The Bible makes several things plain. First of all, the gospel is easy to understand. Secondly, the gospel requires that preachers, evangelists and missionaries be sent. Thirdly, without hearing the gospel, people can’t believe. And yet today, 26% of the world’s population has no indigenous church or no gospel witness at all. What is God doing? And what should we be doing? If they can’t believe unless they hear, what progress is the gospel making around the world? Today’s passage should be seen as a great encouragement, but also as a great challenge.
A. To what extent has the world heard the gospel message?
1. All the world has heard the message in nature
2. God is determined that the message of Jesus be as widely heard
3. Nowhere is this more pronounced than in God’s dealings with Israel
B. What is God doing for Israel?
1. God has made Israel jealous
2. God saved Gentiles who never sought him
3. God is still opening his arms to Israel
C. How then does the Gospel go forward?
1. By sovereign design
2. By our obedient response
MY STORY
What is the most beautiful place you have ever been to or seen?
QUICK REVIEW
This week’s message concludes chapter 10 of Romans. As you think back over the past ten weeks of studying Romans 9 & 10, what is one thing that you learned that has really stuck with you? What is one think that you still need to understand better?
DIGGING DEEPER
1. In Romans 10:18, Paul quotes from Psalm 19:4 to explain that everyone, whether or not they have heard the gospel explained, has knowledge of God through creation. This is known as ‘natural revelation.’ Read Psalm 19:1–6.
a. Who speaks in vv. 1–4 and what do they say?
b. What does creation reveal to us about God?
c. What in creation fills you most with a sense of God’s glory?
d. If the truth about God is declared in creation, why do so many people not ‘hear’ it?
2. Read Psalm 19:7–11. This part of Psalm 19 refers to God’s ‘special revelation’ – that is, His Word to us through the Bible.
a. What six names does David give to the special revelation of God’s Word? (vv. 7–9)
b. What eight words describe the Word of God?
c. What phrases describe its affects on our lives?
d. What does the revelation through Scripture do for us that the revelation in creation does not (v. 11)?
e. David uses the name “God” (“El”) in verse 1, then switches to “the Lord” (“Yahweh”) in verse 9. Why the change?
TAKING IT HOME
1. Which of David’s “one-liners” about God’s Word best matches your experience with Scripture?
2. Which would nurture your faith most: a) Meditation on creation? b) Meditation on the Word? c) A combination? d) Other? Why?