Romans Week 31, April 7, 2023
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Introduction
Introduction
Romans I. Introduction: Good News, Bad News
Donald Barnhouse, related an insightful story about a young man who applied for a job with Western Union delivering telegrams. Fortunately, a position was available—Could he start right away? the manager wanted to know. “Well,” said the boy “there’s one thing I must warn you about before I get started. I am psychologically so constituted that I cannot stand any scene of unhappiness. I’m only willing to deliver good news. Birth announcements, that’s fine. Congratulations for success, fortunes that have been received, promotions, acceptance of marriages—all the joys and bliss news, that I will deliver. But sickness and death and failure and all of that, that’s alien to my nature. I just won’t deliver them.” It did not take the manager very long to say, “I guess I’m still looking for the one that’s gonna fill this job, because this responsibility requires that you also announce bad news” (Swindoll, p. 321).
Romans is a message of good news
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
But
Romans I. Introduction: Good News, Bad News
“It’s the bad news that makes the good news good.”
Paul makes this reality crystal clear
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Paul shows us how we can be forgiven and then become free from the power of sin. in chapters 6-8.
But there is more bad and good news to come.
In short, Israel has by and large chosen to reject God and not inherit the spiritual blessings God offers.
As we saw last week God has always worked sovereignly electing and calling people to Him.
There is human responsibility in the faith we exercise in God.
There is divine sovereignty in the election God demonstrates choosing people to turn to Him.
Romans I. Introduction: Good News, Bad News
When I come to a text which speaks of election, I delight myself in the doctrine of election. When the apostles exhort me to repentance and obedience, and indicate my freedom of choice and action, I give myself up to that side of the question.… As wheels in a complicated machine may move in opposite directions and yet subserve a common end, so may truths apparently opposite be perfectly reconcilable with each other, and equally subserve the purposes of God in the accomplishment of man’s salvation.
Reference the Marble Machine here talking about multiple gears working to make music. Or in another place.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvUU8joBb1Q
Marble machine
So in this section, the bad news is that many in Israel have rejected the work of Jesus dying for our sins. The good news is that even though Israel has rejected the one who came to save her, the hope of salvation is still held out to all who believe.
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Israel's Present Condition: Unbelief Through Zeal Without Knowledge
Israel's Present Condition: Unbelief Through Zeal Without Knowledge
30 What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith;
31 but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law.
32 Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone,
33 as it is written, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”
1 Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved.
2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.
3 For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.
4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
Object Lesson: Two Runners (9:30-31) - Picture two runners in a race: Israel, who has been running diligently, and the Gentiles, who have joined unexpectedly. While the Gentiles reach the finish line of righteousness, Israel stumbles and misses the mark.
Possibly use this video??
Video of the race where this olympic runner goes down and then gets up and wins
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00HNqONKsw8
Israel wasn’t called by God to be a special exclusive people. They were blessed to bring and be a blessing to the rest of the world.
1 Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.
2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.
3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
So I see that God blessed Israel, in order to be a blessing and bring his word to the world around them. Think about all the story of Paul. He was pulled out of darkness, pulled out of been far away from God and Jesus, and called to be a blessing. And Soto they were all Israel was called some of them stumbled could not except what God had to offer
We will see you later in chapter 11, that he Israel became spiritually blind as she chose disobedience. Paul wants to get the church and he wants to get Israel to turn to God believing and excepting what he offers to them through the gospel.
So his point is, there are those who did not pursue the gospel, but they have it now by faith.
This is a pain for irony. When you think of Romans chapter 9 verses 30 through 30 to the reality that gentiles who had no clue about following God are now receiving the gospel in droves.
It would be analogous to a gold miner with all the lightest technology going to the minefield to hunt for gold. And he hunts without success. And then the town drunk, wanders out, stubs his toe on a rock and finds a mother lode, which makes him fabulously wealthy. It's a pimple irony of blessing for those who don't deserve it, such as the story of Jews and gentiles.
And in case, this comparison, offends, you go back and reread how Paul describes the world in Romans chapter 1 and see how close that comes to describing you, and I at times. And never forget what he said in Ephesians.
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
And short from the beginning to the end, we are saved by grace. We are not those who pursue righteousness.
Israel failed in pursuing righteousness, not by faith, but by making it a pursuit of work. That's what they stumbled on.
32 Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone,
33 as it is written, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”
This stumbling stone was Jesus
this is a reference back to
22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
Jesus quotes this passage in reference to Himself
17 But he looked directly at them and said, “What then is this that is written: “ ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’?
18 Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him.”
The religious leaders so clearly understood that Jesus was applying this verse to Himself as the Messiah they immediately tried to arrest HIm.
19 The scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on him at that very hour, for they perceived that he had told this parable against them, but they feared the people.
So in short the Jews had the opportunity. They had the first revelations of God’s word but they stumbled because they made the pursuit about works and not faith which God wanted all along.
The Danger of Zeal Without Knowledge (10:1-4)
The Danger of Zeal Without Knowledge (10:1-4)
1 Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved.
2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.
3 For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.
4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
- Object Lesson: Building a House on Sand - Zeal without knowledge is like building a house on sand, it cannot withstand the storms of life.
Romans A. Israel’s Present Condition: Unbelief through Zeal without Knowledge (9:30–10:4)
The best way to learn theology is to watch the apostle Paul in action.
This next piece reminds us, both of the danger of zeal without knowledge, but it also reminds us that the best way to learn theology is to watch the apostle Paul in action. Paul, preached election, and God's sovereignty yet repeatedly throughout the scripture, Paul engaged in a ministry of urgent prayer for all sorts of needs.
Romans A. Israel’s Present Condition: Unbelief through Zeal without Knowledge (9:30–10:4)
There was nothing in Paul’s doctrine of sovereignty, election, or predestination that could not, and should not, be touched by prayer.
The mistake that the Jews made is they had a zeal for God, but did not submit to God's righteousness, and the way that God wanted to provide righteousness. God wanted from the beginning to the end of his working with the Jews for righteousness to be a matter of faith as well as actions. Christ came as the fulfillment of the law and this is what the Jews missed so often. This is why Paul was praying for them. And this is a danger that we need to watch out for to make sure that always in our lives as we pursue actively following God we stay submitted to God.
The Instrument of the Gospel: Personal Faith (10:5-13)
The Instrument of the Gospel: Personal Faith (10:5-13)
5 For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them.
Righteousness Through the Law (10:5) - The law has a standard of righteousness that is impossible to attain.
Righteousness Through the Law (10:5) - The law has a standard of righteousness that is impossible to attain.
Paul has made it clear that human weakness makes perfect obedience to the law unobtainable.
Righteousness by Faith (10:6-11)
Righteousness by Faith (10:6-11)
6 But the righteousness based on faith says, “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 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim);
9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”
What's fascinating here? First of all is the phrase Jesus is Lord. This is probably the oldest Christian confessional statement. And it is a crucial statement for Paul to preach to the Jews because that's what drove the religious leaders to have Jesus killed. And in order for a Jew to accept the gospel that confession must be made. The same holds true for anyone else. Jesus is Lord.
The word of faith here is simply the message of the gospel. And as we see in verse nine, what Paul wants us to remember is that Jesus is, Lord and God resurrected him from the dead.
No, when we read scripture, especially verse nine we can be tempted to draw conclusions that add work to the gospel. We see that Paul says you have to confess with your mouth and believe in your heart. And it certainly seems like Paul is adding some thing on, even if it's just words. But Paul agrees with what James taught belief and compassion are like faith and works someone who is truly saved will manifest a changed life.
Really if you truly believe something or in someone you are naturally driven to action, aren't you?
Paul wants us to see the only thing that God truly requires in. The end is belief.
Object Lesson: A Gift Received by Faith - Righteousness through faith is like a gift that we must simply accept and unwrap, believing in Christ and confessing Him as Lord.
The Promise of Righteousness by Faith (10:12-13)
The Promise of Righteousness by Faith (10:12-13)
12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him.
13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
- Righteousness is available to all who believe, regardless of their background or status.
I love the universal call of the gospel for everyone who calls on the name of the lord will be saved. All have sinned before God. And all who call on the name of the Lord Jesus will be saved.
The Vehicle of the Gospel: Proclamation (10:14-15)
The Vehicle of the Gospel: Proclamation (10:14-15)
14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?
15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”
- Object Lesson: A Telephone Call - A telephone call cannot be answered unless it is heard and believed.
Calling Requires Faith (10:14a)
Calling Requires Faith (10:14a)
Faith Requires Hearing (10:14b)
- Hearing the gospel message is essential for faith to take root.
Hearing Requires Preaching (10:14c)
Hearing Requires Preaching (10:14c)
- We must be willing to share the gospel so others can hear and believe.
Preaching Requires Sending (10:15)
Preaching Requires Sending (10:15)
- Object Lesson: A Missionary's Journey - Like a missionary sent to share the good news, we too are called to share the gospel message.
The way God has chosen to get the Gospel out there is through our actions!
The Assumption of the Gospel: Personal Responsibility (10:16-21)
The Assumption of the Gospel: Personal Responsibility (10:16-21)
16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?”
17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
18 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.”
19 But I ask, did Israel not understand? First Moses says, “I will make you jealous of those who are not a nation; with a foolish nation I will make you angry.”
20 Then Isaiah is so bold as to say, “I have been found by those who did not seek me; I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.”
21 But of Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”
Israel Received the Gospel (10:16-18)
Israel Received the Gospel (10:16-18)
- Despite having heard the gospel, many in Israel chose not to believe.
Israel's Responsibility for Her Lack of Understanding (10:19-20)
Israel's Responsibility for Her Lack of Understanding (10:19-20)
- Object Lesson: A Closed Book - Like a closed book, Israel failed to understand because they chose not to open their hearts to the truth. c.
Israel Chose Not to Believe the Gospel (10:21)
Israel Chose Not to Believe the Gospel (10:21)
- Israel's unbelief was a personal choice, not a predetermined outcome.
Conclusion
Conclusion
The story of the prodigal son
(It was the story of God’s love for us as His children)
Sets the stage for this question
1 I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin.
Son with every advantage
squanders everything
leaves home and rejects family
The father waits for the sons return
The father didn’t reject the son....the son rejected the father.
The father waited for the son
20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.
Paul wants us to know God hasn’t rejected His people, He waits for them to come back to HIm..
But in order for Jews to return to God there must be proclamation
In order for eveyroone else to know God in the first place there must be proclamation and prayer and more.
14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?
Do we ask this question praying, dreaming, and planning to share God’s love with our world?
This chapter isn’t about theology or doctrinne or pedagogy....it’s about a lost people needing to return home.
Are we striving, planning, and praying for the salvation of others?