Faith Comes By Hearing

But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have, for “Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.”
Romans 10:16-18
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Faith Comes By Hearing
It pleased Almighty God to save you and me by the preaching of men. He is the God of means. He chooses servants by whom he applies the gifts of his Son's cross and how he delivers the Spirit into the sinner's heart. Our human nature hates this. We want direct modes of communication. We want signs and wonders. We want flashing things that attend to our emotions and the pleasures of our human existence. But that is not the way God has promised to deliver and save. It is not the way he has given you faith. Faith comes by preaching. You must hear the proclamation. Your God engages your ears and eyes on purpose. He changes you from the inside out. His Holy Spirit comes by way of your ear to create a temple of your heart. This is what makes you holy and that preaching, that proclamation is your surety and rock for all that is thrown at you in this world. So go listen to your pastor preach. Then read your Bible and check on him. Then go back and listen again. Your God has gifts for you transported by way of the sermon.