Series: God With Us Part 2: How Will They Know?
Sermon Text: Romans 10:1-15
Supplemental Texts: 1 Kings 19:9-18, Psalm 85:8-13, Matthew 14:22-33
SLC Preacher: Josh Kleinfeld
Memory Verse for New Series
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13
How will your neighbors know the message?
Romans 10:1-15
Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. 2 For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. 3 Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. 4 Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.
5 Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: “The person who does these things will live by them.”[a] 6 But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’”[b] (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the deep?’”[c] (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,”[d] that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: 9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”[e] 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”[f]
14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”[g]
How did Paul know?
Through the sacrificial witness of Stephen, the courageous healing of Ananias and the reconciling advocacy of Barnabas (Acts 7-9)
What is the message?
Jesus is the pivot point of history
This message is simple: declare Jesus is Lord and believe he was raised from the dead
The message is unifying: there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--same Lord is Lord of all
The message is beautifying: how beautiful are the feet
This must be confessed and believed, repeated and trusted, externalized and internalized
That's why the mouth and the heart matter
What is faith?
According to John Wesley: To believe (in the Christian sense) is, then, to walk in the light of eternity; and to have a clear sight of, and confidence in, the Most High, reconciled to me through the Son of his love.
According to Martin Luther: “Faith is a living, unshakeable confidence in God's grace…”
Do you confess and believe?
Do it today and tomorrow and forever.
Who do you know that needs to know?
As a prayer request: submit their name at www.stillnaz.com/pray.
Then commit to praying daily for them
Message Reflection Questions
Read Romans 15:13. Take two minutes to silently repeat this verse in prayer.
Define "witnessing." Should it be spontaneous or planned?
Who do you know that is good at sharing the gospel with others? What is it that they do?
Read Romans 10:1-4. What is Paul’s concern about his people? Why it important for Christians to keep in mind Paul’s concern?
What does it mean that "Christ is the culmination of the law?" How is that good news for the Jews and Gentiles?
How is God's desire for his people revealed in the Deuteronomy texts that Paul uses in Romans 10:5-8?
Looking at 10:8-13, why are both the mouth and the heart important for the message of the gospel?
What does the set of questions in 10:14-15 stir in your soul? Who were the “beautiful feet” that shared God’s good news with you?
Prayer Time: Who do you know that needs to know the message of the gospel? How can you share that?
Daily Readings
From June 4 — September 17, we’ll be exploring the good news that God is for us, in us and with us. Take the learning home with you and read Romans by yourself or with others. You can download the whole plan at www.stillnaz.com/pray.
As you follow the plan, consider these questions:
What does this text say God does "for" or "in" or "with" us?
What does this text invite me to be or do?
Who can I share this with?
Day 1: Romans 11:1-5, 1 Kings 19:9-18
Day 2: Romans 11:6-10, Isaiah 29:10-14
Day 3: Romans 11:11-16, Psalm 69:20-23
Day 4: Romans 11:17-32, Isaiah 59:21-60:3
Day 5: Romans 11:33-36, Job 36:22-23
NEED PRAYER?
We’d be happy to pray with you. Fill out the form at www.stillnaz.com/pray.
WANT TO JOIN A SMALL GROUP?
We’d love to connect you with a group of people exploring what it means to follow Jesus together. Find out more info at www.stillnaz.com/discipleship.