Daily Readings - Sat Nov 30 2019
Romans
9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.11For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.12For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.13For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.14How 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?15And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!16But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?17So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.18But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.
Matthew
18And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.19And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.20And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.21And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.22And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.
Sermon
The readings today remind us of the transformative power of faith and the call to action it demands. In Romans 10:9-18, Paul emphasizes that salvation comes through confessing Jesus as Lord and believing in the resurrection. He underscores the importance of hearing the Word of God to ignite faith, highlighting the role of preaching in spreading the Gospel. This theological foundation is illustrated in Matthew 4:18-22, where Jesus calls Peter, Andrew, James, and John. Their immediate and complete response, leaving their livelihoods behind, exemplifies the active commitment faith requires.
These passages are deeply connected. Paul's words provide the theological basis for how faith is born through hearing the Word, while the Gospel narrative demonstrates the practical response to such faith. The disciples' prompt obedience shows that true faith leads to tangible actions, trusting in God's plan even when it demands sacrifice.
In our daily lives, these readings call us to reflect on our own response to God's Word. Like the disciples, we are invited to trust in God's call, whether it leads to significant life changes or smaller, everyday acts of faith. The moral lesson here is clear: hearing the Word is only the first step. True faith is lived out through our actions, as we share the Gospel and embody Christ's teachings in our lives. Let us strive to be open to God's call, trusting in His plan and responding with courage and commitment.