Our Joyful Duty that Balances our Personal Agony.

Grasping the meaning and context of Romans 10:14-17 will ensure a church's existence for years to come and a spiritual progeny until Jesus returns. The incorrect preaching of this passage will bring decline and demise to a church.

Religious people's typical response to the Gospel is to hold on to their own efforts of good works. Irreligious people are often more ready to respond to Christ. Christians have the responsibility to share the Gospel with everyone.

Lost people need to comprehend the Gospel.

The word "hearing" in Romans 10:14 implies understanding. Faith depends on knowledge.

Lost people will be gripped and convicted by the Gospel.

A clear, gracious explanation of the Gospel always evokes an emotional response. This may range from anger and offense to amazement. The word "call" in verse 14 is an emotive word. A sinner calls to God out of desperation.

Lost people need to submit their wills to the Gospel.

The last necessary step is to "believe." Faith requires surrender. To submit means to place yourself under a singular authority. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 tells us that people will not like to hear this.

Every Christian has a part in proclaiming the Gospel to lost people.

Faith requires each Christian to be an ambassador of the Gospel. "They" in verse 15 refers to every saved person. All Christians need to proclaim the Good News, not just trained professionals. The word translated "preacher" is the Greek word kerusso, which was used for philosophers, politicians, and anyone giving a message publicly and with conviction.

Every speaker wants a platform to gain followers. Christians are unique because they are sent by another. They want their hearers to follow Christ.

Church planting is a secondary application of this passage. Many churches teach the wrong emphasis. The first application is proclaiming the Gospel to our individual friends and family. All of us have "beautiful feet" – not just missionaries!

The Gospel obligation is too much for just professionals to accomplish. We are all preachers. Our glory is to obey; God's glory is to save.

Application Points

• Have you comprehended, been convicted, and submitted to the Gospel? Can you remember a crisis moment when you called out to God to save you?
• Every Christian is responsible to proclaim the Gospel. Pray for deepening compassion for lost people you know. Seek to win one person to Christ.

Tools for Further Study

Cross References to Explore

• Ephesians 6:15 – All believers should be ready to share the Gospel.
• Isaiah 53:1, Isaiah 52:7, Nahum 1:15 – Old Testament quotes.

A Hymn to Encourage: "For the Sake of His Name"

Go to the world for the sake of His name;
To every nation His glory proclaim.
Pray that the Spirit wise
Will open darkened eyes,
Granting new life to display Jesus’ fame.

In Jesus’ power, preach Christ to the lost;
For Jesus’ glory, count all else but loss.
Gather from every place
Trophies of sov’reign grace.
Lest life be wasted, exalt Jesus’ cross.

Love the unloved for the sake of His name;
Like Christ, befriend those whose heads hang in shame.
Jesus did not condemn,
But was condemned for them.
Trust gospel pow’r, for we once were the same.

Rescue the lost for the sake of His name;
As Christ commands, snatch them out of the flame.
Tell that when Jesus died
God’s wrath was satisfied.
Urge them to flee to the Lamb who was slain.

Look to the Throne for the sake of His name;
Think of the throng who will share in His reign.
Some for whose souls we pray
Will share our joy that day,
Joining our song for the sake of His name!