Faith Within Reach: Four Lessons About God’s Saving Grace

Faith Within Reach: Four Lessons About God’s Saving Grace

Text:

Romans 10:5–21

Theme:

In Romans 10:5–21, Paul teaches four lessons about God’s saving grace—it cannot be earned by works, must be received by faith, must be shared with others, and continues to reach even those who resist.

Introduction:

The Locked Door: Many people think salvation is like a locked door—something they must find the right key for. But when Christ came, He didn’t hand us a key—He became the open door

Read Text

Romans 10:1–21 ESV

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. 5 For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. 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.” 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.” 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!” 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.”

Pray

I. Righteousness Comes by Faith (vv. 5–8)

Romans 10:5–8 ESV

5 For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. 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);

ILLUSTRATION The Treadmill of Religion: No matter how fast you run, you never move forward. That’s life under the law—constant motion, no arrival. Faith steps off the treadmill and into rest.

Application:

Stop trying to perform for God—trust in what Christ has already done.

Let the gospel move from something you know to something you live.

Rest in the nearness of grace—it’s not far or impossible.

Faith doesn’t climb up to God; it surrenders to God who came down to us.

II. Salvation Comes Through Believing and Confessing (vv. 9–13)

Romans 10:9–13 ESV

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.” 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.”

Illustration

The Wedding Vows: Belief is like love in the heart, but confession is the public vow. Salvation isn’t secret—it’s love declared before witnesses.

Application:

Believe that Jesus is Lord and that God raised Him from the dead.

Let your words, priorities, and actions testify to what you believe.

Celebrate the wideness of God’s mercy—anyone who calls on Him will be saved.

Faith that saves is faith that speaks through words and actions.

III. Faith Comes Through Hearing the Gospel (vv. 14–17)

Romans 10:14–17 ESV

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!” 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.

Illustration

The Silent Phone: A family waits for news from a loved one but the phone never rings. That’s the world without gospel messengers—people waiting to hear hope that’s never delivered.

Application:

Be the voice that helps others hear the good news.

Support those who are sent with the gospel—missionaries, ministers, and everyday witnesses.

Bring beauty to the world with gospel feet that go where grace is needed most.

Faith grows where the gospel goes.

IV. Grace Comes To All Who Repent (vv. 18–21)

Romans 10:18–21 ESV

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.”

Illustration

The Sunlight on Closed Blinds: Even when we close the blinds, the sun still shines. Grace keeps shining even when hearts resist.

Application:

Don’t turn away when God calls—His arms are still open.

Reflect God’s patience toward those who resist the truth.

Take comfort that no heart is too far gone for God to reach.

Grace keeps calling even when hearts keep running.

Conclusion:

God has already come close. All that remains is to believe, confess, and carry His Word to others.

The Father at the Window (Invitation to Return)

Picture a father standing at the window every night, watching the road, hoping today will be the day his child comes home.

That’s the heart of God in Romans 10. Even when Israel resisted, He said, “All day long I have held out My hands.” That’s not just history—that’s His heart right now.

Some of us have wandered, keeping God at arm’s length. But tonight, He’s still waiting at the window—lamplight burning, arms open, whispering your name.

The journey home doesn’t begin with effort—it begins with surrender. Just turn toward Him. He’ll run the rest of the way.