Episode 14

Romans 10:1-21

1) The nation of Israel did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish it on their own.
     a) The ignorance of the Jews was voluntary for they had the law, the scriptures, and the prophets and messengers (John the Baptist and the prophets) (Romans 10:18-21).
     b) The greatest hindrances to salvation (by grace alone, by faith alone, in Christ alone) is one's own faith in their self-righteousness.
     c) Israel refused to humble themselves as a sinful nation. The Holy Spirit proves the world to be wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment (John 16: 8-11).

2) There is no difference between Jew and Gentile. Everyone who calls upon the Lord will be saved (Romans 10: 12-13).
     a) No man can come to the Father except through placing their faith in the finished work of the cross in Jesus Christ (John 14: 6-7).
     b) All men have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. God is willing to accept the one who fears Him and calls upon His name (Acts 10: 34-35).
     c) God alone determines who is righteousn.  It does not depend on man’s wisdom, man’s judgement, man’s interpretation of the law or man-made religious systems.

3) Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message and the message is heard through the Word about Christ (Romans 10:17).
     a) Refusing to believe what God says in His Word is direct disobedience. Israel heard the gospel message, but refused to accept it.
     b) For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2: 8-10).
     c) People cannot receive the gospel message until they hear the gospel message first.  How beautiful are the feet of those who share the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a dying world (Romans 10:15)!

Discussion Question: In what ways is the American church becoming like Israel?