WEBVTT 00:00:04.240 --> 00:00:04.688 All right, 00:00:04.688 --> 00:00:06.712 we are in the book of Romans. 00:00:06.712 --> 00:00:10.600 And I guess now since this is the second week actually in the text, 00:00:10.600 --> 00:00:13.656 it's cool that we get to continue moving forward. 00:00:13.728 --> 00:00:14.560 I want to point out, 00:00:14.560 --> 00:00:18.976 sort of the emphasis from last week is quite simply that Paul had an 00:00:18.976 --> 00:00:24.744 assignment. We find that in Acts 22 that on the road to Damascus, 00:00:24.792 --> 00:00:27.444 he was told to go to Damascus. 00:00:27.492 --> 00:00:31.360 And you will be told what has been assigned for you. 00:00:32.060 --> 00:00:33.596 So my challenge last week was, 00:00:33.596 --> 00:00:34.840 what's your assignment? 00:00:35.740 --> 00:00:38.710 What is it that as we walk through Romans, 00:00:38.756 --> 00:00:43.732 as we understand what it is that God wants us to know about him? 00:00:43.916 --> 00:00:48.080 Because the Bible is the revelation of God himself to us. 00:00:48.700 --> 00:00:51.244 I find myself asking that question every week. 00:00:51.244 --> 00:00:51.516 All right, 00:00:51.516 --> 00:00:53.446 God, what does this mean to me? 00:00:53.204 --> 00:00:54.678 How does this apply to me? 00:00:54.678 --> 00:00:58.998 How am I supposed to apply it in my life and then communicate it to you 00:00:58.998 --> 00:01:02.374 and give you the opportunity to apply it in your life? 00:01:02.374 --> 00:01:03.130 All right. 00:01:04.230 --> 00:01:05.182 All right. 00:01:05.366 --> 00:01:06.718 I'm excited this morning, 00:01:06.774 --> 00:01:07.854 just so you know. 00:01:07.638 --> 00:01:10.734 I'm kind of excited about the chaos we've created. 00:01:10.782 --> 00:01:12.170 Welcome. You made it. 00:01:12.870 --> 00:01:14.790 Those of you who are just now getting here. 00:01:14.790 --> 00:01:16.440 Yeah, we started at eight, 00:01:17.910 --> 00:01:19.890 eating meat and potluck Wednesday night. 00:01:19.910 --> 00:01:20.934 That'll be a fun time. 00:01:20.934 --> 00:01:21.758 It's always a crowd. 00:01:21.758 --> 00:01:22.838 If you get here late, 00:01:22.838 --> 00:01:24.818 you get to eat the napkins. 00:01:25.390 --> 00:01:26.438 Men's breakfast. 00:01:26.534 --> 00:01:29.318 The reason I'm going back over those announcements is not because Jordan 00:01:29.318 --> 00:01:29.870 messed it up, 00:01:29.870 --> 00:01:30.502 but. 00:01:30.686 --> 00:01:31.478 No, I'm just kidding. 00:01:31.478 --> 00:01:31.966 He did not. 00:01:31.966 --> 00:01:33.070 He did what he's supposed to, 00:01:33.070 --> 00:01:33.598 but really. 00:01:33.598 --> 00:01:35.590 Men's breakfast Saturday morning. 00:01:35.630 --> 00:01:38.822 Keep in prayer Dennis. 00:01:38.966 --> 00:01:43.534 He's one of our longtime cooks in the kitchen and he can't be with us. 00:01:43.534 --> 00:01:45.950 He can't be in a crowd right now because of some things. 00:01:45.950 --> 00:01:48.022 And so keep Dennis and Pamela in your prayers, 00:01:48.022 --> 00:01:49.266 alright? They're watching, 00:01:49.398 --> 00:01:50.594 so I'm waving at them. 00:01:50.594 --> 00:01:51.390 Alrighty. 00:01:52.050 --> 00:01:55.434 Alright, so this morning we are in Romans, 00:01:55.482 --> 00:01:55.970 chapter one. 00:01:55.970 --> 00:01:59.170 We're going to start in verse nine because I went through verse eight 00:01:59.170 --> 00:02:02.202 last week and I'll explain that in just a moment. 00:02:02.202 --> 00:02:03.722 Alright, here's the passage. 00:02:03.786 --> 00:02:04.570 For God, 00:02:04.730 --> 00:02:06.442 whom I serve in my spirit, 00:02:06.442 --> 00:02:10.498 in the preaching of the gospel of his Son is my witness as to how 00:02:10.498 --> 00:02:12.986 unceasingly I make mention of you, 00:02:13.138 --> 00:02:14.346 always in my prayers, 00:02:14.346 --> 00:02:15.274 making requests. 00:02:15.322 --> 00:02:17.140 If perhaps now at last, 00:02:17.290 --> 00:02:18.368 by the will of God, 00:02:18.368 --> 00:02:21.184 I may succeed in coming to you. 00:02:21.352 --> 00:02:25.496 For I long to see you in order that I may impart some spiritual gift to 00:02:25.496 --> 00:02:27.424 you, that you may be established, 00:02:27.424 --> 00:02:27.960 that is, 00:02:27.960 --> 00:02:30.600 that I may be encouraged together with you, 00:02:30.696 --> 00:02:31.640 while among you, 00:02:31.640 --> 00:02:32.630 each of us, 00:02:32.792 --> 00:02:34.272 by the other's faith, 00:02:34.336 --> 00:02:35.728 both yours and mine. 00:02:35.904 --> 00:02:37.552 And I do not want you to be unaware, 00:02:37.552 --> 00:02:41.952 brethren, that often I have planned to come to you and have been 00:02:41.976 --> 00:02:46.438 prevented thus far in order that I may obtain some fruit among you also, 00:02:46.438 --> 00:02:48.478 even as among the rest of the Gentiles, 00:02:48.478 --> 00:02:52.398 I am under obligation both to the Greeks and to barbarians, 00:02:52.574 --> 00:02:54.814 both to the wise and to the foolish. 00:02:54.814 --> 00:02:55.926 Thus, for my part, 00:02:55.926 --> 00:03:01.406 I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. 00:03:01.598 --> 00:03:03.614 Alright, let's pray. 00:03:03.742 --> 00:03:05.846 God, I thank you for your word again. 00:03:05.654 --> 00:03:06.494 And I thank you God, 00:03:06.494 --> 00:03:08.144 that you've spoken to us, 00:03:08.390 --> 00:03:09.910 God, more than just to us. 00:03:09.910 --> 00:03:12.362 You've spoken for us. 00:03:12.546 --> 00:03:14.658 So that God we might know you, 00:03:14.658 --> 00:03:18.090 we might be obedient and surrender to you, 00:03:18.130 --> 00:03:23.370 God, that we might understand that which you have purposed and designed 00:03:23.530 --> 00:03:24.650 for our lives. 00:03:24.770 --> 00:03:28.394 That we might live out a faith, 00:03:28.442 --> 00:03:31.242 a testimony that brings you glory, 00:03:31.306 --> 00:03:32.530 that points people to you. 00:03:32.530 --> 00:03:34.290 God help us to do that today. 00:03:33.714 --> 00:03:34.586 And God, 00:03:34.618 --> 00:03:36.178 we just pray it in Jesus name. 00:03:36.178 --> 00:03:42.420 Amen. So I titled today's message Company coming because really a lot of 00:03:42.460 --> 00:03:45.732 this opening chapter is Paul's introduction of himself. 00:03:45.796 --> 00:03:49.540 And yet most likely the Christians in Rome know Paul, 00:03:49.620 --> 00:03:50.772 understand Paul. 00:03:50.916 --> 00:03:51.356 You know, 00:03:51.356 --> 00:03:53.596 they've kind of gotten word of what's going on. 00:03:53.404 --> 00:03:54.064 I mean, 00:03:54.076 --> 00:03:59.572 it's been a decade or so or more since the resurrection and that kind of 00:03:59.596 --> 00:04:04.012 thing. And so Paul is now writing from Corinth and we get that in in the 00:04:04.012 --> 00:04:04.628 book of Acts. 00:04:04.628 --> 00:04:08.524 And that's where most scholars believe the book of Romans was written and 00:04:08.524 --> 00:04:10.132 sent forward onto Rome. 00:04:10.196 --> 00:04:15.972 Because Corinth being that kind of western point of Paul's travels and 00:04:15.996 --> 00:04:18.820 his desire to go further at that point, 00:04:18.940 --> 00:04:19.500 you see. 00:04:19.500 --> 00:04:21.916 And so we're going to talk a little bit about that today. 00:04:21.740 --> 00:04:22.764 But do y'all know something? 00:04:22.764 --> 00:04:24.520 I don't chew gum anymore. 00:04:26.700 --> 00:04:30.000 Do y'all know what that has to do with Paul? 00:04:30.150 --> 00:04:31.370 Not a thing. 00:04:32.070 --> 00:04:33.610 Just not a thing. 00:04:35.270 --> 00:04:38.410 Later. I used to chew gum all the time. 00:04:39.030 --> 00:04:40.630 And there's a reason for this story. 00:04:40.630 --> 00:04:42.158 And it sounds like I'm chasing a rabbit, 00:04:42.158 --> 00:04:43.148 but I'm not. 00:04:43.286 --> 00:04:44.726 I used to chew gum all the time. 00:04:44.726 --> 00:04:47.910 And every time I would chew gum and it got old and nasty and you know, 00:04:47.910 --> 00:04:51.430 just started to make your jaw hurt because it was so old, 00:04:51.430 --> 00:04:53.610 I'd throw it away, 00:04:53.990 --> 00:04:57.460 right? Take it out of my mouth and throw it away. 00:04:57.076 --> 00:04:58.396 Problem is some gums, 00:04:58.412 --> 00:04:59.404 when you take them out of your mouth, 00:04:59.404 --> 00:05:01.054 they stick to your fingers, 00:05:01.068 --> 00:05:02.188 y'all know that? 00:05:02.324 --> 00:05:03.644 Ever had that experience? 00:05:04.580 --> 00:05:10.252 So I began a habit when I would take gum out of my mouth of licking my 00:05:10.276 --> 00:05:12.908 fingers. And then I'd Take it out of my mouth, 00:05:12.908 --> 00:05:13.316 throw it away, 00:05:13.316 --> 00:05:14.092 and it wouldn't stick. 00:05:14.092 --> 00:05:14.880 Yay. 00:05:15.700 --> 00:05:18.108 So when I was pastoring up in Maryland, 00:05:18.108 --> 00:05:21.852 I was north of Baltimore and there was a guy named Andreas. 00:05:21.852 --> 00:05:22.956 He was our head trustee, 00:05:22.956 --> 00:05:28.946 took care of the property and his wife was very active in town Baptist 00:05:28.978 --> 00:05:30.930 church and so was he. 00:05:30.970 --> 00:05:32.290 He was the trustee. 00:05:32.290 --> 00:05:36.642 And yet one day Andreas goes home. 00:05:36.666 --> 00:05:37.690 I've told this story before, 00:05:37.690 --> 00:05:38.578 so if you remember, 00:05:38.578 --> 00:05:40.882 you just go with me on it. 00:05:40.282 --> 00:05:41.210 Andreas went home. 00:05:41.210 --> 00:05:41.530 He said, 00:05:41.530 --> 00:05:41.722 you know, 00:05:41.722 --> 00:05:42.026 he said, 00:05:42.026 --> 00:05:45.930 I saw Pastor Bobby do something today that I'm going to start doing. 00:05:45.930 --> 00:05:47.346 And Lisa was like, 00:05:47.498 --> 00:05:48.750 oh good, 00:05:49.700 --> 00:05:51.804 he's rubbing off on you. 00:05:51.972 --> 00:05:53.052 Kind of that idea, 00:05:53.052 --> 00:05:56.352 right? It's good that you're hanging out with the pastor. 00:05:55.996 --> 00:05:57.212 Right. He said, 00:05:57.236 --> 00:05:57.620 you know, 00:05:57.620 --> 00:05:59.484 when he takes gum out of his mouth, 00:05:59.484 --> 00:06:01.004 he licks his fingers. 00:06:01.132 --> 00:06:02.708 I'm going to start doing that. 00:06:02.708 --> 00:06:03.880 And Liza went, 00:06:05.300 --> 00:06:06.300 right, you know, 00:06:06.340 --> 00:06:07.660 kind of that picture. 00:06:08.660 --> 00:06:10.970 Why do we do what we do? 00:06:11.300 --> 00:06:14.100 I want to know why Paul's doing what he's doing. 00:06:14.100 --> 00:06:14.860 I mean, 00:06:14.980 --> 00:06:20.072 why did Paul undertake to travel throughout the Roman Empire, 00:06:20.136 --> 00:06:21.024 the known world, 00:06:21.024 --> 00:06:23.128 at least from Jerusalem West? 00:06:23.264 --> 00:06:25.440 Why did he undertake to do that? 00:06:25.440 --> 00:06:26.832 Well, I have to believe, 00:06:26.832 --> 00:06:28.216 and it's in the text. 00:06:28.216 --> 00:06:29.296 So I am on, 00:06:29.296 --> 00:06:30.946 I'm on point right now. 00:06:30.752 --> 00:06:35.160 It's in the text that in Acts 22 we are told that Paul went to Damascus 00:06:35.160 --> 00:06:37.704 to find out what he was assigned. 00:06:37.832 --> 00:06:43.496 And so Paul understands his assignment by the revelation and will of God 00:06:43.608 --> 00:06:44.384 for his life. 00:06:44.384 --> 00:06:46.352 And so my question for me, 00:06:46.352 --> 00:06:48.124 before I even bring it to you, 00:06:48.124 --> 00:06:50.764 is why do I do what I do? 00:06:51.020 --> 00:06:53.652 Well, obviously to take gum out of my mouth, 00:06:53.652 --> 00:06:57.316 I lick my fingers so that my gum doesn't stick to my fingers. 00:06:57.316 --> 00:07:00.004 But why do I preach? 00:07:00.132 --> 00:07:01.680 Why do I, 00:07:02.460 --> 00:07:04.800 Pastor, why do I, 00:07:05.260 --> 00:07:06.884 Father, why do I, 00:07:06.972 --> 00:07:08.800 husband, why do I, 00:07:09.100 --> 00:07:09.644 you know, 00:07:09.644 --> 00:07:14.810 all of those questions of why do I do the things that I do? 00:07:14.980 --> 00:07:16.726 And so I started doing a little research. 00:07:16.726 --> 00:07:21.650 So do you know that to start a habit. 00:07:22.310 --> 00:07:23.710 Okay, you ready? 00:07:23.870 --> 00:07:26.566 Now go ahead and work it out in your mind. 00:07:26.390 --> 00:07:28.430 Am I referring to a good habit or a bad habit? 00:07:28.430 --> 00:07:29.278 Doesn't matter. 00:07:29.414 --> 00:07:31.890 To start a new habit, 00:07:32.390 --> 00:07:34.174 studies say takes anywhere. 00:07:34.222 --> 00:07:37.390 Now I want to know why the differentiation here. 00:07:37.510 --> 00:07:41.586 To start a new habit takes anywhere between 18, 00:07:41.955 --> 00:07:44.300 254 days. 00:07:45.640 --> 00:07:48.608 Why so vast a difference? 00:07:48.784 --> 00:07:52.820 I'm going to tell you because some of us are hard headed. 00:07:53.320 --> 00:07:56.720 I'm on the 254 day end of this thing, 00:07:56.840 --> 00:08:00.464 right? 18 days doesn't accomplish it for me. 00:08:00.552 --> 00:08:01.912 It's going to take me, 00:08:01.912 --> 00:08:06.384 oh, at least 200 days to start a good new habit, 00:08:06.432 --> 00:08:07.084 right? 00:08:07.272 --> 00:08:08.612 So when we ask ourselves, 00:08:08.612 --> 00:08:09.596 why do we do what we do? 00:08:09.596 --> 00:08:15.316 It's because we've begun and undertaken to do something, 00:08:15.388 --> 00:08:16.388 whatever it is, 00:08:16.524 --> 00:08:17.796 to accomplish something, 00:08:17.868 --> 00:08:18.508 you know, 00:08:18.508 --> 00:08:19.280 I mean, 00:08:19.740 --> 00:08:21.280 it's February 2nd. 00:08:22.300 --> 00:08:24.236 I feel like I should repeat myself right now, 00:08:24.236 --> 00:08:25.226 but I'm not. 00:08:25.420 --> 00:08:26.708 It's Groundhog Day. 00:08:26.764 --> 00:08:28.540 I don't know if he saw his shadow or not. 00:08:28.316 --> 00:08:29.360 I don't care. 00:08:30.540 --> 00:08:32.499 It doesn't really have an impact, 00:08:32.499 --> 00:08:33.205 you know what I mean? 00:08:33.205 --> 00:08:34.525 But here you go, 00:08:35.669 --> 00:08:36.405 first of the year. 00:08:36.405 --> 00:08:38.237 We always hear about resolutions, 00:08:38.413 --> 00:08:41.309 right? I remember that question, 00:08:41.429 --> 00:08:43.169 have you made any resolutions? 00:08:43.669 --> 00:08:45.317 And I remember thinking all along, 00:08:45.317 --> 00:08:46.221 you know, 00:08:46.405 --> 00:08:50.701 is that what it takes to change something in ourselves? 00:08:50.765 --> 00:08:51.045 I mean, 00:08:51.045 --> 00:08:51.813 do I just say, 00:08:51.813 --> 00:08:53.965 okay, I'm going to do this? 00:08:54.117 --> 00:08:54.629 Well, no. 00:08:54.629 --> 00:08:55.581 According to studies, 00:08:55.581 --> 00:08:59.085 it's going to take you at least 18 days to establish it. 00:08:59.085 --> 00:09:00.404 Then for those of us who are hard, 00:09:00.404 --> 00:09:03.692 it's going to take 254 days to start it, 00:09:03.796 --> 00:09:04.440 right? 00:09:04.740 --> 00:09:06.040 Well, guess what? 00:09:06.900 --> 00:09:08.640 To break a habit, 00:09:09.700 --> 00:09:13.800 most leading studies say it takes 66 days. 00:09:15.780 --> 00:09:19.960 And somebody said call that 10 weeks. 00:09:20.740 --> 00:09:21.708 So 70 days, 00:09:21.764 --> 00:09:23.414 right? To break a habit. 00:09:23.372 --> 00:09:23.716 Well, now, 00:09:23.716 --> 00:09:24.706 wait a minute. 00:09:25.250 --> 00:09:28.150 If there's a habit I'm changing from, 00:09:28.850 --> 00:09:31.050 then why isn't it the same numbers? 00:09:31.050 --> 00:09:32.866 Well, if you read the next study after that, 00:09:32.866 --> 00:09:37.962 guess what they say it takes to break a habit takes between 18 days and 00:09:37.986 --> 00:09:39.270 254 days. 00:09:39.810 --> 00:09:40.790 Same thing, 00:09:41.810 --> 00:09:46.890 right? So when we're asking ourselves why we do what we do, 00:09:46.930 --> 00:09:49.306 here's the question bigger than that. 00:09:49.458 --> 00:09:54.610 How do we be different from who we are right now? 00:09:56.270 --> 00:09:57.030 I mean, 00:09:57.150 --> 00:10:01.170 if God leads you this morning to make the decision that, 00:10:01.790 --> 00:10:06.150 that you're going to be 100% all in, 00:10:06.270 --> 00:10:07.330 on fire, 00:10:07.630 --> 00:10:09.290 sold out for Jesus, 00:10:10.270 --> 00:10:12.350 how are you going to do that? 00:10:12.350 --> 00:10:14.050 What's your first step? 00:10:14.670 --> 00:10:17.640 Are you going to read your Bible every day? 00:10:18.280 --> 00:10:20.590 You're going to study it every day. 00:10:20.440 --> 00:10:24.552 You're going to get you some commentaries and some things to pile into 00:10:24.552 --> 00:10:25.542 it. I mean, 00:10:25.560 --> 00:10:29.464 because the truth is to be better or to be different from who I am today 00:10:29.464 --> 00:10:30.264 is the question, 00:10:30.264 --> 00:10:32.272 am I going to be better or am I going to be worse? 00:10:32.272 --> 00:10:37.312 Am I going to undertake a habit that is worse than who I am now, 00:10:37.336 --> 00:10:40.448 or am I going to strive to do better? 00:10:40.504 --> 00:10:40.920 Well, see, 00:10:40.920 --> 00:10:43.736 remember I shared with you when we first did the introduction to the Book 00:10:43.736 --> 00:10:44.428 of Romans? 00:10:44.544 --> 00:10:46.740 I said that phrase in there. 00:10:46.860 --> 00:10:53.320 The righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, 00:10:53.740 --> 00:10:55.868 that that picture is faith first to last. 00:10:55.868 --> 00:10:57.852 That picture is faith beginning to end, 00:10:57.852 --> 00:11:01.320 that our faith is meant to be growing, 00:11:02.140 --> 00:11:07.684 that God's doing something in us from this day's faith to tomorrow's 00:11:07.732 --> 00:11:10.332 faith, that our faith is supposed to be advancing. 00:11:10.332 --> 00:11:15.394 There's supposed to be an increase in our following and in our dependence 00:11:15.442 --> 00:11:19.666 and in our connection and contact and communication and conversation with 00:11:19.738 --> 00:11:24.466 God. So how am I going to make it the habit that my faith is an advancing 00:11:24.466 --> 00:11:27.602 and growing and a becoming faith? 00:11:27.746 --> 00:11:28.106 I mean, 00:11:28.106 --> 00:11:29.298 what did Paul do? 00:11:28.906 --> 00:11:30.690 Paul's blind in a basement. 00:11:30.850 --> 00:11:35.330 When Ananias comes to him and God gives him his sight back, 00:11:35.450 --> 00:11:36.922 and then Paul gives him his. 00:11:36.922 --> 00:11:37.162 I mean, 00:11:37.162 --> 00:11:38.932 Ananias. I mean, 00:11:38.956 --> 00:11:39.956 God through Ananias, 00:11:39.988 --> 00:11:41.236 gives Paul his assignment. 00:11:41.236 --> 00:11:41.956 That what? 00:11:42.028 --> 00:11:45.172 That you're going to preach the good news, 00:11:45.276 --> 00:11:49.320 the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Roman Empire. 00:11:50.540 --> 00:11:52.148 Right. That's the assignment. 00:11:52.244 --> 00:11:58.840 That's got to be the assignment that Paul received there in Damascus. 00:11:59.660 --> 00:12:00.980 It's got to be, 00:12:01.020 --> 00:12:03.660 because look at the rest of his life. 00:12:03.590 --> 00:12:04.406 That's what it says. 00:12:04.406 --> 00:12:05.066 He says, 00:12:05.174 --> 00:12:09.190 I'll back up to verse 8 just for the sake of backing up to it. 00:12:09.190 --> 00:12:09.830 He says, 00:12:09.830 --> 00:12:13.670 first, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you because the 00:12:13.670 --> 00:12:17.390 news of your faith is being reported in all the world. 00:12:17.510 --> 00:12:19.790 How does he know that there's no cnn, 00:12:19.790 --> 00:12:20.910 Internet, Fox News, 00:12:20.950 --> 00:12:22.094 or any of that stuff? 00:12:22.094 --> 00:12:26.330 It's because Paul's traveling to all the known world. 00:12:27.350 --> 00:12:32.148 He's going everywhere that he can find or being led to go. 00:12:32.204 --> 00:12:32.540 I mean, 00:12:32.540 --> 00:12:32.796 you know, 00:12:32.796 --> 00:12:34.068 we read in Acts, 00:12:34.068 --> 00:12:35.676 the whole Macedonian call thing. 00:12:35.676 --> 00:12:36.476 I wanted to go here, 00:12:36.476 --> 00:12:37.020 but God said, 00:12:37.020 --> 00:12:38.010 no, go there. 00:12:38.044 --> 00:12:39.436 There was a man standing there saying, 00:12:39.436 --> 00:12:40.700 come over and help us. 00:12:40.700 --> 00:12:41.980 When you study Paul's life, 00:12:41.980 --> 00:12:43.420 you start to see how God is going, 00:12:43.420 --> 00:12:44.452 no, here, 00:12:44.636 --> 00:12:45.626 let's go here. 00:12:45.484 --> 00:12:48.172 And so Paul is traveling from place to place, 00:12:48.172 --> 00:12:49.828 and in every place he's traveling, 00:12:49.828 --> 00:12:50.236 people are going. 00:12:50.236 --> 00:12:54.132 Yeah, we had some Christians show up the other day on a shopping trip. 00:12:54.132 --> 00:12:54.412 You know, 00:12:54.412 --> 00:12:56.828 they were here as tourists and they were telling us about their faith. 00:12:56.828 --> 00:12:57.798 Guess where they're from. 00:12:57.798 --> 00:12:58.930 They're from Rome. 00:13:00.470 --> 00:13:01.830 And in the next town, 00:13:01.830 --> 00:13:02.310 he was like, 00:13:02.310 --> 00:13:05.438 yeah, there was a whole group of Christians from that Roman church, 00:13:05.438 --> 00:13:05.750 you know, 00:13:05.750 --> 00:13:06.382 First Baptist, 00:13:06.382 --> 00:13:10.654 Rome. They showed up here last week doing a concert. 00:13:10.782 --> 00:13:11.430 I don't know. 00:13:11.430 --> 00:13:12.710 I'm just making that stuff up. 00:13:12.710 --> 00:13:13.982 But here's the point. 00:13:13.558 --> 00:13:17.998 Paul was hearing about what Christians were doing in Rome, 00:13:18.174 --> 00:13:19.824 what was happening in Rome. 00:13:19.838 --> 00:13:21.246 And so Paul says, 00:13:21.398 --> 00:13:22.062 for God, 00:13:22.126 --> 00:13:23.646 whom I serve in my spirit, 00:13:23.646 --> 00:13:26.038 in the preaching of the Gospel of His Son, 00:13:26.038 --> 00:13:31.184 is my witness as to how unceasingly I make mention of you. 00:13:31.352 --> 00:13:36.544 So Paul's also talking about the Christians who are in Rome. 00:13:36.672 --> 00:13:37.784 Then he goes on to say, 00:13:37.784 --> 00:13:39.040 always in my prayers, 00:13:39.040 --> 00:13:40.032 making requests. 00:13:40.096 --> 00:13:41.120 If perhaps now, 00:13:41.160 --> 00:13:41.640 at last, 00:13:41.640 --> 00:13:42.656 by the will of God, 00:13:42.656 --> 00:13:44.966 I may succeed in coming to you. 00:13:44.856 --> 00:13:46.380 So Paul is saying, 00:13:46.680 --> 00:13:48.660 I want to come to Rome, 00:13:48.672 --> 00:13:50.652 I want to go to Rome. 00:13:51.160 --> 00:13:51.822 I want, 00:13:51.916 --> 00:13:55.034 I want to come and share what he says. 00:13:55.122 --> 00:13:57.950 Preaching of the gospel of his son. 00:13:58.770 --> 00:14:00.242 Because that's what Paul does. 00:14:00.242 --> 00:14:01.892 That's who Paul is now. 00:14:01.714 --> 00:14:03.364 That's not who Paul was. 00:14:04.530 --> 00:14:07.746 That's not the change that took place in Paul's life. 00:14:07.746 --> 00:14:09.242 Did it take 254 days? 00:14:09.346 --> 00:14:09.906 I don't know. 00:14:09.906 --> 00:14:12.870 I think it took like light ground. 00:14:13.570 --> 00:14:14.938 Jesus speaking. 00:14:15.114 --> 00:14:17.230 He went into a basement somewhere. 00:14:17.700 --> 00:14:23.116 It changed the trajectory of who he was and what he did. 00:14:23.268 --> 00:14:25.400 Okay, so in my life, 00:14:25.860 --> 00:14:27.320 what does God use? 00:14:28.020 --> 00:14:33.080 How does God work to change the trajectory of who I am? 00:14:33.540 --> 00:14:38.680 Could just be in the establishment of some new activity in my life. 00:14:39.700 --> 00:14:41.350 Could be some idea that. 00:14:41.444 --> 00:14:42.332 Alright, Bobby, 00:14:42.396 --> 00:14:44.840 I want you to listen to. 00:14:45.440 --> 00:14:46.104 For instance, 00:14:46.152 --> 00:14:47.200 I had somebody this week, 00:14:47.200 --> 00:14:48.520 it was real fun. 00:14:48.560 --> 00:14:50.870 I'll just share this with you because. 00:14:52.640 --> 00:14:54.992 Well, if I get too far into that. 00:14:54.992 --> 00:14:56.560 Talked to a guy named Steven this week. 00:14:56.560 --> 00:14:59.360 We were standing on the side of a hole in the ground. 00:14:59.360 --> 00:15:02.928 We dug up the well line to my parents house this week. 00:15:02.928 --> 00:15:05.232 I had repaired it two years ago. 00:15:04.992 --> 00:15:07.616 So I had a plumber there and we were looking at some piping and some 00:15:07.616 --> 00:15:09.072 stuff. And while we were standing there, 00:15:09.072 --> 00:15:12.496 he starts telling me I had told him a year and a half ago when he fixed 00:15:12.496 --> 00:15:13.430 sink in the house. 00:15:13.430 --> 00:15:14.718 I told him that I was a pastor. 00:15:14.718 --> 00:15:15.902 I talked to him about Jesus. 00:15:15.902 --> 00:15:16.694 I'd asked him, 00:15:16.694 --> 00:15:17.254 did he, 00:15:17.254 --> 00:15:17.914 you know. 00:15:17.734 --> 00:15:18.086 He said, 00:15:18.086 --> 00:15:18.566 yeah. He said, 00:15:18.566 --> 00:15:18.742 you know, 00:15:18.742 --> 00:15:21.990 I got saved when I was 12 and it was just kind of, 00:15:21.990 --> 00:15:22.406 you know, 00:15:22.406 --> 00:15:23.430 that kind of thing. 00:15:23.430 --> 00:15:26.430 Well, we're standing outside this whole Wednesday morning and he goes, 00:15:26.430 --> 00:15:26.886 he said, 00:15:26.886 --> 00:15:27.366 yeah. He said, 00:15:27.366 --> 00:15:28.534 I meant to tell you. 00:15:28.534 --> 00:15:28.966 I said, 00:15:28.966 --> 00:15:30.902 well, when can you schedule to come back and fix this? 00:15:30.806 --> 00:15:31.046 He said, 00:15:31.046 --> 00:15:32.036 well, not Monday. 00:15:32.054 --> 00:15:32.486 I said, 00:15:32.486 --> 00:15:33.030 why not Monday? 00:15:33.030 --> 00:15:33.366 He said, 00:15:33.366 --> 00:15:34.566 well, because on Mondays he said, 00:15:34.566 --> 00:15:36.310 I attend Bible study in the morning. 00:15:36.310 --> 00:15:36.806 I was like, 00:15:36.806 --> 00:15:37.110 you do. 00:15:37.110 --> 00:15:37.446 He said, 00:15:37.446 --> 00:15:37.776 yeah. 00:15:37.678 --> 00:15:38.338 He said, 00:15:38.358 --> 00:15:40.782 I meant to tell you about a year ago, 00:15:40.782 --> 00:15:42.494 God got hold of my life. 00:15:42.494 --> 00:15:42.926 He said, 00:15:42.926 --> 00:15:44.366 I have devoted myself to him. 00:15:44.366 --> 00:15:44.686 He said, 00:15:44.686 --> 00:15:48.670 I listened to this is what he said in my truck from job to job. 00:15:48.670 --> 00:15:49.006 He said, 00:15:49.006 --> 00:15:50.438 I listened to Billy Graham. 00:15:50.438 --> 00:15:54.286 I got the whole log of Billy Graham messages on some digital thing. 00:15:54.126 --> 00:15:54.446 He said, 00:15:54.446 --> 00:15:55.302 I listened to Billy Graham. 00:15:55.302 --> 00:15:55.566 I said, 00:15:55.566 --> 00:15:56.782 well, when you get done with that, 00:15:56.782 --> 00:15:58.470 move on to Adrian Rogers. 00:15:58.630 --> 00:16:00.854 Go listen to his whole log of sermons. 00:16:00.854 --> 00:16:03.310 What did he do he changed a habit in his life. 00:16:03.310 --> 00:16:04.542 What did he used to listen to? 00:16:04.446 --> 00:16:05.436 I don't know. 00:16:05.730 --> 00:16:08.290 But what he did was because God got a hold of his life, 00:16:08.290 --> 00:16:09.482 because he devoted, 00:16:09.546 --> 00:16:13.218 surrendered, made this commitment in his own life that he was going to be 00:16:13.218 --> 00:16:15.338 pouring in the good things of God. 00:16:15.338 --> 00:16:17.282 I'm doing this every day of my life. 00:16:17.282 --> 00:16:17.666 I said, 00:16:17.666 --> 00:16:19.314 well, when can you come back and fix the mess? 00:16:19.314 --> 00:16:20.834 Well, while we were standing there, 00:16:20.834 --> 00:16:23.914 after we'd had a 30 minute conversation about Jesus, 00:16:23.962 --> 00:16:25.122 while we're standing there, 00:16:25.122 --> 00:16:26.754 what I fixed two years ago, 00:16:26.754 --> 00:16:27.870 sprung a leak, 00:16:30.290 --> 00:16:32.346 start shooting water across the hole. 00:16:32.378 --> 00:16:33.368 And I went. 00:16:34.340 --> 00:16:39.932 God timed that if that leak had happened and you and I had not been 00:16:39.956 --> 00:16:41.676 standing on the side of this hole, 00:16:41.676 --> 00:16:43.780 we'd have had a mess right here. 00:16:43.780 --> 00:16:44.356 I said, 00:16:44.356 --> 00:16:48.200 but do you see how God works a plan? 00:16:49.700 --> 00:16:50.276 So he said, 00:16:50.276 --> 00:16:51.508 yeah, I can be back next Wednesday. 00:16:51.508 --> 00:16:52.236 I said, 00:16:52.388 --> 00:16:53.596 revival next Wednesday. 00:16:53.668 --> 00:16:54.036 Come on, 00:16:54.036 --> 00:16:57.772 brother. So we're going to spend time on the side of a hole in my parents 00:16:57.772 --> 00:17:02.600 yard this coming Wednesday morning to fix a leak that I thought I had 00:17:02.640 --> 00:17:03.464 perfectly fixed, 00:17:03.512 --> 00:17:05.620 but obviously not. 00:17:05.920 --> 00:17:07.416 Why does Paul want to go to Rome? 00:17:07.416 --> 00:17:08.552 Because God sent him to Rome. 00:17:08.552 --> 00:17:10.824 God sent him to listen to it. 00:17:10.656 --> 00:17:11.600 That's what it says. 00:17:11.600 --> 00:17:12.016 He said, 00:17:12.016 --> 00:17:16.016 for I long to see you in order that I may impart some spiritual gift to 00:17:16.016 --> 00:17:17.928 you. Now don't read quotations. 00:17:18.024 --> 00:17:18.744 Spiritual gift, 00:17:18.792 --> 00:17:21.536 because that's what we in churchianity like to do. 00:17:21.536 --> 00:17:27.000 What he's saying is that I may give you something that you may be 00:17:27.040 --> 00:17:27.980 established. 00:17:28.770 --> 00:17:31.402 See, the gift that God gives is the Holy Spirit, 00:17:31.402 --> 00:17:34.730 okay? And that's not what Paul gives. 00:17:34.810 --> 00:17:38.650 Paul wants to give them something to ground them in their faith. 00:17:38.650 --> 00:17:42.940 It's one of the reasons he undertakes to write the book of Romans. 00:17:43.010 --> 00:17:44.746 That you may be established. 00:17:44.938 --> 00:17:45.946 That is. 00:17:46.098 --> 00:17:49.266 Now listen what he's talking about giving you something that you may be 00:17:49.266 --> 00:17:53.098 established. That is that I may be encouraged together with you, 00:17:53.154 --> 00:17:54.034 while among you, 00:17:54.034 --> 00:17:55.010 each of us, 00:17:55.010 --> 00:17:56.202 by the other's faith, 00:17:56.202 --> 00:17:57.226 both yours and mine. 00:17:57.226 --> 00:17:58.466 Why do we gather like that? 00:17:58.466 --> 00:17:59.594 Why do you do what you do? 00:17:59.410 --> 00:18:00.418 That's my question today. 00:18:00.418 --> 00:18:04.330 Why do we gather like this to be encouraged in our faith, 00:18:04.330 --> 00:18:07.834 to be challenged in who God wants us to be, 00:18:08.002 --> 00:18:12.202 to be about the things in our lives that exalt God, 00:18:12.266 --> 00:18:13.642 that bring God glory, 00:18:13.786 --> 00:18:15.642 that promote the kingdom of God, 00:18:15.642 --> 00:18:19.626 that push forward the good news and the Gospel of Jesus Christ? 00:18:19.778 --> 00:18:21.758 Why are we who we are? 00:18:22.570 --> 00:18:24.898 I'm challenged by this message today, 00:18:24.954 --> 00:18:26.562 y'all. I mean, 00:18:26.586 --> 00:18:29.066 I look back over 43 years of ministry and I'm like, 00:18:29.066 --> 00:18:29.618 alright, God, 00:18:29.618 --> 00:18:32.010 I Don't know why I ended up where I am. 00:18:31.754 --> 00:18:33.074 I do know why. 00:18:34.010 --> 00:18:35.330 Now the question is, 00:18:35.450 --> 00:18:37.070 do we know why? 00:18:38.730 --> 00:18:39.710 You see, 00:18:40.650 --> 00:18:43.050 Rebecca, I didn't mean to call you out this morning, 00:18:43.050 --> 00:18:44.370 but I'm about to. 00:18:45.210 --> 00:18:47.778 Y'all, we've got a guest with us. 00:18:47.834 --> 00:18:49.484 She's been with us before. 00:18:49.680 --> 00:18:51.080 She's a missionary. 00:18:51.240 --> 00:18:53.220 She served halfway around the world. 00:18:53.280 --> 00:18:54.000 She walked in. 00:18:54.000 --> 00:18:54.736 I thought I knew her. 00:18:54.736 --> 00:18:55.504 I was like, 00:18:55.504 --> 00:18:56.164 we've met. 00:18:56.000 --> 00:18:56.336 She said, 00:18:56.336 --> 00:18:57.656 a long time ago. 00:18:57.840 --> 00:18:58.896 I'm glad she's here. 00:18:58.896 --> 00:18:59.888 She lives here now. 00:18:59.888 --> 00:19:02.100 Yay. Why? 00:19:02.480 --> 00:19:03.800 Why is she here? 00:19:04.160 --> 00:19:06.400 But they're not just singling her out. 00:19:06.400 --> 00:19:07.720 Why are you here? 00:19:07.840 --> 00:19:08.256 I mean, 00:19:08.256 --> 00:19:09.056 I'm glad you're here. 00:19:09.056 --> 00:19:09.864 Don't get me wrong. 00:19:09.688 --> 00:19:11.840 I'm not trying to run you off, 00:19:11.840 --> 00:19:16.672 but God has a purpose and plan for who you are and what you're doing and 00:19:16.672 --> 00:19:17.860 why you're here. 00:19:18.400 --> 00:19:19.860 God has a plan. 00:19:20.160 --> 00:19:23.380 You, every one of us, 00:19:23.840 --> 00:19:25.260 have an assignment. 00:19:25.840 --> 00:19:26.900 What is it? 00:19:27.920 --> 00:19:32.860 And are you taking steps to fulfill that assignment? 00:19:34.400 --> 00:19:35.136 Paul goes on, 00:19:35.136 --> 00:19:35.760 in verse 13, 00:19:35.760 --> 00:19:36.160 he says, 00:19:36.160 --> 00:19:37.912 and I do not want you to be unaware, 00:19:37.912 --> 00:19:43.760 brethren. I have often planned to come to you then in the. 00:19:43.800 --> 00:19:44.790 In the NAS. 00:19:44.816 --> 00:19:50.224 Oh, I need to mention that Lana found the NAS New American Standard 00:19:50.272 --> 00:19:52.864 Bible, 1977 version on Amazon. 00:19:52.992 --> 00:19:54.792 I obviously didn't look hard enough. 00:19:54.664 --> 00:19:55.400 So if you want it, 00:19:55.400 --> 00:19:56.390 it's on Amazon, 00:19:56.464 --> 00:19:58.800 1977 version of the NAS Bible, 00:19:58.880 --> 00:20:01.000 which is what I'm using this year. 00:20:01.000 --> 00:20:03.232 And I do not want you to be unaware, 00:20:03.232 --> 00:20:05.016 brethren, that often I plan to come to you. 00:20:05.016 --> 00:20:05.920 And in parentheses, 00:20:05.920 --> 00:20:08.220 and have been prevented thus far. 00:20:09.550 --> 00:20:11.030 How was he prevented? 00:20:11.190 --> 00:20:12.262 Who stopped him? 00:20:12.366 --> 00:20:12.750 I mean, 00:20:12.750 --> 00:20:13.086 you know, 00:20:13.086 --> 00:20:14.198 if you want to go on vacation, 00:20:14.198 --> 00:20:15.230 what do you do? 00:20:15.230 --> 00:20:17.462 You jump on what, 00:20:17.646 --> 00:20:20.182 hotels.com, right? 00:20:20.286 --> 00:20:21.530 Make a reservation, 00:20:21.950 --> 00:20:23.294 figure out how to drive there, 00:20:23.294 --> 00:20:24.702 get a plane to fly there, 00:20:24.702 --> 00:20:26.014 take a boat to go over there, 00:20:26.014 --> 00:20:27.222 whatever. You know, 00:20:27.246 --> 00:20:28.774 if you want to go somewhere, 00:20:28.774 --> 00:20:30.766 you make the plans to go there. 00:20:30.766 --> 00:20:31.670 However, Paul, 00:20:31.750 --> 00:20:36.852 being very intimately in tune with God's assignment for his life, 00:20:36.956 --> 00:20:38.132 is asking God, 00:20:38.196 --> 00:20:38.700 day in, 00:20:38.700 --> 00:20:39.244 day out, 00:20:39.244 --> 00:20:40.234 what steps next? 00:20:40.076 --> 00:20:41.004 Where do I go next? 00:20:41.004 --> 00:20:41.980 Where do you want me, 00:20:41.980 --> 00:20:43.812 God? See, 00:20:43.836 --> 00:20:46.204 is that what you're asking yourself every day? 00:20:46.204 --> 00:20:47.540 Are you asking yourself, 00:20:47.620 --> 00:20:47.996 all right, 00:20:47.996 --> 00:20:49.420 God, where do you want me today? 00:20:49.420 --> 00:20:50.876 Where can I be today? 00:20:50.652 --> 00:20:52.396 What do I need to say today? 00:20:52.396 --> 00:20:55.036 Who do I need to talk to today? 00:20:55.900 --> 00:21:00.160 Who needs to hear my testimony today? 00:21:00.710 --> 00:21:01.422 You know, 00:21:01.526 --> 00:21:02.710 because I'll be honest with you. 00:21:02.710 --> 00:21:03.342 Bubble gum, 00:21:03.342 --> 00:21:04.290 chewing gum. 00:21:04.870 --> 00:21:07.022 That is frivolous, 00:21:07.086 --> 00:21:08.590 trivial information. 00:21:08.710 --> 00:21:10.690 You don't need to know that. 00:21:10.790 --> 00:21:14.782 You really don't even know that there's a well lined Leak in my parents 00:21:14.782 --> 00:21:17.030 yard. You don't need to know that. 00:21:17.030 --> 00:21:20.030 But around those two things in my life, 00:21:20.150 --> 00:21:25.970 God used the conversation for his exaltation. 00:21:26.960 --> 00:21:30.540 See that be the people of God. 00:21:31.840 --> 00:21:32.960 He goes on and says, 00:21:32.960 --> 00:21:35.680 in order that I may obtain some fruit among you also. 00:21:35.680 --> 00:21:36.576 What does he want to do? 00:21:36.576 --> 00:21:38.520 He wants to go preach the Gospel in Rome. 00:21:38.520 --> 00:21:38.904 Why? 00:21:38.992 --> 00:21:42.980 Rome is the center of the empire at that point, 00:21:43.360 --> 00:21:43.920 you know, 00:21:43.920 --> 00:21:48.296 Rome is this hub and people are coming to Rome and traveling from Rome 00:21:48.296 --> 00:21:51.064 and the Christians are having an impact in Rome. 00:21:51.064 --> 00:21:53.374 And Paul wants to go to Rome. 00:21:54.750 --> 00:21:55.822 But that's what he says, 00:21:55.822 --> 00:21:57.070 I may have some fruit among you, 00:21:57.070 --> 00:21:59.414 even as among the rest of the Gentiles. 00:21:59.414 --> 00:22:00.814 That's why I haven't come to you, 00:22:00.814 --> 00:22:03.046 because I've been around all the other Gentiles. 00:22:03.046 --> 00:22:04.630 I am under obligation. 00:22:04.710 --> 00:22:08.330 My assignment is both to Greeks and to barbarians. 00:22:08.670 --> 00:22:09.542 That could be offensive, 00:22:09.542 --> 00:22:10.022 but anyway, 00:22:10.022 --> 00:22:10.850 that's there. 00:22:11.150 --> 00:22:12.758 Both to the wise and the foolish. 00:22:12.758 --> 00:22:14.710 That could also be offensive. 00:22:14.870 --> 00:22:16.850 But you see what he's saying. 00:22:16.686 --> 00:22:17.934 He's saying I am called. 00:22:17.934 --> 00:22:18.662 Now those. 00:22:18.766 --> 00:22:20.958 Some scholars will say that refers to, 00:22:20.958 --> 00:22:21.390 you know, 00:22:21.390 --> 00:22:22.342 Roman culture, 00:22:22.406 --> 00:22:24.646 though governmental in its approach, 00:22:24.798 --> 00:22:26.694 was also very Hellenistic, 00:22:26.822 --> 00:22:30.890 Greek in its intellect and scholarship and philosophies. 00:22:31.710 --> 00:22:32.670 But that's what he's saying. 00:22:32.670 --> 00:22:33.054 He said, 00:22:33.054 --> 00:22:36.170 I'm under obligation to Greeks and to everybody else, 00:22:36.590 --> 00:22:37.654 we'd be barbarians, 00:22:37.702 --> 00:22:38.032 y'all. 00:22:38.022 --> 00:22:39.342 Just so you know, 00:22:39.870 --> 00:22:42.534 both to the wise and the foolish. 00:22:42.582 --> 00:22:45.410 Well, I won't give you an assignment there. 00:22:46.260 --> 00:22:47.308 And then verse 15, 00:22:47.364 --> 00:22:48.480 he says thus, 00:22:49.460 --> 00:22:50.588 for my part, 00:22:50.724 --> 00:22:57.280 I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. 00:22:59.140 --> 00:23:03.180 Eager. Anytime we see the translations like that, 00:23:03.220 --> 00:23:09.148 we understand that English doesn't always carry the emphasis that Greek 00:23:09.244 --> 00:23:10.000 carries. 00:23:10.500 --> 00:23:12.810 So, so when he says he's eager, 00:23:12.830 --> 00:23:14.822 one of the things that can be translated, 00:23:14.822 --> 00:23:15.930 I am ready, 00:23:17.150 --> 00:23:20.198 right? He says, 00:23:20.254 --> 00:23:22.830 I have planned to come to you several times, 00:23:22.830 --> 00:23:25.238 but have been prevented thus far. 00:23:25.374 --> 00:23:27.730 I want to come to see you. 00:23:28.270 --> 00:23:30.580 And I like that line right there. 00:23:30.590 --> 00:23:31.250 He said, 00:23:31.294 --> 00:23:32.094 now at last, 00:23:32.094 --> 00:23:32.998 by the will of God, 00:23:32.998 --> 00:23:35.308 I may succeed in coming to you. 00:23:35.198 --> 00:23:38.214 So it's almost like he had made plans to go. 00:23:38.214 --> 00:23:39.700 It got foiled, 00:23:40.280 --> 00:23:47.248 right? So now he's writing to them with this anticipatory readiness, 00:23:47.424 --> 00:23:55.680 eagerness. I am longing to come and preach the gospel and be encouraged 00:23:55.760 --> 00:23:59.856 by you and encourage you so that our faith, 00:23:59.968 --> 00:24:01.248 Paul's included, 00:24:01.344 --> 00:24:03.632 may continue that growing, 00:24:03.776 --> 00:24:12.758 advancing, increasing trajectory of strength and growth and see that, 00:24:12.814 --> 00:24:16.114 that, that I am excited about the Book of Romans, 00:24:16.118 --> 00:24:18.918 y'all. I like where it's going, 00:24:18.974 --> 00:24:20.030 I like what it's doing. 00:24:19.790 --> 00:24:21.006 Because Paul is Saying, 00:24:21.006 --> 00:24:22.286 I care about you, 00:24:22.286 --> 00:24:23.902 I'm coming to visit you, 00:24:23.902 --> 00:24:25.570 and I'm coming in person. 00:24:26.590 --> 00:24:30.760 So I want to flip over and read you just this little text. 00:24:30.760 --> 00:24:31.880 I didn't give it to you, 00:24:31.880 --> 00:24:32.544 Rick. Sorry. 00:24:32.592 --> 00:24:34.242 So you just have to. 00:24:33.992 --> 00:24:34.984 That's what it says. 00:24:34.984 --> 00:24:37.100 Romans, chapter 15, 00:24:37.960 --> 00:24:38.640 verse 20. 00:24:38.680 --> 00:24:40.056 Now I'm jumping to the end, 00:24:40.056 --> 00:24:41.472 and I hate this. 00:24:41.656 --> 00:24:42.352 You know, 00:24:42.456 --> 00:24:43.400 when I read a book, 00:24:43.400 --> 00:24:46.168 I start at the beginning and I just read it through to the end. 00:24:46.168 --> 00:24:50.788 And I don't like jumping to the end to find out how it ends. 00:24:50.600 --> 00:24:54.230 I only say that because Angie enjoys jumping to the end. 00:24:55.240 --> 00:24:59.442 Angie will start reading a book and she'll say she'll go read the end of 00:24:59.442 --> 00:25:02.450 it, and then she'll decide whether she's going to finish it. 00:25:02.450 --> 00:25:02.946 Well, see, 00:25:02.946 --> 00:25:03.866 I'm so ocd, 00:25:03.866 --> 00:25:04.802 if I start one, 00:25:04.802 --> 00:25:08.290 I can count on one hand how many books I've started and not finished in 00:25:08.290 --> 00:25:13.146 my life because I'm just compelled to finish it. 00:25:13.218 --> 00:25:14.290 You know what I mean? 00:25:14.290 --> 00:25:15.570 Listen to what he says. 00:25:15.314 --> 00:25:19.850 My aim is to preach the gospel where Christ has not been named, 00:25:20.010 --> 00:25:23.146 so that I will not build on someone else's foundation. 00:25:23.146 --> 00:25:24.202 But as it is written, 00:25:24.202 --> 00:25:27.218 those who were not told about him will see, 00:25:27.274 --> 00:25:31.066 and those who have not heard will understand and listen to what he says. 00:25:31.066 --> 00:25:32.386 Right here in verse 22. 00:25:32.410 --> 00:25:36.170 That is why I have been prevented many times from coming to you. 00:25:36.170 --> 00:25:42.418 But now I no longer have any work to do in these regions and have 00:25:42.474 --> 00:25:45.778 strongly desired for many years to come to you. 00:25:45.914 --> 00:25:46.904 Listen to this. 00:25:46.970 --> 00:25:49.510 Whenever I travel to Spain. 00:25:51.540 --> 00:25:52.764 How about that? 00:25:52.932 --> 00:25:58.116 For I hope to see you when I pass through and to be assisted by you for 00:25:58.116 --> 00:25:58.980 my journey there. 00:25:58.980 --> 00:26:03.560 Once I have first enjoyed your company for a while. 00:26:04.100 --> 00:26:05.084 That's Romans, 00:26:05.132 --> 00:26:05.964 chapter 15, 00:26:06.052 --> 00:26:08.520 verses 20 through 24. 00:26:13.140 --> 00:26:14.160 To Rome. 00:26:14.500 --> 00:26:17.760 Yes, but on the way to Spain, 00:26:18.900 --> 00:26:23.480 right? What's your tomorrow look like? 00:26:24.580 --> 00:26:25.560 To work? 00:26:27.300 --> 00:26:30.270 Who will you pass and talk to in between? 00:26:31.060 --> 00:26:32.600 Who will you be? 00:26:33.700 --> 00:26:36.010 I don't know what anybody does anymore. 00:26:36.012 --> 00:26:37.044 So here you go. 00:26:37.044 --> 00:26:38.892 I'm just going to use some examples. 00:26:38.892 --> 00:26:41.202 Who's in the cubicle next to you? 00:26:41.620 --> 00:26:44.580 Do they need to be encouraged in their faith? 00:26:44.580 --> 00:26:46.050 Do they know Jesus? 00:26:48.070 --> 00:26:50.310 Who's on the assembly line next to you? 00:26:50.310 --> 00:26:52.766 Do they need to be encouraged in their faith, 00:26:52.766 --> 00:26:55.810 or do they need to know Jesus? 00:26:58.870 --> 00:27:02.782 I remember my evangelism professor, 00:27:02.846 --> 00:27:04.126 Dr. Charles Kelly. 00:27:04.158 --> 00:27:06.610 Chuck Kelly in New Orleans. 00:27:07.990 --> 00:27:09.050 He said. 00:27:10.400 --> 00:27:10.896 He said, 00:27:10.896 --> 00:27:11.136 you know, 00:27:11.136 --> 00:27:11.376 he said, 00:27:11.376 --> 00:27:12.656 our TV went out. 00:27:12.448 --> 00:27:15.184 This was back in the days when you could actually fix one, 00:27:15.184 --> 00:27:17.360 not just throw it away and buy a new one. 00:27:17.360 --> 00:27:18.496 So my TV went out, 00:27:18.496 --> 00:27:20.008 so I called The TV repair shop. 00:27:20.008 --> 00:27:24.960 And the TV man came to my house and he was working in the back of my tv. 00:27:24.960 --> 00:27:25.752 Chuck Kelly, 00:27:25.816 --> 00:27:30.696 who trained us in certain methodologies of evangelism, 00:27:30.808 --> 00:27:33.624 said while he was working on my tv, 00:27:33.672 --> 00:27:34.096 he said, 00:27:34.096 --> 00:27:35.416 I said to him, 00:27:35.850 --> 00:27:36.910 you know, 00:27:38.730 --> 00:27:41.370 the one I work for fixes things too. 00:27:42.250 --> 00:27:43.706 And the TV repairman said, 00:27:43.706 --> 00:27:44.186 oh, really? 00:27:44.026 --> 00:27:45.676 Who do you work for? 00:27:45.690 --> 00:27:46.250 He said, 00:27:46.250 --> 00:27:46.906 well, he said, 00:27:46.906 --> 00:27:48.706 I work for God. 00:27:48.898 --> 00:27:49.386 He said, 00:27:49.386 --> 00:27:51.150 and he fixes broken lives. 00:27:51.610 --> 00:27:53.390 TV repairman said, 00:27:54.010 --> 00:27:54.850 I understand. 00:27:54.970 --> 00:27:55.386 He said, 00:27:55.386 --> 00:27:58.186 I'm a Christian and I knew who you were. 00:27:57.850 --> 00:27:58.410 He said, 00:27:58.410 --> 00:28:01.380 I just wanted to see if you'd mention it. 00:28:01.700 --> 00:28:04.010 See if people know you're a Christian. 00:28:05.540 --> 00:28:07.850 They expect you to act like it. 00:28:08.260 --> 00:28:10.404 They expect you to talk about it. 00:28:10.404 --> 00:28:11.840 What's your assignment? 00:28:12.820 --> 00:28:14.470 If you don't know Jesus, 00:28:14.604 --> 00:28:16.164 we want to introduce you to him. 00:28:16.164 --> 00:28:17.724 Okay, let's pray together. 00:28:17.812 --> 00:28:19.692 God, thank you for today and the opportunity, 00:28:19.692 --> 00:28:22.124 God, we have to gather and worship and celebrate. 00:28:22.124 --> 00:28:22.756 We thank you, 00:28:22.756 --> 00:28:24.132 God, that this is a time, 00:28:24.132 --> 00:28:29.116 Father, where you have assigned for us to meet and gather for worship. 00:28:29.148 --> 00:28:29.476 And so, 00:28:29.476 --> 00:28:31.548 God, we want to worship you first. 00:28:31.220 --> 00:28:32.836 God, we want to celebrate you. 00:28:32.836 --> 00:28:34.420 We want to exalt your name and know, 00:28:34.420 --> 00:28:36.396 God, that you have an assignment. 00:28:36.396 --> 00:28:38.046 God, you know our lives. 00:28:38.068 --> 00:28:38.588 So, God, 00:28:38.588 --> 00:28:42.780 you. You have already purposed the assignment of our lives. 00:28:42.820 --> 00:28:44.500 God, help us to see it. 00:28:44.500 --> 00:28:45.796 Help me to see it for me. 00:28:45.796 --> 00:28:46.500 I'll pray for me. 00:28:46.500 --> 00:28:49.764 God, help me to see the assignment of my life. 00:28:49.764 --> 00:28:55.840 And then God help me to willingly surrender and obey to your assignment. 00:28:55.920 --> 00:28:57.328 Father, I thank you for Romans. 00:28:57.328 --> 00:28:58.864 I thank you for Paul. 00:28:58.864 --> 00:29:02.064 I thank you for the people who first opened this letter, 00:29:02.064 --> 00:29:03.440 scroll box, 00:29:03.520 --> 00:29:04.264 whatever it was. 00:29:04.264 --> 00:29:05.496 God, I thank you, 00:29:05.496 --> 00:29:09.620 God, that they heard from you through Paul. 00:29:09.960 --> 00:29:13.920 God, let us hear from you through Paul, 00:29:14.080 --> 00:29:15.576 and we give you praise for it. 00:29:15.432 --> 00:29:16.328 In Jesus name, 00:29:16.328 --> 00:29:16.560 Amen.