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Opening Prayer
Father God, we come to Study the words of Paul as given to us in his letter to the Romans. We pray that no word be spoken here tonight that is not in accordance with your will and that you will impart to us those matters You would have us learn from this study. We pray that your peace and comfort be with those of us who are sick or disabled and cannot be here tonight. We ask that you share our blessing with them. Lead us now and give us understanding as we study the teachings of Paul, The word of God.. In Jesus Name we pray Amen
Romans 10: 1-21 Opening Thoughts
Beginning with Chapter 9: verses 30 to 33 Where Paul is giving a brief statement on Israels position in relation to God's plan of salvation for all of mankind.
30 What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith. 31 but the people of Israel, who pursued the law as the way of righteousness, have not attained their goal. 32 Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone. 33 As it is written: "See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who believes in him will never be put to shame."
What is Israel's position?
Israel had always had it's own set of laws governing morality ethics, conduct for living etc. The Mosaic covenant, or the law of Moses, known as the Pentateuch, which represents the first five books of the Bible. This set of laws and rules for living covered most if not all of an individuals life and affairs. Many of their laws came through Abraham, before the 10 commandments were given to Moses, in exodus 20: 1-17, and most had to do with the everyday practical application of how to live their lives. This was a way of life for the Jews, which had sustained them from the time of Abraham, through their exodus from Egypt and the giving of the ten commandments by God to Moses and on to this present time under the rule of the Romans, a time in which Paul is now writing. About 1950 years
The Jews still to this day believe that their obedience to the law, and their works save them. God gave Christ to be the foundation Stone in the new covenant, (Jeremiah 31:31-34). But by Israel’s rejecting Him, He became their stumbling stone. In this chapter the view of the whole subject introduced in Romans 9: 30-33, is continued and carried out, according to which God's present rejection of the Jews as a nation is traced not to God's absolute and irreversible Divine decree, but to their own refusal to accept God’s plan of mercy for all mankind. Paul in this chapter is anguishing over this state of the Jew's belief.
Questions
Q. What do you think the average Jewish citizen of that day, felt about this new covenant?
Q.2 How is it that Paul was so convinced of his belief?
Q.3 Have you ever had an electric shock ? Are you now very cautious about electricity? Why?
Q.4 Have you heard the story of Abigail, a girl in fifth grade?
Q.5 What is your feeling about an actual experience as opposed to hearing about one?
Q.6 When witnessing for Christ, what would you consider to be your most difficult task?
Q.7 What do you feel would have been Paul's most difficult task in presenting his testimony?
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Romans 10:1-10...The word of faith
Rom 10:1 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. 4 Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes. 5 Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: "The person who does these things will live by them." 6 But the righteousness that is by faith says: "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?'" (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 "or 'Who will descend into the deep?'" (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," 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.
Discussion
Under the law, of the Israelites, one may earn their salvation by their good works, whereas by faith in Jesus Christ, one is gifted one's salvation by God and it has nothing to do with our works. Salvation is a gift from God. Eternal life is the promised gift from God, and there are no rules or regulations one must abide by in order to obtain salvation. One cannot earn their salvation. It is by Faith that one is justified, and ones life choices then lead one to sanctification, which then leads to one's glorification.
God did not make the Israelites look for His Word. He came to them and brought His Word near. He has done the same in the new covenant. The gospel is not something we have to wonder about. It has been revealed clearly so that even a child can know and believe it. Having believed, one receives the right to become a child of God and as such is born-again by the Spirit of God which affects one's behavior such that righteous behavior is naturally characteristic of those born of God. The true believer must realize that one cannot claim the promise of Christ as Savior of our soul and still not have Christ as Lord of our life, (life choices) Those who have not bowed the knee to Jesus Christ as Lord of their life cannot claim him as savior of their soul. Romans 10:9 says that we must believe in our hearts that God has raised Jesus from the dead, repent of our sinful ways, be born again, Dead to sin, alive to Jesus Christ. The reason God raised Jesus was to vindicate Him, and this was for our salvation. Moreover, as we are positioned in union with Jesus Christ through our faith and belief in his life death and resurrection, so His resurrection and vindication become our resurrection and vindication also. It is Jesus Christ who renders us fit for judgment by God, and through Jesus, in God's eyes we are righteous and fit for devine fellowship with God. This is what the Jewish faith has difficulty accepting. They still believe the matter of righteousness is a personal matter between the individual and God.
Questions
Q.1 Why does Paul say that the Israelites are zealous for God?
Q.2 What is there about Being zealous for God that must take place for God to honor that zeal?
Q.3 What is meant in verses 5,6,7, regarding the righteousness that is by the law?
Q.4 What do you feel Paul means by saying Israel sought to establish their own righteousness?
Q.5 Do some people see one's works as a means of our salvation?
Q.6 Consider the thief on the cross whom Jesus promised paradise, what works did he perform?
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Romans 10:11-21...The importance of witnessing
Rom 10:11 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." 14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news! 16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?" 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. 18 But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did: "Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world." 19 Again I ask: Did Israel not understand? First, Moses says, " I will make you envious by those who are not a nation; I will make you angry by a nation that has no understanding." 20 And Isaiah boldly says,“I was found by those who did not seek me; I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me. 21“But concerning Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people."
Discussion
Paul emphasizes the message of the Gospel and the great significance it holds. And As with Philip's story of the Ethiopian Eunuch The Gospel must be shared (Acts 8:26-39).
Considering what has just been stated it is also noteworthy that this word of salvation by the Messiah has been preached to Israel since the beginning of the new covenant. They know of it's claim of Salvation for all true believers, yet they still refuse Jesus as savior.
At first, Paul too was against this whole concept of a savior. He knew as did the Jews of his day that they were directly responsible for their own relationship to God through their own righteousness. Just as we depend upon our own imagination and initiative for getting our life's affairs in order, The Jews consider their salvation a matter of law keeping and self initiated righteousness. The Gentile as well as the Jew is responsible for their own life choices, but that is not the same as getting our salvation in order by making a decision to become a Christian. Paul was given the message by Jesus in a much more meaningful way, and as a result he became the worlds most dedicated evangelist. However it may turn out, God is still in control, and he has called each of us as Christians to share the gospel world wide. Matthew 28:18-20
Paul says that if the failure of the Jews to believe in this life means riches for the Gentiles, then how much more blessing will come to the world when unbelieving Jews come to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord? This is the remnant to which Paul refers in Romans_9:27 “ Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: "Though the number of the Israelites be like the sand by the sea, only the remnant will be saved.”
Questions
Q.1 What is your feeling about why Jesus chose Paul to be the first evangelist? Act 9:15 But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. Q.2 What is there to be gained by converting the Jews ? Q.3 Why is it that the Gentiles were included in God's plan of salvation? (Acts chapter 10) Q.4 What is meant in verses 20 and 21 above?
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Scripture references
Jeremiah 31:31 "The days are coming," declares the LORD, "when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. 32 It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them," declares the LORD. 33 "This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time," declares the LORD. "I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34 No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, 'Know the LORD,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest," declares the LORD. "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."
Acts 8:26-39 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Go south to the road--the desert road--that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza 27 So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means "queen of the Ethiopians"). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. 29 The Spirit told Philip, "Go to that chariot and stay near it." 30 Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. "Do you understand what you are reading?" Philip asked. 31 "How can I," he said, "unless someone explains it to me?" So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.32 This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading: "He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. 33 In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth." 34 The eunuch asked Philip, "Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?" 35 Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?" 38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.
Matthew 28:18-20 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."
Closing Prayer. Father God, we close our study tonight with this prayer for your protection of our souls from the wiles of Satan. Let none of us slip in our efforts to live a good and moral, God centered life. Help us to be more responsible disciples in our day to day lives, so that those whom we meet will be influenced by our Christian conduct. Be with those of our acquaintance who need your healing touch______________Bring to these our friends, and loved ones, Your healing touch give them strength and courage and rest. Help them to recover their health. Bless them Lord, and those who care for them. Be with us now as we go our separate ways, and bring us together again next week. We pray this in Jesus Name, Amen.
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A Brief Background of the Jew in the Old Testament
As Romans 9 indicates, the Jews were a special people who were designed by God to be the channel of divine revelation to the world. From them would come the prophets, the writers of the Old Testament, and most of the writers of the New Testament. From them would come the twelve apostles and, supremely, Jesus Christ.
The Jews were given the Law of Moses, which was not extended beyond Israel. To them were given the special rules for worship in the tabernacle and in the temple; and to them were given special promises that were not extended to the entire human race. Though Israel did not choose God, God chose them; and with extraordinary patience and tenacity, He fulfills His promises to Israel even in times of apostasy and departure from God. It is in keeping with this purpose of God that Israel had such a prominent place throughout the Old Testament, and the course of human history is developed in the Old Testament period as it revolves around Israel and the Holy Land.
God’s dealing with them both in judgment and in mercy provided a divine revelation of the nature of God, His righteousness, His love, His grace, and His infinite wisdom. The major movements of the nation constitute the important divisions of the Old Testament. In the time of Jacob and Joseph the children of Israel went down to Egypt a family of seventy, and there, in several hundred years, they became a great nation of perhaps two to three million.
After the Jews fell into ill favor with Pharaoh and they became slaves, God raised up Moses to lead them from Egypt to the Promised Land. After Moses’ death Joshua brought the children of Israel into the land that they possessed.
After Israel went through the apostasies recorded in the book of Judges, they became a great nation, beginning with Samuel the prophet and then Kings Saul, David, and Solomon. After Solomon’s death, however, their continued sinfulness against God not only resulted in the division of the two kingdoms—the ten tribes, the kingdom of Israel, and the two tribes, the kingdom of Judah—but God caused them to be taken out of the land. The ten tribes were carried off by Assyria in 722 B.C. (1 Chron. 5:25-26), and the remaining two tribes, the kingdom of Judah, were conquered by Babylon in 605 B.C. Judah was subsequently carried off to Babylon, and Jerusalem, along with its beautiful temple, was plundered and destroyed in 586 B.C. (2 Chron. 36:17-20).
In 538 B.C. under Ezra, fifty thousand came back to try to reestablish Israel in the land (Ezra 1:1-2:70). After many years of struggle Nehemiah arrived on the scene in 445 B.C. and encouraged them to rebuild the wall and rebuild the city (Neh. 1:1-6:16; 11:1-2).
When Christ was born, Jerusalem was once again a thriving city.
The subsequent rejection of Christ ultimately resulted in the dispersion of the children of Israel all over the world, beginning in A.D. 70 when Jerusalem was conquered and burned by the Romans.
In the twentieth century the children of Israel have begun their return to their ancient land, signaling what may well be the beginning of the final regathering of Israel prophesied in Scripture. Almost four million Jews now live within the bounds of the land of Israel and are in their place to fulfill their prophetic destiny.
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