I. God’s Reaches Out To Man Vs. 14, 15
A. God Speaks In Many Ways
1. Through Nature
Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse… (those who deny God’s existence are without excuse)
2. Through Dreams And Visions
a. Acts 16:9, 10 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.
b. Many reports of Jesus appearing to people in Islamic nations where the Bible is outlawed. http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/insideisrael/2012/june/dreams-visions-moving-muslims-to-christ/
3. Through Personal Appearances
Acts 9:3-5 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” 5And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” (The resurrected Jesus)
4. Through The Testimony Of Others
John 4:39-41 And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all that I ever did.” 40So when the Samaritans had come to Him, they urged Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. 41And many more believed because of His own word.
B. The Preaching Of The Word Vs. 14, 15
1. This verse flows from Paul’s previous line of thought. (Vs. 1-13)
2. Paul made a bold statement about the “richness” of God towards all people regarding salvation. God sends people to carry forth His message.
3. Reversing the verses gives us the proper sequence.
a. God Himself sends messengers who speak the Gospel.
i. Luke 10:2 The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.
ii. Stedman- The great initiative in the process of redeeming men and women, healing them and restoring them, healing the fragmentation of their lives, is the great heart of God that sends men out. He calls out men and women and sends them into the far reaches of the earth.
b. The messengers speak forth the message.
c. People hear and understand. The Gospel ought to touch the intellect.
d. Hearers believe. “believe”- to think to be true.
e. Believers call out to Jesus. “call”- to appeal to one on your own behalf
f. Callers are saved.
2. People are sent by Jesus to share the message.
Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
a. Preach- to proclaim the gospel
1 Corinthians 1:21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe…
b. How beautiful, gospel of peace, glad tidings, good things. (Isaiah 52:7)
II. God’s Efforts Towards Mankind
A. Hearing And Understanding Not Enough Vs. 16, 17
1. God is faithful to reveal Himself to mankind. He makes Himself heard.
2. Hearing the Gospel is not the same as believing the Gospel.
3. Paul quoted Isaiah 53:1, which followed God promise of deliverance and a Messiah in Isaiah 52. This was a promise to deliver from captivity.
4. They heard the words of Isaiah, Jesus, Paul…but would not believe.
5. Many hear the Gospel, and know they are in trouble, but they will not believe.
6. Hearing the Word of God must lead to faith in Jesus.
B. God Has Revealed Himself V. 18
1. Psalm 19:1-4 The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. 2 Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge.3 There is no speech nor language Where their voice is not heard. 4 Their line has gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. (Romans 1:18-20)
2. The path to salvation has been established in creation.
3. God has revealed Himself through creation.
4. Men are accountable to that revelation.
5. Mankind can receive the revelation of God found in nature, and use that as a starting point to pursue a relationship with God.
a. Hebrews 11:6 NLT And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.
b. People everywhere are responsible to seek the God revealed in nature.
6. Honest people cannot claim ignorance regarding God. Creation reveals Him.
C. Godly Jealousy Vs. 19, 20
1. Paul explains about how God revealed Himself to the Gentiles who were not looking for Him. They refused the testimony of God as found in creation, but God graciously gave them even more testimony of Himself.
a. The missionary work of Paul to the Gentiles exemplifies this. They were not looking for God, but God was looking for them.
b. The Jews looked upon the saved Gentiles, and saw God’s blessings upon them, and were provoked to jealousy.
2. The Parable of the Two Sons- turn to Matthew 21:28-32
2. God blesses people that don’t start out seeking Him. He reveals Himself, and they respond, and He blesses them, and seeks to make the unsaved jealous.
3. God sought to bless the Gentiles, allowing the Jews to see His hand of blessings upon them, in order to provoke them to faith.
D. God Is Longsuffering (4000 years from Abraham until now) V. 21
1. God revealed Himself to Israel, a disobedient people…through nature, the miracles of Egypt, the law and prophets, giving them the Promised Land, etc.