September 18, 2000
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Oct. 22 Lesson
_Salvation is not a birthright, Paul explains
_Romans 9:1-8; 10:1-21
___9:1I speak the truth in Christ--I am not lying, my conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit--2I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race, 4the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. 5Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.
___6It is not as though God's word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. 7Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham's children. On the contrary, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned." 8In other words, it is not the natural children who are God's children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham's offspring. ...
___10:1Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. 2For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. 3Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. 4Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.
___5Moses describes in this way the righteousness that is by the law: "The man who does these things will live by them." 6But 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). 8But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: 9That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." 12For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
___14How, 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? 15And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
___16But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our message?" 17Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. 18But 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." 19Again 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." 20And Isaiah says boldy, "I was found by those who did not seek me; ..."
___By Alan Lefever
___Benajah Harvey Carroll spent much of his youth rejecting God. His father was a Baptist minister, and although Carroll had been baptized as a young boy, he later asked that his church membership be withdrawn on the grounds that he was unconverted. During his service in the Civil War, his attempt to find peace in what he later called abstract philosophies failed as did his first marriage. As a result, Carroll felt "the battle for life was lost." Perhaps in an effort to hasten his own death, Carroll often volunteered for the most dangerous missions during this dark period of his life. On April 8, 1864, he was wounded in the leg at the Battle of Mansfield. He soon returned to his hometown.
___Shortly after his return home, Carroll decided never to enter a church again. His mother, however, persuaded him to accompany her to a Methodist camp meeting one morning in the fall of 1865. Although the sermon left Carroll unmoved, the preacher's plea at the conclusion of the service seemed to be personalized for him: "You that stand aloof from Christianity and scorn us simple folks, what have you got? ... If there be a God, mustn't there be a something somewhere? If so, how do you know it is not here? Are you willing to test it? I don't ask you to read any book, nor study any evidences, nor make any pilgrimages. Are you willing to try it now; to make a practical, experimental test, you to be the judge of the result?"
___This experiment sounded interesting to Carroll, who was leaning on his crutches at the back of the group, and he decided to give it a try. When he went forward at the close of the meeting, Carroll was not prepared for the response his action would bring as the crowd shouted its approval. To quiet the joyous group, Carroll quickly stated that he had not been converted but was only conducting an "experimental test" of Christianity.
___The experiment proved to be a success. Over the next 50 years, Carroll proclaimed the gospel throughout the South. In spite of Carroll's rejection of God on numerous occasions, God's gift was still available to him and, upon accepting God's gift, Carroll was used in a mighty way.
___If only ...
___In chapters 9 through 11 of Romans, Paul departs from his discussion of the justification and sanctification of the believer to discuss Israel's relationship with Christ. Paul opens the chapter by emphasizing the truth of his word. He is so concerned with emphasizing the truth that he writes "I speak the truth in Christ--I am not lying." Perhaps, Paul was aware that some might read his words and not believe that he was willing to surrender his own salvation if it meant saving Israel. In other words, Paul opens this section by saying, "I really, really mean what I'm about to say."
___Paul's heart is broken because the majority of his own people have rejected Christ. He wishes there was some action he could personally take to save Israel. Paul's sorrow for Israel is intense--if only there was something he could do. If only they would accept the gospel.
___On the eve of the Civil War, Governor Sam Houston worked tirelessly to convince the state of Texas to remain in the Union it had struggled so hard to join. Houston resigned with overwhelming sorrow when Texas failed to heed his plea and left the Union. As Texas went through the painful period of reconstruction after the war, no doubt some felt the situation would have been different if only Texas had listened to Houston.
___The Jews were God's chosen people and, in spite of their rejection of Christ, God continued to offer salvation to them. However, Paul notes that not all "who are descended from Israel are Israel." It was with the coming of Christ that God's chosen people were not limited by bloodlines but by faith. Paul is saying that salvation is not a birthright. A Gentile believer becomes a member of the family of Israel upon their adoption into the family of God. In verse 18, Paul makes it clear that the offer of salvation comes from God at his discretion. Will he continually offer salvation to people who reject it?
___Some time ago, I would receive magazine sweepstakes forms in the mail informing me that I might have won $1 million. Every form included a note that explained I might be removed from the mailing list and lose my opportunity to win the prizes if I never ordered a magazine. For more than 10 years, the entries kept coming, and I never ordered a magazine. They were true to their word. The entries stopped coming. How much longer will God offer salvation to those who reject it?
___Danger, Will Robinson, danger
___"Lost in Space" is a science fiction television show often seen in reruns. Will Robinson, a young character on the show, is protected by a robot. At the slightest hint of trouble, the robot flails his arms wildly and exclaims, "Danger, Will Robinson, danger!"
___Paul begins by warning his audience of the dangers involved in attempting to locate salvation through a man-made system instead of God's. He notes the zeal Israel has for God. Yet they appear to be unaware of or unwilling to follow God's plan in Christ and establish their own system based on the law that believers are freed from in Christ.
___Throughout human history many religions have developed systems and doctrines designed to bring the world "inner peace and salvation." However, there is only one way to experience salvation--through Jesus Christ. You do not need to ascend into heaven to find it or look in the deepest ocean (vv 6-7). The gospel is right in front of you.
___The gospel truth
___A common expression used in Texas to let a person know that you are giving them a clear and accurate report is to say "this is the gospel truth." In verses nine through 13, Paul accurately presents the literal "gospel truth."
___According to Paul, salvation is not a complicated process. There are two steps involved--confession and belief. Their order is not important because they should occur simultaneously. When you believe something, confession of that belief should be a natural outcome. Finally, Paul quotes Joel 2:32 to concisely deliver his message-- "Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved."
___Getting the world in the loop
___Have you ever been in the midst of a discussion with friends and realized they knew more about what was being discussed than you did? When questioned, they often respond by saying "didn't you hear?" or "didn't you read?" It is then that all involved discover that you must have been out of the "loop" with regard to the information being discussed.
___In verse 14, Paul is saying that the entire world is out of the "loop" unless we share the gospel with them. Unbelievers will not magically discover the gospel on their own. How can someone believe in Jesus if they do not know who he is, how can they know who he is if they do not hear about him and how will they hear about him if no one tells them?
___In a modern response to Paul's questions, the Baptist General Convention of Texas created Texas 2000--an effort to take the gospel to every person in the state by the end of the year 2000. And whether we are part of an official program of Texas 2000 or not, as believers we should all be part of the campaign--because if we do not tell them, how will they hear?
___Paul concludes Chapter 10 by reiterating that salvation is available to everyone. In quoting Isaiah, Paul cites how God has offered salvation to all. The first quote welcomes the Gentile believer into God's family. The second quote states God is patiently waiting for Jewish non-believers to accept his gift and join the gathering.
___Salvation is available to all, even those who have previously rejected it. However, there is no guarantee that the gift will continue to be offered once it has been rejected.
For thought and discussion
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