The Heart of the Matter: Confession and Faith

Bible Passage: Romans 10:6–21

Intro:

Responding to good news

During World War II, news about the victory at Normandy spread throughout occupied Europe. People poured into the streets, singing, dancing, and clutching one another in joy. This historical moment illustrates how we should respond to good news — with exuberance and celebration, grateful for deliverance and hope permeating even the darkest times.

Summary: Romans 10:6–21 addresses the vital relationship between faith, confession, and salvation. Paul clarifies that true righteousness comes from a heart that believes and a mouth that confesses Jesus as Lord, contrasting this life-giving message with the futility of relying on the law. The passage underscores the central importance of internal belief expressed through external declaration, demonstrating that salvation is an invitation to a transformative relationship with Christ.

Application: This sermon provides a crucial reminder that salvation requires a heartfelt response to the Gospel. Christians facing struggles with assurance of their faith or those wrestling with doubts can find encouragement in the simplicity of faith proclaimed in this passage. It encourages believers to articulate their faith boldly and to share the transformative power of the Gospel with others.

Teaching: This sermon teaches that both belief in the heart and confession with the mouth are essential components of salvation. It emphasizes that Christianity is not merely an intellectual assent but involves a profound personal act of faith. This duality shapes the believer's identity in Christ and transforms how they live and communicate their faith.

How this passage could point to Christ: The passage reveals Jesus as the ultimate answer to the need for salvation, fulfilling both the prophetic expectations and the requirements of the law. Christ's work on the cross is the means through which believers can be declared righteous, and His resurrection is the assurance of their salvation, highlighting that faith in Him is both the pathway and the guarantee of eternal life.

Big Idea: Salvation requires both a believing heart and a confessing mouth; it is through this dual action that we enter into and express our relationship with Jesus Christ.

1. Proximity of Profound Righteousness

Only possible through Christ

Romans 10:6-8

Christ is near to us-

John 1:1 “1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

What does this mean that Christ is near?

To the unrepentant sinner-

For those who have never recieved Christ as there savior- This is hope for today.

Revelation 3:20 “20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.”

For the Christian

Matthew 28:20 “20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.””

We get this picture that Christ is just waiting for us to realize He is near.

6432 Jesus Christ reveals, not an embarrassed God, not a confused God, not a God who stands apart from the problems, but one who stands in the thick of the whole thing.

Oswald Chambers (Lecturer and Missionary)

Yet it is in His word that the nearness of Jesus will stay with us till the end of the age!

Does Jesus feel near to you today?

Well if not what can we say… Reminder He is present He promised it and even gave the importance of His word and observing it.

They is a reason He draws near

From afar- little intimacy— closer the better

God is active accomplishing His will,

Rather His nearness is not based upon our actions but rather on what He has done!

James 4:8 “8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

The Life giving power of the Gospel has been brought near- there is nothing that separates us from the love of God.

Psalm 139:7–10 “7 Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? 8 If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. 9 If I take the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, 10 Even there Your hand will lead me, And Your right hand will lay hold of me.”

You don’t feel like you have deserved the love of God this week, this day this month… you may be right, the enemies accusation may be full of evidence

Our response is vital- who and I begin to try to create a form of righteousness… rather we need to see our true righteousness if Christ and He is has drawn Himself near.

Christ draws himself near for what?

Well His sanctifying work-

The transforming work of the Gospel means that we can surrender.

Liberating is the work of God’s word.

It is His word that draws near- Jesus himself so that we would abide in Him. As He transforms our lives. This takes place and as a result comes Salvation. What does it require?

2. Proclamation of Powerful Faith

(believing heart and confessing mouth)

Plain and simple… sounds like it but will be difficult if you are trying on your own.

Romans 10:9-13

From the heart- going back to point one- who draws himself close and is renewing your heart that confession comes.

It is from the heart that all sorts of confessions come

Proverbs 4:23 “23 Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.”

Forgiveness is always free. But that doesn’t mean that confession is always easy. Sometimes it is hard. Incredibly hard. It is painful (sometimes literally) to admit our sins and entrust ourselves to God’s care.

Erwin W. Lutzer

What does God promise concerning our hearts?

Ezekiel 36:26 “26 Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.”

Have you ever thought does God really care about my heart… it sure does and look at what he offers. Some of us need a new heart this morning… He is a master heart surgeon!

Faith comes into play… do you believe God to be the best surgeon of the heart… there are a good amount of pretenders…

In the 18th century, Dr. John R. Brinkley claimed to be a heart surgeon who performed remarkable operations. However, many of his practices were questionable at best. His story reminds us that not all who claim to mend hearts can truly do so. Likewise, we must seek not just human solutions but divine healing through Christ, the ultimate heart surgeon, whose expertise and compassion ensure that no part of us is left untouched by His grace.

Substance

Relationships

Teams

Self

What

There may need to be a cleansing of our hearts God has shown us.. this is a continual confession in our lives…

Psalm 51:10 “10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.”

We will not be disappointed… what is there left to say… as if God could disappoint us!

As He draws near and gives us a clean heart- we confess and believe- daily, continually

What He has for us is good.

The riches- ( abounding)

What does the Bible (Jesus drawing near teach us about the riches of God)

He will straighten us

Ephesians 3:16 “16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,”

Your flesh is weak susceptible to all sorts of evil

God’s makes us rich in faith! Poor in Spirit

James 2:5 “5 Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?”

Community of faith

1 Timothy 6:18–19 “18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.”

Living out the Gospel in our faith community.

We can live out the Gospel freely and our security is in

The outcome of someones salvation is all based on the work of Christ… that He would call us to be men and women of faith!

This leads to the result of the heart confession with a believing heart and a mouth of confession

3. Participation in the Gospel Mission

(obedience- result)

Romans 10:14-21

This is not what Salvation requires but it is what Salvation the matter of the heart produces… is Christianity a passive faith no… true faith leads to Gospel mission.

How beautiful are the feet…

The mission of God’s people is not a matter of how great we are at doing things for God, but a matter of how patient and persistent God is in doing things through us.

Christopher J. H. Wright

Acts 13:47 “47 For so the Lord has commanded us, ‘I have placed You as a light for the Gentiles, That You may bring salvation to the end of the earth.’ ””

Our Gospel Mission has already been determined by God

Mission trips; Youth camps…. I am not sure this is what God had in mind… it could be… i believe this was supposed to be done through a personal relationship with God. These are options but it should come from the local church…

I love my time in youth ministry but it always left me lacking.. it wasn't till I was older…

we all play a role in this Gospel mission.. this is apart of the riches.

We will allow God to define this… I believe we need to be praying… have we lost this. May the Lord lead us in this.

Colossians 1:28 “28 We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ.”

This at times will be individual but also in our community!

Isaiah 52:7 “7 How lovely on the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who announces peace And brings good news of happiness, Who announces salvation, And says to Zion, “Your God reigns!””

The Disobedient should not discourage… it is with Joy!

In a civilization like ours, I feel that everyone has to come to terms with the claims of Jesus Christ upon his life, or else be guilty of inattention or of evading the question.

C. S. Lewis

How do we participate in the Gospel mission

1ST TWO POINTS

Home

Church

Serving opportunities

Children's-

Small groups

Application:

Jesus is Near- Purpose

He is near to us for His glory

God gives us a new heart that leads us to confession and faith

He is faithful ask Him for a renewing

The Gospel Mission is out of obedience

The Result