A Declared Message
Romans 10:8-17
Joe Byler
Part of Short North Sermon Notes
January 19, 2020

1.) The Message

[9] because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. [10] For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
—Romans 10:9-10

[12] For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. [13] For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
—Romans 10:12-13

2.) Called To Declare

[14] How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? [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!” [16] But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” [17] So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. —Romans 10:14-17

3.) Taking Action

1.) Pray And Be Bold!

2.) You don’t have to say everything every time.

3.) 4 Points of Intersection: The Gospel Story

(From “Everyday Church” - Steve Timmis and Tim Chester)

The Core Of Our Stories:

  • Creation: My identity - who I am, who I was meant to be.
  • Fall: My problem - what is wrong with me and what is wrong with the world around me.
  • Redemption: My Solution - what needs to happen for things to be right, for me to be happy and fulfilled
  • Restoration: My Hope - what state of affairs I’m looking to give me lasting meaning and satisfaction.

The Gospel Story From Scripture:

  • Creation: We are made in God’s image to reflect his glory; to love God, and to love others.
  • Fall: We have rebelled against God’s rule - and our self-rule leads to conflict, slavery to sin, and judgment.
  • Redemption: God restores his rule by sending his Son, Jesus, and graciously reconciles us to himself by paying the price of our judgment on the cross.
  • Restoration: God will recreate and restore this broken world and all who believe in Jesus one day soon when Jesus returns.

My Version Of The Gospel:

  • Creation: My identity - I was created to be a god, it’s all about me. I should be in control. I should be happy. I should be comfortable. I should have all my desires met because I am most significant.
  • Fall: My problem - Other people prevent me from being sovereign and getting what I want and need. I’m not happy because others have taken away from me what I need.
  • Redemption: My Solution - This “thing” will make my life better. If “this” happens, then I’ll be satisfied. If only “this” were not part of my life, then I’d be ok.
  • Restoration: My Hope - My hope is in “this”. If my dream about “this” comes to fruition, then I’m complete.

Helpful Questions To Consider:

Creation:

  • what do they assume the world should be like?
  • What kind of a person would they like to be?
  • Who are their heroes?
  • What would have to be in place for them to feel happy?

Fall:

  • How do they describe their struggles and battles?
  • What do they feel is their most pressing problem?
  • What do they feel they lack?
  • Who or what do they think is responsible?

Redemption:

  • What do they think will make life better?
  • What provides a sense of escape or release?
  • Who or what will deliver their hopes?
  • What are their functional saviors?

Restoration:

  • What are their hopes?
  • What is the long term-project to which they are working?
  • What are the dreams for which they make sacrifices?
  • Have they given up so that their hope has shrunk simply to getting through the day?

  • Evangelism- sharing the gospel with non-believers so they grow closer to Jesus and put their faith in him
  • Discipleship - sharing the gospel with other believers so they grow closer to Jesus
  • Repentance - sharing the gospel with ourselves so I grow closer to Jesus

5.) 4 Liberating Truths:

  • God is great, so we don’t have to be in control - God is in control and cares for us
  • God is love, so we don’t have to fear others - God’s love for us is sufficient!
  • God is good, so we don’t have to look elsewhere for true joy - God is the source of true joy
  • God is gracious, so we don’t have to prove ourselves - Through faith in Jesus and his finished work, we are forgiven and justified.