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The One True Gospel Romans 16:25-27

Introduction

Well, some of you might say it=92s been a = long time=20 coming, but today we finish the book of Romans.

In October of 2005 =96 on the second Sunday = that we met=20 as an official church =96 I began this book with a message on = Romans 1:1-7,=20 cleverly titled =93An Introduction to the Book of Romans=94

So we are getting through the book of Romans = is=20 approximately 21 months ---

Not bad when you consider James Montgomery = Boice did it=20 in 8 years =96 239 separate sermons.

Donald Grey Barnhouse =96 took 11 years to = preach through=20 the book of Romans.

By comparison it seems we only scratched the=20 surface.

I noted in that very first sermon the reasons = why we=20 should study the book of Romans.

The number on reason? Because this town, this = state,=20 this Country =96 this world stands in desperate need of = revival.

A look back in History reveals an = astounding=20 fact. Most if not = all of the=20 great revivals have been directly related to the book of = Romans.

In 386 Augustine heard a little girl = singing=20 =93take up and read, take up and read.=94 An open scroll of the = book of=20 Romans lay beside him. = He=20 read Romans 13:13-14 and was gloriously converted and delivered = from a=20 life of bondage to terrible sin.

Over 1000 years later a young = Augustinian monk=20 named Martin Luther began teaching and preaching to his students = none=20 other than the book of Romans. =20 Romans 1:17 -- = dealing=20 with the Righteousness of God led Luther to the Biblical view of=20 justification by Faith alone and this holy, divinely ordained, = realization=20 launched the protestant reformation which returned the church to = scripture=20 and away from the traditions of man.

In 1738 an ordained minister for the = Church of=20 England by the name of John Wesley was confused about the gospel = and he=20 was led to read Luther=92s preface to the book of Romans. As he = read=20 Luther=92s comments on faith alone he felt his heart strangely = warmed =96 he=20 felt assurance of salvation =96 the rest is history.

John Calvin said of Romans =93When = one gains a=20 knowledge of this Epistle, he has an entrance opened to him to all = the=20 most hidden treasure of Scripture.=94

William Tyndale said =93Romans is the = principle=20 and most excellent part of the New Testament, and most pure=20 Euangelion.=94

Donald Grey Barnhouse who preached = weekly on=20 the book of Romans for 11 years wrote this:

A scientist may say that = mother=92s milk is=20 the most perfect food known to man, and may give you an analysis = showing=20 all its chemical components, a list of vitamins it contains and an = estimate of the calories in a given quantity. A baby will take = that milk=20 without the remotest knowledge of its content, and will grow = day-by-day,=20 smiling and thriving in its ignorance. So it is with the = profound truths=20 of the word of God In Romans.

The book of Romans speaks to every = area of our=20 lives. John = MacArthur says of=20 Romans:

It speaks morally =96 about = adultery,=20 fornication, homosexuality, hating, murder, lying, and civil=20 disobedience.

It speaks intellectually =96 = telling us that=20 the natural man is confused because he has a reprobate=20 mind.

It speaks socially =96 telling us = how we are=20 to relate to one another

It speaks psychologically =96 = telling us where=20 true freedom comes to deliver men from the burden of=20 guilt.

It speaks nationally =96 telling = us our=20 responsibility to human government.

It speaks internationally =96 = telling us the=20 ultimate destiny of the earth and especially = Israel.

It speaks spiritually =96 = answering man=92s=20 despair by offering hope for the future.

It speaks theologically, teaching = us the=20 relationship between the flesh and the spirit, between law and = grace, and=20 works and faith.

But most of all it profoundly = brings God=20 himself to us.

And my friends, that is what we need = most.

We don=92t need another fad = program.

We don=92t need to =93experience God = through some=20 subjective community=94

We need to get caught up in His story = not our=20 story.

We need to be God centered not man=20 centered.

We need stop trying to revive = ourselves by=20 looking at what other churches are doing but by focusing our = attention=20 back on scripture, back on the Word of God =96 and if we can learn = anything=20 from history -- Romans is a great place to start.

I taught in that very first sermon, the = cleverly titled=20 =93Introduction to the book of Romans=94 =96 that the human author = of this book=20 was Paul, formerly Saul of Tarsus.

Paul wrote this letter to the house churches = of Roman=20 -- he wrote to them to introduce himself as an apostle, to clearly = present=20 the true Gospel, and to present a monumental doctrinal treatise to = establish them in truth.

But the overall purpose =96 was to bring = Glory and Honor=20 to the name of Jesus Christ =96

Paul now concludes this incredible letter by = doing just=20 that =96 verbalizing once again =96 his true heart has he writes = down this=20 doxology, this poetic praise of the one true wise God.

I wish I could have been there as Paul = completed this=20 letter. Some = scholars=20 suggests that Paul himself took the pen from Tertius his = secretary, and=20 caught up with great emotion and great love for the God of this = beautiful,=20 and powerful Gospel he has just so skillfully exposed for 16 = chapters =96=20 wrote down these final three verses.

You talk about a worship service . . .

In this great doxology =96 Paul returns his = readers,=20 after the concluding comments and greetings of 15 and 16, back to = the=20 focus of the letter, which he began with back in Romans 1:1-7

This doxology is essentially and echo =96 a = fitting=20 conclusion to the theme of Romans =96 the euangellon =96 the = Gospel of God =96=20 the true Gospel.

So as we finish this book =96 let=92s nail it = down once and=20 for all.

I want us to notice along with Paul, 5 = non-negotiable,=20 absolute truths about the True Gospel of God . . .

The True Gospel

The = True Gospel=20 Begins with God=20
The = True Gospel=20 is Centered in Jesus Christ=20
The = True Gospel=20 is Promised and Revealed in Scripture=20
The = True Gospel=20 Results in Obedience=20
The = True Gospel=20 Brings Glory to God and Him Alone

So here we go . . .

The True Gospel

The = True Gospel=20 Begins with God =96 (25)

Now to him who is able to = strengthen you=20 according to my gospel

The = Gospel, the=20 true Gospel, begins and ends in the heart of = God.

The = true Gospel is=20 a God centered Gospel.

God is = able to=20 strengthen you according to my Gospel . . .

Let=92s = examine that=20 phrase a little closer . . .

Let=92s = begin by=20 stating that Paul is not bragging here or making claims that he is = the=20 author of this Gospel when he calls it =93my Gospel=94 -- but rather is simply = referring to=20 the true Gospel - = the Gospel=20 he was called to proclaim to the gentiles.

Paul is = reffering=20 to the true Gospel =96 which begins with God and is centered in = God=92s=20 ability =96 He is able.

That=92s that word=20 dunamos =96 from which we get our word = =93dynamite=94

The = true Gospel is=20 a powerful thing and has for it=92s source nothing less than the = power of=20 God.

Let=92s = talk about=20 the power of God just for a moment, just what is God able to=20 do?

We are = learning on=20 Sunday nights =96 that God is able to speak and create from = nothing all that=20 exists.

We = cannot even=20 fathom the power that it takes to do something like=20 that.

Perhaps = the=20 greatest example of God=92s power =96 other than creation itself = =96 is found in=20 the exodus story.

The = greatest power=20 on earth =96 the most powerful individual living at that time was=20 pharaoh.

Pharoah = was=20 worshipped as God =96 I can here Yule Brenner in that famous movie = =93the Ten=20 Commandments=94 bellowing out =96 =93so let it be written, so let = it be=20 done=94

That = pretty much=20 says it all about the power of the pharaoh =96 His Word was law . = .=20 .

But as = great as=20 Pharoah=92s power was -- = it=20 paled in comparison to the power of God.

Are you = aware that=20 the ten plagues were not just random judgments - but rather intention = in that=20 they made a mockery of every thing Pharoah stood for and counted = on for=20 his power?

Even before the plagues =96 the whole rod = becoming a=20 snake account =96 the Cobra was a symbol of ruling power in = ancient=20 Egypt

So right from the start =96 the rod of God = consumed the=20 very symbol of Pharaoh=92s ruling power . . .

The = Nile=20 turning to blood =96 Egyptians worshipped the Nile=20
The = Frogs =96=20 Egyptians worshipped a frog headed god=20
The = Flies and=20 Beetles =96 Egyptians saw the scarab beetle as a source of = power=20
The = judgement=20 against the livestock =96 Egyptians worshipped a bull headed = god who was=20 the symbol of love and power =96 and often used as symbol for = pharaoh=20 himself.=20
The = boils =96 an=20 attack on their healing god=20
The = Hail =96 an=20 attack on the mother sun god Ra=20
The = Locust =96=20 an attack on the locust God and they blotted out the sun god = Ra=20
Then = the=20 darkness, which only affect the areas inhabited by Egptians = was a=20 direct attack on Ra the sun god.=20
Then = the final=20 plague was a direct attack on pharaoh himself =96 the death of = his most=20 prized possession and air to the thrown.

The most powerful man on earth =96 reduced to = nothing in=20 the face of the limitless power of God.

As we speak today =96 our world is full of = little=20 pharaohs who believe they have the ultimate power over their own = destiny =96=20 captains of their own ship as it were . . .

When Paul says God is able =96 he is speaking = directly of=20 God=92s sovereignty.

Just as God was sovereign over Pharoah =96 = one of the=20 most powerful men who has ever lived =96 God is sovereign over all = mankind.

--And is certainly sovereign over = salvation.

Any so called Gospel that does not begin with = the=20 sovereign power of God =96 is really no Gospel at all.

For it is God who is able to establish you=85

That word establish =96 it means =93to = fix=94 - to set up, to cause to = stand. It denotes = resolve and=20 permenance.

It is the same word used of Jesus and his = steadfast=20 resolve to complete his mission =96 as he sets his face, or = establishes his=20 face towards Jerusalem.

The use of this word presupposes assaults on = our faith=20 =96 our faith will be tested, our faith will be threatened =96 = trials will=20 come, troubles will ensue =96 but God, who is able, who is = powerful who is=20 sovereign over all =96 has established his children.

It=92s the same word used in my favorite = doxology the=20 doxology of Jude which says;

^ESVJude 1:24 Now to him who is able to = keep you=20 from stumbling and to present you blameless before the = presence of=20 his glory with great joy,

God is able to strengthen you, establish you = in the=20 True Gospel through his sovereign power =96 now, in the present so = that on=20 that Great day as you stand before the righteous judge =96 he will = establish=20 you their forever as blameless.

I have to stop right there for a momemt = =96because as I=20 reflect on the power of God in creation, and the power of God in = the=20 exodus =96 I am most amazed by the power of God in my own = salvation.

How is it possible, as I reflect on my own = sin, my own=20 unrighteousness, my own depravity that I can and will be = established=20 through the Gospel and seen as blameless in the presence of His = Glory=20 forever and ever?

How is that possible?

It=92s not through my effort, or my merit =96 = for I have=20 none =96 it is only possible through the true Gospel which begins = and ends=20 in the heart of a sovereign all powerful =96 and praise him =96 = merciful=20 God.

The True Gospel begins with God and His = Power, His=20 Soveriegnty.

The application of that truth is simple yet = profound .=20 . .

Since the true Gospel begins with God =96 as = we endeavor=20 to preach and teach and share the Gospel of God =96 every thing we = do must=20 ultimate be centered in the power of God.

We must trust God =96 we must trust His Word, = His=20 methods, His sufficiency =96 only He can establish . . .

And we see in this next truth =96 the His = chosen method=20 of establishing us . . .

The = True Gospel=20 is Centered in Jesus Christ (25)

^ESV=20Romans=20 16:25 Now to him who is able to = strengthen=20 you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus=20 Christ,

The = Gospel is=20 delivered through the preaching of Jesus Christ . .=20 .

Just as = any Gospel=20 that does not begin with the power of God is no Gospel =96 so too = any gospel=20 that is not centered in the preaching of Jesus Christ =96 is = really no=20 gospel at all.

The = only Gospel=20 that truly establishes men, that will present us in his presence = as=20 blameless =96 is the Gospel contained in the preaching of Jesus=20 Christ.

^ESV=201 = Corinthians=20 1:23 but we = preach Christ=20 crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to = those=20 who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and = the=20 wisdom of God.

^ESV2 Corinthians 4:5 For what we proclaim is not = ourselves, but=20 Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' = sake.=20 ⁶ For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," = has=20 shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the = glory of God=20 in the face of Jesus Christ.

The so called =93Pauline=94 Gospel was the = true Gospel=20 because it was centered in the person and preaching of Jesus = Christ and=20 Him crucified.

That is the major theme of Romans!

^ESV=20Romans=20 3:21 But now the=20 righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, = although the=20 Law and the Prophets bear witness to it- ²² the = righteousness=20 of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who=20 believe.

^ESVRomans 3:24 and are justified by his grace as = a gift,=20 through the redemption that is in Christ = Jesus,

^ESVRomans 4:24 but for ours also. It will be = counted to us=20 who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our=20 Lord,

^ESVRomans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been = justified by=20 faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus=20 Christ.

^ESVRomans 6:8 Now if we have died with Christ, = we believe=20 that we will also live with him.

^ESVRomans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, = but the free=20 gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our=20 Lord.

The Gospel of God =96 the True Gospel is = centered in the=20 work of Jesus Christ =96 and is delivered in the preaching of = Jesus Christ=20 and Him Crucified.

And again the application is really quite = simple =96 if=20 the true Gospel is centered in Jesus Christ (and it is)=96 and if = the only=20 way mankind can be established in the Gospel is through the = preaching of=20 Christ and Him crucified (and it is).

Then our job, our duty as a church is to stay = true to=20 that calling and evangelize our world according the plan set in = scripture=20 =96 preach the Word =96 preach the Gospel =96 Preach Christ and = Him=20 crucified!

Oh but Jamey =96 that will never fill up a = church =96 you=20 have to be relevant =96 you have to be -- inclusive, you cannot = make such=20 absolute truth claims and still expect to draw men to Christ.

That=92s just it!! It=92s not my job to draw = men to Christ=20 =96 I cannot draw men to Christ =96 it is God who able to = establish sinful man=20 in the Gospel =96 only the absolute power of God can change a = man=92s heart =96=20 and that is accomplished, by God=92s decree, through the preaching = of Jesus=20 Christ and Him crucified.

We could be purpose driven, we could be = emergent, we=20 could be more user-friendly and probably fill this room up =96 but = with=20 what?

It matters, church, it matter what this room = is filled=20 with . . .

The church is the gathering of the redeemed = =96 a=20 gathering of those whom God has established in the Gospel. . .

Anyone can fill up a room by promising health = and=20 wealth or purpose in life =96 only God and His word can fill up a = room with=20 transformed hearts and true believers . . .

You want to see the power of marketing? Go to = a=20 Brittany Spears concert =96 You want to see the power of God - = -preach the=20 Word =96 preach Christ and Him crucified =96 be patient, be = steadfast =96 then=20 be awed by the power of God as you see lives changed.

The true Gospel is centered in Jesus = Christ

And in this next truth we see this is nothing = new =96=20 it=92s not a new Gospel

The = True Gospel=20 is Promised and Revealed in Scripture

according to the revelation of the = mystery=20 that was=20 kept secret for long ages ²⁶ but has now been disclosed = and=20 through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, = according to the command of the eternal = God,

We need = to first=20 talk about this word mystery =96 because it=92s meaning is greatly = affected by=20 the use of the word today.

In our = language =96=20 mystery is something that is not known but must be solved =96 or = at least=20 attempted to be solved =96 and once solved is no longer a = mystery.

We read = mystery=20 novels, we love a good mystery.

That is = not what it=20 means in this context. =20

In the = New=20 Testament mysterion = means something that was = hidden in=20 former times but has now been made known.

The = question here=20 that is often asked is this: Was it really hidden in former=20 times?

As we = read the Old=20 Testament =96 it the Gospel seems crystal = clear.

It = doesn=92t seem=20 hidden in Genesis 3:15 =96 the protoevanglium = =96

^ESVGenesis 3:15 I will put enmity between you and = the=20 woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall = bruise your=20 head, and you shall bruise his heel."

It = doesn=92t seem=20 hidden as God sacrificed animals to provide a covering for Adam = and Eve .=20 . .

It = doesn=92t seem=20 hidden as God saved Noah from Judgment on the = Ark

It = doesn=92t seem=20 hidden in the account of Abraham and Isaac =96 God providing the = lamb,=20

It=92s = not hidden in=20 the fact that Abraham was justified by faith =96 looking forward = to the=20 messiah . . .

The = mystery here is=20 not that it was so much hidden =96 but simply that the gospel is = something=20 that no human could have guessed, or come up with apart from = God=92s=20 inspired Word and His Grace gift of faith.

And we = now see the=20 full meaning of all those old testament Gospel stories =96 now = that Jesus=20 has fulfilled them =96 and the Holy Spirit has illuminated=20 them.

The = point is this .=20 . . this true Gospel is not an afterthought, or an adjustment in=20 plans.

God has = never been=20 surprised =96 this was His plan all along

according to the command of the = eternal=20 God,

And we = come back=20 once again to the sovereignty of God in salvation . .=20 .

The = Gospel is made=20 clear, revealed in scripture through the preaching of Jesus Christ = and him=20 crucified =96 according to the command of the eternal=20 God.

As we = were working=20 through those very difficult passages of Romans in chapters 9-11 = =96 we saw=20 the mighty plan of God, the plan of the ages, worked out in human=20 history.

The = chosen people,=20 many rejecting Christ, rejecting the Messiah =96 has God failed? = It=92s God=20 word not reliable?

Paul=92s answer was a=20 resounding no =96 God has not failed, because the eternal God has = a plan =96=20 from all eternity to bring about salvation for his chosen people = =96 the=20 rejection of the Israelites led to the inclusion of the Gentiles = in God=92s=20 plan =96 and the inclusion of the gentiles then will result in the = return of=20 Israel, back into the fold?

Who = could devise=20 such a plan with such scope, with such vision in World=20 History?

God, = Sovereign God,=20 and God alone.

In our = way of=20 thinking it is a complete mystery, we cannot comprehend, but it is = revealed in scripture, and is not at all difficult for=20 God.

Again = the=20 application is simple . . . if this great mystery is revealed in = scripture=20 =85

Then we = are to be=20 students of the Bible.

Not = students of pop=20 psychology

Not = students of=20 business or marketing techniques

Not = even students=20 of popular speakers =96 students of the = Bible

And = that leads us=20 to truth number 4 =96 and perhaps the hardest one for most of us . = .=20 .

The = True Gospel=20 Results in Obedience

²⁶=20 but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has = been=20 made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal = God,=20 to bring about the obedience of=20 faith-

This = phrase echoes=20 the statement of Romans 1:5

^ESVRomans 1:5 through whom we have = received grace=20 and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake = of his=20 name among all the nations,

God has just told us the Gospel, this mystery = has been=20 revealed in scripture =96 now he tells us why . .

The purpose or goal in making known the = Gospel is to=20 bring about obedience of faith . . .

There is without question, without debate = through out=20 scripture an obedience that flows from true faith.

Paul, the greatest missionary, greatest = evangelist,=20 greatest theologian whoever lives =96 could never have conceived = in his=20 wildest imaginations, of a Gospel that did not take hold of a = believers=20 heart and transform them into servants of righteousness.

He didn=92t preach perfection =96 we will = never be perfect=20 this side of heaven =96 but he preached a Gospel that transforms = us into a=20 people who hunger and thirst for righteousness and who demonstrate = a=20 consistent pattern of obedience to God=92s Word and Command.

True children of God are children of = righteousness and=20 obedience.

This Gospels does not summon us to = demonstrate how good=20 we are =96 because there is nothing good about us . . .

This Gospel calls us to trust in God =96 who = is able to=20 establish us =96 who was able to raise Jesus from the dead =96 = that trust fill=20 us with the power to live obedient lives.

We have to be very careful here=96 so that we = do not=20 preach legalism one side or licentiousness on the other side = =85

This Gospel does not say =96 if you are = obedient and do=20 this, this and this =96 you will be saved =96 that=92s a works = gospel.

But on the other hand =96 it certainly does = not say =96 go=20 ahead, live anyway you want =96 God loves you just as you are =96 = the true=20 Gospel will never leave you there.

This Gospel is transformational =96 it = justifies and=20 transforms.

Children of God are, according to Romans 8:29 = . .

predestined to be conformed to the = image of=20 his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many=20 brothers.

From the moment of our salvation, we are in = the process=20 of being sanctified, changed, shaped into the image of Christ =96 = so that we=20 would bring glory to Christ.

This Gospel that is being preached today in = many=20 churches =96 the Gospel of self help, the seeker friendly Gospel = =96 the come=20 just as you are and never change gospel is a false gospel.

If a person never changes =96 never acts in = obedience =96=20 than that is proof that his =93conversion=94 was a false = conversion.

This Gospel will not leave you in a sinful = state =96 but=20 will transform you and form you into His image =96 so that when = you get to=20 heaven =96 you will fit in there.

Obedience is the hallmark of the true child = of God.

We are to constantly be in a state of self = examination=20 =96 search me oh Lord =96

What do I need to change today?

How is my attitude?

Am I gossiping?

Am I bitter?

Am I submitting to your authority in my life = =96 or am I=20 holding on to my ways, my thoughts?

The world says in order to be successful we = need to=20 feel empowered =96 to be who we were meant to be =96 to be = ourselves.

And that is the exact opposite of what we = need to do =96=20 the last thing we need to do is be ourselves =96 because we are=20 sinners!!!

If we are empowered to be ourselves =96 then = we are=20 falling for the same lie the serpent told Adam and Eve =96 he = essentially=20 said =96 be yourself =96 make your own decisions =96 don=92t = listen to God =96 your=20 not really going to die . . .

What needs to happen and what does happen in = the true=20 child of God, established by the true Gospel =96 is a breaking of = our=20 self-will and a profound submission to the authority and = sovereignty of=20 God =96 as revealed in scripture =96 worked out in the daily lives = =96 in acts=20 of humble obedience to His Word.

Now, what is the end result of all of = this?

What is the result of all of this?

The dominant theme of all of Romans is that = God so=20 arranged history that He will receive honor, praise and = thanksgiving.

Remember back in Romans 1:21 where Paul gives = us the=20 essence of all sin =96

²¹ For although they knew God, they = did not=20 honor him as God or give thanks to him,

So the = opposite is=20 true, the way to honor God is to give him the honor and glory and=20 thanksgiving that only he deserves.

That = leads us to=20 truth number 5 concerning the true Gospel of God

The = True Gospel=20 Brings Glory to God and Him Alone

^ESVRomans 16:27 to the only wise God be = glory=20 forevermore through Jesus Christ! = Amen.

As I said, I would have loved to have been = there as=20 Paul put the finishing touches on this incredible letter . . .

Can you just see him there =96 coming to this = final=20 thought =96 meditating on all that was written concerning the true = Gospel of=20 God . . .

And his heart just sort of wells up and = surges in pure=20 praise of God almighty =96 and so we have this wonderful doxology = to=20 study.

It had to just hit him in the face once again = =96 how=20 powerful, how sovereign, how merciful and graceful God really is . = . .

To have taken this enemy of the Gospel =96 = this=20 persecutor of the way =96 this bitter, hateful man who hated = Christ and his=20 followers =96 take this man =96

Establish him in the Gospel =96 Justify him = by His Grace=20 through faith =96

Transform his heart =96 remove his heart of = stone and=20 give him a heart of flesh =96

Strengthen him, sustain him in this Gospel = =96 all the=20 way to the end

This God deserves all the glory, all the glory for ever = and=20 ever.

I was thinking about this =96 what keeps us = from having=20 this same outburst of doxology in our daily lives?

I thought of lots of things =96 priorities = =96 how we=20 prioritize our live =96 our we busy, too busy to remember what God = has done=20 for us?

Yes, I think that=92s one reason . . .

But I was thinking about Paul himself =96 the = life he=20 lived =96 writing this book toward the end of his missionary = journeys.

Think about what he had seen =96 what he had = witnessed =96=20 large numbers of gentiles =96 being transformed by the Gospel.

Think about what God had sustained him = through =96 death=20 threats, beatings, imprisonment, -- life =96 treacherous travel = =96 he had=20 witnessed first hand the faithfulness of God.

That is one of the aspects of radical = obedience that I=20 think we often overlook . . .

When we are radically obedient to the call of = Christ =96=20 we are constantly put in situations =96 which give us first hand = knowledge=20 of the power of God, and the power of the true Gospel.

What I=92m saying is this =96 you will never = know how good=20 God is, until you see him work =96 and you=92ll never see him = work, really, as=20 long as you are holding on, playing it safe =96 never really = acting in=20 radical obedience to his call on your life.

Paul lived his life in radical reckless = abandon to self=20 =96 and radical obedience to His calling =85 nevermind the = consequences.

Each and everyone of you =96 who have called = by God =96 set=20 apart for salvation =96has also been called into radical obedience = of the=20 faith.

And you will never no the full power of God = =96 until you=20 live in that obedience as Paul did.

Paul preached the Gospel =96 Paul lived the = Gospel =96 and=20 Paul gave the Glory =96 to the only wise God -through Jesus = Christ.

God=92s glory reaches its pinnacle =96 its = apex through the=20 work and ministry of Jesus Christ.

In Jesus Christ God revealed his Great Grace = and Great=20 Wisdom.

Now will you walk in obedience to him =96 = giving him all=20 the glory.

Your life =96 should be a walking doxology = =96 to the=20 transforming power of the True Gospel.

Conclusion