Posted: 11/29/05
Explore the Bible Series for Dec. 11
People still need to hear the good news
• Romans 10:1-4, 8-18, 21
By Trey Turner
Canyon Creek Baptist Church, Temple
Today’s church floats among the masses of other people who are equally media-logged. People reached their saturation point at some earlier time. There is simply too much information from too many sources to comfortably keep up.
So each person chooses his or her sources and then picks and chooses information to explore. From some of these sources people receive good news. I might find out: Grandma came back from her doctor with a good report, our soldier came home, this year we are paying less taxes, it’s taco night, potty-training worked—no more diapers, just saved $300 on car insurance by switching carriers.
My definition of good news might include first hearing how a possibly iffy situation turns good. Add to the previous list of good news what the Apostle Paul says in Romans 1:17: “For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last.”
It seems that old news is no news, but there are some who have not heard the really good news—they have heard only about church, possibly about helpful religious practices, but not the news Paul is telling. Some people still carry the weight of the world, and they need something better than the troubles they are carrying.
Christians have that good news. They can bring lost people relief by letting them have the opportunity to respond positively to Christ. So, the church must be reminded of what the Baptist General Convention of Texas’ newly elected president told messengers at the recent annual meeting: “Let’s make a great commotion about the great commission.”
We cannot save ourselves (Romans 10:1-4)
Verses 9:30-33 give insight into why the gentiles can be saved by faith in the grace God has extended. It has nothing to do with who is morally superior, but it does have to do with righteousness. The gentiles put on the righteousness which is not their own—it is Christ’s righteousness. No other righteousness is acceptable to God. Obeying the law as much as humanly possible and yet rejecting God’s offer of salvation in Christ still leaves those people short.
We can be saved by faith (Romans 10:8-13)
As Paul talks about the works of righteousness that are rejected by God, he again tells the way to this righteousness, which is by faith. It is hearing, belief and a faith-response of confession. Salvation by faith in Jesus Christ is an offer that leaves no one out. “Everyone” who calls on this name will be saved.
This is the news people need so badly—news that makes them right with God. They morally twist in the blowing wind trying to work through relationships with others and with their God. Philosophies, religions and the like comfort and offer direction. There is no other way to God or God’s way than through the person of Jesus Christ. (Acts 4:12).
We can encourage others (Romans 10:14-18, 21)
Although some reject Christ, Christians do not stop sharing him. Paul does not write off the Jewish people, saying, “God is finished with them.” Instead, as a strategy, he goes to the synagogues to proclaim Christ and then to the gentiles. Writing them off would be ultimate judgment, and only God judges when they have heard the gospel for the last time.
That is what Jesus means when he says, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged” (Matthew 7:1). Jesus goes on to admonsih people to, deal with the plank in your own eye so you can help a brother or sister get the speck out of his or her eye. Judgment, as Jesus talks about it, writes off the other person.
Paul does not write off the Jewish people. Paul says the content of his preaching is a gospel first proclaimed to the Jews (Romans 1:16). Jewish people individually have had the freedom to respond to Christ; they did, and some still do. As a group, they have been closed to the gospel. Still, the Jewish people must hear, so they can receive God’s good news in Christ. All people need to hear the gospel, so they can respond.
Discussion questions
• What are some reasons Christians offer for not telling people about salvation in Jesus?
• Where are people supposed to hear God’s good news?
• Look at verse 21. Does the image in verse 21 describe your steadfast approach to someone who has needed Jesus Christ?
• Why does it seem Christians lose interest in sharing their faith in Christ? What seem to be the top three reasons they do not?
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