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.
I believe that being sent means that you will become as prepared as possible to share the good news with others. As I skimmed through Matthew, Mark and Luke this week I have found some interesting facts. Before Jesus actually sent his 12 disciples out on their own he spent time with them, he taught them. Before he sent them out he gave them authority and gave them specific instructions.
Now there were also times after he healed someone that he told him to go home and specifically tell his family what God has done for him that day.
I believe that Jesus not only wants us to be able to share what God has done in our own lives (experiences) but also why Jesus is the only way. Why he is the only one able to save. Why it is logical to trust in Jesus. That only comes by an effort to search the scriptures, to know what is going on in the world today, to know what other people believe. Many people don’t take the time to learn theology because they think they can just send them to the preacher. It’s our goal as a church to help equip you to share your faith. So, you can answer statements like, “The Bible is full of divinely approved violence to children” and many other statements that Biblical opponents throw at us who love the Bible.
Transition: Let’s look at verse 15.
Paul uses an interesting Old Testament quotation in verse 15: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.” This verse was first used in Isaiah. It is also used in Nahum. It’s important to understand that in Biblical times they didn’t have email or fax machines or phones. So in order for a person or king to relay a message to his hearers they sent messengers, often time they would travel by foot. Many times these messengers would travel miles to get the message to his hearer. Now, the message the messenger was bringing could be either positive or good. For instance, in Job it was a messenger that brought word to Job that his family was killed. So, can you imagine what people and communities would be thinking when word got out a messenger was bringing word to them? Their hearts would pound not knowing if the news was going to be tragic or good.
When the news was good of course the messenger was the most popular person around. I mean I would probably not like this job. People would either love you or hate you! So people would say the messenger’s feet were beautiful. Now the word beautiful does not mean in appearance—thank goodness. It means “in time” or “timely”. It was as if the people were saying, “just when I needed to hear something good.”
There are people all around us in desperate need of some good news. They are going through a trying time. They don’t need to hear “suck it up” or “hang in there” or “our church has great music”, they need to hear Jesus loves and cares for you. Did you know that most people come to Christ (or are more eager to receive the gospel) during turning points or transitions in their lives? Either a move, a death in the family, a divorce, and birth of a child. When things are going really great for an unbeliever it’s harder for them to be open to their need. But boy when the rug is ripped out from under them they become open.
So, you can see Paul’s imagery here. Someone going through a tough time in need of some good news: The reply is “how timely was this in getting to me!”
CONCLUSION: When is the last time someone said to you, “how beautiful are your feet”? What are you doing to bring the good news to the people around you in your daily life? Are you willing to be as prepared as possible to be an effective witness?
There was a peculiar fisherman from Minnesota who was very well prepared. He knew how to fish. He had everything you need to be a good fisherman. He had poles, nets, bait, and even a really nice boat, but this fisherman had a problem. You see, for all his preparation he never caught anything. Not one fish. Not one, not ever. And you know why he never caught a fish? What do you think? The answers easy: He never went fishing. He had all the knowledge and all the equipment, but he never got into the boat, he never left the dock..
Paul Little in his book "How to Give Away Your Faith" defines witnessing: "Witnessing is that deep-seated conviction that the greatest favor I can do for others is to introduce them to Jesus Christ."
This truth must hit every single devoted follower of Christ. This truth must hit our Life Groups, our youth group, our children’s ministry, our softball team…this truth must permeate our church. Oh God, give us a fire in our hearts to bring the good news!
