Have You Heard?

Have You Heard?

Steve W. Reeves

 

INTRODUCTION:
A. We live in a climate of noise. Wherever you turn you are bombarded with the noise of
    politics, promotions, propaganda and philosophy. It has been said, “The shallowest
    rivers make the most noise.”
    1. With so many competing voices it is confusing to decide which one to hear.
    2. Always remember, there is only one voice that leads to faith. Notice Romans10:17,
       “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.”           
    3. When Paul used the phrase, “word of Christ,” he did not use the word “logos,” as in
       John 1, “in the beginning was the word.” He used the word, “rhema” meaning, “that
       which has been spoken.”
    4. Faith is not found through subjective human experience. It is found through the
       revealed word of God.
B. Why was “faith” so important to the apostle Paul?
    1. In Romans 1:17 he quoted Habakkuk 2:4 concerning the gospel, “For in it the
       righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘But the
       righteous man shall live by faith.’”
    2. In Romans 5:1-2 Paul wrote, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have
       peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ² through whom also we have
       obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand.”
    3. Paul was concerned about the salvation of souls. This concern began with his own
       Jewish kinsmen.
       a. In Romans 9:1-3 he wrote, “I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my
           conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit, ² that I have great sorrow and
           unceasing grief in my heart. ³ For I could wish that I myself were accursed,
           separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the
           flesh.”
       b. In Romans 10:1-2 he continued, “Brethren, my heart’s desire and my prayer to
           God for them is for their salvation. ² For I testify about them that they have a zeal
           for God, but not in accordance with knowledge.”
C. Paul’s use of the word, “salvation,” seems almost antiquated in our “non-judgmental,”
    world. Many people believe it is harsh or judgmental to say someone is lost. This was
    not the case with Paul or Jesus. Both of them clearly distinguished between those
    who were lost and those who were saved.
    1. We often think that the only people who are lost are those who are really bad.
    2. There are many “good” people who are lost because they do not know Jesus
       Christ.
    3. Like travelers lost without a map in downtown Beverly Hills, there are many people
       who are surrounded by the luxuries of life while traveling down the wrong road.
           Could you be one of them?
D. In Romans 10 there are three essential facts about salvation that everyone needs to
    know.
 
I. THE SOURCE OF SALVATION (Vss. 3-4).
    A. If you were asked, “Why do you believe you are saved,” what would your answer
       be?
       1. Would you answer, “Because I’m trying to live right.”
       2. Would you say, “I attend church regularly,” or “I’ve been baptized?”
       3. Both of these are important but they neglect the important fact that you cannot
           save yourself by your own works or righteousness.
    B. This is what Paul’s Jewish brethren were doing. Notice verses 3-4, “For not
       knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not
       subject themselves to the righteousness of God. ⁴ For Christ is the end of the law
       for righteousness to everyone who believes.”
       1. The Jews thought they could justify themselves by keeping God’s law. That
           sounds like a great idea, right? The problem is no one has ever done it.
       2. Notice Paul’s comment on his own life in Philippians 3:4-7, “Although I myself
           might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put
           confidence in the flesh, I far more: ⁵ circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of
           Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee;
           ⁶ as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the
           Law, found blameless. ⁷ But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have
           counted as loss for the sake of Christ.”
           a. Paul said, “All of the good I have done does not add up to anything when
               compared to Christ.” 
           b. In verse 9 he wrote, “And may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of
               my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the
               righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith.”
    C. One preacher told the story of a man who had been having problems with his eyes
       looking at things he shouldn’t have seen, his tongue saying things he should notSR1]  
       say and his feet going places he shouldn’t go. He went to Dr. Law, who pointed out
       that all of these things were wrong but said, “It’s a heart problem. I cannot help
       you.” What Dr. Law did, however, was refer the man to another doctor named Dr.
       Grace. Dr. Grace said, “I will give you a new heart but you must be willing to give
       up the old one and place your trust and obedience in me.”
       1. Dr. Law cannot heal through human righteousness.
       2. Dr. Grace brings healing through the righteousness of Jesus Christ.
 
II. THE SIMPLICITY OF SALVATION (Vss.5-11).
    A. I do not mean to imply that being a Christian is easy. Jesus said we must “deny
       ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him” (Matthew 16:24).
    B. The work of salvation has already been accomplished through Jesus Christ. 
       Notice verses 5-11. For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness
       which is based on law shall live by that righteousness. ⁶ But the righteousness
       based on faith speaks as follows: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into
       heaven?’ (that is, to bring Christ down), ⁷ or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ (that
       is, to bring Christ up from the dead).” ⁸ But what does it say? “The word is near you,
       in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching,
       ⁹ that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that
       God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; ¹⁰ for with the heart a person
       believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in
       salvation. ¹¹ For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be
       disappointed.”
       1. Many Christians live with the fear that they, “haven’t done enough” to merit
           eternal life.
       2. There are two essential questions you must ask. “How much is enough?” and “If
           you could do enough why did Jesus have to die?”
    C. Paul said, “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart
       that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
       1. What does it mean to “confess?” It means that I pledge complete and total
           allegiance to Jesus and everything He taught.
       2. What does it mean to “believe in your heart?” It means to give our wholehearted
           obedience to the commands and teachings of Jesus Christ. Remember, it was
           Jesus who commanded repentance (Luke 24:47) and baptism (Matthew 28:19-
           20; Mark 16:15-16).
    D. The simplicity of salvation is that Christ has already attained it. He makes it
       available to every man and woman everywhere.
 
III. THE SPLENDOR OF SALVATION (Vss. 12-13).
    A. Paul went on to write, “For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the
       same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; ¹³ for “Whoever
       will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
    B. To the church at Rome, composed of Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians,
       Paul said, “There is no difference. The same Lord is Lord of all.”
       1. The same Lord who saved Paul can save you.
       2. The same Lord who died for me died for you.
       3. He is rich toward all who call on Him. Moffitt translates this, “abundant in iches.”           
           He will provide every spiritual blessing and will be with you in every aspect of
           your life.     
 
CONCLUSION
A. In April of 1912 the great luxury ocean liner Titanic sank on its maiden voyage across
    the north Atlantic. Aboard the ship were some of the richest people of their day.
    People like John Jacob Astor IV and Benjamin Guggenheim who filled the first class
    staterooms with elegance and riches. There were also common people who had just
    enough to pay a minimum passage. After the disaster the people aboard the Titanic
    were not categorized by their wealth or their position. They were categorized in one
    of two ways: saved or lost.
B. There is no one hearing these words who is so good you do not need to be saved.
    There is no one hearing these words who is so bad that God cannot and will not save
    you. Jesus is the source of that salvation. He has done the work of salvation and He
    offers you the riches of salvation. Will you come, believing in your heart, confessing
    with your mouth, putting Christ on in baptism for the forgiveness of your sins? We
    invite you to come.
    
 
 

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Rejecting God

Rejecting God

Steve W. Reeves

 

INTRODUCTION:

A. For many years United States senators were selected by state legislators rather than 

    by popular vote as they are today. In 1858 the Illinois legislature sent Stephen A.

    Douglas to the U.S. Senate instead of Abraham Lincoln, even though Lincoln had

    more support among the public. When a sympathetic friend asked Lincoln how he

    felt, he said, “Like the boy who stubbed his toe: I am too big to cry and too hurt

    to laugh.”

    1. All of us have felt the sting of rejection at some point in life. We may have been

       rejected for a job we were seeking. We may have been rejected for a date. We

       man have been rejected for a sports team or a talent show.

    2. Can you put yourself in the sandals of Jesus who faced the ultimate rejection?

       John wrote, ^“He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the

       world did not know Him. ¹¹ He came to His own, and those who were His own did

       not receive Him” (John 1:10-11).

B. In Paul’s letter to the Romans he paints a sharp contrast between the Divine

    dividends that come from accepting Christ in chapter 8 and Israel’s painful rejection

    of Christ in chapters 9-11.     

    1. This section of Romans is one of the most difficult passages in the New

       Testament.

    2. In this part of the letter Paul opens a window to let us view his personal sorrow for

       his Jewish kinsmen. He boldly asserts God’s sovereignty and the salvation God has

       made available to everyone, Jew and Gentile, through Christ.

C. As we look at Romans 9 we find a five-part answer to the question, “What happens

    when we reject God?” 

 

I. WE REJECT THE LOVE AND CONCERN OF OTHERS - Vss. 1-3

    A. Notice Paul’s strong emotions about His Jewish brethren.       

       1. Paul was broken hearted over the Jews’ rejection of Jesus. “I am telling the truth

           in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit, ² that I

           have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart.”

           a. It troubles me that modern day Christians do not have greater sorrow over

               those who reject Christ.

           b. Many people are more sorrowful about a scratch on their car than the loss of a

               soul for whom Jesus died. Many people express greater sorrow over the loss

               of a ball game than the loss of a soul.

       2. The extent of Paul’s sorrow is demonstrated in verse 3, “For I could wish that I

           myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my

           kinsmen according to the flesh.”

           a. The word, “accursed” is from the Greek word, “anathema,” meaning “set apart

               for destruction.”      

           b. Have you ever known someone going through a difficult situation and said, “I

               wish it was me instead of them.” This was Paul’s sad, heartbroken response

               as he viewed Israel’s rejection of Christ.

    B. If you have rejected Christ in your life I want you to think of the sorrow you are

       bringing to people who love you. It may be your parents who have sought to bring

       you up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4). I may be a

       faithful Christian spouse who has done their best to set an example before you. It

       may be a host of friends who have encouraged you to do what is right. Rejecting

       Christ always breaks someone else’s heart.

 

II. WE REJECT GOD’S BLESSINGS - Vss. 4-5

    A. Israel’s rejection of God was astonishing in view of the wonderful blessings they

       had received.

       1. They had been “adopted as sons.” This was one of Paul’s favorite description of

           God’s people (See Romans 8:23; Galatians 4:5; Ephesians 1:5).

       2. They had been given blessings and glory.

       3. They were God’s covenant people. God had given them the Law of Moses.

       4. They had the temple.

       5. They were the ancestors of the Messiah.  

    B. Verse 6 is a key to this entire chapter. “But it is not as though the word of God has

       failed.”

       1. Israel’s rejection of God was not God’s fault.

       2. God chose Israel. He chose Abraham, He chose Isaac over Ishmael. He chose

           Jacob over Esau. In verse 13 Paul wrote, “Just as it is written, “Jacob I loved, but

           Esau I hated.” This seems harsh but consider that this is a quote from Malachi

           1:2-3. This is a Hebrew figure of speech. It is a way of saying, “I chose Jacob

           over Esau,” and should not be understood as God hating someone.

    C. God’s love for us is so great that He has an eternal plan for redeeming us from this

       sin stained world. He wants every person to be saved (2 Peter 3:9). To this end He

       sent Jesus to fulfill His law and be the atonement for our sin.

    D. Most Americans have heard of June 6, 1944 when allied troops under the

       command of General Eisenhower stormed ashore on the beaches of Normandy to

       begin the liberation of Europe from Germany. The landings on D. Day were

       preceded by months and months of planning. Those plans involved over 150,000

       troops. God’s plan involved one man, Jesus, a descendant of Israel, the fulfillment

       of Old Testament prophecy and the one to whom every knee shall bow and tongue

       confess as Lord (Philippians 2:10).

      

  

III. WE REJECT GOD’S MERCY - Vss. 14-18.

    A. The French emperor Napoleon had a soldier who was caught stealing. The soldier

       was arrested and imprisoned. His mother came to Napoleon and pleaded for

       mercy. Napoleon replied, “He does not deserve mercy.” The woman said, “If he

       deserved it, it wouldn’t be mercy.”

       1. Mercy is the quality of God’s lovingkindness.

       2. This word appears two time in verse 15, once in verse 16 and once in verse 18.

           a. “For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy” (vs. 15).

           b. “So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on

               God who has mercy” (vs. 16).

       B. God chose Moses for mercy – covenant love. The other side of that coin was

           Pharaoh who was rejected by God because of the hardness of his heart. Once

           again, Paul is demonstrating the sovereignty of God.

        C. God has chosen to have mercy on those who come to Christ. It did not matter if

           they were Jews or Gentiles. Today it does not matter where you are from or what

           your background is. God’s mercy is available through Christ.

       D. When we reject Jesus we are rejecting the mercy God offers.

 

IV. WE REJECT THE AUTHORITY OF GOD – Vss. 19–26

    A. Did your ever respond to your parents instructions by asking “why?” Perhaps they

       responded, “Because I said so.” They had the authority.

    B. For those in Rome who might have been questioning God’s wisdom and authority

       Paul says in verses 21-22, “On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers

       back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, “Why did you make me

       like this,” will it? ²¹ Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from

       the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use?”

    C. Do you know why most Atheists reject God?

       a. It is not that they cannot accept God intellectually.

       b. It is because they cannot accept Him morally. To recognize the potter is to

           recognize His control over you.    

       c. To reject Christ is to say to the Lord, “I do not want to become what you want me

           to be.”

 

V. WE REJECT THE PROMISES OF GOD – Vss. 27-33

    A. In the concluding verses of this chapter (27-33) Paul reiterates that God had a

       plan.

       1. He had a plan for Israel – “that a remnant would be saved” (vs. 27).

       2. He had a plan for His word to be carried out on the earth (vs. 28).

       3. He had a plan that through Israel would come the Messiah through whom all

          people, Jews and Gentiles, might be saved (vss. 29-33).

    B. In the early 1950’s Walt Disney drove his friend, Art Linkletter, to a grove of

       Orange trees near Anaheim, California. Walt told Art he had bought the property

       and began telling him about his plans. He was going to build a theme park with

       rides and attractions. He wanted Art to be a partner. Art shook his head and said,

       “No.” He later said that his refusal to accept Walt’s offer to become a partner in

       Disneyland was the worst decision he ever made.

       1. God offers you the opportunity to be a part of His plan for eternity. The attraction

            will greater than anything you will ever experience at Disneyland or Disney

            World.

       2. God has determined that all spiritual blessings are found in Christ (Ephesians

           1:3). He has determined that salvation is in Christ (Galatians 3:26-27).

       3. He has determined that we must make the choice come into Christ or stay out of

           Christ.        

 

CONCLUSION:

A. God’s sovereign will has always been to allow people to choose to serve Him or

     reject Him. That choice was summed up by Joshua, “Choose this day whom you will

     serve” (Joshua 24:15).

    1. Israel had to make that choice. They chose to reject Christ.

    2. You and I must now make that choice.

B. In the words of an old Gospel song, “What shall it be? What shall it be? What shall

    your answer be?” May we assist you in obedience to Christ today as you turn to Him

     in faith, repentance and baptism. If you have turned away from Him we invite you to

    come home today.