Faith comes from hearing

https://odb.org/MY/2023/06/22/faith-comes-from-hearing

Paul, in stating that the Jews were not saved because of their unbelief, puts forth an interesting point that faith comes from hearing the message of the Gospel. If we believe in our hearts that Jesus is Lord and we confess with our mouth that God had raised Him from the dead, then we will be saved. For it is in your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved (Romans 10: 9-10). In verse 17, Paul expounded that faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.

It is thus essential that the message on Christ is shared as faith comes from hearing the message. I have always believed that our job is to share the Gospel, and it is the Holy Spirit who convicts. While that is still true, we need to be aware that faith comes from hearing the message. It is by our sharing and confession that others may likewise believe in their hearts that Jesus is Lord and confess with their mouths that He was raised from the dead. He died for our sins, and thus, we are redeemed by His blood on the cross of Calvary. In other words, there is power in the message being shared or preached. We are not merely sharing. There is power in our sharing as it could bring forth faith in our hearers to believe in Christ.

If we preach from the pulpit, know that there is power in the Word that is shared. It is essential that Scripture is read and expounded in our preaching so that we don’t end up only speaking about things in general. A sermon is not a general discourse of current affairs. It is not about how to be a better person or how to approach life. A sermon is always about the Word and the power of the resurrected Christ in our lives. We have to preach on and about Scripture. Because faith comes from hearing the message!

Be confident when we share Christ with others. As much as it is ultimately the Holy Spirit who convicts and we are mere vessels for God to move in someone’s heart, know and remember that there is power in the word that we speak, there is power in the message. Faith comes from hearing the message as it is spoken.