Missing the Boat

Introduction

How many of us miss the boat about God? We think we understand how God works and what He requires of us, but end up farther away from Him than ever.

That is exactly what happened to the Jews. If you have your Bibles turn with me to Romans chapter 10 beginning with verse 1.

Romans 10:1–4 NIV84

Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.

Romans 10:1-

Zealous for God

Paul talks about how zealous the Jews were for God, but they had a problem. Their Zeal was not based on knowledge.

Question 1

Are you Zealous for God? Are you busy serving God? Are the things you do for God based on knowledge about Him? Are you doing what God wants you to do, or what you think God wants you to do?

They sought to establish their own righteousness

The Jews did not live their lives the way God said to live their lives. Instead they sought to establish their own righteousness on their own terms.

Question 2

How many times have you and I tried to be righteous on our own terms?

The problem with the Jews was that they had become ignorant of God’s righteousness.

My friends, the problem with many in America today is that many people have become ignorant of what it means to be righteous.

Righteousness (according to God’s standard) can only comes from God! Thus, Christ ended the law, and gives righteousness to everyone who believes.

Romans 10:5-

Romans 10:5–7 NIV84

Moses describes in this way the righteousness that is by the law: “The man who does these things will live by them.” But the righteousness that is by 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 deep?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).

Righteousness has Always Come By Faith!

Paul builds the argument that the Law could not bring us righteousness—faith has alway been the required.

Today, faith continues to be required to experience God’s righteousness.

Romans 10:8-

Romans 10:8–13 NIV84

But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That 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. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

The Word is Near

According to , Jesus is the Word of God, and here we are reminded that the Word is near us!

The Word of Faith Proclaimed

Not only is the Word near us, but the Word has been proclaimed to us.

Confess

First we are told to confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord. This is more than simply saying words, it is putting this belief—the belief that Jesus is our Master into action.

Believe

Next we need to believe in our hearts that God actually raised Jesus from the dead.

You see if Jesus was not resurrected then He cannot save us! When we allow this belief to penetrate deep into our lives we receive two things!

Receive Justification

First we are “justified” that is placed into a right relationship with God. God now sees us through the shed blood of Jesus like we NEVER sinned.

Receive Salvation

Receive Justification

Salvation in the broad sense means rescued from our sins. Saved from our own demise.

No Difference!

The Jew is declared righteous because of faith in Jesus.

Likewise the Gentile is declared righteous by faith in Jesus.

Thus the same Master is Master of all who call on Him!

Romans 10:14-15

Romans 10:14–15 NIV84

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

Question 3

What about those who have never heard the Good News—the Gospel?

That is exactly the point of the rest of this chapter.

People do not call on those in whom they do not believe.

People do not believe in someone whom they have never heard of.

For them to hear they need someone preaching—proclaiming!

And for someone to proclaim they need to be sent!

Those who go and share are greatly appreciated. The idea of beautiful feet is appreciation.

Question 4

Are you a beautiful feet kind of person?

The Problem

Romans 10:16-21

Romans 10:16–21 NIV84

But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did: “Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.” Again I ask: Did Israel not understand? First, Moses says, “I will make you envious by those who are not a nation; I will make you angry by a nation that has no understanding.” And Isaiah boldly says, “I was found by those who did not seek me; I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me.” But concerning Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.”

Not everyone who hears the message will believe. Some are simply disobedient and obstinate people.

Some people will disobey God no matter what they hear. And some are just simply obstinate—they are going to do what they want to do no matter what.

But those who seek after God will find God, because He will reveal Himself to them.

Conclusion

So what about you? How do you measure up?

Do you know Jesus—has there ever been a time in your life that you know for sure you accepted Jesus into your life—confessed with your mouth and believe in your heart?

Do you seek God? For when you seek Him you will find Him.

If so, do you have beautiful feet because you have been sharing the Good New—the Gospel message with those who don’t know Jesus.

Is Jesus Lord, Master, Ruler of your life?

When God holds out His hands to you, do you run to Him or away from Him?

This morning lets work to run to Jesus, and bring as many people with us as we can.