Let’s Pray

This morning is a little different as far as this series goes

So far this series if we cover 4-5 verses on a Sunday morning that is a lot

today however there was just not a good breaking point as it is all one thought

that thought really wraps up the past several weeks

the jist of this morning and really the past several weeks is this

it is about God not works or religion

It is about Jesus not works or religion

so many still try to work their way to heaven

they try to be good enough

morally good

none of that works because God doesn’t care about works

He cares about hearts and relationships

Works are expected and gladly given because of Jesus

His free gift of salvation not to earn Him

I am going to read the whole text this morning and work through the overall message as opposed to walking down verse by verse

Romans 9:24-10:4

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Romans 9:24–10:4 “Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God. Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved: For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth. And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha. What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”

1. Is there a tradition or belief or mindset between you and God

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Paul her is continuing to attack works for salvation because works for salvation is pointless

you cannot work

do all the right things

keep the law

in order to gain salvation

all you do when you do that is bring the full wrath of God upon you at judgement because you declare that you do not need Jesus’ blood to cover your sins you want your own blood to cover your sins

the problem is your blood is not acceptable payment for your sins only Jesus’ blood is acceptable payment for your sins

The Jews thought if they keep the law....their law....if they had the right physical blood line then they were good

they thought that was what God wanted

they fully believed that they were good

saved

going to heaven

in right relationship with God

they truly believed this

it was taught to them from the time they were born as the way to go

now Jesus comes

whom they were looking for by the way....the Messiah....they just thought God would send a wordly king so they missed Jesus

their traditions and beliefs failed them because it taught them to look for their beliefs and not God’s

Jesus comes...preaches the Kingdom of God is at hand repent

preaches He is the way the truth and the life and no one comes to the Father except through Him

The apostles followed preaching the Gospel

the Jews entire world was flipped upside down

the rug was pulled out from underneath them

Paul has been pleading with his kinsmen to turn and follow Jesus

just as I plead with you each and every Sunday to make sure it is Jesus you choose and not works or ministry

John 14:6

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John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

Jesus is the only way to heaven

not works

not bloodline

not ministry

not tithes

devotion

surrendering your life to His Lordship

He is it

no other way

Should you be at church.....Absolutely not to earn salvation but because you have it

Should you serve both at church but also those around you everyday....Absolutely not to earn salvation but because you have it

Should you tithe.....10% without question as the Bible describes....Absolutely not to earn salvation but because you have it

Devotion because of who He is and what He did

Galatians 2:16

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Galatians 2:16 “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”

If you do things

works

keep the law

to be saved you will never be justified

if you are never justified you are not saved and will face God’s full wrath at judgement day

Jesus

only Jesus

it is Jesus who saves

It is Jesus who justifies

your faith is in Jesus nothing else

your faith can’t be in your church

your pastor

your money

your spouse

your kids

only Jesus

There are people in churches all across America and probably even here in our small body that think they are saved by works

justified by their works

however works of the law cannot justify flesh

your works cannot save you

Hebrews 11:7

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Hebrews 11:7 “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.”

Where was Noah’s faith?

It had never even rained on earth

no one, including Noah knew what rain or floods were

yet what did he do

he moved when God spoke

why because he knew God

he didn’t act because he was trying to earn salvation

he didnt act because he was trying to earn God’s mercy

he moved because he knew God

depending on many things...what timeline you follow the building of the ark took about 30 years

some say 120 years some say 75 but as I was researching I came across a great article on back to genesis who is behind the ark in Kentucky which took them 26 months to build with modern tools etc

they lay out the scripture and you can find it there and make your own decision

30 years Noah was building the ark

can you imagine the flack he caught

the people making fun of him

where is that rain captain

we are going to die...yeah right...you are crazy

but Noah built

board by board

nail by nail

30 years he worked to build something he didnt even understand

Noah was building the ark in the river basins of Mesopotamia so they probably knew boats, small river boats

the ark was an ocean vessel....Noah was hundreds of miles from the ocean

to the physical mind this was crazy but not to Noah because his faith was in God not situations or circumstances or human time

Galatians 5:4

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Galatians 5:4 “Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.”

this should rock you to your core

what a horrific thing to think about

Christ is of none effect to you

useless

no good

If you are working for salvation Christ is useless to you

If your faith is in works you are not saved

I dont care how long you have attended church

i dont care how long you have claimed to be Christian

you per the Bible are not saved because Christ is useless to you

Christ is none effect unto you

Your why is so important

your why has to be Jesus and Jesus alone

your works

your service flow out of your love and devotion to Jesus

He is enough

for the Jews of the day this was a huge issue

for many today....maybe even you this is a huge issue

2. Christ A Stumbling Block

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I Peter 2:6-8

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1 Peter 2:6–8 “Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.”

The Jews thought they had it all figured out

they had the physical bloodline

they had the laws that their religion created...God gave 10 Commandments....man created 600 plus laws...that is the law they were so desperately trying to keep

they worshipped at the best churches the tabernacles

they worshipped in the holy city Jerusalem

they knew how to do church

the were religious yet lost because Jesus was a stumbling block to them

Jesus was not enough to give up themselves....their traditions...their beliefs...their wants....their desires

Their entire religious system

their entire faith was centered and based upon works....keeping the law

you and I are not exempt

we have to be so careful that Jesus isn’t a stumbling block to us

why are you here

why do you do what you do

so many times people find Jesus....

Holy Spirit leads them to repentance that leads to salvation

that is why you are not the same after you truly meet Jesus

II Corinthians 7:10

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2 Corinthians 7:10 “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.”

Godly sorrow.....conviction....Godly sorrow should always lead to conviction....i say should because you have a choice.....the truth is Godly sorrow always leads to conviction but you can refuse to listen or respond to that conviction

God gives you and me free will which means we can ignore conviction which leads to death

Godly sorrow...conviction...is not because of the consequences of sin but because you realize you sinned against God

the effects of sin.....a broken relationship with God......you were in right standing with God and now you are not

why

because you drove the bus

you followed you

you spat on Jesus

you looked at the cross and said .....nope not enough for me

I don't need that

i got it

the most dangerous three words in the English language spiritually....I got it...no bro you dont

when you realize that is exactly where you are thanks to Holy Spirit...conviction...Godly sorrow....it breaks you because you realize you broke Gods heart....you repent...leading you back to life....leading you back to God

Jesus’ blood and forgiveness put you back in right standing and fellowship with God

Worldly Sorrow equals death

worldly Sorrow is sorrow only because you got caught and now have to face consequences