HOW BEAUTIFUL THE FEET OF THOSE WHO PREACH THE GOSPEL 

PRESENTED BY STEVEN SCHILLER

Rom 10:15                                    

INTRODUCTION

In writing to the Galatians, Paul reminds them of their shared history...

How he first came to them in preaching the gospel - Ga 4:12-14

How he was confident they were willing to sacrifice for him - Ga 4:15

This passage describes a sentimental argument by Paul...

One of several arguments (personal, scriptural, practical, sentimental, allegorical)

Defending justification by faith in Christ rather than by the Law of Moses

This passage reminds us of the need for sacrifice in evangelism...

Not just by those willing to preach the gospel

But also by those willing to support preachers

[The spread of the gospel can be hindered if we do not appreciate the necessity for sacrifice. Who needs to be willing to sacrifice in evangelism? Most understand the need to sacrifice...]

BY THOSE WHO PREACH

THEY MUST BE WILLING TO GO...

As Jesus commanded - Mt 28:19; Mk 16:15

Otherwise how shall people hear and believe? - Ro 10:13-14

Thus the gospel must be preached to all nations - Mk 13:10; cf. Isa 49:6

THEY MUST BE WILLING TO ENDURE...

Paul certainly did - 2Co 11:23-29; 2Ti 2:10; 3:11

He wrote that Timothy must be willing to endure - 2Ti 1:8; 2:3; 4:5

Those who preach today must often endure:

The inconvenience of frequent moves

The loss of benefits often provided in many secular jobs

The dangers of traveling in unsafe places

The resistance and even persecution by unbelievers

The lack of understanding by immature or false brethren

THEY WILL BE REWARDED...

In heaven if not on earth - Mt 5:10-12

But often even on earth - Mk 10:28-30

[Most who preach the gospel understand the need to sacrifice and do so willingly. But there is also a need to sacrifice...]

BY THOSE WHO SUPPORT

THEY MUST BE WILLING TO SEND...

Otherwise how shall preachers preach? - Ro 10:14-15

Just as the early churches did

Jerusalem sent Barnabas to Antioch - Ac 11:22

Antioch sent out Paul and Barnabas - Ac 13:1-2

Philippi supported Paul in Thessalonica - Php 4:15-16

Churches supported Paul in Corinth - 2Co 11:8-9

For they understood that such workers were worthy of support

As Jesus had taught his disciples - Mt 10:10; Lk 10:7

As Paul taught the Corinthians - 1Co 9:7-14

THEY MUST BE WILLING TO SACRIFICE...

They are stewards also

Just as preachers are stewards of the gospel - 1Co 4:1

They are stewards of their possessions - 1Pe 4:10

Stewards are expected to be faithful - 1Co 4:2

To minister with the ability God provides - 1Pe 4:11

For which they will one day give account - cf. Mt 25:14-30

Some believe preachers should be willing to sacrifice more than others

Should the 'quartermasters' at the base be squandering what may have been given them to support the 'soldiers' at the front?

Should we not all have the same willingness to sacrifice if the need is there?

If brethren 'at the base' sacrificed as much as they expect of those who are 'at the front', would there not be more good things being done?

We may serve different roles, but we should have the same sense of sacrifice! - 1Pe 4:11

Serving with the same zeal ("as with the ability which God supplies")

Striving for the same goal ("that in all things God may be glorified")

THEY WILL BE REWARDED...

For they are fellow workers for the truth - 3Jn 1:5-8

In receiving and sending those whom Christ has sent, they receive Christ - Mt 10:40

They will receive the same reward as those who proclaim - Mt 10:41-42

CONCLUSION

The gospel spread around the world in the first century...

As Paul wrote to the brethren at Rome - Ro 10:17-18

As he wrote to the brethren at Colosse - Col 1:23

The gospel continues to be spread in countries around the world...

Wherever preachers are willing to make sacrifices to go

Wherever brethren are willing to make sacrifices to send them

May the "Sacrifices In Evangelism" exemplified by the early Christians inspire us today...!