WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.719 Well, good morning. Please take your copy of God's Word and join me in Romans chapter 16. 00:00:04.719 --> 00:00:17.640 ! Our text for today is Romans chapter 16, verses 25-27. 00:00:17.640 --> 00:00:27.640 ! And today, by God's great grace, we finish our study of Paul's letter to the Romans, provided I don't fall over. 00:00:27.640 --> 00:00:37.820 Before I read these final three verses and work to turn our attention to its content, I want to first make two initial comments. 00:00:39.020 --> 00:00:49.900 First, a couple of weeks ago, I preached verses 1-16 and verses 21-24. These are kind of the greeting verses of chapter 16. 00:00:49.899 --> 00:00:58.000 And you likely noted that your Bible probably doesn't have a verse 24. 00:00:59.019 --> 00:01:04.459 In fact, at one point in my sermon, I faltered on my verse count because I had a momentary lapse in memory. 00:01:05.159 --> 00:01:14.180 I went three verses, and I want to correct that and also bring your attention to it because it's important. 00:01:14.180 --> 00:01:24.260 Now, your translation likely has a footnote that reads something like, so we typically preach here from the English Standard Version. 00:01:24.380 --> 00:01:28.580 I think many of you have this version. So you can see the footnote there that says, 00:01:29.000 --> 00:01:31.820 Some manuscripts, insert verse 24, 00:01:32.680 --> 00:01:36.580 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. 00:01:36.579 --> 00:01:36.719 Amen. 00:01:38.319 --> 00:01:45.799 Instances such as this give us opportunity to pause and consider the reliability of the Bible. 00:01:46.640 --> 00:01:54.079 Before we move on to verse 25, let's think about verse 24 or the lack thereof. 00:01:55.079 --> 00:01:58.859 Now, our Bibles, collected together, translated, bound, 00:01:58.859 --> 00:02:06.200 are the result of compiling lots and lots and lots of early copies of these writings. 00:02:06.579 --> 00:02:16.579 We have reason for confidence that these manuscripts are accurate because of how many there are and because of their great congruity. 00:02:16.780 --> 00:02:19.840 They agree there are so many copies and they are the same. 00:02:19.979 --> 00:02:23.180 However, from time to time, they do not. 00:02:23.479 --> 00:02:29.860 So in this case, verse 24 of chapter 16 is one such example. 00:02:29.860 --> 00:02:39.000 Now, you may think that this is a reason for concern, but I want you to know that the contrary should be true for you. 00:02:39.960 --> 00:02:44.600 The number of times these early manuscripts disagree are minor. 00:02:44.800 --> 00:02:48.780 On these minor little things, there's just a handful of them. 00:02:48.780 --> 00:02:55.740 And when they do, careful translators labor to make the discrepancies clear to us. 00:02:56.140 --> 00:02:57.979 So no one is trying to trick you. 00:02:58.620 --> 00:03:05.659 Here they're saying, look, there are some early manuscripts that also have this inserted verse 24. 00:03:05.979 --> 00:03:09.659 They could have just omitted verse 24 and renumbered the text. 00:03:10.139 --> 00:03:11.139 Would you have noticed? 00:03:11.979 --> 00:03:12.759 I wouldn't have. 00:03:12.759 --> 00:03:16.019 I wouldn't have even known that was the case. 00:03:16.280 --> 00:03:17.699 But rather, they are honest. 00:03:18.439 --> 00:03:24.879 And they are not honest with the goal of eroding your confidence, but with the goal of bolstering your confidence. 00:03:25.359 --> 00:03:25.459 Right? 00:03:25.620 --> 00:03:28.479 We can know that these are the very words. 00:03:29.539 --> 00:03:33.519 In addition, in none of the instances where the early manuscripts disagree, 00:03:34.060 --> 00:03:38.739 do they do so in any way that changes the meaning of the text at all. 00:03:38.740 --> 00:03:48.340 In this case, we just see an insertion of verse 24 compounding the well wishes of Paul's closing remarks. 00:03:48.860 --> 00:03:51.719 And so there you see an example of that. 00:03:52.740 --> 00:03:52.920 Okay. 00:03:53.180 --> 00:04:00.180 Secondly, I want you to know how very much I have enjoyed studying Romans with you. 00:04:00.180 --> 00:04:05.860 And in some ways, as we've spent quite a bit of time in this book together, 00:04:05.860 --> 00:04:09.360 and I start to put the commentaries back on the shelf, 00:04:09.520 --> 00:04:12.800 it feels like the closing of a chapter. 00:04:13.240 --> 00:04:19.180 I consider myself blessed beyond measure to have the opportunity to lead you week in and week out, 00:04:19.259 --> 00:04:27.960 to partner with other men in that work these past almost 16 years in the study of God's Word. 00:04:27.959 --> 00:04:36.019 So thank you for being a people of the book who desire to have it faithfully expounded each Sunday. 00:04:37.180 --> 00:04:44.839 Thank you for the healthy pressure to avoid innovation and to simply preach the text. 00:04:45.240 --> 00:04:47.599 I'm so glad that that's what you desire for me. 00:04:47.679 --> 00:04:51.120 I'm not pushing against your desires and opening up God's Word, 00:04:51.199 --> 00:04:53.579 but it's what you want me to do. 00:04:53.579 --> 00:04:57.699 And I am hopeful that the Lord will give us lots of future time together 00:04:57.699 --> 00:05:02.599 to behold Him from the Bible in future texts. 00:05:03.659 --> 00:05:04.180 Okay. 00:05:04.779 --> 00:05:05.599 That out of the way. 00:05:06.919 --> 00:05:10.639 Let's turn our attention to our final text in our study of Romans. 00:05:11.539 --> 00:05:15.560 Chapter 16, verses 25-27. 00:05:15.560 --> 00:05:21.019 Beloved, this is God's Word to us, written for His glory and our good. 00:05:21.600 --> 00:05:27.660 We would all do well to listen to it in order to believe its promises and obey its commands. 00:05:29.100 --> 00:05:29.840 Paul writes, 00:05:29.839 --> 00:05:57.839 Amen. 00:05:57.839 --> 00:05:58.599 Amen. 00:05:58.599 --> 00:05:58.759 Amen. 00:05:59.839 --> 00:06:09.439 Paul ends this glorious letter with a doxology, with praise to God, which is befitting. 00:06:10.679 --> 00:06:16.519 He has spent the first 11 chapters of this letter doing theology proper. 00:06:17.439 --> 00:06:22.419 The first 11 chapters of Romans is Paul's magnum opus of Christian theology. 00:06:22.420 --> 00:06:27.960 It is the most extensive and clearest defense of justification by grace alone, 00:06:28.020 --> 00:06:32.259 through faith alone, in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone. 00:06:32.259 --> 00:06:35.860 And I have labored to tell you that's why we have studied this book. 00:06:35.860 --> 00:06:43.860 It speaks to the Christ followers' adoption in Jesus and identification with Christ as our federal head. 00:06:43.860 --> 00:06:47.460 Paul tells us that we are no longer captives of grace. 00:06:47.460 --> 00:06:49.460 Paul tells us that we are no longer captives of grace. 00:06:49.460 --> 00:06:54.540 He speaks of the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit who intercedes for us, 00:06:54.960 --> 00:06:58.460 leads us in holiness, and helps us in all our affliction. 00:06:58.459 --> 00:07:03.599 He gives us reason for patient hope as we stand in God's election, 00:07:03.599 --> 00:07:06.199 the certainty of coming glory, 00:07:06.199 --> 00:07:09.739 the confidence that nothing can separate us from the love of God, 00:07:09.739 --> 00:07:13.839 and total assurance in God's continued faithfulness. 00:07:13.839 --> 00:07:21.119 He then works out what all this means for unbelieving people and for missions. 00:07:22.839 --> 00:07:29.599 Condemnation, justification, adoption, soteriology, pneumatology, missiology. 00:07:30.259 --> 00:07:33.099 The final five chapters are applied theology. 00:07:33.279 --> 00:07:34.419 He answers the question, 00:07:34.919 --> 00:07:38.079 how should we live in response to these truths? 00:07:39.039 --> 00:07:43.259 These three final verses are doxology. 00:07:43.839 --> 00:07:48.459 And what is the aim of Paul's praise? 00:07:49.060 --> 00:07:51.919 It is God's glory. 00:07:53.239 --> 00:07:57.819 These three verses in English are only two sentences. 00:07:58.219 --> 00:07:59.399 That's a translation choice, 00:07:59.719 --> 00:08:02.519 but they are only two sentences in the ESV. 00:08:03.439 --> 00:08:07.339 The first sentence begins with now in verse 25 00:08:07.339 --> 00:08:12.179 and ends with Christ in verse 27. 00:08:12.180 --> 00:08:16.100 You'll notice there the second sentence is amen. 00:08:17.240 --> 00:08:21.780 So most of these three verses is just this one sentence. 00:08:22.340 --> 00:08:25.160 And if we take it and simplify it, 00:08:25.660 --> 00:08:27.600 that sentence could read, 00:08:28.379 --> 00:08:32.779 now to God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ. 00:08:32.779 --> 00:08:49.419 Now the idea of glory is not a simple idea to understand. 00:08:49.419 --> 00:08:53.360 Some words are simple and easily defined, 00:08:53.639 --> 00:08:56.019 like the word apple. 00:08:56.740 --> 00:09:00.279 If you had never heard this word and asked me to define it, 00:09:00.719 --> 00:09:02.839 I could explain to you what it looks like, 00:09:03.039 --> 00:09:04.539 its size and color and texture, 00:09:04.679 --> 00:09:07.339 give you some idea of what it tastes like. 00:09:07.340 --> 00:09:11.320 In fact, I could probably define the word well enough for you 00:09:11.320 --> 00:09:14.580 that if you then saw an apple for the first time, 00:09:15.220 --> 00:09:16.180 you could say, 00:09:16.680 --> 00:09:18.320 this is an apple. 00:09:18.620 --> 00:09:21.340 It was well explained to me. 00:09:22.480 --> 00:09:25.160 Think about the definition of apple 00:09:25.160 --> 00:09:28.620 in juxtaposition with the word awe. 00:09:29.180 --> 00:09:31.320 Apple and awe. 00:09:31.320 --> 00:09:36.680 It is much more difficult for me to define this word. 00:09:37.660 --> 00:09:40.420 After all, it's a bit of a feeling, isn't it? 00:09:41.240 --> 00:09:42.960 What moves me to awe 00:09:42.960 --> 00:09:47.000 may be different than what moves you to awe. 00:09:47.420 --> 00:09:49.520 We recently took a vacation to the beach, 00:09:50.040 --> 00:09:53.460 and I am not moved in awe at the beach. 00:09:53.879 --> 00:09:55.580 But I watch a lot of people do that, 00:09:55.800 --> 00:09:56.960 stare out at the horizon. 00:09:57.940 --> 00:09:58.700 It's amazing. 00:09:58.700 --> 00:10:00.940 But put me in the mountains, 00:10:01.879 --> 00:10:05.020 and I may experience some awe. 00:10:05.900 --> 00:10:08.740 Further, I have only ever felt my awe. 00:10:08.860 --> 00:10:11.300 I can only explain to you what it feels like to me. 00:10:11.440 --> 00:10:13.259 I have never felt yours. 00:10:14.040 --> 00:10:18.320 This word is much, much more difficult to define. 00:10:19.540 --> 00:10:21.640 Glory is more like the word awe 00:10:21.640 --> 00:10:24.300 than apple in this way. 00:10:25.400 --> 00:10:27.000 So, what is it? 00:10:27.000 --> 00:10:29.259 We can't just not define it. 00:10:29.460 --> 00:10:31.179 Here we have it in our scripture, 00:10:31.259 --> 00:10:33.279 and we have it in our scripture aplenty. 00:10:33.460 --> 00:10:34.799 So, what is it? 00:10:36.059 --> 00:10:38.039 Allow me to take you just to one other text 00:10:38.039 --> 00:10:39.419 to try to understand its meaning. 00:10:39.500 --> 00:10:44.440 Put some bearing on the word glory for us this morning. 00:10:44.580 --> 00:10:45.679 So, turn with me, if you will, 00:10:45.740 --> 00:10:47.259 to Isaiah chapter 6, 00:10:48.019 --> 00:10:49.159 in verse 3, 00:10:49.159 --> 00:10:52.579 where Isaiah has a vision of heaven 00:10:52.579 --> 00:10:55.600 and sees one seraphim, 00:10:56.120 --> 00:10:57.059 a heavenly being, 00:10:57.659 --> 00:11:00.839 calling out to another seraphim. 00:11:02.199 --> 00:11:03.419 And this is what he says. 00:11:03.899 --> 00:11:04.919 Isaiah 6, verse 3. 00:11:04.959 --> 00:11:06.539 You may even be familiar with this verse. 00:11:07.539 --> 00:11:09.799 The one seraphim calls out to the other seraphim, 00:11:09.799 --> 00:11:12.259 Holy, holy, holy 00:11:12.259 --> 00:11:14.519 is the Lord of hosts. 00:11:15.559 --> 00:11:16.939 Holy, holy, holy 00:11:16.939 --> 00:11:19.000 is the Lord of hosts. 00:11:20.259 --> 00:11:20.939 God's holiness 00:11:20.939 --> 00:11:24.399 is his eternal and infinite perfection 00:11:24.399 --> 00:11:26.120 and worth. 00:11:27.120 --> 00:11:28.679 We have been taught, rightly, 00:11:28.839 --> 00:11:29.359 that holiness 00:11:29.359 --> 00:11:32.120 can be understood as separation, 00:11:32.379 --> 00:11:34.199 as being set apart. 00:11:34.200 --> 00:11:36.200 God is unique 00:11:36.200 --> 00:11:37.520 in his perfection 00:11:37.520 --> 00:11:38.940 and worth. 00:11:39.100 --> 00:11:41.120 It is intrinsic to him. 00:11:41.420 --> 00:11:44.200 It belongs to his very nature 00:11:44.200 --> 00:11:46.520 and it is not granted to him. 00:11:46.600 --> 00:11:47.980 It is who he is. 00:11:48.160 --> 00:11:50.660 God is holy. 00:11:52.020 --> 00:11:53.180 The seraphim says 00:11:53.180 --> 00:11:54.600 that the Lord of hosts is holy, 00:11:54.720 --> 00:11:56.300 but not in Hebrew of saying 00:11:56.300 --> 00:11:58.860 that holy, holy, holy, 00:11:58.940 --> 00:12:00.680 which is a grammatical way 00:12:00.680 --> 00:12:01.740 in Hebrew of saying 00:12:01.740 --> 00:12:04.680 that he is completely holy, 00:12:04.799 --> 00:12:07.539 without any failure 00:12:07.539 --> 00:12:08.519 in his holiness 00:12:08.519 --> 00:12:11.620 and he is without compare. 00:12:13.539 --> 00:12:15.480 So what does this seraphim 00:12:15.480 --> 00:12:16.460 go on to say 00:12:16.460 --> 00:12:18.220 in the rest of the verse? 00:12:18.379 --> 00:12:18.799 You may note, 00:12:19.000 --> 00:12:19.860 I hope you have it in front of you, 00:12:20.120 --> 00:12:21.220 I only read the first half. 00:12:21.299 --> 00:12:22.100 Then what does he say? 00:12:22.680 --> 00:12:24.500 The whole earth 00:12:24.500 --> 00:12:27.720 is full of his glory. 00:12:29.120 --> 00:12:31.159 So, I take this to mean 00:12:31.159 --> 00:12:33.399 that God's glory 00:12:33.399 --> 00:12:36.019 is God's holiness 00:12:36.019 --> 00:12:38.120 put on display. 00:12:38.799 --> 00:12:41.079 That's the way it's tangible to us. 00:12:41.759 --> 00:12:44.360 It is holiness beheld, 00:12:45.299 --> 00:12:45.919 understood, 00:12:46.819 --> 00:12:47.839 experienced. 00:12:49.199 --> 00:12:50.059 God's glory 00:12:50.059 --> 00:12:50.959 is the radiance 00:12:51.579 --> 00:12:53.799 of God's infinite perfection 00:12:53.799 --> 00:12:54.439 and worth, 00:12:55.159 --> 00:12:57.019 like the sun's light and warmth 00:12:57.019 --> 00:12:57.879 is the radiance 00:12:57.879 --> 00:12:59.959 of its combustive power. 00:12:59.960 --> 00:13:00.500 power. 00:13:01.259 --> 00:13:02.639 When we behold 00:13:02.639 --> 00:13:03.940 God's holiness, 00:13:04.280 --> 00:13:06.120 the proper response 00:13:06.120 --> 00:13:07.660 is that God 00:13:07.660 --> 00:13:09.820 has glory. 00:13:10.019 --> 00:13:11.060 Like we understand 00:13:11.060 --> 00:13:12.660 that he is glorious 00:13:12.660 --> 00:13:14.940 because he is 00:13:14.940 --> 00:13:16.120 holy. 00:13:17.019 --> 00:13:18.080 So, glory, 00:13:18.379 --> 00:13:19.800 holiness on display, 00:13:19.940 --> 00:13:20.400 received, 00:13:20.660 --> 00:13:21.040 understood, 00:13:21.540 --> 00:13:22.139 experienced, 00:13:22.500 --> 00:13:23.060 appreciated, 00:13:24.060 --> 00:13:24.360 loved. 00:13:24.360 --> 00:13:27.500 So, with that definition 00:13:27.500 --> 00:13:28.019 in mind, 00:13:28.080 --> 00:13:28.779 let's go back 00:13:28.779 --> 00:13:29.539 to our text 00:13:29.539 --> 00:13:32.700 and my compounded sentence. 00:13:33.940 --> 00:13:34.379 Now, 00:13:34.639 --> 00:13:36.320 to God 00:13:36.320 --> 00:13:37.180 be glory 00:13:37.180 --> 00:13:38.300 forevermore 00:13:38.300 --> 00:13:39.860 through Jesus 00:13:39.860 --> 00:13:40.980 Christ. 00:13:42.120 --> 00:13:43.300 And the implication 00:13:43.300 --> 00:13:44.600 here seems to be 00:13:44.600 --> 00:13:45.360 that Paul 00:13:45.360 --> 00:13:46.639 wants glory 00:13:46.639 --> 00:13:47.120 to be 00:13:47.120 --> 00:13:47.960 granted 00:13:47.960 --> 00:13:49.120 or given 00:13:49.120 --> 00:13:50.740 to God. 00:13:50.740 --> 00:13:50.820 God. 00:13:51.700 --> 00:13:52.820 But if glory 00:13:52.820 --> 00:13:54.399 is the radiance, 00:13:54.740 --> 00:13:55.779 the display 00:13:55.779 --> 00:13:57.000 of God's holiness, 00:13:57.519 --> 00:13:58.860 then how could 00:13:58.860 --> 00:13:59.399 he be 00:13:59.399 --> 00:14:00.600 given it? 00:14:01.799 --> 00:14:02.419 I think that 00:14:02.419 --> 00:14:02.700 what Paul 00:14:02.700 --> 00:14:04.139 is saying here, 00:14:04.680 --> 00:14:05.240 it's not that we 00:14:05.240 --> 00:14:06.799 add to the glory 00:14:06.799 --> 00:14:07.320 of God, 00:14:07.659 --> 00:14:08.539 but that we merely 00:14:08.539 --> 00:14:10.000 recognize 00:14:10.000 --> 00:14:11.180 the glory 00:14:11.180 --> 00:14:12.299 of God. 00:14:12.799 --> 00:14:14.159 We behold 00:14:14.159 --> 00:14:15.440 the glory 00:14:15.440 --> 00:14:16.899 of God. 00:14:16.899 --> 00:14:19.299 In the original text, 00:14:19.419 --> 00:14:19.720 the verb 00:14:19.720 --> 00:14:20.039 be 00:14:20.039 --> 00:14:20.519 is not 00:14:20.519 --> 00:14:21.000 in this 00:14:21.000 --> 00:14:21.480 verse 00:14:21.480 --> 00:14:22.379 at all. 00:14:22.480 --> 00:14:22.759 It certainly 00:14:22.759 --> 00:14:23.459 helps us 00:14:23.459 --> 00:14:24.319 understand it 00:14:24.319 --> 00:14:25.659 in English, 00:14:26.079 --> 00:14:26.980 but just 00:14:26.980 --> 00:14:27.799 says, 00:14:28.419 --> 00:14:29.120 now to 00:14:29.120 --> 00:14:29.879 God 00:14:29.879 --> 00:14:31.319 glory. 00:14:32.120 --> 00:14:33.559 Now to God 00:14:33.559 --> 00:14:34.740 be glory 00:14:34.740 --> 00:14:36.579 forevermore 00:14:36.579 --> 00:14:37.899 through Jesus 00:14:37.899 --> 00:14:38.399 Christ. 00:14:40.019 --> 00:14:40.480 And we 00:14:40.480 --> 00:14:41.039 began our 00:14:41.039 --> 00:14:42.299 study about 00:14:42.299 --> 00:14:43.199 this time 00:14:43.199 --> 00:14:43.759 of year 00:14:43.759 --> 00:14:44.799 two years 00:14:44.799 --> 00:14:45.079 ago. 00:14:45.159 --> 00:14:45.899 If I'm not 00:14:45.899 --> 00:14:46.439 mistaken, 00:14:46.899 --> 00:14:47.699 it was on 00:14:47.699 --> 00:14:48.919 October 9th 00:14:48.919 --> 00:14:49.899 of 2022 00:14:49.899 --> 00:14:51.000 that we 00:14:51.000 --> 00:14:51.740 picked up 00:14:51.740 --> 00:14:52.259 this text 00:14:52.259 --> 00:14:52.740 for the first 00:14:52.740 --> 00:14:53.039 time. 00:14:53.299 --> 00:14:53.740 We had some 00:14:53.740 --> 00:14:54.319 interruptions in 00:14:54.319 --> 00:14:54.439 there. 00:14:54.539 --> 00:14:54.840 We didn't 00:14:54.840 --> 00:14:55.240 stay with 00:14:55.240 --> 00:14:55.659 Romans the 00:14:55.659 --> 00:14:56.240 entire time, 00:14:56.639 --> 00:14:57.059 but it was 00:14:57.059 --> 00:14:57.659 about them. 00:14:58.539 --> 00:14:59.240 We believe 00:14:59.240 --> 00:14:59.860 that slow, 00:15:00.100 --> 00:15:00.679 careful study 00:15:00.679 --> 00:15:01.100 of God's 00:15:01.100 --> 00:15:01.620 word is 00:15:01.620 --> 00:15:02.240 of great 00:15:02.240 --> 00:15:02.840 benefit to 00:15:02.840 --> 00:15:03.179 us, 00:15:03.500 --> 00:15:04.340 but sometimes 00:15:04.340 --> 00:15:04.860 in the 00:15:04.860 --> 00:15:05.340 process, 00:15:05.860 --> 00:15:06.480 we can 00:15:06.480 --> 00:15:06.799 lose the 00:15:06.799 --> 00:15:07.779 forest for 00:15:07.779 --> 00:15:08.240 the trees. 00:15:09.199 --> 00:15:09.919 You may 00:15:09.919 --> 00:15:10.799 not realize 00:15:10.799 --> 00:15:12.460 that glory 00:15:12.460 --> 00:15:13.740 is a major 00:15:13.740 --> 00:15:14.840 through line 00:15:14.840 --> 00:15:15.980 of Paul's 00:15:15.980 --> 00:15:16.920 letter. 00:15:17.560 --> 00:15:17.920 I'm sure 00:15:17.920 --> 00:15:18.279 we talked 00:15:18.279 --> 00:15:18.639 about it. 00:15:18.720 --> 00:15:18.980 Some, 00:15:19.460 --> 00:15:19.920 we may 00:15:19.920 --> 00:15:20.360 not have 00:15:20.360 --> 00:15:20.560 dealt 00:15:20.560 --> 00:15:20.920 with it 00:15:20.920 --> 00:15:21.920 well enough, 00:15:22.659 --> 00:15:23.960 but almost 00:15:23.960 --> 00:15:25.800 every chapter 00:15:25.800 --> 00:15:27.379 of Paul's 00:15:27.379 --> 00:15:28.500 Roman letter 00:15:28.500 --> 00:15:29.940 contains the 00:15:29.940 --> 00:15:30.320 word. 00:15:30.320 --> 00:15:31.240 And I venture 00:15:31.240 --> 00:15:31.680 to say, 00:15:31.920 --> 00:15:32.440 with slight 00:15:32.440 --> 00:15:32.960 trepidation, 00:15:33.120 --> 00:15:33.519 that every 00:15:33.519 --> 00:15:34.779 chapter contains 00:15:34.779 --> 00:15:36.200 the idea. 00:15:36.860 --> 00:15:37.440 Don't test me 00:15:37.440 --> 00:15:37.800 on that. 00:15:38.000 --> 00:15:39.379 But at least 00:15:39.379 --> 00:15:40.240 the word is 00:15:40.240 --> 00:15:41.139 in almost 00:15:41.139 --> 00:15:42.199 most every 00:15:42.199 --> 00:15:43.500 chapter. 00:15:44.740 --> 00:15:45.480 In the most 00:15:45.480 --> 00:15:46.019 wonderful of 00:15:46.019 --> 00:15:46.259 ways, 00:15:46.340 --> 00:15:46.759 it would seem 00:15:46.759 --> 00:15:47.179 that Paul 00:15:47.179 --> 00:15:47.840 was riding 00:15:47.840 --> 00:15:48.639 his way 00:15:48.639 --> 00:15:49.419 to this 00:15:49.419 --> 00:15:50.059 doxological 00:15:50.059 --> 00:15:51.279 conclusion. 00:15:52.600 --> 00:15:53.360 Perhaps he 00:15:53.360 --> 00:15:53.779 was. 00:15:55.159 --> 00:15:56.179 I argue 00:15:56.179 --> 00:15:57.519 at verses 00:15:57.519 --> 00:15:58.439 25 and 00:15:58.439 --> 00:15:59.279 26 that 00:15:59.279 --> 00:15:59.620 these are 00:15:59.620 --> 00:16:00.120 Paul's 00:16:00.120 --> 00:16:00.639 summation 00:16:00.639 --> 00:16:01.600 that leads 00:16:01.600 --> 00:16:02.679 to such 00:16:02.679 --> 00:16:03.580 praise. 00:16:03.679 --> 00:16:04.240 He's pulling 00:16:04.240 --> 00:16:05.139 the ideas 00:16:05.139 --> 00:16:06.679 together for 00:16:06.679 --> 00:16:07.819 this glory 00:16:07.820 --> 00:16:08.360 that he 00:16:08.360 --> 00:16:09.640 wants God 00:16:09.640 --> 00:16:10.520 to be 00:16:10.520 --> 00:16:11.000 recognized 00:16:11.000 --> 00:16:11.980 as God's. 00:16:13.580 --> 00:16:14.000 So, 00:16:14.680 --> 00:16:15.400 join me. 00:16:15.840 --> 00:16:16.400 I know 00:16:16.400 --> 00:16:16.820 before I 00:16:16.820 --> 00:16:17.640 read large 00:16:17.640 --> 00:16:18.260 sections of 00:16:18.260 --> 00:16:18.700 Romans to 00:16:18.700 --> 00:16:18.780 you. 00:16:18.820 --> 00:16:19.040 We're not 00:16:19.040 --> 00:16:19.160 going to 00:16:19.160 --> 00:16:19.400 do that 00:16:19.400 --> 00:16:19.660 today, 00:16:19.720 --> 00:16:20.020 but join 00:16:20.020 --> 00:16:20.200 me in 00:16:20.200 --> 00:16:20.680 taking a 00:16:20.680 --> 00:16:21.440 brief tour 00:16:21.440 --> 00:16:22.340 back through 00:16:22.340 --> 00:16:23.020 the book 00:16:23.020 --> 00:16:24.400 with particular 00:16:24.400 --> 00:16:25.080 intention 00:16:25.080 --> 00:16:26.440 toward the 00:16:26.440 --> 00:16:27.020 thought of 00:16:27.020 --> 00:16:27.560 God's glory. 00:16:27.680 --> 00:16:27.860 I just want 00:16:27.860 --> 00:16:28.400 to show you 00:16:28.400 --> 00:16:29.000 this through 00:16:29.000 --> 00:16:30.520 line through 00:16:30.520 --> 00:16:31.100 the text 00:16:31.100 --> 00:16:31.900 and think 00:16:31.900 --> 00:16:32.520 about what 00:16:32.520 --> 00:16:33.020 Paul has 00:16:33.020 --> 00:16:33.820 taught us 00:16:33.820 --> 00:16:34.220 throughout 00:16:34.220 --> 00:16:35.320 this book 00:16:35.320 --> 00:16:35.920 together. 00:16:36.120 --> 00:16:36.240 So, 00:16:36.920 --> 00:16:37.360 I have a 00:16:37.360 --> 00:16:37.639 number of 00:16:37.639 --> 00:16:37.960 passages 00:16:37.960 --> 00:16:38.240 here. 00:16:38.320 --> 00:16:38.399 You're 00:16:38.399 --> 00:16:38.500 going to 00:16:38.500 --> 00:16:38.700 need to 00:16:38.700 --> 00:16:39.080 turn all 00:16:39.080 --> 00:16:39.279 the way 00:16:39.279 --> 00:16:39.580 back to 00:16:39.580 --> 00:16:39.899 Romans 00:16:39.899 --> 00:16:41.240 chapter 1. 00:16:41.440 --> 00:16:41.720 We're 00:16:41.720 --> 00:16:41.879 going to 00:16:41.879 --> 00:16:42.379 start with 00:16:42.379 --> 00:16:42.720 a verse 00:16:42.720 --> 00:16:43.180 that doesn't 00:16:43.180 --> 00:16:43.680 have the 00:16:43.680 --> 00:16:44.200 word glory 00:16:44.200 --> 00:16:44.560 in it, 00:16:44.580 --> 00:16:44.820 but the 00:16:44.820 --> 00:16:45.740 idea is 00:16:45.740 --> 00:16:46.000 there, 00:16:46.080 --> 00:16:46.320 and you'll 00:16:46.320 --> 00:16:46.779 understand 00:16:46.779 --> 00:16:48.340 why in 00:16:48.340 --> 00:16:48.700 just a 00:16:48.700 --> 00:16:48.960 moment. 00:16:49.860 --> 00:16:50.220 And my 00:16:50.220 --> 00:16:50.800 intention is 00:16:50.800 --> 00:16:51.240 just to make 00:16:51.240 --> 00:16:51.740 some comments 00:16:51.740 --> 00:16:52.159 about these 00:16:52.159 --> 00:16:53.180 verses as 00:16:53.180 --> 00:16:54.019 I remember 00:16:54.019 --> 00:16:54.940 preaching them. 00:16:55.419 --> 00:16:56.340 I decided it 00:16:56.340 --> 00:16:56.879 would serve you 00:16:56.879 --> 00:16:57.419 for me not to 00:16:57.419 --> 00:16:57.919 go back through 00:16:57.919 --> 00:16:58.279 each of these 00:16:58.279 --> 00:16:58.720 sermons and 00:16:58.720 --> 00:16:59.139 copy and 00:16:59.139 --> 00:16:59.580 paste a bunch 00:16:59.580 --> 00:16:59.940 of text, 00:17:00.039 --> 00:17:00.500 because we 00:17:00.500 --> 00:17:00.940 don't have 00:17:00.940 --> 00:17:01.740 time for that 00:17:01.740 --> 00:17:02.460 this morning. 00:17:03.159 --> 00:17:03.379 But I 00:17:03.379 --> 00:17:03.820 thought I'd 00:17:03.820 --> 00:17:04.059 think, 00:17:04.059 --> 00:17:04.960 what did 00:17:04.960 --> 00:17:05.599 we learn 00:17:05.599 --> 00:17:05.919 as we 00:17:05.919 --> 00:17:06.220 looked at 00:17:06.220 --> 00:17:07.460 these verses 00:17:07.460 --> 00:17:08.099 and walk 00:17:08.099 --> 00:17:09.379 through a 00:17:09.379 --> 00:17:09.659 set of 00:17:09.659 --> 00:17:10.779 them together? 00:17:10.960 --> 00:17:11.159 We're 00:17:11.159 --> 00:17:11.559 thinking about 00:17:11.559 --> 00:17:12.779 God's glory 00:17:12.779 --> 00:17:13.519 throughout the 00:17:13.519 --> 00:17:14.279 book of 00:17:14.279 --> 00:17:14.539 Romans. 00:17:14.819 --> 00:17:14.919 So, 00:17:15.759 --> 00:17:16.460 chapter 1 00:17:16.460 --> 00:17:16.759 and verse 00:17:16.759 --> 00:17:17.799 5, 00:17:18.159 --> 00:17:18.379 Paul's 00:17:18.379 --> 00:17:18.879 talking about 00:17:18.879 --> 00:17:19.240 his 00:17:19.240 --> 00:17:20.000 apostleship 00:17:20.000 --> 00:17:20.899 being received 00:17:20.899 --> 00:17:21.819 through whom 00:17:21.819 --> 00:17:22.799 Christ, 00:17:22.919 --> 00:17:23.339 we have 00:17:23.339 --> 00:17:24.079 received 00:17:24.079 --> 00:17:25.240 grace 00:17:25.240 --> 00:17:26.139 and 00:17:26.139 --> 00:17:27.059 apostleship 00:17:27.059 --> 00:17:27.899 to bring 00:17:27.899 --> 00:17:28.960 about the 00:17:28.960 --> 00:17:29.559 obedience 00:17:29.559 --> 00:17:30.919 of faith. 00:17:31.639 --> 00:17:32.099 The bell 00:17:32.099 --> 00:17:32.339 should be 00:17:32.339 --> 00:17:32.740 going off. 00:17:32.819 --> 00:17:33.359 The obedience 00:17:33.359 --> 00:17:33.919 of faith, 00:17:34.059 --> 00:17:34.700 for the 00:17:34.700 --> 00:17:35.679 sake of 00:17:35.679 --> 00:17:36.980 his name 00:17:36.980 --> 00:17:37.619 among 00:17:37.619 --> 00:17:38.599 all 00:17:38.599 --> 00:17:39.460 the 00:17:39.460 --> 00:17:39.819 nations. 00:17:40.480 --> 00:17:40.960 So, 00:17:40.980 --> 00:17:41.240 there's the 00:17:41.240 --> 00:17:41.659 idea, 00:17:41.799 --> 00:17:42.099 for the 00:17:42.099 --> 00:17:43.099 sake of 00:17:43.099 --> 00:17:44.299 his name 00:17:44.299 --> 00:17:44.960 among 00:17:44.960 --> 00:17:45.919 all 00:17:45.919 --> 00:17:46.339 the 00:17:46.339 --> 00:17:46.659 nations, 00:17:46.839 --> 00:17:47.539 that all 00:17:47.539 --> 00:17:48.440 peoples, 00:17:48.960 --> 00:17:49.639 this is the 00:17:49.639 --> 00:17:50.299 goal of 00:17:50.299 --> 00:17:50.440 his 00:17:50.440 --> 00:17:51.019 apostleship, 00:17:51.079 --> 00:17:51.599 that all 00:17:51.599 --> 00:17:52.119 peoples 00:17:52.119 --> 00:17:53.500 would know 00:17:53.500 --> 00:17:54.379 the glory 00:17:54.379 --> 00:17:55.779 of God. 00:17:57.359 --> 00:17:57.839 Now, 00:17:57.899 --> 00:17:58.259 I said that 00:17:58.259 --> 00:17:58.480 your bell 00:17:58.480 --> 00:17:58.740 should be 00:17:58.740 --> 00:17:59.279 going off. 00:17:59.379 --> 00:17:59.639 Why? 00:18:00.059 --> 00:18:00.440 Because at 00:18:00.440 --> 00:18:00.639 the end 00:18:00.639 --> 00:18:00.919 of verse 00:18:00.919 --> 00:18:01.720 26, 00:18:02.339 --> 00:18:02.679 there he 00:18:02.679 --> 00:18:03.299 talks about 00:18:03.299 --> 00:18:03.759 bringing 00:18:03.759 --> 00:18:04.440 about 00:18:04.440 --> 00:18:05.220 the 00:18:05.220 --> 00:18:05.720 obedience 00:18:05.720 --> 00:18:06.819 of 00:18:06.819 --> 00:18:07.720 faith. 00:18:07.779 --> 00:18:08.059 That very 00:18:08.059 --> 00:18:08.640 same phrase 00:18:08.640 --> 00:18:09.200 found there 00:18:09.200 --> 00:18:09.700 in Romans 00:18:09.700 --> 00:18:10.619 chapter 1 00:18:10.619 --> 00:18:11.839 and verse 00:18:11.839 --> 00:18:12.379 5. 00:18:13.460 --> 00:18:14.079 So, 00:18:14.160 --> 00:18:14.640 notice what 00:18:14.640 --> 00:18:14.980 Paul is 00:18:14.980 --> 00:18:15.640 saying in 00:18:15.640 --> 00:18:16.400 our text, 00:18:16.599 --> 00:18:17.319 verses 25 00:18:17.319 --> 00:18:18.579 and 26. 00:18:19.079 --> 00:18:20.079 This God 00:18:20.079 --> 00:18:20.940 we're going to 00:18:20.940 --> 00:18:22.119 ascribe glory 00:18:22.119 --> 00:18:22.359 to, 00:18:22.500 --> 00:18:23.420 recognize the 00:18:23.420 --> 00:18:24.680 glory of, 00:18:25.039 --> 00:18:26.500 is able to 00:18:26.500 --> 00:18:27.720 strengthen you 00:18:27.720 --> 00:18:28.460 according to 00:18:28.460 --> 00:18:29.500 my gospel, 00:18:29.619 --> 00:18:30.379 Paul's gospel, 00:18:30.539 --> 00:18:31.460 the gospel of 00:18:31.460 --> 00:18:32.319 Jesus Christ. 00:18:33.500 --> 00:18:34.340 According to 00:18:34.340 --> 00:18:34.779 the revelation 00:18:34.779 --> 00:18:35.360 of the 00:18:35.360 --> 00:18:35.980 mystery that 00:18:35.980 --> 00:18:36.519 was kept 00:18:36.519 --> 00:18:37.019 secret, 00:18:37.819 --> 00:18:38.420 Old Testament, 00:18:38.600 --> 00:18:39.100 but now 00:18:39.100 --> 00:18:39.600 has been 00:18:39.600 --> 00:18:40.840 disclosed, 00:18:41.360 --> 00:18:42.000 and through 00:18:42.000 --> 00:18:42.460 the prophetic 00:18:42.460 --> 00:18:43.059 writings has 00:18:43.059 --> 00:18:43.360 been made 00:18:43.360 --> 00:18:44.660 known to 00:18:44.660 --> 00:18:46.160 all nations, 00:18:46.259 --> 00:18:46.880 according to 00:18:46.880 --> 00:18:47.519 the command 00:18:47.519 --> 00:18:48.620 of the 00:18:48.620 --> 00:18:49.340 eternal God 00:18:49.340 --> 00:18:49.700 to bring 00:18:49.700 --> 00:18:50.819 about the 00:18:50.819 --> 00:18:52.140 obedience of 00:18:52.140 --> 00:18:52.420 faith. 00:18:52.579 --> 00:18:53.160 He's just 00:18:53.160 --> 00:18:53.700 saying there, 00:18:53.759 --> 00:18:53.880 right? 00:18:54.019 --> 00:18:55.759 God begins 00:18:55.759 --> 00:18:56.420 us and he 00:18:56.420 --> 00:18:57.819 keeps us by 00:18:57.819 --> 00:18:59.100 the gospel of 00:18:59.099 --> 00:18:59.719 Jesus Christ. 00:18:59.819 --> 00:19:00.039 And it was 00:19:00.039 --> 00:19:00.379 the thing 00:19:00.379 --> 00:19:00.719 that we 00:19:00.719 --> 00:19:01.480 did not 00:19:01.480 --> 00:19:02.959 fully understand 00:19:02.959 --> 00:19:03.799 Old Testament, 00:19:03.959 --> 00:19:04.219 but we 00:19:04.219 --> 00:19:05.099 now do 00:19:05.099 --> 00:19:07.039 New Testament. 00:19:07.639 --> 00:19:08.399 God's glory 00:19:08.399 --> 00:19:08.779 would be 00:19:08.779 --> 00:19:10.259 known through 00:19:10.259 --> 00:19:12.500 Jesus Christ. 00:19:13.859 --> 00:19:14.439 It's not 00:19:14.439 --> 00:19:14.719 too many 00:19:14.719 --> 00:19:15.240 verses later 00:19:15.240 --> 00:19:15.559 that Paul 00:19:15.559 --> 00:19:15.899 says in 00:19:15.899 --> 00:19:16.359 Romans chapter 00:19:16.359 --> 00:19:16.719 1, 00:19:16.799 --> 00:19:17.599 verse 16 00:19:17.599 --> 00:19:18.299 and 17, 00:19:18.959 --> 00:19:19.699 two verses 00:19:19.699 --> 00:19:20.019 that we 00:19:20.019 --> 00:19:20.619 spent three 00:19:20.619 --> 00:19:21.279 weeks on. 00:19:21.919 --> 00:19:22.259 There he 00:19:22.259 --> 00:19:22.439 says, 00:19:22.500 --> 00:19:22.819 for I am 00:19:22.819 --> 00:19:23.419 not ashamed 00:19:23.419 --> 00:19:24.480 of the 00:19:24.480 --> 00:19:24.899 gospel, 00:19:25.099 --> 00:19:25.279 or you 00:19:25.279 --> 00:19:25.599 could read 00:19:25.599 --> 00:19:25.879 it in the 00:19:25.879 --> 00:19:26.299 positive, 00:19:26.439 --> 00:19:26.740 I am 00:19:26.740 --> 00:19:28.099 proud of 00:19:28.099 --> 00:19:29.180 the gospel. 00:19:29.460 --> 00:19:29.740 Why? 00:19:30.059 --> 00:19:30.480 Because it 00:19:30.480 --> 00:19:30.759 is the 00:19:30.759 --> 00:19:31.720 power of 00:19:31.720 --> 00:19:32.460 God for 00:19:32.460 --> 00:19:33.640 salvation to 00:19:33.640 --> 00:19:34.279 everyone who 00:19:34.279 --> 00:19:35.259 believes, to 00:19:35.259 --> 00:19:36.019 the Jew first 00:19:36.019 --> 00:19:37.640 and also to 00:19:37.640 --> 00:19:38.079 the Greek. 00:19:38.259 --> 00:19:38.900 For in it 00:19:38.900 --> 00:19:39.500 the righteousness 00:19:39.500 --> 00:19:40.059 of God is 00:19:40.059 --> 00:19:40.980 revealed from 00:19:40.980 --> 00:19:41.900 faith for 00:19:41.900 --> 00:19:42.960 faith, as it 00:19:42.960 --> 00:19:43.339 is written, 00:19:43.759 --> 00:19:44.240 the righteous 00:19:44.240 --> 00:19:46.140 shall live by 00:19:46.140 --> 00:19:46.539 faith. 00:19:46.599 --> 00:19:47.339 We are justified 00:19:47.339 --> 00:19:48.400 by grace alone 00:19:48.400 --> 00:19:48.960 through faith 00:19:48.960 --> 00:19:49.859 alone in the 00:19:49.859 --> 00:19:50.220 person and 00:19:50.220 --> 00:19:50.980 worth of 00:19:50.980 --> 00:19:52.559 Jesus Christ 00:19:52.559 --> 00:19:53.740 alone. 00:19:54.180 --> 00:19:54.839 And this is 00:19:54.839 --> 00:19:56.140 the summary of 00:19:56.140 --> 00:19:56.620 what Paul is 00:19:56.620 --> 00:19:56.900 trying to 00:19:56.900 --> 00:19:57.300 teach us 00:19:57.300 --> 00:19:57.860 theologically 00:19:57.860 --> 00:19:58.720 throughout the 00:19:58.720 --> 00:20:00.220 entirety of 00:20:00.220 --> 00:20:01.180 this letter. 00:20:01.700 --> 00:20:02.140 And so, 00:20:02.560 --> 00:20:03.480 he launches 00:20:03.480 --> 00:20:04.800 shortly after 00:20:04.800 --> 00:20:05.560 those two 00:20:05.560 --> 00:20:06.620 verses into 00:20:06.620 --> 00:20:07.040 helping us 00:20:07.040 --> 00:20:07.880 understand why 00:20:07.880 --> 00:20:08.640 this matters. 00:20:09.720 --> 00:20:10.420 Why is it 00:20:10.420 --> 00:20:11.180 important that 00:20:11.180 --> 00:20:12.100 we hear this 00:20:12.100 --> 00:20:12.920 good news of 00:20:12.920 --> 00:20:13.620 the gospel, 00:20:13.980 --> 00:20:14.759 that we care 00:20:14.759 --> 00:20:15.200 that it's the 00:20:15.200 --> 00:20:15.800 power of God 00:20:15.800 --> 00:20:16.540 for salvation? 00:20:17.160 --> 00:20:17.880 Why does it 00:20:17.880 --> 00:20:18.140 matter? 00:20:18.240 --> 00:20:18.759 Why do we need 00:20:18.759 --> 00:20:19.420 the righteousness 00:20:19.420 --> 00:20:20.420 of God? 00:20:20.680 --> 00:20:21.200 And he tells 00:20:21.200 --> 00:20:21.980 us it's because 00:20:21.980 --> 00:20:23.520 we are not 00:20:23.520 --> 00:20:24.500 righteous. 00:20:24.500 --> 00:20:26.400 in and of 00:20:26.400 --> 00:20:26.920 ourselves. 00:20:27.140 --> 00:20:28.259 We are not 00:20:28.259 --> 00:20:29.420 righteous. 00:20:29.579 --> 00:20:30.099 And he treats 00:20:30.099 --> 00:20:31.460 two groups of 00:20:31.460 --> 00:20:32.279 people, the 00:20:32.279 --> 00:20:34.039 Gentiles and 00:20:34.039 --> 00:20:34.680 the Jews. 00:20:35.980 --> 00:20:36.599 First, he 00:20:36.599 --> 00:20:37.059 addresses the 00:20:37.059 --> 00:20:37.619 Gentiles, which 00:20:37.619 --> 00:20:38.819 certainly includes 00:20:38.819 --> 00:20:39.140 the Jewish 00:20:39.140 --> 00:20:39.660 people through 00:20:39.660 --> 00:20:40.480 23. 00:20:40.900 --> 00:20:41.759 Supplicitly, the 00:20:41.759 --> 00:20:42.859 Gentiles. 00:20:43.000 --> 00:20:43.539 Notice Romans 00:20:43.539 --> 00:20:44.859 1, verse 21 00:20:44.859 --> 00:20:45.960 through 23. 00:20:46.920 --> 00:20:47.319 He says, 00:20:47.440 --> 00:20:48.039 therefore, although 00:20:48.039 --> 00:20:49.259 they knew 00:20:49.259 --> 00:20:50.640 God, they 00:20:50.640 --> 00:20:52.140 did not honor, 00:20:52.140 --> 00:20:52.720 and this is 00:20:52.720 --> 00:20:53.880 the very same 00:20:53.880 --> 00:20:54.580 Greek word, 00:20:54.700 --> 00:20:55.420 it could be 00:20:55.420 --> 00:20:56.180 translated, they 00:20:56.180 --> 00:20:57.920 did not glorify 00:20:57.920 --> 00:20:59.740 him as God 00:20:59.740 --> 00:21:01.120 or give thanks 00:21:01.120 --> 00:21:02.340 to him, but 00:21:02.340 --> 00:21:02.820 they became 00:21:02.820 --> 00:21:04.220 futile in their 00:21:04.220 --> 00:21:04.880 thinking and 00:21:04.880 --> 00:21:05.540 their foolish 00:21:05.540 --> 00:21:06.880 hearts were 00:21:06.880 --> 00:21:07.480 darkened. 00:21:08.280 --> 00:21:08.880 Claiming to be 00:21:08.880 --> 00:21:10.200 wise, they 00:21:10.200 --> 00:21:11.080 became fools 00:21:11.080 --> 00:21:12.920 and exchanged 00:21:12.920 --> 00:21:14.420 the glory of 00:21:14.420 --> 00:21:15.100 the immortal 00:21:15.100 --> 00:21:16.500 God for 00:21:16.500 --> 00:21:17.540 images resembling 00:21:17.540 --> 00:21:18.540 mortal man and 00:21:18.540 --> 00:21:19.160 birds and 00:21:19.160 --> 00:21:20.920 animals and 00:21:20.920 --> 00:21:21.680 creeping things. 00:21:21.680 --> 00:21:24.120 rather than 00:21:24.120 --> 00:21:26.019 recognizing the 00:21:26.019 --> 00:21:27.200 greatness of 00:21:27.200 --> 00:21:28.759 God, they 00:21:28.759 --> 00:21:30.060 instead said, 00:21:30.600 --> 00:21:31.560 we have 00:21:31.560 --> 00:21:33.000 instead said, 00:21:33.420 --> 00:21:34.680 we want to 00:21:34.680 --> 00:21:35.460 minimize God, 00:21:35.519 --> 00:21:35.880 we want to 00:21:35.880 --> 00:21:37.320 maximize other 00:21:37.320 --> 00:21:38.539 things. 00:21:39.620 --> 00:21:40.200 I don't know 00:21:40.200 --> 00:21:40.799 that any of 00:21:40.799 --> 00:21:41.779 you have ever 00:21:41.779 --> 00:21:42.960 carved an 00:21:42.960 --> 00:21:43.940 image and 00:21:43.940 --> 00:21:44.920 bowed down to 00:21:44.920 --> 00:21:46.000 it, but we 00:21:46.000 --> 00:21:47.000 certainly worship 00:21:47.000 --> 00:21:48.900 other things 00:21:48.900 --> 00:21:50.019 than God. 00:21:50.299 --> 00:21:51.220 Exchange the 00:21:51.220 --> 00:21:52.180 glory of the 00:21:52.180 --> 00:21:52.799 immortal God 00:21:52.799 --> 00:21:53.360 for stuff 00:21:53.360 --> 00:21:54.140 that's not 00:21:54.140 --> 00:21:55.039 glorious and 00:21:55.039 --> 00:21:55.559 not 00:21:55.559 --> 00:21:57.180 immortal. 00:21:58.860 --> 00:21:59.940 He goes on 00:21:59.940 --> 00:22:01.539 to indict the 00:22:01.539 --> 00:22:01.940 Jews in 00:22:01.940 --> 00:22:02.339 Romans chapter 00:22:02.339 --> 00:22:02.980 2 and 00:22:02.980 --> 00:22:04.640 verse 24, 00:22:05.640 --> 00:22:06.079 for as it 00:22:06.079 --> 00:22:06.500 is written, 00:22:06.660 --> 00:22:07.700 the name of 00:22:07.700 --> 00:22:08.620 God is 00:22:08.620 --> 00:22:09.660 blasphemed 00:22:09.660 --> 00:22:10.120 among the 00:22:10.120 --> 00:22:10.740 Gentiles 00:22:10.740 --> 00:22:12.019 because of 00:22:12.019 --> 00:22:12.279 you. 00:22:12.799 --> 00:22:13.880 They, just 00:22:13.880 --> 00:22:14.220 like the 00:22:14.220 --> 00:22:14.799 Gentiles, 00:22:15.019 --> 00:22:15.600 just like 00:22:15.600 --> 00:22:16.000 us, 00:22:17.339 --> 00:22:18.140 were idolaters, 00:22:18.140 --> 00:22:18.240 believers. 00:22:18.680 --> 00:22:18.940 And because 00:22:18.940 --> 00:22:19.480 of that, 00:22:19.740 --> 00:22:20.800 God's glory 00:22:20.800 --> 00:22:21.200 was not 00:22:21.200 --> 00:22:21.940 made known 00:22:21.940 --> 00:22:22.440 amongst the 00:22:22.440 --> 00:22:23.080 Gentiles the 00:22:23.080 --> 00:22:24.020 way it was 00:22:24.020 --> 00:22:24.880 meant to be 00:22:24.880 --> 00:22:26.820 made known. 00:22:28.020 --> 00:22:28.420 And then we 00:22:28.420 --> 00:22:28.920 come to Romans 00:22:28.920 --> 00:22:30.380 3 and 00:22:30.380 --> 00:22:31.180 verse 23. 00:22:33.280 --> 00:22:33.880 Paul's 00:22:33.880 --> 00:22:34.240 bringing 00:22:34.240 --> 00:22:35.100 together Jew 00:22:35.100 --> 00:22:35.800 and Gentile. 00:22:36.180 --> 00:22:36.980 Let's make 00:22:36.980 --> 00:22:38.860 no qualms 00:22:38.860 --> 00:22:39.480 about it. 00:22:40.000 --> 00:22:41.140 Two categories 00:22:41.140 --> 00:22:41.800 of people. 00:22:42.720 --> 00:22:43.480 Those not 00:22:43.480 --> 00:22:44.280 saved by Christ 00:22:44.280 --> 00:22:44.680 and those 00:22:44.680 --> 00:22:45.480 saved by 00:22:45.480 --> 00:22:46.480 Christ. 00:22:46.880 --> 00:22:47.240 There he 00:22:47.240 --> 00:22:47.539 says, 00:22:47.640 --> 00:22:48.240 for all 00:22:48.240 --> 00:22:49.440 have sinned 00:22:49.440 --> 00:22:50.360 and fall 00:22:50.360 --> 00:22:52.120 short of 00:22:52.120 --> 00:22:52.539 the glory 00:22:52.539 --> 00:22:53.579 of God. 00:22:54.500 --> 00:22:55.099 Do not 00:22:55.099 --> 00:22:55.500 have, 00:22:55.759 --> 00:22:56.019 cannot 00:22:56.019 --> 00:22:56.740 possess. 00:22:57.200 --> 00:22:57.700 We think 00:22:57.700 --> 00:22:58.099 this verse 00:22:58.099 --> 00:22:58.559 is speaking 00:22:58.559 --> 00:22:59.099 of the 00:22:59.099 --> 00:23:00.200 future glory 00:23:00.200 --> 00:23:00.539 that will 00:23:00.539 --> 00:23:01.079 be ours 00:23:01.079 --> 00:23:01.920 in Christ, 00:23:02.039 --> 00:23:02.559 but because 00:23:02.559 --> 00:23:02.960 of our 00:23:02.960 --> 00:23:03.380 sin, 00:23:03.519 --> 00:23:04.099 we need 00:23:04.099 --> 00:23:04.599 God's 00:23:04.599 --> 00:23:05.140 intervention 00:23:05.140 --> 00:23:05.720 to bring 00:23:05.720 --> 00:23:06.339 this about 00:23:06.339 --> 00:23:07.740 in our 00:23:07.740 --> 00:23:08.099 lives. 00:23:09.259 --> 00:23:10.099 So there's 00:23:10.099 --> 00:23:11.160 a problem, 00:23:11.720 --> 00:23:12.799 a great 00:23:12.799 --> 00:23:13.279 problem, 00:23:13.460 --> 00:23:13.700 and it's 00:23:13.700 --> 00:23:14.160 a problem 00:23:14.160 --> 00:23:15.079 that desperately 00:23:15.079 --> 00:23:16.460 needs a 00:23:16.460 --> 00:23:16.839 solution. 00:23:17.099 --> 00:23:17.319 What is 00:23:17.319 --> 00:23:17.879 that solution? 00:23:18.059 --> 00:23:18.480 We saw it 00:23:18.480 --> 00:23:18.879 back in 00:23:18.879 --> 00:23:19.659 Romans 1 00:23:19.659 --> 00:23:20.399 verse 16 00:23:20.399 --> 00:23:21.179 and 17. 00:23:22.359 --> 00:23:23.439 By grace, 00:23:24.179 --> 00:23:25.019 through faith, 00:23:25.579 --> 00:23:25.939 in the 00:23:25.939 --> 00:23:26.419 person and 00:23:26.419 --> 00:23:27.000 work of 00:23:27.000 --> 00:23:28.199 Jesus Christ. 00:23:28.720 --> 00:23:29.220 We can 00:23:29.220 --> 00:23:30.259 have the 00:23:30.259 --> 00:23:30.980 salvation of 00:23:30.980 --> 00:23:32.079 our soul. 00:23:32.199 --> 00:23:32.419 So in 00:23:32.419 --> 00:23:32.859 Romans chapter 00:23:32.859 --> 00:23:33.599 4, Paul's 00:23:33.599 --> 00:23:34.039 making this 00:23:34.039 --> 00:23:34.480 case and 00:23:34.480 --> 00:23:34.899 he's using 00:23:34.899 --> 00:23:36.839 Abraham as 00:23:36.839 --> 00:23:37.779 the archetype 00:23:37.779 --> 00:23:38.539 of believing 00:23:38.539 --> 00:23:39.519 God by 00:23:39.519 --> 00:23:40.439 faith. 00:23:40.519 --> 00:23:40.639 And he 00:23:40.639 --> 00:23:41.019 says there 00:23:41.019 --> 00:23:41.359 in verse 00:23:41.359 --> 00:23:41.879 20, 00:23:42.579 --> 00:23:43.419 no unbelief 00:23:43.419 --> 00:23:44.319 made him 00:23:44.319 --> 00:23:45.359 waver 00:23:45.359 --> 00:23:45.939 concerning 00:23:45.939 --> 00:23:46.619 the promises 00:23:46.619 --> 00:23:47.119 of God, 00:23:47.200 --> 00:23:47.480 but he 00:23:47.480 --> 00:23:48.559 grew strong 00:23:48.559 --> 00:23:49.079 in his 00:23:49.079 --> 00:23:50.379 faith as 00:23:50.379 --> 00:23:51.339 he gave 00:23:51.339 --> 00:23:53.859 glory to 00:23:53.859 --> 00:23:54.299 God. 00:23:54.700 --> 00:23:55.159 As he 00:23:55.159 --> 00:23:56.480 recognized, 00:23:56.879 --> 00:23:57.700 a scribe 00:23:57.700 --> 00:23:59.439 understood the 00:23:59.439 --> 00:24:00.179 greatness of 00:24:00.179 --> 00:24:00.779 God and the 00:24:00.779 --> 00:24:01.480 promises he 00:24:01.480 --> 00:24:01.939 had made to 00:24:01.939 --> 00:24:02.720 him, his 00:24:02.720 --> 00:24:03.759 faith was 00:24:03.759 --> 00:24:04.480 increased. 00:24:06.700 --> 00:24:07.299 Now, 00:24:07.779 --> 00:24:08.679 we go on, 00:24:09.220 --> 00:24:09.939 chapter 5. 00:24:09.940 --> 00:24:12.519 Many of 00:24:12.519 --> 00:24:13.000 us walk in 00:24:13.000 --> 00:24:14.019 this in-between 00:24:14.019 --> 00:24:14.539 time. 00:24:14.720 --> 00:24:15.240 We walk in 00:24:15.240 --> 00:24:15.640 this time 00:24:15.640 --> 00:24:16.000 where we 00:24:16.000 --> 00:24:16.880 have been 00:24:16.880 --> 00:24:17.660 set free 00:24:17.660 --> 00:24:18.000 from the 00:24:18.000 --> 00:24:18.400 bondage of 00:24:18.400 --> 00:24:18.799 our sin. 00:24:19.440 --> 00:24:19.980 We've been 00:24:19.980 --> 00:24:21.120 justified by 00:24:21.120 --> 00:24:21.559 grace through 00:24:21.559 --> 00:24:22.600 faith in 00:24:22.600 --> 00:24:23.299 Christ, and 00:24:23.299 --> 00:24:23.759 yet we find 00:24:23.759 --> 00:24:24.640 ourselves still 00:24:24.640 --> 00:24:25.019 with the 00:24:25.019 --> 00:24:25.440 indwelling 00:24:25.440 --> 00:24:27.340 sin, always 00:24:27.340 --> 00:24:28.039 at our heels. 00:24:28.160 --> 00:24:28.779 We struggle 00:24:28.779 --> 00:24:29.480 in this life. 00:24:29.880 --> 00:24:30.200 We are 00:24:30.200 --> 00:24:31.360 pressured from 00:24:31.360 --> 00:24:32.220 without. 00:24:34.059 --> 00:24:34.900 Not an easy 00:24:34.900 --> 00:24:35.820 thing to live 00:24:35.820 --> 00:24:37.559 in this life. 00:24:37.559 --> 00:24:37.679 life. 00:24:38.579 --> 00:24:38.940 Paul does 00:24:38.940 --> 00:24:39.519 some beautiful 00:24:39.519 --> 00:24:40.440 things in 00:24:40.440 --> 00:24:41.339 chapter 5 and 00:24:41.339 --> 00:24:42.220 through the 00:24:42.220 --> 00:24:42.659 end of 00:24:42.659 --> 00:24:44.059 chapter 8. 00:24:44.859 --> 00:24:45.579 Talk about 00:24:45.579 --> 00:24:46.079 the way we're 00:24:46.079 --> 00:24:46.559 freed from 00:24:46.559 --> 00:24:47.139 sin, the way 00:24:47.139 --> 00:24:47.679 we're empowered 00:24:47.679 --> 00:24:48.079 by the 00:24:48.079 --> 00:24:48.419 Spirit. 00:24:48.740 --> 00:24:49.079 Look what he 00:24:49.079 --> 00:24:49.460 does in 00:24:49.460 --> 00:24:50.399 chapter 5, 00:24:50.419 --> 00:24:50.899 verse 1 and 00:24:50.899 --> 00:24:51.119 2. 00:24:51.200 --> 00:24:51.379 He says, 00:24:51.599 --> 00:24:51.639 Therefore, 00:24:51.879 --> 00:24:52.159 since we 00:24:52.159 --> 00:24:52.399 have been 00:24:52.399 --> 00:24:53.079 justified by 00:24:53.079 --> 00:24:53.960 faith, we 00:24:53.960 --> 00:24:54.839 have peace 00:24:54.839 --> 00:24:55.519 with God 00:24:55.519 --> 00:24:56.079 through our 00:24:56.079 --> 00:24:56.839 Lord Jesus 00:24:56.839 --> 00:24:57.319 Christ. 00:24:57.460 --> 00:24:58.519 Not only a 00:24:58.519 --> 00:24:59.659 status peace 00:24:59.659 --> 00:25:00.779 with God, 00:25:00.919 --> 00:25:01.179 we're no 00:25:01.179 --> 00:25:01.599 longer his 00:25:01.599 --> 00:25:02.379 enemy, but 00:25:02.379 --> 00:25:02.779 we also 00:25:02.779 --> 00:25:04.679 experience peace 00:25:04.679 --> 00:25:05.599 with God. 00:25:06.399 --> 00:25:07.039 Through him, 00:25:07.119 --> 00:25:07.480 verse 2, 00:25:07.559 --> 00:25:07.940 says, 00:25:08.559 --> 00:25:08.759 we have 00:25:08.759 --> 00:25:09.659 also obtained 00:25:09.659 --> 00:25:10.779 access by 00:25:10.779 --> 00:25:11.539 faith into 00:25:11.539 --> 00:25:12.339 this grace 00:25:12.339 --> 00:25:13.000 in which we 00:25:13.000 --> 00:25:14.279 stand, and 00:25:14.279 --> 00:25:15.679 we rejoice 00:25:15.679 --> 00:25:17.519 in hope of 00:25:17.519 --> 00:25:19.519 the glory of 00:25:19.519 --> 00:25:19.879 God. 00:25:21.000 --> 00:25:22.099 One day, 00:25:22.779 --> 00:25:23.299 on the other 00:25:23.299 --> 00:25:24.339 side, forever. 00:25:25.119 --> 00:25:26.179 The life, we're 00:25:26.179 --> 00:25:27.500 going to behold 00:25:27.500 --> 00:25:29.779 him forever. 00:25:30.440 --> 00:25:31.919 The hope of 00:25:31.919 --> 00:25:34.099 the glory of 00:25:34.099 --> 00:25:34.399 God. 00:25:35.460 --> 00:25:35.819 And he 00:25:35.819 --> 00:25:36.379 elaborates on 00:25:36.379 --> 00:25:36.819 this quite a 00:25:36.819 --> 00:25:37.220 bit, and we'll 00:25:37.220 --> 00:25:37.779 skip ahead to 00:25:37.779 --> 00:25:38.299 Romans chapter 00:25:38.299 --> 00:25:38.900 8 and 00:25:38.900 --> 00:25:40.140 verse 18. 00:25:41.600 --> 00:25:42.279 He says, 00:25:42.360 --> 00:25:42.839 Therefore, I 00:25:42.839 --> 00:25:43.440 consider that 00:25:43.440 --> 00:25:44.180 the sufferings 00:25:44.180 --> 00:25:44.460 of this 00:25:44.460 --> 00:25:45.299 present time 00:25:45.299 --> 00:25:46.519 are not 00:25:46.519 --> 00:25:48.259 worth comparing 00:25:48.259 --> 00:25:49.620 with the 00:25:49.620 --> 00:25:50.559 glory that 00:25:50.559 --> 00:25:50.940 is to be 00:25:50.940 --> 00:25:52.420 revealed to 00:25:52.420 --> 00:25:52.900 us. 00:25:54.100 --> 00:25:54.799 Not even 00:25:54.799 --> 00:25:55.660 worth setting 00:25:55.660 --> 00:25:56.319 on the 00:25:56.319 --> 00:25:57.400 scale the 00:25:57.400 --> 00:25:58.440 glory so 00:25:58.440 --> 00:26:00.319 outweighs 00:26:00.319 --> 00:26:01.920 all of the 00:26:01.920 --> 00:26:02.759 momentary 00:26:02.759 --> 00:26:04.059 affliction we'll 00:26:04.059 --> 00:26:05.299 experience in 00:26:05.299 --> 00:26:05.859 this life. 00:26:06.859 --> 00:26:07.240 And Paul 00:26:07.240 --> 00:26:07.779 had a place 00:26:07.779 --> 00:26:08.299 to speak 00:26:08.299 --> 00:26:08.899 to this. 00:26:10.680 --> 00:26:11.240 Things in 00:26:11.240 --> 00:26:11.680 the Bible are 00:26:11.680 --> 00:26:11.960 true. 00:26:12.099 --> 00:26:12.639 Whether or not 00:26:12.639 --> 00:26:13.039 you think 00:26:13.039 --> 00:26:13.419 they're true, 00:26:13.519 --> 00:26:14.039 they're there, 00:26:14.180 --> 00:26:14.480 and so we 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:15.079 should believe 00:26:15.079 --> 00:26:15.440 them. 00:26:16.000 --> 00:26:16.379 But I know 00:26:16.379 --> 00:26:17.680 often we 00:26:17.680 --> 00:26:17.980 think, well, 00:26:17.980 --> 00:26:18.339 you couldn't 00:26:18.339 --> 00:26:19.379 possibly understand 00:26:19.379 --> 00:26:19.899 what I've 00:26:19.899 --> 00:26:20.480 experienced. 00:26:21.559 --> 00:26:22.539 I think Paul 00:26:22.539 --> 00:26:22.980 has suffered 00:26:22.980 --> 00:26:23.619 more than 00:26:23.619 --> 00:26:25.019 you or I. 00:26:25.819 --> 00:26:26.399 2 Corinthians 00:26:26.399 --> 00:26:27.139 chapter 11. 00:26:28.039 --> 00:26:28.359 He says, 00:26:28.359 --> 00:26:29.139 five times I 00:26:29.139 --> 00:26:29.539 received at 00:26:29.539 --> 00:26:29.919 the hands of 00:26:29.919 --> 00:26:30.219 the Jews 00:26:30.219 --> 00:26:30.939 forty lashes 00:26:30.939 --> 00:26:31.639 less one. 00:26:32.079 --> 00:26:32.779 Three times I 00:26:32.779 --> 00:26:33.159 was beaten 00:26:33.159 --> 00:26:33.699 with rods. 00:26:33.819 --> 00:26:34.519 Once I was 00:26:34.519 --> 00:26:34.959 stoned. 00:26:35.379 --> 00:26:36.000 Three times I 00:26:36.000 --> 00:26:36.679 was shipwrecked 00:26:36.679 --> 00:26:37.039 a night and 00:26:37.039 --> 00:26:37.359 a day. 00:26:37.459 --> 00:26:38.000 I was adrift 00:26:38.000 --> 00:26:39.139 at sea on 00:26:39.139 --> 00:26:40.039 frequent journeys 00:26:40.039 --> 00:26:40.839 in danger from 00:26:40.839 --> 00:26:41.500 rivers, danger 00:26:41.500 --> 00:26:42.119 from robbers, 00:26:42.259 --> 00:26:42.759 danger from 00:26:42.759 --> 00:26:43.599 my own people, 00:26:44.039 --> 00:26:44.559 danger from 00:26:44.559 --> 00:26:45.539 Gentiles, danger 00:26:45.539 --> 00:26:46.119 in the city, 00:26:46.279 --> 00:26:46.919 danger in the 00:26:46.919 --> 00:26:48.039 wilderness, danger 00:26:48.039 --> 00:26:49.279 at sea, danger 00:26:49.279 --> 00:26:49.879 from false 00:26:49.879 --> 00:26:50.559 brothers, in 00:26:50.559 --> 00:26:51.279 toil and 00:26:51.279 --> 00:26:52.279 hardship, through 00:26:52.279 --> 00:26:53.119 many a sleepless 00:26:53.119 --> 00:26:54.039 night, in hunger 00:26:54.039 --> 00:26:55.059 and thirst, often 00:26:55.059 --> 00:26:56.359 without food, in 00:26:56.359 --> 00:26:57.299 cold and 00:26:57.299 --> 00:26:58.019 exposure. 00:26:59.219 --> 00:26:59.719 And apart from 00:26:59.719 --> 00:27:00.359 these things, 00:27:00.719 --> 00:27:01.719 there's the daily 00:27:01.719 --> 00:27:02.500 pressure on me 00:27:02.500 --> 00:27:03.679 of my anxiety 00:27:03.679 --> 00:27:05.159 for all the 00:27:05.159 --> 00:27:05.519 churches. 00:27:06.779 --> 00:27:07.579 That's where Paul 00:27:07.579 --> 00:27:08.479 speaks from when 00:27:08.479 --> 00:27:09.039 he says, I 00:27:09.039 --> 00:27:09.659 consider the 00:27:09.659 --> 00:27:10.579 sufferings of 00:27:10.579 --> 00:27:11.059 this present 00:27:11.059 --> 00:27:12.179 time not even 00:27:12.179 --> 00:27:14.459 worth with the 00:27:14.459 --> 00:27:15.859 glory that's 00:27:15.859 --> 00:27:16.240 going to be 00:27:16.240 --> 00:27:17.959 revealed to us. 00:27:19.059 --> 00:27:19.859 And he goes 00:27:19.859 --> 00:27:20.639 on, right, he 00:27:20.639 --> 00:27:21.399 speaks about our 00:27:21.399 --> 00:27:22.079 groaning and 00:27:22.079 --> 00:27:23.219 longing for the 00:27:23.219 --> 00:27:24.859 glory of God to 00:27:24.859 --> 00:27:25.699 be revealed to 00:27:25.699 --> 00:27:26.139 us. 00:27:26.759 --> 00:27:27.759 In verse 21 of 00:27:27.759 --> 00:27:28.339 chapter 11, 00:27:28.359 --> 00:27:29.279 8, he says 00:27:29.279 --> 00:27:29.539 that the 00:27:29.539 --> 00:27:31.339 creation itself 00:27:31.339 --> 00:27:32.639 will be set 00:27:32.639 --> 00:27:33.539 free from its 00:27:33.539 --> 00:27:34.179 bondage to 00:27:34.179 --> 00:27:34.939 corruption and 00:27:34.939 --> 00:27:36.219 obtain the 00:27:36.219 --> 00:27:37.679 freedom of the 00:27:37.679 --> 00:27:38.919 glory of the 00:27:38.919 --> 00:27:40.559 children of 00:27:40.559 --> 00:27:40.919 God. 00:27:41.759 --> 00:27:42.439 That's an 00:27:42.439 --> 00:27:43.500 amazing phrase 00:27:43.500 --> 00:27:44.399 at the end of 00:27:44.399 --> 00:27:45.779 verse 21. 00:27:46.779 --> 00:27:47.979 One day we 00:27:47.979 --> 00:27:48.839 will be set 00:27:48.839 --> 00:27:49.859 free from 00:27:49.859 --> 00:27:51.719 this flesh. 00:27:52.459 --> 00:27:53.519 We no 00:27:53.519 --> 00:27:54.519 longer have to 00:27:54.519 --> 00:27:55.059 sin, but we 00:27:55.059 --> 00:27:55.839 carry around this 00:27:55.839 --> 00:27:57.219 baggage, sinful 00:27:57.220 --> 00:27:57.980 flesh. 00:27:58.039 --> 00:27:58.740 And one day it 00:27:58.740 --> 00:27:59.920 will be gone. 00:28:00.140 --> 00:28:00.559 And we will 00:28:00.559 --> 00:28:02.660 only be able to 00:28:02.660 --> 00:28:03.480 honor God with 00:28:03.480 --> 00:28:05.160 everything that we 00:28:05.160 --> 00:28:05.440 do. 00:28:06.579 --> 00:28:07.220 I hope you 00:28:07.220 --> 00:28:08.100 long for that 00:28:08.100 --> 00:28:09.539 day the way I 00:28:09.539 --> 00:28:10.640 long for that 00:28:10.640 --> 00:28:11.660 day. 00:28:11.860 --> 00:28:12.559 And Paul here 00:28:12.559 --> 00:28:14.039 says, calls this 00:28:14.039 --> 00:28:15.940 the glory of the 00:28:15.940 --> 00:28:17.420 children of God. 00:28:17.500 --> 00:28:18.200 We will become 00:28:18.200 --> 00:28:20.259 more perfect 00:28:20.259 --> 00:28:22.000 image bearers of 00:28:22.000 --> 00:28:22.420 our God. 00:28:22.420 --> 00:28:22.460 God. 00:28:22.580 --> 00:28:23.019 We will be 00:28:23.019 --> 00:28:24.279 clear reflections 00:28:24.279 --> 00:28:26.560 of who he 00:28:26.560 --> 00:28:28.480 is, having 00:28:28.480 --> 00:28:29.820 redeemed us 00:28:29.820 --> 00:28:31.160 from our sin. 00:28:32.100 --> 00:28:32.620 Completely, 00:28:33.259 --> 00:28:33.800 totally, 00:28:34.279 --> 00:28:34.840 delivered 00:28:34.840 --> 00:28:36.360 forever. 00:28:37.720 --> 00:28:38.340 The creation 00:28:38.340 --> 00:28:39.340 itself is 00:28:39.340 --> 00:28:40.600 longing for 00:28:40.600 --> 00:28:41.960 this day 00:28:41.960 --> 00:28:43.259 to come. 00:28:44.600 --> 00:28:45.220 And this 00:28:45.220 --> 00:28:46.140 status is not a 00:28:46.140 --> 00:28:46.539 thing that we 00:28:46.539 --> 00:28:47.259 achieve on our 00:28:47.259 --> 00:28:47.519 own. 00:28:47.600 --> 00:28:48.019 It is a thing 00:28:48.019 --> 00:28:48.380 that God 00:28:48.380 --> 00:28:49.300 begins and it 00:28:49.300 --> 00:28:49.920 is a thing that 00:28:49.920 --> 00:28:51.060 he accomplishes. 00:28:51.059 --> 00:28:51.819 Paul tells us 00:28:51.819 --> 00:28:52.519 further in Romans 00:28:52.519 --> 00:28:53.019 chapter 8 00:28:53.019 --> 00:28:53.639 verse 30. 00:28:54.079 --> 00:28:54.559 Those whom he 00:28:54.559 --> 00:28:55.200 predestined he 00:28:55.200 --> 00:28:55.879 also called. 00:28:56.259 --> 00:28:56.740 And those whom 00:28:56.740 --> 00:28:57.559 he called he 00:28:57.559 --> 00:28:58.519 also justified. 00:28:58.720 --> 00:28:59.559 And those whom 00:28:59.559 --> 00:29:01.099 he justified he 00:29:01.099 --> 00:29:03.700 also glorified. 00:29:04.740 --> 00:29:05.279 Guaranteed, 00:29:05.500 --> 00:29:06.500 future tense, 00:29:06.960 --> 00:29:08.240 thing that 00:29:08.240 --> 00:29:10.359 will happen. 00:29:11.700 --> 00:29:12.679 Chapter 8 is 00:29:12.679 --> 00:29:14.019 the very center 00:29:14.019 --> 00:29:15.720 of this letter. 00:29:15.779 --> 00:29:16.119 It is a 00:29:16.119 --> 00:29:16.799 wonderful, 00:29:17.019 --> 00:29:18.099 wonderful chapter. 00:29:18.599 --> 00:29:19.240 Mull it over. 00:29:19.659 --> 00:29:20.399 Read it through. 00:29:21.100 --> 00:29:21.920 Memorize it. 00:29:22.000 --> 00:29:22.540 I promise. 00:29:23.300 --> 00:29:24.019 It will serve 00:29:24.019 --> 00:29:25.259 your soul. 00:29:26.140 --> 00:29:26.920 Long for the 00:29:26.920 --> 00:29:27.660 glory that will 00:29:27.660 --> 00:29:28.480 be revealed to 00:29:28.480 --> 00:29:28.800 us. 00:29:28.880 --> 00:29:29.900 To behold God 00:29:29.900 --> 00:29:31.420 fully and to 00:29:31.420 --> 00:29:32.800 reflect perfectly 00:29:32.800 --> 00:29:34.600 that glory is 00:29:34.600 --> 00:29:35.440 going to be the 00:29:35.440 --> 00:29:37.180 great joy of 00:29:37.180 --> 00:29:37.580 eternity. 00:29:39.580 --> 00:29:40.300 And Paul begins 00:29:40.300 --> 00:29:41.440 to wrestle after 00:29:41.440 --> 00:29:43.880 that with the 00:29:43.880 --> 00:29:45.040 state of lostness. 00:29:45.440 --> 00:29:46.300 He's particularly 00:29:46.300 --> 00:29:47.780 concerned about 00:29:47.780 --> 00:29:49.000 Israelites, 00:29:49.000 --> 00:29:50.200 his brethren in 00:29:50.200 --> 00:29:50.700 the flesh. 00:29:50.700 --> 00:29:51.480 He launches into 00:29:51.480 --> 00:29:52.279 that in Romans 00:29:52.279 --> 00:29:53.599 chapter 9 and 00:29:53.599 --> 00:29:54.380 completes those 00:29:54.380 --> 00:29:55.339 thoughts through 00:29:55.339 --> 00:29:57.559 chapter 11. 00:29:58.500 --> 00:29:59.519 In verse 22 00:29:59.519 --> 00:30:00.619 and 23, 00:30:00.980 --> 00:30:01.980 he says this of 00:30:01.980 --> 00:30:02.660 chapter 9. 00:30:02.660 --> 00:30:03.660 verse 23, 00:30:03.660 --> 00:30:04.660 verse 23, 00:30:04.660 --> 00:30:05.420 what if God, 00:30:06.580 --> 00:30:07.259 desiring to 00:30:07.259 --> 00:30:08.180 show his wrath 00:30:08.180 --> 00:30:08.779 and to make 00:30:08.779 --> 00:30:09.620 known his 00:30:09.620 --> 00:30:10.200 power, 00:30:11.080 --> 00:30:11.740 has endured 00:30:11.740 --> 00:30:12.420 with much 00:30:12.420 --> 00:30:13.100 patience 00:30:13.100 --> 00:30:13.960 vessels of 00:30:13.960 --> 00:30:14.980 wrath prepared 00:30:14.980 --> 00:30:16.480 for destruction 00:30:16.480 --> 00:30:18.720 in order to 00:30:18.720 --> 00:30:19.519 make known 00:30:19.519 --> 00:30:20.300 the riches 00:30:20.300 --> 00:30:21.580 of his glory 00:30:21.580 --> 00:30:22.460 for vessels 00:30:22.460 --> 00:30:23.480 of mercy 00:30:23.480 --> 00:30:24.740 which he 00:30:24.740 --> 00:30:25.460 has prepared 00:30:25.460 --> 00:30:26.440 beforehand 00:30:26.440 --> 00:30:28.320 for glory. 00:30:28.319 --> 00:30:31.879 So the sad 00:30:31.879 --> 00:30:32.740 state of the 00:30:32.740 --> 00:30:33.359 lostness of 00:30:33.359 --> 00:30:33.899 this world, 00:30:34.019 --> 00:30:35.200 we rightly 00:30:35.200 --> 00:30:35.899 understand, 00:30:36.240 --> 00:30:37.220 is also 00:30:37.220 --> 00:30:38.159 for the 00:30:38.159 --> 00:30:39.439 glory of 00:30:39.439 --> 00:30:39.799 God. 00:30:40.279 --> 00:30:41.000 God to 00:30:41.000 --> 00:30:41.659 show himself 00:30:41.659 --> 00:30:43.079 as just 00:30:43.079 --> 00:30:44.419 but also 00:30:44.419 --> 00:30:45.019 to show 00:30:45.019 --> 00:30:46.339 himself as 00:30:46.339 --> 00:30:47.879 merciful. 00:30:50.399 --> 00:30:51.339 Then at the 00:30:51.339 --> 00:30:51.879 end of Romans 00:30:51.879 --> 00:30:52.259 11, 00:30:52.480 --> 00:30:53.399 Paul works 00:30:53.399 --> 00:30:54.240 through all 00:30:54.240 --> 00:30:54.500 of those 00:30:54.500 --> 00:30:55.379 implications for 00:30:55.379 --> 00:30:56.119 the Gentiles 00:30:56.119 --> 00:30:57.659 and the Jews 00:30:57.660 --> 00:30:58.480 and we gave 00:30:58.480 --> 00:30:59.259 much time 00:30:59.259 --> 00:30:59.820 to all of 00:30:59.820 --> 00:31:00.080 that. 00:31:00.220 --> 00:31:01.160 He launches 00:31:01.160 --> 00:31:01.759 there into 00:31:01.759 --> 00:31:03.120 a doxology 00:31:03.120 --> 00:31:03.440 and in 00:31:03.440 --> 00:31:04.180 verse 36 00:31:04.180 --> 00:31:04.960 he says, 00:31:05.340 --> 00:31:06.380 for from 00:31:06.380 --> 00:31:06.800 him, 00:31:06.940 --> 00:31:07.300 God the 00:31:07.300 --> 00:31:07.840 source of 00:31:07.840 --> 00:31:08.560 all things 00:31:08.560 --> 00:31:09.820 and through 00:31:09.820 --> 00:31:10.480 him the 00:31:10.480 --> 00:31:11.040 sustaining 00:31:11.040 --> 00:31:11.800 power of 00:31:11.800 --> 00:31:12.700 all things 00:31:12.700 --> 00:31:13.800 and to 00:31:13.800 --> 00:31:14.640 him the 00:31:14.640 --> 00:31:15.380 goal of 00:31:15.380 --> 00:31:17.080 all things. 00:31:17.220 --> 00:31:17.740 To him 00:31:17.740 --> 00:31:19.259 be glory 00:31:19.259 --> 00:31:20.560 forever. 00:31:21.200 --> 00:31:21.700 Amen. 00:31:22.440 --> 00:31:22.759 Or to 00:31:22.759 --> 00:31:23.980 him glory 00:31:23.980 --> 00:31:25.440 forever. 00:31:26.160 --> 00:31:26.620 Amen. 00:31:26.779 --> 00:31:27.220 Sounds much 00:31:27.220 --> 00:31:27.819 like the 00:31:27.819 --> 00:31:28.839 end of 00:31:28.839 --> 00:31:29.339 our text 00:31:29.339 --> 00:31:30.400 today. 00:31:32.339 --> 00:31:32.839 Then he 00:31:32.839 --> 00:31:33.299 goes on in 00:31:33.299 --> 00:31:33.880 chapter 12 00:31:33.880 --> 00:31:34.519 to talk about 00:31:34.519 --> 00:31:34.839 the Christian 00:31:34.839 --> 00:31:35.259 life and 00:31:35.259 --> 00:31:35.559 the way that 00:31:35.559 --> 00:31:35.920 life is 00:31:35.920 --> 00:31:36.299 supposed to 00:31:36.299 --> 00:31:36.960 bear out in 00:31:36.960 --> 00:31:37.380 light of 00:31:37.380 --> 00:31:38.019 all of 00:31:38.019 --> 00:31:39.360 this truth. 00:31:39.440 --> 00:31:39.600 And there's 00:31:39.600 --> 00:31:40.120 a particular 00:31:40.120 --> 00:31:41.000 emphasis 00:31:41.000 --> 00:31:42.360 which kind 00:31:42.360 --> 00:31:42.779 of comes to 00:31:42.779 --> 00:31:43.299 a head in 00:31:43.299 --> 00:31:44.440 chapter 14 00:31:44.440 --> 00:31:45.059 and then into 00:31:45.059 --> 00:31:46.299 chapter 15 00:31:46.299 --> 00:31:47.220 about Christian 00:31:47.220 --> 00:31:47.980 unity. 00:31:48.420 --> 00:31:49.120 Bearing with 00:31:49.120 --> 00:31:49.559 one another 00:31:49.559 --> 00:31:51.440 in love. 00:31:51.819 --> 00:31:52.680 Expressing love 00:31:52.680 --> 00:31:53.220 to one another. 00:31:53.420 --> 00:31:54.160 Building the 00:31:54.160 --> 00:31:54.740 church. 00:31:55.259 --> 00:31:55.539 Why? 00:31:55.539 --> 00:31:56.740 For the 00:31:56.740 --> 00:31:57.799 glory of 00:31:57.799 --> 00:31:58.159 God. 00:31:59.159 --> 00:31:59.960 Paul writes 00:31:59.960 --> 00:32:00.259 in Romans 00:32:00.259 --> 00:32:00.680 15 00:32:00.680 --> 00:32:00.980 and verse 00:32:00.980 --> 00:32:01.240 7, 00:32:01.359 --> 00:32:01.619 Therefore, 00:32:02.339 --> 00:32:03.319 welcome one 00:32:03.319 --> 00:32:04.579 another as 00:32:04.579 --> 00:32:05.500 Christ has 00:32:05.500 --> 00:32:06.799 welcomed you 00:32:06.799 --> 00:32:08.899 for the 00:32:08.899 --> 00:32:10.799 glory of 00:32:10.799 --> 00:32:11.099 God. 00:32:11.619 --> 00:32:12.559 God would 00:32:12.559 --> 00:32:13.480 be made 00:32:13.480 --> 00:32:16.480 known as 00:32:16.480 --> 00:32:16.879 glorious. 00:32:16.880 --> 00:32:26.220 glory of 00:32:26.220 --> 00:32:27.220 glory of 00:32:27.220 --> 00:32:30.820 Jesus Christ. 00:32:31.200 --> 00:32:31.680 Through this 00:32:31.680 --> 00:32:32.460 great work 00:32:32.460 --> 00:32:32.840 that he's 00:32:32.840 --> 00:32:33.140 doing, 00:32:33.320 --> 00:32:34.160 showing himself 00:32:34.160 --> 00:32:34.460 to be 00:32:34.460 --> 00:32:35.780 merciful in 00:32:35.780 --> 00:32:36.440 the person 00:32:36.440 --> 00:32:37.500 and work 00:32:37.500 --> 00:32:38.500 of Jesus 00:32:38.500 --> 00:32:39.020 Christ. 00:32:40.040 --> 00:32:40.940 How is it 00:32:40.940 --> 00:32:41.260 that God's 00:32:41.260 --> 00:32:41.740 holiness is 00:32:41.740 --> 00:32:42.320 most readily 00:32:42.320 --> 00:32:42.860 displayed? 00:32:42.859 --> 00:32:44.979 in that, 00:32:45.179 --> 00:32:45.599 his most 00:32:45.599 --> 00:32:46.439 lovingly 00:32:46.439 --> 00:32:47.559 expressed act, 00:32:47.659 --> 00:32:48.159 the person 00:32:48.159 --> 00:32:48.839 and work 00:32:48.839 --> 00:32:49.879 of Jesus 00:32:49.879 --> 00:32:51.299 Christ. 00:32:52.339 --> 00:32:52.879 Theology, 00:32:53.000 --> 00:32:53.279 beloved, 00:32:53.919 --> 00:32:55.000 rightly done, 00:32:55.939 --> 00:32:57.559 always leads 00:32:57.559 --> 00:32:59.000 to doxology. 00:32:59.639 --> 00:33:00.399 We are not 00:33:00.399 --> 00:33:01.319 doing theology 00:33:01.319 --> 00:33:02.240 well if it's 00:33:02.240 --> 00:33:03.099 just facts 00:33:03.099 --> 00:33:04.099 and figures, 00:33:04.559 --> 00:33:05.539 things to 00:33:05.539 --> 00:33:06.099 debate with 00:33:06.099 --> 00:33:06.639 one another. 00:33:06.919 --> 00:33:07.799 It should 00:33:07.799 --> 00:33:09.079 bring us 00:33:09.079 --> 00:33:10.479 to praise 00:33:10.480 --> 00:33:11.720 every single 00:33:11.720 --> 00:33:12.160 time. 00:33:12.860 --> 00:33:13.420 It should 00:33:13.420 --> 00:33:13.860 bring us 00:33:13.860 --> 00:33:14.779 to humiliate 00:33:14.779 --> 00:33:15.259 ourselves 00:33:15.259 --> 00:33:15.700 and a 00:33:15.700 --> 00:33:16.980 magnification 00:33:16.980 --> 00:33:17.980 of our 00:33:17.980 --> 00:33:18.240 God. 00:33:18.319 --> 00:33:18.660 All that 00:33:18.660 --> 00:33:19.120 he's done, 00:33:19.279 --> 00:33:19.740 all that 00:33:19.740 --> 00:33:20.279 he's promised 00:33:20.279 --> 00:33:20.779 to do, 00:33:21.099 --> 00:33:21.900 his very 00:33:21.900 --> 00:33:23.240 person, 00:33:23.440 --> 00:33:23.620 right, 00:33:23.740 --> 00:33:24.660 to God 00:33:24.660 --> 00:33:26.180 glory. 00:33:27.860 --> 00:33:28.259 It should 00:33:28.259 --> 00:33:28.559 be our 00:33:28.559 --> 00:33:29.000 earnest 00:33:29.000 --> 00:33:29.559 desire to 00:33:29.559 --> 00:33:30.400 praise God 00:33:30.400 --> 00:33:30.720 and to 00:33:30.720 --> 00:33:31.660 see him 00:33:31.660 --> 00:33:32.900 praised 00:33:32.900 --> 00:33:33.680 amongst 00:33:33.680 --> 00:33:34.480 all 00:33:34.480 --> 00:33:35.839 peoples. 00:33:36.680 --> 00:33:36.980 And Paul 00:33:36.980 --> 00:33:37.480 says, 00:33:38.299 --> 00:33:38.660 Amen. 00:33:38.660 --> 00:33:40.720 May it 00:33:40.720 --> 00:33:41.940 be. 00:33:42.840 --> 00:33:43.480 Let's pray 00:33:43.480 --> 00:33:43.779 together.