The three verses that Pastor John is going to be opening up to us today are found in Romans chapter 5.

We'll start reading with verse 3.

And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations knowing that tribulation brings about

perseverance.

And perseverance, and proven character and proven character hope.

And hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Father, I ask for your help, please, in the unfolding of these glorious words, these impossible

words, these shocking words, there is no human being who can carry this text through without omnipotent grace.

So come, Holy Spirit, and be at work opening hearts and minds to see the gospel to see

grace to see truth reality so that we are changed into this kind of people who can

exult in trouble. I commit my effort and this service now in its remaining part to you for your sustaining grace and power and saving work.

Through Christ I pray, amen.

When a person becomes a Christian, becomes a child of God, what happens? What's the transaction

what's the transaction that takes place in that moment?

Well, first, there is the hearing of the gospel.

You can hear it from a radio,

you can hear it from a sermon preached, you can read it in a tract,

you can read it in the Bible, can hear Billy Graham you can hear it on

television could hear it in conversation over lunch from a person who loves you

enough to witness to you but you you got to hear, you got to know the

Gospel of Christ, which essentially is God sent his son into the world to live a flawless life die for sins rise triumphant over death and

sin and hell and judgment for all those who will believe in him. That's the first thing that has to happen.

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