Recap from today’s message:
8b The message is near you, in your mouth and in your heart. This is the message of faith that we proclaim: 9 If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, Everyone who believes on him will not be put to shame, 12 since there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, because the same Lord of all richly blesses all who call on him. 13 For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
14 How, then, can they call on him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about him? And how can they hear without a preacher? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news. - Romans 10
1) The Necessity of Preaching the Gospel (v. 14-15)
How can they call on him they have not believed in?
One paraphrase puts it this way.. How can people call for help if they do not know who to trust?
3.23 billion unreached people in the world is way too many people. Plus millions more that have been reached, but do not believe. There are so many people who need Jesus!
Let’s remind ourselves of the severity of the situation:
Without Jesus we are dead – Not dying – But dead in our sins. It is not like we are drowning. No, we have already drowned. Without Him, we are laying in the silt at the bottom of the lake.
How can they believe without hearing about Him?
From the same paraphrase … How can they know who to trust if they have not heard of the One who can be trusted?
How can they hear without a preacher? … how can they preach unless they are sent?
How can they hear if nobody tells them?
How is anyone going to tell them, unless someone is sent to do it?
God could have chosen any means for the message of salvation to come, Nevertheless God’s “normal” way of bringing people to Jesus Christ is through the preaching of the gospel.
Telling (preaching) the Gospel is Necessary!!!
2) The Reward of Preaching the Gospel (v. 15b)
15b As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news. - Romans 10
This was first mentioned by the prophet Isaiah:
7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the herald (messenger), who proclaims peace, who brings news of good things, who proclaims salvation (the Gospel) , who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!” - Isaiah 52
How beautiful are the feet … Those who preach have beautiful feet, they partner w/ God for the salvation of men.
The Challenge
Will we practice intentionality in 2025? Will we be obedient Tellers and Senders of the Gospel?
Heavenly Father,
Amen
As we step into this new year, we humbly come before You, seeking hearts that are fully surrendered to Your will. Teach us to walk in obedience, not out of obligation, but out of love for You and trust in Your perfect plan for our lives.
Lord, we ask for ears that are sensitive to Your voice, hands that are quick to serve, and feet that are ready to follow wherever You lead. Help us to lay aside our own desires and embrace Your higher ways, even when they challenge us or require sacrifice.
Strengthen us in moments of doubt, temptation, or fear. Remind us that obedience brings blessing, peace, and a closer relationship with You. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit, so we may act with courage, wisdom, and humility in all that we do.
May our lives in 2025 reflect Your light and love, drawing others closer to You. Use our obedience to fulfill Your purposes, both in our own lives and in the world around us.
We commit this year to You, trusting that Your plans for us are good. Be glorified in our faithfulness, Lord, and may Your will be done in us and through us.
In Jesus’ name, we pray,
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God Bless you all,
PastorJohn96 