Remember the Gospel.

Steve Gentry

[0:00] Welcome to Village Church. [0:01] If this is your first time here, my name’s Steve. [0:03] I’m one of the pastors here at Village Church [0:05] and I’m always thankful and grateful [0:07] to see each and every one of you. [0:08] If you have your Bibles,

[0:09] go ahead and open them up to Romans chapter 15. [0:12] We’re gonna be starting in verse 14 this morning, [0:15] but we’re beginning to kinda close in [0:18] on the conclusion of Paul’s letter to the church at Rome. [0:22] And in Romans, Paul has unfolded [0:24] not just the facts of what the gospel is,

[0:26] but also the how of living as a follower of Jesus [0:30] in this life. [0:32] You know, one thing that’s kind of been underscoring this [0:35] is this defense that God is overwhelmingly good. [0:40] And it takes a great deal of faith [0:42] to actually believe that that is true

[0:45] because much in us and around us [0:48] actually serves to contradict such a notion. [0:52] Throughout the book of Romans, though, [0:53] Paul has unpacked how the world got into [0:56] such a dark situation [0:58] and how God worked throughout history

[1:00] to actually accomplish a mission to save humans [1:04] from the sin that ruins us [1:07] and prove himself as all-powerful, [1:09] to prove himself as all-glorious, [1:12] and to prove that he is all good. [1:16] And Jesus is the central figure in this mission

[1:20] and has not only worked through his substitutionary death [1:23] and victorious resurrection [1:25] to redeem us from our sin for eternity, [1:27] but also to give us hope [1:30] that we can have a life of purpose in this present age. [1:35] You know, the purpose of your life is to live with good news

[1:38] of the mission of Jesus to the world around you. [1:42] The fact is that people can be reconciled to God [1:46] through faith in Jesus. [1:48] If you need a one-sentence summary [1:51] of what the gospel of Jesus actually accomplishes, [1:54] that’s it.

[1:56] That we can be reconciled to a relationship with the God [2:01] who created us and sin has separated us away from. [2:05] That is amazingly good news. [2:08] That’s the greatest news that has ever come. [2:12] And if you are someone who believes that, [2:14] if you trust your life to that fact,

[2:18] that it must saturate your life [2:21] so that you can live with its mission [2:23] as the forefront of every moment of your life on this earth. [2:28] Because if it is true, [2:30] if God is so good to the extent that he would come, [2:35] sacrifice his life on the cross,

[2:37] rise again to be victorious over sin, [2:40] and then give you eternal reconciliation with God [2:43] where you will never face his judgment and wrath [2:48] for your sin, [2:50] then what else would you base your days on? [2:54] What is greater than that?

[2:56] Because it doesn’t just end with this life [2:58] when this life ends, because everything else does. [3:02] But rather it goes on into eternity. [3:05] And in Romans 15, 14 through 21, [3:09] Paul is actually writing with a church at Rome [3:12] that defines itself by the gospel.

[3:15] And he actually, as he comes to a conclusion, [3:18] wants to ensure that they continue to define themselves [3:22] by their hope and trust in Jesus. [3:25] Because there comes a temptation in everyone’s life, [3:29] even while you are following Jesus, [3:31] that maybe there’s something more that I can add.

[3:34] Maybe there’s something more [3:36] that I need to put my efforts behind. [3:38] Maybe there is more to life [3:41] than the good news of Jesus actually reveals. [3:44] Maybe I need to move on to something else [3:47] once I feel that I’ve got that part.

[3:51] And there come distractions even also in life [3:54] that drive your focus and goals to other things [3:57] than the good news of Jesus Christ. [3:59] But in this section, Paul reminds the church at Rome [4:03] that you never cease to need the gospel of Jesus, [4:07] and you never need more or less

[4:10] than the gospel has to offer. [4:13] So look in Romans 15, starting in verse 14. [4:16] The apostle Paul writes, he says, [4:18] I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, [4:21] that you yourselves are full of goodness, [4:24] filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another.

[4:27] But on some points, I have written to you very boldly [4:32] by way of reminder because of the grace given me by God [4:35] to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles [4:40] in the priestly service of the gospel of God [4:42] so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, [4:47] sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

[4:50] Now note that in this section, [4:52] Paul’s gonna remind them of things [4:55] that he actually states that they already know about. [4:59] So number one this morning, [5:00] the point that Paul’s trying to make [5:01] is that we always need to be reminded of the gospel,

[5:06] always, in every moment. [5:08] Paul commends the church at Rome [5:10] for three things in this section. [5:12] First, he says that they’re full of goodness. [5:16] I mean, there’s not much better that can be said about you, [5:19] that you are full of goodness.

[5:21] He doesn’t look to them and pinpoint error. [5:23] He doesn’t look to them and correct a path in this section. [5:26] No, instead, he looks to them and he says, [5:28] you as a church are actually full of goodness. [5:32] And then secondly, he says they are full of knowledge. [5:36] And so he’s assuming through the reports that he’s getting,

[5:39] through the stories that are emerging [5:41] from the church at Rome, he’s saying, they’re equipped. [5:45] They know the gospel. [5:47] They know the story of Jesus. [5:50] They know the whole council of God. [5:52] There’s no knowledge that they lack.

[5:54] But even more than that, he goes on because you may be [5:57] saying, okay, they’re full of goodness. [5:58] They’re full of knowledge. [5:59] So what’s he gonna do? [6:00] He’s gonna say they’re self-centered. [6:01] They’re puffed up in their knowledge.

[6:03] They’re puffed up in their lifestyle. [6:04] No, he actually goes on and he says the third thing. [6:06] He says you are that they are able to impart that knowledge [6:10] by instructing one another. [6:12] So they’re actually using their goodness. [6:14] They’re actually using their knowledge.

[6:17] They’re using it as a catalyst to do what? [6:19] To make disciples. [6:21] And so by these three things, you could just kind of look [6:24] at what’s being said about the church at Rome, [6:26] this is a healthy church. [6:28] If there’s a church that needs to fashion itself

[6:32] after something, if you want to look and say, [6:34] what should my church look like? [6:35] Well, there aren’t three better things that can be said [6:37] about a church. [6:38] It’s full of goodness, full of knowledge, [6:39] and full of instruction for one another.

[6:41] So this is a church that’s making disciples. [6:43] And he is making a statement about the church’s health. [6:47] Saying that the church at Rome is actually very healthy. [6:52] So that begs the question. [6:53] Why then is Paul’s teaching them the gospel [6:57] throughout the book such a focus?

[7:01] I mean, note that when they receive this letter, [7:04] the first 11 chapters, and we’ve separated them [7:07] into chapters, they did not have them separated [7:09] into chapters, so for more than half of the letter [7:13] that they received, that they’re reading out loud, [7:15] that they’re reading to one another in their private time

[7:17] in discipleship, he spends on the facts about the gospel. [7:22] And then he follows that up with,

[7:26] and I know you already knew that.

[7:30] Let me be honest with you. [7:32] I know that we’re on the 60th part of the Book of Romans. [7:38] And I’ve heard some rumors that some of you think [7:43] I may have spent two or three more weeks [7:45] than I needed to spend in the Book of Romans. [7:48] I should have, week 57 is where we should be right now.

[7:51] Why are we on week 60?

[7:55] And I fully believe that that’s what Paul is doing here [7:59] because even in the church at Rome, [8:02] as they read the letter to Romans, [8:04] as they read this letter, that Paul is writing them, [8:08] there has to be in people who are full of goodness, [8:11] full of knowledge, making disciples,

[8:13] there has to be a question coming. [8:17] Why is Paul telling us about this? [8:20] We already know. [8:23] I mean, don’t they already know it [8:25] based on what Paul said? [8:26] And if they’re doing so well,

[8:28] can’t they then move on to something else? [8:32] And Paul actually puts that into display [8:36] with the very next verse. [8:37] Look at what he says in verse 15. [8:38] He says, on some points I have written to you [8:42] very boldly by way of reminder.

[8:47] And so Paul says, it’s not that you didn’t know this stuff.

[8:53] It’s not that I can’t just make the statement [8:55] in the sentence, summarize the gospel [8:57] in about a paragraph or two, [8:59] then move on to what comes next. [9:02] Paul is saying there is no next. [9:06] There is only the gospel.

[9:08] Your vision needs to be overcome [9:11] by a life of gospel reminders. [9:14] So Paul, throughout the book, [9:16] is using purposeful redundancy. [9:19] I mean, in studying this book [9:20] and in actually writing through this book,

[9:22] you will see Paul make a very firm statement [9:26] that just so summarizes the gospel so well. [9:30] You just assume that the Holy Spirit’s [9:32] actually writing through him, which he was. [9:36] But then in the very next chapter, [9:38] it’s as if he says the exact same thing,

[9:40] just with different words. [9:42] And so what Paul’s saying is, [9:44] yeah, that’s exactly what I’ve been doing. [9:47] I’ve actually used my authority, [9:48] because he says, by the grace given to me by God, [9:52] and he’s actually referring in that section

[9:54] to his apostleship, he says, [9:56] I am wielding my authority over you [10:00] to make a point that you need to keep [10:03] the pure, true gospel at the forefront [10:06] of your vision in every day. [10:10] Because he knows that they’re going to respond,

[10:13] oh, Paul, we already know this. [10:16] We don’t need this. [10:18] We can move on to something else at this point. [10:23] But Paul’s very purposeful in his redundancy [10:26] to keep them from making the mistake [10:29] of either getting distracted

[10:31] and moving away from the good news, [10:33] or assuming that since they’re doing something well, [10:36] they should add more on their plate, [10:38] thus muddying the pureness of the gospel. [10:43] But you see, that’s what happens in our lives. [10:45] We cease to trust the process.

[10:49] We begin to become puffed up [10:51] that there must be something else, [10:52] there must be some other answer [10:54] to what’s going on inside of me [10:56] that I haven’t yet found by God. [10:59] So maybe in some new idea,

[11:01] maybe in some new philosophy, [11:02] maybe in some new interpretation, [11:05] or maybe in some new revelation [11:07] that this world has to offer me, [11:09] or a new teaching that someone has to offer me, [11:11] I can find the satisfaction

[11:13] that I don’t feel the gospel is giving me. [11:16] Or maybe I can find an excuse [11:18] as to why my life doesn’t line up [11:21] so cohesively with the gospel.

[11:26] And so what happens is, [11:28] is mission drift begins to set in our lives. [11:32] And that which is pure in the gospel, [11:36] we attempt to add something to it. [11:38] But when you add something to that which is pure, [11:42] you don’t typically make it more pure.

[11:47] What tends to happen is, [11:48] is you muddy that which is pure. [11:51] You distract yourself with something else. [11:54] You move on to something else, [11:56] and you’re not left with a pure gospel. [11:59] You are left with a truncated gospel.

[12:01] You are left with a reductionistic view of God. [12:04] I mean, this is what happened in the garden. [12:08] God was clear with Adam and Eve, [12:10] this is the life that you have. [12:12] These are the limitations that I am putting on you [12:15] as my children, the ones whom I have authority over.

[12:21] And Satan whispers in Eve’s ear, [12:24] has God really said?

[12:28] And see friends, we are not so far removed from the garden [12:30] that that is not what enters into our minds. [12:34] That clearly the gospel isn’t enough for me. [12:38] I mean, this is what you do. [12:40] If you think this isn’t a struggle that you have, [12:43] what you’re basically saying is,

[12:44] I have no struggles with sin. [12:46] I’m the perfect evangelist. [12:48] I mean, I’m a disciple making machine. [12:50] I wake up every morning, first thought I have, [12:52] make disciples. [12:54] Midday, make disciples.

[12:55] When I go to bed, make disciples. [12:57] No, we struggle even to remember the gospel [13:00] in moments in traffic.

[13:04] And so we’re all so distracted by so much [13:07] that’s going on in our lives, [13:09] and that is exactly what Paul is confronting us with [13:12] right here. [13:13] I mean, how often do you think the answer [13:15] to the problems in your life are,

[13:17] if I could just lose 30 pounds, [13:20] I would be the best version of me that could exist. [13:24] Or maybe that’s just me.

[13:27] Or if I was just, man, if I just had 500 more dollars [13:31] on my paycheck, then I could have the life [13:35] that I really wanted. [13:37] Or if I just had a new car, [13:39] or if I was just better at this sport, [13:42] or if my children were just better at sports,

[13:44] or if my children could just make better grades, [13:47] or if my lawn was just a little bit greener, [13:50] or if I just had the ability that this person has [13:53] or that person has, and what’s happening in your life [13:56] is actually mission drift. [13:59] And when you find the answers to the rumblings

[14:03] that are going on inside of you, [14:05] the cravings that are going on inside of you, [14:07] the dissatisfaction that is going on inside of you [14:09] in places other than the gospel, [14:12] that is not a mark of discipleship in your life. [14:16] That is a mark of mission drift.

[14:20] You are actually struggling to trust [14:22] the pure gospel of Jesus Christ, [14:25] and you are allowing more to overcome it, [14:27] because we forget the gospel in so much of our everyday.

[14:33] See, Paul isn’t the only one that writes this way though, [14:35] because it’s not limited to this section, [14:37] but instead this is the theme [14:38] throughout the entire New Testament [14:40] that you need to continuously be confronted [14:42] by that which you already know, or you will drift.

[14:48] Peter writes in 2 Peter 3, 1, [14:50] to tell the dispersed church [14:51] that he has written to stir up reminders. [14:57] In 1 John 2, 21, the apostle John writes, [15:00] not because they don’t know, [15:02] but because they do know the truth.

[15:04] John is using his authority to keep the gospel pure [15:07] so that no lies may enter in. [15:10] And his answer to preventing lies [15:13] is to remind them of what the truth is, [15:17] because it doesn’t begin with this great distrust [15:22] in the gospel.

[15:25] Not at large, not the core of it with who Jesus is. [15:30] What begins to become chipped away in our lives [15:32] are maybe the little parts of the story, [15:35] that maybe they aren’t as important as we once thought. [15:38] I mean, there’s this new teaching that says, [15:40] well, maybe you can just think that this part isn’t true,

[15:43] or maybe this clear representation isn’t. [15:45] It’s just a philosophy. [15:47] It’s just a thought. [15:48] It’s just a teaching. [15:49] And we’re in a modern era, [15:51] and in our modern era, that doesn’t fit so well.

[15:54] So maybe we should distrust this part, [15:56] and that throughout the history of the church [15:58] is always how denying the gospel has begun. [16:03] It never begins with the centrality of Jesus, [16:05] but instead it begins with that which we think [16:07] is insignificant about the word.

[16:11] But very soon after you begin to question [16:14] the credibility of part of God’s command on your life, [16:19] eventually you will begin to think, [16:20] well, has God really said about Christ himself? [16:25] And Paul and John and Peter and all of the apostles, [16:29] they work throughout the New Testament

[16:31] so that we will trust the pureness of Jesus Christ. [16:37] Friend, don’t give in to the temptation [16:38] to move away from the pureness of the gospel, [16:41] the pureness of the word, [16:42] the pureness of the work of the Holy Spirit, [16:45] because some other program or new philosophical movement

[16:49] seems more exciting or more in touch with modern culture. [16:53] Remember the gospel. [16:56] Keep it as simple as possible [16:58] and as pure as possible in discipleship [17:01] for yourself and for the sake of others around you. [17:06] Because here’s what I want you to understand

[17:07] about your life. [17:09] It is never not about the gospel. [17:13] Remember, every issue in your life is a gospel issue. [17:17] There will be many moments in your life [17:19] when you think that the answer is found somewhere [17:21] other than what Jesus has done.

[17:24] But that is simply not true. [17:26] You see, the work of the apostles [17:27] throughout the entire New Testament [17:29] was for us to focus on that for every issue of our lives [17:33] so that we could connect the dots of our lives [17:36] in connection with the good news of what Jesus has done.

[17:41] Understand that in every moment of my life, [17:45] I am either finding my hope in Jesus [17:47] or I am serving false gods that lead me away from Jesus. [17:52] It is always, always, always about Jesus. [17:58] When you begin to find the solutions [18:00] to all of the cravings that are leading you away from Christ

[18:04] somewhere other than Christ, [18:06] friend, you have not repented. [18:09] Instead, you have believed a false gospel [18:12] that will continue to lead you in the wrong direction [18:15] and it is just a false god by another name. [18:19] If it does not lead you towards Christ,

[18:22] it will continue to lead you away from Christ. [18:27] And so Paul’s focus is that you would constantly [18:30] find your hope and find the work [18:32] that is worth doing in your life [18:34] in the gospel and in the gospel alone. [18:38] And so secondly, he points us out,

[18:39] he says the only thing worth boasting in [18:42] is your work for Christ. [18:45] Note what he says beginning in verse 16.

[18:49] He says to be a minister of Christ Jesus [18:51] to the Gentiles in the priestly service [18:53] of the gospel of God so that the offering [18:56] of the Gentiles may be acceptable, [18:58] sanctified by the Holy Spirit. [19:00] And then he transitions and he says,

[19:03] in Christ Jesus then. [19:05] And so he’s saying, this is what I am doing. [19:08] This is what the gospel is giving me as my mission. [19:11] That I may take it to more and more people. [19:13] And then he transitions to defend that lifestyle. [19:17] And he says, in Christ Jesus then,

[19:20] I have reason to be proud of my work for God. [19:25] This is unique. [19:28] You do not find often in the scriptures [19:30] a place where someone says pride is a good thing to have. [19:35] So it must be predicated by something else. [19:40] Paul is giving us that something else

[19:43] with that three letter phrase, in Christ Jesus. [19:47] Then in verse 18 he writes, he says, [19:48] for I will not venture to speak of anything [19:52] except what Christ has accomplished through me [19:55] to bring the Gentiles to obedience by word and deed. [20:00] By the power of signs and wonders,

[20:02] by the power of the Holy Spirit, [20:04] so that from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, [20:07] I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Jesus Christ. [20:12] And you’re a Roman audience receiving this. [20:15] From Jerusalem to Illyricum is a long way. [20:17] They didn’t fly places back then.

[20:20] So that was a huge journey into the church at Rome. [20:24] That Paul has ventured to spend his entire life traveling [20:29] in order that he may make Christ known [20:33] to an audience that has yet to hear [20:35] the gospel of Jesus Christ. [20:38] And so when I read verse 18,

[20:39] I’m confronted with how trivial my life is. [20:44] Because Paul actually states, he says, [20:46] I will not venture to brag about anything else [20:50] going in my life other than [20:53] what Christ is accomplishing through me. [20:56] I mean, so often in my life,

[20:58] and how often is this true in your life, [20:59] that I will boast about just about everything [21:03] except what Christ is actually doing [21:06] and accomplishing in my life. [21:09] Because that reveals something very telling about us. [21:13] It tells us what our ventures are actually based upon.

[21:17] That the ventures that I’m doing with my life, [21:20] if what I have to brag about, what I have to boast in, [21:22] what I have to be proud about, [21:24] is something other than accomplishing the work of Christ [21:27] so that others may know him, [21:30] then my life is not worth bragging about.

[21:36] So Paul is confronting us with, [21:38] as he’s giving us his personal ministry resume. [21:42] He’s not just telling us this so that we will look and say, [21:44] man, Paul, good job, bro. [21:47] But how often do we read his letters like that? [21:50] How often do we read his letters and say,

[21:51] thumbs up, good for you? [21:53] I could never do that. [21:55] But I’m glad somebody did, [21:56] and I hope someone still is. [21:59] Now, Paul’s not writing so that you can have [22:00] such a laissez-faire attitude

[22:02] and then move on to the type of lifestyle [22:04] that you find more in vogue in this culture. [22:07] Paul’s actually writing this so that you will begin [22:09] to take a look inside of your life and say, [22:12] do I have a life worth living? [22:15] Because Paul is very clearly making the point

[22:19] that if you do not have simply a life [22:22] of accomplishing things for the sake of the gospel [22:24] to boast in, then you are wasting your life.

[22:31] Paul’s predicating every moment of this [22:34] on gospel reminders. [22:37] He’s saying, if you keep the gospel [22:39] at the forefront of your life,

[22:44] then you’ll live for it, [22:46] because it overwhelms your vision. [22:49] If it’s what you’re putting in front of your face, [22:52] if it’s what you’re dwelling with in every morning, [22:55] if it’s what you’re praying for every afternoon, [22:59] if it is what you’re recounting every evening,

[23:02] then your days will be filled with that [23:05] which your vision is full of. [23:08] So my question is, what are your days full of? [23:10] Because that is what defines your vision. [23:13] Not what you pretty up for your group during the week. [23:17] Not what you dress up to talk about

[23:19] in the four-year-old Sunday morning, [23:21] but that which is actually happening in your every day. [23:25] And Paul is saying, what is it that you are venturing [23:27] to accomplish? [23:29] Because if it’s less than what gospel reminders [23:33] are bringing you to accomplish,

[23:36] then you do not have enough gospel reminders in your life, [23:39] and you have fallen for the lie [23:43] that there’s something else that can satisfy you. [23:46] There’s something else that is worth venturing towards. [23:49] There is something else that you need [23:51] to fill your life with.

[23:53] And so the question then has to come, [23:54] man, Paul is proud. [23:57] His passion is taking the good news of Jesus to others [24:00] so that they can believe. [24:01] How does he do this? [24:03] Because let us not even for a moment think

[24:06] that this is an easy thing that Paul is doing. [24:09] This is the most difficult venture, [24:10] this is the hardest mission [24:12] that you could ever live your life for. [24:14] So how does he do it? [24:17] Well, quite frankly,

[24:18] because it is what he wants to do.

[24:22] Paul does not view living the mission of Jesus [24:25] as simple duty. [24:27] He does not view it as a drudgery. [24:30] It is what he sets out to do. [24:33] So he does it. [24:35] You do, friend, what you venture to do in your life.

[24:41] If you are not living for Jesus, [24:43] it’s ultimately because you would rather do something else. [24:48] And that, friends, is what you are actually [24:51] worshiping with your days. [24:52] That is what you are worshiping with your life. [24:56] You know, textually, Paul is actually reminding us again

[25:01] back to something that he’s previously said. [25:04] Paul is actually laying out how he, in his life, [25:08] is fulfilling the vision of Romans 12.1. [25:12] Look at Romans 12. [25:13] Here’s what he says. [25:14] He says, I appeal to you, therefore,

[25:16] because of what the gospel is, [25:18] because the gospel is true, [25:19] I appeal to you, brothers, by the mercies of God, [25:22] to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, [25:25] holy and acceptable to God, [25:27] which is your spiritual worship.

[25:29] And then note that in verse 16, he says, [25:31] I am a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles [25:34] in priestly service of the gospel of God [25:38] so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, [25:41] sanctified by the Holy Spirit. [25:44] You see, his acceptable offering to the Lord

[25:46] is his mission, to take the Gentiles [25:50] the gospel of Jesus Christ. [25:52] This is the exact terminology used in both texts. [25:55] Service equals worship. [25:57] The term for priestly service in verse 16 [26:00] is also translated to mean performing an act

[26:03] of sacrificial offering. [26:06] You know, this is what it means to be a living sacrifice. [26:10] Paul is saying, you don’t define the terms of sacrifice. [26:15] God himself defines those terms.

[26:20] So the question that is begged through all of this, [26:24] the next three words, in Christ Jesus of verse 17, [26:29] you have to ask yourself, is working in Christ [26:33] the main goal that you will be proud of in your life?

[26:38] And he alludes also back to the very beginning of the book [26:42] in Romans one. [26:44] He wrote in verse five, he says, through whom? [26:47] Jesus, we have received grace and apostleship. [26:51] That’s the authority that he’s writing about. [26:53] To bring about the obedience of faith

[26:56] for the sake of his name among all nations. [27:01] And so what Paul says, this is the work in Christ Jesus. [27:05] He’s talking about that obedient faith [27:08] that actually moves the gospel into and out of my life [27:13] through constantly putting the gospel as my vision. [27:17] Paul lived to bring about the obedience of faith.

[27:20] And I think it’s both in himself, [27:23] which then also translates into the lives of others. [27:28] But make no mistake, this does not happen by accident. [27:31] Paul was not just sitting idly by, [27:34] and then people started coming to faith, [27:36] and he’s like, wow, it’s just moving out of me.

[27:38] How’s that happening? [27:39] No, Paul is doing this intentionally. [27:41] He’s intentionally ordering his life [27:44] for the sake of the gospel.

[27:47] Paul wrote in First Corinthians [27:49] that he toils for the sake of the gospel. [27:53] The original language, that term toils, [27:56] literally means I am working myself to the bone. [28:01] Why would he do that?

[28:05] Friend, he does it because Paul actually believed [28:07] that living that life is the greatest life possible. [28:14] Because Paul believed that only what is done [28:17] for Christ will ultimately last. [28:21] And giving us this resume of his work for the Lord. [28:29] He actually shows us what it means to live a life

[28:32] that shows that you actually believe [28:35] that the gospel is true. [28:37] Because too often, there’s a reductionistic view [28:40] of the gospel to make it more palatable. [28:45] But I’m not speaking of the palatable [28:47] where you’re trying to make it more palatable to others,

[28:50] but too often we reduce the gospel [28:52] to make it more palatable to ourselves. [28:55] So that the implications of the gospel on my life [28:59] are reduced to what I am actually comfortable [29:03] with it impacting. [29:05] You see, Paul here is reaching for an all-encompassing view

[29:09] of the gospel in life. [29:11] That that which acts as a barrier [29:13] of me actually turning things over to God [29:16] to trust him with them so that there are no barriers [29:18] for me living full tilt for the mission of Jesus [29:22] so that disciples may be made in my life

[29:24] and outside of my life. [29:26] He’s removing those obstacles. [29:28] But for us, we like to dwell on that [29:30] which makes us comfortable with what we already have [29:34] so that we will not be tempted [29:35] to actually give more to Jesus.

[29:39] And that also is a mission drift in our everyday lives. [29:44] That putting the gospel at the forefront [29:46] of our vision would actually heal. [29:49] You see, there must be an understanding [29:50] that every facet of your life [29:53] should serve as a gospel reminder.

[29:56] And when it doesn’t, you need to reassess [29:59] why you live the way that you live. [30:02] I mean, the gospel is the vision [30:04] which takes over your desires, [30:07] which leads to living what you believe, [30:09] which leads to an offering up to God of service

[30:12] in obedience that impacts the lives of others, [30:15] that leads to more obedient faith. [30:18] I mean, the allusions to sacrificial offerings [30:21] is for you to see how your life continues [30:25] to offer a statement of worship to God [30:30] or unfortunately something other than God.

[30:34] Hebrews 10.3 reminds us that in Israel [30:36] the sacrifices were so repetitive [30:39] so that the people would constantly have reminders [30:44] in front of their face. [30:46] And so friend, I ask, what is going on in your life [30:49] to remind you of the grace of God?

[30:52] I mean, so often in our leadership culture [30:55] and even in church leadership cultures [30:57] we are told you need to have a unique vision for your life. [31:01] You need to have amazing goals in your life [31:04] and your vision needs to be unique because it’s only yours. [31:08] It shouldn’t be the same vision as someone else.

[31:11] And to that I say, that’s absolute hogwash.

[31:15] Friend, there is no more compelling vision [31:18] than the one that God has given us [31:21] in the gospel of Jesus Christ found in the pages of scripture. [31:25] So if your vision is not plagiarized from God [31:29] then quite frankly, your vision is not worth having.

[31:34] Your life will slowly be wasted over a period of many years.

[31:41] So friend, what environments are you entering [31:44] to make sure that your vision for your life [31:46] equals God’s vision for your life? [31:50] What work are you committing to?

[31:55] The reality that you need to deal with [31:57] every single one of us is that you are becoming something.

[32:03] Every day.

[32:06] Are you becoming like Christ?

[32:11] Or day in, day out, are you just becoming [32:14] another version of yourself?

[32:19] Believing the lie that you are in control. [32:24] Believing the lie that if I just keep going [32:27] a little further I’ll find satisfaction. [32:31] If I just do my thing my way, [32:35] I’ll find the happiness that I’m looking for.

[32:41] What is your vision defined by?

[32:46] Friend, if it’s not Jesus, [32:49] then it is not the gospel that needs to keep up with you [32:51] but rather it is you who need to change. [32:55] Because God is drawing you to trust him [32:57] more than you trust yourself. [33:00] Your life needs to be simplified,

[33:03] not more or less than God has revealed [33:07] your life needs to be defined by. [33:11] Thirdly, this morning, in doing that, [33:14] you need to understand that our ambition [33:16] must be to reach as many people as possible. [33:20] Our ambition must be to reach as many people

[33:22] as possible in our lifetime. [33:24] That is in the mission statement of Village Church. [33:27] We’re very honest about that. [33:29] We believe that God has called us [33:31] to be and make disciples of Jesus. [33:33] How many disciples?

[33:35] As many as possible. [33:37] That’s the vision that Paul gives starting in verse 20. [33:41] Here’s what he says. [33:42] He says, thus. [33:44] In other words, because this is true, [33:46] because this is the offering that God has requested

[33:50] and required that more people come to faith [33:54] in Jesus through our lives, I make it my ambition. [33:59] So should you have ambition in your life? [34:01] According to this, yes. [34:03] But what should it be? [34:05] Are you a little snowflake that gets to have

[34:08] your own little pretty picture of ambition? [34:10] No. [34:12] Paul writes, I make it my ambition to preach the gospel. [34:18] It’s as if he heard that somewhere before. [34:23] Maybe from Jesus himself.

[34:26] But then know what he says. [34:29] Paul was audacious. [34:31] He says, not where Christ has already been named. [34:34] This is lest I build on someone else’s foundation. [34:37] But as it is written, those who have never been told [34:40] of him will see, those who have never heard

[34:43] will understand. [34:46] So Paul gives us his resume. [34:50] And then he says, it’s not over yet. [34:53] I’m not done yet. [34:55] The offering isn’t complete. [34:57] Why?

[34:58] Because Paul understood, I’m still alive, [35:00] therefore I have more living sacrifice to be. [35:04] He says, so what am I gonna do?

[35:07] He says, I’m gonna keep moving [35:09] where God is moving. [35:12] Paul wasn’t checking his 401K. [35:16] Paul wasn’t looking down Villages Florida. [35:18] It’s okay if you do, just do it for the gospel. [35:22] Paul wasn’t looking in, well,

[35:24] what type of retirement plan can I cash in on? [35:26] Paul said, no, you understand, there are people [35:28] in this world who have not yet heard the name of Jesus. [35:33] And I think that God is calling us to go tell them. [35:37] So Paul said, I’m moving. [35:39] You look at Paul, you say, Paul, where are you moving?

[35:42] He said, I’m moving with God. [35:43] You see, friend, if you trace the life of Paul, [35:46] I mean, it was one of movement. [35:48] I mean, sure, physically he moved, but also spiritually. [35:54] I mean, Paul at that time made it his ambition [35:57] to go to every place in the world

[36:00] that he could possibly think of to spread the gospel. [36:03] And what do you see in Paul’s track record? [36:05] Many, many, many, many people come into faith in Jesus. [36:09] Churches planted, disciples made to the next generation. [36:14] You see, Paul doubles down in verses 20 through 21 [36:17] on his vision.

[36:19] He wants his life to impact this world [36:21] for the kingdom of God. [36:22] And he plans to do it by going where others [36:25] have not yet gone to reach people who’ve not yet heard. [36:29] Where did he get such a notion?

[36:32] I mean, we’ve already mentioned Paul’s an apostle, [36:35] so he’s got authority. [36:36] You know, is this some new revelation knowledge [36:38] that Paul has? [36:40] Is this some new technique that Paul is coming up with? [36:43] No, friend, it is far more simple than that.

[36:46] Paul believed the Bible. [36:49] He said, what do you mean? [36:50] Well, here’s just one example. [36:52] Malachi, chapter one, verse 11, [36:55] prophesied that there would come a day [36:57] when there would not be a place on earth

[37:00] where the glory of God was unleashed. [37:01] No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. [37:02] Malachi wrote, he said, for from the rising of the sun [37:05] to its setting, my name will be great among the nations, [37:09] and in every place, incense will be offered to my name [37:12] and a pure offering.

[37:15] Of course, in that pure offering, [37:16] he’s prophesying of the only pure offering, [37:18] the offering of Jesus Christ. [37:20] And he says, for my name will be great among the nations. [37:25] Says who? [37:26] Says the Lord of hosts.

[37:30] You see, friend, God made sure that that could happen [37:34] through the finished work of Jesus. [37:36] And Paul believed that it would happen. [37:40] So he literally made it his vision. [37:44] He believed that God had the power to keep his promises. [37:52] Do you?

[37:54] Do you believe in the way that Paul did? [37:58] Do you believe that God could establish [38:00] a new work in your life, and then in the lives of others? [38:05] You see, because it’s gonna start in you. [38:08] You see, maybe you’re beginning to think, [38:09] well, I hope this starts in someone else’s life.

[38:12] No, that’s not where your vision needs to go. [38:14] God wants to begin in your life to spread his fame. [38:18] He wants to begin in your life to spread his glory. [38:21] He wants to begin in your life to spread his glory. [38:23] He wants to begin in your life to spread his gospel reminders. [38:26] You see, friend, you may think that you were too ingrained

[38:29] in some lifestyle or mode of thinking. [38:32] You may actually believe the false notion [38:35] that you can’t change. [38:37] If you believe God’s promises, friend, [38:39] I tell you, you can change. [38:41] And Paul’s life served as a great testimony of that.

[38:45] I mean, Paul had fame, power, glory in Israel, [38:49] and he forsook it all. [38:51] Why would he do such a thing? [38:52] Because he believed that the gospel of Jesus was truer. [38:55] He believed that the gospel of Jesus was better. [38:58] And he called his former life rubbish,

[39:00] because it changed him, because he believed God’s promises. [39:05] You see, friend, if you make it your aim [39:06] to keep the reminders in front of your face continuously, [39:12] you can change. [39:14] Every one of us need to continuously [39:17] remind ourselves of the gospel.

[39:19] And see what new work God wants to establish [39:23] in my life for the gospel. [39:26] And then what new work he wants to use me [39:29] to start another new work in someone else. [39:34] You see, friend, God has ensured his glory. [39:37] He’s made it so simple for me to take part

[39:42] in taking it to others who do not yet know it here and beyond. [39:50] But to be a part of that, I have to ensure [39:52] that my life is moving in the right direction. [39:56] You see, ultimately in this life, [39:58] there’s only two directions that you can move in. [40:00] I know we’ve created about 716 different directions

[40:03] that we think will ultimately, though, [40:05] take the long route and get there [40:06] about six hours later or something, but that’s not true. [40:10] There’s two directions that you’re moving in. [40:11] You’re either moving in the right direction [40:13] or you’re moving in the wrong direction.

[40:14] You’re either moving forwards or you’re moving backwards. [40:17] There’s no inconsequential direction [40:19] that you’re going to go in in your life. [40:21] There aren’t really detours. [40:23] There’s just the wrong way. [40:26] In 2 Corinthians 10, 15 through 16,

[40:28] Paul echoed the desires from 20 and 21. [40:32] He says, we do not boast beyond limit [40:33] in the labors of others, but our hope is that [40:36] as your faith increases, our area of influence among you [40:40] may be greatly enlarged so that we may preach the gospel [40:44] and lands beyond you without boasting of work

[40:46] already done in another’s area of influence. [40:50] See, every work of mission in Paul’s life [40:53] had the hope of increasing his faith. [40:56] You see, the faith of the person he’s working with [40:59] was to grow, but also his faith was growing [41:02] as he worked the mission of Jesus,

[41:05] and then it continued to move on and on from life to life [41:08] because that is how it is designed to move. [41:11] This is the life of making disciples that make disciples. [41:16] Paul wasn’t trying to live off of someone else’s [41:20] story of redemption.

[41:23] Paul wasn’t seeking to live off of what someone else [41:26] had seen God do in their lives. [41:29] Paul said, I believe that God’s going to keep his promises [41:32] and I want to see him do it through my life.

[41:37] God wants to do it through your life. [41:39] You see, Paul had a real desire to see God work [41:42] in incredible ways. [41:44] Do you have that desire? [41:46] I mean, God wants to do a work in your life. [41:49] I believe that he does.

[41:51] He says that he does. [41:53] He wants to establish influence and discipleship [41:56] that will increase your faith capacity, [41:59] but it will not happen by accident. [42:01] You must remember the gospel. [42:04] You must keep it in your vision constantly.

[42:06] God can change you. [42:08] He can change your life. [42:10] He’s calling you to trust him to do it. [42:13] Why? [42:15] Why?

[42:18] Let me remind you. [42:20] Jesus rose from the dead.

[42:26] You see, that’s the reminder. [42:28] That was the forefront of Paul’s belief [42:30] that God would keep all of his promises [42:34] because his promises have been kept in that moment. [42:38] Which ensures us that every promise [42:41] that he’s made still will be kept.

[42:47] See there in verse 21, Paul quoted Isaiah 52, 15. [42:53] You see, Paul had the faith to believe [42:55] that God would let him see that promise [43:00] fulfilled in his own life.

[43:04] You know, the crazy thing is is that God did.

[43:08] Paul saw it.

[43:11] Paul experienced it.

[43:14] And God’s not done fulfilling that promise. [43:17] He wants to do it in our lives. [43:21] Friend, I tell you, do not accept the limitations [43:26] that you believe are on your life [43:28] or following Jesus concerned. [43:32] Do not accept the limitations that you have put

[43:35] on yourself based on where you are, [43:39] what you think you know and don’t know. [43:42] Don’t accept the limitations that even someone else [43:47] may attempt to put on you. [43:49] God wants to use you for his mission. [43:53] Step out of the life that you are living

[43:55] and embrace the vision of the gospel. [43:59] Be a disciple of Jesus. [44:03] Commit to making disciples of Jesus [44:07] no matter what happens, no matter what the cost. [44:11] Because I tell you, it will be difficult.

[44:17] But God is still faithful. [44:19] It will be trying.

[44:23] God is still faithful. [44:25] It will sometimes be very discouraging.

[44:30] God is still faithful. [44:32] And it will grow your faith to realize [44:36] that it is not based on what you can and can’t do. [44:43] It is based on what God has promised. [44:47] And that alone means yes, [44:51] God will deliver on his promises.

[44:56] How do I know? [44:58] How do I trust that? [45:00] How do I motivate myself to believe that in every day [45:04] when terrible things are happening, [45:06] when awful things are occurring, [45:08] when I feel discouraged,

[45:10] when I feel that I don’t have the strength to follow Jesus, [45:14] when I feel that maybe this is the final moment of doubt [45:17] where I finally just throw the towel in.

[45:22] Well, I believe it, frankly, [45:27] because of the bread and the cup. [45:29] Because of the reminder of the gospel [45:32] that must stay in front of my face. [45:35] And as the band comes, [45:37] we must all as a church intentionally put it

[45:40] in front of our face.

[45:43] That Jesus had his body broken, [45:46] Jesus shed his blood [45:49] so that God’s promises would ring true. [45:54] So that his glory would go around the world. [45:59] So that there wouldn’t be a place on this earth [46:04] where he is not worshiped,

[46:06] where he is not known. [46:07] Jesus did that, and he did that [46:12] so that you could be reconciled to God. [46:15] Not just in theory, [46:18] not just in a thought,

[46:22] but in your life, [46:24] in your every day. [46:26] So that you can continually put a reminder of the gospel [46:31] in front of your face every moment. [46:35] When we eat the bread and when we drink the cup, [46:37] what that is, is that is a grace that God has given us

[46:42] so that as we gather corporately, [46:45] we never leave this place until

[46:50] we’ve come face to face with the body and blood [46:53] of Jesus Christ. [46:55] His body broken, his blood shed, the penalty paid, [46:58] the sin vanquished, the victory had, [47:03] the consequence gone. [47:06] We can know God.

[47:09] So when you are ready, I invite you, [47:10] if you are a follower of Jesus, if you’ve trusted him, [47:14] to come to the front or the back, eat, drink, [47:19] remember the gospel, [47:22] then go live. [47:25] And continue to remember.

[47:26] When you’re ready, come.