CONVERSATIONAL TURNING POINT
Wednesday, August 21, 2019
Romans [ESV] 1:1-6; 10:8-14 Rom 1:1 Paul, a servant of
Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which
he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning
his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared
to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his
resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have
received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake
of his name among all the nations, including you who are called to belong to
Jesus Christ … But what does [God’s Word] say? "The word is near you, in
your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith that we
proclaim); 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. For
with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses
and is saved. For the Scripture says, "Everyone who believes in him will
not be put to shame." 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. For
"everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." 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?
Conversations
have turning points.
Imagine knowing a
famous person, an entertainer, athlete, wealthy and influential . . . or
possibly just another man, woman, or child that we greatly love and esteem.
In conversation
we’re asked “Hey, don’t you know __________?” The conversation turns as we, as
is normal, tell about that person, even enthusiastically doing so.
In conversation
religion comes up . . . presenting Christian the opportunity or invitation to
tell about Jesus, He whom Christian says and sings we greatly love and esteem.
How then does the
conversation then turn on Christian’s part?
Christian going
mute?
Christian
compromising by sticking to socially acceptable generic “god” or safer “churchy”
discussion?
Romans 10:8-14
addresses conversational turning point; carefully hear what is said for it
speaks of our true heart belief.
Our mouth says
what comes from inside us. Let us think not otherwise. (Mt.12:34)
EBB4
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