Faith Comes from Faith Comes from HearingHearing

Romans II Series [7]Romans II Series [7]

Romans 10:14-17Romans 10:14-17Mother’s Day

Romans 10:14-17 [ESV]

14How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!" 16Butthey have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?" 17So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

WHY IS EVANGELISM SO IMPORTANT?

• Four Interconnected Questions:

1) How will they call on him in whom they have not believed?

2) How are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?

3) How are they to hear without someone preaching?

4) How are they to preach unless they are sent?

1. SEND

2. TELL

3. HEAR

4. BELIEVE

5. CALL

6. SAVED

GOD SENDS us as his messengers.

MESSENGERS TELL the gospel.

People HEAR the gospel.

HEARERS BELIEVE in the truths about Jesus.

BELIEVERS CALL on the Lord Jesus.

THOSE WHO CALL on the Lord are SAVED.

• Six Key Words for Evangelism:

WHY IS EVANGELISM SO IMPORTANT?

• Five Key Reasons:

Unless we obey God who SENDS us, there will be no one to TELL them about Jesus.

Unless we TELL them, they will not HEAR the Good News of Jesus.

Unless they HEAR, they will not BELIEVE in the truths about Jesus.

Unless they BELIEVE, they will not CALL on the name of the Lord Jesus.

Unless they CALL on him, they will not be saved.

WHY IS EVANGELISM SO IMPORTANT?

• An Affirmation from the Old Testament [Isaiah 52:7]:

 

As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!" (v.15b)

• “Hearing”: Where Evangelism and Faith Hinge on

 “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” (v.17)

Faith comes from hearing—not seeing. Why? Hearing is through the word of Christ. The Word is the CONTENT of faith—what to

believe. The Word is also the CAUSE of faith—it has the

power to produce faith in us.

Faith Comes from HearingI prayed for faith and thought that someday faith would come down and strike me like lightning. But faith did not seem to come. One day I read in the tenth chapter of Romans, "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." I had up to this time closed my Bible and prayed for faith. I now opened my Bible and began to study, and faith has been growing ever since.

- D. L. Moody 

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS FOR OUR EVERYDAY LIFE

• For CrossWay Corporately:1. Obey CHRIST’S COMMAND:

“Go therefore to all nations…” (Matt 28:18-20)

SEND trained messengers globally and locally. GO into the world as God’s sent-people [missional

life].

2. Preach the Word FAITHFULLY AND BOLDLY. Keep GOSPEL-CENTERED in all ministries &

gatherings. Proclaim the WHOLE GOSPEL of Christ to be heard.

We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.

We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:20

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS FOR OUR EVERYDAY LIFE

• For Personal Evangelism:1. Share Christ—FOCUSING ON YOUR ROLE as a

messenger. You are sent by God… TO WHOM are you sent? You are Christ’s messenger… WHAT is the

message?

“Success in witnessing is simply taking the initiative to share Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit and leaving the results to God.”

- Bill Bright

2. Share Christ—EMBRACING BOTH the sovereignty of God and human responsibility: With patience and urgency With prayer and plan With boldness and sensitivity

Every Reason to Be BoldYou are not on a fool’s errand. You are not wasting either your time or theirs. You have no reason to be ashamed of your message, or half-hearted and apologetic in delivering it. You have every reason to be bold, and free, and natural, and hopeful of success. For God can give His truth and effectiveness that you and I cannot give it. God can make His truth triumphant to the conversion of the most seemingly hardened unbeliever. You and I will never write off anyone as hopeless and beyond the reach of God if we believe in the sovereignty of His grace.

- J. I. Packer 

Every Reason to Be SensitiveOur sociology reflects our theology. The way we treat others reveals what we think God is like. Imagine the implication this has for evangelism. The way we treat others is critical. People will understand as much as of the love of God as they see in our own lives. The first Bible many people will read will be your life. We are called, therefore, to mirror the love of God—a love that is so extravagant that we must never keep it to ourselves. We must spread it around. It is not a mushy love, all sentiment and no action. Jesus’ love drove him deeply into the lives of people.

- Rebecca Manely Pippert 

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS FOR OUR EVERYDAY LIFE

• For Moms [& Dads]

I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice

and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.2 Timothy 1:5

1. Plant THE SEEDS OF GOD’S WORD in your children. You are sent to your children… Did you know that? Tell/Read them God’s Word daily—pray for them

daily.

2. Live out GOD’S WORD before your children. Walk your talk. Model how to grow faith in God’s Word in your

own walk with God.