Overview of Romans 10 – Israel Now

TableTalk Extra: Israel Now

Romans Chapter 10 Overview.

In Romans 9, we found that Israel had rejected the prophets, rejected the true religion of the Lord, and had finally rejected the Messiah himself.  Paul gives two reasons for this, the sovereignty of God and the responsibility of mankind.  What about Israel’s present state?  The thesis of chapter 10 is that despite Israel’s rejection, salvation is possible for them, in Christ, as is the case for us all.  Chapter 10 is about the spread of the Gospel.

1 The Spiritual Preparation of the Gospel Messenger.  V1-5

Like the other two chapters, 9, and 11, Paul begins this chapter with a heartfelt prayer for Israel. 10:1.  If we are to bring the gospel to the lost of this world, there must be spiritual preparation on the part of the messenger.  We need prepared hearts. 

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• The messenger must have a passionate heart. cf Matthew 6:19 We often have a desire for wealth, for health 1 Timothy 4:8, for fame and renown, for pleasure, but do we have a desire for souls?  The word that is translated ‘’desire’ is the Greek ευδοκια (eudokia) It means ‘good pleasure.good will, favour, purpose, intention,’Think of the JOY of soul winning! Sowing the good seed, tract distribution, door to door witnessing, open air preaching, Sunday school teaching… What is the desire of YOUR heart?
• The messenger must have a prayerful heart.  ‘My prayer to God for Israel.’ Do we pray for the lost?  2 Corinthians 8:4, Ephesians 6:18, Colossians 1:3, 1 Thessalonians 3:10. 
• The messenger must have a perceptive heart. V2-3 We can’t pray for the lost, and witness to the lost, if we are oblivious to the present state and their eternal future.  Paul looked upon these religiospeople and saw through their religious veneer, and knew they were lost.

Paul specifically prays for the Jewish people, his own people.  We too should pray for the Jews, but we should also follow Paul’s example and pray for our own people, the people of our own town, neighbourhood, street, work, school, family…

2 The Saving Proclamation of the Messiah.  V4-8

Paul now shifts his focus from the messenger of the Gospel, to the very centre and soul of that message, the One who made our salvation possible, the Lord Jesus Christ, Israel’s Messiah.

• Messiah’s wonderful achievement.  V4.  For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.We only have to trust in Christ’s finished work.
• Redemption’s wide availability. V6-8 All are equal before the Lord, all are sinners, and God can save the best of men and the worst!  He is already risen from the dead, – He is within the reach of every sinner who will come in humble repentance and accept his forgiveness.  Romans 10:8, Proverbs 30:4, John 3:13.

3 The Splendid Promise of that Message.  10:9-13.

• Its message is explained. 10:9.  To be saved, a sinner simply will BELIEVE!  It is a passive response to Christ’s finished work.
• Its promise is declared. 10:10. The explanation of verse 10 is found in verse 11.  Salvation begins in the heart and soul, and God takes that person’s faith (a gift of God) and counts it as righteousness, and then that person confesses Christ as Lord.  No-one can deny Christ and expect to be saved.
• Its security is affirmed. 10:11.If we have the Lord, we shall never be ashamed – especially on judgment day, when we shall find that if we have confessed, he will confess that we are his.
• Its source is established. 10:12.  The source of the Gospel is the Lord himself.
• Its simplicity is described. 10:13. Whosoever – the greatest possible invitation / shall call – the greatest possible restriction, / on the name of the Lord – the greatest possible plea  / shall be saved – the greatest possible promise.  He SHALL be saved – there is no doubt.

4. The Scriptural Pattern for Mission. V14ff

In the rest of the chapter, Paul lays out how God has ordained that the message should be proclaimed throughout the whole world, to Jew and Gentile alike.

• The message must be DECLARED. V14-17 Look at the logical way in which Paul lays out the arguments for Gospel preaching.  You can’t call on the Lord if you do not believe in him (the Jews did not) and you can’t believe on him if you haven’t been told.  Preaching is God’s way of declaring the message.  Romans 10:17.  We must never withhold  the gospel from needy souls.
• The message might be DENIED.  V18-21 Israel has heard the Gospel and has rejected it. And Paul quotes OT Scripture to show how that disobedience has brought them further condemnation.  The plight of the Christ rejecter is very hard, for in all of eternity they will be tortured by their memories of missed Gospel opportunities.

Conclusion.

Paul has outlined the Gospel,  the basis of belief for everyone who would be come to Christ and be saved, whether Jew or Gentile.  Galatians 3:28.  Israel’s past is one of rejection, Israel’s present is one of Gospel opportunity.  In chapter 11, we see Paul looking to Israel’s future, and God’s unfailing purpose is unfolded for his elect people.  

© Bob McEvoy, 2017.