One Way to Righteousness
One Way to Righteousness
Romans 9:30-10:21
I. Israel’s goal was right, but its method was wrong (9:30-10:4).
A. 9:30What then shall we say?
1. the Gentiles,
a. who did not pursue righteousness,
b. have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith;
2. 31but Israel,
a. who pursued a law of righteousness,
b. has not attained it.
i. 32Why not?
ii. Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works.
iii. They stumbled over the "stumbling stone."
c. 33As it is written: "See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame." {33 Isaiah 8:14; 28:16}
B. 10:1Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved.
1. 2For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God,
2. but their zeal is not based on knowledge.
a. 3Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God
b. and sought to establish their own,
c. they did not submit to God's righteousness.
C. 4Christ is the end of the law
1. so that
a. there may be righteousness
b. for everyone who believes.
II. God has made righteousness accessible to us through the Gospel (10:5-13).
A. 5Moses describes in this way the righteousness that is by the law (says):
1. "The man who does these things will live by them." {5 Lev. 18:5}
B. 6But the righteousness that is by faith says:
1. "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?'" {6 Deut. 30:12} (that is, to bring Christ down) 7
2. "or 'Who will descend into the deep?'" {7 Deut. 30:13} (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).
3. 8But what does it say?
a. "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," {8 Deut. 30:14}
b. that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming:
4. 9That 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.
a. 10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified,
b. and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
c. 11As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." {11 Isaiah 28:16}
i. 12For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile-- the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,
ii. 13for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." {13 Joel 2:32}
III. The Gospel has been brought to Israel, but Israel has rejected it (10:14-21).
A. 14How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in?
1. And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?
2. And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
3. 15And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" {15 Isaiah 52:7}
B. 16But not all the Israelites accepted the good news.
1. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our message?" {16 Isaiah 53:1}
a. 17Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message,
b. and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
2. 18But I ask: Did they not hear?
a. Of course they did:
b. "Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world." {18 Psalm 19:4}
3. 19Again I ask: Did Israel not understand?
a. 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." {19 Deut. 32:21}
b. 20And Isaiah boldly says, "I was found by those who did not seek me; I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me." {20 Isaiah 65:1}
c. 21But concerning Israel he says, "All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people." {21 Isaiah 65:2}