"God calls the preacher so the lost can call on God." A one-liner spoken by Pastor Josh right in the middle of the sermon. It just pretty much summed up the sermon. But, first, let's digress. This was not the usual four or five verses for reference and then the message. The pastor blessed us with opening verses from Isaiah 53 and then, and then he covered chapter ten of Romans.
This was to be an important message. "Who has believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed" (Isaiah 53:1) This is the question down through the centuries. Isaiah, the prophet spoke it over seven hundred years before the appearance of Jesus on the world stage. Paul, an apostle, takes it further and adds, "How then shall they call on him in whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?" (Romans 10:14)
In Isaiah, the prophet is testifying to the coming savior of the world. Yes, centuries before Jesus ever appeared on this earth, the message that he was coming was carried to any who would listen. When Jesus did come, the Jews rejected him. Then, after his death and resurrection, Christ turned to the gentiles.
Paul enters the scene and becomes the apostle to the gentiles. Like Pastor Josh said, "Thank God, the gentiles believed." Still there are many who have not believed the report. Buildings are filled for all kinds of events and occasions. And, yet, the churches around the country have plenty of room for those who need to come and listen to God's chosen proclaim the message of salvation.
Isaiah spoke, Paul spoke, and many, many more down though the centuries have spoken. Still, God calls those to be preachers to tell the world about salvation. He hasn't given up on the human race. Go to the church just around the corner. Attend it. And listen for God calling all who will listen. Called preachers calling the lost to call on God to receive the message of salvation.
This was to be an important message. "Who has believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed" (Isaiah 53:1) This is the question down through the centuries. Isaiah, the prophet spoke it over seven hundred years before the appearance of Jesus on the world stage. Paul, an apostle, takes it further and adds, "How then shall they call on him in whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?" (Romans 10:14)
In Isaiah, the prophet is testifying to the coming savior of the world. Yes, centuries before Jesus ever appeared on this earth, the message that he was coming was carried to any who would listen. When Jesus did come, the Jews rejected him. Then, after his death and resurrection, Christ turned to the gentiles.
Paul enters the scene and becomes the apostle to the gentiles. Like Pastor Josh said, "Thank God, the gentiles believed." Still there are many who have not believed the report. Buildings are filled for all kinds of events and occasions. And, yet, the churches around the country have plenty of room for those who need to come and listen to God's chosen proclaim the message of salvation.
Isaiah spoke, Paul spoke, and many, many more down though the centuries have spoken. Still, God calls those to be preachers to tell the world about salvation. He hasn't given up on the human race. Go to the church just around the corner. Attend it. And listen for God calling all who will listen. Called preachers calling the lost to call on God to receive the message of salvation.
