"How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, "HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!" ... So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ" Romans 10:14-15,17.
Anyone who has ever used a computer knows that there is an important sequence that takes place at startup. There are certain lines of command that run before we can work with the software we need to work with. Similarly, there is an important sequence associated with the gospel. There must be proclamation in order for there to be hearing. Hearing is prerequisite to believing, and believing is prerequisite to calling on our Father. This sequence is essential to the effective work of the gospel. Everything depends on sending, proclaiming, hearing and believing the word.
Central to all of this is "the word of Christ." There must be clear understanding of the message in order for the message to be clearly communicated and ultimately responded to. The "word of Christ" is both what He communicated and what He did. To simply say that the gospel is the good news that Jesus died for our sins is a key part of the gospel, but not all of the gospel. One of the best summaries of the gospel shared as recorded in the book of Acts is Acts 8:12 "the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ." A deficiency with this 2-part message has serious implications for full Christian vitality.
The questions before us today are: Where am I in relation to the gospel message? Have I clearly understood it? Have I responded in faith to it? Have I heard the call to proclaim it? How and where am I being sent to proclaim it?
These are all important questions to consider in light of the priority to "seek first His kingdom and His righteousness" Matthew 6:33.
©Steve Taylor, 2022 --Used by permission
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