1. ROMANS 10 #36 ROMANS SERIES 1/4/15 AM ISRAEL “PRESENT” AND THE GOSPEL

2. REMEMBER: OUR VIEW IS… Positive … God at the beginning of history (taking charge of it), The cross of Christ at the center of history (giving it meaning), Christ’s return at the end of history (bringing it to a triumphant conclusion). James Montgomery Boice p. 1010 Progressive… A gradual unveiling of revelation and mysteries through the ages of... Innocence, Conscience, Human Government, Promise, Law, Grace, Kingdom. Several of these are seen in Romans 9-11! Dispensationalism has three important pillars: The distinction between Israel and the Church The consistently literal interpretation of Scripture The Main Purpose of God – His glory over and above salvation Pro-active… Our Heavenly Father is pro-active – He selects, saves, seals, sanctifies, and delivers any who believe. We actively pray and witness - then attempt to disciple any who will hear and believe. Matthew 28:18-20

3. WITH THAT IN MIND WE CAN LOOK AT ROMANS 9, 10, AND 11 Romans 9 Israel Past Israel’s election God’s character defined by sovereignty. Romans 10 Israel Present Israel’s attitude of rejection God’s offer of salvation delivers all who believe Romans 11 Israel Future Israel’s partial, temporary rejection with a purpose God’s mercy, unsearchable wisdom, and glory

4. “THE TRAGEDY OF UNBELIEF” ROMANS 10 Just Window Shopping Salvation was available. It was on the shelve. There was plenty for everyone. The price was right. But Israel was really not interested in a purchase. She was only window shopping. Paul has already shown that the nation of Israel was special. God had chosen them for His purposes. Chapter 9 God was actively choosing them for salvation in Christ. But they were actively choosing NOT to receive His salvation. They were interested in a zealous or fervent “works religion” without Christ.

5. SO FAR IN THIS CHAPTER… Salvation’s Concern (Rom. 10:1-4) 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. It’s end (concern or goal) is righteousness! Salvation’s Call (vs. 5-13) 13 For "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved." Possible (5-8) – Personal (9-11)- Public (12,13)

6. “Righteousness springs out of the finished work of Christ (vs. 3,4) and there can be no “finished” work while man is endeavoring to be saved by law, … That which would be impossible to man God has already done in Christ. All the “doing” required by the law, has been accomplished by Jesus Christ, and everything that is required now from men to do is to believe what Christ has done. Christ has neither to be brought down from heaven nor to be raised again from the dead; everything has been accomplished, and all that is left is to accept in trustful thankfulness. Faith has not to acquire or win a Savior, but to accept One Who has already accomplished the work of redemption. God’s righteousness is not distant and difficult but near and easy. It only requires the art of believing, and its proof is confession. It is easy for comprehension by the heart, and ready for utterance by the mouth…” W. H. Griffith Thomas p.277

7. NOW TO FINISH THE CHAPTER (SALVATION’S CONCERN, CALL…) Salvation’s Courier (14.15) Romans 10:14-15 14 ¶ How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!" Sent – John 20:21; Isa. 6:8 Preach – proclaim, herald, trumpet Hear – akouo – acoustics Believe - (vs.16 “obey” hupakouo) Call – believe is inward and call is outward

8. Salvation’s Calamity (16-21) – or tragedy. 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our report?" 17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 18 ¶ But I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed: "Their sound has gone out to all the earth, And their words to the ends of the world." 19 But I say, did Israel not know? First Moses says: "I will provoke you to jealousy by those who are not a nation, I will move you to anger by a foolish nation." 20 But Isaiah is very bold and says: "I was found by those who did not seek Me; I was made manifest to those who did not ask for Me." 21 ¶ But to Israel he says: "All day long I have stretched out My hands To a disobedient and contrary people."

9. Tragedy (seen in this outline) Chapter 9 shares with us the Absolute Sovereignty of God- Election- Israel’s Past Chapter 10 spells out the Moral Responsibility of Man- Rejection- Israel’s Present Chapter 11 speaks forth the Final Purpose of God- Reception- Israel’s Future Vs. 16,17 – Isaiah’s report of the Messiah was NOT believed – whose fault was that? They heard the Word, but did not accept it. Vs. 18 – Have they heard? Yes – Psalm 19 Vs. 19,20 – Have they known? Yes – but those who didn’t know (“foolish” ”sought not”) believed! Vs. 21 – God’s grace, but man’s stubbornness

10. WHOSE MOVE IS IT? The Gospel is within reach of every man. The reason men are lost is that they refuse… It is possible to be zealous in religion but blind to the gospel. We are not asked to do anything BIG, but to submit to God’s righteousness – let HIM put it on us – He wants to do it! It is possible to study God’s Word, but not see Jesus and not receive His gift. Stretched out hands – begging, pleading, dying.