I chose that hymn not because it happens to be the last meeting of the series, but because

in addition, I think you will agree it is the most appropriate hymn to have sung as we

come to deal with the verse that is before us this evening, which is the 13th verse in the

12th chapter of Paul's Epistle to the Romans, distributing to the necessity of saints

given to hospitality. Let me remind you again of the context of this injunction. Let's go back

to the ninth verse and read on from there. Let love be without dissimulation.

Abhor that which is evil, cleave to that which is good.

Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love,

in honour preferring one another.

Not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, serving the law, rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing instant in prayer, distributing to the necessity of saints given to hospitality.

Now here we come to the last of these, what I would call. given to hospitality.

Now here we come to the last of these, what I would call, general injunctions.

You may recall most of you that in our analysis of this section,

I pointed out how most of the commentators seem to be agreed that there is very little evidence of the usual order which you have in the writings of the great apostle.

I venture to differ from that and suggest that there is more order than they seem to have realized.

And I suggested that there is a division here at the ninth verse, that the

apostle having dealt with the doctrine of the church of the body of Christ and having

reminded us of how we should use the various gifts that he has given to us through the

spirit in the realm of the church, now goes on to deal with our general relationships to persons.

First, particularly persons in the realm of the Church, and then more generally.

But now, coming them to this subsection which starts at the ninth

verse, we indicated that in the ninth of verse he lays down the two great fundamental

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