How Shall They Hear?
Romans 10:1-21
March 17, 2024 Patrick’s Day
Pastor Craig Ledbetter
Bible Baptist Church of Ballincollig
www.biblebc.com
I. Introduction
A. What Does it Mean to Win a Soul?
1. Soul winning is the determined effort to lead a definite person to accept Jesus Christ as their living Saviour
2. Turning
people to righteousness
Daniel 12:3 And
they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that
turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
3. Winning
the heart and mind of someone to faith in Jesus Christ
Proverbs 11:30 The
fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
4. Getting
a sinner to repent and believe the Gospel
Luke 15:10 Likewise,
I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one
sinner that repenteth.
5. Pleading
with people to be reconciled to God – SAVED!
2Corinthians 5:20 Now then we [CHRISTIANS] are
ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in
Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
6. In simple words, soul winning is someone leading a thirsty man to water and watching him drink!
B. Few Christians are called to pastor or preach or to lead churches
C. But every Christian is supposed to go and win people to faith in Jesus Christ
D. It is an order, a commandment - not something for a few people – for all believers
E. If you lead someone to faith in Christ…
1. You save a soul from future judgment for their sin
2. You give them back their life that was being held in a devil’s prison
3. You give them everything they need to live abundantly even if they have nothing else
4. And you have done more than Elon Musk, Barack Obama, Abraham Lincoln, the United Nations, and all governments of the entire world ever accomplished!
F. The worth of a soul is described by Jesus in Mark 8:36,37 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
G. Quote by Spurgeon… “if I were utterly selfish and had no care for anything except my own happiness, I would choose, to be a soul winner! For never did I know perfect, overflowing, unutterable happiness … till I heard of someone who had sought and found the saviour through my [witness].”
H. That is a soul winners joy! It is probably the most satisfying thing to happen in a Christian's life after they get saved... Leading someone to faith in Christ and watching their life change!
I. Let’s every one of us decide to try to win a soul, and then win another one, and then win another one! No matter how long it takes, and no matter who it may be!
II. Background – What is Soul-Winning?
A. Soul-Winning is… Acting on a Christian's Burden (Romans 10:1)
1. Romans 10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
2. What is Paul referring to? A burden for people’s souls
a. Romans 9:1-4 I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: Who are Israelites… [HIS OWN PEOPLE]
b. We carried our shame and our guilt for all our lives – weighed us down with shame
c. But now we are forgiven, we have a better burden to carry!
d. A burden for souls – a deep concern, worry, for the lost
e. We know from the Bible that there is more to people than just flesh and bones – there is a soul that is messed up and in need of God!
f. We are supposed to be concerned about souls, and their condition before God
3. This is NOT a normal concern
a. Soul-winning is not a normal burden people carry – people don’t normally care about souls, just their health, money, mental stability, but not how their soul is doing!
b. A burden for souls is given to us by the Spirit of God
c. Because it is God's burden, and it is real
d. Jesus said in Matthew 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
4. Without a Spiritual burden, you will never go and tell the Gospel!
B. Soul-Winning is… Facing A Sinners Problem (Romans 10:2,3)
1. There is no religion that can save anything or anybody
a. Romans 10:2,3 For I bear them [THE ZEALOUS, RELIGIOUS JEWS] record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
b. No religion saves – Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Shintoism, Protestantism, Catholicism – all fail to save anybody.
c. Not even Christianity can save you!
d. No amount of good works, no amount of morality, no amount of theology can wash away sin and save your soul from God's judgment
2. Sin has a price – a consequence – it is killing people!
a. 1Corinthians 6:9,10 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
b. Romans 6:21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of [ALL] those things is death.
c. Romans 6:23 says it very simply… For the wages of sin is death
d. Eternal, never ending death, that never ends in a place called Hell!
3. You see, There is a hell
a. A place where sinners are judged, and suffer without hope, without water, without rest
b. I was going there, and so are some of you if you would be honest!
c. That is why there is so much fear at death – it is not the unknown… it is facing Almighty God!
d. What is it like in hell right now?
e. What do you think people in hell want more than anything?
1) It is not that they be let out because they know that they are judged righteously.
2) Their wish is for someone to warn the people that they love so that they do not come to the same place
f. Will you? Will you try and stop people from going there?
C. Soul-Winning is… Offering Salvation’s Key to God (Romans 10:4-8)
1. Only Jesus Christ Saves
a. Romans 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
b. What a powerful statement!
c. Jesus Christ is the end, the fulfilment of all the requirements of the Law of God
d. He accomplished what no man, woman or child could do… He lived perfectly!
e. And then He sacrificed His perfect life in place of sinful people like you and me
f. Notice that salvation is available to ONLY those that believe on Him!
2. Only a right belief can make salvation happen – can activate the gift of eternal life!
a. Romans 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
b. Faith touches the heart of God – accesses the gift of God
1) Not your best efforts, hard work
2) Not your longest prayers
3) But faith, trust, belief in just one Person, Jesus Christ moves God to save you!
c. Belief - like a child believes things… simple, totally, joyfully!
d. Not a blind belief, but a confident belief in the absolute reality of a SAVIOUR
e. Absolute trust in Jesus out of a heart full of sorrow and contrition about our own condition – that is the kind of belief that saves!
D. Soul-Winning is… Explaining God's Priceless Gift (Romans 10:9-12)
1. Romans 10:9-12 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
2. Salvation is not a cheap gift that didn't cost much
3. Yes, it is free to the receiver - But to the giver, it cost almost everything
4. Think about what it cost God to save just one soul, never mind countless millions!
a. His Patience - Putting up with mankind and his constant rebellion in self centeredness and ego... constantly giving people chance after chance, and waiting for them to finally cry out for Christ to save them!
b. His Son (John 3:16) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
1) God became a man, so that He could die – He gave up His own life, as a Son, for sinners, so that WE could become sons of God!
2) Jesus died, so that I could have life everlasting!
3) He personally paid for absolutely every single sinful act, and attitude you and I ever had and ever will have!
c. His own honour – According to Philippians 2, God humbled himself to become a man, and then humbled Himself some more to become a servant, and then humbled Himself to allow sinful men to murder him on a cross. He gave up His own honour, and reputation. God gave up His glory and His image in the minds of the Jews and the Gentiles in order to save sinful people! His losses, are our gains!
E. Soul-Winning is… Making it Available to Everyone! (Romans 10:13)
1. Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
2. Whosoever means anybody
a. There is nobody breathing that cannot be saved, forgiven, redeemed, justified
b. If they would just believe enough to call on Jesus Christ to save them!
c. If they would just believe what God promises
3. This is the gospel, good news, something that changes people's destiny, hearts and homes
4. And everyone needs to hear this news! Don’t be picky!
III. Message
A. So, What Are We Waiting For?
1. People Desperately Need to Hear the Saving Gospel
a. Not hear more religion, more science, more politics, more opinions, more conspiracy theories… but just the gospel – that Jesus saves!
b. People need to hear that God is there! He didn’t disappear when we entered the 21st Century
c. That He knows us and our flaws
d. And that He has made a way for anyone, no matter who they are, no matter what they have done, to be saved – forgiven – changed!
1) John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
2) John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
3) Colossians 1:13.14 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.
2. We can't force people to believe, but we MUST tell them they need to believe
a. Islam has been forced upon countless hundreds of millions of people throughout history – at the edge of swords
b. Catholicism has been forced on hundreds and hundreds of millions of people throughout history from their birth, and infant baptism
c. Yet Jesus invites, and waits, and asks people to individually, personally choose Him
d. Isn’t that an amazing thing?
3. So, How can we keep it to ourselves?
4. What if all we do is come to church, and hear this wonderful news, from this marvellous Book, week after week, over and over, again and again, and then do nothing with the news? What would that make us??? Unprofitable for sure!
B. How Shall They Hear? (Romans 10:14,15)
1. Paul asks in Romans 10:14,15 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
2. It is so simple for someone to get forgiven by God – saved, born again!
a. All they have to do is CALL on Jesus’ name and ask – BELIEVING HE WILL SAVE
b. Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
3. Look at Paul’s warnings…
a. People won’t call on someone they don’t believe in
b. They won’t believe unless they hear
c. How shall they hear without a preacher
d. And how shall people preach unless sent? Pushed out into the markets
1) By the way, preachers are not pastors
2) Preachers are announcers, talkers, proclaimers, speakers, tellers of truth
3) Every Christian is a preacher of the Gospel, whether they want to be or not!
4) You do not have to teach a class of children, lead a ladies’ meeting, stand behind a pulpit, talk on the radio, write theological books
5) But every Christian needs to open their mouth and tell someone about someone who can save anyone!
6) By NOT opening your mouth, you are declaring that God is not real, and that he is not worthy of a little embarrassment!
C. We All Have Been Commanded to GO and PREACH the Gospel
1. Not commanded by some Pope, or some megachurch motivator
2. But by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:19,20) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
3. Soul-winning is no “hobby” ladies and gentlemen!
4. Soul-winning is our life-purpose now – it is what we are supposed to be doing all the time – like it is normal to be talking about the Gospel
a. Not just glorifying God, and worshipping God, and raising our families for God, but winning lost and dying souls to faith in Jesus Christ!
b. Winning so many people that we have to build bigger buildings, and have to do more and more, to teach them and equip them to win someone more!
5. We Christians will be judged at the judgment seat of Christ one day, based on our obedience to Christ’s commands, not on our success in our business, or our school
6. Are we obedient, or only doing what is convenient?
7. We are supposed to just be faithful
a. We need to remember that we win nobody - we are just going and telling the news
b. Maybe handing someone a Gospel tract
c. Bro David Murphy took the challenge many years ago to give a single Gospel tract away every day, and write down the name of the person he gave it to, and he has been doing it EVERY day since then!
8. My job as a pastor is to push myself, AND push ALL OF YOU Christians OUT into the highways and hedges, into the markets, the parks, the Post office queues, the lunchrooms, the playgrounds, the family reunions, the political rallies, the sports matches, so that you let your light so shine, instead of trying to hide it!
9. Matthew 5:14 -16 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
D. What Tools Do We Have? (Romans 10:15-18)
1. Forget about technologies, resources, money, power, permission to go – we don’t need any of that. God gave us a load of tools to win souls with, AS we go!
2. We Have Our Feet (Romans 10:15)
a. Romans 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
b. So, Go SOMEWHERE – use your feet! Get moving! Don’t just sit there
1) Just a few steps, or a few kilometres
2) Sometimes a few thousand kilometres
3) But don’t you dare go a few thousand if you won’t go a few feet!
4) Just go somewhere and tell someone they need to be born again
3. A Perfect Message – the words of God (Romans 10:17,18)
a. Romans 10:16,17 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
b. The word of God – not our own opinions, but what God promised and said
c. Know something of your Bible!
1) Have some knowledge of the gospel, not of the entire Bible, at least not yet
2) You don’t need to know it all
3) Just tell what convinced you to humble yourself and call out to Jesus Christ to save you – use your own testimony of when you got saved!
d. The word of God does all the work
1) 1Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
2) Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
e. Use your KJV soul winning New Testament – don’t be afraid to use this Bible – you don’t need new Bibles to reach every new generation!
f. What we HAVE, WORKS! It saved US!
g. We are simply starving men and women who have found the bread of life and want everyone to have Him too!
4. The Holy Spirit of God
a. If you are saved, you have THE most powerful force in the universe living inside you, and speaking through you, and working on the hearer!
b. Luke 12:11,12 And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.
c. John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
5. A Personal Walk With God – this is so important
a. Matthew 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
b. If only you knew what power there is in a close walk with God! A heart close to God
c. Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
d. If you have no walk with God, you will stink to those who are lost
e. But a soul-winner has a saltiness about them – makes people thirsty for the Gospel
f. A Brightness – makes people SEE truth, lived out in front of them!
6. Dependency upon God – don’t depend on your own abilities
a. God does not need your talents or abilities – I wish you all believed this!
b. He needs your feet, your hands, your mouth, your heart
c. Not perfect feet, but moving feet
d. Don't depend on your own abilities - pray for wisdom, and for power, and for compassion, and for everything you need to bring that soul into the Kingdom of God
7. You Are Not Alone
a. Romans 10:18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.
b. Paul is quoting Psalm 19, to remind us….
1) That there is always someone else, somewhere, sowing the Gospel too
2) You may be PLANTING the seeds of the Gospel in someone’s heart
3) Someone else comes along and WATERS the seed
4) Someone else comes along and answers some questions
5) Someone else probably is praying for their soul to repent
6) Just know that, behind everything, the Holy Spirit is at work stirring people’s hearts to fear God, and tugging on their heart to repent and believe the gospel
c. It is NEVER just you, or just me trying to win a soul
E. Paul Finishes with, What About Unbelieving Israel? (Romans 10:19-21)
1. Israel SHOULD have known they would reject their own Messiah. It is prophesied a dozen times in the Old Testament
a. Romans 10:19 But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.
b. Sometimes, the most informed, most likely to get saved, will refuse to
c. Moses could see way out in the future, and saw the nation of Israel rejecting their Messiah, and Gentile nations believing the Messiah, provoking Israel to get saved
2. Isaiah brags that God will one day be found by people who did not go looking for Him
a. Romans 10:20 But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.
b. Soul-winners went out looking for souls
3. While Israel closes their eyes and ears to their own Messiah! (Romans 10:21) But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.
4. Funny thing is that so many Irish, and Polish, and Ukrainian, and American, and British, and French, and Chinese, and Afrikaans do the very same thing!
5. But they still need to hear! Just like you and I did!
IV.Conclusion
A. Will You Join Me? Will you sign up and start soul-winning where you are at, and maybe even go somewhere with the life-changing Gospel, and knock on someone’s door and tell the wonderful story of Jesus?
B. It all begins with a Burden - If you don’t care about souls, you need to be worried
1. Every soul winner needs to have a heart of compassion for those that do not know who Jesus really is, and what He has done for them – there is so much ignorance/confusion
2. So, Invite someone to church
3. Hand someone a Gospel tract
4. Ask somebody if they are saved, and then explain it to them
5. Ask someone, What do they think will happen to them when they die? And then tell them, and explain how they can know for sure they would be forgiven!
C. Know Key scriptures that must be memorized and used when talking to somebody about their soul. Get you a copy of the Soul-Winner’s Toolchest
D. Don’t wait until it is too late to tell someone how to be saved
E. Maybe someone here needs to believe the Gospel for themself?