Verse of the Day 3/5

Verse of the Day 3/5  

Romans 10:15  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!" 

English Standard Version (ESV)

My wife Jean and I rented a movie last night, "Darkest Hour" which was about Winston Churchill during the early stages of World War II.  In a crucial moment, before a speech that he would give to Parliament, he took a train ride where he heard the voice of the people.  He went on to deliver a message that changed the course of the war and history.  There were plenty of other opinions around but when dealing with the enemy at hand, peace as written on a piece of paper was not the answer.  His message was to the people who in turn swayed Churchill's opposition in Parliament.

In my devotions today I just happened to read a quote from J. Gresham Machen, a theologian from that time which reminded me of this key point in the movie.  He writes, "We could not hope to be listened to if we had merely our own thoughts; there are so many others in the world wiser and more learned than we.  But in a time of peril in a beleaguered city the humblest of day-laborers is more worth listening to than the greatest of orators, if he has news."  (From: "God Transcendent")

Jesus brought a message of love, hope, and forgiveness to the people.  He didn't channel it through the pharisees and religious leaders of the day.  The good new was spread by a bunch of "untrained, ordinary men" (Acts 4:13) who had been with Jesus.

John Piper writes, "What we need to do often is ponder the "news-ness" of Christianity.  It is news, not just ideas or arguments.  It is those too.  But first and powerfully and joyfully, it is news.  "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all people."  (Luke 2:10).  Instead of getting into arguments, we are to spread the good "news-ness" of Christianity of what God has done for us.  We are being sent to bear this good news.

1

Stop; and let me tell you

 

What the Lord has done for me.

 

Stop; and let me tell you

 

What the Lord has done for me.

 

He forgave my sin

 

And He saved my soul,

 

He cleansed my heart

 

And He made me whole.

 

Stop; and let me tell you

 

What the Lord has done for me.

2

Go and tell the story

 

Of the Christ of Calvary,

 

Go and tell the story

 

Of the Christ of Calvary:

 

He'll forgive their sins,

 

He will save their souls,

 

He'll cleanse their hearts,

 

He will make them whole.

 

Go and tell the story

 

Of the Christ of Calvary.

In Christ,

Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV    

Romans 10:15-17 The Message (MSG)

^14-17 But how can people call for help if they don't know who to trust? And how can they know who to trust if they haven't heard of the One who can be trusted? And how can they hear if nobody tells them? And how is anyone going to tell them, unless someone is sent to do it? That's why Scripture exclaims,

A sight to take your breath away!
Grand processions of people
    telling all the good things of God!

But not everybody is ready for this, ready to see and hear and act. Isaiah asked what we all ask at one time or another: "Does anyone care, God? Is anyone listening and believing a word of it?" The point is: Before you trust, you have to listen. But unless Christ's Word is preached, there's nothing to listen to.