The Power of the Proclamation of God's Word

"One Year Bible" New Testament Passage
Romans 10:14-11:12

14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!” Romans 10:14-15 (NKJV)

It is God and God alone who saves. It is the working of God the Holy Spirit that does a regenerating work in us that produces new life. When we speak of redemption, we are never talking about man's activities of self-improvement. In addition, we are not even speaking of any human activities of ministry to one another. Redemption is divine territory.

We might ask then what is the use of any human effort. If I cannot get the job done, then what is the usefulness of my work? As a preacher and teacher of the Word of God, this can often rise up in our minds as we watch people go year-in and year-out with little transformation. At times, it seems that our words are nothing but wind that accomplishes nothing.

But we must realize a fundamental truth of ministry. God created the world BY HIS WORD. His work of redemption is accomplshed BY HIS WORD. Faith is ignited in the human heart BY GOD'S WORD when it penetrates our hearing. The WORD OF GOD is the instrument of divine activity. It matters not how much I love people if it is nothing more than MY love. It matters not how much I stay up and labor. It matters not how many works I ACCOMPLISH. All that matters in the degree to which God is working THROUGH me BY HIS WORD.

Though the vessel may be weak, it is the MESSAGE that is strong. The delivery of God's Word is the instrument for the transformation of lives -- for the transformation of nations -- for the transformation of history. We are the carriers of the seed that will change the world. Therefore, carry it well. Carry it boldly. Carry it clearly. Such is the nature of true ministry.