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Step by Step - Romans 10:11-15

As you read the passage listed above, work through the progression of ideas that Paul gives us below:

A person calls on whom they "believe".
They believe when they "hear".
They hear when someone "preaches".
And someone preaches when they are "called".

This progression shows how nations come to know and share the knowledge of God.

After that quick glimpse at God's plan for a non-believer to hear the Word, let's work backwards through it to see how a believer in  Christ should respond.

V.15 - God's plan involves sending his servants, "unless they are sent."  When we accept Christ and follow him, we are signing up for whatever his plans are for our life.  He sends us out to tell others about him.

V.15 - Still in v.15 we see that God's servants preach the gospel.  Everyone is not called to become a preacher in full time ministry but we are all called to go and proclaim the gospel.  Just because you don't stand in the pulpit on Sunday mornings doesn't mean you're not instructed to tell others about Jesus.

So as believers, God sends his servants and we go out and preach.

V.14 - Paul tells us here that when the servants preach, people will hear.  And that once they hear they will believe.  Now, this passage is not teaching that everyone who hears the gospel will believe it, but it is teaching that as we preach the word some will believe.  And once someone believes and calls on the name of Jesus they will be saved.

So in looking at the steps of this plan, what is the most likely breakdown or failure point to it?  It's not the calling and sending out because God does that.  It's not in the hearing, especially with all the ways to communicate today.  The potential breakdown in this step by step progression is if God's servants do not go out and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ to everyone.

We are God's Plan A to lead the lost to Him and there is no Plan B.  Not all Christians are called to be in the pulpit or fulltime ministry, but we are all called to go and make disciples.

Lord, I pray that I do my part to hear your calling, to receive your word, to share your word.  I pray that when given opportunities to share that people hear and believe.  I pray that I have my heart and eyes set on you in a way that leads to compassion for the lost.  Thank you for your Word.  Amen.

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