16:04.700 --> 00:16:06.240 from Peter Jackson 00:16:06.240 --> 00:16:06.840 the next day 00:16:06.840 --> 00:16:07.279 after you've 00:16:07.279 --> 00:16:07.759 been obedient 00:16:07.759 --> 00:16:08.139 to something 00:16:08.139 --> 00:16:08.480 and saying, 00:16:08.600 --> 00:16:08.919 hey, listen, 00:16:08.980 --> 00:16:09.360 could we make 00:16:09.360 --> 00:16:10.120 a motion picture, 00:16:10.720 --> 00:16:11.639 a bio doc about 00:16:11.639 --> 00:16:12.320 your life and how 00:16:12.320 --> 00:16:12.639 you've been 00:16:12.639 --> 00:16:12.960 obedient? 00:16:13.159 --> 00:16:13.500 We're not going 00:16:13.500 --> 00:16:13.940 to get that 00:16:13.940 --> 00:16:14.360 call. 00:16:15.360 --> 00:16:15.799 Because that 00:16:15.799 --> 00:16:17.259 doesn't sell to 00:16:17.259 --> 00:16:18.039 Hollywood, does it? 00:16:18.039 --> 00:16:18.320 It's not going 00:16:18.320 --> 00:16:19.019 to get us book 00:16:19.019 --> 00:16:19.379 deals. 00:16:19.480 --> 00:16:19.779 It's not going 00:16:19.779 --> 00:16:20.139 to get us 00:16:20.139 --> 00:16:20.980 attention. 00:16:21.820 --> 00:16:22.740 But here is the 00:16:22.740 --> 00:16:23.519 encouragement from 00:16:23.519 --> 00:16:24.200 these verses. 00:16:25.460 --> 00:16:26.139 That everyday 00:16:26.139 --> 00:16:27.500 obedience to God 00:16:27.500 --> 00:16:28.899 and everyday 00:16:28.899 --> 00:16:30.460 following of his 00:16:30.460 --> 00:16:31.799 words gets us 00:16:31.799 --> 00:16:33.480 God's affirmation. 00:16:34.620 --> 00:16:35.200 And maybe that's a 00:16:35.200 --> 00:16:35.960 word for some of us 00:16:35.960 --> 00:16:36.720 here this morning 00:16:36.720 --> 00:16:37.160 who are just 00:16:37.160 --> 00:16:37.920 struggling thinking, 00:16:38.040 --> 00:16:38.560 am I making a 00:16:38.560 --> 00:16:38.940 difference? 00:16:39.100 --> 00:16:40.240 Am I doing 00:16:40.240 --> 00:16:40.960 anything in this 00:16:40.960 --> 00:16:41.240 world? 00:16:41.340 --> 00:16:42.040 Well, here's the 00:16:42.040 --> 00:16:43.780 thing, that Paul 00:16:43.780 --> 00:16:44.200 loves their 00:16:44.200 --> 00:16:46.160 obedience and God 00:16:46.160 --> 00:16:46.879 loves our 00:16:46.879 --> 00:16:47.300 obedience. 00:16:48.720 --> 00:16:49.080 You know, I must 00:16:49.080 --> 00:16:50.060 say I've heard a 00:16:50.060 --> 00:16:50.920 couple of instances 00:16:50.920 --> 00:16:52.019 even this week of 00:16:52.019 --> 00:16:52.920 people in this 00:16:52.920 --> 00:16:54.019 church making 00:16:54.019 --> 00:16:55.259 costly decisions, 00:16:55.860 --> 00:16:57.019 making sacrificial 00:16:57.019 --> 00:16:57.960 decisions, making 00:16:57.960 --> 00:16:59.080 gospel decisions 00:16:59.080 --> 00:17:00.400 because they want to 00:17:00.400 --> 00:17:01.340 be obedient to the 00:17:01.340 --> 00:17:02.120 word of God. 00:17:02.780 --> 00:17:03.360 And can I just say 00:17:03.360 --> 00:17:04.279 I find it massively 00:17:04.279 --> 00:17:04.880 encouraging? 00:17:05.960 --> 00:17:07.500 And I really do, I 00:17:07.500 --> 00:17:09.240 find myself rejoicing 00:17:09.240 --> 00:17:10.000 with Paul on this 00:17:10.000 --> 00:17:10.140 one. 00:17:10.180 --> 00:17:10.759 When he sees 00:17:10.759 --> 00:17:11.600 obedience in the 00:17:11.600 --> 00:17:14.180 church, you know, 00:17:14.200 --> 00:17:14.779 I wonder how you're 00:17:14.779 --> 00:17:16.140 doing with everyday 00:17:16.140 --> 00:17:17.039 obedience this 00:17:17.039 --> 00:17:17.360 evening. 00:17:18.720 --> 00:17:19.180 You know, are there 00:17:19.180 --> 00:17:20.380 some decisions right 00:17:20.380 --> 00:17:21.460 now in your life that 00:17:21.460 --> 00:17:23.440 you need to make for 00:17:23.440 --> 00:17:24.640 the glory of God in 00:17:24.640 --> 00:17:25.180 your life? 00:17:27.920 --> 00:17:28.860 It's a big challenge 00:17:28.860 --> 00:17:29.500 to us, isn't it? 00:17:29.500 --> 00:17:32.559 Paul rejoices in the 00:17:32.559 --> 00:17:33.720 obedience of these 00:17:33.720 --> 00:17:34.500 Christians to the 00:17:34.500 --> 00:17:35.160 word of God. 00:17:35.680 --> 00:17:36.359 They are making 00:17:36.359 --> 00:17:37.720 everyday gospel 00:17:37.720 --> 00:17:38.700 decisions for the 00:17:38.700 --> 00:17:39.720 glory of God. 00:17:40.720 --> 00:17:41.259 And you see, to 00:17:41.259 --> 00:17:42.079 spur them on even 00:17:42.079 --> 00:17:42.859 more, here's the 00:17:42.859 --> 00:17:44.339 second phrase Paul 00:17:44.339 --> 00:17:45.460 uses at verse 19. 00:17:45.539 --> 00:17:46.099 What does he say? 00:17:46.160 --> 00:17:47.000 He wants them to be 00:17:47.000 --> 00:17:48.759 wise in what is 00:17:48.759 --> 00:17:49.079 good. 00:17:50.819 --> 00:17:51.460 And quickly 00:17:51.460 --> 00:17:52.099 followed by the 00:17:52.099 --> 00:17:52.900 third phrase he 00:17:52.900 --> 00:17:53.579 wants them to be, 00:17:53.640 --> 00:17:54.980 at verse 19, he 00:17:54.980 --> 00:17:55.660 wants them to be 00:17:55.660 --> 00:17:57.420 innocent about what 00:17:57.420 --> 00:17:57.940 is evil. 00:17:57.940 --> 00:17:59.600 So he wants them 00:17:59.600 --> 00:18:00.380 to be discerning. 00:18:00.480 --> 00:18:00.960 That's what he wants 00:18:00.960 --> 00:18:01.539 them to be. 00:18:02.640 --> 00:18:03.160 Now what are the 00:18:03.160 --> 00:18:04.140 encouragements for 00:18:04.140 --> 00:18:04.920 them as they seek to 00:18:04.920 --> 00:18:05.320 do that? 00:18:05.400 --> 00:18:06.559 We'll look at verse 20. 00:18:06.660 --> 00:18:07.259 Who is on their 00:18:07.259 --> 00:18:07.720 side? 00:18:08.779 --> 00:18:10.039 The God of peace. 00:18:11.720 --> 00:18:12.460 What encouragement 00:18:12.460 --> 00:18:13.580 for this church living 00:18:13.580 --> 00:18:14.920 in a world of chaos 00:18:14.920 --> 00:18:15.539 and division. 00:18:16.059 --> 00:18:16.820 They would seek to 00:18:16.820 --> 00:18:18.180 work its way into the 00:18:18.180 --> 00:18:19.759 church and infiltrate 00:18:19.759 --> 00:18:20.000 it. 00:18:20.220 --> 00:18:20.840 Who is on their 00:18:20.840 --> 00:18:21.279 side? 00:18:21.559 --> 00:18:23.039 The God of peace. 00:18:24.860 --> 00:18:25.759 And not just that, 00:18:25.840 --> 00:18:26.200 look where else 00:18:26.200 --> 00:18:26.940 what he says, and 00:18:26.940 --> 00:18:27.920 the grace of Jesus 00:18:27.920 --> 00:18:28.539 Christ. 00:18:29.060 --> 00:18:30.640 Grace and peace. 00:18:31.600 --> 00:18:32.320 What is he telling 00:18:32.320 --> 00:18:33.039 them to do? 00:18:34.039 --> 00:18:34.759 What is the big 00:18:34.759 --> 00:18:35.340 point here? 00:18:35.400 --> 00:18:36.440 The big point is that 00:18:36.440 --> 00:18:37.300 God will provide 00:18:37.300 --> 00:18:38.100 everything that you 00:18:38.100 --> 00:18:38.380 need. 00:18:39.420 --> 00:18:40.500 Keep looking to him. 00:18:41.080 --> 00:18:42.200 Keep running for him 00:18:42.200 --> 00:18:43.440 because his will be 00:18:43.440 --> 00:18:43.980 the victory. 00:18:45.480 --> 00:18:46.220 There's the miracle, 00:18:46.420 --> 00:18:46.920 says Paul. 00:18:48.259 --> 00:18:49.720 The gospel message of 00:18:49.720 --> 00:18:50.600 Jesus Christ, the 00:18:50.600 --> 00:18:51.920 power of God that 00:18:51.920 --> 00:18:53.000 has created this new 00:18:53.000 --> 00:18:53.400 people. 00:18:54.940 --> 00:18:55.800 Fight for that. 00:18:55.800 --> 00:18:57.039 Fight for the 00:18:57.039 --> 00:18:58.440 miracle of the church. 00:18:58.559 --> 00:18:59.519 Fight for it by 00:18:59.519 --> 00:19:01.420 fighting for the very 00:19:01.420 --> 00:19:02.379 gospel message that 00:19:02.379 --> 00:19:02.859 has brought you 00:19:02.859 --> 00:19:03.259 together. 00:19:04.379 --> 00:19:05.559 So there's the first 00:19:05.559 --> 00:19:06.839 flavor of this last 00:19:06.839 --> 00:19:07.740 bite of Romans. 00:19:09.139 --> 00:19:10.420 Flavor of the church. 00:19:10.539 --> 00:19:11.920 The second flavor is 00:19:11.920 --> 00:19:14.059 at verses 21 to 24. 00:19:14.920 --> 00:19:16.279 And it's mission. 00:19:17.659 --> 00:19:18.839 Paul is saying to them 00:19:18.839 --> 00:19:20.680 that here is the 00:19:20.680 --> 00:19:22.319 mission worth working 00:19:22.319 --> 00:19:22.659 for. 00:19:22.660 --> 00:19:24.220 And here Paul gives 00:19:24.220 --> 00:19:25.380 us even more names. 00:19:26.400 --> 00:19:27.279 Loves a name, does 00:19:27.279 --> 00:19:28.759 her brother Paul. 00:19:29.740 --> 00:19:30.920 Remember Paul, he's 00:19:30.920 --> 00:19:31.779 penning this. 00:19:32.200 --> 00:19:32.800 Or as we'll see in a 00:19:32.800 --> 00:19:33.279 minute that he's 00:19:33.279 --> 00:19:35.259 probably dictating this 00:19:35.259 --> 00:19:36.600 letter from Corinth. 00:19:37.320 --> 00:19:38.440 He's over here and he's 00:19:38.440 --> 00:19:39.460 sending it over to the 00:19:39.460 --> 00:19:40.240 church in Rome. 00:19:41.360 --> 00:19:42.500 So in the first half of 00:19:42.500 --> 00:19:43.860 chapter 16 we learn some 00:19:43.860 --> 00:19:44.800 names of the people who 00:19:44.800 --> 00:19:46.259 are in this church in 00:19:46.259 --> 00:19:46.580 Rome. 00:19:47.200 --> 00:19:48.220 That is the guys who are 00:19:48.220 --> 00:19:49.279 going to open this letter 00:19:49.279 --> 00:19:49.980 and read it for 00:19:49.980 --> 00:19:50.540 themselves. 00:19:50.539 --> 00:19:52.299 Well in this section 00:19:52.299 --> 00:19:53.399 here we get some names 00:19:53.399 --> 00:19:54.879 of men who are at this 00:19:54.879 --> 00:19:55.680 side of the letter. 00:19:56.339 --> 00:19:57.839 That is Paul's fellow 00:19:57.839 --> 00:19:59.359 laborers in the gospel. 00:20:00.159 --> 00:20:01.099 The people who are with 00:20:01.099 --> 00:20:01.539 Paul. 00:20:01.940 --> 00:20:02.700 The people who are at the 00:20:02.700 --> 00:20:03.539 Corinth end of the 00:20:03.539 --> 00:20:03.779 letter. 00:20:03.859 --> 00:20:04.559 That's what we get. 00:20:04.920 --> 00:20:05.559 And you see that he 00:20:05.559 --> 00:20:07.639 lists eight such men. 00:20:08.859 --> 00:20:10.259 Eight men he lists here. 00:20:11.519 --> 00:20:12.500 Quickly look with me. 00:20:12.519 --> 00:20:13.119 Who does he mention? 00:20:13.259 --> 00:20:13.700 Timothy. 00:20:14.779 --> 00:20:16.019 Paul's loved and fellow 00:20:16.019 --> 00:20:18.059 worker in gospel ministry. 00:20:18.259 --> 00:20:19.099 Timothy sends his 00:20:19.099 --> 00:20:20.200 greetings to this church. 00:20:21.119 --> 00:20:22.460 Lucius, Jason and 00:20:22.460 --> 00:20:23.399 Sospiter. 00:20:24.220 --> 00:20:25.079 I also said that a lot 00:20:25.079 --> 00:20:25.859 better than me but I've 00:20:25.859 --> 00:20:26.480 been working on that. 00:20:26.559 --> 00:20:27.220 That's what I think. 00:20:28.200 --> 00:20:29.319 These guys most likely 00:20:29.319 --> 00:20:30.779 relatives of Paul's who 00:20:30.779 --> 00:20:31.819 he's led to the Lord. 00:20:31.920 --> 00:20:32.680 They're sending their 00:20:32.680 --> 00:20:33.700 greetings as well. 00:20:34.680 --> 00:20:36.299 Tertius probably a slave 00:20:36.299 --> 00:20:38.740 who was writing down this 00:20:38.740 --> 00:20:39.980 letter word for word as 00:20:39.980 --> 00:20:41.079 Paul's dictating it. 00:20:42.639 --> 00:20:44.700 What an amazing privilege by 00:20:44.700 --> 00:20:45.579 the way for Tertius. 00:20:46.720 --> 00:20:47.980 He's sending his greetings. 00:20:47.980 --> 00:20:50.039 Gaius, probably a 00:20:50.039 --> 00:20:51.400 prosperous businessman who 00:20:51.400 --> 00:20:52.599 lives in Corinth who's 00:20:52.599 --> 00:20:53.880 leading one of the house 00:20:53.880 --> 00:20:54.720 churches or certainly 00:20:54.720 --> 00:20:56.380 opening his home for one 00:20:56.380 --> 00:20:57.400 of the house churches and 00:20:57.400 --> 00:20:58.299 being a host to the 00:20:58.299 --> 00:20:58.980 apostle Paul. 00:20:59.160 --> 00:21:00.180 He sends his greetings. 00:21:01.519 --> 00:21:03.880 And Erastus, the city 00:21:03.880 --> 00:21:05.759 treasurer who's trusted in 00:21:05.759 --> 00:21:07.019 Christ, this man of honor, 00:21:07.120 --> 00:21:09.000 this man of position, he 00:21:09.000 --> 00:21:10.460 sends his greetings as well. 00:21:11.720 --> 00:21:13.039 Paul wants them to know 00:21:13.039 --> 00:21:14.980 about these eight men. 00:21:15.980 --> 00:21:18.579 Now the real gold here is 00:21:18.579 --> 00:21:19.920 not in so much as what 00:21:19.920 --> 00:21:21.099 these men do, although that 00:21:21.099 --> 00:21:21.759 is important. 00:21:22.460 --> 00:21:24.259 The real gold here is 00:21:24.259 --> 00:21:26.839 noticing why Paul bothers 00:21:26.839 --> 00:21:27.599 to mention them. 00:21:28.519 --> 00:21:29.879 Why does he mention them? 00:21:30.379 --> 00:21:31.599 Now every time Paul mentions 00:21:31.599 --> 00:21:32.980 names in his letters, he's 00:21:32.980 --> 00:21:34.099 doing it with a purpose. 00:21:34.680 --> 00:21:35.779 Because letter writing in 00:21:35.779 --> 00:21:37.680 this culture, very timely, 00:21:38.220 --> 00:21:39.240 time consuming I should say, 00:21:39.319 --> 00:21:40.480 and really expensive. 00:21:40.700 --> 00:21:41.680 So you do not waste your 00:21:41.680 --> 00:21:42.120 words. 00:21:42.640 --> 00:21:43.600 So Paul is deliberately 00:21:43.600 --> 00:21:44.700 mentioning these men here. 00:21:44.779 --> 00:21:45.660 Why is he doing that? 00:21:47.000 --> 00:21:48.259 Why does Paul want these 00:21:48.259 --> 00:21:49.519 guys in Rome to know about 00:21:49.519 --> 00:21:50.519 these guys who are laboring 00:21:50.519 --> 00:21:51.580 with him in Corinth over 00:21:51.580 --> 00:21:51.940 here? 00:21:52.220 --> 00:21:53.200 Why does he do it? 00:21:53.299 --> 00:21:54.600 Answer for their 00:21:54.600 --> 00:21:56.440 encouragement and for their 00:21:56.440 --> 00:21:57.120 inspiration. 00:21:58.380 --> 00:22:00.180 Here are eight men, says 00:22:00.180 --> 00:22:00.460 Paul. 00:22:00.600 --> 00:22:02.200 Different men, different 00:22:02.200 --> 00:22:03.880 gifts, different resources, 00:22:04.100 --> 00:22:05.100 different circumstances. 00:22:05.279 --> 00:22:06.120 And what have they done? 00:22:06.980 --> 00:22:09.259 They have all bought in to 00:22:09.259 --> 00:22:09.779 the mission. 00:22:09.779 --> 00:22:12.220 They've all bought in to the 00:22:12.220 --> 00:22:12.559 mission. 00:22:13.240 --> 00:22:14.099 And what's the mission? 00:22:14.700 --> 00:22:16.059 The mission is to take the 00:22:16.059 --> 00:22:18.779 gospel, the story of God's 00:22:18.779 --> 00:22:20.099 salvation, the story of how 00:22:20.099 --> 00:22:21.759 God has made a way for sinful 00:22:21.759 --> 00:22:23.420 men and women to be reconciled 00:22:23.420 --> 00:22:25.099 to him and live and enjoy him 00:22:25.099 --> 00:22:28.099 forever through Jesus Christ. 00:22:28.559 --> 00:22:30.680 Take that gospel to the ends of 00:22:30.680 --> 00:22:31.200 the earth. 00:22:31.839 --> 00:22:33.319 Take it to your whole world. 00:22:33.420 --> 00:22:34.599 Take it to your circles. 00:22:34.599 --> 00:22:37.119 That's the mission. 00:22:38.500 --> 00:22:39.379 That's the mission. 00:22:40.199 --> 00:22:42.039 And here are eight men who have 00:22:42.039 --> 00:22:44.299 bought into that mission and who 00:22:44.299 --> 00:22:46.199 are working hard along with Paul 00:22:46.199 --> 00:22:47.839 and using whatever they have, 00:22:48.219 --> 00:22:50.119 whatever they have for that 00:22:50.119 --> 00:22:50.480 mission. 00:22:51.559 --> 00:22:52.939 Just think about a few of them 00:22:52.939 --> 00:22:53.980 really quickly. 00:22:54.219 --> 00:22:57.599 Tertius sacrificing his time to 00:22:58.240 --> 00:22:59.799 help Paul write this letter. 00:22:59.799 --> 00:23:03.519 Now, is Paul having difficulty 00:23:03.519 --> 00:23:04.539 writing at this point? 00:23:05.960 --> 00:23:07.680 Is Tertius helping him translate 00:23:07.680 --> 00:23:09.740 this letter into Latin so that it 00:23:09.740 --> 00:23:11.000 can be understood by people at the 00:23:11.000 --> 00:23:12.339 other side, perhaps? 00:23:12.980 --> 00:23:14.839 But whatever it is, do you see how 00:23:14.839 --> 00:23:17.659 Tertius is giving up his time, 00:23:18.379 --> 00:23:20.599 listening to Paul, writing it all 00:23:20.599 --> 00:23:23.259 down and using his skills to write 00:23:23.259 --> 00:23:23.859 this letter? 00:23:23.980 --> 00:23:24.960 Why is he doing that? 00:23:24.960 --> 00:23:28.059 Because he buys into the mission. 00:23:29.819 --> 00:23:32.100 Gaius, this wealthy man who we read 00:23:32.100 --> 00:23:34.340 about at the beginning of 1 Corinthians, 00:23:35.100 --> 00:23:36.539 he's baptized by Paul. 00:23:36.579 --> 00:23:38.279 What is he doing with his resources? 00:23:39.079 --> 00:23:40.500 Is he living the high life? 00:23:41.460 --> 00:23:43.519 Has he got a speedboat and a house 00:23:43.519 --> 00:23:44.620 in the south of Spain? 00:23:45.079 --> 00:23:45.779 No, he's not. 00:23:45.840 --> 00:23:46.440 What is he doing? 00:23:46.539 --> 00:23:48.160 He's hosting a church. 00:23:49.160 --> 00:23:51.180 And he's using what God has given 00:23:51.180 --> 00:23:53.440 him for the furtherance of God's 00:23:53.440 --> 00:23:53.759 kingdom. 00:23:53.759 --> 00:23:56.140 And why does he do it? 00:23:56.500 --> 00:23:59.400 He does it because Gaius has bought 00:23:59.400 --> 00:24:01.200 into the mission. 00:24:02.460 --> 00:24:05.220 And Erastus, this man of high position, 00:24:05.339 --> 00:24:06.819 is he seeking to climb the career 00:24:06.819 --> 00:24:07.180 ladder? 00:24:08.160 --> 00:24:08.720 No, he's not. 00:24:08.779 --> 00:24:10.680 He's seeking to live for the glory of 00:24:10.680 --> 00:24:13.420 God and telling others about him in 00:24:13.420 --> 00:24:14.720 the place where he works. 00:24:14.779 --> 00:24:17.240 And why does Erastus do it? 00:24:17.920 --> 00:24:20.519 He does it because he's bought into 00:24:20.519 --> 00:24:21.680 the mission. 00:24:21.680 --> 00:24:25.019 Here are eight men who have bought 00:24:25.019 --> 00:24:26.060 into the mission. 00:24:26.200 --> 00:24:28.160 Here are eight men who are working 00:24:28.160 --> 00:24:29.720 hard for the mission. 00:24:29.860 --> 00:24:31.759 Here are eight men who are spending 00:24:31.759 --> 00:24:34.519 themselves for the mission to take the 00:24:34.519 --> 00:24:36.340 gospel across the globe. 00:24:37.299 --> 00:24:39.019 And why are they doing that? 00:24:39.980 --> 00:24:42.500 Because their hearts have been so utterly 00:24:42.500 --> 00:24:46.640 gripped by the greatness and sheer 00:24:46.640 --> 00:24:49.300 brilliance of the person and their 00:24:49.300 --> 00:24:50.700 savior, Jesus Christ. 00:24:52.020 --> 00:24:54.300 And you see how that praise of God has 00:24:54.300 --> 00:24:57.500 propelled them to go and work hard for 00:24:57.500 --> 00:24:59.500 the gospel and proclaim the gospel, 00:24:59.740 --> 00:25:01.000 live for Jesus Christ. 00:25:03.340 --> 00:25:05.040 You know, it was William Tyndale, the 00:25:05.040 --> 00:25:07.520 man probably most famous for translating 00:25:07.520 --> 00:25:09.360 the Bible into English at some point in 00:25:09.360 --> 00:25:09.700 his life. 00:25:09.740 --> 00:25:11.280 And it was really hard to do so. 00:25:11.279 --> 00:25:13.000 And he was burnt at the stake because he 00:25:13.000 --> 00:25:13.279 did it. 00:25:13.339 --> 00:25:14.240 He said this. 00:25:15.660 --> 00:25:16.039 He said, 00:25:16.160 --> 00:25:19.720 Evangelion is a Greek word signifying good, 00:25:20.259 --> 00:25:22.920 merry, glad, and joyful news. 00:25:23.180 --> 00:25:25.339 And it makes a man's heart glad. 00:25:25.539 --> 00:25:26.839 And it makes him sing. 00:25:27.000 --> 00:25:28.240 And it makes him dance. 00:25:28.299 --> 00:25:29.799 And it makes him leap for joy. 00:25:31.799 --> 00:25:32.279 Question. 00:25:32.279 --> 00:25:35.480 Does the gospel make you, 00:25:35.940 --> 00:25:39.319 does the gospel make me sing and dance 00:25:39.319 --> 00:25:40.539 and leap for joy? 00:25:43.039 --> 00:25:45.319 Has Jesus gripped our souls? 00:25:46.539 --> 00:25:49.500 Have we bought and do we cherish and do we 00:25:49.500 --> 00:25:51.639 love the gospel of Jesus Christ? 00:25:52.500 --> 00:25:55.899 And have we bought into the mission that 00:25:55.899 --> 00:25:58.420 Paul lays out here to take the gospel to 00:25:58.420 --> 00:25:58.940 the world? 00:25:58.940 --> 00:26:03.080 Are you using your time for that mission? 00:26:04.580 --> 00:26:07.400 Are you using your resources for that 00:26:07.400 --> 00:26:07.759 mission? 00:26:08.660 --> 00:26:11.360 Are you using your job and position that 00:26:11.360 --> 00:26:13.759 God has given you for that mission? 00:26:16.220 --> 00:26:18.420 And I was reacquainted with the story of 00:26:18.420 --> 00:26:20.279 the English cricketer C.T. 00:26:20.360 --> 00:26:21.039 Studd this week. 00:26:21.120 --> 00:26:22.039 That's the guy on the screen. 00:26:22.340 --> 00:26:23.580 Just to put you out your misery there. 00:26:23.660 --> 00:26:24.559 That's who that guy is. 00:26:26.000 --> 00:26:27.820 I'd heard the story before about C.T. 00:26:27.940 --> 00:26:28.920 Studd, but I maybe just hadn't 00:26:28.920 --> 00:26:30.860 appreciated just how good a cricketer he 00:26:30.860 --> 00:26:31.259 was. 00:26:32.060 --> 00:26:33.779 He wasn't just a good cricketer. 00:26:33.880 --> 00:26:35.240 I mean, we're talking about a seriously 00:26:35.240 --> 00:26:37.700 talented and highly acclaimed man who 00:26:37.700 --> 00:26:38.460 played for England. 00:26:39.100 --> 00:26:40.500 I mean, he's got to be good, I think, to 00:26:40.500 --> 00:26:41.039 play for England. 00:26:42.539 --> 00:26:44.660 But in any event, he becomes a Christian 00:26:44.660 --> 00:26:47.740 and he gives up his cricket career and 00:26:47.740 --> 00:26:49.779 he goes on to become a highly devoted 00:26:49.779 --> 00:26:51.560 missionary and he's taken the gospel to 00:26:51.560 --> 00:26:53.180 places like China and India. 00:26:54.539 --> 00:26:55.700 Incidentally, you can have this one for 00:26:55.700 --> 00:26:55.960 free. 00:26:56.060 --> 00:26:57.880 There's a great biography of him by Norman 00:26:57.880 --> 00:26:58.240 Grub. 00:26:58.340 --> 00:26:59.480 You can get it for really cheap on 00:26:59.480 --> 00:27:00.140 Kindle just now. 00:27:00.300 --> 00:27:00.860 That's for free. 00:27:01.740 --> 00:27:02.540 But there it is. 00:27:02.820 --> 00:27:04.440 But we have to ask ourselves, why would 00:27:04.440 --> 00:27:04.840 C.T. 00:27:04.940 --> 00:27:06.820 Studd give up his cricket career to go 00:27:06.820 --> 00:27:09.260 and share the gospel with those in 00:27:09.260 --> 00:27:10.280 far-flung lands? 00:27:10.400 --> 00:27:13.820 Well, here is what he said as he thought 00:27:13.820 --> 00:27:16.000 about his life and as he thought about 00:27:16.000 --> 00:27:17.860 what he should do with his life after he 00:27:17.860 --> 00:27:18.940 became a Christian. 00:27:19.420 --> 00:27:20.200 Now, this is great. 00:27:20.300 --> 00:27:20.940 Listen to this. 00:27:20.940 --> 00:27:22.700 He's recorded as saying this. 00:27:24.700 --> 00:27:28.620 How could I spend the best hours of my 00:27:28.620 --> 00:27:32.019 life in working for myself and for the 00:27:32.019 --> 00:27:34.779 honors and pleasures of this world when 00:27:34.779 --> 00:27:37.480 thousands of souls are perishing without 00:27:37.480 --> 00:27:39.440 having heard about Jesus Christ? 00:27:39.440 --> 00:27:43.840 The best hours of his life. 00:27:45.820 --> 00:27:48.240 And he would later go on to write the poem that's 00:27:48.240 --> 00:27:49.740 cherished by so many. 00:27:49.900 --> 00:27:50.980 The poem with these words, 00:27:50.980 --> 00:27:53.440 Oh, let my love with fervor burn. 00:27:54.000 --> 00:27:56.360 And from the world now let me turn. 00:27:56.500 --> 00:27:58.279 Living for thee and thee alone. 00:27:58.799 --> 00:28:01.080 Bringing thee pleasure on thy throne. 00:28:02.000 --> 00:28:03.259 Only one life. 00:28:03.259 --> 00:28:05.420 It will soon be passed. 00:28:06.240 --> 00:28:09.400 Only what's done for Christ will last. 00:28:11.259 --> 00:28:12.920 That is inspiring stuff, isn't it? 00:28:13.680 --> 00:28:15.980 I find that massively challenging as I think 00:28:15.980 --> 00:28:16.799 about my life. 00:28:18.940 --> 00:28:20.960 You think, I think about Moses in Psalm 90. 00:28:21.059 --> 00:28:21.680 What does he say? 00:28:21.799 --> 00:28:23.700 He says, Lord, teach us to number our years, 00:28:23.799 --> 00:28:24.700 number our days. 00:28:25.180 --> 00:28:26.859 What are we doing with our days on this 00:28:26.859 --> 00:28:27.099 earth? 00:28:27.200 --> 00:28:28.599 Have we bought into this mission? 00:28:28.740 --> 00:28:29.539 Here's a man. 00:28:30.200 --> 00:28:31.799 Here's men in this letter, but here's a 00:28:31.799 --> 00:28:33.779 man C.T. Studd who is bought into this 00:28:33.779 --> 00:28:36.159 mission and living his life for the glory 00:28:36.159 --> 00:28:37.960 of God and expending himself for the 00:28:37.960 --> 00:28:40.599 mission of God to take the gospel around 00:28:40.599 --> 00:28:41.299 the world. 00:28:42.200 --> 00:28:43.940 But it's an example, isn't it, of what 00:28:43.940 --> 00:28:46.559 happens when the gospel of grace grips 00:28:46.559 --> 00:28:49.419 us and is the person of Jesus Christ as 00:28:49.419 --> 00:28:50.659 he thrills us. 00:28:51.639 --> 00:28:53.440 And it produces in us, doesn't it, that 00:28:53.440 --> 00:28:56.940 deep sense of wonder and awe and worship 00:28:56.940 --> 00:29:00.139 and praise and that deep sense of obligation 00:29:00.140 --> 00:29:03.180 and debt and it propels us to mission. 00:29:04.900 --> 00:29:06.759 Here are eight men, says Paul. 00:29:07.860 --> 00:29:11.300 Different men, different gifts, different 00:29:11.300 --> 00:29:14.240 resources, but who are using whatever 00:29:14.240 --> 00:29:17.460 they've got, whatever God has given them 00:29:17.460 --> 00:29:18.940 for this mission. 00:29:20.620 --> 00:29:22.080 Now, of course, this guy Paul, isn't he? 00:29:22.080 --> 00:29:23.800 He's already outlined in this letter that 00:29:23.800 --> 00:29:26.820 praise has propelled him to travel around 00:29:26.820 --> 00:29:28.560 Asia Minor proclaiming the gospel. 00:29:28.559 --> 00:29:29.579 What is his desire? 00:29:29.659 --> 00:29:31.200 We saw at the beginning of chapter 15. 00:29:31.519 --> 00:29:32.519 He wants to go to Spain. 00:29:33.339 --> 00:29:34.779 I mean, this is not a guy who, like, 00:29:35.059 --> 00:29:37.139 lacks godly ambition, is it? 00:29:38.119 --> 00:29:39.779 Or that I would have the mindset of Paul, 00:29:39.839 --> 00:29:42.079 that I want to go to everywhere in my 00:29:42.079 --> 00:29:43.419 circles and spread the gospel. 00:29:44.240 --> 00:29:47.480 Paul says here, as he finishes this book 00:29:47.480 --> 00:29:50.899 of letter of Romans, here is the mission 00:29:50.899 --> 00:29:52.259 worth working for. 00:29:53.980 --> 00:29:56.099 And that's the second flavor of the last 00:29:56.099 --> 00:29:56.539 bit of Romans. 00:29:56.539 --> 00:29:57.399 Here's the third one. 00:29:58.619 --> 00:30:01.180 And we'll find it in verses 25 to 27. 00:30:02.200 --> 00:30:04.799 And it's of God's glory. 00:30:05.839 --> 00:30:09.099 Paul says here is the message worth living for. 00:30:10.139 --> 00:30:12.339 So do you see how Paul finishes his letter 00:30:12.339 --> 00:30:16.579 by lifting their gaze to the greatness of God, 00:30:16.779 --> 00:30:19.420 the God who has made this whole salvation 00:30:19.420 --> 00:30:20.920 venture possible. 00:30:20.920 --> 00:30:24.039 And he tells them again that salvation, 00:30:24.940 --> 00:30:26.980 this plan that God has had since the beginning 00:30:26.980 --> 00:30:30.060 of time to bring sinful men and women to himself, 00:30:31.019 --> 00:30:33.180 that they can be saved through Jesus Christ, 00:30:33.279 --> 00:30:34.759 that they can be made one with God, 00:30:34.900 --> 00:30:37.660 this is the God who has made this all possible. 00:30:38.380 --> 00:30:39.800 It's not us who have made this possible. 00:30:39.960 --> 00:30:41.580 It is God who has made this possible. 00:30:41.579 --> 00:30:44.939 And notice in passing how Paul describes God here. 00:30:46.059 --> 00:30:46.859 Verse 25. 00:30:48.539 --> 00:30:50.839 As the one who is able to establish them. 00:30:52.240 --> 00:30:55.500 As if to remind them that the God who saved them 00:30:55.500 --> 00:30:58.639 is the God who is able to hold them and keep them. 00:30:58.640 --> 00:31:01.100 And the God who is able to see them home. 00:31:02.020 --> 00:31:03.759 Is this mission terrifying? 00:31:03.900 --> 00:31:05.440 It is absolutely terrifying. 00:31:05.820 --> 00:31:07.360 What is the comfort in this mission? 00:31:07.660 --> 00:31:11.740 That the power is from God and it is God who's holding us. 00:31:12.320 --> 00:31:13.259 This is all of him. 00:31:13.900 --> 00:31:16.900 He is the one who commanded this whole salvation thing. 00:31:16.980 --> 00:31:18.500 Do you notice that in verse 26? 00:31:19.759 --> 00:31:21.240 He is the eternal God. 00:31:21.840 --> 00:31:23.680 He is the only wise God. 00:31:24.880 --> 00:31:28.560 Salvation from beginning to end is the plan of the eternal God. 00:31:29.340 --> 00:31:32.620 His plan since the beginning of time to win a people for himself. 00:31:33.259 --> 00:31:36.640 A plan centering on Jesus Christ, heaven's reigning king. 00:31:37.240 --> 00:31:38.680 The eternal son of God. 00:31:38.680 --> 00:31:43.400 God sent from heaven's courts to rescue sinful men and women from their sin. 00:31:44.380 --> 00:31:47.020 He would give his life on the cross to win that people. 00:31:47.340 --> 00:31:50.320 A people from all around the world and win them to himself 00:31:50.320 --> 00:31:51.980 in order that they might sing his praises. 00:31:52.380 --> 00:31:56.620 And with one voice live for and glorify the God who has saved them. 00:31:58.640 --> 00:31:59.520 That's the message. 00:32:00.940 --> 00:32:01.840 That's the message. 00:32:03.420 --> 00:32:05.000 What does Paul do with this message? 00:32:05.100 --> 00:32:05.820 Verse 25. 00:32:06.060 --> 00:32:06.860 He proclaims it. 00:32:08.440 --> 00:32:09.480 He proclaims it. 00:32:10.800 --> 00:32:12.060 And you can't help this. 00:32:12.580 --> 00:32:13.520 Maybe this was just me. 00:32:13.759 --> 00:32:15.280 But you can't help but read these verses. 00:32:15.460 --> 00:32:18.300 I read them this week and I could hear Paul's voice in the back of my head. 00:32:19.140 --> 00:32:19.940 And what was he saying? 00:32:20.940 --> 00:32:22.000 He was saying, join me. 00:32:23.000 --> 00:32:23.620 Join me. 00:32:24.179 --> 00:32:25.899 Give your life for this mission. 00:32:26.059 --> 00:32:29.379 There is nothing that compares with giving your life for this mission. 00:32:29.579 --> 00:32:30.039 Join me. 00:32:30.879 --> 00:32:33.459 Join me in making much of Jesus Christ. 00:32:34.299 --> 00:32:37.699 Join me in making Jesus Christ known to the lost world. 00:32:37.919 --> 00:32:40.599 To a lost world that desperately needs to hear about him. 00:32:41.979 --> 00:32:44.559 For you see, the greatest man that ever lived. 00:32:45.619 --> 00:32:50.079 He calls us to join him in the greatest mission that the world will ever know. 00:32:50.079 --> 00:32:52.659 Here is Jesus Christ. 00:32:54.240 --> 00:32:55.559 That's what Romans says, isn't it? 00:32:55.579 --> 00:32:56.379 As we come to finish. 00:32:56.480 --> 00:32:58.399 It's a call to know and it's a call to go. 00:32:59.199 --> 00:33:00.179 To go and proclaim. 00:33:01.359 --> 00:33:05.279 To take this incredible message to the far-flung corners of the earth. 00:33:05.480 --> 00:33:05.899 Yes. 00:33:05.900 --> 00:33:08.880 But to take it to our streets. 00:33:09.840 --> 00:33:11.820 And to take it to our offices. 00:33:12.640 --> 00:33:14.700 And to take it to our sports teams. 00:33:15.180 --> 00:33:17.920 And to take it to our families. 00:33:18.180 --> 00:33:19.580 And to take it to our friends. 00:33:19.700 --> 00:33:22.100 And to take it to anywhere else that you find yourself. 00:33:23.960 --> 00:33:25.160 To make Jesus known. 00:33:25.900 --> 00:33:27.000 To make him great. 00:33:28.759 --> 00:33:29.480 And to bring. 00:33:29.900 --> 00:33:32.380 God would use us to bring men and women to faith in him. 00:33:32.380 --> 00:33:36.880 So the question as we leave the letter to the Romans is. 00:33:37.360 --> 00:33:38.060 Will we go? 00:33:39.340 --> 00:33:40.160 Will we go? 00:33:40.720 --> 00:33:45.340 Will we be God's people who are captivated by praise and who go and proclaim? 00:33:47.420 --> 00:33:48.440 So there it is. 00:33:48.500 --> 00:33:50.160 The last bite of Romans 16. 00:33:51.920 --> 00:33:53.840 The miracle worth fighting for. 00:33:53.960 --> 00:33:55.500 The mission worth working for. 00:33:55.580 --> 00:33:57.120 The message worth living for. 00:33:57.119 --> 00:34:03.019 And let me close just by reading the chorus of the song that we're about to stand and sing. 00:34:03.139 --> 00:34:07.139 Which I think so beautifully ends the book of Romans. 00:34:07.839 --> 00:34:10.739 You can almost say it's a theme song for the whole book of Romans. 00:34:10.839 --> 00:34:11.519 And it's this. 00:34:12.239 --> 00:34:14.339 All glory be to Christ our King. 00:34:15.559 --> 00:34:17.679 All glory be to Christ. 00:34:18.239 --> 00:34:20.779 His rule and reign we will ever sing. 00:34:21.299 --> 00:34:23.900 All glory be to Christ. 00:34:23.900 --> 00:34:26.519 And how does Paul end this letter? 00:34:26.660 --> 00:34:27.800 Alistair led us in it earlier. 00:34:27.940 --> 00:34:28.539 Let's end there. 00:34:28.619 --> 00:34:29.260 We'll say it together. 00:34:29.360 --> 00:34:30.539 How does Paul end this letter? 00:34:31.539 --> 00:34:31.980 Amen. 00:34:33.619 --> 00:34:34.400 Let me pray. 00:34:37.980 --> 00:34:39.400 Oh our gracious Father. 00:34:39.480 --> 00:34:40.460 We thank you. 00:34:41.139 --> 00:34:42.460 Thank you for your word. 00:34:43.420 --> 00:34:46.400 Thank you for the letter of Romans. 00:34:47.280 --> 00:34:49.619 Thank you that we have it in our own language. 00:34:50.119 --> 00:34:52.500 Thank you that it tells us about your greatness. 00:34:52.500 --> 00:34:55.900 And the extent that you have gone to to make us yours. 00:34:57.079 --> 00:35:00.579 And as we close our time together in it tonight. 00:35:01.840 --> 00:35:07.820 I ask gracious Father that its message would continue to be fuel for mission. 00:35:09.059 --> 00:35:11.659 Oh would the person of Jesus Christ. 00:35:12.280 --> 00:35:13.280 His work. 00:35:13.699 --> 00:35:14.400 His death. 00:35:14.480 --> 00:35:15.320 His resurrection. 00:35:15.599 --> 00:35:18.179 May that continue to thrill our hearts. 00:35:18.179 --> 00:35:24.339 And may that praise of him propel us to go and proclaim. 00:35:25.339 --> 00:35:29.980 Oh would you help us to live for you and your glory this week we ask by your spirit. 00:35:30.619 --> 00:35:36.319 To be those who proclaim your glorious message to this lost and broken world. 00:35:37.359 --> 00:35:40.119 Oh our gracious Father we thank you for our time this evening. 00:35:40.119 --> 00:35:43.239 And we pray these things in the glorious name of Jesus. 00:35:44.039 --> 00:35:44.519 Amen.