How are They to Believe?

Because we have our missionaries to Japan, the Coulbournes, with us today, I have chosen as our “Life’s Most Important Questions,” a question found in Romans 10, “How are They to Believe?” In fact, this passage contains a series of four questions that deal with the subject of missions and evangelism. It is a question we need to be asking because the zeal of evangelism and missions has been waning in recent years and as I will show you, this question can determine the eternal fate for millions of people. Our reading is taken from Romans 10:11-17:

Romans 10:11–17 ESV

For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Our reading this morning begins with an incredible promise: “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” There is a day coming when each and every person will stand before God and must give an account of their lives. Every action, every idle word and every secret thought will be revealed on that day for all to see! Let that sink in. Everything!

This is why the text speaks of shame. Every one of us will be put to shame on that day, unless we believe in Jesus! This is why I said this is an incredible promise—there is a way to avoid that shame!

A second promise is found in this passage: “Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Salvation and freedom from shame is only a cry of desperation away! All you or any one else has to do to be free from the free of judgement is call upon Jesus Christ to save you. This promise is without exception. It does not matter what you have done. It does not matter where you are from. All you have to do is call upon the name of the Lord and you will be saved!

However, there is a problem for most people: How will a person call upon the Lord if they do not believe in Him?

Belief is Necessary for Salvation

Billions of people in this world are not calling upon Jesus to save them because they do not believe in Him. This is so simple that we often miss it. A person must believe Jesus can save them before they call upon Him.

Early on in the pandemic, doctors avoided using anti-inflammatory drugs because they did not believe they would do any good; instead they turned to respirators. As it turned out, inflammation is the real killer. Now physicians use anti-inflammatory drugs and use respirators only as a last resort.

People need to believe that Jesus saves, just as physicians now believe that anti-inflammatory drugs save; but there is another step necessary...

Hearing is Necessary for Belief

The word had to get out that anti-inflammatory drugs helped patents recover from COVID-19. In the same way, the word about Jesus must get out.

A person cannot believe in Jesus, if they have never really heard about Jesus.

At this point, I need to clarify what Paul means by hearing. He is talking about hearing with understanding of the ability of Jesus to save us from the shame of sin.

Back to the illustration of anti-inflammatory drugs for the treatment of COVID-19. Doctors knew about anti-inflammatory drugs, but what they lacked was the knowledge they would help their patents, not harm them.

There was once a time when the people of Japan had not heard the name of Jesus, but those days are long gone. The name Jesus is in almost every world history text book, but what you will not find in those textbooks is the message that Jesus saves! The Coulbournes are in Japan not just proclaiming the name of Jesus, but proclaiming the power of Jesus to save us from the shame of our sin!

This is why...

Preaching is Necessary for Hearing

Preaching is a special form of communication: it is the heralding of the Good News that Jesus saves. I am heralding that message today, but so are the Coulbournes and so are you when you tell others about how Jesus saves. Although not all are pastors or missionaries, all should be “preachers”! We should all be “preachers” in the sense that we all should be telling others about the power of Jesus to save. The Apostle Peter writes:

1 Peter 3:15 ESV

but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

Our confidence and our hope should be so strong in the Lord, that people we know should ask us, “Why are you so hopeful and confident?” When that happens, we need to be ready with an answer.

At this point, I have kind of jumped ahead to the last question Paul asks,...

Calling is Necessary for Preaching

By citing the Apostle Peter, I was making the point that all Christians are called to be “preachers” or “heralds.” In saying this, I am not implying that all Christians are called to be pastors or missionaries. These are special callings. Paul and Barnabas were members of the church at Antioch. In Acts 13, we read this:

Acts 13:2 ESV

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

Paul and Barnabas were being set apart and called to the work of foreign missions, but to make this calling successful, they needed the support of the local church. In the very next verse we read:

Acts 13:3 ESV

Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

That is what we are called to do for the Coulbournes and for all our missionaries—to send them off with our faithful prayers and support.

Paul and Barnabas returned to Antioch years later to give a report. This is what the Colbournes are doing today.

The Day of Judgement draws near. Many on that day will be put to shame, but praise God, not all will be, those who have heard about and trusted in Jesus Christ will be saved! This is not a time to let our zeal for missions and evangelism wane; rather it is a time to redouble our efforts. Each day Judgement Day draws closer. Never let this question leave your heart and mind: “How are They to Believe?”

Let us pray.