Let’s Talk about Israel Present And the Gospel Romans Chapter 10 10/19/14 Sermon Series #33

A Christian View of History Our view is Positive … “Because it sees God at the beginning of history (taking charge of it), the cross of Jesus Christ at the center of history (giving it meaning), and the return of Christ at the end of history bringing it to a triumphant conclusion). James Montgomery Boice p. 1010 Our View is Progressive We use the word “dispensations” to describe the gradual unveiling of revelation and the mysteries through the ages. Innocence, Conscience, Human government, Promise, Law, Grace, Kingdom. Several of these are seen in Romans 9-11! Dispensationalism has three important pillars: The distinction between Israel and the Church The consistently literal interpretation of Scripture The Main Purpose of God is His glory over and above salvation

Romans 9, 10, and 11 Romans 9 Romans 10 Romans 11 Israel Past Israel’s Election God’s Character Defined by Sovereignty. Romans 10 Israel Present Israel’s Rejection God’s Offer of Salvation Delivered to Believers Romans 11 Israel Future Israel’s Partial, Temporary Rejection With a Purpose God’s Mercy, Unsearchable Wisdom, and Glory

“The Tragedy of Unbelief” Romans 10  Just Window Shopping That’s what Israel was doing- Salvation was available. It was on the shelves. There was plenty for everyone. The price was right. But Israel was really not interested. They were just window shopping. Paul has already shown the nation of Israel that they were special. They were chosen by God for His purposes. Chapter 9 He was actively choosing them for salvation in Christ. However, they were actively choosing NOT to receive His salvation. They were interested in a zealous or fervent “works religion” without Christ.

1. Salvation’s Concern (10:1-4) Romans 10:1-4 NET Brothers and sisters, my heart's desire and prayer to God on behalf of my fellow Israelites is for their salvation. 2 For I can testify that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not in line with the truth. 3 For ignoring the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking instead to establish their own righteousness, they did not submit to God's righteousness. 4 For Christ is the end of the law, with the result that there is righteousness for everyone who believes.

1. Salvation’s Concern (10:1-4) Concern? Yes, Its Goal - Its Aim - Its Intent The goal of salvation is God’s righteousness! Bridging the gap between man’s sinfulness and God’s holiness with Christ’s righteousness. Righteousness is transitive, manifest holiness. Holiness is the standard. Righteousness is the fulfillment. God’s holiness is the complete separation from all that is evil and sinful and His righteousness is the manifestation of that holiness. Through salvation we are given the righteousness of Christ – His holiness.

Why did Israel reject God’s Plan? They didn’t feel a need for salvation (vs. 1) “We don’t need salvation.” Paul felt their need and acted on it! He desired their salvation. Let us start there! He wrote letters, travelled, and suffered that they might hear and believe. I Cor. 9:19-23; II Cor. 1:6; II Cor. 5:17-21 He prayed for it. Paul was not making a hopeless plea that he did not expect God to answer. He prayed because he fully believed God could save all Israel, that, no matter how seemingly unlikely, the people of Israel could be saved if they would place their trust in their Messiah and Savior. MacArthur p. 57 Be aware of and encouraged by these prayers for the unsaved in Scripture. Lk. 23:34; Acts 7:60; I Tim. 2:3,4; II Pet. 3:9; II Tim. 2:10. Let us pray for the lost as well!

“Believers are to pray for and witness to all unbelievers, knowing that God will faithfully save those who believe in His Son. God’s redemptive program is not one-dimensional. To isolate God’s sovereign choice from the believer’s personal faith is to foolishly and presumptuously separate what God has inextricable united. A theology that does not reflect genuine, heartfelt compassion for the lost and a deep desire for their salvation is a theology that is unbiblical.” MacArthur p.58

Why did Israel reject God’s Plan? Continued… They were already zealous for God (vs. 2) 2 “For I can testify that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not in line with the truth.” They were saying, “We love and serve the Lord.” They had an excitement of mind, a fervor of spirit. This zeal lacked evpi,gnwsij -- precise knowledge - truth. They had fervor without foundation – spirit without substance. Each of the world’s major religions makes the same mistake – find God’s favor through fervor.

Why did Israel reject God’s Plan? Continued… They were proud and self-righteous (vs. 3) 3 “For ignoring the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking instead to establish their own righteousness, they did not submit to God's righteousness.” They were saying, “We are the Jews. We own the law.” They continued to be ignorant. They continued to seek after their own righteousness. They had not placed themselves in subjection to (obeyed) the perfect plan of God.

Why did Israel reject God’s Plan? Continued… They misunderstood their own law (vs. 4-13) 4 “For Christ is the end of the law, with the result that there is righteousness for everyone who believes.” But they were saying, “We believe otherwise- works, not faith.” Paul is saying here that Christ is the only end, only fulfilment, the only access to perfect divinely acceptable righteousness. Notice back in Romans 4…

Romans 4:2-5 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." 4 Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. 5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness,

And so… Paul is saying in 10:4 that belief in Christ as Savior and Lord brings to an end the sinner’s futile quest for righteousness through his own imperfect attempts to fulfill the law. When a sinner receives Christ, he also receives the gift of Christ’s own righteousness. The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23 God made Him to be sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” II Cor. 5:21 No Christ, no righteousness, and no redemption. Know Christ, know righteousness, and know redemption!

One more time! Ok try it the hard way! Romans 10:5 “For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law, ‘The man who does those things shall live by them.’” But remember – Galatians 3:10 “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.’” And – James 2:10 “For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.“ So why the Law? Galatians 3:24 – “… the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.”

Conclusion: Today – Salvation’s Concern or Intent To give us the righteousness of Christ! Next Week – Salvation’s Call or Invitation This is part of the well-known “Romans Road.” I am a sinner - Romans 3:23 Sin has terrible consequences - Romans 6:23a Christ died in my place for my sin - Romans 6:23b and Romans 5:8 Put your trust in Christ in order to be saved - Romans 10:9,10,13 Salvation has great benefits - Romans 5:1 and 8:1