Romans - Week 24

Passing Along the Message

READ

Romans 10:14

14 But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?

Paul said anyone who calls on the Lord can be saved. Now he adds thoughts to that: 1) they must believe in Him; 2) they first must hear about Him; and 3) someone needs to tell them. Some think one can believe in Jesus and just live for Him without saying anything about Jesus. If everyone did this, others would not know how to be saved because someone has to give them the message. This entire process has to be met if people are to call on Jesus for salvation.

REFLECT

What have you done to pass the Gospel message on to others? Perhaps it’s even by leaving a leaflet that explains the Gospel. Have you had the privilege of telling someone the gospel message face to face?

RESPOND

Discuss with your disciple what each of you might better do to get the Gospel message out to others so they can call on the name of the Lord.

Beautiful Feet

READ

Romans 10:15

  15 And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”

This is a powerful message reminding believers that while some are willing to go to tell others, someone may need to make it possible for them to go. This applies to helping someone go to another country, but it also applies to helping with expenses so others can reach out in your own country. Just as being appreciative of someone’s hands for a gracious act; you can also be grateful for the feet of those who traveled to bring you the Gospel.

REFLECT

Have you thanked the Lord recently for those who brought the Gospel message to you so you could call on the name of the Lord and be saved? If not, do so today.

RESPOND

With your disciple, make a list of those you know who have been sent to share the gospel message with others. Tell each other who brought the message to you. Then pray for these people. Consider helping these people with their outreaches—whether by prayer or finances.

Who Has Believed?

READ

Romans 10:16-17

16 But not everyone welcomes the Good News, for Isaiah the prophet said, “Lord, who has believed our message?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.

Sadly, not everyone who hears the Gospel message will welcome it. You may be discouraged in further sharing the message because so few are responsive. Yet, you need to keep sharing the message so the Holy Spirit can use it in bringing conviction to a person’s life. One needs to hear the message to give them an opportunity to have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

REFLECT     

Have you been encouraged or discouraged lately about sharing the gospel message? Pray for the needy people who may need to hear the message one more time.

RESPOND

Even while he was in prison, the apostle Paul asked others to pray for him about opportunities to share the gospel. Read Colossians 4:2-4 to see his request for prayer.

Have They Heard?

READ

Romans 10:18-19

18 But I ask, have the people of Israel actually heard the message? Yes, they have: “The message has gone throughout the earth, and the words to all the world.”

19 But I ask, did the people of Israel really understand? Yes, they did, for even in the time of Moses, God said, “I will rouse your jealousy through people who are not even a nation. I will provoke your anger through the foolish Gentiles.”

When a person hears the Gospel message for the first time, it may be rejected. Paul said this about the nation Israel. God made them jealous by presenting the message to the Gentiles who were not a nation. The Jews even thought of the Gentiles as “dogs,” and God used the Gentiles to make Israel jealous.

REFLECT

Do you know of those who had to hear the Gospel message more than once before they understood it? Does this encourage you to give the message more than once to the same person?

RESPOND

Ask your disciple how many times the Gospel message was presented before it was understood. Share your experience in this regard as well. Pray together for patience and courage to present the same message—perhaps in different ways—to the same people.

Opened Arms

READ

Romans 10:20-21 

20 And later Isaiah spoke boldly for God, saying, “I was found by people who were not looking for me. I showed myself to those who were not asking for me.” 21 But regarding Israel, God said, “All day long I opened my arms to them, but they were disobedient and rebellious.”

The Gentiles were not looking for God, but they found Him. God’s patience is seen in that He kept opening His arms to Israel even though the nation kept rejecting Him. This is a divine example that Christ-followers should not give up presenting the Gospel message to others, even if they reject it for the time. In the process, it may be discovered that those not thought to be looking for God will actually find Him.

REFLECT

Does this Scripture bring someone to mind that you have been especially concerned about? Pray for that person and do not give up.

RESPOND

Read 2 Peter 3:8-9 that tells why God is patient with people. Had God given up on some people in the past, think of your loved ones that may not have trusted Him as Savior.