Sermon Tone Analysis

The How

Paul has given us the WHY in people’s salvation.

Here he reminds us of the HOW...

How do people get to the point of calling on the Lord?

(vv.

14-15)

With a series of rhetorical questions, Paul lists the essential ingredients of salvation (v.

14)

Calling - request for help (vv.

13-14).

For it to be genuine and accurate, there must be...

Believing - what or who? “Him” - But how can the know?...

Hearing - exposure to the truth.

Where does this come from?

Preaching - herald, announce, proclaim - these truths of Him to be heard.

One to others opportunities.

John the Baptist, Jesus, His disciples, commission apostles, pastors/churches.

Then Paul emphasizes the importance of preaching (v.

15)

The word “sent” is “ἀποστέλλω”, which reminds us of the original sent out ones, and the authority of the message.

They had it (the authority), preachers should have it, we all have it.

Paul quotes Isaiah 52:7 in support of the value and benefit of good news being proclaimed - just like the one in OT settings bringing news of God’s victory for God’s people over God’s enemies.

Sending, preaching, hearing, believing, calling - this is how it works, by God’s design.

What went wrong with Israel?

(vv.

16-21)

If this is the way it is supposed to work, then why didn’t it with Isreal?

(v.

16)

Isaiah acknowledged the low numbers of respondents in his day (Isaiah 53:1).

This foreshadowed the reception of Christ (John 12:37–38 “Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him, so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “Lord, who has believed what he heard from us, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?””)

The next verse identifies what/who is received/rejected (v.

17).

This is what/who must be accepted.

This is what/who the majority of Israel rejected (John 1:11 “He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.”)

Why? (v.

18)

Maybe the majority had not heard?

No. “Indeed” - on the contrary.

Just like creation is available to all (Psalm 19:4), so the Gospel had been spread far and wide.

A further question(vv.

19).

Not just, was the message available, but did they consider it (know).

Paul cites Deuteronomy 32:21 as an example of things that Israel knew but rejected.

Then he cites Isaiah 65:1 (v.

20) as another example -

Not knowing is not the problem.

In summary of this, Paul cites Isaiah 65:2 (v.

21), is support of…

Israel is just disobedient/rebellious, as an example of all people.

God is patient.

Paul is reassuring us in the indictment of Israel - of His ways.

This is how God saves people.

The Gospel witness is essential.

Many still reject (God has still ordained the use of the Gospel witness).

Until someone doesn’t.

They hear, believe, and call.

Benediction: Romans 11:33–36 “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

“For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?”

“Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?”

For from him and through him and to him are all things.

To him be glory forever.

Amen.”

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