Between Heart and Mind

Text: Romans 10:8-13
Service Date: 3.9.25
Sermon:

• As we continue in the Lenten season, we are taking time to personally reflect on the life and the ministry of Jesus. Over the last few weeks, we have focused most of our reflection on Jesus’ physical ministry; his sermons, his lessons, his love for the outcasts and his accepting nature.
• We are now going to pivot from that point of view, and we are going on focus on the spiritual aspect of Jesus’ ministry. This passage makes a very special connection between our heart and our mind. It states, “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim”
• It seems that this passage is connecting what we think to what we believe. Since that is the case, let us going over a few definitions:
• The phrase “the word is near you” states that the word of God is with us. The “Word” in this context refers “to the spoken word, especially a word as uttered by a living voice. “Rhema refers to any sound produced by the voice which has a definite meaning. It focuses upon the content of the communication”
• The word “near” refers to “near (or close) and can describe a physical position relatively close to another position.”
• The heart “does not refer to the physical organ but is always used figuratively in Scripture to refer to the seat and center of human life. The heart is the center of the personality, and it controls the intellect, emotions, and will.”
• Salvation refers to “the rescue or deliverance from danger, destruction and peril.” Yet, “Salvation is a broader term in Greek than we often think of in English. Other concepts that are inherent in soteria include restoration to a state of safety, soundness, health and well-being as well as preservation from danger of destruction.
• I identify these words and phrases because it paints a picture of the interpersonal relationship that we have with Jesus. It is based on this scripture that we see that faith is a personal thing. It can not be proven or disproven, but it can be life changing.
• We see that through our faith in Christ; our personal connection to the scriptures and our faith community, creates our salvation; in which we are restored to the person of peace and love that we are meant to be.
• When we build our interpersonal faith, I believe that our view of the world changes. We see people that are uniquely made in the image of God; regardless of where they are from and what they look like or their life experiences. Regardless of all of that, we love them and accept them. Our actions will reflect our faith.

Conclusion: Let us be people who build our faith to reflect God’s love.