Sermon Tone Analysis

If you were to take a poll asking the question, “How does a person get into heaven?”

What do you suppose the result would be?

I believe the result would be something to do with “Getting into heaven requires being a good person.”

I also believe that you would get a similar answer in other countries and cultures.

Whether it be in Nepal in a Hindu temple

Or a Buddhist monks taking a vow of poverty, prayer and daily rituals as they serve in a Buddhist temple.

Or Muslims - they must say their creed and pray prescribed prayers five times each day, give alms, observe the fast of Ramadan, make pilgrimages to Mecca, and perform other rituals.

All of this with the hope that Allah will have mercy on them because of what they have done for him.

Cults - “All the cults we know of are a works based mindset as well.

“The way to heaven in through good works.

This may require knocking on doors to share your faith, going on a two-year mission, tithing your money, abstaining from certain foos and drinks, and other duties.”

Lesson 62 Bible.org

“But such an approach to God is not limited to non-Christian religions or cults.

Many in Christian religions think that they can earn right standing before God by going to mass and confession, doing good works, and sometimes by harsh treatment of their bodies.

Martin Luther was a classic example.

He gave up a career in law to join a monastery where he devoted himself to prayers and fasting, penance and the confession of sins, and living in self-imposed harsh conditions.He was trying to earn salvation by his works, but he could not find peace with God because he knew that his works were all tainted by his sin.”

Lesson 62 Bible.org

Wouldn’t it be the most terrible tragedy to devote one’s life to the service of God only to find out when you stand before Him that you got it all wrong and you are now facing HIs eternal wrath?

How is it the man on the cross was ushered into heaven on that day hanging with Jesus and those who work so hard will be cast into the lake that burns with fire?

Friends, this life is short and eternity is, well, eternal.

So we might want to get this right.

We might want to have a clear understanding of how it is that you and I can be right with God.

If the Bible is correct - and it is.

You and I should genuinely listen to what it has revealed regarding salvation from God’s eternal and holy wrath.

Paul is planning to set this strait in the verses we will cover today…

Main Idea: God's Work, Not Your Work, Makes You Right with Him!

1. Be Right with God by Faith (vs.

30-31)

“What shall we say then?”

This phrase brings to a close the discussion of this chapter and the idea that Paul has been addressing which is…

“If God is faith to His covenant promises to His chosen people, then why are most of the Jews rejecting Jesus as their Messiah and Lord.”

Bible.org

Great question!

And as we learned last week, God’s intention was never to save all Jews, but instead a remnant of Jews.

Remember, no one deserves salvation

Not the Jews

Not the gentiles

Not you nor me deserves salvation.

So what shall we say then?

Paul lays forth a profound distinction between the Jews and the gentiles.

Look at the next part of the verse…

In other words, the Gentiles didn’t pursue righteousness and received it nonetheless.

They didn’t receive it through the Law because the Law was given to the Jewish people.

The Jews had a distinct advantage over everyone else, yet missed it.

The gentiles merely heard the gospel of Jesus Christ, without all the background of the Jewish life and came to saving faith nonetheless.

What is Paul’s point?

First, one does not need to be a Jew to be saved.

Second, salvation does not come through one’s heritage.

Salvation does not come through ones religion, knowledge, experience, works, etc.

Righteousness, which is necessary for salvation from God’s wrath, is BY FAITH!

This, by the way is the transition verse from a focus on God’s sovereignty to the human responsibility.

It is the exercise of faith that brings about the righteousness.

The gentiles heard the gospel message - Your sins are forgiven in Christ.

Believe and repent, and you will be saved from the wrath of God.

The Jewish nation, on the other hand were given the very oracles of God - God revealed Himself in a very special way to these people.

They have a rich history with the God of the Bible.

Perhaps a better translation of the verse is, for they were “pursuing the law FOR righteousness.”

In other words the Jews believed that righteousness was attainable by following the law.

I can be righteous by what I do!

There are two potential paths to righteousness.

Faith in Christ’s finished work on the cross.

Faith in yourself

The Jews “Pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law.”

Righteousness is by faith, not by the works of the law.By the works of the law no flesh will be justified.

The Jews thought their adherence to the law would save them, but they were wrong.

Dead wrong.

Why does faith please God?

Because it shows God that you have confidence in Him.

That you need Him for who he is and what He is capable of.

Remember another word for faith is believe.

What does it mean to believe in Jesus Christ?

If I’m on a luxury liner that is sinking, I should want to get off of the luxury liner and get to safety.

If the crew calls out to me and says, “The liner is sinking.

Get in the lifeboat so you’ll be saved from drowning in the ocean,” that is good news in a bad situation.

The lifeboat can save me from death.

Now, I could say, “I know there’s a lifeboat, but I’m going to take my chances.

I’m going to stay on the big boat.

I’m a little uncomfortable with the lifeboat.

I heard what the crew is telling me to do, but I want to try another way.”

If I say this, it won’t be because I don’t know there is another way.

I will be choosing, however, not to accept what I know.

There may be another person who says, “Well, if the captain said to get in the lifeboat, I am going to get in the lifeboat.”

Believing in the Bible is not merely accepting information.

It is entrusting yourself to the information that you say you accept.

In other words, there is no belief until I get into the lifeboat.

Talking means nothing.

I could say, “Oh, that lifeboat sure looks good.

I believe that lifeboat can save somebody.

I believe that lifeboat is more than able.

I believe that lifeboat is the wheel in the middle of a wheel.

I believe that lifeboat is so high you can’t get over it, so low you can’t get under it, and so wide you can’t get around it.

I believe that lifeboat is the Rose of Sharon, Balm of Gilead, and Bright and Morning Star.”

I could say all of this and still drown in the ocean if I don’t get in the lifeboat.

To tell me you believe that pew you’re sitting in can hold you up is meaningless until you sit down.

It is the sitting down; it is the act of faith that equals real faith, not merely the discussion about faith.

How do you know that you’ve acted in faith?

Simple—you reject everything but Christ to save you.

You only trust in Christ.795

Tony Evans, Tony Evans’ Book of Illustrations: Stories, Quotes, and Anecdotes from More than 30 Years of Preaching and Public Speaking (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2009), 265.

Faith is at the heart of humility.

God is so pleased with the humble.