Class Lesson October 9, 2016

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE

“I have two kinds of problems: the urgent and the important. The urgent are not important, and the important are never urgent.” President Dwight D. Eisenhower spoke these words in 1954 to a gathering of church leaders.1It’s interesting to hear those words coming from a man who had to make major decisions every day. 

When you think about it, though, few things truly fall into both categories.

• Exercise is important, but not urgent.

• An email message can be extremely urgent, but not necessarily important.

Of course, some things really are both urgent and important. One example is a medical emergency. Another example is the task given to every disciple of Jesus: sharing the good news of Christ with others. People have no more important decision to make than to choose Christ, and now is the time for us to point them to Christ and help them understand everything at stake.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

2 Timothy 2:1-2

1You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.

What Paul described in these verses is the process of discipleship, which involves knowing and walking in the truths of Jesus and leading others to do the same. To disciple someone, then, begins with helping them to know and embrace the good news of Jesus Christ. All of this is reflected in the Great Commission Jesus gave His disciples at the end of His earthly ministry: “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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matt. 28:19-20).

Paul had invested much time and effort in teaching and discipling Timothy. Now, he encouraged Timothy to pay it forward, investing in others who would likewise “teach others.” Paul told Timothy to invest his life in men who had proven their love for the Lord. Once these men were faithfully trained, they in turn were obligated to invest in others. This is God’s method of multiplication. Each disciple is entrusted with the gospel and has a responsibility to share it with others.

Joseph Brucato is a great example of what goes wrong when we don’t take discipleship seriously. Brucato was a mailman in Brooklyn, New York. One day, his supervisor happened to walk past the mailman’s personal car and saw it was full of mail. The supervisor confronted him, and Brucato admitted he sometimes didn’t deliver all the mail. He blamed alcohol and depression. When postal inspectors went to his apartment, they found 40,000 pieces of undelivered mail—some 2,500 pounds!

The missing mail included several personal messages—many of which were both important and urgent. But because the mail was never delivered, people were robbed of what they needed to hear.

Sadly, many Christians do something far more outrageous than hoarding mail: they hoard the good news of Christ. 

Paul’s challenge to Timothy echoes the Great Commission. In the same way Paul shared Christ with Timothy and discipled him, Timothy could share Christ and disciple others. And because someone shared Christ with us, we can do the same for others. In fact, we must do the same for others.

2 Timothy 2:3-7

3Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. 5Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. 6The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. 7Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

Sharing the good news of Christ isn’t always easy. In fact, sometimes it’s downright hard—perhaps even dangerous. We are to persevere, however, even if doing so brings challenges. 

Paul gave Timothy three examples of people who persevere: 

• The soldier. A soldier’s one duty is to obey his commanding officer. And, like good soldiers, we are to persevere in our obedience to Christ. Our primary goal is to please Him, even when it requires us to go on the front lines of spiritual warfare. 

• The athlete. Paul likely was familiar with the Olympic games. In his day, athletes trained in the presence of the judges during the month before the games. If an athlete violated the rules, the judges imposed corporal punishment or heavy fines. To be victorious, the athlete needed diligence, self-control, and discipline.

• The farmer. A hardworking farmer should get to enjoy the compensation of his produce. But he has to persevere in working his crops for months before he sees the fruit of his labor. The faithful witness also may get to enjoy the fruits of his or her labor by seeing people come to faith in Christ.

Sharing Christ isn’t easy. It takes focus, discipline, and hard work—but the payoffs make it all worth it. 

Let me tell you about Azzam, a Christian in Somalia who has a passion for sharing the gospel and God’s Word. Unfortunately, he must smuggle Bibles into his country, and the only way he’s been able to do this is in coffins. Azzam will actually climb into a coffin and lie underneath a deceased body. He travels this way to Kenya, where he gets Bibles. Then he finds another coffin headed to Somalia and travels back home with the Bibles. Azzam said: “I love the irony that caskets for dead people are used by God to bring new life in Somalia! Many are being transformed into the likeness of our Savior.”3

Azzam is an inspiring example of what Paul was teaching: that we are to be disciplined, do whatever it takes, and endure suffering when necessary in order to advance the cause of Christ.

2 Timothy 2:8-10

8Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, 9for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained. 10Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

Jesus is the ultimate example of perseverance in the face of suffering. 

• Jesus is the greatest example of a soldier. He was obedient even to death for us. He fought the ultimate battle for us—and won (see Phil. 2:8-9).

• Jesus is the greatest example of an athlete. He endured until He was victorious over sin and death and gained the prize—our salvation (see Heb. 12:2).

• Jesus is the greatest example of a farmer. He alone has the power to break apart the hardened soil in a person’s life to bear spiritual fruit (see Matt. 13:1-23).

Paul also knew about persevering for the sake of sharing Christ. While he was writing his letter to Timothy, he was in chains in a Roman prison. Worse, he knew he soon would be put to death by his captors (see 2 Tim. 4:6). Amazingly, even in chains, Paul declared that “God’s word is not chained.” Paul knew he might die, but the gospel never would. In fact, the gospel of Jesus Christ had become Paul’s very life; he called it “my gospel.” 

How do you want to spend your life? Will you persevere for the gospel, or will you wander away from your task when the going gets tough? The choice is yours. 

LIVE IT OUT

What will you do to share the good news of Jesus? 

• Pray. If you’ve never told someone about Christ, begin with prayer. Pray that God will bless you with boldness and wisdom. Pray for an opportunity to share Jesus with someone whom God has prepared. 

• Learn. Seek out new information and new strategies for sharing the truth of Christ with others. If possible, begin by enrolling in an evangelism class at your church, or by connecting with someone who can mentor you.

• Join. Join a group in your church that regularly engages in evangelistic outreach or goes on mission trips for the purpose of sharing the gospel. 

Sharing the gospel is a massively important endeavor because eternity is at stake. Sharing the gospel is also incredibly urgent, since none of us are guaranteed tomorrow. Let these two truths frame every decision you make in the days and weeks to come. 

Teacher's Notes:

 

Song-Pass it on

Click Here to Watch & Hear

  Street Witnessing

Click Here to Watch

  What’s one thing you know that you’ve tried to pass on to the next generation? How have you done it?

Let’s face it — we tend to take shelter in our own comfortable lifestyles. Because of fear or disdain or perhaps apathy, we often have a difficult time reaching out to share the gospel.

2 Timothy 2:1-10

Paul’s writing: Writing against the background of his own hardship because of his commitment to the gospel, Paul exhorted Timothy to be strong and faithful in his service to Christ. These verses come from Paul’s second letter to Timothy, which Paul wrote from a Roman prison. It was likely the last of all his epistles. So, the instructions Paul wrote need to be read with the sense of urgency that was behind them, having come from one who stood faithfully for Christ and would soon be laying down his life for the cause of the gospel.

Reasons not to share: As Christians, it’s easy to come up with any number of reasons not to care for others as we run the race of life — and it’s especially easy to find reasons to avoid sharing the gospel. It seems we always have somewhere to go, something to do, or a fear of rejection getting on our way.

I was blind, but now I see: Paul’s life was a series of races in which he spent his time stopping to save others along the way. As a matter of fact, God himself stopped Paul on his journey to Damascus, blinding him in order to help him finally see the truth. After that moment, Paul’s true identity in Christ allowed him to see his own life as having one true goal: helping others find salvation in Jesus Christ. Talk about a race well run!

ONE GREAT TASK

Each of us must share the gospel.

I. Share Christ with Others - 2 Timothy 2:1-2 (NIV)

You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.

Where was Timothy supposed to receive strength for his tasks?

• depend on God’s grace,
• know that God’s favor provided that strength
• grace is God’s blessing we don’t deserve … but He wants to bless us with strength … whether we deserve it or not

How can someone be strong in grace? (v. 1)

• Grace means undeserved favor. Just as we are saved by grace (Ephesians 2:8-9), we should live by grace (Colossians 2:6). This means trusting completely in Christ and His power. He will give you the strength to do His work.

What does Ad Infinitum mean? (v. 2)

• If the church were to consistently follow this advice, it would expand geometrically as well-taught believers would teach others and commission them, in turn, to teach still others. Disciples need to be equipped to pass on their faith; our work is not done until new believers are able to do His work.

Why is it vital to pass on the gospel message rather than just receiving it?


What is the difference between sharing the gospel and making disciples?

• God calls all of us to serve Him
• every believer should be ready to share the Gospel
• God gives spiritual gifts to every believer that he expects us to use for His ministering to one another
• discipling means creating another disciple … training them to be another communicator of the Gospel

Why can’t discipleship happen apart from relationships?

 

Moving from “Got To” to “Get To”

I’m a list keeper.

• My week starts with creating a to-do list.
• The first task on my list is to create a to-do list.

The tasks on my to-do list can be categorized this way:

1. Things I’ve got to do.

That’s it.

Of course, not everything I do during a day makes it on my list. I don’t need a daily checklist or reminder to:

• Hug my wife.
• Call my sons.
• Eat a pumpkin spice bagel for breakfast.
• Read my Bible.

These are things I get to do, not things I’ve got to do. Do you hear the difference?

• Things I’ve got to do. These are tasks to accomplish. I may not mind doing them, but I do need a reminder that I’ve got to complete them.
• Things I get to do. I enjoy these “tasks.” I don’t even have to think about doing them. I thoroughly enjoy them, and they’re second-nature to me.

So what shows up on your “got to” and “get to” lists?

• Ask yourself the same question I’ve been pondering: Do I see talking about Jesus and sharing my faith as a “get to” or a “got to?” Every Christian knows that sharing our faith is important. I’m tempted to give you another list—all the passages that call us to share the gospel of Christ—but we know we’re called to do it. People need to hear the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. Without Christ, people have no hope. They have no eternal life.

Point: Move from “Got To” to “Get To”

The gospel of Jesus Christ is an unchanging message. Sharing Christ is a task given to all Christians. When we see people as Jesus sees them—made in His image, but in need of forgiveness and hope—and we love them as Jesus loves them, sharing Christ moves from something we’re supposed to do to something we want to do. I pray that loving others and sharing Christ become joyfully second nature to us.

“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:16).




II. Persevere in Sharing Christ - 2 Timothy 2:3-7 (NIV)

Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs--he wants to please his commanding officer. 5 Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. 7 Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

Paul gives 3 examples of people who persevere and endure: soldiers, athletes, and farmers.
 

As believers what are the lessons we learn from the faithfulness of the soldier?

• not involved in civilian affairs
• please/obey his commanding officer
• learn to obey quickly and without question
• learn your task, responsibility, job thoroughly
• focus on your responsibility, not distracted with everyday civilian matters

What lessons can we learn from the athlete?

• train long and hard
• make sure to have the proper diet
• give up other things in order to focus on that sport
• build up endurance
• practice your skill repeatedly
• learn to function well as a team
• diligence, self-control, discipline

What lessons can we learn from the farmer?

• know when to plant, when to harvest
• know what crops are best
• work starts early, continues on until late
• sometimes have to work very long hours to finish planting or harvesting when the time is exactly right
• take care of equipment
• keep track of weather which can affect the crops, the livestock
• study new ways of farming, livestock care

As Timothy preached and taught, he would face suffering, but he should be able to endure. Paul used comparison with soldiers, athletes, and farmers who must discipline themselves and be willing to sacrifice to achieve the results they want.

• Like soldiers, we have to give up worldly security and endure rigorous discipline.
• Like athletes, we must train hard and follow the rules.
• Like farmers, we must work extremely hard and be patient.

Have you ever risked something in order to share the gospel with someone?


Which emotions do you experience when you think about sharing the gospel with someone?

Which emotions do you experience when you think about that person being saved?


What distractions should you eliminate from your life to better focus on the message of Christ?




Point: Persevere for the thought of victory, the vision of winning, and the hope of harvest.

But we keep going despite suffering because of the thought of victory, the vision of winning, and the hope of harvest. We will see that our suffering is worthwhile when we achieve our goal of glorifying God, winning people to Christ, and one day living eternally with Him.



Paul told Timothy to reflect on his words, and God would give him insight. God speaks through the Bible, His Word, but we need to be open and receptive to Him. As you read the Bible, ask God to show you His timeless truths and the application to your life. Then consider what you have read by thinking it through and meditating on it. God will give you understanding.





III. Focus on Christ - 2 Timothy 2:8-10 (NIV)

8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God's word is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

What did Paul say was his gospel?

• who Jesus was/is
• Jesus is the Messiah, the Sent One – a direct descendant from King David as prophesied in the Old Testament
• Jesus died on the cross for our sins, taking the punishment we deserved for our sinfulness
• Jesus rose from the dead, giving us a new spiritual life, an eternal life

What was Paul currently going through?

• suffering
• chained like a criminal
• under house arrest in Rome

What things in life can distract us from the glorious gospel we have to share?

What kinds of things do we sometimes have to suffer or endure as believers?

• people make fun of us
• in today’s culture Christianity is often legally curtailed
• conservative Christian beliefs are often denigrated, vilified, attacked as “narrow minded” or “hate mongering”

Why was Paul willing to endure anything?

• for the sake of those who need to hear the Gospel
• for the sake of those who would hear and accept salvation
• a little suffering was nothing compared to the needs of the unsaved around him

What unique opportunities do you have to share the gospel today because of your current life/work situation, where you live, relationships, realm of influence?

• people at work
• neighbors
• people you play sports with (or your kids play sports with)
• extended family members
• people you meet where you regularly shop or do business with (restaurants, dry cleaner’s, auto repair, health care, etc.)

Paul was in chains in prison because of the gospel he preached. The truth about Jesus is no more popular in our day than in Paul’s, but it still reaches receptive hearts.

• When Paul said that Jesus was God, he angered the Jews who had condemned Jesus for blasphemy; but many Jews became followers of Christ (1 Corinthians 1:24).
• He angered the Romans who worshiped the emperor as god; but even some in Caesar’s household turned to Jesus (Philippians 4:22).
• When Paul said Jesus was human, he angered the Greeks who though divinity was soiled if it had any contact with humanity; still many Greeks accepted the faith (Acts 11:20-21).

The truth that Jesus is one person with two united natures has never been easy to understand, but it is being believed by people every day. Despite the opposition, continue to proclaim Christ. Some will listen and believe.


When Paul says “obtain the salvation,” is he contradicting grace?

• Salvation is not something that can be earned, as Paul taught in Ephesians 2:8-9. Paul is referring to being faithful to the end, not to a way to earn salvation.

What distracts us from keeping our attention on Jesus?

What are some steps we can take to focus on Christ and keep away from distractions that prevent us from sharing the gospel with others?





Point: Remember, I am a great sinner, and Christ is a great savior!

Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of God’s promise to send a Redeemer. Jesus Christ is the Anointed One of God, who by His resurrection conquered death and the grave. Jesus’ resurrection is at the heart of the gospel. The world may oppose and even try to bind those who share the gospel, but the Word of God itself can never be bound or limited by its greatest foes. The apostolic message challenges believers to be faithful in sharing the gospel no matter the circumstances. Salvation is found in Christ alone.



LIVE IT OUT


A review of Scripture and of the church history confirms that Christians often have faced attacks for their faith, sometimes severely, even at the cost of their lives. Jesus warned His disciples this would occur, so we ought not to be surprised. Opposition to Christianity is not just a fact of history; it also is a present reality. In some parts of our world, opposition to the gospel and its followers continues to have deadly results. In our own country, the opposition rarely has reached that level of intensity, but it is present nonetheless in various other forms.

Still, believers are to focus on living out their faith convictions in Christ and sharing the gospel message with a sense of urgency. “We must decide that godliness is worth any cost, that redemption is worth every effort, that God’s honor must surpass our own. Then we will be fit for His service. As believers in and followers of Jesus Christ, we must not neglect our one great task.


Each of us must share the gospel.


Hope to see you on Sunday!



In His Love,



David & Susan

Class Lesson October 2, 2016

__________________________

__________________________

What must I do to be saved?

Decisions...Decisions...Decisions

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE

Life is full of decisions. Lots of them. Columbia researcher Sheena Iyengar estimates that we make about 70 decisions every day. Do the math and that’s around 25,500 decisions a year—or about 1,788,500 decisions if you live 70 years.1

• Some decisions come easy. Yes, I will marry you!

• Some decisions carry small consequences. Do I order the chicken salad or the tuna salad?

• Some decisions bring lots of stress. Do I take the better job even though the move will uproot my family?

The biggest decisions are life-changing, even eternal. The greatest decision we will ever make centers on what we do with Jesus Christ. Knowing about Jesus is not enough. Our need for salvation is answered in Jesus, but we each must decide whether we will commit to that truth and trust Him—or not.

In his letter to the Romans, Paul emphasized the critical importance of this decision. It’s the choice of a lifetime.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Romans 10:1-3

1 Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. 2 For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. 3 Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.

The Jewish people of Paul’s day had a great “zealous for God,” so why didn’t they already have salvation? Because their zeal was “not based on knowledge.” The Jews believed they had good standing with God because of the law, their religious traditions, and their religious activity. They were sincere in their endeavors, but their sincerity was tragically misplaced. No matter how hard they tried, they could never be good enough to earn favor with God. 

They weren’t alone in their zeal without knowledge. At the core of most religions is the belief that people are basically good and can work their way to God. Even in the church, a lot of people fill their lives with religious activities and good morals, thinking these things will give them a connection to God. But merely being a religious person is not enough.

This is what makes Christianity unique. Christianity focuses on what Jesus did; other religions focus on what we should do. God came down to earth in the Person of Jesus and lived a sinless life. In His perfect righteousness He took our sin on Himself, willingly went to the cross, and died in our place. Then He rose three days later from the grave, having defeated sin and death. For this reason, there is no other way of salvation; Christ alone saves.

Jesus said: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

Christians have been saved because of the blood of Christ. If that weren’t amazing enough, when we trust Jesus for salvation, His righteousness is credited to our account. No one else can do this for us. No one else died to save us. Christ alone saves.

 
The answer we need is all wrapped up in Jesus. But knowing about Jesus is not enough. Having a zeal for God—or even knowing the truth about Jesus—does not guarantee salvation. We have to act on that knowledge.

 

Romans 10: 8b -10

8b That is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: 9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

If knowing the truth about Jesus isn’t enough, what do we need to do? Paul used two verbs to give us the answer.

• Confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord.” To confess something means literally “to speak the same thing.” The word “Lord” comes from the Greek word kurios, which signifies Jesus’ sovereign power and authority. So, when we confess, we are agreeing with God that Jesus is the sovereign Lord with authority over all—including our lives. We further agree with God by living in submission to the rule of Jesus.

 

• Believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead. To believe in the death of Jesus doesn’t go far enough. I know Jesus is Lord because even death cannot hold Him. He died for me, but He is alive because God raised Him. Without the resurrection, Jesus would have been just a really good man who died a very tragic death. The fact that separates Jesus from all other religious leaders is that Jesus died and rose from the dead—and is alive today. God approved of Jesus’ sacrifice by raising Him from the dead, and He is the One and only Lord.

Confess and believe. We shouldn’t view these as two separate actions. One is an inward belief and the other is an outward confession, but you really can’t have one without the other. They are two sides of the same coin. 

When you fully believe in your heart, you can’t help but confess and live out that belief. 

Confessing and believing are not a form of “easy believism.” Far from it. “Easy believism” teaches grace without repentance, salvation without commitment. Many want Jesus to save them from hell, but they don’t want to live their lives for Him. But we can’t accept Jesus as our Savior without embracing Him as Lord. 

Submitting to Christ’s lordship is essential for salvation. When we confess Christ as Lord, we are essentially saying: “Jesus, You alone are sovereign. You alone have all power. You alone are my Master. Therefore, I surrender to You. My life is no longer mine—it’s Yours.”

 
Romans 10:11-13

11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Who is able to confess and believe in Jesus? Anyone and everyone. The gospel is for Jew and Gentile alike. The word “anyone” demonstrates the openness of God’s call to salvation. God makes no distinction between people; He desires for all people to be saved. Salvation is available for all people regardless of ethnicity, race, or background. 

The only requirement is that every individual must trust in Christ to receive that salvation. God’s salvation is for all people by grace through faith in Christ. “The same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on Him.”
 

God is rich to all! It’s not that He responds to everyone who prays a prayer, but extends special favor only to certain people, such the Jews or those who are especially upright or religious. No. God extends His riches—all the blessings of living in His presence—to everyone who calls on His name.

Those who call on the name of Jesus are changed, regardless of who they are (or who they used to be). I recently worked alongside a Japanese believer to share the gospel in Brazil. During the same time, a group from my church worked alongside believers from Nepal to reach kids in Kansas City through Vacation Bible School. This is a great expression of the power and extent of the gospel. The gospel extends around the world to save Americans, Brazilians, Japanese, and Nepalese. Everyone.

Any of us can come to faith in Christ—and we can share that faith with anyone. And we must share our faith. Because salvation in Christ is the only hope for a lost world.

LIVE IT OUT

What actions will you take this week in light of the truth that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ alone? 

Consider the following suggestions:

• Accept. If you have not yet believed in Jesus and confessed Him as Lord, do so now. Trust Him for forgiveness from your sin. Turn to Him for a new life. Read the inside front cover of this study for guidance on following Christ.

• Examine. Make time this week to assess your relationship with Jesus. Are you growing closer to Him? Are you studying His Word? Are you sharing the truth of the gospel with others? 

• Start. Help launch a new Bible study in your church, neighborhood, or community with the purpose of reaching those who need to hear the truth about Jesus.

You’re going to make around 70 decisions today. Be sure to make one that has the potential to be life-changing, either for you or for someone you know.


Teacher's Notes:

Today’s lesson asks the question: What must I do to be saved? And it requires a Decision!

We make decisions all the time. Some decisions are fun to make, some are hard. Many decisions require little thought or commitment. But our greatest decision has to do with what we will do with Jesus Christ.

• A knowledge about Jesus is not enough.
• Our need for salvation is answered in Jesus, but we must each decide whether we will commit to that truth and trust Jesus…we have to make that decision to be saved.

In Romans 9-11, Paul sought to explain Israel’s unbelief and God’s rejection of the chosen people in the context of God’s redemptive plan of the ages.

• Paul addressed God’s sovereign choice of Israel to serve Him. Their selection had nothing to do with their worth but with God’s purpose. They were His by faith.
• The only way anyone gains right standing with God is by faith in His redemptive plan.

I. The Israelites were Zealous for God - Romans 10:1-3 (NIV) Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. 2 For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. 3 Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness.


Paul addresses two major points here to the Jews in Rome:

1. His heart’s desire.

2. The zealousness of the Israelites

What was Paul’s greatest desire and prayer? Can we claim this same desire for the lost?

• For the Israelites, his Jewish brethren - that they may be saved
• In a moment of personal transparency, Paul shared with his “Brothers” in Rome, his hearts desire. Paul was concerned about a people, a people who had known the privilege of being God’s sovereign choice, but who had also rejected His Messiah – the One God had sent to fulfill His redemptive plan and purpose.
• Paul could not think of the eternal security of believers without thinking of the eternal condemnation of unbelievers. Therefore, his whole being reached out with concern for the lost, especially for the Jews that were lost – because he was once like them.
• Paul expressed his heart’s desire in his prayer to God. Paul was a faithful preacher, and he knew the power of the gospel, but he also knew that preaching and personal desire were not enough. God must move in their hearts. This is why he interceded on their behalf in prayer. To intercede is to place one’s self in a position to plead on behalf of another. True intercessory prayer is an expression of our desire that God’s holy purpose be accomplished in someone’s life. By praying for the salvation of others we position ourselves in the will of God, for He is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
• The desire of our hearts and our prayer to God ought to be that others be saved.

The word saved is an all-encompassing word that refers to the work of the Lord to deliver and liberate people from the threat of the enemy. Satan is that enemy and he threatens us with his lies. Salvation is from:

• The presence of sin that would threaten us
• The power of sin that would overwhelm us
• The penalty of sin that would destroy us
• The pleasure of sin that would deceive us

Paul said they were zealous for God. What are some synonyms for “zeal”?

• Enthusiastic, keen, passionate, fervent, vehement, intense … about their relationship to God

Paul said, “I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge.” What did he mean? It appears that something is wrong with their zealousness, what is it?

Good Aspects of Zeal

• zealous for God

Bad Aspects of Zeal

• not based on knowledge
• sought to establish their own righteousness
• didn’t know the righteousness that comes from God
• did not submit to God’s righteousness

We admire people with great passion who give tireless energy, generous resources, and unwavering support for a cause or belief. However, an overzealous spirit can lead to misunderstanding and misappropriation. This is what happened to Israel. They were a people called out by God, but they replaced responsibility with privilege. They focused greater attention on their religious practice instead of on the authority of a personal relationship with the Lord. They became intent on exalting themselves by seeking to establish their own righteousness, rather than submitting themselves to God’s righteousness. (Rom. 10:3)

• Zeal without knowledge in this sense becomes little more than fanaticism. It can lead to misguided action. Paul was a zealous Pharisee who was bent on destroying the gospel and all believers.
• Knowledge in this case includes an emphasis on intelligent comprehension, understanding, or perception. It is full discernment rather than just having the facts about something. It includes experience, not just observation. It deals with reality, not just opinion. We might say they had a “head knowledge” of the things of God – which is good and necessary – but they lacked “heart experience” with Him – which is essential.
• Knowledge without passion is lifeless. To have knowledge without allowing what you know to lead to change offers no lasting benefit. Many people are well informed about religious things, and even about things related to God, but they have not been transformed by allowing the Holy Spirit to apply what they know to their lives. The unbelievers of Israel - “they did not know the righteousness that comes from God”.

You should zealously submit to God’s direction … not just be zealous for sake of being zealous.



Where in our culture do we often see zeal without knowledge?

• the protestor at a political rally who says he is for fascism but has no idea what it is
• sports – Monday morning quarterbacks who will tell you exactly why his team lost
• people claiming to have a good time at a party, but are really harming themselves with their actions
• when you pig out at the pizza buffet and feel miserable afterwards … you didn’t know when to quit
• people who advocate certain policies without realizing how they will end up causing more harm than good

How can a person in today’s world have great zeal for God or religious activities and yet be misguided?

• zeal alone is not enough - must have that personal relationship with Jesus
• must be guided by Scripture and by the Holy Spirit
• it’s like sincerity … you can be sincere about your beliefs, but be sincerely wrong (a lot of experience, but bad experience)
• your excitement and business about things religious may have nothing to do with God’s plan for you or for your situation

Why is it so appealing to establish your own standard of righteousness instead of following God’s standard?

• you get to make the definitions of “righteousness”
• those definitions always fit the way you live
• if I set my own standards, I can set them so I always achieve them
• my own standards will be easy to meet
• if I cannot meet some definition of righteousness, I will change the definition

Why will establishing my own standard of righteousness fail?

• it is always far below God’s standard
• my own standard will be inadequate and complete
• in reality, I will often times not even meet my own standard
• my standard doesn’t matter
• it is only God’s definition of righteousness that counts

Salvation is more than the outcome of religious practice – it comes from knowing and allowing the gospel of Christ to permeate our lives inside and out.


Point: Salvation is Given, not Earned




II. What is Necessary for Salvation? - Romans 10:8b-10 (NIV)
The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: 9 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

What were the simple instructions Paul gave regarding personal salvation? (10:9-10)

• confess with your mouth “Jesus is Lord”
• believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead

What does it mean to confess Jesus as Lord?

• It’s more than just verbally, out loud saying those words
• Confessing means agreement with, commitment to a truth, choosing to allow God to be the Lord of your life, the boss

Recall the Campus Crusade for Christ diagram about Jesus being Lord of your life.

 

What does the dual response of “believe” and “confess” indicate to you about salvation?

• There is an inward, heart and mind commitment to the Truth of Christ’s work of redemption for you personally
• There is also an outward declaration and life-style choices which demonstrates what you have chosen to believe

What makes it hard for Jews to believe Jesus Christ is the Messiah?

• someone who had been crucified must be a really bad person
• they saw the Messiah as a political or military leader
• they anticipated the Messiah as leading them out from under Roman domination
• their idea of the Messiah didn’t fit Jesus who came teaching things that were counter to what the religious leaders taught
• the religious leaders saw Jesus as an opponent or competitor, they had worries about their own positions
• Jesus seemed to undermine their authority

What hinders non-Jews from believing Jesus Christ is the Lord and Savior of the world?

• requirements to please God are too simplistic … “Just believe???”
• we are conditioned to performance requirements
• many believe they have no need for being “saved” … “I’m a good person”
• others reject outright the concept of Jesus having been raised from the dead
• the Muslim world believes that they alone have “Truth” … all others are infidels

So if someone is watching us, how would they know that we confess Jesus as Lord?

• Here is where “works” come in – they will be the result of our faith, our belief
• Jesus said in John 13:35 (NIV) By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." We will be motivated by Christ’s love to minister to others around us.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is a message of personal faith in Him as Lord. Only by trusting and believing in Jesus as Lord can we lay claim to God’s righteousness and receive His salvation. A confession consistent with conviction leads to conversion.



Point: Salvation Comes through Confession and Belief




III. The Universal Nature of the Gospel - Romans 10:11-13 (NIV)

As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

Taken together, these verses affirm the universal nature of the gospel.

• Everyone has the same need.
• Everyone is invited to come on the same terms.
• Everyone who comes receives the same outcome.
• All people are in need of a Savior, for all have sinned.

What promise is given to anyone who puts their faith in Christ?

• You will never be put to shame - you will be saved

Is there any distinction in the way that Jews and Gentiles obtain their salvation?

• No difference
• The Lord is no respecter of persons – that is, He doesn’t show favoritism.

Racial or ethnic distinctions make no difference to God. Why do they sometimes still make a difference to us?

• People different from us sometimes make us uncomfortable - we don’t understand their culture. They dress, speak, act different and in our thinking they are either wrong or not as good as us. We judge their behavior and customs on our norms and standards and decide they are inferior.

How can we overcome that kind of bias?

• See them as God sees them
• Ask God to give us a love and concern for their souls
• Make an effort to learn about them, learn to appreciate some of their culture
• Get to know someone of another culture
• If you are not sure of their spiritual condition, get to know them well enough to share the Gospel message with them

How does the gospel transform people’s lives?

• No longer carry a load (emotionally, spiritually) of guilt
• Peace with God - peace within one’s self
• Turns people’s lives around
• May result in change of vocation (“let him who stole, steal no more”)
• Brings peace and joy to one’s relationships with others
• Presence of God’s indwelling Holy Spirit produces Fruit of the Spirit … love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, self-control, faithfulness

Point: Salvation is Available to All


Conclusion:

What must I do to be saved? Paul says that salvation is found by faith in Christ – alone. And that this calls for a great commitment to Him as Lord.


Who are you desiring and praying for salvation? Is there a spouse, sibling, friend, coworker, or even a people group?

What evidence can others see in your life of your confession and belief that Jesus is Lord?


Hope to see you on Sunday!!


In His Love,


David & Susan