Scripture:
Romans 10:14-17 NKJV
[14] How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? [15] And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!” [16] But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” [17] So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Observation:
Over the last few mornings we have been covering the topic of faith. It’s a topic that I believe gets misunderstood on a regular basis. The way I understand the word that we know as faith, is that it has something to do with the way that you believe, but if we dive back into its Greek origin it’s so much deeper than just a belief, in fact it’s the kind of belief that produces obedience. It’s a belief that changes the way that you act. So as I was praying this morning and was brought to Romans chapter 10, I wanted to dive in and see how all of this correlates. The book of Romans as most of us know is the plan of salvation spelled out in such a way that it can be understood by those who may not know how it works. It speaks a lot about grace and faith, in fact they seem to be the core of most of Paul’s writing. So let’s see what GOD has to tell us this morning here in chapter 10. Paul poses a few questions, questions that make perfect sense, questions to his readers, “How then shall they call on HIM whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in HIM of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? These questions are the core of our message this morning. I believe they encompass the meaning of the word faith, the kind of faith that the bible teaches, faith that produces obedience. These questions bring a thought to my mind, why would someone feel the need to tell someone else about how the chances were made in their life, unless they believed with all their heart that the changes were made by Jesus Christ and the finished work of the cross? That belief produces the kind of obedience that would compel someone to share that belief with enthusiasm, would it not. So the way I see these questions playing out is, the faith of those who feel like they are called or sent into the world to tell others about what Christ has done in their lives, has given them a boldness to speak about it. I love the verse that follows these questions. It’s actually the second part of verse 15, which is actually a pretty valuable question, “How shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things” those who have experienced a life changing encounter with Jesus Christ will not be able to keep it quiet. I picture Paul writing this letter to the Romans and realizing the calling that has been placed on his life at the same time. I can almost picture him slapping his hand on his forehead thinking….. that’s it….. I get it….. go…… tell others what has happened to you…. Tell them how it happened. As he processes this question, his mind is brought back to something he learned as a student of the word, and coming to the realization that the gospel needs to not only be spoken but the passion that comes from the transformation that takes place needs to be seen as well. As I was typing that statement, the thought of all the miles Paul traveled in order to tell others about Jesus came to mind, how many pairs of shoes he must have worn right to the skin. How beautiful are the feet of those willing to go to the end of the earth, so that others won’t have to die in their sin, separated from the Father for eternity.
Application:
Are you a silent believer? Sure I believe that our life should be a sermon. We may be the only Bible someone ever reads. So what is it that your life says? Does it speak of what Jesus Christ has done, or is it a picture of the same old person with a new message. I believe that people are tired of hearing it, they need to see the effect the gospel has made on your life as well. Only then will they listen to what you have to say. Are you willing to stop at the first sign of persecution or do you continue to push through. For me I can’t stop, the faith that HE has placed inside of me says, you can’t put your hand to the plow and turn back. A lot of things have tried to put road blocks in my life and the message HE has placed on my heart, but GOD has turned those roadblocks into speed bumps. The faith that HE has given me won’t allow me to stop no matter what you do or say I know what HE has done in my life. You can talk all the trash you want, but you won’t shut me up. The gospel has set me free, and I want others to experience that same freedom. The passion and fire that comes from that can only be fanned into higher flames. Over the last several months and in fact years I have experienced spiritual attack from those who should have encouraged the gift that has been given to me by the Holy Spirit. The persecution has only made the fire brighter. Say what you want….. do what you want…. You can’t stop GOD, and HE is the one running this show. HE has made changes in my life that I tried for years to make only to fail again. HE is the reason I still move forward regardless of what you do to me. It’s not me that does it. Not only will my life be lived in a bold fashion for Christ but I will only stop when I’m dead. You will have to kill me to get rid of me. The Bible is the road map to a changed life. The faith that has been produced in me by what is found inside its pages, you may not understand but once it gets ahold of you and the same kind of fire consumes your life you will then understand. The gospel did not spread through peace, but by persecution. I am a giant killer with 5 smooth stones and GOD backing my play. Although you discarded me, that was your mistake. HE has called me to speak the truth, and the truth is it has nothing to do with me, it has nothing to do with you, it’s all about HIM, and HIS finished work. You can stand on the hill and boast about all you have done if you want, but it will only lead to a moment of humility. HE has called me through the fire, and that fire has done something that no one will stop.
Prayer:
Father, I just want to lift up who you are and what you have done, all that you have brought me through and the fire that burns in my soul as the result of what you have done. I’m still in awe of who you are and how you have taken this homeless high school drop out and turned him into a man with a passion for the lives of others. That day in that church when you grabbed a hold of my heart was only the beginning of what you have in store for me. I understand that now, so today I pray that you would give me the boldness to speak what you place in my heart without fear, moving only according to the faith that you have placed inside of me. Father I pray that the fire tgat you have placed in me will ignite a fire in all whom you place in my path. I pray that the faith you have given me is more contagious than covid. Fill us with your Holy Spirit giving us tga boldness it takes to stand on exactly what your word says, not some watered down version that we have been handed by someone who has tried to distort it so that it fits their belief system. You are and always have been a supernatural GOD you exist in the unseen that is only seen by faith, let us see you through the eyes only you can open. Remove the vail. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus we pray amen.