SF494 - CHRIST THE ANSWER WE ALL NEED (Romans 10 1-4)

SF494

CHRIST: THE ANSWER WE ALL NEED

Romans 10:1-4

INTRODUCTION

Theme of this Chapter - Israel’s Rejection

Paul turns from the sovereignty of God to the responsibility of man.

In these opening verses he sets forth the absolute essential that it is in Christ alone that salvation is found.

He does so by sharing his concern for his people the Israelites.

He pictures Israel as both religious and lost

He then expresses his concern over their spiritual carelessness and he finally states God cure.

1A.       THE PRAYER OF A RIGHTEOUS MAN (1)

1B.       Purposeful

“Desire” = delight, wish, purpose:‑‑desire

“That they may be saved...”

Matthew 12:22-29

Who is the strong man? - Satan!

We must bind him - he cannot be tricked!

We cannot out wit the devil, you must overcome him by sheer force - bind him!

Then we can loose souls

Matthew 18:18-19

Many do not want to come until we bind Satan in their lives

(2 Corinthians 4:4)  The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Satan is the god of this age.

Your job is to bind the blinder!

They must be willing to go - our prayers free them to be saved but it does not force them to be saved.

2B.       Powerful

“Prayer to God”

(James 5:16) ...The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

2A.       THE PROBLEM OF A SELF-RIGHTEOUS PEOPLE (2-3)

1B.       Excitement without enlightenment (2)

“Zeal” = zelos, heat, fervent mind, indignation, jealousy, zeal.

“Without knowledge” = epignosis, full discernment; clear understanding

2B.       Sacrifice without submission (3)

This was Saul’s error

(1 Samuel 15:22)  But Samuel replied: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.

3A.       THE PROVISION OF A REDEEMING GOD (4)

Summed up in Two Words...

1B.       Fulfilled

“The end of the law...” = telos, to set out for a definite point or goal;

Christ fulfilled all that the Law (the whole OT) was intended to bring us to. - righteousness

(Galatians 3:24)  So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith.

2B.       Faith

Universal = “everyone” = pas

Free = “Believes” = pisteuo

APPLICATION

God has graciously made provision for you!

It is not enough to be religious and faithful to your religion.

Whose salvation are you praying for?