Subject: “They have not all obeyed the gospel” Romans 10:16
16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?”
17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
18 But I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed: “Their sound has gone out to all the earth, And their words to the ends of the world.”
Romans 10:16-18
A CANDID EVALUATION
1. The reality must be noted
a) That not all have obeyed the word of God
b) They have not believed in the gospel sent by the Lord
2. Tracing the depth of this reality
a) Paul cited Isaiah 53:1
b) Isaiah ministered long and hard for the LORD
c) But he too faced many problems
d) The most basic one was that of Unbelief
TRACING THE ORIGIN OF FAITH
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Romans 10:17
1. An age-old problem
9 And He said, “Go, and tell this people: ‘Keep on hearing, but do not understand; Keep on seeing, but do not perceive.’ 10 “Make the heart of this people dull, And their ears heavy, And shut their eyes; Lest they see with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And return and be healed.”
Isaiah 6:9-10
a) Israel was not a people who would hear
b) Their ears were heavy
c) Their heart was dull
d) They have shut their eyes
e) They do not understand
2. Hearing the word of God
a) The word of God is able to deal with all these problems
b) The word of God can produce faith
c) It is this faith in God that results in salvation
AN ADDITIONAL TEXT
But I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed: “Their sound has gone out to all the earth, And their words to the ends of the world.”
Romans 10:18
1. This text is taken from Psalm 19 :4
2. Psalm 19 has three main foci
a) God as Creator (Psalm 19:1-6)
b) The word of God (Psalm 19:7-11)
c) Appropriate response (Psalm 19:12-14)
3. Creation is the voice of God proclaiming:
a) His power
b) His majesty
4. The written Word of God
7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward.
Psalm 19:7-11
OUR CHALLENGE
12 Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults.
13 Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, And I shall be innocent of great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.