This week, Pastor Chris continued in our Romans series about sharing the gospel so that many can be saved, and so we can live a vibrant life in Christ. Just as our physical muscles atrophy from lack of use, our spiritual muscles also lose health and vitality when they are not regularly exercised. Evangelism and sharing our testimony help build those spiritual muscles, and the Lord uses it to bring hope to a lost world.
1. Desire Leads to Prayer
Romans 10:1 (ESV)
Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved.
Care >> Prayer >> Share
Matthew 9:36 (ESV)
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Matthew 9:37–38 (ESV)
Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
Romans 10:2–4 (ESV)
For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
2. Hearing, Belief, and Confession
Romans 10:5-7 (ESV)
For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ down) “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).
Romans 10:8-9 (ESV)
But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
James 2:19 (ESV)
You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!
Confession is the deep personal conviction, without reservation, that Jesus is your own master or sovereign.
Revelation 12:11 (ESV)
And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.
Matthew 10:32–33 (ESV)
So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 24:13 (ESV)
But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
Confession and Belief Include…
• Repenting from sin
• Trusting in Jesus for salvation
• Submitting to Him as Lord
Romans 10:10-13 (ESV)
For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Leading People to Jesus ~ The Romans Road
1. Why do we need to be saved?
Romans 3:23
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
2. How are we saved?
Romans 5:8
But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 10:9
…if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heat that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
3. Share the Gospel
Romans 10:14-17 (ESV)
How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
“We are to seek our neighbor’s conversion because we love him. We are to speak to him in loving terms and share God’s loving gospel, because our heart desires his eternal good” —Charles Spurgeon
Every Christian is either a missionary or an imposter. – Charles Spurgeon
Romans 10:21 (ESV)
But of Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”
Discussion Questions:
- Caring leads to prayer which leads to sharing our faith. Have you ever experienced this in your own life? Share with your group.
- How does Romans 10 shape your understanding of God’s desire for all to be saved?
- When was the last time you deeply desired for someone to know the Lord? Are you regularly burdened for others to know God, why or why not?
- Encourage your group by sharing your testimony (in 3-5 minutes)! What was your life like before Jesus, how did you come to know Jesus, and how did your life change after being saved?
Application Questions:
- This week, sit with the Lord and reflect on your personal testimony. Spend time in thanksgiving as you remember who you were before Christ, how God saved you and how your life is different now.
- When our hearts are caught by the love of Christ, we tend to share our faith more often. Sit with the Lord this week and allow your heart to be caught up again in the love of Jesus!
- God is either Lord of all or not at all. Ask the Lord to show you if there are areas of your life where He is not truly Lord.
Join us for an in-person service at City Central Church in Tacoma, WA
Sundays at 9am + 11am