Go and Preach - Romans 10:14-15

Go and Preach – Preaching

Preaching Outline on Romans 10:14-15 – “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how will they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how will they hear if there is no one to preach? And how will they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who proclaim good things!

Introduction to Romans 10:14-15

The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, gives a magnificent speech on the righteousness of God manifested in Jesus Christ. He demonstrates how salvation is achieved through faith, for both Jews and Gentiles. In chapter 10, Paul focuses on the need to preach the Gospel so that faith can be awakened in hearts. It is in this context that we find verses 14 and 15, which serve as a vibrant call to missionary action from the church.

Before we delve into the depths of these verses, it is crucial to understand the historical and theological background against which they were written. Rome, the capital of the Empire, was a melting pot of cultures and religions. In the midst of this diversity, Paul longed for the Gospel to penetrate every corner of Roman society, reaching both Jews and Gentiles.

The Christian community in Rome was made up of Jewish converts and Gentiles who had embraced faith in Jesus. Paul writes to instruct, exhort and encourage them in their Christian walk. He addresses issues such as justification by faith, life in the Spirit and Christian conduct. In chapter 10, he emphasizes the importance of preaching the Gospel for the salvation of all.

Verses 14 and 15 must therefore be read in the light of this context. Paul, moved by a deep love for souls and for the glory of God, calls on the church to assume its role in the expansion of the Kingdom. He presents us with a logical and irrefutable sequence that highlights the urgency of the mission.

Development

The need for preaching

“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how will they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear, if there is none to preach?” (Romans 10:14)

Faith in Jesus Christ is the foundation of salvation. Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). However, faith doesn’t come out of nowhere. It is generated by the Word of God, heard and received in the heart. Preaching, therefore, is the means by which the seed of faith is planted.

Imagine a fertile field, ready to bear abundant fruit. Without sowing, this potential remains dormant. In the same way, the human heart, although capable of receiving salvation, needs to be reached by the Word of God. Preaching is the sowing that awakens faith and produces the fruit of righteousness.

The church, as the bearer of the message of salvation, has the responsibility to proclaim the Gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15). We cannot remain silent in the face of the world’s need. The voice of the Gospel must resound in every corner, bringing hope and life to those who are perishing.

The urgency of sending

“And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach good things!” (Romans 10:15)

Preaching requires a call, a sending out. Just as Jesus sent out his disciples (Matthew 28:19), the church today is called to send out missionaries, workers and evangelists to proclaim the Gospel to all nations. Missionary sending is a demonstration of obedience and love for God.

The prophet Isaiah, centuries before Paul, had already prophesied about the beauty of the feet of messengers who announce peace and salvation (Isaiah 52:7). The mission is a noble task, a privilege granted by God to those who are willing to take His message of love and redemption to the world.

The church cannot sit in its temples. It needs to go beyond the walls, to reach out to the lost, to bring the light of the Gospel into the darkness. Missionary outreach is urgently needed, because millions of people still live without hope, without knowing the love of God revealed in Jesus Christ.

The beauty of the Gospel

“How beautiful are the feet of those who proclaim good things!” (Romans 10:15)

The Gospel is the most beautiful message humanity has ever heard. It is the news of salvation, of God’s grace poured out on us in Jesus Christ. To proclaim the Gospel is to proclaim Christ’s victory over sin and death, to offer hope to the hopeless, to set the captives free.

The beauty of the Gospel is manifested in the transformation of lives. When the Gospel is preached with power and conviction, hearts are broken, lives are restored and the Kingdom of God expands. The preaching of the Gospel is God’s instrument for bringing healing, deliverance and salvation to the world.

May the Church rise up as a herald of the Good News, proclaiming the beauty of the Gospel to all nations. May our feet be beautiful in God’s eyes as we walk in obedience to his call, taking the message of salvation to the ends of the earth.

Conclusion of Romans 10:14-15

Dear brothers and sisters, the Word of God in Romans 10:14-15 calls us to “Go and preach”. May this call echo in our hearts, awakening in us a passion for mission, a love for souls and a commitment to expanding the Kingdom of God.

May each one of us assume our role in the great work of evangelization, whether by praying, contributing, going or announcing. May the church be a beacon of hope, a channel of blessing for the world, faithfully fulfilling the mission entrusted to it by God.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with us. Amen!