Eager to Preach the Gospel in Rome

Passage: Romans 1:8-15

We are working our way through Paul’s introduction to his letter.  We will be another week on this passage which will lead us to verses 16-17 which are the grand theme or heart of the letter.

After an opening greeting almost all of Paul’s letter open with a personal expression of love, gratitude and prayer.

Whatever you might think about this great towering figure of an apostle, don’t leave out he was a shepherd with a heart of tender affection for God and tender compassion for the sheep.  He was no hireling, he was a true shepherd willing to lay down his life for the sheep and he did.  He suffered for those he didn’t know and in a way that includes us.

We have before us a personal glimpse into the spiritual life of the apostle Paul, and his prayer life, how he prays and what he prays for.