Last week we began our new series on Romans – here is the first sermon.
Romans has been greatly used in the conversion of many Christians – I cited Wesley and Augustine amongst others.
This is the quote I used from Augustine:
“So was I speaking and weeping in the most bitter contrition of my heart, when, lo! I heard from a neighbouring house a voice, as of boy or girl, I know not, chanting, and oft repeating, “Take up and read; Take up and read.” Instantly, my countenance altered, I began to think most intently whether children were wont in any kind of play to sing such words: nor could I remember ever to have heard the like. So checking the torrent of my tears, I arose; interpreting it to be no other than a command from God to open the book, and read the first chapter I should find…..(Romans 15) No further would I read; nor needed I: for instantly at the end of this sentence, by a light as it were of serenity infused into my heart, all the darkness of doubt vanished away.”
Thank you for your profound exposition of the opening of Romans, too unwell as I was to attend Church, through you I received my daily bread to digest and warm my heart.
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
It was good to hear you got so much from the preparation. At the same time it is honouring your people and ultimately and primarily God. There is a treat in store.
It was not so good to hear hear evidence of the lingering lurgie. I know that real men don’t do doctors, but be a wuss and persist. Without us they would not have a job nor identity.
But back to the sermon – it was good to hear you emphasise that the gospel is necessary for Christian and non Christian alike. It was good you made that plain. The gospel for Salvation and sanctification, to trust leading to heart obedience.