Romans 10:1 - Homiletics

Solicitude and supplication for the salvation of sinners.

Paul was himself a Jew, a Hebrew of the Hebrews. His first ministry was to Israelites, and, when upon his missionary tours, he made it his first business to address the frequenters of the synagogues. By his training and by his associations, and also by his evangelistic intercourse with his countrymen, he understood the Jewish mind, and how to deal with it. From the Jews he met with obstacles, opposition, and persecution; and he could not be blind to their faults and errors. This, however, did not prompt him to anger or to neglect; he loved his nation, and felt the claim of kindred and nationality. He laboured, spoke, wrote, and prayed for his Jewish kin; he sought above all things their salvation. Looking away from the special reference, let us consider the words of the apostle as supplying an example of the benevolent spirit of Christianity.

I. WE MUST BE AWARE THAT THERE IS A WIDESPREAD NEED OF SALVATION . Many of our neighbours need saving from debasing vice and unjustifiable, inexcusable crime; many have fallen into dangerous errors, from which they need to be delivered; many need to be awakened from the densest ignorance and carelessness with regard to spiritual realities. Some are sensible of their need; multitudes are utterly indifferent to it. Go to a hospital, and you will see many and varied forms of disease, accident, privation, affecting men's bodily state—all want healing. So is it with sinful society: salvation, and nothing less than salvation, is the world's great want.

II. WE KNOW THAT THERE IS SALVATION FOR THOSE WHO NEED IT . As Christians, we are assured that our Redeemer is a mighty, all-sufficient Saviour; we believe that he came that the world should be saved through him; we have been authoritatively told that he is "the Propitiation for the sins of the whole world;" that God is "the Saviour of all men, specially of those who believe." Further, we have ourselves experienced the grace and power of Jesus to pardon, purify, and bless; and what he has done for us he can do for others. The offers and promises of his gospel are free and valid. He saves to the uttermost all that come unto God by him.

III. CHRISTIANS SHOULD BE ANXIOUS AND PRAYERFUL ON BEHALF OF SINNERS THAT THEY MAY BE SAVED . In this the apostle is an example to all who have themselves tasted and seen that the Lord is good.

1. It should be our heart's "good pleasure" (for such is the literal rendering). A benevolent mind, in sympathy with the Saviour, who pitied, wept over, expostulated with sinners, will find pleasure in witnessing the power of the gospel to rescue and to save the lost.

2. Supplication should be offered with a view to the same end. We know that such prayer is acceptable; for Christ has said, "It is not the pleasure of my Father that one of these should perish." Supplication should not be selfish; it should be intercessory and benevolent.

IV. CHRISTIANS SHOULD USE THE APPOINTED MEANS FOR THE SALVATION OF THEIR FELLOW - MEN . Sympathy and prayer, unaccompanied by effort, would be a mockery. Certainly, Paul was not the man to grieve over his erring countrymen, and at the same time to neglect endeavours for their recovery. Some of us may preach the gospel, others may "send" the preachers, others may invite their neighbours to hear the gospel; sympathy and prayer will lead to some form of practical effort.

APPLICATION .

1. Whilst others are concerned for your salvation, are you seeking this salvation for yourself?

2. Are you manifesting practically solicitude for the spiritual good of your neighbours and fellow-men?