Faith & Reason Nexus

1. Cannot Believe Without Hearing the Gospel
   • Romans 10:14: “How shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?”
   • Belief in Christ is impossible without first hearing about Him.
2. Hearing Brings Faith
   • Romans 10:17: “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
   • Faith is generated through the hearing of God’s word, making hearing the gospel essential for belief.
3. Hearing Brings the Faith Necessary for Obedience
   • Acts 18:8: “And many of the Corinthians hearing believed and were baptized.”
   • The gospel, when heard, leads to belief and obedience, which includes baptism.

Key Points on Hearing the Gospel

Man Must Hear the Gospel

• God’s Word is to be heard
  • Matthew 17:5: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.”
  • The call to hear Jesus is clear in Scripture.
• God’s Word is the truth to be heard
  • John 17:17: “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”
  • The truth in God’s Word is what we need to hear.
• God’s truth will set man free
  • John 8:32: “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
  • Hearing the truth leads to freedom from sin.
• Another gospel is not to be heard
  • Galatians 1:8-9: “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.”
  • Any gospel other than the one preached by the apostles is false.
• Doctrines of men are not to be heard
  • Matthew 15:9: “But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”
  • Human doctrines must not replace God’s word.

When One Does Not Hear

• He cannot obey God
  • Matthew 17:5: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.”
  • Disobedience to Christ begins with not hearing His word.
• He cannot believe unto salvation
  • John 8:24: “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.”
  • Belief in Christ, essential for salvation, comes only through hearing.
• He cannot grow in knowledge
  • Hebrews 5:11-13: “Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.”
  • A lack of hearing stunts spiritual growth.
• He will be lost eternally
  • Matthew 7:21: “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”
  • Disobedience, stemming from not hearing or accepting God’s word, leads to eternal loss.

How One Should Hear

• Be swift to hear
  • James 1:19: “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.”
  • We should eagerly listen to the word of God.
• Gladly receive the heard word
  • Acts 2:41: “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.”
  • Reception of the word should be joyful.
• Receive it with meekness
  • James 1:21: “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.”
  • The word must be received with a humble and submissive heart.

Conclusion:

The gospel must be heard to produce faith, obedience, and salvation. It is crucial to hear the truth of God’s word, and it is equally important to listen eagerly, gladly, and humbly. Disobedience or neglecting to hear God’s word leads to spiritual stagnation and eternal loss. Let us be swift to hear, receiving the gospel with open hearts for the salvation it offers.