The following message is by pastor John Piper.

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This morning's scripture text is taken from Romans chapter 15

verses 5 through 13. Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus,

that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Wherefore accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.

For I say that Christ has become a servant to the glory of God. For I say that Christ has become a servant to the circumcision on behalf

of the truth of God to confirm the promises given to the fathers, and for the Gentiles to glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,

therefore I will give praise to thee among the Gentiles and I will sing to thy name.

And again he says, Rejoy O Gentiles with his people. And

again, praise the Lord all you Gentiles and let all the peoples praise him. And again Isaiah says, there shall come the root of Jesse, and he who

arises to rule over the Gentiles in him shall the Gentiles hope.

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing that you may abound

in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Father, life is fragile and life is short.

Forbid that we would think in terms of maximizing our worldly delights here when you hold out to us 10,000 ages of infinite joy.

I pray that husbands and wives would get that perspective as they

contemplate stupid decisions. And I pray, oh God, that you would humble us, make us willing to embrace the pain

appointed for our lives, whether it's physical or emotional or relational.

You give unto each day what you deem best each part its pain and pleasure, mingling

toil with peace and rest.

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