Discipleship: Hearing

Romans 10:14–17 NIV

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!” 16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.

A significant number of drivers, around 10%, drive with their check engine light on. A substantial portion of these drivers, about 50%, will ignore the light for more than three months, according to a study. A survey by Kelley Blue Book found that 25% of people say they never get the check engine light code inspected after it turns on

For many they would not know something is wrong without that light coming on.

The same goes with sharing the Gospel, there is a need for someone to tell the world.

Romans 10:14 NIV

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?

One of my favorite on this day in history that happened on my birthday was Paul Revere's Midnight Ride which was was an alert given to minutemen in the Province of Massachusetts Bay by local Patriots on the night of April 18, 1775.

The people where in grave danger and needed a warning. Today we are surrounded by people in grave danger of enteral suffering and they need a voice in the wilderness, instead of the English are coming they need to hear that The King is Coming

Romans 10:15 NIV

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!”

To be sent shows intentionality

We have to be intentional about sharing the gospel and about making disciples. The two go hand in hand.

Being sent also shows assignment of a job or task, a set of marching orders.

There are studies that show that the larger a group is the few people are engaged in contributing to a task. Because everyone else thinks that every one else is going to do it.

Even worse is the mindset of I’m not going to do it because it’s not my job.

This, it’s not my job mentality is contagious. We see it in the work force all the time.

We also see it in the church as a whole.

The problem is when it comes to making disciples it is our job, not just a select few.

Matthew 28:19–20 MEV

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Jesus has sent us out.

You don’t have to be a theological expert to go out and make disciples

18  Too many Christians think they are prosecuting attorneys or judges, when God has called all of us to be witnesses. Warren Wiersbe Be What You Are (1988)

Warren W. Wiersbe

Romans 10:16–17 NIV

16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.

Just like the check engine light, not everyone who hears the message will respond to it.

Our job is NOT to make them respond, but it is to shine as a light for them to see.

Then if they respond we can point them in the direction that they need to go.

Take Home Question:

Who are three people that you know need to hear the Gospel?