This is the clearest teaching on homosexuality in the Bible… So what IS the teaching and how are we to apply it in the modern world? Those are two difficulties in this passage (so early in the book!). Today, we attempt to interpret this daunting section. I hope to do it in FOUR POINTS:

1. As Plain as the Nose on Your Face
2. Be Careful What You Wish For
3. Give Me Liberty AND Give Me Death
4. "L'chaim" (That's the Jewish toast meaning, To Life!)

In today's introduction, Paul offers this elaborate greeting, and shares with these Roman Christians his desire to visit them. He hadn't started the church in the capital city; he's apparently never been to the church, but he evidently KNOWS a lot of their members (See CH 16!) and wants to see them. I want to look at this desire. Why? What does this desire in Paul say about Christianity and its impact on people who believe it… not only in the ancient world … but in the lives of the modern people here today?

Let's look at Gospel Desire:

1. Big Ideas
2. Big Desires
3. Big Picture

I want to try to put us into the scene to help us see what's happening and come away with what God has for us. IF you are already believing in Jesus and have thrown in with His organization, the church, I hope this will strengthen your belief. IF, on the other hand, you are NOT YET believing and have NOT joined with some local church that teaches the Good News, I hope you'll be at least intrigued and maybe even COME to believe or begin an earnest life-inquiry into this Man who was executed and then rose from the dead as He had promised to do. It's the shortest account, but I hope you find it direct and compelling.

Let's look at:

1. A Whole Mess of Trouble
2. Trouble As a Portal
3. The Other Side of Trouble: Faith or Fear?