Israel's Present Rejection of Christ

Introduction:

Israel’s Present Unbelief Romans 9:30-10:4

Romans 9:30–10:4 KJV 1900

30 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. 31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. 32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; 33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

A Stumbling Stone (Rom 9:30-33)

Law of righteousness (Rom 9:31)-

John Wesley calls this the “Covenant of Works” and was given by God to man in Paradise

Many refer to the Law of Moses - Either one can become one of works - Anytime a list of externals become involved we increase our chances of leaning on them or depending on them for our spiritual identity and salvation -

I am not opposed to a church having “standards” for its members but we cannot make that the basis of salvation or put that on the same level as atonement.

Some churches teach and believe that women can only be saved or at least increase their chances of salvation by having children. What about all of those women who cannot have children?

Righteousness - The righteousness here in this context seems to refer to the righteousness that God gives to man. That is the only righteousness we can have that does us any spiritual good.

This is why the Gentiles were finding salvation but the Jews were not - it wasn’t that one group was better than the other - it was because one was seeking it by faith - the other was earning it by their works

We sing a hymn at our church sometimes “On Christ the solid rock I stand all other ground is sinking sand” If we are depending on anything other than Christ for our salvation

Be it:

A dress standard

A certain moral code

A ritual such as baptism, communion, etc

How many times we pray or how much scripture we read

How much we evangelize or outreach

How much we help the poor

On how we feel / act

If we are trusting in anything other than Christ and Christ alone for salvation we are missing the mark

None of those things I mentioned are bad - but they can be things that cause us to stumble over the simplicity of Christ.

A Sweet Supplication (Rom 10:1)

Paul is deeply concerned about his own nation (he begins each of these three chapters [9, 10, and 11] with strong statements proceeding from this concern).Morris, L. (1988). The Epistle to the Romans (p. 377). W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press.

A Sorrowful Submission (Rom 10:2-4)

Ignorant Zeal -

Did not know the righteous of God comes by faith not by working the Law

Charles Spurgeon said, “Ignorance is the mother of error,” according to the Word of God

Establishing their own righteousness

This incorrect knowledge brought consequences that led to a lack of salvation.

“God’s righteousness” in Rom 10:3 is referring to “God’s method of becoming right by Him.”

Christ the end of the law - Three main interpretations or ways you can look at this

Christ personally fulfilled the required righteousness of the law and it is finished in Him. (We are no longer bound by it)

Christ came to remove the requirements of the Law (destroy)

Christ is the goal of the Law. The Law talked about Christ and the Messiah and what he would do. Christ met that goal. The Law tells us to live a holy life- Christ patterned that life - is the goal we are to be like. - This is the one I agree with.

Inclusive of the Message of Salvation Romans 10:5-13

Romans 10:5–13 KJV 1900

5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. 6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) 7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) 8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9 That 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. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Living in the commandments (Rom 10:5)

Quote from Old Testament Lev 18:5 “5 Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the Lord.”

The Rabbis interpreted “shall live by them” to mean that if they would obey the commandments then they would live a good life filled with the blessings of God.

Living by Faith (Rom 10:6-9)

Paul applies Deut 30:12-14 in a powerful way here. Lets compare them.

Deut 30:12 “12 It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?” (To bring down Torah the Law, God’s gift)

Rom 10:6 “6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)” (to bring down Christ, God’s gift)

Deut 30:13 “13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?” (To experience redemption again crossing the “sea”)

Rom 10:7 “7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)” (To experience salvation again, raising Christ from the dead)

Deut 30:14 “14 But the word is very nigh unto thee, ... (Word = Law, Torah)

Rom 10:8 “8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;” (Word = message of faith, Gospel we now preach)

Deut 30:14 “14 ... in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.”

Rom 10:9-10 “9 That 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. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

It is in your mouth and in your heart: confess with the mouth Jesus is Lord, and believe with the heart that God raised him...

Israel’s Rejection of the Gospel Romans 10:14-21

Romans 10:14–21 KJV 1900

14 How 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? 15 And 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! 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. 19 But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you. 20 But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me. 21 But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.

Changes from simply stumbling, unbelief to downright rejection.