In these verses to the end of chapter 13, Paul continues to explain the moral implications and applications of the gospel. He deals with three major topics: The Christian's gospel obligation concerning the government (vv. 1-7), their gospel obligation concerning the godly and all others (vv. 8-10), and their gospel obligation concerning the glorious and sure return of Christ (vv. 11-14). But we ask, “Why spend a whole chapter on these matters, especially when verses 1 to 10 seem to be concerned with a merely civic and social matter?” The answer is simple: the gospel is to affect the entirety of our lives, both in and out of the church. The gospel, which has radically transformed our lives by grace, is not only a private thing, it is also that which is public and practical. As Lloyd-Jones says, “The gospel is not only to be believed, it is also to be practiced, and if we fail to carry it out, then there is no point in any amount of intellectual understanding.” Paul wants his first century Roman believers to understand this. He would have the same to be true for us who live in the twenty-first century.

Worship Setlist:

• That's the Power

• Overcome

• How Great Thou Art

• Unto Him