7 day plan

Taking the Gospel to Many Nations

Day 1 of 7

NIV

Romans 10:14

14How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?

Series Introduction

For the next seven days, we will be reading the Bible with Rev. Ignatius Bagoes Seta, a chaplain at Swinburne University, who works with international students. Together, we will reflect on ‘Taking the Gospel to Many Nations’. Rev. Ignatius says, “When Paul was imprisoned in Rome for the first time, around 60 AD, he met with some Jewish leaders from the city. He shared the gospel of the Kingdom of God, which focuses on Jesus Christ and his resurrection. However, some of them refused to accept it. In response, Paul conveyed to them, “I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!” (Acts 28:28). The Good News of Christ needs to be proclaimed to many nations in their respective languages because we know, “Salvation comes from the Lord” (Jonah 2:9).”

Reflection

Overseas Christian Fellowship (OCF) Australia is an on-campus fellowship that reaches out to all overseas students in Australia, to build them up to be Christ’s disciples.

Last semester, in a Bible Study group of international students, one of the studies focused on the Gospel of Matthew, delving into the teachings of Jesus to his disciples. Glancing around the group, I observed students coming from various countries, each holding the Bible in their own language. When we reached specific verses, I encouraged them to read in their respective languages and share their understanding with the group based on their readings. We feel truly blessed to have the word of our God translated into the languages of many nations, enabling people from diverse backgrounds to hear the unified message of the Living God: the message of salvation in Jesus Christ.

The apostle Paul encourages us to feel an urgency to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with those who “did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness” (Romans 10:1). Furthermore, in his final command to his disciples, Jesus Christ said, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20).

Have we heeded the command of our Lord Jesus?

Prayer

Lord, we lift up those who have not yet heard the message of salvation. May your Holy Spirit work in their hearts and bring them to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Equip and send forth messengers of your gospel to reach those who are still in darkness. Amen.

The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.

Days

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7

Romans 10:1-21

1Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. 2For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. 3Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. 4Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.

5Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: “The person who does these things will live by them.” 6But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ down) 7“or ‘Who will descend into the deep?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: 9If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” 12For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

14How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

16But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” 17Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. 18But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did:

“Their voice has gone out into all the earth,

their words to the ends of the world.”

19Again I ask: Did Israel not understand? First, Moses says,

“I will make you envious by those who are not a nation;

I will make you angry by a nation that has no understanding.”

20And Isaiah boldly says,

“I was found by those who did not seek me;

I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me.”

21But concerning Israel he says,

“All day long I have held out my hands

to a disobedient and obstinate people.”

The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.