I’D RATHER DO IT MYSELF!
Romans 10:1-13
Little ditty we used to repeat as children. Theme line:
“Same song, second verse, a little bit louder and a whole lot worse!”
That’s what Romans 10 does–contains same song, 2nd verse [to Rom 9]
Looks at Israel’s present spiritual predicament; WHY they’re in state they’re in.
When Napoleon met his Waterloo, one of his soldiers, Nicholas Chauvin, refused to believe the general was defeated and insisted on fighting on, even though the battle was lost. His name has lived on; we now call anyone who fights on when the battle is already over a chauvinist! (Def.-A zealous defender of a cause, especially a lost one, or an old-fashioned one).
Israel, too, was pursuing a “lost cause!”
After Christ finished the battle, Israel continued to fight for the law, though there was no way they could fulfill it.
Israel is still lost because they'd "rather do it themselves."
Like children as they begin to grow older: “I’d rather do it myself!”
They continue to try to satisfy God's demands themselves
They still think they can attain God's righteousness by themselves.
Mistaken concept isn’t limited to Israel! Cults present the same idea.
People in general still reflect this attitude. They’d “rather do it themselves!!“
We still don’t get it! We still don’t understand the impossibility of attaining God’s standard on our own.
[ Paul’s presentation of ISRAEL’S CONTINUING UNBELIEF points to . . . ]
2 WAYS PEOPLE TRY TO MAKE THEMSELVES ACCEPTABLE TO GOD
SOME PEOPLE TRY TO MAKE IT ON THEIR OWN 1-3
Paul desires Israel to be saved 1
Paul testifies concerning Israel’s attempt to make it on their own 2-3
They are zealous for God 2a
He himself was zealous–more than all his classmates
Because of their zeal, he wants them to come to God–to be saved
He understands their zeal–they are zealous for God, but . . .
They don’t understand God’s righteousness 2b-3a
They try to establish their own righteousness 3b
Therefore, they haven’t accepted God’s righteousness 3a
So they end up with none!
Therefore, they need salvation 1
Their ignorance is NOT passive! It’s deliberate!
They voluntarily choose to reject truth about God’s righteousness.
They don’t hear because they don’t want to hear!
Attempting to establish their righteousness causes them to reject Gods’ righteousness. They’re left bankrupt!
Since their righteousness isn’t good enough to satisfy God, and they reject His righteousness, they’re left with nothing!
[They totally miss point of O.T. message! Paul goes back to original message to look again!]
PEOPLE WHO TRY TO MAKE IT ON THEIR OWN
CUT THEMSELVES OFF FROM GOD’S SUPPLY
AND END UP BANKRUPT!
During Spanish-American War, Clara Barton, was working in Cuba. Theodore Roosevelt came to buy food for sick and wounded Rough Riders. She refused to sell him any. Roosevelt couldn’t understand. He cared about his men, and was going to pay from his own funds. He went to surgeon in charge, who told him, "Colonel, just ask for it!" The provisions weren’t for sale at any price.
[2nd alternative people try to make themselves acceptable to God: ]
SOME PEOPLE TRUST CHRIST TO PROVIDE WHAT THEY NEED 4-13
Jesus provides everything law demands, for all who trust Him 4
Israel never understood essence of the law: “Christ is the end of the law”
Righteousness the law demands is satisfied by Christ’s work on cross. His righteousness is credited to account of anyone who trusts Him.
He provides righteousness law requires [= its fulfillment, completion ]
=> Jesus totally completes all the law requires!
He only does this for those who trust Him.
Law-based attempts to make it with God require absolute obedience 5
[Lev. 18:5 1-5 {“them” = my laws and decrees}
You must obey my commands and be careful to follow them.
The person who obeys them lives.
Life is the result of continual obedience]
When lawyer came to Jesus in Luke 10, asking what he must DO to inherit eternal life, Jesus asked him what the law says. Young man accurately summarized law: “Love the Lord with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus responded: “Good answer! DO this, and you will live!” = Lev: “He who DOES these things will live by them!”
All we have to do: live by its standards– continually obey it!
Problem: no one can keep all its demands all the time!
Therefore all are condemned as lawbreakers.
[By that standard, who can make it with God?
If the law-based approach won’t make it, how do we get right with God?
Paul goes back to O.T. to look for answer ]
Faith-based attempts to make it with God require a “heart & mouth” response to Jesus 6-13
6a “Do not say in your heart . . .”
Similar to: “Spare the rod, . . . “
”Birds of a feather, . . . “
”Don’t count your chickens, . . . “
[Deut. 9:4 4-6 Don’t kid yourself!
What aren’t they supposed to tell themselves?
Don’t tell self God gave you land (=blessed you) because of YOUR righteousness!]
Faith-based righteousness isn’t MY righteousness 6a
Faith-based righteousness flows out of a heart and mouth which trusts Jesus 6b-13 6b-7
[ Deut. 30:12 11-14 God’s command isn’t too difficult/out of reach
We don’t have to search for it, going up to heaven–we don’t have to struggle to find the way–work to make Christ come down to us. It won’t come by our efforts to reach God!
They couldn’t get Him to come down from heaven!
They couldn’t raise Him up from the dead!
O.T. asks 2nd question: We don’t have to cross the sea to bring God’s Word from someone else far away.
Paul adds different issue: Can we go down into the abyss to raise Christ from the dead?
What can WE do about it? We can’t do anything to make it happen! He’s already done it all!
It isn’t too difficult for us 6b
It isn’t out of our reach 6b
We don’t have to search for it 6b-7
–God already reached out to US–He sent it!
It comes out of our mouth and heart 8-13 [v. 8 => mouth/heart message]
[Deut. 30:14–It’s in your mouth and in your heart
–NOT in your hands! We can’t DO anything about it–He’s done it all!]
They had the answer from the beginning: “the word (message) of faith!”
God’s Word, written in their hearts told them what to do.
Problem: they refuse to come by faith. They’d rather do it themselves!
So they haven’t fulfilled the way of law, NOR the way of faith!
They’re still under judgment.
Message of faith we proclaim is a “mouth and heart” message–like Moses was describing–it involves both: a mouth and heart response to Jesus
With our mouth we acknowledge: Jesus is Lord 9a/10b
With our heart we trust Him 9b/10a
Paul reverses Moses’ O.T. order–the heart gives birth to what flows from the mouth
–“out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matt. 12:34)
** Phillips: “For it is believing in the heart that makes a person righteous before God, and it is stating his belief by his own mouth that confirms his salvation.”
Content of this confession: “Jesus is Lord!”
One of original confessions of the church
“Lord” = Jewish name for YHWH
Profession acknowledges that Jesus is God.
Context quotes O.T. passages that relate “Lord” to YHWH
Acknowledging Jesus is God, the logical response is to trust HIm!
O.T. Scripture calls for “heart/mouth” response to Jesus 11-13
With our heart we believe 11-12 [Is. 28:16]
Isaiah proclaims: all who trust foundation God placed in Zion won’t be disappointed.
Faith in Christ is sufficient for everyone, Jew or Gentile!
The same Lord is Lord for all of us
Only one YHWH and He’s Lord for everyone!–just one Lord/one God!
With our mouth we call on His name 13 [Joel 2:32]
Joel: All who call on the name of the Lord will be saved
Acknowledging that Jesus is Lord will lead us to call on His name!
PEOPLE WHO TRUST CHRIST AND ACKNOWLEDGE HIM
RECEIVE EVERYTHING WE NEED TO MAKE IT WITH GOD!
WHICH ALTERNATIVE WOULD YOU CHOOSE?
Try to make it on your own?
Trust Christ and acknowledge Him?
Queen Victoria listened to a sermon. She asked chaplain, "Is it possible to be sure of eternal safety?" He replied, "I know of no way one could be.” John Townsend sent letter to the Queen: "To her gracious Majesty, our beloved Queen Victoria, from one of her most humble subjects. With trembling hands but love-filled heart, and because I know we can be sure even now of eternal life in the home Jesus went to prepare, I would ask you, Most Gracious Majesty, to read John 3:16; Romans 10:9,10. These passages prove there’s full assurance of salvation by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ for those who believe and accept His finished work."
Several days later Townsend received a note: "Your letter received, and in reply would state that I have carefully and prayerfully read the portions of Scripture. I believe in the finished work of Christ for me and trust by God's grace to meet you in that home of which He said, 'I go to prepare a place for you.'
Col. Harland Sanders of Kentucky Fried Chicken fame says he was always a God-fearing man. Yet knew that if he died, God wouldn't take him to heaven. Worried, he traveled to a church convention in Australia for an answer. He didn't find it.
Later Waymon Rodgers invited him to evangelistic services. Several days later, Sanders went. At 79, he claimed the promises of Rom. 10:9. "When I walked out of that church, I knew I was a different man. All my good deeds had never given me the sense of God's presence that I knew then."
Israel’s struggle to establish her own righteousness shows contrast between world religions and God's plan. How are they different?
Human religion presents people seeking God.
Paul says that no one seeks Him—God always takes the initiative!
Try to establish your own righteousness and you will cut yourself off from God's righteousness!
When we try to make ourselves right with God, we cut ourselves off from God’s plan of salvation and end up without any righteousness.
Salvation is by FAITH alone!
If you choose to trust Him, He will provide everything you need to make it with God! Will YOU trust Him this a.m.?