1. “My Heart’s Desire and Prayer”
Romans 10:1-15
By Michael Fletcher

2. Romans 10:1
1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation.
cf. Romans 9.3

3. Romans 10:2
2 For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge.
cf. Acts 7–8. Paul was previously one of these zealous Jews.

4. Romans 10:3
3 For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.
Note: Similar to the Fall...They sought to establish their own righteousness.

5. Romans 10:4
4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
Note: Not saying he is the end of the OT, indeed, we know that he is actually the fulfillment of it. (cf. Mt ). Law of Righteousness = Establishing it on our own (v.3) Righteousness is never obtained by law...indeed, this is why we come to the next verse.

6. Romans 10:5
5 For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on law shall live by that righteousness.
We continually try to earn favor by law, but what is needed has always been faith, even Moses wrote about it! cf. Galatians 3:10-14.

7. Romans 10:6-7
6 But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ (that is, to bring Christ down), 7 or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).”

8. Note on Romans 10:6-7
Christ has already come down from heaven. By faith, we do not need to bring Christ down or ascend up to him, because he has already come down to us. And we know this by faith. We don’t need to do anything in order for this to happen. This is the reality. Faith is what tunes us into this reality.

9. Note on Romans 10:6-7
“Righteousness based on faith” does not mean our faith as a work. Perhaps best to view it as the righteousness of God which is based upon the faithfulness of Christ, who was faithful to die on the cross, be raised from the dead, and be seated at the right hand of God...He is truly the faithful one.

10. Romans 10:8
8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching,
The word is already near! It is in our mouths and hearts!!!

11. Romans 10:9-10
9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, & believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, & with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.

12. Misconceptions on Romans 10:9-10
Order of confession / belief is irrelevant
Salvation is always by faith, not by works. It is never about what we do, but always about what Jesus was faithful to do.
Salvation is not a “fire-insurance-contract” we agreed to in the past; rather it is a past, present, and future reality accomplished by Christ.

13. Romans 10:11
11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.” [lit. “Put to shame”]
Our sin brings about shame and a need for a covering (cf. Adam & Eve, sought after their own righteousness, the result was shame). When we believe in the righteousness of God, we will never be put to shame, even when we confess.

14. Romans 10:12
12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him;
Note: This was the message and mystery Paul continually preached.

15. Romans 10:13
13 for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
cf. Romans 2.11, “God does not show partiality.”

16. Speaking the message is necessary:
Romans 10:14
14 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?
Speaking the message is necessary:
What is the message?

17. The Message We Preach is “Foolish”
“We preach Christ crucified.”
(cf. 1 Cor 1.23–25)
“Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

18. Romans 10:15
15 How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!”
A church who sends is a beautiful church. ICEL, you are a beautiful church.