WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:12.280 And take out, at least for some time, for us on Sunday morning, for the last time, and turn in your Bibles to Romans chapter 16, beginning in verse 25. 00:00:12.279 --> 00:00:19.920 And while you're doing that, the stab this morning about my contact was from last week. If you weren't here, I couldn't see, so I had somebody preach for me. 00:00:20.780 --> 00:00:28.240 And my glasses were broken. They're fixed, and I can see this morning. And it's such a wonderful thing to be able to look out and see you together as we gather. 00:00:28.239 --> 00:00:44.379 Let me also say, as you're turning there, and as I'm getting situated here, that I really, really, really appreciate the way Wes is committed to bringing to us songs that have true content in them. 00:00:45.340 --> 00:00:53.000 He referred to the song we sang by Rich Mullins as, the words of it are the Apostles' Creed, and we don't actually affirm every part of the Apostles' Creed. 00:00:53.000 --> 00:00:59.480 That may come as a shock to you, but we don't believe that Jesus, when he was buried, descended to hell and preached the gospel. 00:00:59.840 --> 00:01:04.460 I'm not going to get into why we don't believe that. I think there's a very clear biblical explanation for it. 00:01:04.719 --> 00:01:13.560 But the Apostles' Creed affirms that, and so Wes wisely changed the wording, so we're not singing something that we don't affirm together as a church. 00:01:14.400 --> 00:01:17.560 Secondly, the song we just sang, you may know the words a little bit different. 00:01:17.560 --> 00:01:23.120 The second verse says, it was my sin that held him there, was the original writing of that. 00:01:23.640 --> 00:01:28.520 And Wes didn't appreciate the way it seemed that our sin had power over Christ. 00:01:28.659 --> 00:01:31.760 So he changed the words to, it was his love that held him there. 00:01:31.820 --> 00:01:38.359 It was his desire to love us, to make the sacrifice for our sins that kept him on the cross, 00:01:38.379 --> 00:01:43.079 as he did it sacrificially as a volunteer in our place. 00:01:43.079 --> 00:01:47.299 And so, I just want to point that out. I know some of you are looking for a home church right now. 00:01:47.859 --> 00:01:50.659 Some of you are settled here, but may not be here forever. 00:01:50.859 --> 00:01:55.519 And I just would encourage you that as you go places and you see what they have to offer, 00:01:55.599 --> 00:01:59.500 make sure that what they do is true in every way. 00:02:00.039 --> 00:02:03.859 So let's learn to Romans chapter 16. I hope that you're there already. 00:02:04.200 --> 00:02:12.599 And before we get into this, I want to point out one potential discrepancy that you may notice in the text. 00:02:12.599 --> 00:02:19.979 If you look carefully at your Bible, you will probably notice that you do not have a verse 24. 00:02:22.299 --> 00:02:25.180 Is that the case for everybody? Probably so. 00:02:25.259 --> 00:02:27.759 You do not have a verse 24. 00:02:27.979 --> 00:02:31.859 And if you carefully look at your footnotes, it will show you that this didn't exist. 00:02:31.939 --> 00:02:34.219 Verse 24 didn't exist in some of the early manuscripts. 00:02:34.340 --> 00:02:36.359 I just want to deal with that before we move on. 00:02:36.360 --> 00:02:39.780 And then verse 24 in some of the later manuscripts says, 00:02:39.940 --> 00:02:42.760 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. 00:02:42.960 --> 00:02:47.900 And simply because it's not in some of the early manuscripts, they've excluded it here. 00:02:47.980 --> 00:02:50.560 At least in the ESV, they've excluded it by giving us a footnote. 00:02:50.680 --> 00:02:56.520 So, as you're looking around in the text, I know my eyes tend to wander a bit as I'm listening to sermons. 00:02:56.900 --> 00:02:58.160 Don't panic. 00:02:58.660 --> 00:03:01.080 There's not a typo in your copy of God's Word. 00:03:01.080 --> 00:03:04.719 If it's excluded, that was for that very reason. 00:03:05.000 --> 00:03:06.680 And I take no issue with that. 00:03:06.760 --> 00:03:09.100 I also take no issue with it being included because it's very consistent. 00:03:09.720 --> 00:03:14.580 There's no untruth there in the potential of verse 24. 00:03:16.040 --> 00:03:17.600 Well, we come to the end of Romans. 00:03:17.900 --> 00:03:22.180 I did a little bit of research just looking back at our recorded sermons. 00:03:22.660 --> 00:03:28.060 The first sermon that we preached on the book of Romans was on March 20th of 2011. 00:03:28.060 --> 00:03:34.640 I realized that at the time, Cademan, our three-year-old now, was not even one. 00:03:35.759 --> 00:03:41.140 Sam, I believe, if I'm doing my math correctly, was pregnant with Judah, but we had no idea when that was the case. 00:03:41.219 --> 00:03:44.180 And we so now have a one-year-old as well. 00:03:44.960 --> 00:03:45.939 Life was a little bit different. 00:03:46.000 --> 00:03:50.879 It seemed like a long, long time ago that we began looking at this book together. 00:03:51.599 --> 00:03:54.280 We have 72 sermons on record. 00:03:54.580 --> 00:03:55.939 Today would make 73. 00:03:55.939 --> 00:04:00.319 There were a few Sundays that were not recorded for various technological reasons. 00:04:00.879 --> 00:04:06.139 For example, the Sunday that I unmuted the mic but had never turned it on, so there was just no power to it at all. 00:04:06.539 --> 00:04:13.340 So I would say we've done 75 to 76 sermons or so through the book of Romans. 00:04:13.340 --> 00:04:23.560 And I say braggadociously with boasting that we have just barely scratched the surface of the book of Romans. 00:04:23.920 --> 00:04:25.600 Not to boast on me by any minute. 00:04:25.680 --> 00:04:29.259 If you are paying attention to my words, I'm actually deflecting that for myself. 00:04:29.579 --> 00:04:37.319 To say we have spent roughly two years with some breaks in there, 76 times together looking at this book. 00:04:37.319 --> 00:04:41.560 And there is so much more to be wrung out of it. 00:04:41.599 --> 00:04:45.959 There's so much more depth to be found in it. 00:04:46.519 --> 00:04:50.980 I hope in this time together, though, that it's been beneficial to you. 00:04:51.040 --> 00:04:57.980 I hope that the pages in your Bible, if we were to look at it, are looking a little more worn in this particular section. 00:04:58.159 --> 00:05:00.439 I hope also that you're not done with it. 00:05:00.439 --> 00:05:07.480 As we go from this and move on, we're going to be looking at the book of Nehemiah together beginning next week, Lord willing. 00:05:08.019 --> 00:05:12.939 That you come back to Romans and you soak in it and you let it work in you and through you. 00:05:13.000 --> 00:05:16.420 It is certainly a precious, precious book. 00:05:16.540 --> 00:05:20.159 Martin Luther called it the greatest letter ever penned. 00:05:21.040 --> 00:05:26.939 I look back, just of interest, just to look back at the very first sermon that I preached. 00:05:26.939 --> 00:05:29.040 And be aware, too, I didn't preach all of those sermons. 00:05:29.040 --> 00:05:30.780 I had lots of help throughout that. 00:05:30.840 --> 00:05:34.080 But I did preach the very first sermon that we did in the book of Romans. 00:05:34.160 --> 00:05:43.640 And I want to read to you something that I wrote and spoke at that time as a reminder to what we had hoped to accomplish as we studied the book of Romans together. 00:05:43.939 --> 00:05:46.939 I know many of you weren't here on March 20, 2011. 00:05:49.500 --> 00:05:53.020 God has used Paul's letter to the Romans in mighty ways before. 00:05:53.019 --> 00:05:58.919 In AD 386, a man took up a scroll of the book of Romans and read from it. 00:05:59.719 --> 00:06:02.180 Chapter 13, verses 13 and 14. 00:06:02.879 --> 00:06:04.379 He later wrote of the occasion. 00:06:04.979 --> 00:06:07.279 No further would I read, nor did I need. 00:06:07.379 --> 00:06:16.699 For instantly, as the sentence ended, by a light, as it were, or security infused into my heart, all the gloom of doubt vanished away. 00:06:16.699 --> 00:06:20.719 That man was Aurelius Augustine, Augustine of Hippo. 00:06:22.120 --> 00:06:31.379 A thousand years later, an Augustinian monk was teaching the book of Romans to his students and struggled with the expression, the righteousness of God. 00:06:31.980 --> 00:06:33.779 When he came to understand it, he wrote, 00:06:33.779 --> 00:06:50.519 This man was Martin Luther. 00:06:50.519 --> 00:06:56.439 Several centuries later, another man would record the account of his salvation in these words, 00:06:56.939 --> 00:07:03.839 I went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate Street, where one was reading Luther's preface to the epistle to the Romans. 00:07:04.339 --> 00:07:09.159 About a quarter before nine, while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, 00:07:09.500 --> 00:07:11.620 I felt my heart strangely warmed. 00:07:12.120 --> 00:07:16.299 I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for my salvation. 00:07:16.300 --> 00:07:24.680 And an assurance was given me that had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death. 00:07:25.340 --> 00:07:27.340 This man's name was John Wesley. 00:07:28.480 --> 00:07:33.360 I long to see, I wrote this here, I long to see us join this great lineage. 00:07:34.259 --> 00:07:39.100 Let it be said one day, when Christ's family church studied Romans together, 00:07:39.680 --> 00:07:43.400 there ignited a flame amongst them that spread throughout North Georgia and beyond. 00:07:43.399 --> 00:07:47.479 And we have yet to see that flame extinguished. 00:07:49.000 --> 00:07:51.419 Has that been accomplished in our hearts? 00:07:52.019 --> 00:07:58.000 Are the truths contained in Paul's letter to the Romans working on us in this way? 00:07:58.120 --> 00:08:00.359 It's my prayer that it is. 00:08:01.120 --> 00:08:03.839 It's with some sorrow I come to the end of Romans. 00:08:04.039 --> 00:08:06.479 And as I looked over the past two weeks, 00:08:06.519 --> 00:08:11.819 I had an extra week due to the contact issue to revisit what it was I was going to say this morning. 00:08:11.819 --> 00:08:15.459 I struggled with how do I conclude this book? 00:08:15.519 --> 00:08:19.599 Because honestly, what I really want to do is go back to the beginning and start all over, 00:08:19.719 --> 00:08:21.819 just to be sure that you've got it. 00:08:22.399 --> 00:08:25.639 Just to be sure that the truth really worked into you. 00:08:25.659 --> 00:08:28.740 Because we're not going to come back to the book of Romans together for quite some time. 00:08:29.159 --> 00:08:32.019 Praise God that I'm young enough that at least statistically, 00:08:32.279 --> 00:08:33.759 I'll still be preaching the gospel. 00:08:34.000 --> 00:08:35.659 I may get hit by a bus, 00:08:35.860 --> 00:08:37.700 but statistically I'll be preaching the gospel, 00:08:37.819 --> 00:08:40.799 and we'll have another chance to preach through the book of Romans. 00:08:40.799 --> 00:08:45.799 I hope in ten years or so at Christ Family Church we go back through Romans together. 00:08:45.939 --> 00:08:46.579 But I struggled. 00:08:46.719 --> 00:08:48.399 How do I close this up? 00:08:48.500 --> 00:08:52.639 How is it that I reintroduce and drive these truths? 00:08:52.839 --> 00:08:55.779 And then I realized that Paul had the same struggle, 00:08:56.059 --> 00:08:59.879 but he does so beautifully in these last three verses. 00:09:00.719 --> 00:09:02.839 These last three verses are a doxology, 00:09:03.259 --> 00:09:06.399 a glory saying if you translate that literally, 00:09:06.699 --> 00:09:08.799 or an ascribing of glory. 00:09:08.799 --> 00:09:10.740 They happen occasionally throughout the scriptures. 00:09:11.059 --> 00:09:13.299 We see people just burst into praise of God 00:09:13.299 --> 00:09:15.679 in light of the truths that they've been proclaiming. 00:09:15.799 --> 00:09:18.219 And here we see Paul burst into, 00:09:18.299 --> 00:09:21.339 as a closing to this grand letter, a doxology. 00:09:22.240 --> 00:09:22.939 Read with me. 00:09:22.940 --> 00:09:26.520 Now to him who is able to strengthen you, 00:09:26.640 --> 00:09:27.680 according to my gospel, 00:09:28.160 --> 00:09:29.640 and the preaching of Jesus Christ, 00:09:29.920 --> 00:09:31.660 according to the revelation of the mysteries 00:09:31.660 --> 00:09:33.740 that was kept secret for long ages, 00:09:34.080 --> 00:09:35.500 but has now been disclosed, 00:09:35.580 --> 00:09:36.640 and through the prophetic writings 00:09:36.640 --> 00:09:38.360 has been made known to all nations, 00:09:38.840 --> 00:09:40.800 according to the command of the eternal God 00:09:40.800 --> 00:09:42.380 to bring about the obedience of faith, 00:09:43.000 --> 00:09:44.200 to the only wise God, 00:09:44.280 --> 00:09:46.720 be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ. 00:09:47.520 --> 00:09:47.880 Amen. 00:09:48.800 --> 00:09:49.640 Let's pray together. 00:09:49.639 --> 00:09:54.379 Father God, I praise you this morning 00:09:54.379 --> 00:09:56.759 for Paul's letter to the Romans. 00:09:57.100 --> 00:09:59.100 We know that by your Spirit, 00:09:59.259 --> 00:10:01.699 you moved in him to pen these words. 00:10:02.720 --> 00:10:05.259 And as such, they are your very words. 00:10:05.340 --> 00:10:08.360 And they were delivered to the churches in Rome 00:10:08.360 --> 00:10:09.460 for their benefit. 00:10:10.019 --> 00:10:13.500 And they have been immortalized for ours. 00:10:13.500 --> 00:10:15.639 We can see, Father, 00:10:15.720 --> 00:10:19.340 that these are your words for us this day. 00:10:20.460 --> 00:10:22.279 And I pray, Father, that you will find us, 00:10:22.320 --> 00:10:23.419 and if you don't find us this way, 00:10:23.460 --> 00:10:24.259 you will work in us, 00:10:24.539 --> 00:10:25.799 and desire to meet with you, 00:10:26.059 --> 00:10:28.159 and to hear from you this morning. 00:10:29.019 --> 00:10:30.240 I pray this in Christ's name. 00:10:31.320 --> 00:10:31.639 Amen. 00:10:33.139 --> 00:10:36.159 So even as we come to the closing here, 00:10:36.899 --> 00:10:38.500 as Sinclair Ferguson put it, 00:10:38.820 --> 00:10:40.600 even in the conclusion of Paul's letter to the Romans, 00:10:40.600 --> 00:10:43.639 we must apply a great deal of gray matter. 00:10:44.379 --> 00:10:47.220 He doesn't sum it up for us quite simply, does he? 00:10:47.379 --> 00:10:48.820 It's rather complex. 00:10:48.899 --> 00:10:51.620 I'm kind of looking forward to Nehemiah being a narrative mix. 00:10:51.720 --> 00:10:54.159 It'll exercise a different part of my brain. 00:10:54.460 --> 00:10:55.840 I know most of you won't be able to see this, 00:10:55.920 --> 00:10:59.680 but this is the sentence diagrammed Greek 00:10:59.680 --> 00:11:01.360 from these last three verses. 00:11:01.560 --> 00:11:02.800 I've been doing this kind of stuff 00:11:02.800 --> 00:11:03.920 for the last couple of years. 00:11:04.500 --> 00:11:05.300 I'm really tired. 00:11:06.040 --> 00:11:07.540 This is what I'm spending my time doing 00:11:07.540 --> 00:11:08.639 if you want to take a look at that later. 00:11:08.639 --> 00:11:11.199 Feel free to do that. 00:11:11.919 --> 00:11:13.840 A great deal of gray matter 00:11:13.840 --> 00:11:16.259 still must be applied to this. 00:11:16.340 --> 00:11:19.100 So let me see if I can break it down for you simply. 00:11:19.759 --> 00:11:20.980 Beginning in verse 25, 00:11:21.340 --> 00:11:21.679 he says, 00:11:22.019 --> 00:11:23.120 Now to him who is able, 00:11:23.439 --> 00:11:25.860 and he elaborates upon that, 00:11:26.139 --> 00:11:27.159 but if you will, 00:11:27.259 --> 00:11:29.220 allow me to extract the middle 00:11:29.220 --> 00:11:31.100 and note that what he's saying is, 00:11:31.439 --> 00:11:32.519 Now to him who is able, 00:11:33.059 --> 00:11:34.399 to the only wise God, 00:11:34.480 --> 00:11:35.360 skip to verse 27, 00:11:35.360 --> 00:11:36.259 Now to him who is able, 00:11:36.320 --> 00:11:37.200 to the only wise God, 00:11:37.419 --> 00:11:39.000 be glory forevermore, 00:11:39.320 --> 00:11:40.200 through Jesus Christ. 00:11:40.480 --> 00:11:40.759 Amen. 00:11:41.440 --> 00:11:44.580 So the overarching thing he's trying to accomplish here, 00:11:44.620 --> 00:11:46.980 the main point of the text, 00:11:46.980 --> 00:11:49.340 is that Paul is giving to God 00:11:49.340 --> 00:11:51.039 the glory that's due him. 00:11:51.680 --> 00:11:51.820 Right? 00:11:52.180 --> 00:11:53.360 For two things. 00:11:53.639 --> 00:11:54.539 For his power, 00:11:55.200 --> 00:11:57.300 and for his wisdom. 00:11:58.560 --> 00:11:59.920 Verse 25, the very beginning, 00:12:00.000 --> 00:12:00.139 says, 00:12:00.379 --> 00:12:02.700 Now to him who is able to strengthen you, 00:12:02.700 --> 00:12:08.720 and I think our English text kind of loses the veracity of the word able. 00:12:09.480 --> 00:12:10.840 The word able here, 00:12:11.120 --> 00:12:14.480 I think would be better translated power. 00:12:14.740 --> 00:12:16.620 So now to him who has the power, 00:12:16.720 --> 00:12:19.980 or to him who has the strength to strengthen. 00:12:21.040 --> 00:12:22.660 The word here, able, in the Greek, 00:12:22.720 --> 00:12:23.560 in the original language, 00:12:23.660 --> 00:12:25.200 is dynamai. 00:12:26.960 --> 00:12:29.860 Bring any other words in the English language to your mind? 00:12:29.860 --> 00:12:32.539 It's the root word of the word dynamite. 00:12:33.700 --> 00:12:36.820 Dynamite sets out to accomplish the very thing it was meant to accomplish. 00:12:36.899 --> 00:12:39.519 A person who knows the power of dynamite puts dynamite in place, 00:12:39.820 --> 00:12:42.419 and it accomplishes the thing that it was set to. 00:12:42.659 --> 00:12:45.519 And here we have God who has infinite power 00:12:45.519 --> 00:12:48.759 to accomplish whatever it is that he wants to accomplish. 00:12:48.759 --> 00:12:50.220 And it's consistent, 00:12:50.419 --> 00:12:57.439 and it's appropriate that Paul ends praising God for his power. 00:12:57.580 --> 00:13:00.279 Because if you'll turn back to the beginning of Romans, 00:13:00.340 --> 00:13:01.220 to chapter 1, 00:13:02.519 --> 00:13:04.059 verse 16, 00:13:05.139 --> 00:13:07.460 the thesis statement, if you'll allow, 00:13:07.740 --> 00:13:08.720 of the book of Romans. 00:13:10.059 --> 00:13:10.799 Paul says, 00:13:10.879 --> 00:13:12.460 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, 00:13:12.919 --> 00:13:16.200 for it is the power of God 00:13:16.200 --> 00:13:18.259 for salvation to everyone who believes. 00:13:18.259 --> 00:13:19.000 It's the same word. 00:13:19.059 --> 00:13:21.620 It is the ability of God. 00:13:22.399 --> 00:13:25.439 In it is the veracity of the gospel. 00:13:25.779 --> 00:13:27.159 The very substance. 00:13:27.439 --> 00:13:30.379 This gospel is the power of God. 00:13:31.019 --> 00:13:32.039 And recall as well, 00:13:32.159 --> 00:13:32.879 in chapter 1, 00:13:33.039 --> 00:13:33.740 verse 11, 00:13:34.460 --> 00:13:34.860 he says, 00:13:34.939 --> 00:13:36.439 For I long to see you, 00:13:36.960 --> 00:13:39.879 that I may impart to you some spiritual gift 00:13:39.879 --> 00:13:41.379 to strengthen you. 00:13:41.879 --> 00:13:43.379 As he longs to come to them, 00:13:43.379 --> 00:13:44.460 he writes them a letter 00:13:44.460 --> 00:13:46.779 that accomplishes this very thing. 00:13:46.779 --> 00:13:48.159 And he has the confidence 00:13:48.159 --> 00:13:50.860 that God has the ability, 00:13:51.220 --> 00:13:51.740 the power, 00:13:52.059 --> 00:13:52.879 the strength, 00:13:53.720 --> 00:13:54.600 to strengthen them. 00:13:55.899 --> 00:13:58.779 To strengthen them according to the gospel 00:13:58.779 --> 00:14:01.740 and to the preaching of Jesus Christ, 00:14:01.819 --> 00:14:03.720 which he elaborates on here to say, 00:14:03.939 --> 00:14:05.639 according to my gospel, 00:14:06.000 --> 00:14:07.600 this thing that is precious to me, 00:14:07.819 --> 00:14:10.620 these very words that I have penned for you, 00:14:10.839 --> 00:14:11.720 my gospel, 00:14:11.720 --> 00:14:14.420 and the very words of our Lord and Savior, 00:14:14.720 --> 00:14:15.320 Jesus Christ. 00:14:15.399 --> 00:14:18.160 That's why he uses these two phrases in this way. 00:14:19.360 --> 00:14:19.639 So, 00:14:19.800 --> 00:14:20.700 God is able, 00:14:21.320 --> 00:14:23.019 by the power of the gospel, 00:14:23.639 --> 00:14:24.800 to strengthen us, 00:14:25.240 --> 00:14:27.440 to make us firm, 00:14:27.779 --> 00:14:29.240 to make us stable, 00:14:29.480 --> 00:14:32.040 to help us to stand fast 00:14:32.040 --> 00:14:33.700 in Christian living. 00:14:33.700 --> 00:14:35.600 Beloved, 00:14:35.660 --> 00:14:37.000 it is foolish 00:14:37.000 --> 00:14:38.759 for us to look 00:14:38.759 --> 00:14:41.000 to any other source 00:14:41.000 --> 00:14:42.640 for strength 00:14:42.640 --> 00:14:43.680 for Christian living 00:14:43.680 --> 00:14:44.960 than to the gospel. 00:14:45.740 --> 00:14:47.900 The gospel is the source 00:14:47.900 --> 00:14:49.020 of all strength 00:14:49.020 --> 00:14:50.320 for proper living 00:14:50.320 --> 00:14:51.200 in God's kingdom. 00:14:51.759 --> 00:14:53.800 It's foolish to look to pop psychology. 00:14:54.500 --> 00:14:55.600 It makes no sense. 00:14:55.960 --> 00:14:58.680 The gospel is the power of God 00:14:58.680 --> 00:15:00.540 for righteousness. 00:15:00.539 --> 00:15:02.719 Notice what he goes on 00:15:02.719 --> 00:15:03.399 to praise him for 00:15:03.399 --> 00:15:04.699 in verse 26. 00:15:05.500 --> 00:15:07.360 To bring about what? 00:15:08.199 --> 00:15:10.000 He's going to strengthen us 00:15:10.000 --> 00:15:10.759 according to the gospel 00:15:10.759 --> 00:15:11.939 and the preaching of Jesus Christ 00:15:11.939 --> 00:15:13.779 to bring about 00:15:13.779 --> 00:15:15.199 the obedience 00:15:15.199 --> 00:15:16.599 of faith. 00:15:16.699 --> 00:15:18.079 That's what all this crazy diagramming 00:15:18.079 --> 00:15:19.079 helps you see. 00:15:19.419 --> 00:15:20.299 This is the connection 00:15:20.299 --> 00:15:21.759 that he's making for us. 00:15:22.279 --> 00:15:23.759 That he strengthens us 00:15:23.759 --> 00:15:25.480 by the gospel 00:15:25.480 --> 00:15:26.879 to bring about 00:15:26.879 --> 00:15:27.759 obedience 00:15:27.759 --> 00:15:28.740 of faith. 00:15:29.299 --> 00:15:29.959 That we might 00:15:29.960 --> 00:15:31.200 walk in his ways. 00:15:31.500 --> 00:15:32.519 Be not just 00:15:32.519 --> 00:15:33.620 hearers 00:15:33.620 --> 00:15:34.720 but doers 00:15:34.720 --> 00:15:35.980 of the word of God. 00:15:36.460 --> 00:15:37.060 And this 00:15:37.060 --> 00:15:38.519 is the power of God 00:15:38.519 --> 00:15:39.379 at work 00:15:39.379 --> 00:15:40.600 in us. 00:15:41.700 --> 00:15:42.620 He praises us 00:15:42.620 --> 00:15:43.100 also 00:15:43.100 --> 00:15:44.360 for his 00:15:44.360 --> 00:15:45.180 wisdom. 00:15:46.360 --> 00:15:47.280 Recall at the end 00:15:47.280 --> 00:15:48.200 of chapter 11 00:15:48.200 --> 00:15:49.700 verse 33 00:15:49.700 --> 00:15:51.519 that he bursts forth 00:15:51.519 --> 00:15:52.820 into one of these doxologies. 00:15:53.220 --> 00:15:54.019 We turn back 00:15:54.019 --> 00:15:54.860 just a bit. 00:15:55.700 --> 00:15:56.280 Verse 33 00:15:56.280 --> 00:15:56.700 he says, 00:15:56.700 --> 00:15:57.060 Oh, 00:15:57.220 --> 00:15:57.920 the depth 00:15:57.919 --> 00:15:58.899 of the riches 00:15:58.899 --> 00:15:59.919 and wisdom 00:15:59.919 --> 00:16:00.679 and knowledge 00:16:00.679 --> 00:16:01.199 of God. 00:16:01.559 --> 00:16:02.539 How unsearchable 00:16:02.539 --> 00:16:03.219 are his judgments 00:16:03.219 --> 00:16:04.939 and how inscrutable 00:16:04.939 --> 00:16:06.299 his ways. 00:16:07.299 --> 00:16:08.479 So as Paul 00:16:08.479 --> 00:16:09.740 comes to close 00:16:09.740 --> 00:16:10.659 out this book, 00:16:11.659 --> 00:16:13.019 just as I feel 00:16:13.019 --> 00:16:13.740 the desire 00:16:13.740 --> 00:16:14.399 to go back 00:16:14.399 --> 00:16:15.019 through it again 00:16:15.019 --> 00:16:15.939 to make sure 00:16:15.939 --> 00:16:16.500 that you get 00:16:16.500 --> 00:16:17.459 these important 00:16:17.459 --> 00:16:18.539 gospel truths 00:16:18.539 --> 00:16:19.399 that they have worked 00:16:19.399 --> 00:16:20.279 down into your heart 00:16:20.279 --> 00:16:21.259 in such a way 00:16:21.259 --> 00:16:22.360 that they've taken root 00:16:22.360 --> 00:16:23.439 and they're now causing 00:16:23.439 --> 00:16:24.759 Christian living 00:16:24.759 --> 00:16:25.580 to come out 00:16:25.580 --> 00:16:26.700 of who you are. 00:16:26.700 --> 00:16:27.539 You've changed 00:16:27.539 --> 00:16:29.279 your very being. 00:16:30.439 --> 00:16:30.819 As Paul, 00:16:30.980 --> 00:16:31.379 I'm sure, 00:16:31.500 --> 00:16:32.919 experiences the same emotion, 00:16:33.439 --> 00:16:34.580 he comforts himself 00:16:34.580 --> 00:16:35.960 by praising God 00:16:35.960 --> 00:16:37.639 for his strength 00:16:37.639 --> 00:16:38.740 and his wisdom. 00:16:40.080 --> 00:16:41.379 As Paul concludes 00:16:41.379 --> 00:16:41.860 his letter, 00:16:42.139 --> 00:16:43.000 he's able to say, 00:16:43.360 --> 00:16:44.539 I've done my part. 00:16:45.340 --> 00:16:46.000 He hands it, 00:16:46.059 --> 00:16:46.580 we suppose, 00:16:46.840 --> 00:16:47.500 more than likely 00:16:47.500 --> 00:16:48.059 to Phoebe 00:16:48.059 --> 00:16:48.879 to deliver it 00:16:48.879 --> 00:16:50.000 to the church in Rome. 00:16:50.399 --> 00:16:50.939 And he knows 00:16:50.939 --> 00:16:52.700 that God's sovereign purpose 00:16:52.700 --> 00:16:53.900 will be carried out 00:16:53.900 --> 00:16:55.220 for his people. 00:16:56.740 --> 00:16:57.720 That brought comfort 00:16:57.720 --> 00:16:58.120 to me 00:16:58.120 --> 00:16:59.160 this past two weeks. 00:17:00.060 --> 00:17:01.160 It's good. 00:17:01.259 --> 00:17:02.220 We've finished 00:17:02.220 --> 00:17:03.240 the book of Romans. 00:17:03.900 --> 00:17:05.019 And I can have confidence 00:17:05.019 --> 00:17:05.680 in the fact 00:17:05.680 --> 00:17:06.380 that it is 00:17:06.380 --> 00:17:07.759 God's power, 00:17:08.080 --> 00:17:08.779 his strength, 00:17:09.100 --> 00:17:09.799 his ability, 00:17:09.920 --> 00:17:10.660 which will accomplish 00:17:10.660 --> 00:17:11.160 in you 00:17:11.160 --> 00:17:13.259 his good pleasure. 00:17:14.960 --> 00:17:16.620 But this gospel 00:17:16.620 --> 00:17:17.680 we should talk 00:17:17.680 --> 00:17:18.519 more about, right? 00:17:18.580 --> 00:17:20.600 It's the strength 00:17:20.600 --> 00:17:21.319 of God 00:17:21.319 --> 00:17:22.679 to us. 00:17:23.839 --> 00:17:24.720 Charles Spurgeon wrote, 00:17:25.539 --> 00:17:27.039 See what vitality 00:17:27.039 --> 00:17:28.240 the gospel has. 00:17:28.639 --> 00:17:29.779 Plunge her under the wave 00:17:29.779 --> 00:17:30.559 and she rises, 00:17:30.899 --> 00:17:32.000 the pure for her washing. 00:17:32.460 --> 00:17:33.379 Thrust her in the fire 00:17:33.379 --> 00:17:34.139 and she comes out 00:17:34.139 --> 00:17:34.700 the more bright 00:17:34.700 --> 00:17:35.339 for her burning. 00:17:35.919 --> 00:17:36.960 Cut her in sunder 00:17:36.960 --> 00:17:37.679 and each piece 00:17:37.679 --> 00:17:38.720 shall make another church. 00:17:39.019 --> 00:17:39.539 Behead her 00:17:39.539 --> 00:17:40.759 and like the hydra of old 00:17:40.759 --> 00:17:41.399 she shall have 00:17:41.399 --> 00:17:42.019 a hundred heads 00:17:42.019 --> 00:17:42.679 for every one 00:17:42.679 --> 00:17:43.299 you cut away. 00:17:43.679 --> 00:17:44.799 She cannot die, 00:17:45.039 --> 00:17:46.179 she must live, 00:17:46.179 --> 00:17:47.159 for she has 00:17:47.159 --> 00:17:48.240 the power of God 00:17:48.240 --> 00:17:49.539 within her. 00:17:51.319 --> 00:17:51.899 We should talk 00:17:51.899 --> 00:17:53.379 about that gospel. 00:17:54.359 --> 00:17:54.779 Here, 00:17:55.500 --> 00:17:56.159 Paul calls it 00:17:56.159 --> 00:17:57.119 the mystery 00:17:57.119 --> 00:17:58.700 that was kept secret 00:17:58.700 --> 00:18:00.099 for long ages, 00:18:00.480 --> 00:18:01.539 that was hidden, 00:18:01.659 --> 00:18:02.720 that was veiled 00:18:02.720 --> 00:18:03.700 from those readers 00:18:03.700 --> 00:18:04.619 of the scriptures, 00:18:04.839 --> 00:18:06.519 from God's people. 00:18:07.220 --> 00:18:08.399 They didn't see 00:18:08.399 --> 00:18:09.079 that Jesus 00:18:09.079 --> 00:18:11.119 was the puzzle piece 00:18:11.119 --> 00:18:11.960 that made it all 00:18:11.960 --> 00:18:12.980 make sense. 00:18:13.919 --> 00:18:14.960 I think most of us 00:18:14.960 --> 00:18:15.480 in this room 00:18:15.480 --> 00:18:16.119 have probably done 00:18:16.119 --> 00:18:16.939 a jigsaw puzzle 00:18:16.939 --> 00:18:17.980 at one point 00:18:17.980 --> 00:18:18.759 in your life. 00:18:19.059 --> 00:18:19.500 Maybe you went through 00:18:19.500 --> 00:18:21.180 a jigsaw puzzle phase 00:18:21.180 --> 00:18:22.019 and you always had 00:18:22.019 --> 00:18:23.099 the picture on the box. 00:18:23.460 --> 00:18:24.099 If you really wanted 00:18:24.099 --> 00:18:24.700 to challenge yourself 00:18:24.700 --> 00:18:25.599 you threw the box away. 00:18:25.779 --> 00:18:26.440 You had the picture 00:18:26.440 --> 00:18:27.400 on the box to look at 00:18:27.400 --> 00:18:28.240 and you got the edge pieces, 00:18:28.339 --> 00:18:28.819 you did all those 00:18:28.819 --> 00:18:29.359 types of things. 00:18:29.779 --> 00:18:30.440 And if you were missing 00:18:30.440 --> 00:18:31.339 one piece 00:18:31.339 --> 00:18:31.980 at the very end 00:18:31.980 --> 00:18:32.720 of putting all the puzzle 00:18:32.720 --> 00:18:33.079 together, 00:18:33.519 --> 00:18:34.660 the puzzle still looked 00:18:34.660 --> 00:18:35.240 like the picture, 00:18:35.420 --> 00:18:35.839 did it not? 00:18:36.700 --> 00:18:37.700 It was just one piece 00:18:37.700 --> 00:18:39.400 in a much larger picture. 00:18:39.819 --> 00:18:40.680 Like you got the corner 00:18:40.680 --> 00:18:41.440 of the barn was there. 00:18:41.500 --> 00:18:42.339 You could imagine it 00:18:42.339 --> 00:18:43.039 being there. 00:18:43.160 --> 00:18:43.940 The wagon wheel 00:18:43.940 --> 00:18:45.640 still exists in your mind 00:18:45.640 --> 00:18:46.920 because it was just 00:18:46.920 --> 00:18:48.140 a little piece. 00:18:48.140 --> 00:18:49.840 In the same way 00:18:49.840 --> 00:18:50.540 the scriptures 00:18:50.540 --> 00:18:52.360 have painted for us 00:18:52.360 --> 00:18:53.259 a puzzle 00:18:53.259 --> 00:18:54.680 of how it was 00:18:54.680 --> 00:18:55.500 that God was going 00:18:55.500 --> 00:18:56.220 to redeem his people. 00:18:56.320 --> 00:18:57.140 But in this case 00:18:57.140 --> 00:18:59.080 Jesus was the missing piece 00:18:59.080 --> 00:19:00.900 but he was so key to it 00:19:00.900 --> 00:19:02.140 that everything else 00:19:02.140 --> 00:19:03.100 was blurry. 00:19:03.540 --> 00:19:04.420 It was put together 00:19:04.420 --> 00:19:04.800 for them 00:19:04.800 --> 00:19:05.680 but they couldn't 00:19:05.680 --> 00:19:06.680 quite see 00:19:06.680 --> 00:19:07.740 the whole picture. 00:19:08.460 --> 00:19:09.300 And then Jesus comes 00:19:09.300 --> 00:19:10.580 and plugs in that perfectly 00:19:10.580 --> 00:19:11.420 and everything 00:19:11.420 --> 00:19:13.540 becomes abundantly clear. 00:19:14.180 --> 00:19:14.920 We can see that 00:19:14.920 --> 00:19:16.120 Jesus is the offspring 00:19:16.120 --> 00:19:16.820 of Eve 00:19:16.819 --> 00:19:18.039 that crushes the head 00:19:18.039 --> 00:19:18.379 of Satan 00:19:18.379 --> 00:19:19.740 spoken of in Genesis 3. 00:19:20.539 --> 00:19:21.720 In Genesis 22 00:19:21.720 --> 00:19:22.779 Abraham was told 00:19:22.779 --> 00:19:23.319 that the nations 00:19:23.319 --> 00:19:24.519 would be blessed in him. 00:19:24.899 --> 00:19:26.759 Jesus is that blessing. 00:19:27.919 --> 00:19:29.740 Jesus is the spotless lamb 00:19:29.740 --> 00:19:31.919 foreshadowed in Exodus 12. 00:19:32.779 --> 00:19:34.519 Jesus is the ruling king 00:19:34.519 --> 00:19:35.779 of Psalm 2. 00:19:36.619 --> 00:19:38.480 Jesus is the suffering servant 00:19:38.480 --> 00:19:40.679 of Isaiah 53. 00:19:40.680 --> 00:19:42.600 All of it comes 00:19:42.600 --> 00:19:44.500 into perfect clarity 00:19:44.500 --> 00:19:45.580 when Jesus 00:19:45.580 --> 00:19:47.200 came on to the scene. 00:19:48.200 --> 00:19:49.160 And this mystery 00:19:49.160 --> 00:19:50.100 like this puzzle 00:19:50.100 --> 00:19:51.860 even the apostles 00:19:51.860 --> 00:19:53.360 didn't fully realize 00:19:53.360 --> 00:19:55.240 what it all meant 00:19:55.240 --> 00:19:56.299 until Jesus 00:19:56.299 --> 00:19:57.519 expounded it 00:19:57.519 --> 00:19:58.279 for them. 00:19:58.480 --> 00:19:59.500 Until he met them 00:19:59.500 --> 00:20:00.039 on the road 00:20:00.039 --> 00:20:01.420 and taught himself 00:20:01.420 --> 00:20:02.640 from the scriptures. 00:20:03.759 --> 00:20:04.860 Until he 00:20:04.860 --> 00:20:05.920 said in 00:20:05.920 --> 00:20:06.580 John 10 00:20:06.580 --> 00:20:07.360 14 and 16 00:20:07.360 --> 00:20:08.320 I am the good shepherd. 00:20:08.660 --> 00:20:09.460 I know my own 00:20:09.460 --> 00:20:10.400 and my own know me. 00:20:10.740 --> 00:20:11.299 Just as the father 00:20:11.299 --> 00:20:11.940 knows me 00:20:11.940 --> 00:20:12.880 and I know the father 00:20:12.880 --> 00:20:14.180 and I lay down my life 00:20:14.180 --> 00:20:14.680 for the sheep 00:20:14.680 --> 00:20:16.240 and I have other sheep 00:20:16.240 --> 00:20:17.539 that are not of this fold. 00:20:17.799 --> 00:20:19.100 I must bring them also 00:20:19.100 --> 00:20:20.299 and they will listen 00:20:20.299 --> 00:20:21.079 to my voice 00:20:21.079 --> 00:20:22.460 so it will be one flock 00:20:22.460 --> 00:20:23.380 one shepherd. 00:20:23.579 --> 00:20:24.400 And in Matthew 28 00:20:24.400 --> 00:20:24.779 19 00:20:24.779 --> 00:20:26.240 he sends the disciples 00:20:26.240 --> 00:20:26.759 to go 00:20:26.759 --> 00:20:27.680 and make disciples 00:20:27.680 --> 00:20:28.840 of all the nations. 00:20:29.059 --> 00:20:29.519 And suddenly 00:20:29.519 --> 00:20:30.480 these promises 00:20:30.480 --> 00:20:31.620 these realities 00:20:31.620 --> 00:20:33.079 are coming into clear focus 00:20:33.079 --> 00:20:34.519 for even the disciples. 00:20:34.740 --> 00:20:35.279 They are seeing 00:20:35.279 --> 00:20:36.079 how it is 00:20:36.079 --> 00:20:36.600 that the promises 00:20:36.600 --> 00:20:37.120 to Abraham 00:20:37.120 --> 00:20:38.259 are to be fulfilled. 00:20:38.259 --> 00:20:40.039 It is all coming 00:20:40.039 --> 00:20:41.839 into clear focus. 00:20:42.079 --> 00:20:43.180 And this book 00:20:43.180 --> 00:20:44.319 is a magnificent 00:20:44.319 --> 00:20:45.640 presentation 00:20:45.640 --> 00:20:47.519 of the gospel of Christ. 00:20:48.819 --> 00:20:50.160 A mind-blowingly 00:20:50.160 --> 00:20:51.319 brilliant presentation 00:20:51.319 --> 00:20:53.039 of the gospel of Christ. 00:20:53.259 --> 00:20:54.440 And on a number 00:20:54.440 --> 00:20:54.879 of occasions 00:20:54.879 --> 00:20:55.640 I have summed it up 00:20:55.640 --> 00:20:55.879 for you 00:20:55.879 --> 00:20:56.400 but I feel like 00:20:56.400 --> 00:20:57.259 I just haven't done it 00:20:57.259 --> 00:20:58.339 quite the justice 00:20:58.339 --> 00:20:59.240 it deserves. 00:20:59.379 --> 00:21:00.480 And so in my studying 00:21:00.480 --> 00:21:01.299 last week 00:21:01.299 --> 00:21:02.000 I came across 00:21:02.000 --> 00:21:02.720 a prayer 00:21:02.720 --> 00:21:03.799 that John Piper wrote. 00:21:04.680 --> 00:21:05.640 I want to read it to you 00:21:05.640 --> 00:21:06.440 and I'm going to 00:21:06.440 --> 00:21:08.660 insert the reference 00:21:08.660 --> 00:21:09.140 for you 00:21:09.140 --> 00:21:10.080 as he's quoting 00:21:10.080 --> 00:21:11.220 scripture throughout this. 00:21:11.300 --> 00:21:12.100 And so I just ask you 00:21:12.100 --> 00:21:13.180 if you need to close 00:21:13.180 --> 00:21:14.060 your eyes to pay attention 00:21:14.060 --> 00:21:15.080 just try to listen 00:21:15.080 --> 00:21:16.620 carefully to this 00:21:16.620 --> 00:21:18.300 as he praises God 00:21:18.300 --> 00:21:19.100 for the things 00:21:19.100 --> 00:21:19.700 he's accomplished 00:21:19.700 --> 00:21:21.680 in Christ. 00:21:23.120 --> 00:21:24.580 With all of our hearts 00:21:24.580 --> 00:21:25.520 now we thank you 00:21:25.520 --> 00:21:26.480 for what you accomplished 00:21:26.480 --> 00:21:27.040 for us 00:21:27.040 --> 00:21:27.759 when you came. 00:21:28.700 --> 00:21:29.460 No one else 00:21:29.460 --> 00:21:30.000 could do it. 00:21:30.500 --> 00:21:31.580 It had to be you 00:21:31.580 --> 00:21:32.460 or there would be 00:21:32.460 --> 00:21:33.220 no salvation 00:21:33.220 --> 00:21:33.880 from our sin 00:21:33.880 --> 00:21:34.760 and from our own wrath 00:21:34.760 --> 00:21:35.360 the wrath 00:21:35.360 --> 00:21:36.420 of the Lamb. 00:21:37.620 --> 00:21:38.800 Only you could do it. 00:21:39.560 --> 00:21:40.360 That's what your servant 00:21:40.360 --> 00:21:42.260 means in Romans 8.3 00:21:42.260 --> 00:21:42.980 God has done 00:21:42.980 --> 00:21:43.580 what the law 00:21:43.580 --> 00:21:44.600 weakened by the flesh 00:21:44.600 --> 00:21:45.600 could not do 00:21:45.600 --> 00:21:47.340 by sending his own son 00:21:47.340 --> 00:21:47.840 in the likeness 00:21:47.840 --> 00:21:48.760 of sinful flesh 00:21:48.760 --> 00:21:49.740 and for sin. 00:21:50.380 --> 00:21:51.000 Only you 00:21:51.000 --> 00:21:51.720 Lord Jesus 00:21:51.720 --> 00:21:53.560 only God made flesh 00:21:53.560 --> 00:21:54.140 could accomplish 00:21:54.140 --> 00:21:55.180 what had to be done 00:21:55.180 --> 00:21:56.600 if we were to be saved. 00:21:57.200 --> 00:21:58.360 No ordinary man 00:21:58.360 --> 00:21:59.040 would do. 00:22:00.220 --> 00:22:01.480 You were a faithful servant 00:22:01.480 --> 00:22:02.340 to the circumcised 00:22:02.340 --> 00:22:03.420 to show God's truthfulness 00:22:03.420 --> 00:22:04.740 in order to confirm 00:22:04.740 --> 00:22:05.340 the promises 00:22:05.340 --> 00:22:07.140 given to the patriarchs. 00:22:07.140 --> 00:22:07.880 Chapter 15 00:22:07.880 --> 00:22:08.480 verse 3 00:22:08.480 --> 00:22:09.340 You secured 00:22:09.340 --> 00:22:10.440 every promise 00:22:10.440 --> 00:22:11.500 God ever made. 00:22:12.519 --> 00:22:13.720 You were sinlessly 00:22:13.720 --> 00:22:14.680 chapter 8 00:22:14.680 --> 00:22:15.140 verse 3 00:22:15.140 --> 00:22:16.279 obedient to your Father 00:22:16.279 --> 00:22:17.519 your whole life 00:22:17.519 --> 00:22:17.960 and fulfilled 00:22:17.960 --> 00:22:18.840 all righteousness 00:22:18.840 --> 00:22:19.840 at every point 00:22:19.840 --> 00:22:20.920 where we have failed. 00:22:21.400 --> 00:22:22.019 And that obedience 00:22:22.019 --> 00:22:23.539 reaches the most glorious climax 00:22:23.539 --> 00:22:24.360 when you became 00:22:24.360 --> 00:22:25.680 obedient unto death 00:22:25.680 --> 00:22:26.720 even death 00:22:26.720 --> 00:22:27.480 on a cross. 00:22:28.100 --> 00:22:29.080 For as by one man's 00:22:29.080 --> 00:22:29.680 disobedience 00:22:29.680 --> 00:22:30.720 the many were made sinners 00:22:30.720 --> 00:22:32.500 so by the one man's 00:22:32.500 --> 00:22:32.860 obedience 00:22:32.860 --> 00:22:34.120 the many will be made 00:22:34.120 --> 00:22:34.940 righteous. 00:22:35.339 --> 00:22:36.039 Chapter 5 00:22:36.039 --> 00:22:36.799 verse 19 00:22:36.799 --> 00:22:38.980 Oh how you suffered 00:22:38.980 --> 00:22:39.640 and bore reproach 00:22:39.640 --> 00:22:40.339 on our behalf 00:22:40.339 --> 00:22:41.400 for you did not 00:22:41.400 --> 00:22:42.279 please yourself 00:22:42.279 --> 00:22:43.620 but as it is written 00:22:43.620 --> 00:22:44.660 the reproaches of those 00:22:44.660 --> 00:22:45.539 who reproached you 00:22:45.539 --> 00:22:46.839 fell on me. 00:22:47.240 --> 00:22:47.920 Chapter 15 00:22:47.920 --> 00:22:48.480 verse 3 00:22:48.480 --> 00:22:49.880 And then you died. 00:22:50.600 --> 00:22:51.259 And this is the most 00:22:51.259 --> 00:22:52.059 important moment 00:22:52.059 --> 00:22:53.259 in the history of the world. 00:22:53.900 --> 00:22:54.900 Once for all 00:22:54.900 --> 00:22:56.400 sins were paid for. 00:22:57.259 --> 00:22:58.100 Nothing before 00:22:58.099 --> 00:22:59.519 and nothing since 00:22:59.519 --> 00:23:00.719 has contributed anything 00:23:00.719 --> 00:23:01.699 to the payment you made 00:23:01.699 --> 00:23:02.339 for sins 00:23:02.339 --> 00:23:03.459 when you died. 00:23:04.139 --> 00:23:05.339 For while we were still weak 00:23:05.339 --> 00:23:06.319 at the right time 00:23:06.319 --> 00:23:07.719 you died for the ungodly. 00:23:08.079 --> 00:23:09.139 For one will scarcely die 00:23:09.139 --> 00:23:10.119 for a righteous person 00:23:10.119 --> 00:23:11.619 though perhaps for a good person 00:23:11.619 --> 00:23:12.959 one would dare even to die. 00:23:13.299 --> 00:23:14.719 But God shows his love for us 00:23:14.719 --> 00:23:16.099 and that while we were still sinners 00:23:16.099 --> 00:23:17.399 you Christ 00:23:17.399 --> 00:23:19.119 died for us. 00:23:19.719 --> 00:23:20.599 Chapter 5 00:23:20.599 --> 00:23:21.679 verses 6 through 8 00:23:21.679 --> 00:23:24.019 And then you rose from the dead 00:23:24.019 --> 00:23:24.719 three days later 00:23:24.719 --> 00:23:25.839 never to die again. 00:23:26.199 --> 00:23:27.299 We know that you Christ 00:23:27.299 --> 00:23:28.180 being raised from the dead 00:23:28.180 --> 00:23:29.220 will never die again. 00:23:29.599 --> 00:23:31.119 Death no longer has dominion 00:23:31.119 --> 00:23:31.839 over you. 00:23:32.000 --> 00:23:32.579 Chapter 6 00:23:32.579 --> 00:23:33.079 verse 9 00:23:33.079 --> 00:23:34.079 You were declared to be 00:23:34.079 --> 00:23:35.440 the Son of God in power 00:23:35.440 --> 00:23:36.500 by your resurrection 00:23:36.500 --> 00:23:37.720 from the dead. 00:23:38.119 --> 00:23:38.819 Chapter 1 00:23:38.819 --> 00:23:39.839 verse 4 00:23:39.839 --> 00:23:42.220 And you did not die 00:23:42.220 --> 00:23:43.440 without us 00:23:43.440 --> 00:23:44.619 but you took us 00:23:44.619 --> 00:23:45.779 all of your elect 00:23:45.779 --> 00:23:46.960 the ones who trust in you 00:23:46.960 --> 00:23:48.240 you took us into death 00:23:48.240 --> 00:23:48.839 with you 00:23:48.839 --> 00:23:50.359 so that the curse of your death 00:23:50.359 --> 00:23:51.399 might be behind us 00:23:51.399 --> 00:23:52.859 and not in front of us. 00:23:53.579 --> 00:23:54.599 For if we have been united 00:23:54.599 --> 00:23:55.539 with you in a death 00:23:55.539 --> 00:23:56.200 like yours 00:23:56.200 --> 00:23:57.480 we shall certainly be united 00:23:57.480 --> 00:23:57.980 with you 00:23:57.980 --> 00:23:58.940 in a resurrection 00:23:58.940 --> 00:24:00.180 like yours. 00:24:00.519 --> 00:24:01.279 Chapter 6 00:24:01.279 --> 00:24:02.380 verse 5 00:24:02.380 --> 00:24:04.539 I hope your hearts are warming. 00:24:05.440 --> 00:24:06.160 And when you died 00:24:06.160 --> 00:24:07.000 our sin was condemned 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:08.039 in your flesh 00:24:08.039 --> 00:24:09.620 by sending his own Son 00:24:09.620 --> 00:24:11.279 by sending you 00:24:11.279 --> 00:24:12.900 in the likeness of sinful flesh 00:24:12.900 --> 00:24:13.480 and for sin 00:24:13.480 --> 00:24:15.059 God condemned sin 00:24:15.059 --> 00:24:15.960 in the flesh. 00:24:16.519 --> 00:24:17.059 Chapter 8 00:24:17.059 --> 00:24:17.660 verse 3 00:24:17.660 --> 00:24:19.600 Were clear words 00:24:19.600 --> 00:24:20.480 ever spoken 00:24:20.480 --> 00:24:21.279 Lord Jesus 00:24:21.279 --> 00:24:22.840 concerning the glory 00:24:22.840 --> 00:24:23.980 of penal substitution. 00:24:23.980 --> 00:24:25.539 this glorious doctrine 00:24:25.539 --> 00:24:26.180 that today 00:24:26.180 --> 00:24:27.700 to our shame in the church 00:24:27.700 --> 00:24:28.960 is so embattled 00:24:28.960 --> 00:24:29.640 and denied 00:24:29.640 --> 00:24:30.759 that God 00:24:30.759 --> 00:24:31.720 in your flesh 00:24:31.720 --> 00:24:32.680 condemned sin 00:24:32.680 --> 00:24:33.960 not yours 00:24:33.960 --> 00:24:35.000 ours 00:24:35.000 --> 00:24:36.440 our sin 00:24:36.440 --> 00:24:37.500 you 00:24:37.500 --> 00:24:39.059 the substitute sacrifice 00:24:39.059 --> 00:24:40.400 you were wounded 00:24:40.400 --> 00:24:41.360 for our transgressions 00:24:41.360 --> 00:24:42.140 you were crushed 00:24:42.140 --> 00:24:42.900 for our iniquities 00:24:42.900 --> 00:24:43.819 upon you 00:24:43.819 --> 00:24:44.680 was the chastisement 00:24:44.680 --> 00:24:45.599 that brought us peace 00:24:45.599 --> 00:24:46.940 and with your stripes 00:24:46.940 --> 00:24:48.200 we are healed. 00:24:48.200 --> 00:24:49.720 O Lord 00:24:49.720 --> 00:24:51.019 rescue this great truth 00:24:51.019 --> 00:24:52.440 from the mangling hands 00:24:52.440 --> 00:24:53.779 of foolish men 00:24:53.779 --> 00:24:55.240 and may it be the foundation 00:24:55.240 --> 00:24:56.340 of all our faith 00:24:56.340 --> 00:24:56.980 and joy 00:24:56.980 --> 00:24:57.940 and worship 00:24:57.940 --> 00:24:59.140 and obedience 00:24:59.140 --> 00:25:01.340 and because you bore 00:25:01.340 --> 00:25:02.340 God's condemnation 00:25:02.340 --> 00:25:02.759 in your flesh 00:25:02.759 --> 00:25:03.400 for our sins 00:25:03.400 --> 00:25:04.799 there is redemption 00:25:04.799 --> 00:25:05.720 chapter 3 00:25:05.720 --> 00:25:06.340 verse 24 00:25:06.340 --> 00:25:07.759 the forgiveness of sins 00:25:07.759 --> 00:25:08.880 countless sins 00:25:08.880 --> 00:25:10.120 was purchased once for all 00:25:10.120 --> 00:25:11.420 nothing we do 00:25:11.420 --> 00:25:12.019 can add 00:25:12.019 --> 00:25:12.860 to your payment 00:25:12.860 --> 00:25:13.620 every debt 00:25:13.620 --> 00:25:14.640 that we ever has had 00:25:14.640 --> 00:25:15.980 was paid up in full 00:25:15.980 --> 00:25:16.940 by your blood 00:25:16.940 --> 00:25:17.880 O Lamb of God 00:25:17.880 --> 00:25:19.760 and all your obedience 00:25:19.760 --> 00:25:20.880 and all your righteousness 00:25:20.880 --> 00:25:21.780 was consummated 00:25:21.780 --> 00:25:22.340 when you died 00:25:22.340 --> 00:25:23.180 so there would be 00:25:23.180 --> 00:25:23.820 for us 00:25:23.820 --> 00:25:24.720 a perfect righteousness 00:25:24.720 --> 00:25:26.000 by which we could 00:25:26.000 --> 00:25:27.520 stand acceptable to God 00:25:27.520 --> 00:25:29.640 justified by grace alone 00:25:29.640 --> 00:25:30.920 through faith alone 00:25:30.920 --> 00:25:32.220 on the basis of 00:25:32.220 --> 00:25:33.860 your imputed righteousness alone 00:25:33.860 --> 00:25:35.720 to the glory of God alone 00:25:35.720 --> 00:25:36.840 chapter 5 00:25:36.840 --> 00:25:37.540 verse 19 00:25:37.540 --> 00:25:38.360 and 4 00:25:38.360 --> 00:25:39.300 verse 25 00:25:39.300 --> 00:25:41.600 and by all this 00:25:41.600 --> 00:25:42.680 and as the goal 00:25:42.680 --> 00:25:43.200 of all this 00:25:43.200 --> 00:25:43.940 the greatest good 00:25:43.940 --> 00:25:44.380 of the gospel 00:25:44.380 --> 00:25:45.460 was achieved for us 00:25:45.460 --> 00:25:46.320 reconciliation 00:25:46.320 --> 00:25:47.460 with God 00:25:47.460 --> 00:25:48.640 not just forgiveness 00:25:48.640 --> 00:25:49.340 of sins 00:25:49.340 --> 00:25:50.799 not just imputed righteousness 00:25:50.799 --> 00:25:52.319 but being at home 00:25:52.319 --> 00:25:53.000 in the presence 00:25:53.000 --> 00:25:53.960 of your Father 00:25:53.960 --> 00:25:55.079 and our God 00:25:55.079 --> 00:25:56.259 while we were enemies 00:25:56.259 --> 00:25:57.680 we were reconciled to God 00:25:57.680 --> 00:25:58.380 by the death 00:25:58.380 --> 00:25:59.180 of his Son 00:25:59.180 --> 00:26:00.220 chapter 5 00:26:00.220 --> 00:26:00.779 verse 10 00:26:00.779 --> 00:26:01.980 your death 00:26:01.980 --> 00:26:02.340 Lord Jesus 00:26:02.340 --> 00:26:03.000 restored us 00:26:03.000 --> 00:26:04.079 to what we were created for 00:26:04.079 --> 00:26:04.900 seeing 00:26:04.900 --> 00:26:05.920 and enjoying 00:26:05.920 --> 00:26:07.340 and reflecting God 00:26:07.340 --> 00:26:09.440 and what is all this 00:26:09.440 --> 00:26:10.680 but eternal life 00:26:10.680 --> 00:26:11.360 to know 00:26:11.360 --> 00:26:12.680 and enjoy God 00:26:12.680 --> 00:26:13.340 forever 00:26:13.340 --> 00:26:14.940 all because of you 00:26:14.940 --> 00:26:16.259 for the wages of sin 00:26:16.259 --> 00:26:16.720 is death 00:26:16.720 --> 00:26:18.039 but the free gift of God 00:26:18.039 --> 00:26:19.299 is eternal life 00:26:19.299 --> 00:26:20.180 in you 00:26:20.180 --> 00:26:21.180 Christ Jesus 00:26:21.180 --> 00:26:22.140 our Lord 00:26:22.140 --> 00:26:23.279 chapter 6 00:26:23.279 --> 00:26:24.539 verse 23 00:26:24.539 --> 00:26:26.980 oh how much more 00:26:26.980 --> 00:26:27.440 we could say 00:26:27.440 --> 00:26:28.420 about your work for us 00:26:28.420 --> 00:26:29.700 your sending work 00:26:29.700 --> 00:26:30.799 chapter 1 verse 5 00:26:30.799 --> 00:26:32.120 your faith awakening work 00:26:32.120 --> 00:26:33.279 chapter 10 verse 17 00:26:33.279 --> 00:26:34.799 your welcoming work 00:26:34.799 --> 00:26:36.140 chapter 15 verse 7 00:26:36.140 --> 00:26:37.460 your church building 00:26:37.460 --> 00:26:38.820 church uniting work 00:26:38.820 --> 00:26:40.000 chapter 12 verse 5 00:26:40.000 --> 00:26:41.580 your signs and wonders 00:26:41.579 --> 00:26:43.119 and sanctifying work 00:26:43.119 --> 00:26:44.679 chapter 15 00:26:44.679 --> 00:26:45.919 verse 18 00:26:45.919 --> 00:26:46.859 and 19 00:26:46.859 --> 00:26:49.019 what a glorious 00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:49.939 glorious 00:26:49.939 --> 00:26:50.980 gospel 00:26:50.980 --> 00:26:51.839 we have 00:26:51.839 --> 00:26:53.059 received 00:26:53.059 --> 00:26:55.159 and this book 00:26:55.159 --> 00:26:55.859 is such 00:26:55.859 --> 00:26:56.939 a precious 00:26:56.939 --> 00:26:58.079 treatise 00:26:58.079 --> 00:26:59.199 to that end 00:26:59.199 --> 00:27:01.319 not that we just 00:27:01.319 --> 00:27:02.699 know these things 00:27:02.699 --> 00:27:04.099 that is not why 00:27:04.099 --> 00:27:05.059 Paul wrote the letter 00:27:05.059 --> 00:27:06.000 he didn't write 00:27:06.000 --> 00:27:07.079 a systematic theology 00:27:07.079 --> 00:27:07.980 that we might 00:27:07.980 --> 00:27:08.939 debate with others 00:27:08.939 --> 00:27:10.319 that we might boast 00:27:10.319 --> 00:27:11.119 in our knowledge 00:27:11.119 --> 00:27:12.839 that our wisdom 00:27:12.839 --> 00:27:13.539 somehow becomes 00:27:13.539 --> 00:27:14.379 valuable to us 00:27:14.379 --> 00:27:15.799 but to produce 00:27:15.799 --> 00:27:16.319 in us 00:27:16.319 --> 00:27:17.439 righteousness 00:27:17.439 --> 00:27:19.099 in chapter 11 00:27:19.099 --> 00:27:19.919 he concludes his 00:27:19.919 --> 00:27:20.279 doctrine 00:27:20.279 --> 00:27:21.319 in chapter 12 00:27:21.319 --> 00:27:22.619 he goes on to talk 00:27:22.619 --> 00:27:23.419 about how these 00:27:23.419 --> 00:27:24.500 things ought to work 00:27:24.500 --> 00:27:25.539 in and through 00:27:25.539 --> 00:27:26.479 our lives 00:27:26.479 --> 00:27:27.079 and he so 00:27:27.079 --> 00:27:28.039 beautifully 00:27:28.039 --> 00:27:29.339 sums this up 00:27:29.339 --> 00:27:30.159 as he begins to talk 00:27:30.159 --> 00:27:30.919 about how this power 00:27:30.919 --> 00:27:31.719 of God works in us 00:27:31.719 --> 00:27:32.139 to bring about 00:27:32.139 --> 00:27:33.139 the obedience of faith 00:27:33.139 --> 00:27:33.979 to say 00:27:33.979 --> 00:27:34.939 to the only 00:27:34.939 --> 00:27:35.939 wise God 00:27:35.939 --> 00:27:36.799 be glory 00:27:36.799 --> 00:27:37.879 forevermore 00:27:37.879 --> 00:27:39.039 through Jesus Christ 00:27:39.039 --> 00:27:39.919 Amen 00:27:39.920 --> 00:27:42.160 that is the 00:27:42.160 --> 00:27:43.360 desired work 00:27:43.360 --> 00:27:44.279 of this book 00:27:44.279 --> 00:27:45.160 this is why 00:27:45.160 --> 00:27:46.080 Paul penned it 00:27:46.080 --> 00:27:46.720 this is why 00:27:46.720 --> 00:27:47.660 the spirit moved 00:27:47.660 --> 00:27:48.259 through him 00:27:48.259 --> 00:27:48.860 this is why 00:27:48.860 --> 00:27:49.500 I believe 00:27:49.500 --> 00:27:50.360 we are moved 00:27:50.360 --> 00:27:51.080 to preach 00:27:51.080 --> 00:27:52.039 through the book 00:27:52.039 --> 00:27:52.720 of Romans 00:27:52.720 --> 00:27:54.759 that these doctrines 00:27:54.759 --> 00:27:56.060 might work down in us 00:27:56.060 --> 00:27:56.940 so that they will 00:27:56.940 --> 00:27:57.940 work back 00:27:57.940 --> 00:27:58.820 out of us 00:27:58.820 --> 00:28:00.259 to the glory of God 00:28:00.259 --> 00:28:01.560 to the nations 00:28:01.560 --> 00:28:04.279 is that the desire 00:28:04.279 --> 00:28:04.980 of your heart 00:28:04.980 --> 00:28:05.940 does the gospel 00:28:05.940 --> 00:28:07.060 does even my reading 00:28:07.059 --> 00:28:07.700 I know sometimes 00:28:07.700 --> 00:28:08.200 somebody reads 00:28:08.200 --> 00:28:08.659 something to you 00:28:08.659 --> 00:28:09.200 it's hard to 00:28:09.200 --> 00:28:10.200 click your brain 00:28:10.200 --> 00:28:11.279 into what's going on 00:28:11.279 --> 00:28:12.639 but I hope 00:28:12.639 --> 00:28:13.419 that as you hear 00:28:13.419 --> 00:28:14.179 these things 00:28:14.179 --> 00:28:15.240 this great gospel 00:28:15.240 --> 00:28:16.000 proclamation 00:28:16.000 --> 00:28:16.740 that it 00:28:16.740 --> 00:28:18.279 that it awakens 00:28:18.279 --> 00:28:19.500 your soul 00:28:19.500 --> 00:28:21.339 that it causes you 00:28:21.339 --> 00:28:22.319 to spring to life 00:28:22.319 --> 00:28:22.980 to the praise 00:28:22.980 --> 00:28:23.759 of our God 00:28:23.759 --> 00:28:25.279 and that you can't 00:28:25.279 --> 00:28:26.419 wait to stand up 00:28:26.419 --> 00:28:27.119 and sing praises 00:28:27.119 --> 00:28:27.559 to a name 00:28:27.559 --> 00:28:28.000 to partake 00:28:28.000 --> 00:28:28.460 in the Lord's 00:28:28.460 --> 00:28:28.619 supper 00:28:28.619 --> 00:28:29.119 that you can't 00:28:29.119 --> 00:28:29.740 wait to get out 00:28:29.740 --> 00:28:29.919 of here 00:28:29.919 --> 00:28:30.319 that you might 00:28:30.319 --> 00:28:31.079 go and share 00:28:31.079 --> 00:28:32.019 his glorious 00:28:32.019 --> 00:28:32.639 goodness 00:28:32.639 --> 00:28:33.379 with the world 00:28:33.380 --> 00:28:35.600 do you desire 00:28:35.600 --> 00:28:37.160 to see God's 00:28:37.160 --> 00:28:38.320 glory spread 00:28:38.320 --> 00:28:41.180 it belongs to him 00:28:41.180 --> 00:28:41.900 it's his 00:28:41.900 --> 00:28:42.980 it's our work 00:28:42.980 --> 00:28:44.240 to ascribe it to him 00:28:44.240 --> 00:28:45.460 to let our lives 00:28:45.460 --> 00:28:47.560 be a doxology 00:28:47.560 --> 00:28:49.800 that is my desire 00:28:49.800 --> 00:28:50.920 as we complete this book 00:28:50.920 --> 00:28:52.580 that you see 00:28:52.580 --> 00:28:53.720 that that is what 00:28:53.720 --> 00:28:54.600 the gospel should be 00:28:54.600 --> 00:28:56.000 doing in your life 00:28:56.000 --> 00:28:57.440 let's pray together 00:28:57.440 --> 00:28:57.880 thank you 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:57.880 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:57.880 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:57.880 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:57.880 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:57.880 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:57.880 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:57.880 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:57.880 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:57.880 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:57.880 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:57.880 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:57.880 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:57.880 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:57.880 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:57.880 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:57.880 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:57.880 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:57.880 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:57.880 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:57.880 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:57.880 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:57.880 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:57.880 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:57.880 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:57.880 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:57.880 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:57.880 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:57.880 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:57.880 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:57.880 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:57.880 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:57.880 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:57.880 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:57.880 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:57.880 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:57.880 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:57.880 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:57.880 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:57.880 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:57.880 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:57.880 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:57.880 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:57.880 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:57.880 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:57.880 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:57.880 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:57.880 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:57.880 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:57.880 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:57.880 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:57.880 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:57.880 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:57.880 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:57.880 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:57.880 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:57.880 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:57.880 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:57.880 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:57.880 00:28:57.880 --> 00:29:27.860 Thank you.