Last week two words were used to describe salvation: salvation is simple and available. Today, the emphasis is on AVAILABLE. God has made salvation AVAILABLE to all. Available. Back in 1995-96, when my father was dying of leukemia, a number of people in the community said if you need help with your children, I am available. One of the those very kind folks was Don and Shirley Nielsen. To be available. Several times we called on them because things came up. Available. What a great word. If you are looking at an old model car, you need to know if parts are available. Dating sights are full of people saying, “I am available.” Rooms at hotels, seats on a plane, tickets to the big game, a seat in the restaurant… In the world of opportunity, we set the course of our lives according to what is available. This week I spent a day with Andy A. working on a project. For 10-12 years he moved furniture, and in that time took on as many jobs as possible in order to get enough work, “I am available.” He told me about the hazards of moving furniture. One time he was going about his business; an elderly gentleman with memory issues accused him of stealing the furniture, “what are you doing young whippersnapper, taking my furniture?” and before Andy could say much of anything, the not so gentle man smacked him in the jaw! Being available may come with a price, but Andy’s philosophy, if you are going to find work, you have to make yourself available…
The good news: God’s gift of salvation is available to anyone, anytime, anyplace. Our privilege as believers is to let people know Jesus Christ is available. Each person must decide if they are going to accept or reject Christ, but he is AVAILABLE to all.
God is calling his people home. Home: a place of belonging. Duane and Nina are forever offering their home to young women from the Philippines and other countries who come to the U.S., their world falls apart, and they have few resources. A home, a safe place, a place of love and affirmation, a place to give the young women time. A home with God, a loving place, a refuge, a place of belonging… It’s time to come home to God: He is AVAILABLE.
Why do Christians share the gospel message of salvation with others? Many people consider it rude and intolerant to suggest there is only one way to heaven. Many well meaning folks wonder if it is their right to think the neighbor needs Jesus, after all, Christianity might be good for me but I have no right to impose the Lord on you. Why do we do what we do? Why do we care about people who don’t know Jesus? Six answers to that question from Romans 10:14-21. In this passage Paul explains the universal offer of the gospel in light of Israel’s unbelief. We see God’s concern for the nations, his desire to save all who believe, his desire to see the Good News go to every nation, and his patient grief and persistent love for those who reject his offer of salvation.
Why do we care about those who have not yet accepted Jesus as Lord? 6 reasons:
1. Because God made Salvation Universally Available (READ Rom. 10:12-13). Anyone, anytime, anyplace. We distinguish each other by category ~ race, sex, economic level, smartness… in our world, prejudices and inequities arise from value judgments we place on different categories. God is not prejudiced. He has no favorites. And neither should we! “For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile. The same Lord is Lord of all, and richly blesses all who call on him. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved”. No limitations and no exceptions. It doesn’t say, “White, middle-class Americans may call upon the name of the Lord and be saved.” It doesn’t say, “People in Sumas may call upon the name of the Lord and be saved.” In my sinful nature I may favor those who graduated from N.V. and UW, but God draws no such distinction. The Bible does not say, “People raised in Christian homes may call upon the name of the Lord and be saved.” When Paul says “everyone,” he means all without exception. Anyone, anywhere can be saved any time. God’s love for all people means we, too, must cast a wide net….
Why do we care about those who have not yet accepted Jesus as Lord?
2. Because God has commissioned us to share the good news of salvation. People need to hear the message that God loves them and sent Jesus to die for them. I am amazed God wants us to help spread the word salvation is available. God could be far more efficient in getting the world out that he is available, but he chose us, mere humans, as a mouthpiece. READ Rom. 10:14. The people of the world need to hear. They need to know God is available. And God uses us in his great task of getting out the word. That’s why we send missionaries out. That’s why we pray for our neighbors and the people in our community for an opportunity to tell them about God.
READ Rom. 10:14. The goal is for people to call on the Lord. But they can’t call on him unless they believe. And they can’t believe unless they hear. That’s our part. God invites us to let people know God is AVAILABLE. Our part is to speak the message with words and by living our faith. What happens after is between them and God… they hear from us, the transformation of the heart and trusting God is between them and God.
The word preaching might throw you. Don’t limit the word “preaching” to Sunday morning. Preaching the gospel is broad. It is sharing Jesus with the people you meet during the week. It is what you do over a cup of coffee when you share Christ with a friend. It’s what you do when you talk to somebody on the phone or write an e-mail to a loved one and share the gospel…99% of the time, your task is to describe what God is doing in your life, how he helps overcome, answers prayer, whatever it is that is going on, your story…. Be ready to describe to others what Christ means to you…
Why do we care about those who have not yet accepted Jesus as Lord?
3. Because God says you are a beautiful person and he wants to share your beauty with others who do not yet know him (READ Rom. 10:15). Amazing isn’t it. The messenger is part of the message. the actual quote in Rom. 10:15 is about beautiful feet ~ anyone think their feet are pretty?
The quotation is from a the O.T., Is. 52:7. The prophet Isaiah is speaking of a coming day of peace. He is speaking to a generation that only knows “wars and rumors of wars.” We are still at war. Literally and personally: chaos, destruction, uncertainty. In ancient times news traveled by means of messengers who ran from one place to another. When an army marched off to war, no one knew for months how the battle was going until a messenger came. When president Kennedy was shot, I once read 90% of the country knew within ten minutes. Today it would be faster. In days of old, information depended on the messenger. The watchman on the wall sees the runner. As the messenger approaches the city, there is anxiety: is it bad news of war going badly, or good news of success? How happy when the messenger came running down the mountainside with good news. The news of God’s salvation is always good. That doesn’t mean the news will be accepted, but the news is good. We care because God has given us a beautiful message to make available to all.
Why do we care about those who have not yet accepted Jesus as Lord?
#4 contains a reason and a warning… Because sharing the message of salvation is challenging … (READ Rom. 10:16-17). God invites us to share in making the message of salvation available to others, but there is no guarantee how people will respond. Many reject, or at least reject right now…. “not all the Israelites accepted…” The most meaningful tasks in this life are when I am challenged… climbing mount baker, speaking, praying, Nobody likes rejection/losing… but it is part of the deal in serving God. You share the gospel, you make yourself available ~ all you are doing is innocently helping a person get their furniture moved, “What are you doing you young whippersnapper, stealing my furniture…. [pow]” You want others to know about Christ, to make him available, and you are socked in the chops, ignored, ridiculed. For some the good news is heard with disdain. God has given us a challenging task because of the threat of rejection.
Why do we care about those who have not yet accepted Jesus as Lord?
5. Because it’s an opportunity to enter God’s Kingdom work. READ Rom. 10:18-20. We care about those who have not yet accepted Christ as Lord because God cares. We often use the phrase God’s will, as in what does God want for us and his world. Many years ago I read a devotional that has stuck with me, describing God’s will more as God’s passion, what does God deeply care about. I almost always mentally think “passion” when I read about God’s will. God is passionate about people. We care about others because God cares. My favorite pro-basketball team is the Boston Celtics. Why? Because my father went to high school in Boston and he cared about the Celtics. I care because my father cared. How much more what God care about… God cares about people. God loves people. God is passionate about people. I see people with scars, emotional wounds, broken, and I know that God loves them so deeply that he sent Jesus Christ, his one and only son, to die for them. We care because God cares….
God Always Intended the Gospel to Go to the Ends of the Earth. This is what these few verses are about. Never was the invitation of salvation meant to be for Israel alone. God cares about the whole sweep of humankind, not a select few.
I love the little phrase, “Did they not hear? Of course they did” (Rom. 10:18). Let’s not be too hard on ourselves. I don’t want to be one of these preachers that is constantly telling you we need to do more, more giving, more service, more witnessing. I believe more testifying goes on that we imagine… love people because God loves them. Care about people because God cares. Out of a heart of love will flow the message of salvation as you urge people through your words and example that it’s time to come home to God.
Why do we care about those who have not yet accepted Jesus as Lord?
6. Because God doesn’t give up on people so neither should we. READ Rom. 10:21. God still Loves the World in Spite of Its Sin. “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.” Most of us would say, “Lord, you should have given up a long time ago.” And God says, “Even though people turn away from me, my hands are still stretched out to them.” Even though people don’t listen and are stubborn.
One person (John Stott) in speaking of Rom. 10:21, describes the “patient grief” of God. He stretches out his arms and invites his people to return to him, but they continue to reject him. Our calling is to never give up. I do not know why more people do not accept Christ, why more hearts are not softened, more people don’t embrace the loving arms of God… Like God, our calling is to continuously keep our hands open to those who reject the message, even those close to us, our families, our friends, the people around us, and with “patient grief” we wait and pray and hope and keep on reminding them God is available.
Why do we care? Because salvation is for all people, God wants to use us to share the message of salvation, the message is beautiful, the message is challenging, it’s an opportunity to share in God’s Kingdom work, and we should never give up on the people we love. What a great privilege and honor to let people know God’s salvation is available to them and they can change their life as they invite Christ into their heart.
God is calling his people home. Home: a place of belonging. Duane and Nina are forever offering their home to young women from the Philippines and other countries who come to the U.S., their world falls apart, and they have few resources. A home, a safe place, a place of love and affirmation, a place to give the young women time. A home with God, a loving place, a refuge, a place of belonging… It’s time to come home to God: He is AVAILABLE.
Why do Christians share the gospel message of salvation with others? Many people consider it rude and intolerant to suggest there is only one way to heaven. Many well meaning folks wonder if it is their right to think the neighbor needs Jesus, after all, Christianity might be good for me but I have no right to impose the Lord on you. Why do we do what we do? Why do we care about people who don’t know Jesus? Six answers to that question from Romans 10:14-21. In this passage Paul explains the universal offer of the gospel in light of Israel’s unbelief. We see God’s concern for the nations, his desire to save all who believe, his desire to see the Good News go to every nation, and his patient grief and persistent love for those who reject his offer of salvation.
Why do we care about those who have not yet accepted Jesus as Lord? 6 reasons:
1. Because God made Salvation Universally Available (READ Rom. 10:12-13). Anyone, anytime, anyplace. We distinguish each other by category ~ race, sex, economic level, smartness… in our world, prejudices and inequities arise from value judgments we place on different categories. God is not prejudiced. He has no favorites. And neither should we! “For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile. The same Lord is Lord of all, and richly blesses all who call on him. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved”. No limitations and no exceptions. It doesn’t say, “White, middle-class Americans may call upon the name of the Lord and be saved.” It doesn’t say, “People in Sumas may call upon the name of the Lord and be saved.” In my sinful nature I may favor those who graduated from N.V. and UW, but God draws no such distinction. The Bible does not say, “People raised in Christian homes may call upon the name of the Lord and be saved.” When Paul says “everyone,” he means all without exception. Anyone, anywhere can be saved any time. God’s love for all people means we, too, must cast a wide net….
Why do we care about those who have not yet accepted Jesus as Lord?
2. Because God has commissioned us to share the good news of salvation. People need to hear the message that God loves them and sent Jesus to die for them. I am amazed God wants us to help spread the word salvation is available. God could be far more efficient in getting the world out that he is available, but he chose us, mere humans, as a mouthpiece. READ Rom. 10:14. The people of the world need to hear. They need to know God is available. And God uses us in his great task of getting out the word. That’s why we send missionaries out. That’s why we pray for our neighbors and the people in our community for an opportunity to tell them about God.
READ Rom. 10:14. The goal is for people to call on the Lord. But they can’t call on him unless they believe. And they can’t believe unless they hear. That’s our part. God invites us to let people know God is AVAILABLE. Our part is to speak the message with words and by living our faith. What happens after is between them and God… they hear from us, the transformation of the heart and trusting God is between them and God.
The word preaching might throw you. Don’t limit the word “preaching” to Sunday morning. Preaching the gospel is broad. It is sharing Jesus with the people you meet during the week. It is what you do over a cup of coffee when you share Christ with a friend. It’s what you do when you talk to somebody on the phone or write an e-mail to a loved one and share the gospel…99% of the time, your task is to describe what God is doing in your life, how he helps overcome, answers prayer, whatever it is that is going on, your story…. Be ready to describe to others what Christ means to you…
Why do we care about those who have not yet accepted Jesus as Lord?
3. Because God says you are a beautiful person and he wants to share your beauty with others who do not yet know him (READ Rom. 10:15). Amazing isn’t it. The messenger is part of the message. the actual quote in Rom. 10:15 is about beautiful feet ~ anyone think their feet are pretty?
The quotation is from a the O.T., Is. 52:7. The prophet Isaiah is speaking of a coming day of peace. He is speaking to a generation that only knows “wars and rumors of wars.” We are still at war. Literally and personally: chaos, destruction, uncertainty. In ancient times news traveled by means of messengers who ran from one place to another. When an army marched off to war, no one knew for months how the battle was going until a messenger came. When president Kennedy was shot, I once read 90% of the country knew within ten minutes. Today it would be faster. In days of old, information depended on the messenger. The watchman on the wall sees the runner. As the messenger approaches the city, there is anxiety: is it bad news of war going badly, or good news of success? How happy when the messenger came running down the mountainside with good news. The news of God’s salvation is always good. That doesn’t mean the news will be accepted, but the news is good. We care because God has given us a beautiful message to make available to all.
Why do we care about those who have not yet accepted Jesus as Lord?
#4 contains a reason and a warning… Because sharing the message of salvation is challenging … (READ Rom. 10:16-17). God invites us to share in making the message of salvation available to others, but there is no guarantee how people will respond. Many reject, or at least reject right now…. “not all the Israelites accepted…” The most meaningful tasks in this life are when I am challenged… climbing mount baker, speaking, praying, Nobody likes rejection/losing… but it is part of the deal in serving God. You share the gospel, you make yourself available ~ all you are doing is innocently helping a person get their furniture moved, “What are you doing you young whippersnapper, stealing my furniture…. [pow]” You want others to know about Christ, to make him available, and you are socked in the chops, ignored, ridiculed. For some the good news is heard with disdain. God has given us a challenging task because of the threat of rejection.
Why do we care about those who have not yet accepted Jesus as Lord?
5. Because it’s an opportunity to enter God’s Kingdom work. READ Rom. 10:18-20. We care about those who have not yet accepted Christ as Lord because God cares. We often use the phrase God’s will, as in what does God want for us and his world. Many years ago I read a devotional that has stuck with me, describing God’s will more as God’s passion, what does God deeply care about. I almost always mentally think “passion” when I read about God’s will. God is passionate about people. We care about others because God cares. My favorite pro-basketball team is the Boston Celtics. Why? Because my father went to high school in Boston and he cared about the Celtics. I care because my father cared. How much more what God care about… God cares about people. God loves people. God is passionate about people. I see people with scars, emotional wounds, broken, and I know that God loves them so deeply that he sent Jesus Christ, his one and only son, to die for them. We care because God cares….
God Always Intended the Gospel to Go to the Ends of the Earth. This is what these few verses are about. Never was the invitation of salvation meant to be for Israel alone. God cares about the whole sweep of humankind, not a select few.
I love the little phrase, “Did they not hear? Of course they did” (Rom. 10:18). Let’s not be too hard on ourselves. I don’t want to be one of these preachers that is constantly telling you we need to do more, more giving, more service, more witnessing. I believe more testifying goes on that we imagine… love people because God loves them. Care about people because God cares. Out of a heart of love will flow the message of salvation as you urge people through your words and example that it’s time to come home to God.
Why do we care about those who have not yet accepted Jesus as Lord?
6. Because God doesn’t give up on people so neither should we. READ Rom. 10:21. God still Loves the World in Spite of Its Sin. “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.” Most of us would say, “Lord, you should have given up a long time ago.” And God says, “Even though people turn away from me, my hands are still stretched out to them.” Even though people don’t listen and are stubborn.
One person (John Stott) in speaking of Rom. 10:21, describes the “patient grief” of God. He stretches out his arms and invites his people to return to him, but they continue to reject him. Our calling is to never give up. I do not know why more people do not accept Christ, why more hearts are not softened, more people don’t embrace the loving arms of God… Like God, our calling is to continuously keep our hands open to those who reject the message, even those close to us, our families, our friends, the people around us, and with “patient grief” we wait and pray and hope and keep on reminding them God is available.
Why do we care? Because salvation is for all people, God wants to use us to share the message of salvation, the message is beautiful, the message is challenging, it’s an opportunity to share in God’s Kingdom work, and we should never give up on the people we love. What a great privilege and honor to let people know God’s salvation is available to them and they can change their life as they invite Christ into their heart.
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