Season 6: More to Israel, Episode 3 (Romans 10) - The Perfect Story.

Summary:

I desire and pray for Israel to be saved.

They have a “uninformed” passion for God.

They “ignorantly” believe righteousness is by works instead of faith in God.

Jesus is the way to righteousness.

For even Moses (the law giver) clarifies that the law can’t make your righteous.

But God’s righteousness doesn’t require you to do the impossible like going to the highest high…

Or the lowest low…

Righteousness (salvation) is very close to you… it’s found by believing the gospel we proclaim.

Faith in Jesus saves you.

It’s the posture and confession of your heart that matters.

God’s word (which the Law is an expression of) says faith in Jesus will not put you to shame.

And God has made this salvation available to everyone.

Everyone who calls on Jesus will be saved.

But how can they call on Jesus if they are ignorant of Him?

We need people willing to preach the gospel, which is the highest privilege.

But not everyone (Israel or Gentiles) responds to the gospel.

And faith comes from hearing the gospel.

So, is it that some have not heard the gospel which is why they don’t respond. They have heard - the whole world has - but especially the Jews (Ps 19)!

Is it that Israel doesn’t understand? Well Moses told them the Gentiles would make them jealous.

That they would find God even though they weren’t looking from Him.

Israel has a hard heart but God continues to keep the door wide open.

Don’t waste your time (vv. 1-3). Time is short. Redeem it!

You don’t need to do the impossible when Jesus already did (vv. 4-9). Don’t waste your time doing the impossible.

The gospel is what saves you (vv. 10-13). Jesus already did the impossible.

Make the gospel is the highest priority (vv. 14-21). .

Big Idea:

It has always been about the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Intro:

Good morning church...

Before we get started, I wanted to mention something to our church family. Ministry Fair ask and graphic…

It’s football season. Same thing happens every year at The River Church. Preseason football ends, we have a our River Church Fantasy Football draft, and the percentage of football sermon illustrations significantly increase. That starts today.

One thing that is less common is me giving my sermon a title. I’m not sure why but I’ve always struggled with naming sermons. I usually just use the topic or passage we’re studying. But today, the title of the sermon is: The Perfect Story.

In 2007, the New England Patriots, under the leadership of the greatest quarterback of all time (I really mean this), Tom Brady, were having a perfect season. They were undefeated with one game left to win—the Super Bowl.

By some mysterious (maybe even divine) turn of events, their opponents were the 10–6 New York Football Giants. Some of you already know where I’m going with this… I’m a Giants fan.

The Giants had a less-than-perfect season. Pretty messy. Up and down. They started off 0–2, but strung together some key midseason wins that helped them sneak into the playoffs as a Wild Card team.

But come playoff time, they started playing amazing football. Quarterback Eli Manning lived up to his legendary last name. The New York defense honored the Big Apple’s tradition of toughness. Still, they seemed no match for the Patriots—who, by the way, had already beaten the Giants in the final game of the regular season.

Fast-forward to the Super Bowl: with just over a minute left, the Giants trailed 14–10. It was 3rd-and-5 on their own 44-yard line. The ball was snapped, Eli’s protection collapsed, and it looked like a certain sack. But somehow—miraculously—he wriggled free, rolled out, and launched the ball downfield into coverage. Only one Giants receiver against four Patriot defenders, including legendary safety Rodney Harrison. David Tyree leapt into the air and somehow pinned the ball to his helmet as he came down. A miraculous catch. First down!

Then, with just 30 seconds left, Eli snapped the ball again, pump-faked, and found a wide-open Plaxico Burress in the end zone for the game-winning touchdown. Another miracle.

I remember watching that game. Even though I grew up in San Diego, I’d been a Giants fan since 1990, when I was ten years old. At my church’s Super Bowl party, I jumped in the air in disbelief and joy. It was unreal. Although the Giants’ season was far from perfect, it became the perfect comeback story.

Today, we start Romans 10. And when I think about this chapter, I think of one thing: The Perfect Story. Let’s read why...

Romans 10:1–5 CSB

Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God concerning them is for their salvation. I can testify about them that they have zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. Since they are ignorant of the righteousness of God and attempted to establish their own righteousness, they have not submitted to God’s righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes, since Moses writes about the righteousness that is from the law: The one who does these things will live by them.

Exegesis:

Once again, we are given a glimpse at Paul’s heart. His purpose for writing is to emphasize the gospel. That’s still the primary direction of chapters 9-11. But Paul’s focus and heart are for the Jewish people - his brothers and sisters. And he’s heartbroken because his people have not positively responded to the gospel.

On one hand, Paul understands. As a Jewish man, he once loved God but rejected Jesus. He gets it.

On the other hand, it didn’t make sense. The Jews were God’s chosen people with every spiritual advantage. They were in prime position to receive Jesus - the long awaited Messiah or Savior - who their Scriptures had long promised! But - unlike like their father, Abraham - they didn’t have faith. They didn’t believe God’s promises. Instead, they made it about themselves…

They were ethnically God’s special people. They were descendants of Abraham.

They were given God’s law. God had revealed His Word and ways to them.

They experienced God’s presence. They had the temple - the earthly home of God’s Spirit.

What they didn’t have was the right understanding. They didn’t truly see what all of this pointed to. And that’s what Paul’s getting at here in chapter 10…

Paul loved Israel. He wanted them to be saved.

He knew they had a zeal for God. To have a zeal means to have an intense desire for something or someone. The Jewish people had that for God and for His Law.

But they were ignorant of the purpose of all God had given them.

They thought that being Jewish and following the rules is what made them righteous - or right-with-God. They didn’t understand that perfectly keeping Law (or following the rules) was impossible. While the Law (in and of itself) was perfect and good, it was never intended to save anyone. Paul said that in chapter 8…

Romans 8:3 NLT

The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins.

The purpose of the Law was to show us how much we needed a Savior. And when that Savior (Jesus) came - when He did the impossible - there was no need for us to “do” anything else to be saved. Christ did the impossible for us.

And just for clarity’s sake (maybe even considering last week’s topic of election), when I say you don’t need to “do” anything, I’m not saying there’s no need to respond to God as if your choices don’t matter. I don’t mean to propose that God’s already chosen and there’s nothing you can do about it. Neither is there this false hope of universalism, as if everyone’s getting to heaven. Both are unbiblical. I’m talking about there’s nothing you need to “do” to earn your salvation. You can’t work to earn it.

Think of it like this. We’re all running this race called life. Jesus is the finish line. After Jesus, the race is over. You can rest. The problem was, the Jewish people were running hard - they had a good pace - but they were running in the wrong direction. You can run as fast as you want but if you don’t cross the finish line, you’re wasting your time.

Here’s the point…

1) Don’t waste your time doing the impossible (vv. 1-10).

The Jewish people rejected Jesus because they thought they needed to do the impossible. That’s the sense of when Paul writes…

Romans 10:6–7 CSB

But the righteousness that comes from faith speaks like this: Do not say in your heart, “Who will go up to heaven?” that is, to bring Christ down or, “Who will go down into the abyss?” that is, to bring Christ up from the dead.

You don’t need to do the impossible task of ascending to the highest heavens. You don’t need to do the impossible task for going to the lowest lows. That’s a waste of time. Why? Because there’s a better way. Paul says…

Romans 10:8–10 CSB

On the contrary, what does it say? The message is near you, in your mouth and in your heart. This is the message of faith that we proclaim (the gospel - READ IT SLOWLY FROM THE HEART): If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation.

The only thing you need to do now to be saved (to be right-with-God) is to put your faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior. He already did the impossible. He already did all the work. And here’s the mind-blowing part… He did this because He wants to be in relationship with you more than you want to be in relationship with Him. He loves you (us) more than we can imagine. That’s why He’s brought salvation so close. The door is wide open!

The truth is…

2) The gospel saves (vv. 11-13).

The good news (gospel) is you don’t need to do the impossible (like being good enough to be right with God or get to heaven) because Jesus did it for us. You don’t need to work for it. To pull from the words of Jesus on the cross…

John 19:30 ESV

When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Based on the original language, we can translate Jesus’s words as, “It has been perfectly perfect.” The work is completely finished.

Therefore, when it comes to your salvation, all you need faith…

Romans 10:11–13 CSB

For the Scripture says, Everyone who believes on him will not be put to shame, since there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, because the same Lord of all richly blesses all who call on him. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

…it’s almost like Paul gets wrapped up in the moment. He’s been focusing on Israel, but the gospel is such great news that he has to declare the fullness of God’s glorious plan, which is… God loves the world so much that He’s made a way where everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. And Paul’s point is this has always been the plan… for the Jewish people, but also for everyone else.

However, at this point, Paul switches gears and starts asking strategic questions…

Romans 10:14–15 CSB

How, then, can they call on him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about him? And how can they hear without a preacher? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.

What’s with the questions? Paul wants us to understand that…

3) We need to make the gospel the highest priority (vv. 14-21).

Again, the gospel is the good news that everyone who calls on the name of Jesus will be saved from their sin and certain future of eternal death…

But you can’t call on Him if you don’t believe in Him.

And you can’t believe in Him if you don’t hear about Him.

And you can’t hear about Him if no one preaches (or shares) the gospel with you.

And no one is going to preach if they aren’t sent - if the gospel isn’t prioritized!

And the reason we should prioritize it isn’t simply that it saves us from our sins, but also because God says this preaching the gospel is one of the greatest privileges in this life, in this world.

George Lim:

The gospel is great news, but people have to be impacted by it. They have to experience it. They have to engage it so who’s gonna bring it to them and the reason why he’s asking that is to anticipate some questions like well maybe the Jews didn’t respond cause they didn’t hear.

George Lim:

Word “about” Christ.

It’s almost like he’s given him the benefit of the doubt

And Israel understood. They had the spiritual advantage. They had the story before anyone else and were reading it longer than anyone else…

Even your disobedience and jealous was foretold. You know the story. You know exactly what you’re doing.

The door is wide open…

Even when you’re not looking for it…

Even after you’ve rejected it….

How do you know? If there’s an part of your heart that desires to consider it… God is on the move. That door is open.

Receive it and share it - and keep sharing it.

More to Israel - It has always been about the gospel of Jesus Christ. That’s why this is the only way (exclusive) for everyone (inclusive). This has been the perfect plan God chose from the beginning. Nothing else is needed

God chooses to save sinners and He did it through faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God who lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and was raised to new life 3 days later.

Response:

Call on the name of the Lord and be baptized.

Learn God’s word (w/ God’s Spirit) to build understanding. Life Groups.

learn to share the gospel/testimony.

Be “sent.” East Hartford? Short-term missions. 2026 opportunities released soon.

Preach the gospel. Do you love your neighbors? What story does your life preach.

Here’s why all this matters. Like Israel, we have a God-given advantage/privilege (gospel). But a misdirected zeal can be a problem for us too (let me give you a modern example).

It’s an honor and privilege to share the gospel. To be chosen by God to be on-mission. But one reason we don’t see a lot of this is because we don’t talk about it enough or value it. In our culture, what do we talk about or value - what matters to us?

College after high school.

Get a high paying job.

Finding a significant other.

Comfort

Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

But what does God prioritize?

When we value comfort, God says suffering has great purpose.

We think we need to find satisfaction in a signficant other. Paul says it’s a blessing to be single and focus on God.

We value money, college, independence, and retirement. God says that fully committing your life to preaching the gospel is beautiful.

What story are you living out? Are you the author or is God? Hint: God’s story is better - it’s perfect.

The gospel is the perfect story. It doesn’t need to be rewritten. It doesn’t need to be supplemented. In the words of Jesus, it is perfectly perfect.

Come back next week for chatper 11!!!

This is a messy story, but it’s his story. It’s God‘s story so that means it’s a perfect story. It’s not about being perfectly behaved or nothing going wrong. It’s about the love of a great God who saves sinners and that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved. This is the story that we have a opportunity to be a part of

What makes this story perfect is Jesus.

George Lim:

““Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the Lord, you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.””

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭30‬:‭19‬-‭20‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Rom 10

All the OT quotes make it clear this has always been the story

V15 - you’re right, it’s a necessity and beautiful privilege to preach the gospel. Brazil - beautiful. Michigan - beautiful. Boathouse - beautiful. Addison place - beautiful. Casali - beautiful. East hartford - beautiful. Glastonbury- beautiful.

George Lim:

Problem with the Jews was not that they hadn’t heard or that they didn’t understand, but they were unwilling to believe and that’s always been part of the story. It’s always about being someone who has faith in God as a savior. That’s the perfect story that has always been the story. It has always been about Jesus and that’s still true today. It’s not necessarily that we haven’t heard. It’s not necessarily that we don’t understand. It’s that we’re unwilling to believe so that’s where we gotta start. We gotta start. I just believe in Jesus and surrendering to that.

George Lim:

Scripture and creation point to Jesus

Stop killing yourself trying to do the impossible.

George Lim:

So the response for today is do you believe Jesus and also if you do, are you telling people about Jesus cause it’s the greatest privilege you can have

George Lim:

V21- another cliff hanger