Romans, Part 32
Romans 10:10-15
Introduction
- Often the Law is referred to as being “abolished” by Jesus – but that’s not true
- Jesus came as the fulfillment of the Law, which is opposite removal of it
-- Matthew 5:17, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”
- This is the key that the Jews had the hardest time accepting
-- APP: It is not a confession that grows to belief; it begins with the belief in Him
-- This is why v4 is so important to know; Jesus came to fulfill the Law of Moses
- DEEPER: It is His work that we are to have zeal (v2) for the salvation of others
- Stand and read Romans 10:10-15 / Pray
Point 1 – Salvation requires Action (10-13)
- Most have heard these verses before; most quote them as salvation foundation
- We believe with our heart … It is the deepest part of our being; it is intimate
-- Abraham believed and righteousness was credited (Gen 15)
-- Thomas believed and his heart cried out for repentance (John 20)
-- Peter believed and he was restored to the faith (John 21)
- From the belief comes our justification …
-- Justified by Christ’s saving GRACE – not because of what we’ve done
-- The action here requires us to confess; to move out and proclaim
- This is the greatest stumbling block for most looking for something
- V11 – Isa 28:16, “So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation, the one who trusts will never be dismayed.”
-- Luke 7:23, “Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me”
- Our understanding is to grab hold of this truth; and cause none to stumble
- We must be willing to lay it out for others to see Jesus, and only Jesus!
-- Luke 9:26, “If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.”
- APP: Jesus will be ashamed of you in front of His Father … consider the impact!
-- The simplicity is often the most difficult part; even in our daily witness
- V12 – Very key verse and something we must stand on firmly
-- Regardless of where you come from, what your status is; there is only one God
-- Regardless of what you look like, what race you are, what sex you are
-- Regardless of how much money you have, or even how prideful you are
-- There is only ONE God, and it is to Him that we express our loyalty
- Key app here: In our walking we have to call a false god exactly what it is
-- We cannot shy away from those worshiping a man-made idol
-- We cannot be embarrassed to say that God will simply wink at sin
-- It is who we are called by; and it is what we must respond to
- The Gospel is good news – even if you are bursting a false god’s bubble
- If we won’t, the blood of men will be on your hands (Romans …)
- Notice the application by Paul now – (this is the “then” statement following “if”)
-- V13 – Everyone (NKJV & KJV – “whoever” … CEV – “all” …)
-- If we will call upon Him, then we shall be saved – but NOT before …
-- APP: Sometimes the best prayer in the world is, “God save me!!”
- TRANS: But, before anyone can call upon the name, they must hear the truth
Point 2 – Called to Speak the Truth (14-15)
- Each of us has some portion of the Gospel ministry; even today in 2011
-- As Paul writes to the church in Rome, he’s telling them to get out and do it
-- He is not sugar coating, but getting them to examine their calling MUCH deeper
- We are each called to respond … to minister … to witness … to deliver
- Sometimes, it’s hard – it hasn’t always been this easy for me to witness
- Talk about 1st trip to MG; fear, anxiety, nervousness, no confidence
-- Basically, the devil ate my lunch and had enough left over for seconds
-- Dan Katka told me these two verses, and it changed my life forever
-- He even emphasized the importance of v15; even my feet are beautiful
- Put yourself in first century AD … open ended shoes and dirt roads
-- And even their feet are called beautiful because of what they are doing
- Isaiah 52:7, “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news; who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, YOUR GOD REIGNS!”
- APP: Have you ever gotten a call that brings bad news? How about good news?
-- CONSIDER: Which would you rather have … if you were given a choice?
- When we consider all that are dying today, will we tell them about Jesus?
- We are to constantly be willing to live a life that rejoices in what Jesus has done
- But to not acknowledge who He is, is actually to sit in sin and judgment
- But, earlier in Romans Paul gave us a promise to stand on daily:
-- Romans 6:16, “For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under the law, but under GRACE.”
-- Paul is declaring that in all things, we should live under grace
- When we live under grace, we are willing to share it and give it more freely
- APP: Grace is not a tool in the toolbox – it is the entire hardware department!
Conclusion
- Each of us is called to travel, to minister, and to deliver the Good News
- It is the output of Grace: We take Grace in; and out comes its testimony
- This Sunday, we’ll examine Jesus’ triumphant entry in Jerusalem; will you
-- 1. Pray for those who need the Gospel to hear and receive
-- 2. Pray for me to be as bold as John was to the Pharisees
- Many are coming to know Jesus in these days because others are witnessing
- Will you and I be amongst those willing to share the Good News?
- We must …
- Pray
