Did You Hear the One About...?

Romans 10:17

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Walk into almost any bar, club, office or social gather and you might hear someone start to tell a joke. Most jokes usually start with, “Did you hear the one about…?” This usually is a sign to see how many have heard the joke before. The joke goes on, the punchline is delivered, and most will laugh, while some may chuckle, and some yet will look a little perplexed, or find no humor at all.

Regarding the telling of the gospel of Jesus Christ, it must come from the mouth of the believer to the ears of an unbeliever. The initiation of our faith begins with hearing the gospel, and then accepting it is a truth and thus the beginning of the sanctification and transformation process.

If someone tells a joke, and it’s funny enough to remember, we have a great tendency to retell the joke to someone else. The joke becomes embedded in our brains, and we have instant recall to retell it, when the opportunity lends itself.

But when we hear the gospel, the good news, and it changes us from the inside out, and renews our mind, and brings us to a new faith, we have a greater tendency and desire to retell this good news to others.

Faith is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8). But this gift of faith in God only comes by way of hearing the gospel. It is what is commonly referred to as a saving faith. That’s because placing your trust and faith in Jesus is critical to your salvation process. Without this kind of faith, there is no belief. And without belief there is no hope for forgiveness of sins and eternal life.

Sometimes we must look back at our salvation experience, to that time you first heard the gospel being preached. Remember how it changed you? If it didn’t, may I encourage you to hear it again?

Where is a good place to hear the true gospel? Well, for starters, a place where the word of God and His gospel is spoken and preached in its entirety, like a bible teaching church. Perhaps it’s a trusted friend who is a believer and strong in the faith. No matter, so long as it is the gospel of Jesus Christ (Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

Paul tells the church in Rome some very important issues when it comes to the gospel:

Romans 10:14-15 “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!””

Many who reject God, Jesus and deny the Holy Spirit may have not only heard a poor version of the gospel, but most of them don’t also want to hear it. However, we should always try to share the good news about Jesus with everyone. You don’t have to be a bible scholar, or a seminary trained preacher.

The gospel is simplistic that even a child, who knows it can preach it. But regardless of our education level, or maturity or lack thereof, we are commanded to spread the good news (Matthew 28:18-20).

Lean on the word of God to guide you and the Holy Spirit of God to give you the words to speak. But speak you must so others will hear the one about… Jesus!