Do You Have Beautiful Feet? Series

Do You Have Beautiful Feet?

Intro: Last week we looked at the awesome promises in verses 11 and 13. Anyone and everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved and will not be disappointed in the decision they have made.

But, we cannot assume for one moment that people are going to automatically decide to call out to God. Assumptions can be quite dangerous. For example, the photographer for a national magazine was assigned to get photos of a great forest fire. Smoke at the scene hampered him and he asked his home office to hire a plane. Arrangements were made and he was told to go at once to a nearby airport, where the plane would be waiting. When he arrived at the airport, a plane was warming up near the runway. He jumped in with his equipment and yelled, "Let’s go! Let’s go!" The pilot swung the plane into the wind and they soon were in the air. "Fly over the north side of the fire," yelled the photographer, "and make three or four low level passes." "Why?" asked the pilot. "Because I’m going to take pictures," cried the photographer. "I’m a photographer and photographers take pictures!" After a pause the pilot said, "You mean you’re not the instructor?" The Jokesmith.

Many people realize there is something missing in their lives; something beyond their control—something they can’t put their finger on. Many realize that they need God but that is about it. You see, unless someone tells them what they have to do, they will never be saved.

Evangelism is one of the purposes of the church. It means we share the good news of Jesus with those around us and around the world. Why is it so important that we take this purpose and command to share with others seriously?

· Because apart from Christ there is no hope.

· This is the primary way God uses to get his message throughout the world

Evangelism is sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. Here is what evangelism is not:

· It’s not just living a good Christian life so the world can see. People need more than just seeing you live a good life. There has to come a point in time where you have to say something and give the reason for the hope that you possess.

· It’s not telling them about your church. I many time s use the question, “Do you go to church anywhere? as a discussion starter to get people talking about spiritual things. It’s not wrong to tell people what’s happening at your church. But, we need to keep in mind that people do not call upon the church to save them but Christ.

Let’s read our text again:

“But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10:14-15

Now lets look at the obvious in this passage. In order for someone to call upon the Lord they must first believe. And in order to believe one must first hear the message. And in order for someone to hear there has to be someone to tell them.

So why doesn’t God just make everyone when they are born call out to God so everyone can be saved? God has given each and everyone of us a precious gift—that is the gift of free choice. God delighted in us so much that we were made differently. God made us to not to live by instinct as animals do but by giving us a conscious and equipping us with the capability of deciding for ourselves whether we will make a certain choice or not. God has left no surprises for us. He has given us all the information we need to rationally choose whether we will accept or reject him. It’s your choice. We must keep in mind that there are tremendous implications and consequences in making a decision for or against Christ.

Transition: But evangelism is not my gift!

Many followers of Christ have a tendency to believe that if they don’t have the gift of evangelism they are not responsible for sharing. I want you to know today that it is God’s purpose that every believer help get others into heaven. Every person becomes a candidate to be sent to tell the good news. I don’t’ mean when you become a follower of Christ you immediately sign up to go to a foreign land but you are now in a position to be used where you are to bring the message to others.