Christian Duty done with a willing mind bring joy to the soul.

1. www.rossvillechurch.com 781 Salem Road, Rossville, GA 30741 May 29, 2011 Pure Heart Sunday, June 5 11:00 A.M.

2. Romans 15 17 I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God. 18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed, 19 Through mighty signs and wonders, by the Power of the Spirit of God ; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the Gospel of Christ.

3. We must be careful to separate any works that we may do in our own strength and wisdom, From the works we do under the direction and in the Power of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Any works that we do of ourselves , are of no value in the Kingdom of God. They won't stand up to the judgment of God. We will receive no reward .

4. Those works that we do under the direction of our Lord in the Power of His Spirit, Advance the goals of our Savior, enhance the Kingdom of God, and bring us reward in Heaven. Focus on doing always the Will of God according to the Word of God , in the Power of the Spirit of God .

5. 20 Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation: 21 But as it is written, To whom He was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand. 22 For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you. Paul's calling was primarily to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to people who had never heard , that they might be saved .

6. 23 But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you; There were no more places around Corinth where the Gospel had not been preached. There were churches established, and God had men and women spreading the Good News. Paul's work was done in that area.

7. 24 Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company. Paul had planned a trip to Spain , and would pass near to Rome on that trip. He intended to stop in Rome for a time, and visit with his brothers and sisters there. He anticipated that his soul would be fed and satisfied through visiting with them.

9. 25 But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. 26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. The Christians in Jerusalem were severely persecuted by the Jews. Many of the Jews would not do business with them. Many of them were in extreme need .

10. To take offerings to the saints in Jerusalem. Then he plans to go back west to Spain by way of Rome .

11. 27 It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.

12. When we do our duty with a willing mind , it brings the greatest blessing of all. 2 Corinthians 8 12 For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.

13. 28 When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain. 29 And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the Gospel of Christ. There is no record that Paul ever made it to Spain. He wanted to go, had plans to go, but apparently never got to go. Proverbs 19 21 Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails. (NIV)

14. 30 Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me; 31 That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints; 32 That I may come unto you with joy by the Will of God, and may with you be refreshed . 33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

15. Main Points in this Lesson 1 There is such a thing as Christian duty . We are to do right because it is right! But when we willingly do our duty -- Our obedience give us great joy !

16. The second point we want to remember is this: Only those things which God through Jesus Christ has called and gifted us to do Are ours to do . Paul was primarily called to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles who had never heard.

17. Finally, we must do all that we do for our Lord with a willing and joy-filled heart . Not reluctantly Not resentfully