This past week there was a post on the Fort Gibson Forum. It had a picture of a pretty horse walking down a paved road. He/she had a saddle and bridal but no rider guiding him toward a worthwhile destination. Not sure where the horse was headed. Though he looked confident, his owner had to come and rescue him. That is what God sees when he surveys the landscape. Many too bold and confident in life; however, perhaps they have never contemplated a life guided by Jesus.
Belief, confession, and invocation are incredible steps people must take to have a personal relationship with Jesus. Yet, there is something that leads a person through to these steps; with its absence people will struggle to sit next to us in church with a realized salvation of the soul. You and I have the key. Without it people will believe in something, confess to a particular way of life, and invite a host of ideologies into their lives that promise truth and meaning. Without the key we hold near to our heart, they will fail to find the abundant life that Jesus offers. They will wander aimlessly down roads without a guide.
1. Legalistic “righteousness” is motivated by the mind (:1-5)
What is it that you are passionate about? The Jewish leaders were passionate, energetic about the things of God. The Greek word used in verse three is zelos; it carries the image of the sound water makes when poured over a hot stone. They were obsessed over the moral and ethical extremes they presumed God intended. They majored on prejudging others and writing them out of the mercy and grace of God.
A couple of weeks ago, in a Bible study group, I made this statement, “It is more difficult to live by the relational principles Jesus modeled for us than to live by the 10 Commandments.” When working with Drug Court clients I would often meet in the judge’s office, along with the D.A and our clients’ lawyers. The Shelves in Judge Steidly’s office were full of legal books and manuals. I recall being in the courtroom where Judge Smith presided. There was a hearing in which he and a lawyer got into an exchange of citing cases related to various laws—the assistant D.A. and I sat dumbfounded. I imagine that is a picture of being around the Jewish leaders.
Paul was steeped in their tradition, following their teachings closely. His zeal led him to persecute the early Christians, if not killing them at least approving it. Paul could spit out the rule book. He could nail a person each time they violated a rule. He could argue that non-Jews were not children of God. He made a sharp distinction between who could and couldn’t enter the Temple. This world crumbled when he had an experience with God on the Damascus Road. With the authority and commissioning of the chief priests he was on a mission—not good for people of the Way; he heard God saying, “Saul, Saul why do you persecute me.” He was overwhelmed with by the mercy and grace of God.
There are Christians today who major on what I call “nitpicky legalism” and have a works theology. They give a head nod to salvation through faith; however, they quickly move toward a unscriptural idea that “doing good works and obeying laws earns and merits salvation. An illustration speaks to this. In Matthew 12:9-14 the Pharisees confronted Jesus for healing on the Sabbath. They were concerned with the “letter of the law”. They missed the spirit of the law.
A man in a church where I served didn’t go to any stores or restaurants on Sunday. One Sunday an elderly lady from our church ran out of gas, called him, and he talked about buying gas in a can to rescue as committing a sin.
Jesus rebuked the Pharisees at this very point, saying, “You teach human traditions as if they were the word of God.” We have no right to heap up restrictions on people where God has no stated restriction.
Too many miss the spirit of the law. Why is the law important? While serving as a prison chaplain and interviewing for another position, I was asked about my view of the Department of Corrections policies; the records department has shelves lined with these. I shared that many came about as our predecessors faced issues, perhaps consequences, and didn’t want others to experience the same. The Book given to us from God is a guide for experiencing the abundant life.
The thief comes only to steal, slaughter, and destroy. I’ve come that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10
Paul wanted the Jews to be saved, to step out of legalism, and accept Jesus and his teachings. He had discovered himself that the approach of the Jews stopped short of REALLY KNOWING GOD.
2. Genuine righteousness resides in the soul :6-13)
We often view the word righteousness from a purely moralistic term. In verse 3 Paul said the Jews “did not know the righteousness that comes from God.” This is an interesting word. Paul puts a twist to usage of the word—it does mean judicial approval. We could paraphrase it this way, God adjudged that Jesus is the only way for having a right way of living. They missed the abundant life God had determined for all people. Listen to the first three verses in the Message—a translation from the Greek.
Believe me, friends, all I want for Israel is what’s best for Israel: salvation, nothing less. I want it with all my heart and pray to God for it all the time. I readily admit that the Jews are impressively energetic regarding God—but they are doing everything exactly backward (not to full knowledge). They don’t seem to realize that this comprehensive setting-things-right that is salvation is God’s business, and a most flourishing business it is. Right across the street they set up their own salvation shops and noisily peddle their knockoffs. After all these years of refusing to really deal with God on his terms, insisting instead on making their own deals, they have nothing to show for it. Romans 10: 1-3
What causes a person to miss salvation? They tend to use the head to craft what it means to have what Jesus called abundant life. Yet they can never experience the abundant life by schemes of the mind. This includes seeing the Bible from a secular point of view. Paul says they are blinded and cannot see.
In Matthew we read about the disciples reporting to Jesus that the Jewish leaders are offended by a statement he made, quoting Isaiah:
‘These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.
Their worship of me is empty,
because they teach human rules as doctrines.’” Matthew 15: 8-9
Jesus tells the disciples to leave them alone; saying they are blind leaders leading others who are blinded to the truth of God. He is pointing out they can’t see the Good News being lived out through his teachings and lifestyle. Jesus knew they would not see the meaning of the cross he would endure. Jesus, God incarnate would willingly give up his life for all people, those like us who were steeped in sin—pursuing a way of living contrary to the mercy and grace of God.
People who fail to understand Jesus’ mercy, grace, hope, and faith meander through life like a hunter in the woods who is lost but telling his wife (cell phone) that he isn’t lost, only running late.
One evening, while pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, Muskogee, we were talking about certain teachings of Jesus. A deacon, Richard Shepler, asked “Do you teach this to the ladies?” A reference to the ladies at Rose Rock Recovery Center (a residential facility serving women with addictive and mental health disorders). I said, No. They catch it. Moses said it this way as Jesus quoted him.
The word that saves is right here,
as near as the tongue in your mouth,
as close as the heart in your chest.
The Greek for heart is kardia. It means the affective center of our being, a place where volitional desire or longing resides. The heart is used as a meaning for our soul. In Ephesians Paul wrote about his heart’s desire for the Christians at Ephesus.
Then, with the eyes of your hearts enlightened, you will know the confidence that is produced by God having called you, the rich glory that is his inheritance among the saints, 19 and the unlimited greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his mighty strength, 20 which he brought about in the Messiah when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realm. Ephesians 1:19-20
Heart-belief leads to righteousness. Mouth confession leads to salvation. Some, as with the Jews, accept the rules, principles, of God but fail to put voice to salvation offered by Jesus. John Steinrucken, an atheist, when discussing the need for a moral code says there is no better moral code than the one Moses brought down from the mountain. Yet he fails to see from his heart, failing to believe in Jesus as the way to having a just relationship with God. He has never confessed this with heart felt invocation. As with the Jews, he embraces the moralist teachings of the Bible but can’t see beyond them to the meaning of Jesus and the need for a savior.
Oswald Chambers views faith as vision; faith is a gift from God that inspires our reach to genuine righteousness. Faith, in verse 6, is pistis and it means persuasion, be persuaded to come to trust.
Faith is the work of Holy Spirit in our lives; faith leads to confidence that God can keep that which he has started. Faith results in hope and belief that God can bring into fruition his perfect will. God has a vision for the church. Our question is this, do we have faith? Do we have vision? Are we faithing toward a God-given vision? For our lives? For the church? Do we peer into the unknowns, trusting God. Faith moves us toward the vision he has placed in our hearts. Hebrews 11:1 gives us the meaning of faith.
Now faith is the assurance that what we hope for will come about and the certainty that what we cannot see exists.
We can’t see the transcendent God and we didn’t live while Jesus, God in flesh, walked the earth. Where does this leave people who say, “Show me your God.” There is no pessimism in faith. Faith inspires vision, a vision of salvation for many.
3. Visionary faith comes through inspiring words (:14-17
For most of us in this room, this message is good news but not new news. We are familiar with salvation based upon Jesus’ birth, life, death, resurrection, and how he, Holy Spirit guides us in right living. Then what is the problem? Why are many churches across America at a standstill?
Baptisms in the Southern Baptist Convention rose slightly in 2022; however, they are well below where they were in 2019. Church membership in most churches saw a slight increase until 2007; however, it sits at an all-time low as of 2022. In 2019 4,500 churches closed their doors; however, 3,000 new churches began. First Baptist of Broken Arrow was a key church where the FAITH evangelism training was offered by Lifeway. They lost that privilege because of the decline in Baptism in the church. This was very disheartening for the pastor, Nick Garland—this happened around 2004. Why?
Sadly, many churches have become focused on what is called the social gospel. Believing if we provide food, clothing, and do other community projects people will profess salvation in Jesus. These are good things but they do not automatically translate into Baptisms. I served a church in Kansas City, KS where a lady managed a ministry designed to help people. One Sunday she told me she would not witnessed to anyone seeking assistance. Really?
Spirituality is a popular subject in America. I have a presentation focusing on spirituality that I have done at many conferences. It has stimulated a lot of discussion. Many people affirm the need for being spiritual; however, that means something different for each person. A medical doctor in California approached me following a presentation and talked with me for a long time. He told me he owned a detox facility and was going meet with his staff and incorporate spirituality into the program. I was asked by the Executive Direct of Arcadia Trail, a residential facility owned by Integris, to help them implement spirituality into their program. People are interested in spirituality; however, for many it is not the spirituality that we are talking about this morning.
Yes, in America there has been a huge shift toward a non-religious view. However, is that the main reason people are not confessing faith in Jesus? I don’t think so. If this is true, how do we explain the growth of the church in some of the countries where other religious groups have dominated? Cameroon, Africa, Thailand, are some of the difficult places where baptisms are happening. Iran is perhaps the most dangerous places for Christians; however, CBN ran an article, Secret Mission to Baptize 20 Iranians: ‘God Gave Me Living Water and a New Life.’
Selina Dragoti in Berat, Albania, exclaimed, “I am only few moments away from my baptism, and I’m counting the seconds as if they are long days. I’m about to become the daughter of the Most High. … Today, I’m only a step away from his glorious throne.”
While working at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary we were concerned about students from Korea. Some struggled to stay attentive in class and some struggled academically. This was because of them staying up into the early hours of the day praying. They had a burden and passion. They were zealous as the Jews; however, theirs was for the lost, the unaffiliated to know Christ in their hearts. We had a student that killed his first person at age 12 while serving in a feudal tribe. He knew he risked harm; however, he was anxious to return to Africa. The missionary that shared the love of Christ with him was retiring and he was going to step into his shoes. Some countries are sending missionaries to America.
Paul touches upon a fundamental reality about seeing more and more people becoming Christians. He doesn’t so much put the focus out there and the beliefs of the Jews and the gentiles. In the middle of this discussion, he makes an interesting statement.
“How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace” Roman 10:15
Martin Luther wrote, “The word ‘beautiful’ stands for purity, for they (that preach the gospel of peace and bring glad tiding of good things) do not proclaim the Gospel for their own advantage or on account of vain glory, as this happens here and there today.” We share the Gospel for the salvation of others. The question is, Are we passionate about this?
According to the Lutheran Study Bible English Standard Version (ESV), the meaning of hearing includes, “the act of hearing, the ear, or the message heard. The message is the meaning here.” (Romans 10:17 Commentary p 1930). The ear receives the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and through the power of the Holy Spirit, faith begins in the hearer. Is it that simple?
Music, videos, movies, sermons, testimonies, etc. inspire people to believe; however, there is nothing more inspiring than the Word relationally. Yet loneliness has continue to increase since COVID. There is nothing more special that us sharing the words that came directly from Jesus’ mouth and how confessing those as truth changed us. Jesus commissioned the church.
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28
We have come to a place where preaching is tied to the person standing behind the podium. The minister does have a responsibility to teach and serve. Yet the word preach is a verb that means to announce good things, to proclaim the good message, to announce the complete message.
When I walk outside this building with you, I am the same as you. If someone did a video of our feet, they couldn’t pick out mine from the crowd.
Some of you remember the movie, it’s a Wonderful Life, Clarence wants his angel wings. It has been over 200 years and Clarence is yet to get his wings. He was sent to earth to be George’s guardian angel. George has faced critical financial difficulties and attempts to end his life by suicide. On Earth, Clarence appears as a comical elderly man who seems a little bumbling and odd—not some sort of imposing, sword-wielding angel. George is restored by his friends and a bell on the Christmas tree rings, signifying that Clarence got his wings. We don’t gain special status because we do certain things. Yet our feet become beautiful as we share the Good News.
During the movie Clarence said, “Strange, isn’t it? Each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around, he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?
Sharing the Good News is the key to seeing people invite Jesus into their lives and experience the life Jesus has promised. As our feet grow in beauty more and more people break out in joyous praise for the new life they have.
I believe Paul is saying people have a thirst, a longing within their being for transcendence. They try and try to find that which gives life meaning and direction. Some lose hope and end their life. in 2022 there were 49,449 suicides in America. By age groups the rate looks like this. Ages 75-84 have the highest rate of suicide. Those 85 and older have the second highest rate. The age group 25-34 comes in third.
The abundant life that Jesus spoke of is deeper and broader than simply having a seat in heaven. It touches every area of a person’s life. Research suggests that people with unresolved issues like stress, experiencing anxiety, struggle with a plethora of health issues. Jesus taught people how to deal with worry and many other daily issues people face. People are hungry for a life that has meaning and purpose. They don’t know how to experience that unless we share the Good News with them, sharing how Christ has transformed us and makes a difference in our live.
Listen again to what Paul writes in Romans 10:13b-15
Conclusion
Many of us have studied God’s Word for years; however, there is an honest question we need to ask ourselves. Are we building community with the unaffiliated, understanding their realized needs, gifting them with what we have? Sharing with them the love of Jesus? Our role in sharing the Good News doesn’t include talking pejoratively about or at them. Pejorative is a slang word first used in England when referring to gypsies or homeless people, those of a particular social class, those who struggle with mental health and addictive disorders, and so forth.
Our role is to help all people embrace God’s mercy, grace, love, and hope. When a person confesses from the heart and with their mouth “Jesus is Lord”, they will be expressing their faith, faith as the substance of the hope they have for a full and meaningful life.
There is a popular post that has hit Facebook, many people are taking credit for it.
You got hammered at the bar on Saturday but came to church on Sunday….
You can sit with me, you’re right where you need to be.
You’re a drug addict but came to church on Sunday….
You can sit with me, you’re right where you need to be.
You’re divorced and the last church you attended condemned you for it….
You can sit with me, you’re right where you need to be.
You’ve had an abortion and it’s slowly eating away at your heart but you came to church on Sunday….
You can sit with me, you’re right where you need to be.
You’ve been unfaithful to your spouse but came to church on Sunday….
You can sit with me, you’re right where you need to be.
Here’s the thing, people don’t come to church on Sunday for you to sit in the pew and quietly judge them because you feel that you’re somehow better than them.
People come to church because in their deepest, darkest, most painful moments they heard about a man named Jesus that could save their soul and they’d like to know him.
The man that just snorted cocaine off his kitchen table isn’t a bigger sinner than you who told your boss a lie on Monday so you could leave work early.
The woman that had an abortion 10 years ago isn’t a bigger sinner than you who flipped a man off in traffic last week because he cut you off.
The drunk man laying on the bar isn’t a bigger sinner than you who occasionally has too much to drink at home in private.
The woman that just got caught cheating on her husband isn’t a bigger sinner than you who had sex with your now husband before you were married.
Stop judging others because their sin is different than yours.
I don’t ever want my attitude toward others to hinder them from accepting Christ as their Lord and Savior. I have worked with all kinds of people, to include those who have sexually assaulted women and children, murdered people, women who have lost custody of their children due to addiction. In God’s eyes they matter to him, and he wants them to know his redeeming love. As “preachers” that is our role.
In verse 8 the word for “word” is rhema. J. Thayer says it is a spoken word “made by the living voice.” It is as if we hear words from our mouth that don’t come from our head. I believe the words that come from our mouth are words God has instilled in the core of our being.
We proclaim the Word, “Jesus offers salvation to all who call upon his name.” When they confess this, they begin to experience life abundantly. Even when facing trails, we can find meaning through those experiences.
Twofold invitation:
1. If you have never put voice to your desire to know Jesus, I invite you to do so this morning…
a. Accept you alone can’t manage your life
b. Believe God will empower you to live life with meaning and purpose
c. Call upon the Lord to help you
d. Dedicate your life to serving the Lord, while enjoying a life of love & abundance.
2. If you want to see people profess faith in Jesus, I invite you to build meaningful relationships with those outside the church. To do so will lead you into places and situations that get you outside your comfort zone. I know…
I don’t think Paul suggested that we bare our feet for a contest. We are friends with a couple who serve in Africa. She will often make a serious post about their ministry, and she has a picture of her feet. Paul uses the image of beautiful feet figuratively; however, he was probably looking at his feet that reflected a hard life of traveling, sharing the love of Christ.
Yet I imagine he knew there was nothing more beautiful that seeing Jews and Gentiles embracing the Good News. At the end of the day, as he reflected on how God was using him, it probably took his breath.
