Do you get defensive when you hear the word -obligation-- Do you cringe when you hear the word -debt-- Maybe if you're the one not paying your obligation, or paying off your debt, right---Paul begins his most elegant and length letter to people he's never met with glorious and majestic truths- he's a slave of Christ- he's an Apostle of the Risen King- the Father always planned the events of history surrounding Christ- the nations-ethnic groups will become obedient to Jesus. --Now, in Romans 1-8-15, he starts a list- -First, I thank my God....- But he never gives a -second.- --Here, Paul tries to explain why the Apostle to the Gentiles-non-Jews has not visited the greatest Gentile capital, and perhaps the greatest Gentile church, in all the world. We're peering into deeply personal conversation here between people who have been gone for 2000 years.--In the process, he teaches us -be example- three essential areas of -obligation- and -debt- we have to each other.--Our Scripture readings will be Psalm 40-9-10, and Romans 1-8-15.