To Rome!

When writing Romans 15,Paul made his goal clear to the Roman church. He planned to drop off an offering in Jerusalem and then come visit for the first time to encourage this church living in the shadow of the Roman Empire. It was also his wish that the Roman church send him on to Spain so he could continue the glorious mission to which God had called him. His ministry was to go to the nations, take the Gospel to the Gentiles, and preach Christ where the name of Jesus had not even been named. Although the way Paul arrived in Rome was much different than his expressed plan, he has now arrived in the most important city in the world. He was not the first to bring the Gospel to Rome, but his ministry in chains reminds us of the mission of God and the mission for the church. God is a sending God. He sent Jesus as our sacrifice to secure redemption, then sent the Spirit to empower the church to take the Gospel to all nations. And, He sends the church into the world so we can proclaim this, "Let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles (and therefore to you!)." In this next to last sermon from Acts, we will be reminded of the wonder of the Gospel that is for all people.