Twelfth Sunday after Trinity (2025)

Romans 10:9-17

My Brothers and Sisters in Christ, what a wonderful reading we have in the letter to the Romans on the day that we kick off Bible Study and Sunday School, and gather together around the Word of God to receive the good and gracious gifts that the Lord provides for us in our need. For we are reminded today why our Church remains ever focused upon the Word, and why we gather together to rejoice in God’s gracious gift of salvation, and we want every man, woman, and child to receive that Word with gladness!

God’s Word is Active

God’s Word is not passive.

The Scriptures refer to God’s Word as living, active, sharper than any two edged sword. This is why the world has struggled with Christianity and resists and hates it. When all we are doing is speaking and bringing GOd’s word into the world. If the words were meaningless, passive, idle things, then there would be no concern, but God’s word is powerful and awesome. For in it we find two teachings.

The Law convicts our hearts.

This is where we first begin to feel the sharpness and pain of God’s Word. For it does not allow us to remain in our sins, and to hide away from them, but brings light to the shameful things we have done, and the lies that we have told not just our neighbors but ourselves. For the Law does not compare us with our neighbor to see if we are better than they are. The Law strips away those feeble defenses and reveals our sinful hearts. This opens the way for the other teaching,

The Gospel restores us to His grace.

For it reveals that mankind could not walk back to God or make that climb back to a state of Grace, but that God in his grace, mercy, and love reached down from heaven and picked us up, washed us clean, and brought us home. Why? Because of His love for you. It is important that you not confuse these two teachings and their purpose. For you must stand in the court of God’s law and a verdict will be given. Innocent or Guilty, which in Biblical terms is righteous or sinner.

Righteousness Based On Law

The promises of the Law are conditional.

The Law promises great rewards and a place in God’s Kingdom. That heaven can be yours, but there is always a condition. If a person can keep all of God’s commandments and demands, then they will be saved. So many dove head long into this thinking that they can accomplish all that the law demands and requires. The truth is

You cannot keep the Commandments.

You might say, bah I’ve honored my parents, I’ve not killed anyone, I’ve to committed adultery, i’ve not stolen, so in the court of your mind you are already righteous and do not need to worry about these commandments. But you do not stand in the court of your own mind on the day of judgment, you stand in the court of God, Creator of all things, He who is perfect and holy. So do you live up to His expectations for

God demands perfection.

So where you narrow the commandments God applies them broadly. You may have honored your father and mother, openly, but did you do always do so in your heart? What governing leaders, not just the party that you like, but the candidate you didn’t vote for. You may not have murdered someone in cold blood, but do you carry hate in your heart, and while you may not have joined yourself physical to someone who is not your spouse, have you kept lust from your hearts and from what you watch? You must never fail, for to do so at any point is to mock your creator.

That’s why no one is good.

Because God doesn’t compare us with the worst sinners in the world to see if we are better than they are. No God compares us with His own righteousness and holiness. This is why those who rely on the Law are under a curse, for even the best people in this world fall short and are called to repent, for they do not measure up to God’s Holiness, and Righteousness, and that is why all those who rely on the Law, on being a good person, end up in hell. This is different than the righteousness

Righteousness based on Faith

We are saved by the word.

Not by what we have done, but the Promise of God that was spoken to mankind and to you. The promise that began back in the garden, that God would send a savior, that He would be the offspring of Abraham through whom the world would be blessed, the Son of David that would reign forever, that Jesus the Son of God who was born of Mary saved you. He is the one who has borne all your sins, and fulfilled all righteousness for your sake, and that the blood He shed, He shed for you and that He rose for you to save you.

To confess means to same -speak

So the Words we speak aren’t words that came out of our own heart, but we confess, that these promises that God made are true. That we echo the Word that God spoke to Creation through the prophets and the Apostles and that is written down in Holy Scripture. Which is to save that we believe what God has spoken. Typically we think of Confession in relation to our sins, but we are same-speaking what the Scripture say about us that we are sinners, for we believe Jesus’ promise to the Church that the forgiveness offered here is the same just as if Christ himself had offered it to us for that is what Jesus promises.

For belief clings to a promise.

So we don’t just look in our hearts to find these promises. Belief, faith, or trust has to hold on to something that is outside of us. God’s promises aren’t just inside of your heart, they are found in the Word, which is outside of you, that you might have something reliable and to look at and know Yes God did save you.

God’s Promises for You

God sent Jesus for you.

Yes, you even though according to the Law you are nothing but a sinner, we can hold on to the promise that Jesus Christ came to save sinners. So let the Law condemn you and show all your sins, and all your failings and shortcomings, for then you will see the great love that Jesus has for you. That God did not hide his face from you in your shame, but picked you up and held you close as a Father treasures his child.

God washed you.

Through the water and word, he cleansed you from your sins, and clothed you in the robe of His righteousness. Baptism is God’s gift and unites you with the death and the resurrection of Jesus. Promised that whoever believes and is baptized shall be saved, for faith holds on to the promise God gives in Baptism.

Jesus feeds you.

He gives to you His body and blood which was sacrificed for you on Calvary and received as a good sacrifice. It was the fulfillment of the Old Testament sacrificial system where a person would receive a portion of that food which had been sacrificed that they might receive the blessings of God’s holiness and righteousness by that which had been brought into His presence and receive a blessing. We receive that body and blood of Christ which was offered up that we might have peace with God to know salvation is ours. But how

How Do People Know?

It’s the same for all, they must hear.

That’s why it is good to see you here today at Church to be strengthened by His Word, to gather the Saints of God together around Word and Sacrament both young and old. For God’s promises are given through the Word and that is how faith has been created in your heart, and the hearts of Christians throughout the centuries it is always by the Word, which

Which means we must speak.

We must bring God’s WOrd out into the world to our neighbors, our friends, and our family. For they will not become believers by doing good works, or being decent people. Nor will they be converted merely by us doing good things for them. There are all sorts of reasons you might be nice to your neighbor. You actually have to share God’s Word with them for them to believe, but what if you can’t, then bring them to where God’s Word is at. Encourage them to come by telling them that

God has riches for them.

Not riches as the world offers, but the treasures of heaven, peace with God, forgiveness for sins, and that Jesus has taken their shame upon himself that they might stand before God and be declared righteous in His Sight. J

My Brothers and Sisters in Christ, we need the Word of God, and just as there was someone who knew you needed to hear that Word, there are those you know who need to hear it as well. Share that Word with them and make sure they hear it. If they are your friends or strangers, invite them to church. If they are your children, drag them kicking and screaming for without the word they cannot believe, for faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the Word of Christ. In Jesus name. Amen.