Beyond: Generosity that Reaches

Romans 10:4–15 ESV

For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ down) “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 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); 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. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 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. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 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? 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!”

Introduction: Jesus Saves “Jesus Shaves” - Florida Shooting - We need saving.

Jesus is Lord who Saves

The Story of Paul’s Gospel in Romans

All People/All Nations are trapped - Imprisoned in Sin - Creation good - Fall brings imprisonment.

Israel while thinking they are in a better place because of their chosenness - But the Story of the O.T. shows they were just as disobedient - The Law shows our need.

Read Headlines of the News Paper.

Racism, Abuse, Corruption, Violence

Rescue from this imprisonment will not come from obedience to the Law - because we can not.

God, however, is generous and offers a way for the world to be rescued/saved through Jesus: - Jesus dies for us, and conquers the imprisonment through his resurrection.

What is Salvation? - Being Freed from all that imprisons us because of sin. even though we do not deserve it.

New Status: - From Hostility - a Right relationship with God.

New Family: - Eternal Family of God’s people

New Future: - Continual Transformation now - Resurrection - New Heave/New Earth in God’s presence.

What does it mean Jesus is Lord? -

To Call Jesus Lord is to Say that God, Creator of all (Lord of all, owner of all), is the generous rescuer of what rightfully belongs to Him through Jesus.

To Contrast between Ceasar is Lord

For us it is a contrast that Money is not Lord, power, our things, even ourselves are not Lord.

Why would that be exciting - Because it is a claim that Jesus/God alone can get rid of the suffering in our world. - we keep trying and failing, only the Lord can, and he alone knows what is best.

Underground Railroad story...

You have come to a Church -

Salvation is Received When You Trust Jesus as Lord.

And this is Paul’s point - it is not by obeying the law.

Kid’s obeying parents -

Laws can be good

Believe God Raised Jesus from the Dead.

If you believe this then the rest of the story falls into place.

Resurrection proves that Jesus is superior to all man-made ways to God.

Resurrection is the fulfillment of God’s promises.

wages of sin is death, but Jesus did not sin.

Jesus is more powerful than sin, death, suffering, pain - if he can do this, he can and will rescue - new heaven & new earth.

It means his promise to raise us from the dead is more than possible.

We can see our future transformation in Jesus’ resurrected body.

Confess with Your Mouth that Jesus is Lord.

Really about aligning your priorities with Jesus

Something about speaking increases commitment

Speaking with words & speaking with actions

True Faith produces words and actions, actions and words to not produce True Faith.

Blondin Story

But Blondin is human - Jesus is fully God and Fully man and was raised from the Dead - You can be assured he will not drop you. - His promise to give you a new status, bring you into a new eternal family, and give you a transformed future is sure.

Opportunity to Receive Jesus

Pray - prompted

Instructions

Pray at home

Tell someone here if you gave your life to Jesus.

Share God’s Generosity

Kingdom of God - Bible Project Video.

Conclusion: - This is Good News - It does not minimize the problems of our world, or our own lives. But it is good news, because Jesus will finish what he started, and will transform our lives, and our world.

Reference the Reformed Confessions: The Reformed Confessions are statements of faith written to clarify the Gospel at times when the Church was in crisis. Heidelberg Chatechism: Q&A 3, 19, 20,-23, 53, 61, 83-84, Belgic Confession: Articles 3-5, 7, 22, 25, Canons of Dort: Head I, Articles 2-6; Head II, Article 6-7; Head III and IV, Articles 5, 8, 13-14, 17; Head V, Article 14 Belhar Confession: Articles 1-2