Romans 10:1-15 Reaching Others: Compelled to share Christ

Why do people do what they do?

Hitler – a man intent on destruction of others

Paul – a man intent upon salvation of others

I. Compelled to share Christ: A care that ignites the soul Romans 10:1

National versus individual

A. Relationships that matter

(ESV) Romans 10 1 Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them (Israel) is that they may be saved.

1. Family

2. Friends

3. Associates

4. Enemies

B. A Broken heart over their condition

(ESV) Romans 10 1 Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them (Israel) is that they may be saved.

1. Saw the emptiness

2. Saw the certain destruction

3. Deep burden

(ESV) Romans 9 1 I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— 2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.

C. A Willingness to give oneself

(ESV) Romans 9 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh.

1. Exchange self

2. Demands sacrifice

D. Engaging God for help

(ESV) Romans 10 1 Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them (Israel) is that they may be saved.

Spend as much time praying for someone as one spends gossiping about them. Instead of hashing through all the details – pray for them. Instead of talking about needing to pray for someone – praying for someone.

II. Compelled to share Christ:: Knowing that they are not okay

A. Sincerity is not enough

(ESV) Romans 10 2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.

1. Had some good things going for them

B. Do not see their lack of righteousness

(ESV) Romans 10 3 For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.

1. Seeking their own righteousness

2. Refuse to yield to the righteousness of God in Christ

C. Need the righteousness of Christ

(ESV) Romans 10 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

(ESV) Romans 10 12 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. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

III. Compelled to share Christ: Knowing they must be told the gospel

A. Requires trusting

(ESV) Romans 10 14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? …

1. Just saying a prayer doesn’t do it – must place trust in Christ

B. Requires hearing

(ESV) Romans 10 14 … And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?

1. Can’t believe unless one has heard the truth

C. Requires telling

(ESV) Romans 10 14 … And how are they to hear without someone preaching?

1. Will not know the truth unless someone shares it

2. Good living only sets the stage

D. Requires being sent

(ESV) Romans 10 15 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!”