PROCLAMATION (Romans 10:14-17)

"But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him?" (Romans 10:14)

Darrell L. Guder says:

“God gave his Spirit at Pentecost to enable the witness of the church, and that witness is to go out to the end of the earth. The church does not really have a choice here: evangelization is its necessary obedience. Only in this way will God accomplish his purposes. That necessity becomes a constraint, a driving energy, a focus of obedience that makes Christians into witnesses wherever they are.” (Be My Witnesses, 142)

People will be saved because we proclaim the gospel, brothers and sisters, and that’s an awesome responsibility and a humbling and exciting realization. People will be saved because I proclaim the gospel…not because of my powers of persuasion or because of how much I know…but because the grace and power of God are unleashed through the proclamation of the gospel. And the same is true for all of us…not just for me, the preacher, but for all of us…for all of us. People will be saved for eternity because we proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Wow! What power we wield when we discipline our lives and open our mouths and become Christ’s witnesses in the world. People are saved through of our testimony and witness to Jesus Christ…what he has done for the world and for me…because, like me and like you, others receive the grace of God and come to faith in Christ through the proclamation of the gospel.

Election bears the fruit of faith and salvation, brothers and sisters, only through the hearing of the gospel story…only through the proclamation of the gospel does one receive the grace of God that leads to salvation and come to faith in Jesus Christ.

For “how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him?...Faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.”” (Romans 10:14, 17)

All who call on the name of the Lord will be saved, brothers and sisters. Believe this good news and proclaim it courageously so that others may live in its peace.