Category Archives: Preaching

The word 'How?' in bold, orange retro typography with purple and blue outlines and surrounding stars.
Answers, Belief, Bible, Hearing, Preaching, Questions, Romans, Scripture

HOW?

ROMANS 10:14

“How then are they to call on Him in whom they have not believed? How are they to believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher?”

If you’ve been around preschoolers enough, you have probably been riddled with the “Why?” questions. Am I right? I have mentioned before that I spent a large part of my ministry working with children before I “grew up” and started working with men, lol. So, I’ve been hammered by the best of the preschoolers’ questions. Why did God make the sky blue? Why are fish smelly? Why do frogs croak? Believe me, I’ve heard them all.

It almost seems that way in today’s verse when Paul starts his series of “How” questions. Let’s take a look at the first three. The Greek word for “how” is pos and can be translated also as “in what way.” I kind of like that. Don’t you? Paul poses these indirect questions without really expecting anyone to answer him. He will be giving us the answer a little later.

APPLICATION

The first question is a follow up to the previous verse we saw in yesterday’s blog post. “for ‘EVERYONE WHO CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.’” A person cannot be expected to call on someone they have not believed in, can they? The Greek word for “call” is epikaleó which means to invoke, to appeal to. The prefix epi intensifies kaleo (to call). In other words, it means to really call. I heard that the rescued Weapons Service Officer’s first reply when they received radio contact from him was “God is good.” I bet he was calling on someone he believed in, don’t you?

The next question follows this one. How can someone believe if they have not heard? Heard what? The Gospel message of faith in Jesus. Isn’t that what they needed to hear? The Jews had heard the message and had rejected it. The Gentiles could care less about this Jewish rabbi who proclaimed to be the Messiah. Someone’s ignorance of Jesus does not exclude them from judgment. Just look back at Romans 1:19-20.

And the final question Paul raises is how can someone hear unless someone tells them. They need a preacher, a prophet or a voice from God, right? Look again at the Romans 1:19-20 passage and answer that question. This, of course, does not exempt us from our responsibility to be a truth teller. We need to be spreading the message for and wide. Help answer some of those “how” questions for people. Show them the One Who has all the answers.

O Lord, You are the answer to every question anyone could ever ask. Draw them to Yourself.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

Standard
Bible, Preaching, Scripture, Sharing, Willingness, Witnessing

EAGER TO PREACH

ROMANS 1:15

“So, for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.”

Boy, this verse hits home with me. I love to preach God’s Word. I still remember when I preached my very first sermon at Harmony Baptist Church back in 1978. I was dating someone who attended there and was asked to preach at their Youth Sunday service. I was so nervous. I flew through my message in probably about fifteen minutes (no one ever complains about a short sermon, by the way). I just spoke from my heart. I had no training, no theological classes – just God’s Word that was fresh on my heart as a relatively new believer in Christ.

That eagerness, that zeal, that excitement hasn’t waned. I still love to preach every chance I get. Paul tells the Romans in today’s verse that he too was eager to preach to them. The Greek word translated as “eager” is prothumos. It comes from two Greek words – pro (before) and thumos (wrath). It’s interesting how words get their meanings, isn’t it? Let’s take a closer look at this word and how it’s used in Scripture.

APPLICATION

Strong’s says this word “encapsulates the believer’s Spirit–enabled eagerness that persists amid human weakness and external obstacles. Whether voiced by Jesus in a prayer–soaked garden or by Paul on the eve of a Roman mission, πρόθυμον calls every generation to a vigilant, fervent, and gospel–anchored readiness.”

This same word is used in Matthew 26:41 (also in Mark 14:38) when Jesus finds his three most trusted disciples asleep. “‘Keep watching and praying, so that you do not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.’” Here it is translated as “willing.” That sounds a little different that “eager.” I can be willing to do something but not exactly eager. For instance, I am willing to go shopping with my wife, but I am never eager to do that (sorry Chris). That’s when I die to myself and do what I know will give her joy. You have to look at the full meaning of this word and bring it all together.

In Psalm 51:12 we find the idea of willingness written by David. Don’t you just love this Psalm? Verse 12 says, “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and sustain me with a willing spirit.” Shouldn’t that be our desire? Shouldn’t we have a willing, eager spirit towards the things of the Lord? Ask yourself today if you are eager for Him. Ask yourself if you are willing to do whatever He asks.

O God, give me that kind of spirit each and every day. When I am struggling remind me that Your Spirit is within me.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

Standard