Beautiful Feet

"Beautiful Feet"

Romans 10:14-15

DSW@cacc9-28-97

Beautiful Feet

Webster’s Definition:

foot n. pl. feet . 1. The lower extremity of the leg that is in direct contact with the ground in standing or walking.

I can think of several words to describe these things on the ends of my legs. The words ugly, hairy, smelly and hideous are a few that I would choose.

The bible describes feet and you’d be surprised at the verbiage used. Both Isaiah 52:7 and Romans 10:15 describe feet. In both of these references the word to characterize feet is "beautiful".

Isa 52:7 7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!"(NIV)

Rom 10:15 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"(NIV)

This brings a question to mind. and I want to ask it out loud this morning. "What is it that makes feet... "beautiful"?

What a sad world it would be with out the hope that is found in Jesus. Can you imagine a life with out God? Surely it would be a life with out hope. I tell you today that this the condition of the majority of the world .

Man is Helplessly, Hopelessly, Heading for Hell with out the message of Jesus Christ.

Rom 10:13-15 13 for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?

15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"(NIV)

ILL: Two strangely connected events that occurred in 1865 greatly impact American lives even today.

1) General William Booth founded the Salvation Army and now millions are fed, clothed and given shelter in the name of Jesus. As Booth proclaims "A heart to God and a hand to man".

2) The other event involved another man named Booth (a distant cousin to William) his name John Wilks Booth who assassinated President Abraham Lincoln.

One cousin blessed a nation the other cursed it.

The Gospel makes a difference.

What is it about the Gospel / This good news that is the added ingredient that has the power to change the lives of millions?

Without the truth of the gospel this world is lost! This world will remain lost unless we see that feet bring the good news.

Thesis: Because the Good News can have such an impact in people’s lives I would like to bring out the following questions about the Good News.

Good News:

I. What is it?

II. Who should tell it?

III. Why should it be told?

IV. How do we do it?

I. Good news, What is it?

"What makes The Good News so good?"

To answer this question let me remind you what this Good news is.

It is simply Jesus Christ and him crucified. Paul was dedicated to preaching this good truth

1 Cor 2:1-2 1 When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.

2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

This Good news is a simple message that changed many lives through Paul’s preaching.

I suppose someone may ask... "What can possibly be good about a man who was executed 2,000 years ago?"

I tell you means my salvation. The salvation of the entire world.

His Pain is Our Gain.

Jesus may have appeared to be an ordinary man but he is an extraordinary savior.

That is why Phil 2:8-11 was written.

Phil 2:8-11

8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to even on a cross!

9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,

10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Jesus Is LORD!!!

Jesus deserves this title not because of his suffering , but because he was and is and forever will be God!

Jesus suffering was a demonstration of his love he has for us.

Rom 5:8

8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.