Romans, the very first chapter, from the 14th through the 17th verses.

I am under obligation both to the Greeks and to the barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.

Thus for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

For in it, the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to

faith as it is written but the righteous man shall live by faith.

Father, you are so holy.

Holy, holy, holy, set apart pure, not willing to look upon sin.

Infantly. sin, infinitely valuable, one of a kind, and we tremble before your holy word. Forbid that I or any of us in this room right now

would trifle with it.

Oh God, this is a holy moment.

Eternal and infinite things are at stake in these moments as they have been in moments gone by. And I call for your

Holy Spirit to rest with a kind of weight upon this congregation as we take up weighty matters.

Let none be glib or trivializing of this moment or this word I pray. Come. Grant minds to understand and hearts to respond with affection and love and obedience and love and obedience and joy to you. Help me, Father, to open this word for the glory of your gospel of grace.

In Jesus, I pray, amen. that.

V. V.

says, the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation, for salvation, to everyone who believes.

Back on June 21st, I argued, I gave you four reasons why that does not mean the gospel is the power of

God to convert people, though it is the power of God to convert people.

But rather means the gospel is the power of God to take believers, keep them and get them

through judgment into everlasting joy and safety before an awesomely holy God.

And what I did not make plain in that message was why we need saving.

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