From Sending to Calling
Day 208: Romans 10:14-21, 11:1-12
“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?” - Romans 10:14-15 ESV
Here we get an inside look at Paul’s strategy for spreading the gospel all across the Mediterranean. Below, you’ll see it reversed to give us a picture of how we can apply it to our outreach to those who haven’t yet decided to follow Jesus.
Sent | We can see a picture of this in Acts 13:1-4, where Paul and Barnabas were commissioned by the church in Antioch. The local church is meant to be a launching point for us. This is the equipping.
Go | This is the obedient journey. Sometimes you’ll be going to class or work. Sometimes you might be going overseas. Sometimes you’ll be going to a family gathering.
Tell them | This is the Ethiopian standing next to the chariot, just before he said something. He had to listen, and then he had to “share Jesus with him” (Acts 8:26-40).
Hear | This is fleshed out in Romans 10:17. When we tell, they hear. Some people hear for years before they start to trust Jesus. Be patient as you share.
Believe | This is the threshold that causes the most noise in heaven, “When one sinner repents” (Luke 15:7). Acts 16 gives us a great example of this, as the Philippians Jailer and his house believe and are baptized.
Call | This is a term that was used all the way back in Genesis 4:26. This happens when we first believe (Acts 22:16), but it also is supposed to happen for the rest of our lives.
Craig Keener makes a great observation from this passage as he writes, "In 10:14–17 Paul recognizes that to call on Jesus presupposed access to the gospel message (the 'word of faith,' 10:8)." - Keener, C. S. (2009). Romans (p. 128)
Yes, God has chosen you to be someone else's access to His message of eternal life in Jesus. What an amazing honor and responsibility we, as Jesus' Church, have!