Romans Chapter 10

 vs. 1-3

- Paul expresses concern for the Jews. They are enthusiastic for God, but it is “misdirected zeal”.

- They still thought the law was going to save them. But the law can’t make you right with God.

- John 1:16-18

- Galatians 2:16-21,3:1-14,5:1-10

- II Corinthians 3:1-18

Questions:

- Is there something in your life that you are “zealous” about that is taking the place of or time away from God?

vs. 4-5

- Then why give the law? What purpose did it serve?

- vs. 4 says that Christ accomplished the purpose for which the law was given. Because of Christ, all who believe in Christ are made right with God.

- The law as given to Moses required obedience to all its commands. Without obedience, you couldn’t be right with God.

- Footnote 10:5 – “In order to be saved by the law, a person would have to live a perfect life, not sinning once. Then why did God give the law since he knew people couldn’t keep it? According to Paul, one reason the law was given was to show people how guilty they are (Galatians 3:19). The law was a shadow of Christ-that is, the sacrificial system educated the people so that when the true sacrifice came, they would be able to understand his work (Hebrews 10:1-4). The system of ceremonial laws was to last until the coming of Christ. The law points to our need for a Savior.

- Galatians 3:15-29

- Ephesians 2:14-22

- Hebrews 10:1-18

Questions:

- Do you know you need a Savior? Do you feel that need in your life? How will you respond?

Vs. 6-13

-in Deuteronomy 30: 11-14, Moses was speaking to the people. He was saying that the command he was giving the people was not difficult. It was not stored away in heaven where they had to send someone up to get it to bring it down for them to hear. Nor was it kept across the sea so far away that they would have to send someone after it. Moses said the command was very close at hand, “on your lips & in your heart”.

- Paul used this portion of scripture to make his point. Faith doesn’t say, well we have to go get Christ from heaven or we have to go raise Him from the dead.

- Faith is what we preach-if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord & believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead you will be saved.

- It’s that easy! There’s no searching to the ends of the earth. All you have to do is reach out & accept the gift Christ has already provided for you.

- This is how you become a Christian! It’s spelled out for you. It’s not complicated, it’s not hard, it’s not something you have to work for.

- If you believe in your heart & confess with your mouth that Jesus is the risen Christ and Lord, you will be saved.

- This is the same for everybody. Jew, Gentile, regardless of background, God will answer when you call upon Him. EVERYONE and ANYONE who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

- Romans 14:10-13, 6:1-14

- Philippians 2:6-11

- John 12:44-50,14:1-11

- Psalm 13:5-6,25:1-7

- Isaiah 12

- Ephesians 3:10-21

- I John 4:2-10

Questions:

- Do you believe that Christ was God in Flesh? That Jesus died and rose again three days later to claim your salvation? Will you accept Jesus as that savior for your life?

- Will you confess with your heart and with your mouth that Jesus is the Son of God, the Great I Am, the ONLY one who can save you from your sins? Will you make Him Lord of your life? He's knocking... will you answer the door?

Vs. 14-15

- Paul gives a series of questions.

- But, how can they call on Him if they don’t believe? And how can they believe if they’ve never heard? How can they hear if someone doesn’t tell them? And how can someone tell them if no one is sent?

- This is our job!

-footnote- “In telling others about Christ, an effective witness must include more than being a good example. Eventually, we will have to explain the content, the what and the how of the gospel. Modeling the Christian life is important, but we will need to connect the mind of the unbeliever and the message of the gospel. There should never be a debate between those who favor life-style evangelism (one's living proclaims the gospel) and confrontational evangelism (declaring the message). Both should be used together in promoting the gospel.”

- footnote- “We must take God’s great message of salvation to others so that they can respond to the Good News. How will your loved ones and neighbors hear it unless someone tells them? Is God calling you to take a part in making his message known in your community? Think of one person who needs to hear the Good News, and think of something you can do to help him or her hear it. Then take that step as soon as possible.”

- III John 1:11

- I Peter 4:1-11

- I Timothy 4: 6-16

- James 2:14-26

- Matthew 28:18-20

- John 4:35-38

Questions: (sort of... more like a challenge : )

- This morning in church, I was visiting another church, and the pastor was talking about windows in time. Sometimes we only have one moment where a person's heart opens up ready to receive the gospel. That moment in time is a God-appointed meeting. You might see them every day, but for that one moment... their hearts are ready. Because if you just start spouting off random things about God... and their hearts aren't ready... it's like the seed that falls on fallow ground... it doesn't produce anything...

- So I want you to think about this... Pray that God will open the doors for you to witness. That He will prepare the hearts of the people you come into contact with every day and that He will give you the opportunity to witness. And when He does that, be ready to take the leap. Be ready to speak and be ready to act because that window of time is fleeting. It won't last for long. Sometimes... it's only an hour... and when you hesitate... that may have been their only chance. So when God brings something to mind to do or say, do it. Respond to the call. Walk through the door.

Vs. 16-17

- Not everyone you tell about Christ will be accepting of the gospel.

- Sometimes it may feel like no one is listening…but God said his word would never return unto Him void.

- Isaiah 55:1-11

- Hebrews 13:5-6

- Matthew 13:55-58, 21:33-44 (rejection of Christ)

Questions:

- Do you fear rejection? Why?

- Even Christ was rejected... when a viewpoint doesn't line up with the word or when to follow Christ would make life difficult... people respond through rejection. They run away. They may even get mad. But so what? Does it mean that you don't share? Does it mean that you let them be condemned to a Christ-less eternity just so you don't have to face conflict?

- How should you respond to rejection?

- How did Christ respond to rejection?

Vs. 18-21

- And Paul asks: have the Jews heard the message? Yes!

-footnote: “Many Jews who looked for the Messiah refused to believe in him when he came. God offered his salvation to the Gentiles (“people who were not looking for me”);thus, many Gentiles who didn’t even know about a Messiah found and believed in him. Some religious people are spiritually blind, while those who have never been in a church are sometimes the most responsive to God’s message. Because appearances are deceiving, and we can’t see into people’s hearts, beware of judging beforehand who will respond to the Good News and who will not.

- I Samuel 16:7

- Psalm 139

- Acts 15:8-9

Questions:

- How many times has God responded to a prayer or a request in, a way you didn’t expect?

- Has there ever been a time when you didn’t get what you thought you were going to get?

- (Just like the Jews…God can sometimes do the unexpected, the unlooked for…but it’s perfect in the large scheme of things. It’s not unfair or favoritism, God just sees farther down the road than you do.)