14How then are they to call on Him in whom they have not believed? How are they to believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher? 15But how are they to preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!” 16However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” 17So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
- Observation #1: Saving faith clearly affirms the clear explanation of Jesus’ Good News.
-In telling others about Christ, an effective witness must include more than being a good example. Eventually, we will have to explain the content, the what and the how of the gospel. Modeling the Christian life is important, but we will need to connect the mind of the unbeliever and the message of the gospel. There should never be a debate between those who favor lifestyle evangelism (one’s living proclaims the gospel) and confrontational evangelism (declaring the message). Both should be used together in promoting the gospel.Life Application Bible notes, Romans 10:14
–We must take God’s great message of salvation to others so that they can respond to the gospel. How will your loved ones and neighbors hear it unless someone tells them? Is God calling you to take part in making his message known in your community? Think of one person who needs to hear the gospel, and think of something you can do to help him or hear it. Then take that step as soon as possible.Life Application Bible notes, Romans 10:15
Now I make known to you, brothers and sisters, the gospel which I preached to you, which you also received, in which you also stand, by which you also are save, if you hold firmly to the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. For I handed down to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; then He appeared to James, then to al the apostles; and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also. (1 Corinthians 15:1-8)
–Most churches contain people who do not yet believe. Some are moving in the direction of belief, and others are simply pretending. Imposters, however, are not to be removed (cf. Matthew 13:28-29), for that is the Lord’s work alone. The good news about Jesus Christ will save us if we continue to believe it and faithfully follow it.Life Application Bible notes, 1 Corinthians 15:2
–The central theme of the gospel is given in these verses, a key text for the defense of Christianity. The three most important points are: 1) Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. Without the truth of this message, Christ’s death was worthless, and those who believe in him are still in their sins and without hope. However, Christ as the sinless Son of God took the punishment of sin so that those who believe can have their sins removed. “The Scriptures” refers to Old Testament prophecies such as Psalm 16:8-11 and Isaiah 53:5-6. Christ’s death on the cross was no accident or afterthought. It had been part of God’s plan from all eternity in order to bring about the salvation of all who believe. 2) He was buried. The fact of Christ’s death is revealed in the fact of his burial. Many have tried to discount the actual death of Christ, but Jesus did in fact die and was buried in a tomb. 3) He rose from the dead on the third day, as the Scriptures said. Christ was raised permanently, forever; his Father raised him from the dead on “the third day” as noted in the Gospels (Friday afternoon to Sunday morning–three days in Jewish reckoning of time). This also occurred “according to the Scriptures.” Jesus quoted the prophet Jonah in Matthew 12:40 (cf. Jonah 1:17) to show the connection to “three days” as prophesied in the Old Testament. Psalm 16:8-11 and Psalm 110 also foretell the resurrection of the Messiah.Life Application Bible notes, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
–There will always be people who say that Jesus didn’t rise from the dead. Paul assures us that many people saw Jesus after his resurrection: Peter (Cephas); the twelve apostles; more than 500 Christian believers (most of whom were still alive when Paul wrote this, although some had died); James (Jesus’ brother); all the apostles; and finally Paul himself. The resurrection of Jesus is a historical fact. Don’t be discouraged by doubters who deny the resurrection. Be filled with hope because of the knowledge that one day you, and they, will see the living proof when Christ returns.Life Application Bible notes, 1 Corinthians 15:5-8
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; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. (Romans 10:9-10)
For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death. (2 Corinthians 7:10)
18But I say, surely they have never heard, have they? On the contrary: “Their voice has gone out into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.” 19But I say, surely Israel did not know, did they? First Moses says, “I will make you jealous with those who are not a nation, with a foolish nation I will anger you.” 20And Isaiah is very bold and says, “I was found by those who did not seek Me, I revealed Myself to those who did not ask for Me.” 21But as for Israel, He says, “I have spread out My hands all day long to a disobedient and obstinate people.”
- Observation #2: God lovingly employs every method to induce saving faith.
–Many Jews who looked for the Messiah refused to believe in him when he came. God offered his salvation to the Gentiles who didn’t know anything about him; thus, many Gentiles who didn’t even know about a Messiah found and believed in him. Some religious people are spiritually blind, while those who have never been in a church are sometimes the most responsive to God’s message. Because appearances are deceiving, and we can’t see into people’s hearts, beware of judging beforehand who will respond to the gospel and who will not.Life Application Bible notes, Romans 10:18-20
They have made Me jealous with what is not God; they have provoked Me to anger with their idols. So I will make them jealous with those who are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation, (Deuteronomy 32:21)
Yet the number of the sons of Israel will be like the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or counted; and in the place where it is said to them, “You are not My people,” it will be said to them, “you are the sons of the living God.” (Hosea 1:10)
–Although Israel was unfaithful, God’s commitment remained unchanged. This promise of a reunited future restated and confirmed the covenant made with Moses (cf. Deuteronomy 30:1-10) and foreshadowed the prophecies of Jeremiah (cf. Jeremiah 29:11-14; 31:31-40) and Ezekiel (cf. Ezekiel 11:16-21). It was a prediction of the day when all the people of God will be united under Christ. Today all believers everywhere are God’s chosen people, “a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession” (cf. 1 Peter 2:9)Life Application Bible study notes, Hosea 1:10-11
I will sow her for Myself in the land. I will also have compassion on her who had not obtained compassion, and I will say to those who were not My people, ‘You are My people!’ And they will say, ‘You are my God!'” (Hosea 2:23)
- Application: Believe the Gospel by repenting of self-belief, trusting instead in Jesus’ deity, death, and resurrection, as the only means to Heaven.
No, I tell you, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. (Luke 13:3)
whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen. (Romans 9:5)
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; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be put to shame.” (Romans 10:9-11)
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. (Romans 10:17)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1)
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us; and we saw His glory, glory as the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me. (John 14:6)
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38)
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, (Acts 2:8-9)
8Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, 9he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside. 11Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. 14He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth,
Confessions Of A Christian Freak 