Off the Shelf Sunday School--Romans

The Importance of Sharing the Gospel (10:14-21)

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course, they did: “Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.” Again, I ask: Did Israel not understand? First, Moses says, “I will make you envious by those who are not a nation; I will make you angry by a nation that has no understanding.” And Isaiah boldly says, “I was found by those who did not seek me; I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me.” But concerning Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.”    

1.        Paul asks a series of questions that show the importance of Christians sharing the gospel. Christians are commanded to go and tell others about Jesus. We are blessed to have the truth of salvation and to bring it to those who choose to believe. (Mt 28:19-20)

2.        The gift of faith that results in being born-again is a gift carried by Christians who speak the truth of the gospel. God has chosen to work through Christians to save those who will respond to him with faith. (2 Cor 5:17-21)

3.        Not everyone who hears the gospel will respond with faith. The Holy Spirit enables people to respond. Humans are spiritually dead and will not respond to the gospel without the gift of faith. (Eph 2:8-10)

4.        Paul uses the example of the Israelites to show that salvation is the work of God. It does not depend upon the efforts or knowledge of mankind. The Israelites had the correct knowledge of God and his commands but many of them refused to believe in Jesus. They remained a “disobedient and obstinate people” who chose their customs and religious rules rather than to change. Do you know some very religious people who choose to be bound by their religious traditions instead of being justified by faith in Jesus alone? (Rom 1:16-17)