WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.620 Romans chapter 1, verses 1-7. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:46.379 To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints, grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:00:46.920 --> 00:00:47.579 Let's pray together. 00:00:49.060 --> 00:00:51.299 Father God, we love you and thank you for this morning. 00:00:51.740 --> 00:00:53.719 We love and thank you for your word. 00:00:54.439 --> 00:00:57.700 And I pray, God, that you will bless the listening to it this morning. 00:00:58.000 --> 00:00:59.760 We pray this in Christ's precious name. 00:01:00.380 --> 00:01:00.659 Amen. 00:01:01.840 --> 00:01:02.600 You can be seated. 00:01:13.879 --> 00:01:15.920 This has been a bit of a difficult week for me. 00:01:19.680 --> 00:01:22.980 The first reason, you may notice that I'm wearing a lapel mic. 00:01:23.260 --> 00:01:27.579 We've been doing that for a while now because we've been trying to master recording our sermons. 00:01:28.060 --> 00:01:29.719 They're actually available on our website. 00:01:30.760 --> 00:01:33.379 Our hope is that that way you can keep up with us. 00:01:33.439 --> 00:01:35.760 Those of you who go home for the summer, you can keep up through Romans. 00:01:35.859 --> 00:01:39.480 And when you come back in the fall, you can pick right back up where we are. 00:01:39.480 --> 00:01:43.980 And so I had to listen to myself preach this week. 00:01:43.980 --> 00:01:47.000 Not a fun task at all. 00:01:48.000 --> 00:01:53.000 The silver lining in all of that is that I could hear kids in the background of the recording. 00:01:53.439 --> 00:01:59.380 And it made me smile every time I heard a little shriek, which I didn't hear at all when I was preaching because I'm focused. 00:01:59.460 --> 00:02:00.680 There's a lot going on in my head. 00:02:00.680 --> 00:02:08.719 But it reminded me of how great a family we have here and having the children and what a blessing it is to have them in the meeting with us. 00:02:09.360 --> 00:02:15.520 The other reason it was a tough week is my intro this week was to kind of talk about bad news. 00:02:15.520 --> 00:02:17.700 It's kind of the bad news of the world. 00:02:17.820 --> 00:02:23.700 And so I spent a lot of time looking at bad news in the world. 00:02:23.820 --> 00:02:28.439 And thankfully, the text I was studying is the silver lining to that bad news. 00:02:28.520 --> 00:02:31.840 It is the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:02:31.840 --> 00:02:38.620 And so this morning is about the good news of Jesus Christ found in these first seven verses. 00:02:39.740 --> 00:02:42.879 Certainly, we live in a world of bad news, don't we? 00:02:43.599 --> 00:02:45.939 We get bad news all the time. 00:02:46.719 --> 00:02:49.800 Globally, there's a lot of global bad news going on right now. 00:02:49.860 --> 00:02:51.800 We've got the earthquake in Japan. 00:02:52.699 --> 00:02:53.500 I heard there was another. 00:02:53.620 --> 00:02:55.719 There was a 7.9 in Thailand. 00:02:56.099 --> 00:02:58.120 I don't know if you heard that news or not this past week. 00:02:58.560 --> 00:03:00.640 All the unrest that's going on in the Middle East. 00:03:00.639 --> 00:03:02.639 The rioting in Libya right now. 00:03:02.779 --> 00:03:04.459 The rising food prices. 00:03:04.639 --> 00:03:05.839 The shortages of such. 00:03:06.439 --> 00:03:08.579 The chaos in the world. 00:03:09.439 --> 00:03:11.339 Locally, we have a lot of problems. 00:03:11.679 --> 00:03:16.399 A couple of things, just in case you don't know, about the bad news of the world. 00:03:17.339 --> 00:03:20.699 It's estimated that 3,700 babies are aborted each day. 00:03:20.899 --> 00:03:25.799 That gives us a grand total of 1.35 million a year in America. 00:03:25.800 --> 00:03:33.300 In New York, I learned this this week, that 66% of African-American babies are aborted. 00:03:33.700 --> 00:03:37.340 That's two of every three African-American pregnancies in an abortion. 00:03:38.219 --> 00:03:38.700 Shocking. 00:03:38.800 --> 00:03:42.060 It's a genocide going on in the States. 00:03:42.060 --> 00:03:50.819 In Atlanta, if you've ever heard on Friday, there was a person accused of killing a police officer that took hostage eight people. 00:03:50.960 --> 00:03:52.280 And there was a big standoff on Friday. 00:03:52.439 --> 00:03:55.659 And he finally released the hostages and turned himself in. 00:03:56.539 --> 00:03:58.039 Totally high on cocaine. 00:03:58.039 --> 00:04:02.099 Personally, we get bad news all the time, don't we? 00:04:02.280 --> 00:04:08.859 News of illness, loss of loved ones, gallbladders that have to be taken out, shoulders that have to be operated on. 00:04:10.199 --> 00:04:12.259 People around us pass away. 00:04:12.560 --> 00:04:14.599 We have financial trouble. 00:04:16.180 --> 00:04:17.279 I have a lot of pain. 00:04:17.379 --> 00:04:19.839 I'm actually not sitting this morning to be cool. 00:04:20.740 --> 00:04:22.439 Although I look kind of cool on the stool, don't I? 00:04:23.639 --> 00:04:25.819 But I'm sitting because I'm in a lot of pain. 00:04:25.819 --> 00:04:28.939 I've, for the past decade, dealt with lots of pain. 00:04:29.040 --> 00:04:31.819 I've finally gotten a diagnosis that seemed like a non-diagnosis. 00:04:32.620 --> 00:04:36.599 And all I can do is take a medication, which I've been waiting a week and a half to get filled. 00:04:38.139 --> 00:04:40.259 And that's why I'm sitting this morning. 00:04:40.439 --> 00:04:43.519 So the world is full of bad news. 00:04:43.740 --> 00:04:46.379 And all of that bad news is a result of sin. 00:04:47.279 --> 00:04:51.240 And when sin entered the world, it completely corrupted everything. 00:04:51.240 --> 00:04:55.800 This morning we get some good news, though, in the Gospel. 00:04:56.319 --> 00:05:01.420 So sin is the poison that's killing this world. 00:05:02.060 --> 00:05:07.740 And Jesus Christ and the good news of Jesus Christ is the antidote to that sure death. 00:05:08.620 --> 00:05:14.620 Sin has ripped a wound in the flesh of this world that is festering. 00:05:14.620 --> 00:05:17.060 Sin itself is the infection. 00:05:18.040 --> 00:05:21.300 But Christ is the salve that heals that wound. 00:05:22.899 --> 00:05:25.199 Sin is the hostage taker. 00:05:26.720 --> 00:05:28.660 Thinking about that hostage situation this week. 00:05:28.879 --> 00:05:32.100 But Christ is the bullet that liberates the captive. 00:05:33.040 --> 00:05:34.399 So we have good news. 00:05:34.780 --> 00:05:43.199 And the struggle, I think, in the Christian life is to believe in that good news in such a way that it overwhelms that bad news. 00:05:43.199 --> 00:05:52.500 So as we deal with the difficulty of this life, do we so understand and believe the good news of Jesus Christ that all that stuff fades away? 00:05:53.360 --> 00:05:56.019 And that's been what my week has been about. 00:05:56.360 --> 00:06:07.360 Because the reality is that no amount of goodwill or kind intentions or education or philanthropy is going to solve the issues of the world. 00:06:08.480 --> 00:06:09.779 No amount of it at all. 00:06:09.779 --> 00:06:13.359 But the gospel of Jesus Christ solves those issues. 00:06:14.099 --> 00:06:17.939 I promised John Overton I'd work a little story into the sermon this morning. 00:06:18.419 --> 00:06:20.899 John and I met last night on the Gainesville Square at a coffee shop. 00:06:21.879 --> 00:06:24.319 And afterwards, we decided to go for a walk. 00:06:24.679 --> 00:06:30.579 And we were just walking around the square and going all over the place, places I've never been in downtown Gainesville. 00:06:30.579 --> 00:06:34.439 And we happened by a couple on the opposite side of the street. 00:06:34.919 --> 00:06:36.459 And I heard her squeal. 00:06:37.000 --> 00:06:38.019 And it caused me to stop. 00:06:38.139 --> 00:06:39.959 And then I heard her say, stop, you're hurting me. 00:06:40.339 --> 00:06:45.939 At which time, I immediately marched across the street, John quick on my heels, to see what was going to happen. 00:06:46.680 --> 00:06:50.860 And the last thing I heard her say was, I'm going to count to five and then I'm calling the police. 00:06:50.860 --> 00:06:53.240 And at which point I said, ma'am, can you use some help? 00:06:53.520 --> 00:06:54.400 And she said, yes. 00:06:54.660 --> 00:06:55.500 And he turned around. 00:06:55.580 --> 00:06:57.180 He was incredibly intoxicated. 00:06:58.000 --> 00:07:00.660 And I can't even remember the details of everything that happened. 00:07:00.780 --> 00:07:01.939 She marched off down the sidewalk. 00:07:02.160 --> 00:07:06.040 And I had an altercation with him in which he put his hands on my chest. 00:07:06.180 --> 00:07:11.980 And I thought, oh, gosh, I'm about to get killed in the streets of Gainesville. 00:07:11.980 --> 00:07:14.780 So I hope John is really tough. 00:07:17.040 --> 00:07:22.540 And we ended up, I kind of disarmed him a little bit, just with some humor. 00:07:22.620 --> 00:07:23.160 It was his birthday. 00:07:23.280 --> 00:07:24.100 So I said, happy birthday. 00:07:24.259 --> 00:07:25.420 And he said, thank you. 00:07:25.879 --> 00:07:31.319 And it ended up kind of diffusing the situation. 00:07:31.960 --> 00:07:33.140 And he went on. 00:07:33.280 --> 00:07:38.240 But I told John afterwards, I said, you know, I'm tough enough to march across the street without thinking about it. 00:07:38.640 --> 00:07:41.340 But I'm not tough enough for that not to totally shake me up. 00:07:41.339 --> 00:07:45.239 So I'm kind of freaking out right now about that whole situation. 00:07:45.839 --> 00:07:47.739 But I've been thinking about it since. 00:07:48.639 --> 00:07:52.060 And certainly what was needed in that time was somebody to intervene. 00:07:52.659 --> 00:07:56.060 She needed somebody to step across the street and say, hey, hold on a second, buddy. 00:07:56.779 --> 00:07:58.959 But ultimately, what both of them need is Christ. 00:08:00.219 --> 00:08:03.079 We intervened and solved a bit of a problem. 00:08:03.319 --> 00:08:04.059 But it was a symptom. 00:08:05.000 --> 00:08:08.139 The sickness still exists in both of their lives. 00:08:08.739 --> 00:08:11.019 And so ultimately, they need the gospel. 00:08:12.119 --> 00:08:17.219 Charles Spurgeon once said, see what vitality the gospel has. 00:08:17.619 --> 00:08:19.479 Plunge her under the wave and she rises. 00:08:19.939 --> 00:08:21.299 Dipure for her washing. 00:08:21.939 --> 00:08:25.859 Thrust her in the fire and she comes out the more bright for her burning. 00:08:26.519 --> 00:08:30.219 Cut her in sunder or in half and each piece shall make another church. 00:08:30.579 --> 00:08:35.319 Behead her and like the hydra of old, she shall have a hundred heads for everyone you cut away. 00:08:35.320 --> 00:08:36.480 She cannot die. 00:08:36.680 --> 00:08:40.460 She must live for she has the power of God within her. 00:08:40.460 --> 00:08:43.360 And that's the good news that we have. 00:08:44.160 --> 00:08:47.759 If you don't know this Christ, that's the good news for you this morning. 00:08:48.379 --> 00:08:51.519 If you know this Christ, the good news for us. 00:08:51.519 --> 00:08:54.559 So Paul starts out his letter. 00:08:54.659 --> 00:09:00.679 I love the way he starts Romans because he doesn't start it with this typical greeting, but he jumps right in. 00:09:01.620 --> 00:09:08.240 And I believe that's because Paul was urgent later in his life to communicate this good news to the Roman people. 00:09:08.240 --> 00:09:14.600 He wanted them to know the foundation on which he was going to build the rest of his letter to them. 00:09:14.639 --> 00:09:16.159 And he wanted to get right to it. 00:09:16.799 --> 00:09:16.960 All right. 00:09:16.980 --> 00:09:18.399 So he jumps right in. 00:09:19.299 --> 00:09:23.240 Paul was formerly a bearer of bad news as a devout Pharisee. 00:09:24.220 --> 00:09:24.360 All right. 00:09:24.539 --> 00:09:31.200 He was so sold out to following the law of God because he thought that he could achieve that on his own. 00:09:31.580 --> 00:09:38.139 So ultimately, he was the bearer of bad news as he went around telling people the way to God is for you to do good stuff. 00:09:38.539 --> 00:09:41.440 For you to follow his law blamelessly. 00:09:41.879 --> 00:09:48.720 And in that encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus, he came to learn that his way was not the way and that Christ was the only way. 00:09:48.879 --> 00:09:50.700 So formerly, he was a bearer of bad news. 00:09:50.700 --> 00:09:54.860 And I think that he now has an urgency to share the good news. 00:09:55.720 --> 00:09:58.019 So the first point, there's seven. 00:09:58.159 --> 00:09:59.639 If you have the notes, there's seven Ps. 00:09:59.820 --> 00:10:02.960 I stole these from John MacArthur, and I don't want to take any credit for them. 00:10:03.000 --> 00:10:04.539 They're way too clever for me to come up with. 00:10:04.539 --> 00:10:08.339 But the first one is the preacher of the good news. 00:10:08.360 --> 00:10:10.159 And we find that in verse one. 00:10:11.079 --> 00:10:17.379 And Paul writes, Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God. 00:10:17.399 --> 00:10:21.259 And he gives three descriptions of himself in this text. 00:10:21.319 --> 00:10:24.519 And the first one we have is a servant of Christ Jesus. 00:10:24.679 --> 00:10:26.839 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus. 00:10:26.840 --> 00:10:31.480 And the Greek word he's using for servant is often translated bond servant, doulos. 00:10:32.080 --> 00:10:34.560 It's the Hebrew equivalent of the word ebed. 00:10:35.220 --> 00:10:37.780 And it simply means bond servant. 00:10:37.920 --> 00:10:46.379 And the Mosaic law provided for an indentured servant to permanently become a bond servant of a master that he loved and respected. 00:10:46.560 --> 00:10:51.920 So someone who was enslaved because of a debt they owed, once that debt was paid off, they were set free. 00:10:51.919 --> 00:10:59.979 But the Mosaic law allowed for someone who was in that situation but loved their master to remain permanently underneath their master. 00:11:00.299 --> 00:11:05.120 And in Exodus 21, 5 and 6, I'm just going to read to you the provision for that. 00:11:05.839 --> 00:11:12.179 It says, but if the slave plainly says, I love my master, my wife and my children, I will not go out free. 00:11:12.719 --> 00:11:15.919 Then his master shall bring him to God and he shall bring him to the door or the doorposts. 00:11:16.719 --> 00:11:21.059 And his master shall bore his ear through with an awl and he shall be his slave forever. 00:11:21.059 --> 00:11:28.439 And so the bond servant carried a sign in a piercing that he was, belonged to the master and belonged to the master forever. 00:11:29.239 --> 00:11:35.719 So in the same way, Paul saw his ministry as that, as a, as bond slavement. 00:11:35.879 --> 00:11:36.859 I'm just making up words now. 00:11:36.959 --> 00:11:37.099 I'm right. 00:11:37.339 --> 00:11:40.299 Bond slavery to Christ. 00:11:40.399 --> 00:11:44.679 That he was to serve him wholeheartedly because he loved his master. 00:11:45.859 --> 00:11:49.500 Second description, he says that he is called to be an apostle. 00:11:49.500 --> 00:11:51.700 So, Paul was called to be an apostle. 00:11:51.779 --> 00:11:52.980 He didn't volunteer for the position. 00:11:53.639 --> 00:11:54.700 He didn't sign up. 00:11:55.100 --> 00:11:55.899 He wasn't recruited. 00:11:56.500 --> 00:11:57.960 It was a divine appointment. 00:11:58.659 --> 00:12:01.600 And it's on this fact that Paul establishes the authority of his ministry. 00:12:02.440 --> 00:12:08.039 He's sharing that because he wants these people to know why he can speak to them with such authority. 00:12:08.480 --> 00:12:14.019 We can read in other places like Galatians 1, 1, as well as verse 11 and 12 of the same chapter. 00:12:14.019 --> 00:12:22.480 He writes, Paul, an apostle, not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised him from the dead. 00:12:23.019 --> 00:12:23.740 And then verse 11. 00:12:24.240 --> 00:12:28.259 For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel was not preached by me is not man's gospel. 00:12:28.759 --> 00:12:34.860 For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. 00:12:34.860 --> 00:12:37.940 So, the gospel that Paul had was given to him. 00:12:38.000 --> 00:12:38.560 He was called. 00:12:38.639 --> 00:12:45.399 He was set apart, called out of his Judaism, called into Christianity as an apostle. 00:12:46.220 --> 00:12:50.720 And the term here, apostle, is referring to specifically the apostles. 00:12:51.220 --> 00:12:56.980 The original 12 with Matthias replacing Judas and then Paul. 00:12:56.980 --> 00:13:05.580 And these were men in redemptive history that play a special part, that laid the foundation, the groundwork for the church to be built upon. 00:13:06.080 --> 00:13:09.600 We'll talk later about the apostle as used in general terms. 00:13:10.100 --> 00:13:12.700 We have an apostolic calling on our lives. 00:13:12.980 --> 00:13:18.220 But Paul here is referring to himself specifically as taking that title of apostle, a sent one. 00:13:18.420 --> 00:13:23.200 One that has been given a message and sent for a specific purpose. 00:13:23.200 --> 00:13:30.080 Many ships in this day that were carrying messages from one team to another were said to be apostolic. 00:13:30.280 --> 00:13:33.820 They were given a specific mission to carry a specific message. 00:13:34.259 --> 00:13:37.800 And that's how Paul is referring to himself in this case. 00:13:39.200 --> 00:13:40.180 Pretty fascinating. 00:13:40.360 --> 00:13:49.080 In the book, The Reformed Pastor by Richard Baxter, he dedicates over 100 pages of that book that's written to pastors 00:13:49.080 --> 00:13:53.420 to warn them to, first of all, be sure that they are, in fact, redeemed. 00:13:54.360 --> 00:13:58.460 And secondly, that they've actually been given a calling to the ministry of the gospel. 00:13:59.060 --> 00:13:59.580 Not fascinating. 00:13:59.680 --> 00:14:01.300 100 pages of that book, which I've read. 00:14:01.360 --> 00:14:02.740 It's a pretty phenomenal read. 00:14:03.320 --> 00:14:07.360 But 100 pages of that book is set apart to saying to the men who are reading it, 00:14:07.420 --> 00:14:10.879 you better be sure you're saved and that God has called you to this special gospel ministry 00:14:10.879 --> 00:14:12.900 because it is a high, high calling. 00:14:12.899 --> 00:14:18.659 And the last descriptor he uses is set apart for the gospel of God 00:14:18.659 --> 00:14:22.360 and plays off of that term apostle, 00:14:22.919 --> 00:14:29.699 specifically designed for this task of proclaiming the good news of God. 00:14:30.559 --> 00:14:35.120 Sam and I have a plate in our house, and it's a special plate. 00:14:35.699 --> 00:14:37.600 It says you are very special on the plate. 00:14:37.939 --> 00:14:39.840 And it's our birthday plate. 00:14:39.840 --> 00:14:44.139 I imagine, as Cade grows older and any other children we have, 00:14:44.259 --> 00:14:48.960 that when they have a great report card or something of excitement in our lives, 00:14:49.000 --> 00:14:53.220 we'll pull out the you are very special plate and let them eat off of that plate. 00:14:54.660 --> 00:14:56.759 That plate is then set apart. 00:14:57.120 --> 00:14:58.600 We don't eat off that plate normally. 00:14:59.560 --> 00:15:04.800 I think I would get in big trouble if I made nachos on that plate and ate a snack off them. 00:15:04.860 --> 00:15:08.139 That plate is for something specific, for something very special. 00:15:08.139 --> 00:15:12.299 And that's what Paul is getting at as he says that he's set apart for the gospel of God. 00:15:12.419 --> 00:15:17.559 So he establishes his authority to preach this good news. 00:15:18.559 --> 00:15:22.319 And in verse 2, he goes on to talk about the promise of the good news. 00:15:22.779 --> 00:15:23.319 Verse 2 reads, 00:15:23.659 --> 00:15:29.039 Which he promised, being God beforehand, through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures. 00:15:30.120 --> 00:15:34.840 Now, Paul here is referring to the writing of the prophets being the Old Testament, 00:15:34.840 --> 00:15:37.899 that canon that they knew as the Old Testament. 00:15:38.399 --> 00:15:43.920 And he does so by saying that and saying Holy Scriptures to distinguish between that and the rabbinical writings. 00:15:44.399 --> 00:15:49.240 Most Jews at this time followed the writing of the rabbis. 00:15:49.600 --> 00:15:51.300 It was the traditions that they followed. 00:15:51.620 --> 00:15:54.240 Didn't know their scriptures well at all. 00:15:54.240 --> 00:16:02.720 So he's referring in those two ways by saying the writings of the prophets and the Holy Scriptures to distinguish between the two. 00:16:02.940 --> 00:16:10.139 And the important thing for us to see here is that this message, this gospel news, is consistent with the Old Testament. 00:16:11.139 --> 00:16:13.120 I grew up thinking that there was this old way. 00:16:13.360 --> 00:16:16.139 And it was as if the old way hadn't accomplished what God had intended. 00:16:16.139 --> 00:16:18.100 And so he created a new way. 00:16:18.939 --> 00:16:20.580 And certainly there is a new covenant. 00:16:20.879 --> 00:16:24.799 There is a new testament of God's grace to us. 00:16:24.960 --> 00:16:28.720 But we see it all throughout the Old Testament scriptures. 00:16:29.779 --> 00:16:31.120 There's nothing contrary. 00:16:31.259 --> 00:16:35.179 There's at least 332 prophecies about Christ in the Old Testament. 00:16:35.679 --> 00:16:37.139 We know he was coming. 00:16:38.679 --> 00:16:43.120 Matthew 5, 17 and 18, Jesus says, 00:16:43.120 --> 00:16:46.120 Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. 00:16:46.340 --> 00:16:49.100 I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. 00:16:49.480 --> 00:16:56.500 For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot will pass away from the law until all is accomplished. 00:16:56.779 --> 00:16:59.539 So Christ himself even said, I'm not coming to change things. 00:16:59.539 --> 00:17:03.580 I'm just coming to fulfill those things which have been given to you already. 00:17:03.679 --> 00:17:06.480 And that was the fulfillment of the law. 00:17:06.900 --> 00:17:12.940 So understand that the Jews had the rule book by which to be righteous. 00:17:13.119 --> 00:17:15.659 They just didn't have the ability to follow the rules. 00:17:16.299 --> 00:17:18.199 That's what the sacrificial system was all about. 00:17:18.299 --> 00:17:22.679 That was to teach them that we needed a righteous priest. 00:17:23.559 --> 00:17:25.019 We find that in Christ. 00:17:25.079 --> 00:17:27.899 We're going to talk about the person of the good news next. 00:17:28.339 --> 00:17:35.799 We find that in Christ, the spotless lamb, the one who was able to take away the sins of his church. 00:17:35.799 --> 00:17:43.299 So he came to fulfill that law, that ability to keep the law and be found righteous in him. 00:17:44.200 --> 00:17:45.379 Hebrews 1 and 2. 00:17:46.259 --> 00:17:46.899 The writer of Hebrews says, 00:17:46.900 --> 00:17:52.320 So in those days, he spoke to us by his prophets. 00:17:52.940 --> 00:18:07.320 But now he's spoken to us by his son. 00:18:07.420 --> 00:18:08.960 A better way. 00:18:08.960 --> 00:18:14.120 He's given us his son to give us this final message of our redemption. 00:18:15.400 --> 00:18:16.759 Which takes us to the third. 00:18:17.559 --> 00:18:19.840 The person of the good news. 00:18:20.819 --> 00:18:22.620 I was reviewing my notes this morning. 00:18:23.000 --> 00:18:25.779 I'm kind of thinking over this and praying over it. 00:18:25.960 --> 00:18:29.579 And we had another sweep of a thunderstorm this morning. 00:18:30.200 --> 00:18:34.940 I don't think that there was anything magnificently spiritual happening. 00:18:34.940 --> 00:18:38.279 But it was incredibly cool that as I was thinking about the person of the good news, 00:18:38.360 --> 00:18:44.680 I was thinking about Christ who sits at the right hand of the Father and commands the universe by the power of his word. 00:18:45.160 --> 00:18:47.680 There's this awesome thunderstorm going on outside. 00:18:47.860 --> 00:18:52.980 And about the time I got done looking over this section of notes and done praying through it, 00:18:53.039 --> 00:18:54.200 the thunderstorm stopped. 00:18:54.799 --> 00:18:59.180 And it just reminded me of the amazing power that Christ has. 00:18:59.980 --> 00:19:00.860 Very cool. 00:19:01.240 --> 00:19:04.460 2 Corinthians 5.21 says, 00:19:04.460 --> 00:19:05.960 For our sake, let me back up. 00:19:06.019 --> 00:19:08.660 Let's read verses 3 and 4 real quick in Romans. 00:19:10.039 --> 00:19:10.519 It reads, 00:19:10.600 --> 00:19:13.900 Concerning his son, who was descended from David according to the flesh, 00:19:13.980 --> 00:19:20.000 and was declared to be the son of God in power according to the spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, 00:19:20.480 --> 00:19:22.579 Jesus Christ our Lord. 00:19:23.380 --> 00:19:24.819 2 Corinthians 5.21. 00:19:27.620 --> 00:19:28.240 Paul writes, 00:19:28.240 --> 00:19:45.019 Now understand that us standing before God as righteous is absolutely necessary for us not to be destroyed. 00:19:46.440 --> 00:19:47.339 Get that. 00:19:47.339 --> 00:19:49.859 God is a just God. 00:19:50.980 --> 00:19:57.519 We have turned God into this touchy-feely dude that wants to hang out in our house and give us hugs. 00:19:58.259 --> 00:19:59.399 Certainly he is loving. 00:20:00.299 --> 00:20:04.139 But God is full of wrath and vengeance towards sin. 00:20:04.740 --> 00:20:06.500 We learn that in the Old Testament, don't we? 00:20:06.500 --> 00:20:13.440 We see the people building a golden calf and God's fury is kindled toward them. 00:20:14.380 --> 00:20:15.880 Moses pleads with him, 00:20:16.440 --> 00:20:20.119 For your glory, please don't go kill your people, all of them. 00:20:21.500 --> 00:20:24.380 God concedes, says, okay, go down. 00:20:24.779 --> 00:20:28.920 But then they wipe out something like 30,000 of the people for doing so. 00:20:29.519 --> 00:20:30.980 He destroys Sodom and Gomorrah. 00:20:30.980 --> 00:20:33.740 We see that God hates sin. 00:20:34.120 --> 00:20:35.160 Rebellion against him. 00:20:35.259 --> 00:20:39.519 We are enemies of God's if we're not found righteous in Christ. 00:20:40.279 --> 00:20:41.000 Understand that. 00:20:41.039 --> 00:20:44.380 If you don't know Christ this morning, you're an enemy of God. 00:20:44.980 --> 00:20:46.980 And that is not a battle you're going to win. 00:20:48.620 --> 00:20:51.279 So God must punish sin because he's just. 00:20:52.220 --> 00:20:54.000 It's not that he just gets to pardon it. 00:20:54.460 --> 00:20:57.660 When we're found righteous in Christ, it's not that God says, 00:20:58.019 --> 00:20:58.839 Yeah, it's okay. 00:20:59.399 --> 00:21:03.379 Certain of you I will dismiss from this sin. 00:21:03.559 --> 00:21:04.399 It's not the case at all. 00:21:04.559 --> 00:21:05.579 He had to punish it. 00:21:06.500 --> 00:21:08.480 Well, he punished it in Christ. 00:21:09.240 --> 00:21:12.359 Christ bore the wrath for his church's sin. 00:21:12.519 --> 00:21:14.220 Those of us who are found righteous in Christ, 00:21:14.740 --> 00:21:15.859 he took our punishment. 00:21:16.980 --> 00:21:21.679 God is still fully just in condemning and punishing sin 00:21:21.679 --> 00:21:25.699 because he poured out his wrath for us on Christ. 00:21:25.700 --> 00:21:29.980 The doctrine of the substitutionary atonement is phenomenal. 00:21:30.420 --> 00:21:31.680 It blows my mind. 00:21:31.680 --> 00:21:37.400 When I begin to think that Christ hung on the cross and bore the punishment of my sin, 00:21:37.480 --> 00:21:40.900 the eternal wrath that was due to me for my sin, 00:21:40.900 --> 00:21:43.860 Jesus Christ bore that from me. 00:21:44.540 --> 00:21:45.500 It blows my mind. 00:21:46.140 --> 00:21:49.840 It's why I can't wander off into a universal atonement. 00:21:49.960 --> 00:21:50.620 I can't do it. 00:21:51.400 --> 00:21:53.080 It kind of loses its specialness, doesn't it? 00:21:54.040 --> 00:21:56.220 Christ hung on that cross with me in mind. 00:21:56.220 --> 00:21:58.799 No warrant of my own. 00:21:58.920 --> 00:22:00.460 Nothing I did to deserve that. 00:22:01.360 --> 00:22:05.799 Certainly, the wrath due me was totally deserved. 00:22:07.240 --> 00:22:08.660 But Christ had me in mind. 00:22:08.779 --> 00:22:11.480 That's good news, isn't it? 00:22:11.640 --> 00:22:15.319 That's the kind of news that causes all the bad news to fade. 00:22:16.380 --> 00:22:18.120 Christ had you in mind. 00:22:18.319 --> 00:22:19.799 If you have placed your faith in him, 00:22:20.400 --> 00:22:24.079 he bore the wrath of your sin on the cross. 00:22:24.160 --> 00:22:24.900 It's incredible. 00:22:24.900 --> 00:22:28.480 And he could do that because he was perfect, 00:22:28.560 --> 00:22:30.720 because he was a man. 00:22:30.860 --> 00:22:32.140 The beginning of verse 3, 00:22:32.240 --> 00:22:34.820 concerning his son, who was descended from David. 00:22:35.540 --> 00:22:37.580 He's establishing that, I would imagine, 00:22:37.700 --> 00:22:39.519 for the Jewish audience in Rome. 00:22:40.240 --> 00:22:41.920 It was the fulfillment of a prophecy 00:22:41.920 --> 00:22:44.640 that both Mary and Joseph were descendants of David. 00:22:45.200 --> 00:22:47.360 He was a descendant of David according to the flesh, 00:22:47.740 --> 00:22:50.440 and he was declared to be the son of God in power 00:22:50.440 --> 00:22:52.600 according to the spirit of holiness 00:22:52.599 --> 00:22:54.959 by his resurrection from the dead. 00:22:55.019 --> 00:22:56.399 So he had both his resurrection 00:22:56.399 --> 00:22:58.919 and the sign that when he was baptized 00:22:58.919 --> 00:23:01.759 that the spirit descended like a dove from heaven. 00:23:02.219 --> 00:23:04.480 And there were plenty of witnesses to that. 00:23:05.119 --> 00:23:06.159 And God said from heaven, 00:23:06.259 --> 00:23:07.879 this is my son, my beloved son, 00:23:07.939 --> 00:23:09.939 with whom I am well pleased. 00:23:10.500 --> 00:23:11.519 So he had these signs, 00:23:11.599 --> 00:23:12.759 these seals set upon him 00:23:12.759 --> 00:23:14.039 that he was, in fact, 00:23:14.839 --> 00:23:15.599 the son of God. 00:23:15.599 --> 00:23:18.339 And, of course, he was either a lunatic 00:23:18.339 --> 00:23:19.459 or he was the son of God. 00:23:20.099 --> 00:23:21.899 He made some audacious claims 00:23:21.899 --> 00:23:24.259 if he wasn't, in fact, the son of God. 00:23:25.959 --> 00:23:27.619 And he lived this perfect life 00:23:27.619 --> 00:23:29.740 so that him who knew no sin 00:23:29.740 --> 00:23:31.779 became sin on our behalf. 00:23:32.299 --> 00:23:34.240 Martin Luther called that the great exchange, 00:23:34.559 --> 00:23:36.299 that he took all of our sin 00:23:36.299 --> 00:23:37.159 and placed it on himself 00:23:37.159 --> 00:23:37.899 and bore our wrath, 00:23:38.000 --> 00:23:40.099 and we got the righteousness of God 00:23:40.099 --> 00:23:41.379 in return. 00:23:43.179 --> 00:23:43.539 Incredible. 00:23:43.539 --> 00:23:43.659 Incredible. 00:23:45.599 --> 00:23:47.059 So there's no good news apart from Christ. 00:23:47.399 --> 00:23:49.319 John Piper, in his book, 00:23:49.399 --> 00:23:50.039 God is the Gospel, 00:23:50.559 --> 00:23:51.139 wrote this. 00:23:52.179 --> 00:23:53.799 Christ did not die to forgive sinners 00:23:53.799 --> 00:23:55.619 who go on treasuring anything 00:23:55.619 --> 00:23:58.459 above seeing and savoring God. 00:23:59.359 --> 00:24:00.719 And people who would be happy in heaven 00:24:00.719 --> 00:24:02.139 if Christ were not there 00:24:02.139 --> 00:24:03.799 will not be there. 00:24:04.879 --> 00:24:05.819 I'll do that to you again. 00:24:06.000 --> 00:24:07.619 And people who would be happy in heaven 00:24:07.619 --> 00:24:09.519 if Christ were not there 00:24:09.519 --> 00:24:10.839 will not be there. 00:24:11.899 --> 00:24:13.399 The Gospel is not a way 00:24:13.399 --> 00:24:14.439 to get people to heaven. 00:24:14.440 --> 00:24:17.160 It is a way to get people to God. 00:24:17.740 --> 00:24:18.840 It's a way of overcoming 00:24:18.840 --> 00:24:21.220 every obstacle to everlasting joy 00:24:21.220 --> 00:24:22.440 in God. 00:24:22.820 --> 00:24:24.960 If we don't want God above all things, 00:24:25.019 --> 00:24:26.600 we have not been converted 00:24:26.600 --> 00:24:28.200 by the Gospel. 00:24:29.600 --> 00:24:30.080 Isn't that phenomenal? 00:24:31.240 --> 00:24:32.680 Christ himself is the treasure. 00:24:32.840 --> 00:24:33.640 We are saved 00:24:33.640 --> 00:24:35.059 from God, 00:24:35.539 --> 00:24:36.519 by God, 00:24:37.160 --> 00:24:38.019 to God. 00:24:38.519 --> 00:24:40.000 That's the simplest Gospel presentation 00:24:40.000 --> 00:24:40.759 I can give. 00:24:41.400 --> 00:24:42.579 From God's wrath, 00:24:43.220 --> 00:24:44.119 by God's mercy, 00:24:44.279 --> 00:24:45.119 in Jesus Christ, 00:24:45.259 --> 00:24:46.319 to everlasting joy 00:24:46.319 --> 00:24:47.500 in God. 00:24:48.099 --> 00:24:48.579 Incredible. 00:24:49.279 --> 00:24:49.799 Incredible. 00:24:53.539 --> 00:24:54.500 Jesus Christ, 00:24:54.599 --> 00:24:55.119 our Lord, 00:24:55.339 --> 00:24:56.259 that's how he ends 00:24:56.259 --> 00:24:58.720 verse 4 there. 00:24:58.720 --> 00:25:01.960 Jesus means Savior. 00:25:02.720 --> 00:25:04.039 It's the simplicity of that word. 00:25:04.100 --> 00:25:04.799 Jesus means Savior. 00:25:04.960 --> 00:25:05.920 Christ means 00:25:05.920 --> 00:25:07.460 anointed one. 00:25:08.579 --> 00:25:09.620 Lord means 00:25:09.620 --> 00:25:10.819 sovereign ruler. 00:25:12.559 --> 00:25:13.240 He is Jesus 00:25:13.240 --> 00:25:14.339 because he saves his people 00:25:14.339 --> 00:25:15.620 from their sins. 00:25:16.200 --> 00:25:17.100 He is Christ 00:25:17.100 --> 00:25:17.920 because he has been 00:25:17.920 --> 00:25:18.940 anointed by God 00:25:18.940 --> 00:25:20.339 as our priest 00:25:20.339 --> 00:25:21.100 and king. 00:25:22.380 --> 00:25:23.240 And he is Lord 00:25:23.240 --> 00:25:24.120 because he is God 00:25:24.120 --> 00:25:25.100 and rules the universe 00:25:25.100 --> 00:25:25.900 sovereignly 00:25:25.900 --> 00:25:27.500 by the power of his word. 00:25:28.980 --> 00:25:29.420 Phenomenal. 00:25:29.600 --> 00:25:30.060 The person 00:25:30.060 --> 00:25:31.040 of the good news. 00:25:31.680 --> 00:25:32.600 Jesus Christ. 00:25:34.640 --> 00:25:35.080 Next, 00:25:35.240 --> 00:25:35.560 in the beginning 00:25:35.560 --> 00:25:36.480 of verse 5, 00:25:37.300 --> 00:25:38.060 the provision 00:25:38.060 --> 00:25:39.500 of the good news. 00:25:39.620 --> 00:25:40.320 Look in verse 5. 00:25:41.660 --> 00:25:42.240 Paul writes, 00:25:42.660 --> 00:25:43.220 through whom, 00:25:43.360 --> 00:25:44.100 through Christ, 00:25:44.660 --> 00:25:45.640 we have received 00:25:45.640 --> 00:25:46.320 grace 00:25:46.320 --> 00:25:48.480 and apostleship. 00:25:48.820 --> 00:25:49.680 We have received 00:25:49.680 --> 00:25:50.220 grace 00:25:50.220 --> 00:25:51.960 and apostleship. 00:25:52.940 --> 00:25:53.820 Ephesians 2, 00:25:53.960 --> 00:25:54.720 8 and 9, 00:25:55.140 --> 00:25:55.680 Paul writes, 00:25:55.680 --> 00:25:56.660 for by grace 00:25:56.660 --> 00:25:58.420 you have been saved 00:25:58.420 --> 00:25:59.420 through faith. 00:26:00.279 --> 00:26:00.960 And this is not 00:26:00.960 --> 00:26:01.519 your own doing. 00:26:01.640 --> 00:26:02.720 It is the gift of God, 00:26:02.779 --> 00:26:04.580 not a result of works, 00:26:05.100 --> 00:26:06.180 so that no one 00:26:06.180 --> 00:26:07.660 may boast. 00:26:08.440 --> 00:26:09.440 So we've received 00:26:09.440 --> 00:26:10.820 grace through Christ, 00:26:10.880 --> 00:26:12.140 which we just talked about, 00:26:12.620 --> 00:26:13.580 and that had nothing 00:26:13.580 --> 00:26:14.799 to do with us. 00:26:15.220 --> 00:26:16.220 It's totally the act 00:26:16.220 --> 00:26:16.660 of God 00:26:16.660 --> 00:26:17.539 on our lives. 00:26:18.060 --> 00:26:18.860 He worked in us 00:26:18.860 --> 00:26:19.400 the faith 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:20.340 to believe in him 00:26:20.340 --> 00:26:21.820 that he might save us. 00:26:22.860 --> 00:26:23.140 Alright? 00:26:23.480 --> 00:26:24.120 So that none of us 00:26:24.120 --> 00:26:24.539 can boast. 00:26:24.759 --> 00:26:25.060 None of us. 00:26:25.059 --> 00:26:25.879 I have no room 00:26:25.879 --> 00:26:26.740 to boast in anything 00:26:26.740 --> 00:26:27.759 I've ever done 00:26:27.759 --> 00:26:29.059 because in the same way, 00:26:29.220 --> 00:26:30.039 I'm sustained 00:26:30.039 --> 00:26:30.759 by his grace. 00:26:31.419 --> 00:26:32.500 I don't do any good thing 00:26:32.500 --> 00:26:33.200 apart from God. 00:26:33.940 --> 00:26:34.679 If God were to remove 00:26:34.679 --> 00:26:35.299 his hand from me 00:26:35.299 --> 00:26:36.079 and leave me alone, 00:26:36.279 --> 00:26:37.319 I would be a wretch 00:26:37.319 --> 00:26:38.500 all over again. 00:26:39.639 --> 00:26:40.500 It's the grace of God 00:26:40.500 --> 00:26:41.299 that has saved us. 00:26:41.339 --> 00:26:42.339 It's the grace of God 00:26:42.339 --> 00:26:44.559 which sustains us. 00:26:45.200 --> 00:26:46.299 And we've been given 00:26:46.299 --> 00:26:47.379 a mission, 00:26:48.339 --> 00:26:48.799 haven't we? 00:26:48.879 --> 00:26:49.399 We've been given 00:26:49.399 --> 00:26:50.720 apostleship, 00:26:51.119 --> 00:26:52.460 an apostolic calling 00:26:52.460 --> 00:26:53.779 on all of our lives 00:26:53.779 --> 00:26:54.539 because we're all 00:26:54.539 --> 00:26:55.559 sent into this world 00:26:55.559 --> 00:26:56.620 to share light 00:26:56.620 --> 00:26:57.319 in dark places. 00:26:57.420 --> 00:26:58.160 We're all sent 00:26:58.160 --> 00:27:00.140 to share the gospel. 00:27:01.160 --> 00:27:01.960 And so we've been 00:27:01.960 --> 00:27:02.960 commissioned 00:27:02.960 --> 00:27:04.620 to do so. 00:27:05.420 --> 00:27:06.579 Out of MacArthur's commentary, 00:27:06.680 --> 00:27:07.500 I wanted to read you 00:27:07.500 --> 00:27:10.079 a quote from 00:27:10.079 --> 00:27:11.960 Donald Barnhouse 00:27:11.960 --> 00:27:12.880 who wrote a commentary. 00:27:13.559 --> 00:27:13.900 And MacArthur 00:27:13.900 --> 00:27:15.380 quotes him here 00:27:15.380 --> 00:27:16.519 in his book. 00:27:16.579 --> 00:27:17.160 Donald Barnhouse 00:27:17.160 --> 00:27:19.259 was a Presbyterian 00:27:19.259 --> 00:27:19.560 preacher 00:27:19.560 --> 00:27:21.340 in the early 00:27:21.340 --> 00:27:22.160 20th century. 00:27:22.600 --> 00:27:23.000 And I want to 00:27:23.000 --> 00:27:23.560 just read this 00:27:23.560 --> 00:27:25.259 little paragraph 00:27:25.259 --> 00:27:25.700 to you. 00:27:28.140 --> 00:27:28.840 This is him 00:27:28.840 --> 00:27:29.380 reflecting on 00:27:29.380 --> 00:27:29.900 his ordination. 00:27:31.080 --> 00:27:31.759 He writes, 00:27:31.820 --> 00:27:32.259 The moderator 00:27:32.259 --> 00:27:33.160 of the Presbytery 00:27:33.160 --> 00:27:34.100 asked me questions 00:27:34.100 --> 00:27:35.000 and I answered them. 00:27:35.759 --> 00:27:36.460 They told me 00:27:36.460 --> 00:27:37.220 to kneel down. 00:27:37.880 --> 00:27:38.779 Men came toward me 00:27:38.779 --> 00:27:39.560 and one man 00:27:39.560 --> 00:27:40.360 was asked 00:27:40.360 --> 00:27:41.040 to make the prayer. 00:27:41.779 --> 00:27:42.680 I felt his hands 00:27:42.680 --> 00:27:43.480 come on my head 00:27:43.480 --> 00:27:44.279 and then the hands 00:27:44.279 --> 00:27:44.640 of others, 00:27:44.740 --> 00:27:45.340 touching my head 00:27:45.340 --> 00:27:46.100 and pressing down 00:27:46.099 --> 00:27:47.859 on his and the other hands. 00:27:48.480 --> 00:27:49.139 The ring of men 00:27:49.139 --> 00:27:49.659 closed in 00:27:49.659 --> 00:27:50.339 and one man 00:27:50.339 --> 00:27:51.099 began to pray. 00:27:51.699 --> 00:27:52.779 It was a nice little prayer 00:27:52.779 --> 00:27:53.379 and had one 00:27:53.379 --> 00:27:54.659 pat little phrase in it. 00:27:55.099 --> 00:27:55.379 Father, 00:27:55.500 --> 00:27:56.619 guard him with thy love, 00:27:57.000 --> 00:27:58.019 guide him with thine eye, 00:27:58.359 --> 00:27:59.000 and gird him 00:27:59.000 --> 00:28:00.199 with thy power. 00:28:01.019 --> 00:28:01.579 I kept thinking 00:28:01.579 --> 00:28:02.519 about these three verbs, 00:28:02.659 --> 00:28:03.779 guard, guide, gird. 00:28:04.240 --> 00:28:05.119 It seemed as foolish 00:28:05.119 --> 00:28:05.639 as performing 00:28:05.639 --> 00:28:06.459 a marriage ceremony 00:28:06.459 --> 00:28:07.379 upon two people 00:28:07.379 --> 00:28:08.379 who had been living together 00:28:08.379 --> 00:28:09.639 for a quarter of a century 00:28:09.639 --> 00:28:10.539 and who had a family 00:28:10.539 --> 00:28:11.339 of children together. 00:28:12.099 --> 00:28:12.779 I knew that I had 00:28:12.779 --> 00:28:13.459 been ordained 00:28:13.459 --> 00:28:14.459 long since 00:28:14.459 --> 00:28:15.559 and that the hands 00:28:15.559 --> 00:28:16.019 that had been upon 00:28:16.019 --> 00:28:16.460 my head 00:28:16.460 --> 00:28:17.019 were hands 00:28:17.019 --> 00:28:17.940 that had been pierced 00:28:17.940 --> 00:28:18.480 and nailed 00:28:18.480 --> 00:28:19.559 to a cross. 00:28:20.519 --> 00:28:21.059 Years later, 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:22.240 the man that made 00:28:22.240 --> 00:28:23.099 the prayer that day 00:28:23.099 --> 00:28:24.200 signed a paper 00:28:24.200 --> 00:28:25.480 saying that he was opposed 00:28:25.480 --> 00:28:26.079 to the doctrine 00:28:26.079 --> 00:28:26.940 of the virgin birth, 00:28:27.460 --> 00:28:27.859 the doctrine 00:28:27.859 --> 00:28:28.299 of the deity 00:28:28.299 --> 00:28:29.119 of Jesus Christ, 00:28:29.519 --> 00:28:29.960 the doctrine 00:28:29.960 --> 00:28:30.799 of the substitutionary 00:28:30.799 --> 00:28:31.279 atonement, 00:28:31.639 --> 00:28:32.019 the doctrine 00:28:32.019 --> 00:28:32.519 of the miracles 00:28:32.519 --> 00:28:33.019 of Christ, 00:28:33.139 --> 00:28:33.660 and the doctrine 00:28:33.660 --> 00:28:34.339 of the inspiration 00:28:34.339 --> 00:28:34.940 of the scriptures 00:28:34.940 --> 00:28:36.599 as test for ordination 00:28:36.599 --> 00:28:38.240 or a man's good standing 00:28:38.240 --> 00:28:39.220 in the ministry. 00:28:40.039 --> 00:28:41.019 When I read his name 00:28:41.019 --> 00:28:41.480 on the list, 00:28:41.579 --> 00:28:42.359 I put my hand 00:28:42.359 --> 00:28:43.279 on the top of my head 00:28:43.279 --> 00:28:44.379 and smiled to myself, 00:28:44.380 --> 00:28:45.840 wondering how many 00:28:45.840 --> 00:28:46.640 dozens times 00:28:46.640 --> 00:28:47.700 I had my hair cut 00:28:47.700 --> 00:28:48.940 since his unholy hands 00:28:48.940 --> 00:28:49.560 had touched me. 00:28:50.420 --> 00:28:51.340 And I had the profound 00:28:51.340 --> 00:28:52.400 consolation of knowing 00:28:52.400 --> 00:28:53.380 that the hand 00:28:53.380 --> 00:28:54.360 of the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:28:54.480 --> 00:28:55.360 wounded and torn 00:28:55.360 --> 00:28:56.520 because of my sins, 00:28:56.820 --> 00:28:57.660 had touched me 00:28:57.660 --> 00:28:58.240 and given me 00:28:58.240 --> 00:28:59.000 an apostleship 00:28:59.000 --> 00:29:00.140 which was from God 00:29:00.140 --> 00:29:01.020 and which was more 00:29:01.020 --> 00:29:01.900 important than any 00:29:01.900 --> 00:29:03.100 that men could approve 00:29:03.100 --> 00:29:04.540 by their little ceremonies. 00:29:05.320 --> 00:29:06.180 Isn't that awesome? 00:29:06.940 --> 00:29:07.860 Not that we shouldn't 00:29:07.860 --> 00:29:08.500 have ordinations, 00:29:08.500 --> 00:29:11.059 but our ordination 00:29:11.059 --> 00:29:13.079 comes from Christ. 00:29:13.859 --> 00:29:14.660 Because of what 00:29:14.660 --> 00:29:15.660 he's done for us, 00:29:15.740 --> 00:29:17.220 because he's bought us. 00:29:18.619 --> 00:29:19.700 That's the high cost 00:29:19.700 --> 00:29:20.779 of grace, everybody. 00:29:21.220 --> 00:29:21.640 You've received 00:29:21.640 --> 00:29:22.359 the grace of God, 00:29:22.920 --> 00:29:24.099 now your life 00:29:24.099 --> 00:29:24.940 is devoted to him. 00:29:24.980 --> 00:29:26.339 You are a bondservant. 00:29:27.039 --> 00:29:28.079 You've been set apart 00:29:28.079 --> 00:29:29.759 for the gospel, 00:29:29.940 --> 00:29:32.259 ordained to gospel ministry. 00:29:33.960 --> 00:29:35.000 So there's the provision 00:29:35.000 --> 00:29:35.680 of that good news. 00:29:35.740 --> 00:29:36.059 We've been given 00:29:36.059 --> 00:29:36.839 both a mission 00:29:36.839 --> 00:29:38.339 to the world, 00:29:38.399 --> 00:29:39.159 but we're also provided 00:29:39.159 --> 00:29:40.159 the grace necessary 00:29:40.159 --> 00:29:43.019 to fulfill that mission. 00:29:44.259 --> 00:29:45.079 The middle part 00:29:45.079 --> 00:29:45.799 of verse 5, 00:29:45.919 --> 00:29:46.579 the proclamation 00:29:46.579 --> 00:29:48.539 of the good news. 00:29:48.599 --> 00:29:49.019 So we've been given 00:29:49.019 --> 00:29:49.519 the mission. 00:29:51.659 --> 00:29:52.740 What is that message? 00:29:52.740 --> 00:29:53.779 To bring about 00:29:53.779 --> 00:29:56.379 the obedience of faith 00:29:56.379 --> 00:29:58.240 or of the faith. 00:29:59.919 --> 00:30:00.480 Proclamation. 00:30:00.699 --> 00:30:01.480 To bring about 00:30:01.480 --> 00:30:03.720 obedience of the faith. 00:30:03.819 --> 00:30:05.240 So not just conversions, 00:30:05.500 --> 00:30:06.559 but to create disciples. 00:30:06.839 --> 00:30:08.639 to grow people 00:30:08.639 --> 00:30:09.939 in the grace of God. 00:30:10.019 --> 00:30:10.720 To grow people 00:30:10.720 --> 00:30:11.720 to the maturity 00:30:11.720 --> 00:30:13.199 of Christ. 00:30:14.240 --> 00:30:15.779 We're not in the business 00:30:15.779 --> 00:30:17.539 of elevating men 00:30:17.539 --> 00:30:18.879 and putting underneath them 00:30:18.879 --> 00:30:20.659 a hierarchy of men. 00:30:21.379 --> 00:30:22.259 We're trying to grow 00:30:22.259 --> 00:30:23.599 people up consistently, 00:30:24.019 --> 00:30:24.419 together, 00:30:24.539 --> 00:30:25.220 to be like us, 00:30:25.259 --> 00:30:26.220 to duplicate us. 00:30:26.659 --> 00:30:27.720 I'm to be like Christ 00:30:27.720 --> 00:30:28.500 and I'm to teach you 00:30:28.500 --> 00:30:29.319 to be like Christ. 00:30:30.159 --> 00:30:30.879 That's the idea 00:30:30.879 --> 00:30:31.720 of discipleship. 00:30:31.859 --> 00:30:32.579 If you've ever seen 00:30:32.579 --> 00:30:34.299 the Christ Family Church logo, 00:30:34.439 --> 00:30:34.959 I hope you have 00:30:34.960 --> 00:30:35.759 because you drove in here 00:30:35.759 --> 00:30:36.680 on our sign. 00:30:37.319 --> 00:30:38.539 You'll see it's a series 00:30:38.539 --> 00:30:39.180 of trees. 00:30:39.799 --> 00:30:40.480 And the idea is that 00:30:40.480 --> 00:30:40.880 we want to be 00:30:40.880 --> 00:30:42.200 a mighty forest of trees. 00:30:42.240 --> 00:30:43.019 Not one tree 00:30:43.019 --> 00:30:44.120 and a bunch of little saplings 00:30:44.120 --> 00:30:45.640 that get destroyed 00:30:45.640 --> 00:30:47.059 by the stomping 00:30:47.059 --> 00:30:47.660 of the world. 00:30:48.340 --> 00:30:48.960 We want to be 00:30:48.960 --> 00:30:49.740 mighty trees. 00:30:49.819 --> 00:30:50.660 We want to be a forest 00:30:50.660 --> 00:30:51.160 that produces 00:30:51.160 --> 00:30:52.019 much fruit 00:30:52.019 --> 00:30:53.259 because we're all growing 00:30:53.259 --> 00:30:55.319 in the grace of God 00:30:55.319 --> 00:30:56.200 together. 00:30:57.360 --> 00:30:58.079 I read to you 00:30:58.079 --> 00:30:58.740 the Great Commission. 00:30:58.840 --> 00:30:59.880 Matthew chapter 28, 00:31:00.059 --> 00:31:01.180 verse 19 and 20. 00:31:01.180 --> 00:31:04.039 Christ says, 00:31:04.180 --> 00:31:04.720 Go therefore 00:31:04.720 --> 00:31:06.220 and make disciples 00:31:06.220 --> 00:31:07.700 of all nations, 00:31:07.840 --> 00:31:08.519 baptizing them 00:31:08.519 --> 00:31:09.340 in the name of the Father 00:31:09.340 --> 00:31:10.660 and of the Son 00:31:10.660 --> 00:31:12.000 and of the Holy Spirit, 00:31:12.140 --> 00:31:13.240 teaching them to observe 00:31:13.240 --> 00:31:14.880 all that I have commanded you. 00:31:15.019 --> 00:31:15.779 There's that obedience 00:31:15.779 --> 00:31:16.440 of the faith 00:31:16.440 --> 00:31:17.299 and behold, 00:31:17.860 --> 00:31:18.880 I'm with you always 00:31:18.880 --> 00:31:20.299 to the end of the age. 00:31:20.759 --> 00:31:21.420 And there's that grace, 00:31:21.500 --> 00:31:22.039 that provision 00:31:22.039 --> 00:31:23.740 of that good news. 00:31:24.380 --> 00:31:24.840 I said before, 00:31:24.920 --> 00:31:25.900 we all need the good news. 00:31:26.160 --> 00:31:27.759 It's not for a select few. 00:31:27.860 --> 00:31:28.460 It's not for 00:31:28.460 --> 00:31:30.400 southern Americans. 00:31:31.180 --> 00:31:33.180 Although we probably 00:31:33.180 --> 00:31:33.880 need it more than any. 00:31:34.600 --> 00:31:35.500 It's for the world. 00:31:36.279 --> 00:31:37.279 And we're to be about 00:31:37.279 --> 00:31:38.400 our Father's work, 00:31:38.640 --> 00:31:39.380 sharing the gospel. 00:31:40.700 --> 00:31:41.660 But to what end? 00:31:41.759 --> 00:31:42.600 This is the next point. 00:31:42.680 --> 00:31:43.240 The purpose 00:31:43.240 --> 00:31:44.779 of the good news. 00:31:45.480 --> 00:31:45.900 Why? 00:31:47.140 --> 00:31:48.279 It's about salvation 00:31:48.279 --> 00:31:48.920 of men's souls, 00:31:49.039 --> 00:31:49.400 absolutely. 00:31:49.700 --> 00:31:50.200 Should we weep 00:31:50.200 --> 00:31:50.680 for the lost? 00:31:50.759 --> 00:31:50.980 Sure. 00:31:51.279 --> 00:31:52.400 We know what awaits them. 00:31:53.460 --> 00:31:54.360 We've been told 00:31:54.360 --> 00:31:55.200 about hell 00:31:55.200 --> 00:31:56.820 and it does exist. 00:31:58.019 --> 00:31:59.039 Eternal damnation 00:31:59.039 --> 00:31:59.700 awaits those 00:31:59.700 --> 00:32:00.420 who don't place 00:32:00.420 --> 00:32:01.259 their faith in Christ. 00:32:01.820 --> 00:32:02.660 We ought to desperately 00:32:02.660 --> 00:32:03.920 be sharing the gospel 00:32:03.920 --> 00:32:04.900 for that reason. 00:32:05.740 --> 00:32:06.560 What does Paul tell us? 00:32:06.600 --> 00:32:07.940 What is the point? 00:32:08.980 --> 00:32:09.940 Very end of verse 00:32:09.940 --> 00:32:11.660 five and six. 00:32:12.300 --> 00:32:12.960 For the sake 00:32:12.960 --> 00:32:14.259 of his name 00:32:14.259 --> 00:32:16.220 among all the nations, 00:32:16.740 --> 00:32:17.519 including you 00:32:17.519 --> 00:32:18.200 who are called 00:32:18.200 --> 00:32:19.120 to belong 00:32:19.120 --> 00:32:20.180 to Jesus Christ. 00:32:21.220 --> 00:32:22.259 It's for the glory of God. 00:32:23.060 --> 00:32:23.900 That's why we do it. 00:32:23.980 --> 00:32:24.800 For the glory of God. 00:32:25.880 --> 00:32:27.180 Isaiah 43, 25. 00:32:27.180 --> 00:32:28.759 God says, 00:32:29.000 --> 00:32:30.539 I am he who 00:32:30.539 --> 00:32:31.080 blots out 00:32:31.080 --> 00:32:31.940 your transgressions 00:32:31.940 --> 00:32:33.500 for my own sake 00:32:33.500 --> 00:32:34.880 and I will not 00:32:34.880 --> 00:32:35.779 remember your sins. 00:32:37.180 --> 00:32:38.019 So the gospel 00:32:38.019 --> 00:32:39.200 ultimately is God-centered. 00:32:39.880 --> 00:32:41.000 It's about his glory. 00:32:41.100 --> 00:32:41.560 It's about him 00:32:41.560 --> 00:32:42.560 making himself 00:32:42.560 --> 00:32:43.360 great. 00:32:44.360 --> 00:32:45.080 We're just the 00:32:45.080 --> 00:32:46.180 beneficiaries of that. 00:32:47.640 --> 00:32:49.240 In his message 00:32:49.240 --> 00:32:49.820 to the world 00:32:49.820 --> 00:32:50.480 and his whole 00:32:50.480 --> 00:32:51.400 master plan, 00:32:51.640 --> 00:32:53.000 we just get to be involved 00:32:53.000 --> 00:32:54.160 and be a process 00:32:54.160 --> 00:32:54.720 in it all. 00:32:54.720 --> 00:32:56.019 We are not the end. 00:32:56.600 --> 00:32:57.740 We're the means to the end, 00:32:57.860 --> 00:32:58.700 which is the glory of God. 00:32:59.259 --> 00:32:59.720 And praise God 00:32:59.720 --> 00:33:00.220 that we're the means. 00:33:00.360 --> 00:33:00.579 Praise God 00:33:00.579 --> 00:33:01.079 that we have anything 00:33:01.079 --> 00:33:01.940 to do with the process 00:33:01.940 --> 00:33:03.140 at all. 00:33:03.980 --> 00:33:04.940 That is the purpose 00:33:04.940 --> 00:33:05.779 of the good news. 00:33:06.059 --> 00:33:07.200 To elevate God, 00:33:07.299 --> 00:33:08.220 to lift him high. 00:33:08.700 --> 00:33:09.480 And as Christians, 00:33:09.579 --> 00:33:10.519 if we love him, 00:33:10.880 --> 00:33:12.039 if we love his gospel, 00:33:12.380 --> 00:33:13.460 then we'll desire to do that. 00:33:14.079 --> 00:33:14.920 I want to make 00:33:14.920 --> 00:33:15.980 my Savior known 00:33:15.980 --> 00:33:17.339 because he is a great 00:33:17.339 --> 00:33:18.160 Savior. 00:33:21.700 --> 00:33:22.559 And as beneficiaries 00:33:22.559 --> 00:33:23.259 of this 00:33:23.259 --> 00:33:24.500 great good news, 00:33:25.579 --> 00:33:26.240 Paul talks a bit 00:33:26.240 --> 00:33:27.019 about the privileges 00:33:27.019 --> 00:33:28.720 of the good news. 00:33:29.420 --> 00:33:30.299 And that's your last point there. 00:33:30.339 --> 00:33:30.720 The privileges 00:33:30.720 --> 00:33:31.360 of the good news. 00:33:32.960 --> 00:33:33.600 Verse 7, 00:33:33.660 --> 00:33:34.539 To all those in Rome 00:33:34.539 --> 00:33:35.980 who are loved by God 00:33:35.980 --> 00:33:37.319 and called to be saints, 00:33:37.700 --> 00:33:38.480 grace to you 00:33:38.480 --> 00:33:39.019 and peace 00:33:39.019 --> 00:33:40.259 from God our Father 00:33:40.259 --> 00:33:42.700 and the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:33:43.880 --> 00:33:45.059 We get to be loved by God. 00:33:46.000 --> 00:33:46.640 Those of us 00:33:46.640 --> 00:33:47.720 who were once enemies of God 00:33:47.720 --> 00:33:49.019 are now loved by God. 00:33:50.220 --> 00:33:50.960 Isn't that good news? 00:33:51.620 --> 00:33:52.620 That was good news. 00:33:53.019 --> 00:33:54.079 Jeremiah 31.3 00:33:54.079 --> 00:33:55.299 God says, 00:33:55.399 --> 00:33:56.159 I have loved you 00:33:56.159 --> 00:33:57.839 with an everlasting love. 00:33:58.899 --> 00:33:59.299 Therefore, 00:33:59.500 --> 00:34:00.259 I have continued 00:34:00.259 --> 00:34:01.419 my faithfulness 00:34:01.419 --> 00:34:02.939 to you. 00:34:04.259 --> 00:34:05.559 And as the loved ones 00:34:05.559 --> 00:34:06.000 of God, 00:34:06.299 --> 00:34:07.720 the saints set apart, 00:34:08.440 --> 00:34:09.440 we get to receive 00:34:09.440 --> 00:34:10.139 that grace 00:34:10.139 --> 00:34:11.139 and the peace 00:34:11.139 --> 00:34:12.319 that comes from God. 00:34:12.320 --> 00:34:14.280 And so my week, 00:34:14.340 --> 00:34:14.700 I told you, 00:34:14.740 --> 00:34:16.200 has been a tough week. 00:34:19.180 --> 00:34:19.900 Beyond the things 00:34:19.900 --> 00:34:20.320 I told you, 00:34:20.360 --> 00:34:21.420 listening to myself preach 00:34:21.420 --> 00:34:23.800 and hearing all the bad news 00:34:23.800 --> 00:34:24.240 of the world, 00:34:24.300 --> 00:34:25.180 I've been in a lot of pain 00:34:25.180 --> 00:34:25.700 this week. 00:34:26.880 --> 00:34:28.440 And it's the fact 00:34:28.440 --> 00:34:29.260 that I'm loved by God, 00:34:29.320 --> 00:34:30.039 it's the fact that I have 00:34:30.039 --> 00:34:31.320 this evidence in my life 00:34:31.320 --> 00:34:32.800 of the Spirit working in me. 00:34:32.880 --> 00:34:34.100 I know that I'm a recipient 00:34:34.100 --> 00:34:35.240 of this good news 00:34:35.240 --> 00:34:36.600 that allows me to 00:34:36.600 --> 00:34:37.600 bear up 00:34:37.600 --> 00:34:38.660 through those things. 00:34:38.840 --> 00:34:39.920 It allows me to believe 00:34:39.920 --> 00:34:41.059 in the promises of God. 00:34:41.860 --> 00:34:42.180 It says, 00:34:42.260 --> 00:34:43.000 Jeremiah 31, 00:34:43.300 --> 00:34:43.720 3, 00:34:44.079 --> 00:34:45.039 I have continued 00:34:45.039 --> 00:34:46.019 my faithfulness 00:34:46.019 --> 00:34:47.280 to you. 00:34:48.019 --> 00:34:48.840 It allows me to believe 00:34:48.840 --> 00:34:49.619 things like, 00:34:50.480 --> 00:34:51.940 God does all things 00:34:51.940 --> 00:34:52.700 for my good. 00:34:53.420 --> 00:34:54.240 For those who have been 00:34:54.240 --> 00:34:55.119 called according to His purpose, 00:34:55.180 --> 00:34:55.960 and I know I have been, 00:34:56.360 --> 00:34:57.099 He does all things 00:34:57.099 --> 00:34:57.840 for my good. 00:34:57.880 --> 00:34:59.000 And I don't understand that. 00:34:59.480 --> 00:35:00.340 I don't understand 00:35:00.340 --> 00:35:01.780 why I have terrible headaches. 00:35:02.079 --> 00:35:02.599 It seems like 00:35:02.599 --> 00:35:03.079 it would be better 00:35:03.079 --> 00:35:03.720 for me not. 00:35:04.820 --> 00:35:05.440 It seems like it would be 00:35:05.440 --> 00:35:06.320 better for you guys 00:35:06.320 --> 00:35:07.220 if I didn't have 00:35:07.220 --> 00:35:08.500 terrible headaches. 00:35:08.659 --> 00:35:09.300 But somehow, 00:35:09.920 --> 00:35:11.280 it's working to my good 00:35:11.280 --> 00:35:11.860 and His glory. 00:35:12.800 --> 00:35:13.980 It allows me to 00:35:13.980 --> 00:35:15.920 believe that He'll 00:35:15.920 --> 00:35:17.539 withhold no good thing 00:35:17.539 --> 00:35:18.880 from those who walk 00:35:18.880 --> 00:35:19.800 uprightly before Him. 00:35:20.200 --> 00:35:21.619 And I know I walk uprightly 00:35:21.619 --> 00:35:22.180 before God 00:35:22.180 --> 00:35:22.740 because I'm found 00:35:22.740 --> 00:35:23.599 righteous in Christ. 00:35:24.019 --> 00:35:24.720 I know that 00:35:24.720 --> 00:35:25.800 because of this good news. 00:35:27.280 --> 00:35:27.440 Right? 00:35:27.680 --> 00:35:28.579 So I know He'll 00:35:28.579 --> 00:35:30.079 withhold no good thing 00:35:30.079 --> 00:35:30.480 from me, 00:35:30.539 --> 00:35:31.400 which means my pain 00:35:31.400 --> 00:35:32.340 is a good thing 00:35:32.340 --> 00:35:33.700 for me. 00:35:34.760 --> 00:35:35.880 I believe 00:35:35.880 --> 00:35:37.059 that I won't be tested 00:35:37.059 --> 00:35:38.139 beyond what I can bear. 00:35:38.139 --> 00:35:40.199 that what's been 00:35:40.199 --> 00:35:40.839 given to me 00:35:40.839 --> 00:35:41.739 is a test for me 00:35:41.739 --> 00:35:43.039 in some way 00:35:43.039 --> 00:35:44.719 and that He's going 00:35:44.719 --> 00:35:45.460 to give me the grace 00:35:45.460 --> 00:35:46.179 to handle it. 00:35:49.000 --> 00:35:50.019 It helps me 00:35:50.019 --> 00:35:51.099 to deal with tragedy 00:35:51.099 --> 00:35:51.859 in the world. 00:35:52.739 --> 00:35:53.119 Thousands 00:35:53.119 --> 00:35:55.000 are killed. 00:35:56.799 --> 00:35:57.679 Because of the good news, 00:35:57.779 --> 00:35:58.519 I know why. 00:35:59.819 --> 00:36:00.599 It's a big question, 00:36:00.779 --> 00:36:01.219 isn't it? 00:36:02.099 --> 00:36:02.480 Sin. 00:36:02.480 --> 00:36:04.719 They're receiving 00:36:04.719 --> 00:36:05.840 the just 00:36:05.840 --> 00:36:06.780 due 00:36:06.780 --> 00:36:07.579 for their sin. 00:36:08.219 --> 00:36:08.900 It doesn't make it 00:36:08.900 --> 00:36:09.840 any less sad for me. 00:36:10.659 --> 00:36:11.260 It doesn't make it 00:36:11.260 --> 00:36:11.900 any less sad. 00:36:12.159 --> 00:36:13.260 I'm just more thankful 00:36:13.260 --> 00:36:14.679 for our God 00:36:14.679 --> 00:36:15.699 and His good news. 00:36:16.599 --> 00:36:18.380 I'm so happy 00:36:18.380 --> 00:36:19.260 that it's advancing 00:36:19.260 --> 00:36:20.920 across the world. 00:36:21.619 --> 00:36:22.579 We seem to live 00:36:22.579 --> 00:36:23.139 in one of the most 00:36:23.139 --> 00:36:24.280 spiritually depressed places 00:36:24.280 --> 00:36:25.159 and it's hard to see. 00:36:25.380 --> 00:36:25.940 I think the church 00:36:25.940 --> 00:36:26.800 is on the decline. 00:36:27.940 --> 00:36:28.740 Statistics would show 00:36:28.740 --> 00:36:29.380 that in America, 00:36:29.460 --> 00:36:29.840 that the church 00:36:29.840 --> 00:36:30.400 is actually 00:36:30.400 --> 00:36:31.480 declining. 00:36:31.480 --> 00:36:33.000 But in other places 00:36:33.000 --> 00:36:33.400 in the world, 00:36:33.460 --> 00:36:34.099 it's not. 00:36:34.840 --> 00:36:35.719 It's growing 00:36:35.719 --> 00:36:37.599 like a wildfire 00:36:37.599 --> 00:36:39.679 and burning bright. 00:36:40.059 --> 00:36:40.679 Praise God, 00:36:40.760 --> 00:36:42.059 the gospel is advancing 00:36:42.059 --> 00:36:43.820 across the world. 00:36:45.559 --> 00:36:47.159 That's what allows us 00:36:47.159 --> 00:36:47.860 to bear up 00:36:47.860 --> 00:36:48.760 under the bad news. 00:36:49.199 --> 00:36:50.639 This great good news 00:36:50.639 --> 00:36:51.659 that causes all that 00:36:51.659 --> 00:36:52.179 to fade 00:36:52.179 --> 00:36:53.039 and diminish 00:36:53.039 --> 00:36:54.179 in the light 00:36:54.179 --> 00:36:55.559 of God's 00:36:55.559 --> 00:36:56.599 glorious grace 00:36:56.599 --> 00:36:57.139 to us 00:36:57.139 --> 00:36:58.719 in Jesus Christ. 00:36:58.719 --> 00:36:59.780 Let's pray together.