All the nations
Series: God's Great News
Speaker: Chris Jones
Date: 29th July 2012
Passage: Romans 1:1-15
00:00:00 --> 00:00:03 As a youth, I lived a hedonistic lifestyle.
00:00:06 --> 00:00:08 My friends and I would get together
00:00:08 --> 00:00:10 and we would boast of our sexual exploits with women.
00:00:12 --> 00:00:14 I was into philosophy
00:00:14 --> 00:00:19 and was actively involved in a sect for nine years.
00:00:22 --> 00:00:24 I began an affair with a young woman
00:00:24 --> 00:00:27 and she was my lover for 13 years
00:00:27 --> 00:00:30 and she gave birth to our son.
00:00:33 --> 00:00:36 I came to Christ, I ditched my lover
00:00:36 --> 00:00:39 and I am famous for my prayer,
00:00:40 --> 00:00:42 grant me chastity and continence but not yet.
00:00:44 --> 00:00:45 Who am I?
00:00:53 --> 00:00:55 There was a certain ambiguity, that's right.
00:00:55 --> 00:01:00 But let me tell you that sects and philosophy did not do it for me
00:01:00 --> 00:01:04 and one day I threw myself down under a fig tree
00:01:04 --> 00:01:07 and I cried my eyes out and I repeatedly said to the Lord,
00:01:08 --> 00:01:12 how long, O Lord, how long, Lord, will you be angry to the uttermost?
00:01:14 --> 00:01:16 Do not be mindful of my old sins
00:01:16 --> 00:01:19 for I felt my past have a grip on me
00:01:19 --> 00:01:23 and it uttered wretched cries,
00:01:24 --> 00:01:26 how long, how long is it to be?
00:01:26 --> 00:01:28 Tomorrow, tomorrow, why not now?
00:01:28 --> 00:01:32 Why not put an end to my impure life in this very hour?
00:01:34 --> 00:01:35 Who am I?
00:01:35 --> 00:01:41 And as I was saying this
00:01:41 --> 00:01:43 and weeping in the bitter agony of my heart,
00:01:44 --> 00:01:47 suddenly I heard a voice from a nearby house
00:01:47 --> 00:01:50 chanting as if it might be a boy or a girl
00:01:50 --> 00:01:52 saying and repeating over and over again,
00:01:53 --> 00:01:56 pick up and read, pick up and read.
00:01:56 --> 00:02:00 And I hurried to the place where I'd put down the book
00:02:00 --> 00:02:03 and I seized it and I opened it
00:02:03 --> 00:02:07 and in silence I read the first passage on which my eyes lit
00:02:07 --> 00:02:09 and it said,
00:02:10 --> 00:02:12 not in riots and drunken parties,
00:02:13 --> 00:02:16 not in eroticism and indecencies,
00:02:17 --> 00:02:20 not in strife and rivalry,
00:02:20 --> 00:02:23 but put on the Lord Jesus Christ
00:02:23 --> 00:02:27 and make no provision for the flesh in its lusts.
00:02:27 --> 00:02:28 Romans 13.
00:02:32 --> 00:02:35 And I neither wished nor heeded to read further at once
00:02:35 --> 00:02:39 with the last words of this sentence,
00:02:39 --> 00:02:42 it was as if a light of relief
00:02:42 --> 00:02:46 from all anxiety flooded into my heart
00:02:46 --> 00:02:50 and all the shadows of doubt were dispelled.
00:02:51 --> 00:02:52 Who am I?
00:02:54 --> 00:02:55 And if you are here this morning,
00:02:55 --> 00:02:57 you can help us with the answer.
00:02:59 --> 00:02:59 Augustine.
00:02:59 --> 00:03:01 Look at that, they're trying to be very quiet down the front.
00:03:01 --> 00:03:02 You did a great job.
00:03:03 --> 00:03:04 Augustine.
00:03:05 --> 00:03:08 Bishop of Hippo in North Africa
00:03:08 --> 00:03:12 which is in the country of Algeria these days
00:03:12 --> 00:03:15 and it was written,
00:03:15 --> 00:03:18 God spoke a life-changing message,
00:03:19 --> 00:03:22 a life-changing word to Augustine
00:03:22 --> 00:03:24 in 387 AD
00:03:24 --> 00:03:28 out of Paul's letter to the Romans.
00:03:29 --> 00:03:31 And so as we come to Romans,
00:03:32 --> 00:03:33 we are coming to a book
00:03:33 --> 00:03:36 where God has given us a message
00:03:36 --> 00:03:39 with the power to transform people.
00:03:41 --> 00:03:43 Now we're going to spend a few weeks sampling Romans,
00:03:43 --> 00:03:44 we're not trying to cover the lot,
00:03:44 --> 00:03:46 we're just dipping our toe in,
00:03:46 --> 00:03:48 we're spending a fair bit of time in chapter one
00:03:48 --> 00:03:51 and then we're going to bounce to three other chapters on the way.
00:03:52 --> 00:03:55 In places it is a really difficult book,
00:03:55 --> 00:03:57 it's a wonderful book,
00:03:58 --> 00:03:59 it's the most complete explanation
00:04:00 --> 00:04:01 of the Christian faith in the Bible,
00:04:01 --> 00:04:07 it deals with sin and justification and righteousness
00:04:07 --> 00:04:09 and God's sovereign purposes for his,
00:04:10 --> 00:04:11 God's sovereign choices,
00:04:11 --> 00:04:12 his justice,
00:04:13 --> 00:04:16 God's eternal purposes for his people,
00:04:16 --> 00:04:17 the place of the Jews and the nations
00:04:17 --> 00:04:19 and how they should relate,
00:04:19 --> 00:04:21 how they might live with one another in Christ.
00:04:21 --> 00:04:25 If you go back across church history,
00:04:25 --> 00:04:28 you actually see that there's a whole series
00:04:28 --> 00:04:30 of really famous Christians
00:04:30 --> 00:04:32 that have been converted
00:04:32 --> 00:04:34 by encountering the words of this book.
00:04:35 --> 00:04:36 So people like Augustine
00:04:36 --> 00:04:38 and Martin Luther in the Reformation
00:04:38 --> 00:04:40 and George Whitefield
00:04:40 --> 00:04:43 in some of the revivals
00:04:43 --> 00:04:44 that happened in England
00:04:44 --> 00:04:45 and the United States
00:04:45 --> 00:04:47 and John Wesley who wrote hymns
00:04:47 --> 00:04:49 and was a great preacher,
00:04:49 --> 00:04:51 they all credit the letter to the Romans
00:04:51 --> 00:04:52 with their conversion
00:04:52 --> 00:04:54 and their establishment in Christ.
00:04:55 --> 00:04:56 I can tell you
00:04:56 --> 00:04:58 that when I came to Christ in 1977,
00:04:59 --> 00:05:00 I joined a Bible study group
00:05:00 --> 00:05:01 which I'd never been part of before,
00:05:01 --> 00:05:02 never knew what they were
00:05:02 --> 00:05:04 and our leader took us
00:05:04 --> 00:05:06 through Luke's Gospel that first year
00:05:06 --> 00:05:08 and I think in a way
00:05:08 --> 00:05:09 grounded me in the faith
00:05:09 --> 00:05:11 but the place where he went the second year,
00:05:11 --> 00:05:13 he took us verse by verse,
00:05:13 --> 00:05:14 passage by passage
00:05:14 --> 00:05:15 through the book of Romans
00:05:15 --> 00:05:17 and it was just a life-changing
00:05:17 --> 00:05:20 eye-opening place to come to
00:05:20 --> 00:05:22 in terms of being established in Christ
00:05:22 --> 00:05:24 and established in the Scriptures.
00:05:25 --> 00:05:26 I'd really like you to have it open,
00:05:27 --> 00:05:28 so if you've got Bibles with you tonight,
00:05:28 --> 00:05:30 have it open at Romans chapter 1.
00:05:36 --> 00:05:38 And it begins,
00:05:39 --> 00:05:42 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus,
00:05:42 --> 00:05:44 called to be an apostle,
00:05:44 --> 00:05:46 set apart for the gospel of God
00:05:46 --> 00:05:48 and then in verse 7,
00:05:48 --> 00:05:49 to all those in Rome
00:05:49 --> 00:05:50 who are loved by God
00:05:50 --> 00:05:51 and called to be saints,
00:05:52 --> 00:05:53 grace to you
00:05:53 --> 00:05:54 and peace from God our Father
00:05:54 --> 00:05:56 and the Lord Jesus Christ.
00:05:57 --> 00:05:59 So you see that Paul is a letter
00:05:59 --> 00:06:02 and its author is the apostle Paul.
00:06:03 --> 00:06:05 If you jump to the very end of Romans
00:06:05 --> 00:06:06 to chapter 16 verse 22
00:06:06 --> 00:06:07 and don't go there,
00:06:08 --> 00:06:08 it says,
00:06:08 --> 00:06:09 I, Tertius,
00:06:10 --> 00:06:11 who wrote this letter,
00:06:12 --> 00:06:13 greet you in the Lord.
00:06:14 --> 00:06:16 And so the words of the letter
00:06:16 --> 00:06:17 are the apostle Paul's,
00:06:18 --> 00:06:19 but they are written down
00:06:19 --> 00:06:21 by a scribe by the name of Tertius.
00:06:22 --> 00:06:24 It's a letter which is written
00:06:24 --> 00:06:25 to believers in Rome
00:06:25 --> 00:06:27 and he describes them
00:06:27 --> 00:06:29 as everybody who is loved by God
00:06:29 --> 00:06:31 and who is called to be holy.
00:06:34 --> 00:06:35 It's a grand letter.
00:06:35 --> 00:06:38 It's about God's really big picture purposes
00:06:38 --> 00:06:39 in Christ.
00:06:41 --> 00:06:42 And it begins again.
00:06:42 --> 00:06:45 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus,
00:06:46 --> 00:06:47 called to be an apostle,
00:06:48 --> 00:06:50 set apart for the gospel of God,
00:06:50 --> 00:06:51 which he promised beforehand
00:06:52 --> 00:06:53 through his prophets
00:06:53 --> 00:06:54 in the Holy Scriptures,
00:06:56 --> 00:06:57 concerning his son,
00:06:58 --> 00:06:59 who was descended from David
00:06:59 --> 00:07:00 according to the flesh
00:07:00 --> 00:07:02 and was declared to be
00:07:02 --> 00:07:04 the son of God in power
00:07:04 --> 00:07:06 according to the spirit of holiness
00:07:06 --> 00:07:09 by his resurrection from the dead.
00:07:09 --> 00:07:11 Jesus Christ, our Lord.
00:07:12 --> 00:07:15 So God's message is a person,
00:07:16 --> 00:07:17 Jesus Christ.
00:07:18 --> 00:07:20 And Paul is not politically correct.
00:07:20 --> 00:07:22 He just comes straight out
00:07:22 --> 00:07:23 and unashamedly says,
00:07:24 --> 00:07:26 I am a slave of Jesus Christ.
00:07:27 --> 00:07:29 I think every one of your English translations
00:07:29 --> 00:07:31 says a servant of Jesus Christ,
00:07:31 --> 00:07:32 but it actually says,
00:07:32 --> 00:07:34 I'm a slave of Jesus Christ.
00:07:34 --> 00:07:37 I'm not ashamed to be a slave of Jesus Christ.
00:07:38 --> 00:07:39 I have been called into his servants.
00:07:40 --> 00:07:41 I have been given a mission.
00:07:42 --> 00:07:43 My life has become one
00:07:43 --> 00:07:45 of total obligation to Christ.
00:07:45 --> 00:07:48 I was transformed in a moment
00:07:48 --> 00:07:49 on the Damascus road
00:07:49 --> 00:07:51 when the Lord Jesus confronted me
00:07:51 --> 00:07:53 about my hatred of the Lord
00:07:53 --> 00:07:55 and my hatred of his people.
00:07:55 --> 00:07:57 And I have come to know
00:07:57 --> 00:08:00 and to treasure the Lord Jesus Christ.
00:08:01 --> 00:08:05 And he tells the story about his coming,
00:08:06 --> 00:08:06 not here,
00:08:06 --> 00:08:07 but in numbers of places
00:08:07 --> 00:08:08 in the New Testament.
00:08:08 --> 00:08:10 And in Acts 26,
00:08:10 --> 00:08:12 he says it in a very short way.
00:08:12 --> 00:08:13 He says,
00:08:13 --> 00:08:14 he tells the story again,
00:08:14 --> 00:08:15 he says,
00:08:15 --> 00:08:17 I said when I heard the voice,
00:08:17 --> 00:08:18 who are you, Lord?
00:08:19 --> 00:08:20 And the Lord said,
00:08:21 --> 00:08:23 I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.
00:08:23 --> 00:08:26 But rise and stand upon your feet
00:08:26 --> 00:08:28 for I have appeared to you
00:08:28 --> 00:08:29 for this very purpose,
00:08:30 --> 00:08:32 to appoint you as a servant
00:08:32 --> 00:08:33 and witness to the things
00:08:33 --> 00:08:36 in which you have seen me
00:08:36 --> 00:08:37 and to those things
00:08:37 --> 00:08:39 in which I will appear to you,
00:08:40 --> 00:08:42 delivering you from your people
00:08:42 --> 00:08:43 and from the Gentiles
00:08:43 --> 00:08:45 to whom I am sending you,
00:08:45 --> 00:08:46 the nations to whom I am sending you.
00:08:46 --> 00:08:52 He has been brought
00:08:52 --> 00:08:53 from darkness to light.
00:08:54 --> 00:08:56 The Lord Jesus has saved him
00:08:56 --> 00:08:57 for a purpose.
00:08:58 --> 00:08:59 He has commissioned him
00:08:59 --> 00:09:00 for a task.
00:09:01 --> 00:09:02 He's an apostle.
00:09:02 --> 00:09:03 It means a sent one.
00:09:03 --> 00:09:04 He's been sent by Jesus
00:09:04 --> 00:09:05 and God has sent him
00:09:05 --> 00:09:06 to the nations
00:09:06 --> 00:09:09 with his momentous announcement
00:09:09 --> 00:09:11 about the Lord Jesus Christ,
00:09:11 --> 00:09:12 God's great news.
00:09:12 --> 00:09:16 And in verse 2,
00:09:16 --> 00:09:18 it says about this message,
00:09:18 --> 00:09:18 it says,
00:09:18 --> 00:09:19 this is a message
00:09:19 --> 00:09:21 which God promised beforehand
00:09:21 --> 00:09:23 through his prophets
00:09:23 --> 00:09:24 in the Holy Scriptures
00:09:24 --> 00:09:27 concerning his son
00:09:27 --> 00:09:30 who was descended from David
00:09:30 --> 00:09:31 according to the flesh
00:09:31 --> 00:09:34 and was declared to be
00:09:34 --> 00:09:35 the son of God in power
00:09:35 --> 00:09:37 according to the spirit of holiness
00:09:37 --> 00:09:39 by his resurrection from the dead,
00:09:40 --> 00:09:41 Jesus Christ our Lord.
00:09:42 --> 00:09:44 Now it's a mouthful
00:09:44 --> 00:09:45 and it's earful
00:09:45 --> 00:09:46 and this is harder work
00:09:46 --> 00:09:47 than some of the passages
00:09:47 --> 00:09:49 we come to sometimes.
00:09:50 --> 00:09:53 But it's a much anticipated message.
00:09:54 --> 00:09:55 He's saying to us,
00:09:55 --> 00:09:56 this is a message
00:09:56 --> 00:09:57 about God's king
00:09:57 --> 00:09:58 which was promised
00:09:58 --> 00:09:59 in the Old Testament.
00:10:00 --> 00:10:02 The prophets were looking forward
00:10:02 --> 00:10:03 to the day
00:10:03 --> 00:10:04 when God's king
00:10:04 --> 00:10:04 would be revealed.
00:10:06 --> 00:10:08 And this king was born
00:10:08 --> 00:10:09 into a human family.
00:10:09 --> 00:10:10 He was born
00:10:10 --> 00:10:12 into Joseph and Mary's family.
00:10:14 --> 00:10:16 And his human ancestry
00:10:16 --> 00:10:17 goes back
00:10:17 --> 00:10:19 to King David.
00:10:21 --> 00:10:23 But he says more than that,
00:10:23 --> 00:10:24 he's not just got human ancestry,
00:10:25 --> 00:10:27 he's got divine ancestry.
00:10:29 --> 00:10:30 It was proved
00:10:30 --> 00:10:31 when the spirit of God
00:10:31 --> 00:10:33 raised him from the dead.
00:10:34 --> 00:10:34 And so you hear
00:10:34 --> 00:10:36 and you read in this passage
00:10:36 --> 00:10:36 that Father,
00:10:37 --> 00:10:38 Son and Holy Spirit
00:10:38 --> 00:10:40 are all working together.
00:10:41 --> 00:10:42 God's gospel
00:10:42 --> 00:10:44 is about the Father's Son
00:10:44 --> 00:10:46 who became flesh
00:10:46 --> 00:10:47 and died
00:10:47 --> 00:10:49 and was raised from the dead
00:10:49 --> 00:10:51 by the power of God's Spirit.
00:10:51 --> 00:10:51 So,
00:10:52 --> 00:10:58 this is not
00:10:58 --> 00:10:59 impersonal theology.
00:11:01 --> 00:11:02 This is not
00:11:02 --> 00:11:04 dry and dusty stuff.
00:11:05 --> 00:11:07 It's not an academic exercise.
00:11:07 --> 00:11:08 It's not like
00:11:08 --> 00:11:08 bringing Jesus down
00:11:08 --> 00:11:09 and putting him in the slab
00:11:09 --> 00:11:10 and the morgue
00:11:10 --> 00:11:11 and pulling him into bits
00:11:11 --> 00:11:11 and saying,
00:11:11 --> 00:11:12 oh, that's interesting.
00:11:12 --> 00:11:14 He's got vessels
00:11:14 --> 00:11:15 and a heart
00:11:15 --> 00:11:15 and kidneys
00:11:15 --> 00:11:16 and a brain
00:11:16 --> 00:11:17 and
00:11:17 --> 00:11:20 this is very personal.
00:11:20 --> 00:11:21 Paul refers
00:11:21 --> 00:11:22 very personally
00:11:22 --> 00:11:24 to Jesus Christ
00:11:24 --> 00:11:25 our Lord.
00:11:28 --> 00:11:29 He's somebody
00:11:29 --> 00:11:30 that he knew
00:11:30 --> 00:11:33 and he writes
00:11:33 --> 00:11:34 to people
00:11:34 --> 00:11:34 who know him
00:11:34 --> 00:11:36 personally as well.
00:11:38 --> 00:11:39 I think it's
00:11:39 --> 00:11:40 one of the great evidences
00:11:40 --> 00:11:42 of true Christian faith
00:11:42 --> 00:11:43 in somebody's life.
00:11:44 --> 00:11:44 You know,
00:11:44 --> 00:11:46 to be able to call Jesus
00:11:46 --> 00:11:48 my Lord
00:11:48 --> 00:11:53 was a huge change
00:11:53 --> 00:11:53 for me
00:11:53 --> 00:11:55 when I came to Christ
00:11:55 --> 00:11:57 because for the first time
00:11:57 --> 00:11:58 my prayers changed
00:11:58 --> 00:11:59 from being
00:11:59 --> 00:12:00 dear God
00:12:00 --> 00:12:01 to dear
00:12:01 --> 00:12:02 Lord Jesus.
00:12:05 --> 00:12:06 I knew him
00:12:06 --> 00:12:08 and I began
00:12:08 --> 00:12:09 to understand
00:12:09 --> 00:12:10 how important
00:12:10 --> 00:12:10 he is
00:12:10 --> 00:12:13 and I saw
00:12:13 --> 00:12:14 that Christian faith
00:12:14 --> 00:12:15 is personal
00:12:15 --> 00:12:17 and it's relationship
00:12:17 --> 00:12:19 it's not religion
00:12:19 --> 00:12:21 and Jesus
00:12:21 --> 00:12:22 is not somebody
00:12:22 --> 00:12:23 that we know about
00:12:23 --> 00:12:24 and we recite
00:12:24 --> 00:12:25 facts about
00:12:25 --> 00:12:27 he is somebody
00:12:27 --> 00:12:28 that we know
00:12:28 --> 00:12:31 he is not just
00:12:31 --> 00:12:32 God who is out there
00:12:32 --> 00:12:32 he's God
00:12:32 --> 00:12:33 in here.
00:12:37 --> 00:12:38 So Romans
00:12:38 --> 00:12:39 is a letter
00:12:39 --> 00:12:39 which is written
00:12:39 --> 00:12:40 to Christians
00:12:40 --> 00:12:41 who know a person
00:12:41 --> 00:12:42 their Lord
00:12:42 --> 00:12:43 Jesus Christ
00:12:43 --> 00:12:47 but there are also
00:12:47 --> 00:12:48 clues here
00:12:48 --> 00:12:49 to the big picture
00:12:49 --> 00:12:50 purpose of this letter
00:12:50 --> 00:12:51 and it's verse 5
00:12:51 --> 00:12:53 it says
00:12:53 --> 00:12:54 through whom
00:12:54 --> 00:12:55 we have received
00:12:55 --> 00:12:56 grace and apostleship
00:12:56 --> 00:12:57 to bring about
00:12:57 --> 00:12:57 the obedience
00:12:57 --> 00:12:58 of faith
00:12:58 --> 00:13:00 for the sake
00:13:00 --> 00:13:01 of his name
00:13:01 --> 00:13:01 among all the nations
00:13:01 --> 00:13:02 including you
00:13:02 --> 00:13:03 who are called
00:13:03 --> 00:13:03 to belong
00:13:03 --> 00:13:04 to Jesus Christ.
00:13:06 --> 00:13:07 So Paul's been given
00:13:07 --> 00:13:09 this apostolic mission
00:13:09 --> 00:13:09 for a purpose
00:13:09 --> 00:13:10 it's God's purpose
00:13:10 --> 00:13:11 it's not his purpose
00:13:11 --> 00:13:12 and the purpose
00:13:12 --> 00:13:13 expressed here
00:13:13 --> 00:13:14 is to bring about
00:13:14 --> 00:13:14 the obedience
00:13:14 --> 00:13:15 of faith
00:13:15 --> 00:13:16 for the sake
00:13:16 --> 00:13:17 of his name
00:13:17 --> 00:13:17 God's name
00:13:17 --> 00:13:18 among all the nations.
00:13:20 --> 00:13:22 It's an interesting
00:13:22 --> 00:13:23 expression
00:13:23 --> 00:13:24 it's a strange expression
00:13:24 --> 00:13:26 it's only used
00:13:26 --> 00:13:27 in one other place
00:13:27 --> 00:13:27 in the New Testament
00:13:27 --> 00:13:28 and that's in Romans
00:13:28 --> 00:13:29 chapter 16
00:13:29 --> 00:13:30 verse 26
00:13:30 --> 00:13:32 and right at the end
00:13:32 --> 00:13:33 of Romans
00:13:33 --> 00:13:33 it says
00:13:33 --> 00:13:34 but this has now
00:13:34 --> 00:13:35 been disclosed
00:13:35 --> 00:13:36 and through the prophetic
00:13:36 --> 00:13:36 writings
00:13:36 --> 00:13:37 has been made known
00:13:37 --> 00:13:39 to all nations
00:13:39 --> 00:13:40 according to the command
00:13:40 --> 00:13:41 of the eternal God
00:13:41 --> 00:13:42 to bring about
00:13:42 --> 00:13:43 the obedience
00:13:43 --> 00:13:44 of faith.
00:13:45 --> 00:13:46 So the letter
00:13:46 --> 00:13:47 begins with the expression
00:13:47 --> 00:13:49 it ends with the expression
00:13:49 --> 00:13:51 and you could say
00:13:51 --> 00:13:52 in marketing terms
00:13:52 --> 00:13:53 and I think it's a pretty
00:13:53 --> 00:13:54 crass way to speak
00:13:54 --> 00:13:54 about the scriptures
00:13:54 --> 00:13:56 but in marketing terms
00:13:56 --> 00:13:57 God's gospel
00:13:57 --> 00:13:59 is results orientated.
00:14:00 --> 00:14:01 God has a purpose
00:14:01 --> 00:14:04 and his purpose
00:14:04 --> 00:14:05 is to bring men
00:14:05 --> 00:14:05 and women
00:14:05 --> 00:14:06 and boys
00:14:06 --> 00:14:07 and girls
00:14:07 --> 00:14:08 to himself
00:14:08 --> 00:14:09 we are brought
00:14:09 --> 00:14:11 to the obedience
00:14:11 --> 00:14:12 of faith.
00:14:13 --> 00:14:15 To come to Christ
00:14:15 --> 00:14:16 is to be brought
00:14:16 --> 00:14:17 to the obedience
00:14:17 --> 00:14:18 of faith.
00:14:18 --> 00:14:19 I don't know
00:14:19 --> 00:14:19 if you've ever
00:14:19 --> 00:14:20 talked about
00:14:20 --> 00:14:21 you coming to Christ
00:14:21 --> 00:14:22 in those terms before
00:14:22 --> 00:14:24 but that's a scriptural way
00:14:24 --> 00:14:24 of saying
00:14:24 --> 00:14:25 you have been brought
00:14:25 --> 00:14:26 to the obedience
00:14:26 --> 00:14:28 of faith.
00:14:32 --> 00:14:34 Very strange expression.
00:14:34 --> 00:14:37 He could have said
00:14:37 --> 00:14:37 something like
00:14:37 --> 00:14:38 well you've been brought
00:14:38 --> 00:14:39 to the obedience
00:14:39 --> 00:14:40 of good works
00:14:40 --> 00:14:41 but he doesn't.
00:14:44 --> 00:14:44 He says
00:14:44 --> 00:14:45 to the obedience
00:14:45 --> 00:14:46 of faith
00:14:46 --> 00:14:48 and he's highlighting
00:14:48 --> 00:14:49 for us
00:14:49 --> 00:14:50 that God
00:14:50 --> 00:14:51 wants us
00:14:51 --> 00:14:52 to obey him
00:14:52 --> 00:14:52 by putting
00:14:52 --> 00:14:53 our faith
00:14:53 --> 00:14:54 and trust
00:14:54 --> 00:14:54 in him.
00:14:56 --> 00:14:57 To believe
00:14:57 --> 00:14:58 in him.
00:14:59 --> 00:15:00 So if you ask
00:15:00 --> 00:15:00 the question
00:15:00 --> 00:15:01 would you want
00:15:01 --> 00:15:01 to be obedient
00:15:01 --> 00:15:02 to God
00:15:02 --> 00:15:02 and I think
00:15:02 --> 00:15:03 everybody here
00:15:03 --> 00:15:03 probably wants
00:15:03 --> 00:15:04 to be obedient
00:15:04 --> 00:15:04 to God
00:15:04 --> 00:15:05 well what does
00:15:05 --> 00:15:05 that mean?
00:15:05 --> 00:15:06 You can't live
00:15:06 --> 00:15:07 a good enough
00:15:07 --> 00:15:07 life
00:15:07 --> 00:15:08 believe
00:15:08 --> 00:15:09 the gospel.
00:15:11 --> 00:15:12 Be obedient
00:15:12 --> 00:15:13 to the gospel
00:15:13 --> 00:15:13 believe
00:15:13 --> 00:15:14 what God
00:15:14 --> 00:15:15 has said.
00:15:18 --> 00:15:19 So God
00:15:19 --> 00:15:20 has purposes
00:15:20 --> 00:15:21 he has strategy
00:15:21 --> 00:15:22 and his strategy
00:15:22 --> 00:15:23 is to tell
00:15:23 --> 00:15:23 who Christ
00:15:23 --> 00:15:24 is and what
00:15:24 --> 00:15:24 he has done
00:15:24 --> 00:15:25 as far
00:15:25 --> 00:15:26 and wide
00:15:26 --> 00:15:27 as you possibly
00:15:27 --> 00:15:27 can
00:15:27 --> 00:15:27 into all
00:15:27 --> 00:15:28 the world.
00:15:28 --> 00:15:28 God
00:15:28 --> 00:15:33 but obedience
00:15:33 --> 00:15:33 of faith
00:15:33 --> 00:15:34 is not
00:15:34 --> 00:15:36 about doing
00:15:36 --> 00:15:37 a whole lot
00:15:37 --> 00:15:37 of good
00:15:37 --> 00:15:38 works
00:15:38 --> 00:15:38 to achieve
00:15:38 --> 00:15:39 our salvation
00:15:39 --> 00:15:40 it is doing
00:15:40 --> 00:15:41 the one
00:15:41 --> 00:15:41 thing that
00:15:41 --> 00:15:42 God asks
00:15:42 --> 00:15:42 us to do
00:15:42 --> 00:15:43 in response
00:15:43 --> 00:15:43 to what
00:15:43 --> 00:15:44 Christ has
00:15:44 --> 00:15:44 done
00:15:44 --> 00:15:45 and that
00:15:45 --> 00:15:45 is to
00:15:45 --> 00:15:46 believe him.
00:15:48 --> 00:15:50 I love
00:15:50 --> 00:15:50 this story
00:15:50 --> 00:15:51 there's a story
00:15:51 --> 00:15:52 in a biography
00:15:52 --> 00:15:53 of a bloke
00:15:53 --> 00:15:53 called John
00:15:53 --> 00:15:54 Chapman
00:15:54 --> 00:15:54 and most of
00:15:54 --> 00:15:55 you won't
00:15:55 --> 00:15:55 know who
00:15:55 --> 00:15:55 he was
00:15:55 --> 00:15:56 but he
00:15:56 --> 00:15:57 was a
00:15:57 --> 00:15:57 pretty famous
00:15:57 --> 00:15:58 preacher
00:15:58 --> 00:15:58 around Sydney
00:15:58 --> 00:15:59 for a number
00:15:59 --> 00:16:00 of years
00:16:00 --> 00:16:01 he's an
00:16:01 --> 00:16:01 older man
00:16:01 --> 00:16:01 now
00:16:01 --> 00:16:04 and he
00:16:04 --> 00:16:05 tells a
00:16:05 --> 00:16:05 story in
00:16:05 --> 00:16:06 his biography
00:16:06 --> 00:16:07 about preaching
00:16:07 --> 00:16:07 at Sydney
00:16:07 --> 00:16:08 University
00:16:08 --> 00:16:08 one day
00:16:08 --> 00:16:09 and I'm
00:16:09 --> 00:16:09 going to
00:16:09 --> 00:16:09 read you
00:16:09 --> 00:16:10 verbatim
00:16:10 --> 00:16:10 what he
00:16:10 --> 00:16:11 says
00:16:11 --> 00:16:12 you may
00:16:12 --> 00:16:12 have heard
00:16:12 --> 00:16:13 me use
00:16:13 --> 00:16:13 it before
00:16:13 --> 00:16:15 but I
00:16:15 --> 00:16:16 was talking
00:16:16 --> 00:16:17 to a young
00:16:17 --> 00:16:17 bloke
00:16:17 --> 00:16:17 after a
00:16:17 --> 00:16:18 uni meeting
00:16:18 --> 00:16:20 and he
00:16:20 --> 00:16:20 said to me
00:16:20 --> 00:16:21 that what
00:16:21 --> 00:16:21 he was going
00:16:21 --> 00:16:22 to do
00:16:22 --> 00:16:22 was live
00:16:22 --> 00:16:23 it up
00:16:23 --> 00:16:23 until the
00:16:23 --> 00:16:24 end of
00:16:24 --> 00:16:24 his life
00:16:24 --> 00:16:26 have a
00:16:26 --> 00:16:26 really great
00:16:26 --> 00:16:27 time
00:16:27 --> 00:16:27 and then
00:16:27 --> 00:16:28 just before
00:16:28 --> 00:16:29 he died
00:16:29 --> 00:16:29 he would
00:16:29 --> 00:16:30 become a
00:16:30 --> 00:16:30 Christian
00:16:30 --> 00:16:36 and I
00:16:36 --> 00:16:36 said to
00:16:36 --> 00:16:36 him
00:16:36 --> 00:16:37 well how
00:16:37 --> 00:16:37 do you
00:16:37 --> 00:16:37 know
00:16:37 --> 00:16:38 that you'll
00:16:38 --> 00:16:38 be able
00:16:38 --> 00:16:39 to become
00:16:39 --> 00:16:39 one at
00:16:39 --> 00:16:40 the end
00:16:40 --> 00:16:42 and he
00:16:42 --> 00:16:43 said I
00:16:43 --> 00:16:44 could become
00:16:44 --> 00:16:44 a Christian
00:16:44 --> 00:16:46 whenever I
00:16:46 --> 00:16:46 like
00:16:46 --> 00:16:49 and I
00:16:49 --> 00:16:49 said you
00:16:49 --> 00:16:50 can only
00:16:50 --> 00:16:50 become one
00:16:50 --> 00:16:52 when God
00:16:52 --> 00:16:52 says
00:16:52 --> 00:16:56 and he
00:16:56 --> 00:16:56 insisted
00:16:56 --> 00:16:56 that he
00:16:56 --> 00:16:57 could do
00:16:57 --> 00:16:57 it so I
00:16:57 --> 00:16:57 said well
00:16:57 --> 00:16:58 if it's
00:16:58 --> 00:16:58 easy as
00:16:58 --> 00:16:59 that why
00:16:59 --> 00:16:59 don't you
00:16:59 --> 00:16:59 give us
00:16:59 --> 00:17:00 a demo
00:17:00 --> 00:17:02 why don't
00:17:02 --> 00:17:03 you show
00:17:03 --> 00:17:03 me how
00:17:03 --> 00:17:04 you'll pull
00:17:04 --> 00:17:04 it off
00:17:04 --> 00:17:05 how you'll
00:17:05 --> 00:17:06 do it by
00:17:06 --> 00:17:06 becoming a
00:17:06 --> 00:17:07 Christian
00:17:07 --> 00:17:08 right now
00:17:08 --> 00:17:09 if it's
00:17:09 --> 00:17:10 that easy
00:17:10 --> 00:17:11 you'll be able
00:17:11 --> 00:17:11 to pull it
00:17:11 --> 00:17:11 off anytime
00:17:11 --> 00:17:12 wouldn't
00:17:12 --> 00:17:12 you
00:17:12 --> 00:17:17 yeah
00:17:17 --> 00:17:19 but right
00:17:19 --> 00:17:19 now I
00:17:19 --> 00:17:20 don't want
00:17:20 --> 00:17:20 to
00:17:20 --> 00:17:23 come on
00:17:23 --> 00:17:24 you aren't
00:17:24 --> 00:17:24 trying very
00:17:24 --> 00:17:24 hard
00:17:24 --> 00:17:26 if you can
00:17:26 --> 00:17:27 really do
00:17:27 --> 00:17:28 it do it
00:17:28 --> 00:17:28 now should
00:17:28 --> 00:17:28 be a piece
00:17:28 --> 00:17:29 of cake
00:17:29 --> 00:17:30 and he
00:17:30 --> 00:17:31 started to
00:17:31 --> 00:17:31 get a bit
00:17:31 --> 00:17:32 touchy
00:17:32 --> 00:17:34 I don't
00:17:34 --> 00:17:35 want to
00:17:35 --> 00:17:37 try a bit
00:17:37 --> 00:17:37 harder
00:17:37 --> 00:17:37 want to
00:17:37 --> 00:17:38 want to
00:17:38 --> 00:17:40 I don't
00:17:40 --> 00:17:40 want to
00:17:40 --> 00:17:42 well
00:17:42 --> 00:17:44 I said
00:17:44 --> 00:17:44 that's the
00:17:44 --> 00:17:45 problem isn't
00:17:45 --> 00:17:45 it
00:17:45 --> 00:17:46 what makes
00:17:46 --> 00:17:47 you think
00:17:47 --> 00:17:47 you'll want
00:17:47 --> 00:17:48 to at
00:17:48 --> 00:17:48 the end
00:17:48 --> 00:17:53 young man
00:17:53 --> 00:17:53 was having
00:17:53 --> 00:17:54 himself on
00:17:54 --> 00:17:56 he had
00:17:56 --> 00:17:57 seen and
00:17:57 --> 00:17:57 heard the
00:17:57 --> 00:17:58 truth about
00:17:58 --> 00:17:58 the Lord
00:17:58 --> 00:17:59 Jesus Christ
00:17:59 --> 00:18:00 he knew it
00:18:00 --> 00:18:01 was true
00:18:01 --> 00:18:01 he knew it
00:18:01 --> 00:18:02 had consequences
00:18:02 --> 00:18:03 into eternity
00:18:03 --> 00:18:05 but for the
00:18:05 --> 00:18:06 present he
00:18:06 --> 00:18:06 refused to
00:18:06 --> 00:18:07 believe his
00:18:07 --> 00:18:08 heart was in
00:18:08 --> 00:18:08 fact very
00:18:08 --> 00:18:09 hard to
00:18:09 --> 00:18:09 God
00:18:09 --> 00:18:11 he was
00:18:11 --> 00:18:12 outside the
00:18:12 --> 00:18:12 kingdom
00:18:12 --> 00:18:14 he had not
00:18:14 --> 00:18:15 been brought
00:18:15 --> 00:18:15 to the
00:18:15 --> 00:18:16 obedience of
00:18:16 --> 00:18:17 faith
00:18:17 --> 00:18:18 he refused
00:18:18 --> 00:18:19 to exercise
00:18:19 --> 00:18:20 faith
00:18:20 --> 00:18:22 it was an
00:18:22 --> 00:18:22 act of the
00:18:22 --> 00:18:23 will to
00:18:23 --> 00:18:24 say I
00:18:24 --> 00:18:24 don't want
00:18:24 --> 00:18:24 God
00:18:24 --> 00:18:31 big question
00:18:31 --> 00:18:32 for me with
00:18:32 --> 00:18:33 Romans 1
00:18:33 --> 00:18:33 and it's
00:18:33 --> 00:18:33 probably not
00:18:33 --> 00:18:34 even occurring
00:18:34 --> 00:18:34 to you at
00:18:34 --> 00:18:35 the moment
00:18:35 --> 00:18:35 but I want
00:18:35 --> 00:18:35 to take you
00:18:35 --> 00:18:37 there and
00:18:37 --> 00:18:38 it is why
00:18:38 --> 00:18:38 does Paul
00:18:38 --> 00:18:39 want to
00:18:39 --> 00:18:40 minister in
00:18:40 --> 00:18:40 Rome
00:18:40 --> 00:18:43 the gospel
00:18:43 --> 00:18:43 was already
00:18:43 --> 00:18:44 there
00:18:44 --> 00:18:45 the church
00:18:45 --> 00:18:45 had begun
00:18:45 --> 00:18:46 it was
00:18:46 --> 00:18:47 established
00:18:47 --> 00:18:47 without his
00:18:47 --> 00:18:48 influence
00:18:48 --> 00:18:49 in chapter 1
00:18:49 --> 00:18:50 verse 14
00:18:50 --> 00:18:51 he said I
00:18:51 --> 00:18:52 am obligated
00:18:52 --> 00:18:52 both to
00:18:52 --> 00:18:53 Greeks and
00:18:53 --> 00:18:53 non-Greeks
00:18:53 --> 00:18:54 both to the
00:18:54 --> 00:18:55 wise and the
00:18:55 --> 00:18:55 foolish and
00:18:55 --> 00:18:56 that is why
00:18:56 --> 00:18:57 I am so eager
00:18:57 --> 00:18:57 to preach the
00:18:57 --> 00:18:58 gospel also to
00:18:58 --> 00:18:59 you who are
00:18:59 --> 00:18:59 at Rome
00:18:59 --> 00:19:01 who is he
00:19:01 --> 00:19:02 obligated to
00:19:02 --> 00:19:03 it's there in
00:19:03 --> 00:19:04 the verse
00:19:04 --> 00:19:06 Greeks and
00:19:06 --> 00:19:06 non-Greeks
00:19:06 --> 00:19:07 who isn't he
00:19:07 --> 00:19:08 obligated to
00:19:08 --> 00:19:09 people here
00:19:09 --> 00:19:10 this morning
00:19:10 --> 00:19:10 got to keep
00:19:10 --> 00:19:10 quiet
00:19:10 --> 00:19:12 who isn't
00:19:12 --> 00:19:13 he obligated
00:19:13 --> 00:19:13 to
00:19:13 --> 00:19:14 I'm not
00:19:14 --> 00:19:14 under
00:19:14 --> 00:19:14 obligation
00:19:14 --> 00:19:15 to
00:19:15 --> 00:19:18 the Jews
00:19:18 --> 00:19:19 well done
00:19:19 --> 00:19:19 Tashi
00:19:19 --> 00:19:22 he doesn't
00:19:22 --> 00:19:22 say the Jews
00:19:22 --> 00:19:22 I'm not
00:19:22 --> 00:19:23 under obligation
00:19:23 --> 00:19:23 to the Jews
00:19:23 --> 00:19:24 but I am
00:19:24 --> 00:19:25 under obligation
00:19:25 --> 00:19:25 to the Greeks
00:19:25 --> 00:19:26 and the non-Greeks
00:19:26 --> 00:19:27 the barbarians
00:19:27 --> 00:19:27 the babblers
00:19:27 --> 00:19:29 in other words
00:19:29 --> 00:19:29 he describes
00:19:29 --> 00:19:30 the whole of
00:19:30 --> 00:19:30 the world
00:19:30 --> 00:19:31 outside Judaism
00:19:31 --> 00:19:33 and why is he
00:19:33 --> 00:19:33 saying that
00:19:33 --> 00:19:34 because he's
00:19:34 --> 00:19:34 the apostle
00:19:34 --> 00:19:35 to the nations
00:19:35 --> 00:19:37 they're the
00:19:37 --> 00:19:38 ones that I
00:19:38 --> 00:19:38 have been
00:19:38 --> 00:19:39 sent to
00:19:39 --> 00:19:39 even though
00:19:39 --> 00:19:39 I always
00:19:39 --> 00:19:40 preach to
00:19:40 --> 00:19:40 the Jews
00:19:40 --> 00:19:40 when I
00:19:40 --> 00:19:40 first come
00:19:40 --> 00:19:41 to a city
00:19:41 --> 00:19:42 they are
00:19:42 --> 00:19:42 the ones
00:19:42 --> 00:19:42 I've been
00:19:42 --> 00:19:43 sent to
00:19:43 --> 00:19:43 I've been
00:19:43 --> 00:19:43 sent to
00:19:43 --> 00:19:44 the nations
00:19:44 --> 00:19:45 and I
00:19:45 --> 00:19:45 am under
00:19:45 --> 00:19:46 obligation
00:19:46 --> 00:19:46 to them
00:19:46 --> 00:19:49 but at the
00:19:49 --> 00:19:49 end of Romans
00:19:49 --> 00:19:50 in chapter 15
00:19:50 --> 00:19:51 he says
00:19:51 --> 00:19:51 it's always
00:19:51 --> 00:19:53 been my
00:19:53 --> 00:19:54 ambition to
00:19:54 --> 00:19:54 preach the
00:19:54 --> 00:19:55 gospel where
00:19:55 --> 00:19:56 Christ was
00:19:56 --> 00:19:56 not known
00:19:56 --> 00:19:58 so that I
00:19:58 --> 00:19:59 would not be
00:19:59 --> 00:20:00 building on
00:20:00 --> 00:20:01 someone else's
00:20:01 --> 00:20:01 foundation
00:20:01 --> 00:20:04 and you read
00:20:04 --> 00:20:05 that and you
00:20:05 --> 00:20:06 think well he
00:20:06 --> 00:20:06 seems to
00:20:06 --> 00:20:07 contradict himself
00:20:07 --> 00:20:09 on the one
00:20:09 --> 00:20:09 hand he's
00:20:09 --> 00:20:09 saying I
00:20:09 --> 00:20:10 am eager to
00:20:10 --> 00:20:10 preach the
00:20:10 --> 00:20:11 gospel to
00:20:11 --> 00:20:12 you and on
00:20:12 --> 00:20:12 the other my
00:20:12 --> 00:20:13 ambition is to
00:20:13 --> 00:20:14 preach the
00:20:14 --> 00:20:15 gospel where
00:20:15 --> 00:20:16 Christ is not
00:20:16 --> 00:20:16 known but he
00:20:16 --> 00:20:16 knows it's
00:20:16 --> 00:20:17 known there
00:20:17 --> 00:20:20 and I think he
00:20:20 --> 00:20:21 gives some
00:20:21 --> 00:20:21 reasons in
00:20:21 --> 00:20:22 verse 11
00:20:22 --> 00:20:24 I long to
00:20:24 --> 00:20:24 see you so
00:20:24 --> 00:20:25 that I may
00:20:25 --> 00:20:26 impart to you
00:20:26 --> 00:20:27 some spiritual
00:20:27 --> 00:20:28 gift to make
00:20:28 --> 00:20:28 you strong
00:20:28 --> 00:20:31 that is that
00:20:31 --> 00:20:32 you and I
00:20:32 --> 00:20:32 may be mutually
00:20:32 --> 00:20:33 encouraged by
00:20:33 --> 00:20:34 each other's
00:20:34 --> 00:20:34 faith
00:20:34 --> 00:20:36 I do not
00:20:36 --> 00:20:37 want you to
00:20:37 --> 00:20:37 be unaware
00:20:37 --> 00:20:38 brothers that
00:20:38 --> 00:20:38 I planned
00:20:38 --> 00:20:39 many times to
00:20:39 --> 00:20:40 come to you
00:20:40 --> 00:20:41 but have been
00:20:41 --> 00:20:42 prevented from
00:20:42 --> 00:20:43 doing so until
00:20:43 --> 00:20:45 now in order
00:20:45 --> 00:20:46 that I might
00:20:46 --> 00:20:47 have a harvest
00:20:47 --> 00:20:47 among you just
00:20:47 --> 00:20:48 as I have had
00:20:48 --> 00:20:50 among the
00:20:50 --> 00:20:51 other nations
00:20:51 --> 00:20:55 now I want to
00:20:55 --> 00:20:55 explain something
00:20:55 --> 00:20:58 quickly to you
00:20:58 --> 00:20:59 that that is
00:20:59 --> 00:21:00 quite tricky
00:21:00 --> 00:21:01 so I need you
00:21:01 --> 00:21:02 to listen it's a
00:21:02 --> 00:21:02 little bit
00:21:02 --> 00:21:03 different I want
00:21:03 --> 00:21:03 to give some
00:21:03 --> 00:21:06 history in the
00:21:06 --> 00:21:07 year 49 AD
00:21:07 --> 00:21:10 so this is and
00:21:10 --> 00:21:11 the letter to
00:21:11 --> 00:21:12 Romans is written
00:21:12 --> 00:21:15 in 58 AD
00:21:15 --> 00:21:17 nine years before
00:21:17 --> 00:21:18 Romans was
00:21:18 --> 00:21:20 written the
00:21:20 --> 00:21:21 emperor Claudius
00:21:21 --> 00:21:23 kicked all the
00:21:23 --> 00:21:23 Jews out of
00:21:23 --> 00:21:26 Rome and
00:21:26 --> 00:21:26 there's a Roman
00:21:26 --> 00:21:27 historian called
00:21:27 --> 00:21:28 Suetonius who
00:21:28 --> 00:21:29 is no friend of
00:21:29 --> 00:21:31 Christians and he
00:21:31 --> 00:21:33 wrote a note that
00:21:33 --> 00:21:33 the emperor did
00:21:33 --> 00:21:34 this because the
00:21:34 --> 00:21:35 Jews were fighting
00:21:35 --> 00:21:36 over a
00:21:36 --> 00:21:37 Christos
00:21:37 --> 00:21:39 now you need to
00:21:39 --> 00:21:40 know that in
00:21:40 --> 00:21:41 Greek the name
00:21:41 --> 00:21:41 Christ is
00:21:41 --> 00:21:42 Christos
00:21:42 --> 00:21:46 in Acts chapter
00:21:46 --> 00:21:47 18 this event is
00:21:47 --> 00:21:48 confirmed if you
00:21:48 --> 00:21:49 ever want to think
00:21:49 --> 00:21:50 about you know the
00:21:50 --> 00:21:51 the New Testament
00:21:51 --> 00:21:52 is thoroughly
00:21:52 --> 00:21:52 historical
00:21:52 --> 00:21:56 in Acts chapter
00:21:56 --> 00:21:57 18 this event is
00:21:57 --> 00:21:58 confirmed because in
00:21:58 --> 00:21:59 verse 1 it says
00:21:59 --> 00:22:00 Paul left Athens
00:22:00 --> 00:22:00 and went to
00:22:00 --> 00:22:03 Corinth and there
00:22:03 --> 00:22:04 he met a Jew
00:22:04 --> 00:22:05 named Aquila a
00:22:05 --> 00:22:07 native of Pontus
00:22:07 --> 00:22:07 who had recently
00:22:07 --> 00:22:09 come from Italy
00:22:09 --> 00:22:10 with his wife
00:22:10 --> 00:22:13 Priscilla because
00:22:13 --> 00:22:14 Claudius had
00:22:14 --> 00:22:14 ordered all the
00:22:14 --> 00:22:15 Jews to leave
00:22:15 --> 00:22:18 Rome Paul went
00:22:18 --> 00:22:20 to see them and
00:22:20 --> 00:22:21 because he was a
00:22:21 --> 00:22:22 tent maker as they
00:22:22 --> 00:22:24 were he stayed and
00:22:24 --> 00:22:25 worked with them
00:22:25 --> 00:22:27 and every
00:22:27 --> 00:22:28 Sabbath he
00:22:28 --> 00:22:28 reasoned in the
00:22:28 --> 00:22:30 synagogue trying to
00:22:30 --> 00:22:31 persuade Jews and
00:22:31 --> 00:22:31 Greeks
00:22:31 --> 00:22:35 so what we're
00:22:35 --> 00:22:37 reading is that
00:22:37 --> 00:22:38 the emperor in
00:22:38 --> 00:22:38 Rome
00:22:38 --> 00:22:40 the king of the
00:22:40 --> 00:22:41 world
00:22:41 --> 00:22:43 was fed up with
00:22:43 --> 00:22:44 the behaviour of
00:22:44 --> 00:22:46 Jews and so fed
00:22:46 --> 00:22:46 up with the
00:22:46 --> 00:22:47 behaviour of Jews
00:22:47 --> 00:22:48 in Rome
00:22:48 --> 00:22:49 that he kicked
00:22:49 --> 00:22:50 them out of the
00:22:50 --> 00:22:51 city by imperial
00:22:51 --> 00:22:51 decree
00:22:51 --> 00:22:55 now when he did
00:22:55 --> 00:22:56 that he did not
00:22:56 --> 00:22:56 make a distinction
00:22:56 --> 00:22:58 between Jews who
00:22:58 --> 00:22:59 believed in Jesus
00:22:59 --> 00:23:00 and Jews who
00:23:00 --> 00:23:01 didn't believe in
00:23:01 --> 00:23:02 Jesus
00:23:02 --> 00:23:04 they're all Jews
00:23:04 --> 00:23:05 and so they're all
00:23:05 --> 00:23:05 out
00:23:05 --> 00:23:07 and he effectively
00:23:07 --> 00:23:08 says I'm sick of
00:23:08 --> 00:23:09 your bickering get
00:23:09 --> 00:23:10 out of here
00:23:10 --> 00:23:12 and what that would
00:23:12 --> 00:23:13 have meant at that
00:23:13 --> 00:23:15 moment was that
00:23:15 --> 00:23:16 that all that was
00:23:16 --> 00:23:17 left of the church
00:23:17 --> 00:23:18 were believers who
00:23:18 --> 00:23:19 were not Jewish to
00:23:19 --> 00:23:20 start with
00:23:20 --> 00:23:24 and so Jewish
00:23:24 --> 00:23:26 customs like food
00:23:26 --> 00:23:27 laws and special
00:23:27 --> 00:23:28 days would no
00:23:28 --> 00:23:29 longer have been a
00:23:29 --> 00:23:31 big deal for Gentile
00:23:31 --> 00:23:32 or international
00:23:32 --> 00:23:33 Christians in Rome
00:23:33 --> 00:23:36 the church in Rome
00:23:36 --> 00:23:37 has suddenly become
00:23:37 --> 00:23:38 an international
00:23:38 --> 00:23:38 church
00:23:38 --> 00:23:41 and they didn't
00:23:41 --> 00:23:41 have to
00:23:41 --> 00:23:43 have to worry
00:23:43 --> 00:23:44 about fitting in
00:23:44 --> 00:23:45 with the believers
00:23:45 --> 00:23:46 of Jewish heritage
00:23:46 --> 00:23:50 now this is not
00:23:50 --> 00:23:50 the same
00:23:50 --> 00:23:51 but think about
00:23:51 --> 00:23:51 this
00:23:51 --> 00:23:51 if
00:23:51 --> 00:23:53 imagine the
00:23:53 --> 00:23:55 Australian government
00:23:55 --> 00:23:57 decided to kick
00:23:57 --> 00:23:58 everybody out of
00:23:58 --> 00:23:59 Chatswood
00:23:59 --> 00:24:00 with Anglo
00:24:00 --> 00:24:01 heritage
00:24:01 --> 00:24:04 get on the
00:24:04 --> 00:24:05 boats
00:24:05 --> 00:24:06 stop the boats
00:24:06 --> 00:24:06 get on the boats
00:24:06 --> 00:24:07 and send them
00:24:07 --> 00:24:09 back to Europe
00:24:09 --> 00:24:12 now I'm looking
00:24:12 --> 00:24:13 around and I
00:24:13 --> 00:24:13 think there's an
00:24:13 --> 00:24:14 awful lot of us
00:24:14 --> 00:24:15 who would be out of
00:24:15 --> 00:24:16 here we'd be gone
00:24:16 --> 00:24:19 and there's a few
00:24:19 --> 00:24:19 of us who would be
00:24:19 --> 00:24:20 left which is
00:24:20 --> 00:24:21 really good
00:24:21 --> 00:24:27 and if only
00:24:27 --> 00:24:28 mainland Chinese
00:24:28 --> 00:24:29 were left
00:24:29 --> 00:24:31 Brian how many
00:24:31 --> 00:24:31 Asians in
00:24:31 --> 00:24:32 Chatswood at the
00:24:32 --> 00:24:33 moment last
00:24:33 --> 00:24:33 census
00:24:33 --> 00:24:35 46%
00:24:35 --> 00:24:38 Asian
00:24:38 --> 00:24:43 percentage
00:24:43 --> 00:24:48 there's more
00:24:48 --> 00:24:49 isn't there
00:24:49 --> 00:24:53 Brian's done all
00:24:53 --> 00:24:53 the statistics out
00:24:53 --> 00:24:54 of the census for
00:24:54 --> 00:24:55 us so we're just
00:24:55 --> 00:24:55 looking at that the
00:24:55 --> 00:24:56 other day I think
00:24:56 --> 00:24:57 it's a really big
00:24:57 --> 00:24:57 percentage in
00:24:57 --> 00:24:58 Chatswood which is
00:24:58 --> 00:24:59 pretty obvious if
00:24:59 --> 00:25:00 you go down the
00:25:00 --> 00:25:01 street on Sunday
00:25:01 --> 00:25:03 but if only mainland
00:25:03 --> 00:25:04 Chinese were left
00:25:04 --> 00:25:07 they may have very
00:25:07 --> 00:25:09 little idea about
00:25:09 --> 00:25:10 our traditions and
00:25:10 --> 00:25:10 our history
00:25:10 --> 00:25:13 they may not even
00:25:13 --> 00:25:14 realise that we
00:25:14 --> 00:25:14 had a book of
00:25:14 --> 00:25:15 common prayer I
00:25:15 --> 00:25:16 would imagine that
00:25:16 --> 00:25:17 many of you tonight
00:25:17 --> 00:25:17 wouldn't even think
00:25:17 --> 00:25:18 twice about what a
00:25:18 --> 00:25:19 book of common
00:25:19 --> 00:25:20 prayer is
00:25:20 --> 00:25:27 and guess what
00:25:27 --> 00:25:29 they would have to
00:25:29 --> 00:25:31 build and run this
00:25:31 --> 00:25:32 church as best they
00:25:32 --> 00:25:33 could with the
00:25:33 --> 00:25:34 Bible in their
00:25:34 --> 00:25:35 hand and with
00:25:35 --> 00:25:36 believers around
00:25:36 --> 00:25:36 them
00:25:36 --> 00:25:38 do you think
00:25:38 --> 00:25:39 they could do
00:25:39 --> 00:25:39 that
00:25:39 --> 00:25:41 of course they
00:25:41 --> 00:25:41 could
00:25:41 --> 00:25:44 if all this was
00:25:44 --> 00:25:44 stripped away
00:25:44 --> 00:25:45 could a church
00:25:45 --> 00:25:46 happen and be run
00:25:46 --> 00:25:46 here in Chatswood
00:25:46 --> 00:25:47 without all the
00:25:47 --> 00:25:48 external stuff that
00:25:48 --> 00:25:48 we've got
00:25:48 --> 00:25:50 of course it
00:25:50 --> 00:25:51 could
00:25:51 --> 00:25:58 and so we
00:25:58 --> 00:25:59 would suddenly
00:25:59 --> 00:26:00 or the people who
00:26:00 --> 00:26:00 were left would
00:26:00 --> 00:26:02 be free from
00:26:02 --> 00:26:03 defending an
00:26:03 --> 00:26:03 institution
00:26:03 --> 00:26:06 and they
00:26:06 --> 00:26:06 would have a
00:26:06 --> 00:26:07 fresh start in
00:26:07 --> 00:26:08 pursuing Christ
00:26:08 --> 00:26:12 it'd be a
00:26:12 --> 00:26:13 blessing to us
00:26:13 --> 00:26:14 sometimes to take
00:26:14 --> 00:26:14 all this stuff
00:26:14 --> 00:26:15 from us this
00:26:15 --> 00:26:16 stuff's a blessing
00:26:16 --> 00:26:16 in one way but
00:26:16 --> 00:26:18 it's a distraction
00:26:18 --> 00:26:18 in others
00:26:18 --> 00:26:22 and so it's a bit
00:26:22 --> 00:26:23 like that in Rome
00:26:23 --> 00:26:24 you don't have any
00:26:24 --> 00:26:25 Jews left or very
00:26:25 --> 00:26:26 few Jews left
00:26:26 --> 00:26:27 confusing things with
00:26:27 --> 00:26:28 issues like
00:26:28 --> 00:26:29 circumcision or
00:26:29 --> 00:26:30 eating prawns or
00:26:30 --> 00:26:31 food offered to
00:26:31 --> 00:26:32 idols
00:26:32 --> 00:26:34 the Roman
00:26:34 --> 00:26:35 Christians could
00:26:35 --> 00:26:36 pursue and
00:26:36 --> 00:26:36 worship Christ
00:26:36 --> 00:26:37 without being
00:26:37 --> 00:26:39 encumbered by the
00:26:39 --> 00:26:40 baggage from a
00:26:40 --> 00:26:41 different culture
00:26:41 --> 00:26:41 and a different
00:26:41 --> 00:26:42 people
00:26:42 --> 00:26:44 and we're not
00:26:44 --> 00:26:45 slandering the
00:26:45 --> 00:26:46 Jews because we
00:26:46 --> 00:26:46 know what the
00:26:46 --> 00:26:47 book of Hebrews
00:26:47 --> 00:26:48 says the book of
00:26:48 --> 00:26:49 Hebrews says that
00:26:49 --> 00:26:50 the temple and
00:26:50 --> 00:26:51 the system of
00:26:51 --> 00:26:51 worship in
00:26:51 --> 00:26:53 Jerusalem was
00:26:53 --> 00:26:54 only ever a
00:26:54 --> 00:26:55 shadow of what
00:26:55 --> 00:26:56 God would achieve
00:26:56 --> 00:26:57 in Christ
00:26:57 --> 00:26:57 Christ
00:26:57 --> 00:26:59 they didn't
00:26:59 --> 00:27:00 need
00:27:00 --> 00:27:02 so the
00:27:02 --> 00:27:03 international
00:27:03 --> 00:27:04 Christians did
00:27:04 --> 00:27:05 not need the
00:27:05 --> 00:27:06 same mindset
00:27:06 --> 00:27:08 change that the
00:27:08 --> 00:27:09 Jewish believers
00:27:09 --> 00:27:09 did
00:27:09 --> 00:27:14 and so I think
00:27:14 --> 00:27:14 that Paul writes
00:27:14 --> 00:27:16 this gospel to
00:27:16 --> 00:27:17 Rome to strengthen
00:27:17 --> 00:27:17 the Christian
00:27:17 --> 00:27:18 church there
00:27:18 --> 00:27:21 they are an
00:27:21 --> 00:27:22 international church
00:27:22 --> 00:27:22 he wants to make
00:27:22 --> 00:27:23 sure that they
00:27:23 --> 00:27:24 know the true
00:27:24 --> 00:27:24 gospel
00:27:24 --> 00:27:26 they've been
00:27:26 --> 00:27:27 established at
00:27:27 --> 00:27:28 the centre of
00:27:28 --> 00:27:28 the empire
00:27:28 --> 00:27:31 God has given
00:27:31 --> 00:27:32 them a strategic
00:27:32 --> 00:27:33 ministry to
00:27:33 --> 00:27:34 believers who
00:27:34 --> 00:27:34 know nothing of
00:27:34 --> 00:27:35 Judaism
00:27:35 --> 00:27:37 and Paul wants
00:27:37 --> 00:27:38 them to be clear
00:27:38 --> 00:27:39 about the freedom
00:27:39 --> 00:27:40 that they have in
00:27:40 --> 00:27:40 Christ
00:27:40 --> 00:27:42 and I think he
00:27:42 --> 00:27:43 helps them
00:27:43 --> 00:27:43 pastorally
00:27:43 --> 00:27:45 some of the
00:27:45 --> 00:27:47 believers of
00:27:47 --> 00:27:48 Jewish heritage
00:27:48 --> 00:27:48 it's nine years
00:27:48 --> 00:27:49 later they're
00:27:49 --> 00:27:49 beginning to come
00:27:49 --> 00:27:50 back into Rome
00:27:50 --> 00:27:52 Priscilla and
00:27:52 --> 00:27:53 Aquila are
00:27:53 --> 00:27:54 mentioned in
00:27:54 --> 00:27:55 Romans chapter
00:27:55 --> 00:27:56 16 they're no
00:27:56 --> 00:27:56 longer in
00:27:56 --> 00:27:57 Corinth they're
00:27:57 --> 00:27:58 now back in
00:27:58 --> 00:27:58 Rome
00:27:58 --> 00:28:01 and so Paul
00:28:01 --> 00:28:02 spends a lot
00:28:02 --> 00:28:02 of time in
00:28:02 --> 00:28:03 this letter
00:28:03 --> 00:28:04 explaining the
00:28:04 --> 00:28:05 place and the
00:28:05 --> 00:28:05 significance of
00:28:05 --> 00:28:06 the Jews in
00:28:06 --> 00:28:07 God's purposes
00:28:07 --> 00:28:07 which you see
00:28:07 --> 00:28:08 in chapters
00:28:08 --> 00:28:09 9 to 11
00:28:09 --> 00:28:11 and he
00:28:11 --> 00:28:12 explains how
00:28:12 --> 00:28:12 the church
00:28:12 --> 00:28:13 is to get on
00:28:13 --> 00:28:14 with one another
00:28:14 --> 00:28:15 with different
00:28:15 --> 00:28:15 beliefs and
00:28:15 --> 00:28:16 backgrounds and
00:28:16 --> 00:28:17 that's what goes
00:28:17 --> 00:28:18 on in chapters
00:28:18 --> 00:28:19 13 and 14
00:28:19 --> 00:28:20 when it speaks
00:28:20 --> 00:28:21 about the
00:28:21 --> 00:28:21 weak and the
00:28:21 --> 00:28:22 strong you
00:28:22 --> 00:28:22 know you
00:28:22 --> 00:28:23 who are
00:28:23 --> 00:28:24 strong ought
00:28:24 --> 00:28:25 to bear with
00:28:25 --> 00:28:25 the failings
00:28:25 --> 00:28:26 of those who
00:28:26 --> 00:28:27 are weak and
00:28:27 --> 00:28:27 I think it's
00:28:27 --> 00:28:28 very clearly
00:28:28 --> 00:28:29 that he sees
00:28:29 --> 00:28:29 the Jewish
00:28:29 --> 00:28:30 believers as
00:28:30 --> 00:28:31 the weak ones
00:28:31 --> 00:28:31 in that
00:28:31 --> 00:28:32 circumstance
00:28:32 --> 00:28:38 so brothers
00:28:38 --> 00:28:39 and sisters
00:28:39 --> 00:28:40 Romans is a
00:28:40 --> 00:28:41 glorious description
00:28:41 --> 00:28:42 of God's big
00:28:42 --> 00:28:43 picture purposes
00:28:43 --> 00:28:44 and what they
00:28:44 --> 00:28:46 mean it's
00:28:46 --> 00:28:47 about God
00:28:47 --> 00:28:48 it's God's
00:28:48 --> 00:28:49 gospel not
00:28:49 --> 00:28:50 our gospel
00:28:50 --> 00:28:52 and it's
00:28:52 --> 00:28:52 about what
00:28:52 --> 00:28:53 God wants
00:28:53 --> 00:28:53 from his
00:28:53 --> 00:28:53 people
00:28:53 --> 00:28:56 and you
00:28:56 --> 00:28:56 see very
00:28:56 --> 00:28:57 clearly in
00:28:57 --> 00:28:57 this letter
00:28:57 --> 00:28:58 that God
00:28:58 --> 00:28:59 is strategic
00:28:59 --> 00:28:59 he is
00:28:59 --> 00:29:00 purposeful
00:29:00 --> 00:29:01 he's not
00:29:01 --> 00:29:01 muddling
00:29:01 --> 00:29:03 along wondering
00:29:03 --> 00:29:03 what he will
00:29:03 --> 00:29:04 do next
00:29:04 --> 00:29:07 it's been
00:29:07 --> 00:29:07 his strategy
00:29:07 --> 00:29:08 since before
00:29:08 --> 00:29:09 he called
00:29:09 --> 00:29:09 Abraham
00:29:09 --> 00:29:11 and his
00:29:11 --> 00:29:12 purpose is
00:29:12 --> 00:29:12 to bring
00:29:12 --> 00:29:13 all the
00:29:13 --> 00:29:14 nations under
00:29:14 --> 00:29:14 his blessing
00:29:14 --> 00:29:16 and he's
00:29:16 --> 00:29:16 not someone
00:29:16 --> 00:29:16 who looks
00:29:16 --> 00:29:17 at different
00:29:17 --> 00:29:17 nations and
00:29:17 --> 00:29:18 discriminates
00:29:18 --> 00:29:19 like we
00:29:19 --> 00:29:19 do and
00:29:19 --> 00:29:19 we think
00:29:19 --> 00:29:20 why would
00:29:20 --> 00:29:20 God want
00:29:20 --> 00:29:20 them or
00:29:20 --> 00:29:21 how could
00:29:21 --> 00:29:21 he possibly
00:29:21 --> 00:29:23 tap into
00:29:23 --> 00:29:23 them
00:29:23 --> 00:29:24 he said
00:29:24 --> 00:29:25 to Abraham
00:29:25 --> 00:29:26 all peoples
00:29:26 --> 00:29:26 on earth
00:29:26 --> 00:29:27 will be
00:29:27 --> 00:29:27 blessed
00:29:27 --> 00:29:28 through you
00:29:28 --> 00:29:31 Jews
00:29:31 --> 00:29:33 had narrowly
00:29:33 --> 00:29:34 kept the
00:29:34 --> 00:29:35 promises to
00:29:35 --> 00:29:35 themselves
00:29:35 --> 00:29:36 as a
00:29:36 --> 00:29:36 generalisation
00:29:36 --> 00:29:38 and God
00:29:38 --> 00:29:38 and God
00:29:38 --> 00:29:39 seized
00:29:39 --> 00:29:40 one Jew
00:29:40 --> 00:29:41 a Jew
00:29:41 --> 00:29:42 who hated
00:29:42 --> 00:29:42 him
00:29:42 --> 00:29:43 and hated
00:29:43 --> 00:29:44 his people
00:29:44 --> 00:29:44 the apostle
00:29:44 --> 00:29:45 Paul
00:29:45 --> 00:29:47 and he
00:29:47 --> 00:29:47 made him
00:29:47 --> 00:29:47 his own
00:29:47 --> 00:29:49 and he
00:29:49 --> 00:29:50 sent him
00:29:50 --> 00:29:51 on an
00:29:51 --> 00:29:52 international
00:29:52 --> 00:29:52 mission
00:29:52 --> 00:29:53 telling people
00:29:53 --> 00:29:54 what God
00:29:54 --> 00:29:55 had done
00:29:55 --> 00:29:56 in Christ
00:29:56 --> 00:29:58 and so
00:29:58 --> 00:29:59 God's purpose
00:29:59 --> 00:30:00 is to bring
00:30:00 --> 00:30:00 men and
00:30:00 --> 00:30:01 women to
00:30:01 --> 00:30:01 himself
00:30:01 --> 00:30:02 and he
00:30:02 --> 00:30:02 does it
00:30:02 --> 00:30:02 with a
00:30:02 --> 00:30:03 message
00:30:03 --> 00:30:03 and the
00:30:03 --> 00:30:04 message is
00:30:04 --> 00:30:05 the precious
00:30:05 --> 00:30:05 gospel
00:30:05 --> 00:30:06 of our
00:30:06 --> 00:30:07 Lord Jesus
00:30:07 --> 00:30:07 Christ
00:30:07 --> 00:30:08 that's what
00:30:08 --> 00:30:08 Romans is
00:30:08 --> 00:30:09 about
00:30:09 --> 00:30:12 strategy is
00:30:12 --> 00:30:12 not a
00:30:12 --> 00:30:13 dirty word
00:30:13 --> 00:30:16 all of us
00:30:16 --> 00:30:17 think strategically
00:30:17 --> 00:30:17 I think in
00:30:17 --> 00:30:18 our church
00:30:18 --> 00:30:19 we are a
00:30:19 --> 00:30:19 church
00:30:19 --> 00:30:21 we've been
00:30:21 --> 00:30:21 an older
00:30:21 --> 00:30:22 church
00:30:22 --> 00:30:22 which is
00:30:22 --> 00:30:22 probably
00:30:22 --> 00:30:23 in the
00:30:23 --> 00:30:24 process
00:30:24 --> 00:30:24 of renewing
00:30:24 --> 00:30:26 and
00:30:26 --> 00:30:28 when a
00:30:28 --> 00:30:28 church
00:30:28 --> 00:30:30 of 300
00:30:30 --> 00:30:30 people
00:30:30 --> 00:30:31 which might
00:30:31 --> 00:30:31 be our
00:30:31 --> 00:30:32 church
00:30:32 --> 00:30:32 supports
00:30:32 --> 00:30:33 9 or
00:30:33 --> 00:30:33 10
00:30:33 --> 00:30:34 people
00:30:34 --> 00:30:34 doing
00:30:34 --> 00:30:34 ministry
00:30:34 --> 00:30:35 in other
00:30:35 --> 00:30:35 places
00:30:35 --> 00:30:37 that's
00:30:37 --> 00:30:37 actually
00:30:37 --> 00:30:37 a
00:30:37 --> 00:30:38 strategy
00:30:38 --> 00:30:38 for
00:30:38 --> 00:30:38 bringing
00:30:38 --> 00:30:39 God's
00:30:39 --> 00:30:39 message
00:30:39 --> 00:30:39 to the
00:30:39 --> 00:30:40 world
00:30:40 --> 00:30:41 and so
00:30:41 --> 00:30:41 Tim
00:30:41 --> 00:30:41 who was
00:30:41 --> 00:30:42 here last
00:30:42 --> 00:30:42 week
00:30:42 --> 00:30:43 from the
00:30:43 --> 00:30:43 Middle East
00:30:43 --> 00:30:44 and spoke
00:30:44 --> 00:30:44 to us
00:30:44 --> 00:30:45 and Kylie
00:30:45 --> 00:30:46 quietly
00:30:46 --> 00:30:46 teaching
00:30:46 --> 00:30:47 people
00:30:47 --> 00:30:47 in the
00:30:47 --> 00:30:48 Middle East
00:30:48 --> 00:30:48 they are
00:30:48 --> 00:30:49 working
00:30:49 --> 00:30:50 strategically
00:30:50 --> 00:30:51 to strengthen
00:30:51 --> 00:30:51 the church
00:30:51 --> 00:30:53 in a place
00:30:53 --> 00:30:53 where it is
00:30:53 --> 00:30:54 really dangerous
00:30:54 --> 00:30:54 to be a
00:30:54 --> 00:30:55 believer
00:30:55 --> 00:30:58 it's a
00:30:58 --> 00:30:59 great thing
00:30:59 --> 00:30:59 when we
00:30:59 --> 00:31:00 support
00:31:00 --> 00:31:00 strategic
00:31:00 --> 00:31:01 ministry
00:31:01 --> 00:31:02 to other
00:31:02 --> 00:31:02 places
00:31:02 --> 00:31:04 300
00:31:04 --> 00:31:04 people
00:31:04 --> 00:31:05 providing
00:31:05 --> 00:31:06 resources
00:31:06 --> 00:31:07 to many
00:31:07 --> 00:31:08 ministries
00:31:08 --> 00:31:08 beyond here
00:31:08 --> 00:31:08 that's just
00:31:08 --> 00:31:09 terrific
00:31:09 --> 00:31:09 and we
00:31:09 --> 00:31:09 ought to
00:31:09 --> 00:31:10 continue
00:31:10 --> 00:31:10 to do
00:31:10 --> 00:31:10 it
00:31:10 --> 00:31:14 but it's
00:31:14 --> 00:31:15 really important
00:31:15 --> 00:31:16 for us
00:31:16 --> 00:31:16 to be
00:31:16 --> 00:31:17 strategic
00:31:17 --> 00:31:18 in
00:31:18 --> 00:31:18 Chatswood
00:31:18 --> 00:31:20 or in
00:31:20 --> 00:31:20 our
00:31:20 --> 00:31:21 workplace
00:31:21 --> 00:31:22 or in
00:31:22 --> 00:31:23 our school
00:31:23 --> 00:31:23 or in
00:31:23 --> 00:31:23 our
00:31:23 --> 00:31:24 university
00:31:24 --> 00:31:24 community
00:31:24 --> 00:31:28 and I
00:31:28 --> 00:31:28 don't know
00:31:28 --> 00:31:28 if you
00:31:28 --> 00:31:28 go off
00:31:28 --> 00:31:29 to uni
00:31:29 --> 00:31:29 and you
00:31:29 --> 00:31:30 see the
00:31:30 --> 00:31:30 great
00:31:30 --> 00:31:30 mass of
00:31:30 --> 00:31:31 people
00:31:31 --> 00:31:31 who don't
00:31:31 --> 00:31:31 know
00:31:31 --> 00:31:32 Christ
00:31:32 --> 00:31:32 you can
00:31:32 --> 00:31:33 sometimes
00:31:33 --> 00:31:33 throw your
00:31:33 --> 00:31:34 hands in
00:31:34 --> 00:31:34 the air
00:31:34 --> 00:31:35 and say
00:31:35 --> 00:31:36 where do I
00:31:36 --> 00:31:37 start
00:31:37 --> 00:31:38 what do I
00:31:38 --> 00:31:39 do
00:31:39 --> 00:31:42 and I
00:31:42 --> 00:31:42 want to
00:31:42 --> 00:31:42 say
00:31:42 --> 00:31:43 under God
00:31:43 --> 00:31:44 to take
00:31:44 --> 00:31:44 personal
00:31:44 --> 00:31:45 responsibility
00:31:45 --> 00:31:45 for what
00:31:45 --> 00:31:46 God has
00:31:46 --> 00:31:46 given
00:31:46 --> 00:31:46 you
00:31:46 --> 00:31:50 don't
00:31:50 --> 00:31:50 look around
00:31:50 --> 00:31:51 at everybody
00:31:51 --> 00:31:51 else
00:31:51 --> 00:31:52 think about
00:31:52 --> 00:31:52 where God
00:31:52 --> 00:31:53 has placed
00:31:53 --> 00:31:53 you
00:31:53 --> 00:31:54 the family
00:31:54 --> 00:31:54 that you're
00:31:54 --> 00:31:55 in
00:31:55 --> 00:31:56 the sporting
00:31:56 --> 00:31:56 team that
00:31:56 --> 00:31:57 you play
00:31:57 --> 00:31:57 in
00:31:57 --> 00:31:58 the workplace
00:31:58 --> 00:31:58 you find
00:31:58 --> 00:31:59 yourself in
00:31:59 --> 00:31:59 the school
00:31:59 --> 00:32:00 or the
00:32:00 --> 00:32:00 university
00:32:00 --> 00:32:00 he's
00:32:00 --> 00:32:01 taking
00:32:01 --> 00:32:01 you to
00:32:01 --> 00:32:03 I said
00:32:03 --> 00:32:03 to mums
00:32:03 --> 00:32:03 and bubs
00:32:03 --> 00:32:04 the other
00:32:04 --> 00:32:04 day
00:32:04 --> 00:32:05 don't ask
00:32:05 --> 00:32:05 me why
00:32:05 --> 00:32:06 I was at
00:32:06 --> 00:32:06 mums
00:32:06 --> 00:32:06 and bubs
00:32:06 --> 00:32:06 I'm not
00:32:06 --> 00:32:07 really a
00:32:07 --> 00:32:07 mum
00:32:07 --> 00:32:07 and I'm
00:32:07 --> 00:32:08 not a
00:32:08 --> 00:32:08 bub
00:32:08 --> 00:32:09 or I
00:32:09 --> 00:32:09 was a
00:32:09 --> 00:32:09 bub
00:32:09 --> 00:32:09 but it
00:32:09 --> 00:32:10 was a
00:32:10 --> 00:32:10 long time
00:32:10 --> 00:32:10 ago
00:32:10 --> 00:32:12 but I
00:32:12 --> 00:32:12 said to
00:32:12 --> 00:32:12 them I
00:32:12 --> 00:32:13 don't think
00:32:13 --> 00:32:13 that God
00:32:13 --> 00:32:13 is trying
00:32:13 --> 00:32:14 to add
00:32:14 --> 00:32:14 to our
00:32:14 --> 00:32:14 load
00:32:14 --> 00:32:15 and asking
00:32:15 --> 00:32:15 us to
00:32:15 --> 00:32:16 do more
00:32:16 --> 00:32:16 and more
00:32:16 --> 00:32:17 and more
00:32:17 --> 00:32:17 so that we
00:32:17 --> 00:32:18 end up being
00:32:18 --> 00:32:19 burdened
00:32:19 --> 00:32:19 Christians
00:32:19 --> 00:32:20 falling down
00:32:20 --> 00:32:20 all over
00:32:20 --> 00:32:21 the place
00:32:21 --> 00:32:21 with too
00:32:21 --> 00:32:22 much to do
00:32:22 --> 00:32:22 because he's
00:32:22 --> 00:32:23 a hard
00:32:23 --> 00:32:23 taskmaster
00:32:23 --> 00:32:24 he's not
00:32:24 --> 00:32:25 like an
00:32:25 --> 00:32:25 Olympic
00:32:25 --> 00:32:26 God
00:32:26 --> 00:32:26 saying you
00:32:31 --> 00:32:32 he's not
00:32:32 --> 00:32:33 doing that
00:32:33 --> 00:32:33 he calls
00:32:33 --> 00:32:34 us to be
00:32:34 --> 00:32:34 faithful
00:32:34 --> 00:32:35 with what
00:32:35 --> 00:32:36 he has
00:32:36 --> 00:32:36 given us
00:32:36 --> 00:32:37 in the
00:32:37 --> 00:32:37 place
00:32:37 --> 00:32:38 in which
00:32:38 --> 00:32:38 he has
00:32:38 --> 00:32:39 put us
00:32:39 --> 00:32:42 he's a
00:32:42 --> 00:32:43 strategic
00:32:43 --> 00:32:43 God
00:32:43 --> 00:32:44 he's able
00:32:44 --> 00:32:45 to use
00:32:45 --> 00:32:45 all his
00:32:45 --> 00:32:46 people
00:32:46 --> 00:32:46 to his
00:32:46 --> 00:32:46 glory
00:32:46 --> 00:32:48 and so
00:32:48 --> 00:32:49 if every
00:32:49 --> 00:32:49 one of
00:32:49 --> 00:32:50 us
00:32:50 --> 00:32:50 was
00:32:50 --> 00:32:50 nurturing
00:32:50 --> 00:32:51 just one
00:32:51 --> 00:32:52 relationship
00:32:52 --> 00:32:54 where we
00:32:54 --> 00:32:55 were bold
00:32:55 --> 00:32:55 to speak
00:32:55 --> 00:32:55 to our
00:32:55 --> 00:32:56 friend
00:32:56 --> 00:32:56 about
00:32:56 --> 00:32:56 Christ
00:32:56 --> 00:32:56 and I
00:32:56 --> 00:32:57 don't
00:32:57 --> 00:32:57 mean
00:32:57 --> 00:32:57 going
00:32:57 --> 00:32:57 having
00:32:57 --> 00:32:57 coffee
00:32:57 --> 00:32:58 tomorrow
00:32:58 --> 00:32:58 and say
00:32:58 --> 00:32:58 I've
00:32:58 --> 00:32:58 really
00:32:58 --> 00:32:59 got to
00:32:59 --> 00:32:59 tell you
00:32:59 --> 00:32:59 about
00:32:59 --> 00:32:59 Christ
00:32:59 --> 00:33:00 because
00:33:00 --> 00:33:00 the
00:33:00 --> 00:33:00 preacher
00:33:00 --> 00:33:01 told me
00:33:01 --> 00:33:01 to
00:33:01 --> 00:33:01 last
00:33:01 --> 00:33:01 night
00:33:01 --> 00:33:01 night
00:33:01 --> 00:33:03 I
00:33:03 --> 00:33:03 mean
00:33:03 --> 00:33:03 nurturing
00:33:03 --> 00:33:04 friendship
00:33:04 --> 00:33:04 being a
00:33:04 --> 00:33:05 real
00:33:05 --> 00:33:05 friend
00:33:05 --> 00:33:05 being in
00:33:05 --> 00:33:06 relationship
00:33:06 --> 00:33:07 but in
00:33:07 --> 00:33:07 the
00:33:07 --> 00:33:08 context
00:33:08 --> 00:33:08 of the
00:33:08 --> 00:33:09 relationship
00:33:09 --> 00:33:09 being
00:33:09 --> 00:33:10 unashamed
00:33:10 --> 00:33:10 about your
00:33:10 --> 00:33:11 faith in
00:33:11 --> 00:33:11 the Lord
00:33:11 --> 00:33:11 Jesus
00:33:11 --> 00:33:12 Christ
00:33:12 --> 00:33:12 and praying
00:33:12 --> 00:33:12 for the
00:33:12 --> 00:33:13 opportunities
00:33:13 --> 00:33:14 to speak
00:33:14 --> 00:33:14 about him
00:33:14 --> 00:33:16 because if
00:33:16 --> 00:33:17 we all
00:33:17 --> 00:33:18 did that
00:33:18 --> 00:33:19 then 300
00:33:19 --> 00:33:19 people from
00:33:19 --> 00:33:20 here are
00:33:20 --> 00:33:20 going out
00:33:20 --> 00:33:21 into the
00:33:21 --> 00:33:21 year and
00:33:21 --> 00:33:21 into the
00:33:21 --> 00:33:22 week or
00:33:22 --> 00:33:22 wherever
00:33:22 --> 00:33:22 we're going
00:33:22 --> 00:33:23 and we
00:33:23 --> 00:33:24 are having
00:33:24 --> 00:33:24 an impact
00:33:24 --> 00:33:25 all over
00:33:25 --> 00:33:25 the place
00:33:25 --> 00:33:26 with more
00:33:26 --> 00:33:27 than 300
00:33:27 --> 00:33:27 people
00:33:27 --> 00:33:30 it's a
00:33:30 --> 00:33:30 big
00:33:30 --> 00:33:31 gospel
00:33:31 --> 00:33:31 it's a
00:33:31 --> 00:33:32 big task
00:33:32 --> 00:33:33 but not
00:33:33 --> 00:33:33 too big
00:33:33 --> 00:33:35 I took
00:33:35 --> 00:33:36 great
00:33:36 --> 00:33:36 encouragement
00:33:36 --> 00:33:36 another
00:33:36 --> 00:33:37 we war
00:33:37 --> 00:33:37 story
00:33:37 --> 00:33:37 tonight
00:33:37 --> 00:33:38 how's
00:33:38 --> 00:33:38 that
00:33:38 --> 00:33:38 two in
00:33:38 --> 00:33:39 a row
00:33:39 --> 00:33:39 sorry
00:33:39 --> 00:33:39 Joyce
00:33:39 --> 00:33:41 but I
00:33:41 --> 00:33:41 worked for
00:33:41 --> 00:33:41 a while
00:33:41 --> 00:33:42 with a
00:33:42 --> 00:33:42 man called
00:33:42 --> 00:33:43 Gary Stewart
00:33:43 --> 00:33:43 who works out
00:33:43 --> 00:33:44 in Walgett
00:33:44 --> 00:33:45 these days
00:33:45 --> 00:33:47 and we were
00:33:47 --> 00:33:48 chewing the fat
00:33:48 --> 00:33:49 down at the river
00:33:49 --> 00:33:49 for one of our
00:33:49 --> 00:33:50 staff meetings
00:33:50 --> 00:33:51 one day
00:33:51 --> 00:33:51 I think we were
00:33:51 --> 00:33:52 catching carp out
00:33:52 --> 00:33:52 of the river
00:33:52 --> 00:33:53 and talking
00:33:53 --> 00:33:53 ministry
00:33:53 --> 00:33:54 that's my
00:33:54 --> 00:33:55 justification
00:33:55 --> 00:33:57 and I
00:33:57 --> 00:33:57 think he
00:33:57 --> 00:33:57 was feeling
00:33:57 --> 00:33:58 overwhelmed
00:33:58 --> 00:33:58 at the
00:33:58 --> 00:33:59 task
00:33:59 --> 00:33:59 because he
00:33:59 --> 00:33:59 could see
00:33:59 --> 00:34:00 the needs
00:34:00 --> 00:34:00 of people
00:34:00 --> 00:34:01 and a number
00:34:01 --> 00:34:01 who didn't
00:34:01 --> 00:34:02 know Jesus
00:34:02 --> 00:34:02 and he
00:34:02 --> 00:34:03 just said
00:34:03 --> 00:34:03 it's such
00:34:03 --> 00:34:03 a big
00:34:03 --> 00:34:04 job
00:34:04 --> 00:34:04 what do
00:34:04 --> 00:34:04 we do
00:34:04 --> 00:34:05 at church
00:34:05 --> 00:34:05 how do
00:34:05 --> 00:34:05 we minister
00:34:05 --> 00:34:06 and I
00:34:06 --> 00:34:07 think the
00:34:07 --> 00:34:07 grace of
00:34:07 --> 00:34:07 God spoke
00:34:07 --> 00:34:08 to me
00:34:08 --> 00:34:08 and said
00:34:08 --> 00:34:09 one at a
00:34:09 --> 00:34:09 time
00:34:09 --> 00:34:11 we work
00:34:11 --> 00:34:12 one person
00:34:12 --> 00:34:12 at a time
00:34:12 --> 00:34:12 in the
00:34:12 --> 00:34:13 relationships
00:34:13 --> 00:34:13 that we
00:34:13 --> 00:34:14 have
00:34:14 --> 00:34:14 and we
00:34:14 --> 00:34:15 take the
00:34:15 --> 00:34:15 opportunities
00:34:15 --> 00:34:16 that God
00:34:16 --> 00:34:16 has given
00:34:16 --> 00:34:17 us
00:34:17 --> 00:34:19 so don't
00:34:19 --> 00:34:19 be
00:34:19 --> 00:34:19 overwhelmed
00:34:19 --> 00:34:21 be faithful
00:34:21 --> 00:34:22 to Christ
00:34:22 --> 00:34:22 with what
00:34:22 --> 00:34:23 God has
00:34:23 --> 00:34:24 given you
00:34:24 --> 00:34:26 because the
00:34:26 --> 00:34:27 big picture
00:34:27 --> 00:34:28 is accomplished
00:34:28 --> 00:34:29 by doing the
00:34:29 --> 00:34:30 little things
00:34:30 --> 00:34:31 by being
00:34:31 --> 00:34:31 faithful
00:34:31 --> 00:34:33 and taking
00:34:33 --> 00:34:33 the opportunities
00:34:33 --> 00:34:34 that God
00:34:34 --> 00:34:34 has given
00:34:34 --> 00:34:35 you
00:34:35 --> 00:34:36 Amen
00:34:36 --> 00:34:37 I'm going
00:34:37 --> 00:34:37 to pray
00:34:37 --> 00:34:40 we do pray
00:34:40 --> 00:34:40 Lord Jesus
00:34:40 --> 00:34:41 that you
00:34:41 --> 00:34:41 would help
00:34:41 --> 00:34:42 us
00:34:42 --> 00:34:45 to see
00:34:45 --> 00:34:45 the wonderful
00:34:45 --> 00:34:46 task that you
00:34:46 --> 00:34:46 have set
00:34:46 --> 00:34:47 before us
00:34:47 --> 00:34:49 to wonder
00:34:49 --> 00:34:49 at the
00:34:49 --> 00:34:49 gospel
00:34:49 --> 00:34:51 to see
00:34:51 --> 00:34:52 the powerful
00:34:52 --> 00:34:52 transformation
00:34:52 --> 00:34:53 that you
00:34:53 --> 00:34:53 have given
00:34:53 --> 00:34:54 us in this
00:34:54 --> 00:34:55 extraordinary
00:34:55 --> 00:34:55 message
00:34:55 --> 00:34:57 about the
00:34:57 --> 00:34:57 Lord Jesus
00:34:57 --> 00:34:58 Christ
00:34:58 --> 00:34:58 and we
00:34:58 --> 00:34:59 pray tonight
00:34:59 --> 00:34:59 for each
00:34:59 --> 00:34:59 of us
00:34:59 --> 00:35:00 that we
00:35:00 --> 00:35:00 wouldn't
00:35:00 --> 00:35:00 walk from
00:35:00 --> 00:35:01 here
00:35:01 --> 00:35:02 discouraged
00:35:02 --> 00:35:03 and overwhelmed
00:35:03 --> 00:35:03 by the
00:35:03 --> 00:35:04 size of the
00:35:04 --> 00:35:04 task
00:35:04 --> 00:35:06 but that each
00:35:06 --> 00:35:07 of us might
00:35:07 --> 00:35:07 be encouraged
00:35:07 --> 00:35:08 in the power
00:35:08 --> 00:35:08 of your
00:35:08 --> 00:35:09 spirit to
00:35:09 --> 00:35:10 build genuine
00:35:10 --> 00:35:10 friendships
00:35:10 --> 00:35:11 with people
00:35:11 --> 00:35:12 where we
00:35:12 --> 00:35:12 are not
00:35:12 --> 00:35:13 ashamed of
00:35:13 --> 00:35:13 Christ
00:35:13 --> 00:35:15 and where we
00:35:15 --> 00:35:15 bring a word
00:35:15 --> 00:35:16 to bear in
00:35:16 --> 00:35:16 season as you
00:35:16 --> 00:35:17 give the
00:35:17 --> 00:35:17 opportunity
00:35:17 --> 00:35:18 but we do
00:35:18 --> 00:35:19 pray Lord
00:35:19 --> 00:35:19 Jesus
00:35:19 --> 00:35:20 that you
00:35:20 --> 00:35:21 would give
00:35:21 --> 00:35:21 us the
00:35:21 --> 00:35:21 opportunity
00:35:21 --> 00:35:22 that you
00:35:22 --> 00:35:22 would open
00:35:22 --> 00:35:23 doors
00:35:23 --> 00:35:24 and that we
00:35:24 --> 00:35:26 would find
00:35:26 --> 00:35:26 grace and
00:35:26 --> 00:35:27 empowerment
00:35:27 --> 00:35:28 to be faithful
00:35:28 --> 00:35:29 to you
00:35:29 --> 00:35:30 to enjoy
00:35:30 --> 00:35:31 and delight
00:35:31 --> 00:35:32 in your good
00:35:32 --> 00:35:33 gospel and to
00:35:33 --> 00:35:34 see its impact
00:35:34 --> 00:35:36 in the lives
00:35:36 --> 00:35:37 of many people
00:35:37 --> 00:35:38 around us
00:35:38 --> 00:35:39 and we pray
00:35:39 --> 00:35:40 this in Jesus
00:35:40 --> 00:35:41 precious name
00:35:41 --> 00:35:42 Amen
00:35:42 --> 00:35:42 movement
00:35:42 --> 00:35:42 back
00:35:42 --> 00:35:45 and hear
00:35:45 --> 00:35:46 what you
00:35:46 --> 00:35:46 want to
00:35:46 --> 00:35:47 see
00:35:47 --> 00:35:47 if you
00:35:47 --> 00:35:48 find
00:35:48 --> 00:35:48 quelque chose
00:35:48 --> 00:35:48 to be
00:35:48 --> 00:35:48 확
00:35:48 --> 00:35:49 to me
00:35:49 --> 00:35:49 to be
00:35:49 --> 00:35:50 the
00:35:50 --> 00:35:50 niet
00:35:50 --> 00:35:51 Teeth