Rom 10:1-17 The Engineering of Sharing the Gospel

Rom 10:1, 9-10, 14-17

In Romans 9-11, Paul writes a trilogy of God’s plan for Israel. (some call it past, present, future)

but he interrupts his regularly scheduled programming to break down the gospel’s demand upon those who know it and to those who need to hear it.

1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation.

2 For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge.

3 For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.

4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

5 For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on law shall live by that righteousness.

6 But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: “DO NOT SAY IN YOUR HEART, ‘WHO WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN?’ (that is, to bring Christ down),

7 or ‘WHO WILL DESCEND INTO THE ABYSS?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).”

8 But what does it say? “THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART” — that is, the word of faith which we are preaching,

9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;

10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.

11 For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.”

12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him;

13 for “WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.”

14 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?

15 How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!”

16 However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, “LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT?”

17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

seven stages for successful transmission of the Gospel

first four items are things  are what believers do

last three are what non-believers do to become believers

1. caring
2. praying
3. going
4. speaking
5. hearing
6. believing
7. calling

evangelism is the intersection between divine will and human participation.

(mysterious balance between the unfaltering plan of an omnipotent God and the very faltering obedience of very weak humans)

we are all called to evangelize (no one is off the hook on this one)

in fact, I find it quite irritating when I point out the great commission and the first response I hear is along the lines of
“well, that person if gifted”

“I’m no Billy Graham”

as if to say “since I cant do what they do, I’ll just sit back and let them do it”

“God never gives me any opportunities”

as if that were really true ? (God commands that you share the gospel then never lets you)

It’s amazing what you find you can do in God’s power as soon as you try out a little obedience and trust.

Ephesians 6:19-20 Paul asks for prayer

And also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

(apparently, evangelism didn’t come naturally to him either … he recognized that it was a supernatural empowerment that all of us need, not just some)

caring

verse 1
Brethren, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation
“burden for those who are lost”
if you don’t care, you won’t share
Matt 9:36 Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd

compassion (98x)  G4697 (24x)

[NIV Greek]

5072   [4697]   σπλαγχνίζομαι, splagchnizomai, v.  [5073]. to have compassion on, have pity on

NT 3. Compassion, life’s turning point: eleos, oiktirmos, splanchnizomai

The splanchnizomai word group is not used frequently in the NT. But its occurrences seem especially important. The noun is found in Lk 1:78; Ac 1:18 (in a physical sense); 2 Co 6:12; 7:15; Php 1:8; 2:1; Col 3:12; Phm 7, 12, 20; 1 Jn 3:17. The verb is used in Mt 9:36; 14:14; 15:32; 18:27; 20:34; Mk 1:41; 6:34; 8:2; 9:22; Lk 7:13; 10:33; 15:20.

The word originally indicated the inner parts of the body and came to suggest the seat of the emotions—particularly emotions of pity, compassion, and love. This is the word used in the Gospels to speak of Jesus’ having compassion on someone in need.

When Jesus’ response if such that he is described as being moved by compassion, the occasion is often the turning point in someone’s life. A leper came to Jesus and begged for healing. Jesus, “filled with compassion,” reached out to touch and heal (Mk 1:40-42). Traveling in the towns and villages of Judea, Jesus saw the confused crowds and “had compassion on them” because they were like sheep without a shepherd (Mt 9:33-38). Thereupon Jesus immediately gave his disciples authority to heal and drive out evil spirits. He sent his disciples to travel through the land (Mt 10:1-42). Compassion moved Jesus to take action that affected the lives of those whose needs moved him.

We see this same active aspect of compassion in two parables Jesus told. In Mt 18 there is the story of a servant who owed an unpayable debt. He begged the king to whom he owed the money to give him time to pay it. But the king was so moved by splanchnizomai that he canceled the debt. Lk 15 tells the story of the prodigal son. The wayward youth returned home to confess his sins and beg for a job as a hired man. But the father was “filled with compassion for him” and welcomed him back as a son.

The loving compassion of one person literally changed the life of another, for the person who cared was moved to act and so set the needy person on a new course in life.

God calls you and me to have compassion on others. That call is more than an appeal for us to feel with and for the needy. It is a call to care enough to become involved and to help by taking some action that will set others’ lives on a fresh, new course.

why is caring important ?

Who should we care about ?

(think of heart of the law … 

love the lord with all your heart mind soul and strength 

and love your neighbor)  (Mark 12:31)

is not telling someone the gospel loving them ?

(comfort isn’t even mentioned, hmmm)

praying

also verse 1

Brethren, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation
“burden for those who are lost”
Rom 9:1   what a burden for the lost !
Matt 9:37-38 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

Eph 6:19-20 And also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

prayer should come before doing. (otherwise it’s like pressing the button on a light switch when the light is not plugged into the wall socket)

back in Matt 9: 37-38  Jesus tells His disciples to pray for workers to be sent into the harvest fields

then in Matt 10:5  He sends His disciples AS WORKERS into the harvest field.

prayer opens our hearts to His prompting and His power.

What should we pray for ?

List might be helpful ?

People, situations, obstacles

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so at the end of last Sunday, I challenged each one here to write a short list of people and common opportunities/situations for praying about (so God could work on our hearts in these directions)

How did that go ?

going

Matt 9:37-38 Jesus told His disciples to pray for workers

Matt 10:5 Jesus sent these same disciples as workers into the harvest

every single person you look at , meet or ignore

either has a saving relationship with God or does not have a saving relationship with Him.

14 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?

15 How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!”

“unless they are sent”

who does the sending ?

apostle = means sent one

Acts 1:8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”

what has to happen before these men could fulfill the great commission ?

(empowered by the Spirit)

Acts 13:4 Barnabas and Saul sent by the Spirit

We, believers, are all called to share the gospel.

We need the Spirit to:

• guide us in prayer
• burden us in the prayer
• empower us to act in response to the burden
• give us boldness when the opportunity to act is before us

There is one thing missing (that the Spirit does not do)

We MUST be WILLING to go where He would send us

and …

then the Spirit to give us the words to say (and boldness to say them)

speaking

14 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?

Luke 12:12 he Holy Spirit will give you the words to say at the moment when you need them.

Eph 6:19-20And also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

Acts 2:4 Spirit gives utterance

1 Pet 3:15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;

John 14:26 “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.

bring what to remembrance ?

(all that Jesus said to them)  for us, that would be scripture …

meaning we have to read it (as His words) before the Spirit can bring it forward in our memory banks when we need it           (cant remember something you never read)

2 Tim 2:15 be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.

2 Tim 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;

Isaiah 55:11 So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.

Let us not forget, sharing our faith with others is not merely for those who hear it; it is also doing something to us, for us, growing us, perfecting us

Phil 1:6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

Rom 8:28 working all things together for the good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose.

Sharing His word, is a big part of His purpose for our lives.

Stepping into acts of trust in His power and plan does something to us

(it strengthens us, give us courage for future situations, it makes us more dangerous to the darkness)

Joshua 3

Josh. 3:1 ¶ Then Joshua rose early in the morning; and he and all the sons of Israel set out from Shittim and came to the Jordan, and they lodged there before they crossed.

Josh. 3:2 At the end of three days the officers went through the midst of the camp;

Josh. 3:3 and they commanded the people, saying, “When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God with the Levitical priests carrying it, then you shall set out from your place and go after it.

Josh. 3:4 “However, there shall be between you and it a distance of about 2,000 cubits by measure. Do not come near it, that you may know the way by which you shall go, for you have not passed this way before.”

Josh. 3:5 ¶ Then Joshua said to the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.”

Josh. 3:6 And Joshua spoke to the priests, saying, “Take up the ark of the covenant and cross over ahead of the people.” So they took up the ark of the covenant and went ahead of the people.

Josh. 3:7 ¶ Now the LORD said to Joshua, “This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you.

Josh. 3:8 “You shall, moreover, command the priests who are carrying the ark of the covenant, saying, ‘When you come to the edge of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.’”

Josh. 3:9 Then Joshua said to the sons of Israel, “Come here, and hear the words of the LORD your God.”

Josh. 3:10 Joshua said, “By this you shall know that the living God is among you, and that He will assuredly dispossess from before you the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Hivite, the Perizzite, the Girgashite, the Amorite, and the Jebusite.

Josh. 3:11 “Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is crossing over ahead of you into the Jordan.

Josh. 3:12 “Now then, take for yourselves twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one man for each tribe.

Josh. 3:13 “It shall come about when the soles of the feet of the priests who carry the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan will be cut off, and the waters which are flowing down from above will stand in one heap.”

Josh. 3:14 ¶ So when the people set out from their tents to cross the Jordan with the priests carrying the ark of the covenant before the people,

Josh. 3:15 and when those who carried the ark came into the Jordan, and the feet of the priests carrying the ark were dipped in the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all its banks all the days of harvest),

Josh. 3:16 the waters which were flowing down from above stood and rose up in one heap, a great distance away at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan; and those which were flowing down toward the sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off. So the people crossed opposite Jericho.

Josh. 3:17 And the priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan while all Israel crossed on dry ground, until all the nation had finished crossing the Jordan.

did you notice in verse 13 that the waters did not get cut off until two things happened ?

1. the ones carrying the ark had to step into the dangerous waters
2. their feet had to rest in the dangerous waters

they had go all the way in, displaying their complete trust not only to God, but as a testimony to everyone else around who was watching (and to future generations who would either ask about the rocks piled up in Chapter 4  or those who would read this narrative.

Why didn’t God stop the waters as soon as the ark carriers touched the edge of the river ?

What does the ark represent ?

The Ark symbolizes the presence of God on Earth

(and carried examples of His presence and promises to prove that presence)

Ten Commandment Tablets

Aaron’s Staff

Golden Jar of Manna (from the 40 yrs in wilderness)

Why did God want the ark at the front of the group crossing the Jordan and not at the rear ?

In Joshua 6, they come up against Jericho and the Ark is what is being carried around the fortress each day (with shofars being blown)

There is no victory without the presence of God

There is no defeat with the presence of God

 

Does God dwell within us ?

(are we a type of ark?)

who wants us to go ?

who tells us to go ?

why does He want us to go ?

How do we know what to say ?

who promises to help us know/remember what to say ?

who promises to make His word which we speak have it’s desired effect ?

Is about our ability or eloquence ?

Is it about trusting Him in all areas ?

There is no victory without the presence of God

There is no defeat with the presence of God

 

 

next week

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hearing

believing

calling