Naked before God / arrogant in his privilege / breathing in, breathing out threats / he acted for God against God; / didn’t realize that what he lived would come back to him.

On a dark noonday canvas / he discovered the quiet / there is in listening; / the peace that dwells in / majestic presence; being / tuned to the holy pulse. / Eyes opened to wonder, music / rose in his heart ablaze, / a great song that light hums / to itself. Beginning to learn / though the pain in life never / let up, he began the dance, / waiting for he who comes at last.

The words above are taken from a poem written by Pastor Dan Schiel to go along with the first sermon in a sermons series on the book of Romans. The series, entitled "The Gospel" was begun four years and six months ago. It doesn't seem that long since Pastor Dan began his long-running sermon series on the book of Romans. Of course there have been interruptions in the timeline of the series entitled "The Gospel," but this coming Sunday, August 5, 2012, Pastor Dan will return to the series for his 88th sermon.

Use the sermon player at the top of this article to listen to the FIRST sermon in the series delivered from the Christ Church pulpit on February 3, 2008. It is appropriately titled "Paul," which is both the very first word in the book of Romans and the name of the author. This was, and still is, a fascintating study of Paul the man, apostle, teacher, mentor to the early church.