Stay With Faith!
Romans 4:13-25
The righteous will live by faith
 
 
 
Stay with faith!
Don’t add a second way to God   vs 13-16
-vs 13-14  Abraham made righteous 430 years before the Law
-The Jews benefited from God’s promise to Abraham before
   The Law
-vs 15  The Law “produces wrath”- it shows how sinful we are!
-“There is no deliberate disobedience of positive commands
   where there is no positive command to disobey”
-The more we know the more accountable we are to God!
-vs 16  We are made righteous by God’s grace
     -“God’s riches at Christ’s expense”
-Abraham’s faith is the only kind of faith that God accepts!
 
-Stop heaping onto new believers rules and regulations that
    Even mature believers are learning to obey!
 
 
Follow the example of Abraham    vs 17-24
-vs 17 “I have made you the father of many nations”
   -Past tense- it was already true, before it became true
   -Gentile followers of Christ are the fulfillment of this promise!
-Trust God like Abraham trusted God!
-vs 18  He was “hoping against hope”-   humanly impossible
-vs 19  He did not weaken in his faith- as he waited for the
     Promise, even when he and Sarah were both “dead” for
     childbearing
-vs 20 He did not waver in unbelief,
-He was strengthened in his faith as he gave glory to God
-Abraham applied his faith day by day against the impossibility
   of God’s promise to him, and this made his faith grow.
-Our faith grows day by day when we apply God’s promise to
   save us and provide the necessary power to over come the
   temptations of our flesh!
-vs 21  Abraham was fully convinced God keeps his promise
-vs 22  This is the faith that saved Abraham! That saves us!
    -We trust God for who God is, not what we will get from God
    -the “getting from God” may be years in coming- be patient
    -God may give you more than you can ever imagine
-vs 23-24  Abraham was saved by faith as an example for us!
   -Just as God credited Abraham’s faith with righteousness,
      So also, we are made righteous by trusting in Jesus Christ
 
 
Trust what Jesus did for you   vs 25
-Faith is always tied to God promise to fully pay for our sins!
-Abraham looked forward to what Jesus would do for him
-We now look back at what Jesus already did for us
-Romans 3:24  “justified freely by his grace through the
   redemption that is in Christ Jesus”
-Galatians 3:13  Christ became “cursed” in our place!
-Gal 3:14 “The purpose was that the blessing of Abraham would
    come to the Gentiles by Christ Jesus, so that we could
    receive the promised Spirit through faith”
 
 
Let God grow your faith
Trust God’s promises
-Trust that God makes you righteous through faith in Jesus
-Trust God to do the impossible of making you like Jesus!
    -of giving you love for enemies, compassion for others
    -trust God to heal your heart from broken relationships
    -trust God to restore relationships His way, in His timing
 
 
Keep trusting God’s promises-  Stay with faith!
-Hope against hope for the impossible in human ability!
-Give glory to God for what he has already promised you!
-Apply your faith day by day to that which does not yet exist
-Wait for God to make alive what is dead!
-Trust in the physical resurrection of Jesus Christ
 
What is God asking you to do right now?
​

Faith Starts It All!
Romans 4:1-12
Intro:  The Righteous Live By Faith
-Everyone can know God
-We must come to God by faith
-No one is good enough to be with God
-Jesus came to bring us to God
-We become righteous through faith in Jesus Christ
 
 
Faith started it all!    Romans 4:1-12
1.  Abraham believed God
-He had nothing to boast about to God
-Ephesians 2:9  “not from works so that no one can boast”
 
2.  God credited Abraham’s faith with righteousness
-Genesis 15:6
-God saved Abraham out of a pagan culture that did not have
  faith in Him
 
3.  David trusted in God’s unconditional forgiveness
-Psalm 32:1-2
 
 
4.  Abraham was declared righteous before he obeyed God
-Circumcised 14 years AFTER he was declared righteous
-Circumcision was the “seal” or mark that set Abraham apart
-Today: Baptism is the “seal” that sets us apart with God
-In the same way, faith and salvation occur BEFORE baptism
-Illust:  the thief on the cross was saved by faith, never worked!
 
5.  Abraham is the spiritual father of Jews and Gentiles
-vs 12 “who also follow in the footsteps of the faith” of Abraham
-Every Christian is a fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham!
   -descendants as numerous as the stars, as sand
-Abraham’s faith began a personal relationship with God that set apart the nation of Israel as God’s chosen people
-God continues to set apart a chosen people today—us!   
 
We must Start with faith!
1. Place our faith in Jesus Christ
-Stop trying to earn God’s salvation by works
-Stop boasting in self, thinking good works earns salvation
    -We may be able to boast in front of other people
    -We aren’t good enough to boast in front of God!
 
 
2.  Obey God to prove our faith
-John 14:15  If you love me, you will keep my commandments
-Matthew 22:37, 39  Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind… love your neighbor as yourself!
-Matthew 28:19-20  Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you.
-James 2:26  …faith without works is dead.
-Work comes after our faith
-But faith is always followed by works!
 
 
3.  Help others start with faith!
-Show them you trust God by faith alone, not your works
-Don’t make people obey before they trust
-Don’t mislead people to think obedience earns right standing
-Be REAL!  Let others know you aren’t boasting in front of God
   -Don’t hide your sin, pretend you are perfect
   -show them how to grow spiritually
   -show them how to keep asking forgiveness, continuing on!
 
 
What is your next right step today?
1 Corinthians 5:15    And he died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for the one who died for them and was raised.
​

Stop Trying!
Romans 3:9-31
The righteous will live by faith   Romans 1:17
 
 
 
Stop Trying To Be Good Enough!
1.  No one is good enough  (Romans 3:9-18)
-Actions and attitudes condemn us all
 
-Paul quotes the OT, aiming at self-righteous Jews
   -knowing the law didn’t make them perfect
 
-Today, we are told people are born with a  blank slate
   -Society/Government/Religion makes good children go bad
   -vs 10-18 says we by nature do bad, everyone!
 
-Any solution to world/society problems that rejects God, His Word, and Jesus Christ, will fall short!
   -Rules cannot cure the human heart
   -Good people may spring up, but they still aren’t good enough
 
-A Judeo-Christian worldview has led to the most moral, benevolent and just societies and governments- but they still fall short of perfection!
-Abolition of slavery, human rights, elevation of women legally, sanctity of human life, all have sprung up from the soil of a Christian worldview.
-However, a worldview isn’t enough- America still falls short of the glory of God!  We are still sinful, still unjust, still destroying human life in the womb, still corrupt
-Government rules and rulers won’t fix our hearts!
 
2.  We have no defense   (Romans 3:19-20)
-Illustration:  have you ever been caught doing wrong? 
   -unable to talk, you willingly accept judgment
-“every mouth” will “be shut” in front of God!
-The Law will condemn us!  (whether external or internal)
 
Stop trying to be good enough!
3.  Jesus removed our guilt    (Romans 3:21-26)
-God announced His plan through the Law and Prophets!
 
-vs 22  “The righteousness of God is through faith in Jesus Christ”  
   -John 14:6  Jesus is the only way, truth, life!
 
-vs 23-24  A compare and contrast analysis
   -We all sinned, we all fall short of God’s glory  (vs 23)
   -HOWEVER, God justifies us freely, by his grace (unmerited
     Favor)  through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus
-Heb 10:10 “sanctified…through Jesus Christ once for all”
 
    -received through faith-  trust, surrender
 
-God remains righteous-  not a corrupt judge overlooking sin
 
-God declares righteous the one who has faith in Jesus!
   -Give up
 
 
Christian, Stop trying to be good enough!
4.  We cannot boast in ourselves   (Romans 3:27-31)
-Stop trying to steal God’s glory!
-Hebrews 10:14  For by one offering he has perfected forever those who are sanctified.
-Ephesians 2:8-9  saved by grace through faith….not from works, so than one can boast
-Luther:  by grace alone, through faith alone, to God alone be the glory
 
Stop Trying And Start Trusting!
1.  Trust what Jesus did for you- place your faith in Him
 
2.  Keep trusting what Jesus did for you- live for Him
​

​Stop Trusting Rules and Rituals
Romans 2:17-29
Introduction
 

 
Knowing the rules (the Law) isn’t enough  vs 17-24
Knowledge can make us arrogant
-we think we are a guide, a light, instructor, teacher
-we look down on others who don’t know what we know
-we feel morally superior,
 
Knowledge can blind us to our own sin
 
No one cares about what we know!
 
 
Ritual isn’t enough  vs 25-29
Outward obedience cannot replace inward faith
-Jews expected circumcision to give them salvation
 
-Today, someone might think baptism saves them
 
 
God examines our hearts
-Have I fully admitted my wrongdoings to God
-Am I trusting completely in Jesus Christ to forgive?
-Have I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ completely?
 

Our failure doesn’t stop God’s plan
The Jews had it made!
-They knew God’s plan before anyone else
 
-God chose them to be a guide, light, instructor, teacher!
 
 
The end does not justify the means
-God does not need my failure to make Him look good!
 
-Example:  Adam and Eve brought God glory before they sinned
   -They lived in perfect relationship with God
   -They were completely obedient to God in the Garden
       (until they ate the forbidden fruit)
 
My past sin was never God’s plan for my life!
-My sin…
            -reminds me of how much I need Jesus
            -teaches me that wrong living has consequences
            -negatively affects other people
            -was never God’s plan for my life!
 
 
Stop Trusting Rules and Rituals!
Place your whole faith in Jesus Christ!
-Romans 1:17  The righteous will live by faith
 
Repent and be baptized to declare your faith!
-don’t depend on outward works to save you
-illust:  wedding rings don’t make us married
 
Thank God for how much you know about Him!
-Be a true guide, light, instructor and teacher!
-Stay humble: knowing you needed someone just like you to lead you to Jesus Christ

​The Tragedy of Rejecting God Part 4
Romans 2:12-16
The righteous will live by faith
Our problem- we want to save ourselves!
-Self-made gods can’t save us
-Fulfilling our lusts can’t save us
-Self-focused living can’t save us
-Comparing ourselves to others can’t save us
-We just become even more enslaved to whatever we worship
 
Today:  The Law Can’t Help Us!
Read Romans 2:12-16
 
We know what is right and still do wrong
The Jewish Law exposes wrong
-they will be judged for what they have been told is wrong
 
The “law on our hearts” exposes wrong
-Gentile behavior reveals they know right from wrong
-they will be judged according to what they know is true
 
God will excuse or accuse us on the day of judgment!
-How good is good enough?
 
 
The tragedy of trusting the Law
Faith in the law results in condemnation!
-no one perfectly observes God’s law!
-the law was designed to make us give up and give in to God
 
Faith in the Good News of Jesus Christ results in salvation!
-We must admit that we fall short of fulfilling the entire law
-we must reject the law as our savior!
 
Will you be excused or accused?
Stop trusting in God’s rules to save you
-you can’t impress a perfect God- He isn’t asking you to!
 
Trust in what Jesus did to save you today!
The Lord’s Supper reminds us…
Of what Jesus did to erase our sins
 
 
Of our need to continually trust Him to save and change us
-don’t participate in an “unworthy manner”
   -we must confess and turn from anything we are doing wrong
   -we must be in right relationship with others
 
Of Christ’s promise to come again
-this world is heading towards a final destination
-God’s kingdom is more important than any earthly kingdom
-We can trust that God will accomplish His purposes
    -stop worrying about what is going on around us
    -stop fighting in ungodly ways to get your way with others
 
The Lord’s Supper is a church family practice
Only believers can participate
-Someone who has openly professed Jesus Christ as Lord
-the Lord’s Supper cannot save an unbeliever!
-Visitors who are followers of Christ may participate
 
Believers practice the Lord’s Supper by faith alone
-a believer can’t get any more saved through the Lord’s Supper
-The bread and the cup symbolize the price Jesus paid for sin
   -they don’t help us pay the price- that would diminish Jesus
-Do not turn the Lord’s Supper into a new “law” that saves you
 
 
The righteous live by faith in Jesus Christ!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

​The Tragedy of Rejecting God Part 3
Romans 2:1-11
The Righteous Will Live By Faith!
Humankind naturally rejects faith in God    Romans 1:18-32
-Part 1:  We suppress the truth, worship false gods   vs 18-23
-Part 2:  We worship our heart desires and creation   vs 24-32
 
Rejecting God leads to tragic lives
-We violate God’s natural design for our lives
-We destroy human relationships
-CS Lewis “[They] enjoy forever the horrible freedom they have
  demanded, and are therefore self-enslaved.” 
 
Today, The tragedy of trusting GOOD instead of God
-Read Romans 2:1-11
-note: Paul uses a diatribe literary device- “argument with an imaginary critic”
 
The tragedy of trusting Good instead of God!
1. Good blinds us of our bad  vs 1
-self-righteous people judge others without judging themselves
-“you do the same thing!”   the same sins (maybe 1:29-31)
-Matthew 7:1-5  you see their splinter, don’t see your log!
-note:  Jesus DID say evaluate (Matt 7:15-20)- the fruit of
   someone’s life determines if you can trust him/her spiritually
   -judging character is different than judging to gain moral
     superiority over others.
 
2.  God judges good based on truth  vs 2
-No one is good enough to pass as perfect
-Moral standards don’t save us
-No one can escape the truth!
 
3. Good gives false security  vs 3-5
-Good is generally rewarded in this life (see Proverbs!)
-But temporal blessings don’t erase God’s judgment of sin
   -good people mistake God’s patience for approval
   -good people become hard hearted, don’t see their sin
   -They will receive God’s wrath unless they repent
 
God will repay fairly  vs 6-11
Paul uses a chiastic literary arrangement, the main point is at the beginning and then restated at the end (vs 6 and 11)
1.  Eternal life to those who pursue what is right
-vs 7, 10
 
2.  Wrath and destruction for those who pursue evil
-vs 8, 9
 
3.  Those who “knew better” will be judged first!
-Jews, then Gentiles/Greeks   vs 9, 10
 
 
Stop trusting in GOOD!
1.  Agree with God- good isn’t good enough!
-Romans 3:23
 
2.  Believe in Jesus- He died to pay for our sins
-Everyone will be judged by their works!
   -No one can escape the wrath of God
-Putting our faith in Jesus makes us righteous!
   -A Christ follower is judged by Christ’s works
   -We are made perfect in God’s sight!
-Ephesians 2:8-9-  Trust the gift of God’s grace!
    -Good works don’t save us- that would diminish God’s glory
 
3.  Commit your whole life to Jesus Christ
-knowing is not good enough, we must repent and follow
-Matthew 3:8  “Therefore produce fruit consistent with
   repentance. 
-James 2:17  “In the same way faith, if it doesn’t have works, is
  dead by itself”
-Stop using your own standards of good and evil
-Surrender to God’s truth
-Make Jesus your forever boss

The Tragedy of Rejecting God Part 2
Romans 1:24-32
The righteous will live by faith!
This is the theme of the entire letter to the Roman church
-nobody can be come perfect by themselves
We receive righteousness by putting our faith in Jesus
-He came to earth, died for our sins, rose from death
 
Rejecting God has tragic consequences!
-last week- we suppress truth, worship creation instead of the
   Creator, and become foolish in our thinking
-God’s wrath (punishment) is currently displayed in humanity
 
Today:  God gives people what they ask for!
 
Observations from Romans 1:24-32
1.  God gives us what we want!
-“God delivered them over”  vs 24, 26, 28
-illust:  God ceases to hold the boat as it is being dragged by the
   current of the river” 
-CS Lewis:  “[They] enjoy forever the horrible freedom they have
   demanded, and are therefore self-enslaved”
-God permits us to continue in and to plunge more deeply into
   the sin we have chosen, which begins with our rejection of
   God Himself, and the testimony of His existence in nature
 
2.  We worship the “desires of our hearts” vs 24
-Sex and worldly pleasure become our gods- 
-The Roman church and most of the world was a sex saturated
   culture, much like today
-Sex is our god- we measure the identity of people based on
   how they like to have sex, rather than how they were naturally
   born.  Personal heart feelings are the ultimate authority
 
3.  We worship creation instead of the Creator  vs 25
-We worship ourselves, exchange the truth of God for a lie
-Or we worship creation, and then devalue human worth as
   equal, or worse, to less than the value of earth itself.
 
4.  Rejecting God leads to unnatural sexual relations
-vs 26-27 are the clearest NT teachings on human sexuality
-“natural sexual relations” are rejected for unnatural sex
      -sex between people of the same sex
-1 Cor 6:9-10,   vs 11 says some were delivered from this
-Leviticus 18:22-23 condemns homosexuality
-There is no translation of this passage that justifies same sex
   monogamy. 
-God meant for sex to bond a man and woman in marriage for
   life, and to build humanity through procreation.
    -Having sex for only the sake of sex destroys and disfigures
      the natural building blocks of relationships and society
-Paul is not ashamed of the gospel, not ashamed to tell the
   truth, and neither should we today. 
 
5.  Rejecting God destroys human relationships
-vs 28-32 describes a life of self-validation at the expense of
   others
-Note:  this list is no better or worse than sexual sin.  Anyone
   attempting the sexual moral high ground to be righteous will
   quickly be brought low by this list of vices!
-We exchange the authority of God for the authority of the
   individual self- which leads to all kinds of exploitation and
   even murder!
-Cheering on evil behavior is even more tragic!
   Matthew 18:6-  woe to you who offend children!
 
We can escape this human tragedy!
1.  Stop denying the witness of nature and your conscience
-you are suppressing the truth and know that sin deserves death
-Without Christ, we are slaves to our flesh, an enslavement to a
   corrupt nature that is naturally seeking relief, but because of a
   refusal to worship the Creator, will never find it.
-God is letting you see that only He can satisfy your hunger
 
2.   Trust the love of God (Romans 5:8)
-He is trying to get your attention!
 
3.  Place your faith in Jesus Christ now!
​

​The Tragedy Of Rejecting God
Romans 1:18-23
Everyone worships something or someone
Every people group and society creates a religious system
-Actual idols- carved images- are common worldwide
-We have an innate drive to live for something important
-What do we worship today?  Fame, money, talent, sports, sex
 
Today we will see the results of refusing to believe in God
 
Read Romans 1:18-23
 
Why is Life Tragic?  Vs 18-19
The problem of suffering and evil are real
-many attempt to blame God, others, but never themselves
 
God’s wrath is revealed today
-this is not a distant future judgment
 
Everyone is unrighteous (not right)
-Romans 1:17 says “The righteous will live by faith”
 
Humans naturally “suppress the truth” about God
-Theory of Evolution says we didn’t need a creator to exist
-refusal to accept any authority above self
-Christianity is openly mocked today- not popular
-Social Justice and Liberation movements have been formed absent of any “God-driven” mandate
 
Godless lives are tragic
-resulting in a sense of hopelessness, fatalism,
-lack of self worth
-refusal to live for anything eternal or lasting
-human worth boils down to personal choice
   -we can murder babies in the womb if we choose
   -we can euthanize ourselves or others
 -Evolutionary thought has led to dehumanizing of certain races
     -Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, Jewish Holocaust, Genicide
 
There is no excuse!  Vs 20
Nature reveals God   His eternal power and divine nature
-Atoms reveal the Trinity-
-Intelligent design- the details of nature could never have been a
   result of change!
 
The Steps toward personal tragedy   vs 21-23
Refuse to glorify or show gratitude towards God
-Reject God as your creator
-Refuse to believe you were made in His image
-see the natural world as a right, not a gift
-refuse to thank God for revealing Himself to you
-deny your inner conscience that naturally convicts you
   -suppress your guilt, explain it way, blame others for it
 
Claim to be wise on your own
 
Worship anything other than God
-Reality:  you are controlled by whatever you worship
   -anything other than God is abusive, a prison, never satisfied
-Isaiah 44:9-20- the folly of worshipping idols
 
We can escape this tragedy!  Vs 21
-depression, fatalistic attitudes, destruction of relationships,
  devaluing of human life, eternal separation from God
Glorify God
-See the God of creation instead of making creation a god!
-Acknowledge that God exists and is worthy of worship
-Seek the Lord while He may be found
 
Give Thanks to God
-for making us in His image
-for the wonder and beauty of his creation
-for letting us know who He is!  God could have hidden from us!
 
Place your faith in the Good News of Jesus Christ!
-Stop trying to manufacture your own righteousness
-Accept God’s unconditional love and forgiveness
-Surrender your life to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord

​What is the Gospel?
Romans 1:16-17
Romans 1:3-4 explains the gospel
God sent His Son Jesus Christ to die for your sins
Jesus physically resurrected from death
You must believe/trust in Jesus Christ to receive salvation
-forgiveness of sin, reconciliation with God, eternal life
Live by faith today to be declared righteous by God!

Romans 10:9-10 explains how to respond to the gospel
Believe/Trust in what Jesus did for you
Openly confess that you have surrendered to Jesus

Romans 1:16-17 explains why the gospel changes lives
The Gospel is the power of God for salvation
--Following the ethics of Jesus can reform us temporarily
-Placing our faith in Jesus for salvation transforms us forever!
-our problem- we are trusting in ourselves to change us
-this is prideful, disrespectful to God
-this isn’t working- world is still in chaos
-Next week- we will see how rejecting God destroys society
The Gospel saves everyone who believes
-all people groups are invited to be reconciled to God!
-first for the Jew, then the Gentile- God’s progression
-Israel is God’s chosen people- as an example for us!
-Everyone who believes in Jesus is Chosen too!
-We are all part of the Human Race- from Adam, then Noah
-God wants us to enjoy depend on others unlike us
-complete one another, don’t compete with one another!

The Gospel reveals God’s righteousness vs 17
-The rightness and perfection of God
-The gospel shows God’s is a perfect promise keeper
-The gospel empowers us to reflect God’s righteousness
-We have victory over sin
-We are the “aroma” of life or death to people- 2 Cor 2:14-16

The Gospel must be received by faith alone
-This letter will provide evidence to back this up!
-stop offending God by trying to be good enough on your own
-stop trying to earn God’s love!
-this behavior is destroying relationships

The Gospel must be lived out by faith alone
-We depend on Christ’s saving power every moment!
-The righteous will live by faith see also Hab 2:4; Gal 3:11
-draw “Gospel Centered Life” diagram
Have you placed your faith in the Gospel?
We must not be ashamed of this Good News! vs 16
-Why someone might be ashamed to publicly share Jesus
-Intimidated by the culture
-Not convinced Jesus is the Savior for everyone
-Living in disobedience- too convicting personally
-Hasn’t really repented and trusted in Jesus for salvation

Final Thoughts
Are you ashamed of the gospel?
Have you placed your faith in the

​Romans part 2
By Pastor Greg Byman
St Joe Community Church
August 30, 2020
 
Qualities of Spiritual Leaders
Romans 1:8-15
God’s Truth is Timeless
Every generation faces the same issues and struggles
 
The Bible provides truth for living in every generation
 
Our faith in God can have a worldwide influence (vs 8)
 
The Apostle Paul demonstrates timeless qualities of spiritual leadership
-A good example for healthy accountability
 
Spiritual Leadership is Spiritual Influence!
-Everyone influences someone (more than one!)
-Question:  HOW are we influencing people spiritually?
 
Qualities of a Spiritual Leader (Influencer)
vs 11-15
Provides spiritual gifts to the church  vs 11
-serve through the gifts given by the Holy Spirit
-provide general spiritual gifts to believers
 
Strengthens the church  vs 11
-am I building up or tearing down the faith of others?
-do I bring gas or water to a fire (conflict)?
-Philippians 4:8-9  Do I lead others to focus on the right things?
 
Gives and receives encouragement  vs 12
-Spiritual leaders must influence through encouragement!
-Spiritual leaders need encouragement too! 
 
Wants to be fruitful  vs 13
-Fruitfulness = new people placing their faith in Jesus Christ
-note:  Paul had a mission to share the Good News everywhere
-Fruitfulness and Faithfulness go hand in hand
 
A spiritual leader is not bias or prejudice  vs 14-15
-Jesus came to save everyone! “For God so loved the world…”
-We don’t choose who God gives us to share His Good News
   -We DO choose our response to who God puts in our path!
-1 Corinthians 9:19-23  “all things to all people…[to] save some”
-Am I helping everyone in my community find and follow Jesus?
    -Or am I encouraging racial strife and segregation?
 
Am I leading people towards Jesus Christ?
Have I placed my faith in Jesus Christ?
-I can’t give what I don’t have!
-I can’t lead people where I am not being led
 
How am I spiritually influencing others around me?
 
How am I spiritually influencing in my local church?
 
Who do I tend to avoid or exclude when I serve others?
-with my words
-with my investments
-with my time and energy
 
Is God calling me to go?
-Paul had a life calling to preach the gospel in new places
  And among people different than he was (non-Jews)
-Has God given you a burden
   -For a specific people group or geographic location?
   -For a specific place where the gospel is not well established?
-Do you sense a call to start a new church beyond ours?