Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle set apart for the gospel of God,

which he promised beforehand through the prophets in his holy scriptures concerning his son, who was descended from David according to the flesh

and was declared to be the son of God in power according to the spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead,

Jesus Christ, our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience

of faith among all nations including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ

to all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints grace to you and peace from God

our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Now look with me at Romans 16 and verse 25.

Now to him who was able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ,

according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages,

but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations,

according to the command of the eternal God to bring about the obedience of faith,

to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ. Amen. This is God's word. Let me pray. Father,

we ask that as we consider your word this morning, that we would be mindful of the fact that

we have the privilege of doing so because of the love of you our triune lord that you father loved us

and sent your son jesus to purchase grace for us and poured out the spirit that we might be united

to christ through faith and so be alive in him and be adopted as your children and be able

to come to you in prayer with confidence and be privileged to sit as those who hear your word not as your

enemies any longer but as those who are your friends, your sons, adopted in

Christ Jesus for eternal glory, co-heirs with Christ. We pray that as we consider your word this

morning, your spirit would illumine our minds, that you would work powerfully in our hearts,

that you would bring us to a proper understanding of your word,

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