A Message by Pastor Michael Palmer

Given to Green Ridge Baptist Church

June 28, 2009

 

GOD IS STILL HOLDING OUT HIS HANDS

Romans 10:16-21; Romans 11:1-14

 

Chapters 9 thru 11 in Romans

Paul’s response to the question: “Have God’s purposes in regards to Israel failed?”  His answer is “No.”  This is his reasoning:

  1. All whom God has elected to salvation are or will be saved (9:6-24).
  2. God had previously revealed that not all Israel would be saved and that some Gentiles would be (9:25-29).
  3. The failure of the Jews to believe was their own fault, not God’s (9:30-10:21).
  4. Some Jews (Paul himself was an example) have believed and have been saved (11:1).
  5. It has always been the case that not all Jews but only a remnant has been saved (11:2-10).
  6. The salvation of the Gentiles, which is now occurring, is meant to arouse Israel to envy and thus be the means of saving some of them (11:11-24).
  7. In the end all Israel will be saved, and thus God will fulfill his promises to Israel nationally (11:25-32).

 

The entire tenth chapter has developed the third of those seven reasons.

 

I.            FAITH COMES BY HEARING AND HEARING BY THE WORD OF GOD

Faith = the faith that leads to salvation, repentance, and personal trust in Jesus.

 

Although this passage is speaking of salvation faith, it can be applied to the increasing of one’s faith after they have believed in Jesus for salvation.

 

WHAT DO PEOPLE HEAR WHEN THEY HEAR GOD’S WORD PREACHED?

1.    The Gospel – Salvation from sin is through the cross of Christ.

2.    Jesus Christ Himself speaks through His Word (vs. 14 above this passage)

3.    The Holy Spirit – The agents of salvation are “the Word” and “The Spirit.”  1 Peter 1:23, Titus 3:5

Without the Holy Spirit working, this is all nothing but a self-righteous exercise of man!

 

II.            EVERYONE INCLUDING THE JEWS HAVE HEARD – GOD’S GENERAL AND SPECIFIC REVELATION OF HIMSELF

Paul quotes several O.T. passages that reference God’s revelation of Himself, the rejection of the Jews, the purpose of that rejection: namely to bring in the Gentiles and use their witness to bring in a remnant of Jews and to prepare for a future realization of the promises to Israel.

 

III.            THE WORD HAS GONE FORTH TO ALL, AND YET ISRAEL REJECTED GOD’S OVERTURES (11:3)

 

GOD’S OFFER OF GRACE WAS TO THE JEW FIRST AND THEN TO THE GREEK (THE GENTILES)

The Gentiles responded affirmatively to God’s offer of salvation.

 

Their positive response is intended to be a witness to the Jews that God’s offer of a supernatural pardon and a supernatural change of life is still offered to them! (see 11:14)

 

Israel made the tragic mistake of not only rejecting God’s offer, but they made God “something they could achieve” by hard work. (see 11:6,7)

 

IV.            THE GREATEST MIRACLE OF ALL IS THAT GOD CONTINUES TO STRETCH OUT HIS HAD TO A DISOBEDIENT AND OBSTINATE PEOPLE

 

God’s offer of forgiveness and grace in Jesus is:

Ø      Continuous - . . . all day long.  This age of grace will not end until Jesus returns.  But there will be an end one day; and that day is soon!

Ø      Compassionate – God loves everyone, but His love is also specific—He loves YOU!

Ø      Costly – The outstretched arms of Jesus on the cross – that was costly to God!  No other “god” has wounds!!

 

Note this offer is to people with two common characteristics:

Ø      Disobedient

Ø      Obstinate

 

Almighty God is stretching out His arms to you today!  Come to Jesus today.  Give your life to Him.  He will forgive and cleanse you, set you free from self and sin.  He will change you, give you a new life!  Receive Jesus Christ – NOW!  Do not reject Him.  He has a plan for your life.

 

V.            WE (THE CHURCH) ARE THE OUTSTRETCHED ARMS OF JESUS TODAY

Some will reject

Some will joyfully accept Christ.

 

Do we have the same burden that God had for us when we were being disobedient and obstinate?  Our neighbors are lost, our schools are lost, our co-workers are lost, our families are lost, our valley is lost, our state is lost, Washington D.C. is lost, our nation is lost, the world is lost.

 

What are we doing as a church, as individuals, to fulfill the Great Commission?  What are we doing in our Sunday School classes (Connect Groups)?  What are we doing in our homes, our families?

 

God is challenging us: stretch out “Gospel Hands” to everyone we possibly can.  Will you say “Yes” to His call today?