Topic: The Rational of Preaching the Gospel of Jesus to Everyone
Text: Romans 10:14-21
Memory Verse: Romans 10:17
Introduction
We have studied about the fact that in Romans 9-11, Paul talks about God’s plan for Israel. In these chapters, Paul respectfully discusses Israel’s past, present and future. As this lesson focusses on Romans 10, special attention is paid to the result of Israel’s rejection of God’s salvation in Christ and what should be done about it, namely the need to preach the Gospel.
What should be done about the Rejection? (10:14-17)
Paul writes here simply that sinners cannot be saved apart from the Word of God, for “faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word of Christ” (verse 17). In verse 15, Paul refers to Isaiah 52:7 and applies this passage to the taking of the Gospel of peace (peace with God and peace between Jew and Gentile – Ephesians 2:13-17) to the lost of Israel.
Though we often use Romans 10:14-15 as the basis for sending out preachers to Gentile nations, the basic meaning is that of taking the Gospel to Israel. We take the Gospel to the Jew, not because of Romans 1:16 (“to the Jew first”), but because of Romans 10:14-15. If we share Paul’s burden for the people of Israel, we will want to share the Gospel with them. The witness who takes the Gospel to the lost (whether Gentile or Jew) certainly has “beautiful feet” in the eyes of God.
The Result of the Rejection (10:18-21)
The result of Israel’s rejection is that God has turned to the Gentiles and is now taking out of them a people for His name (Acts 15). But even this should be no surprise to the Jews, for in Deuteronomy 32:21, God promised to use other nations to provoke the Jews to jealousy. In Isaiah 65:1-2, God announced that Israel would be disobedient, but the Gentiles would find Him and His salvation.
Keep in mind that the Old Testament did promise the salvation of the Gentiles, but it did not teach that Jews and Gentiles would be part of the same plan or that believers from both races would be one in Jesus. The Old Testament taught that the Gentiles would be saved through Israel’s establishment as a kingdom. But Israel fell. What then would God do with the Gentiles? Paul points out in Romans 9-11 that through Israel’s fall, salvation came to the Gentiles (11:11). God has mercy upon all through the grace made possible at Calvary (11:32).
Verse 21 certainly states God’s attitude toward Israel, even today. Though the nation does not believe (2 Corinthians 3:15 – 4:6 and Romans 11:25), God yearns after the lost Jew just as He does for the lost Gentile. No doubt, in the view of Paul, many Jews who are hearing the Word today will one day trust the Messiah.
Conclusion and application
As our studies on Romans 10 comes to an end, it is important to note the following important practical points. To begin, salvation is for all people and is it not difficult to obtain: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (verse 11).
Remarkably, it is important that the word of God be given to lost sinners since it is the Word that convicts. Thus it is the Word that gives faith and leads to Jesus. One can from this study observe that there are fundamentally only two “religions” in the world: works-righteousness and faith-righteousness. Here, No one can satisfy God by the first religion, but everyone can respond to God (in Jesus) by the second.
Questions
1. There are fundamentally two ‘religions’ in the world: works-righteousness and faith-righteousness. How far do you agree?
2. What is the result of Israel’s rejection of the gospel of Jesus with reference to Acts 15 and Deuteronomy 32:21?
3. Who has beautiful feet in the eyes of God and to what extent do you see yourself as having beautiful feet?
Amazing grace Baptist Church, Hamburg 