"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed His love among us. He sent His one and only begotten Son into the world that we might live through Him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us." (1 John 4:7-12)

One can always find such "specials" posters posted outside of bars in Itaewon early on Sunday mornings from the previous night of partying..."Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path. Do not join those who drink too much wine...for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags." (Proverbs 23:19-21)

Why do bars always have to choose sex related or nasty disgusting names for drinks?!..."in a crooked and depraved generation..." (Philippians 2:15), "he gave them over to a depraved mind" (Romans 1:28), "men of depraved minds" (2 Timothy 3:8)

For those who are not into worshipping the true and living God, there are many false idols competing for your distracted and deceived hearts in Itaewon. ("Dear children, keep yourselves from idols" (1 John 5:21)

This "Christian coffee-shop" is located across from McDonalds in Itaewon (in the basement). Why not check it out if you're in the area? (No, they won't beat you over the head with bibles, ha!ha! They usually have soft praise music playing in the background...)

I have always been fascinated with this "Caution" sign at Dunkin' Donuts in Itaewon as it is in 9 languages! (Korean, English, Spanish?, French, German, Russian, Arabic, Japanese and Chinese (order?)) Is this because Itaewon is a "touristy spot" or are they in the same 9 languages throughout Korea?

Difficulty for Koreans to differentiate between "l" and "r" sounds effects not only their English pronunciation but their writing as well. (as this sign shows...) For hilarious English errors in Japan, check out www.engrish.com

ROMANS: GOOD NEWS FOR TODAY'S WORLD:
Lesson 1: The Apostle's Attitude (Part 2)
Look at the list of "pastor-types" and from your past experiences add other ideas to the list. Talk about your favorite pastor and explain why he was your favorite.
-Preacher-type
-Administrator-type
-Pastor-type
-Evangelist
-Counselor-type
-Teacher-type
Driven people tend to be unsociable, isolated (except from others who share their motivation/goals), and aloof (related to positioin).
What kind of pastor was Paul? _____________

PAUL'S WARM-HEARTED INTEREST IN PEOPLE: (Romans 1:7-12)
Scripture Notes:
Paul displayed great love for people, a must for a minister of Christ.
"Beloved of God" "Called to be saints"..invited by Christ to:
1. become part of God's family.
2. be a holy people.
AGREE OR DISAGREE: Saints are a select group with greater holiness than others.
AGREE OR DISAGREE: Saints cannot share their holiness to make others holy.
Saints are...living believers, (NT) church members...not dead revered ones.
-Paul recognized that they too felt a sense of calling. They too were set apart for a special task.
-Paul sensed that he should develop a deep relationship with those whom he had so much in common.
"Your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world" - Paul loved to hear about churches that were actively engaged in the propagation of the gospel. The church at Rome was the topic of Roman conversations.
"without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers"
1. for God to make it possible for him to get to Rome
"by some means"..."now at last"..."in the will of God"..."I may find a way"..."to come to you."
-We can sense weariness, openness to all means, doggedness, determination and longing.
"That I may impart to you some spiritual gift"...a concrete manifestation of grace...the gift of the Spirit. "for the strengthening of the people".
-When God's people meet, everyone should give AND receive. Explain. ______
Goal of ministry - to spiritually establish people...improvement and spiritual activity.
"That is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me." Paul's possible visit would result in blessing him as well.
-Some ministers are careful to preserve an aura of detached sufficiency that leads people to believe that the blessings flow only one way. They are sadly mistaken. -There is always a mutuality of blessing among the people of God.

As a young preacher, the author relates an experience where he was on the program with a well-known Christian speaker. As our young preacher shared, he noticed that the famous preacher was taking copious notes. The preacher later stated to him that there is always a mutuality of blessing among God's people. The senior pastor showed the younger pastor that he himself could also be strengthened by other believers, just as much as he could be used of God in his own strengthening ministry.

PAUL'S ENTHUSIASTIC COMMITMENT TO HIS WORK
(Romans 1:13-17)
At this point, Paul had already been actively engaged in ministry for thirty years. He was almost sixty years old and had endured many hardships. While he experienced great triumphs he also experienced many set backs and troubles. Nevertheless, his enthusiasm never waned.
"a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and unwise."
-Paul felt he had been called not so much for his own benefit but for the benefit of the Gentiles. He was never free to feel that his work had been done.
What is my position?
A. I feel the constant load of spiritual responsibility.
B. I love complacently without any sense of obligation.
-Paul endeavored to reach all types of people...Greeks, barbarians, wise, and unwise...people in general. He was prepared to find ways to bridge the gap between himself and any other person.

Spiritual Debts...God's people are free from the debt of sin, but they are debtors to witness to a lost world, obey the Holy Spirit, love all people, and encourage their weaker brothers.

"I am not ashamed of the gospel" - The Good News focuses on God and what He is doing in the world rather than on your inadequacy. Focus on God and your embarrassment will disappear.
"in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed" - God does not wait for humans to achieve righteousness...to do what is right. God acted in Christ to give us righteousness. The gift and the "call to be righteous" came at the same time.

CONCLUSION:
The first chapter of Romans radiates the beauty of Paul's attitudes to himself, to his message, his brethren and his work. His attitudes give us great insight about Paul but they also confront us with a challenge to examine our own attitudes.