Saturday, July 31, 2021

Sunday School Lesson for August 1, 2021 - Salvation Available for All: Printed Text: Romans 10:5-17 NKJV; Background Scripture: Romans 10:5-17 NKJV; Devotional Reading: Psalm 19:1-14 NKJV

 


Key Verse:


Romans 10:13 NKJV


13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”


And so, in Christ, we return to the Genesis of worship. To a place where men may call upon the name of the Lord and be saved. For Seth was a kind of ‘second Cain’, serving as a type of resurrected Christ. It was during the time of Seth that men began to call upon the name of the Lord… again...after the time of Abel...


Genesis 4:4 NKJV


4 Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering,


Genesis 4:26 NKJV


26 And as for Seth, to him also a son was born; and he named him [n]Enosh. Then men began to call on the name of the Lord.



Where to begin?


2 Corinthians 3:5-8 NKJV

5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, 6 who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the [a]Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 7 But if the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passing away, 8 how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious?



The Jews Paul reasoned with had every reason to trust the Law given by Moses. Its glory was ageless and unmatched. Breathed by God, it was a living Testament to the Eternal God. The Law of Moses served as the mediator between God and His chosen people, the Hebrews. It laid the groundwork whereby the Hebrews could approach God without the penalty of death. That same groundwork made it possible for God to dwell among His people in a number of demonstrable ways, recorded in Scripture. 

But, as Paul had been arguing through the early portions of the letter to Rome, the Law of Moses was only a temporal entity, meant only to be a placeholder until the arrival of the Messiah and the promised salvation that would accompany Him. True salvation could only be attained by faith; trust in God, as revealed in the person of Jesus Christ, the Lord. Paul argues this point by using Moses’ very re-iteration of the Law to the Hebrews who were preparing to enter the Promised Land.


The Lesson


Romans 10:1-4 NKJV


1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for [a]Israel is that they may be saved. 2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes…


The Jews mistakenly believed that righteousness came from the observance of the Law of Moses. Because they so revered the Law, they missed the truth; that the Law was meant to condemn, not to save. Salvation could only come through the ‘Promise’, not by any other means. Christ was always what the Law of Moses foretold.


Romans 10:5 NKJV


5 For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law, “The man who does those things shall live by them.”


Leviticus 18:4-5 NKJV


4 You shall observe My judgments and keep My ordinances, to walk in them: I am the Lord your God. 5 You shall therefore keep My statutes and My judgments, which if a man does, he shall live by them: I am the Lord.


Was there a ‘righteousness’ that could be attained by keeping the Law of Moses? No, otherwise there would have been no need for the continuous sacrifice of various animals on behalf of the people of God in order to satisfy God’s requirement of sinlessness. 


2 Corinthians 3:15 NKJV


15 But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart.


Somehow, due to an error in logic, the Jews thought themselves righteous by virtue of the shed blood of bulls and goats. They failed to understand that said sacrifices only covered past sins, not the sinful nature of the recipient. God found no real pleasure in such sacrifices, especially when given from hearts too full of pride to recognize their need for a Savior.


Isaiah 1:11 NKJV


11 “To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me?” Says the Lord. “I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams And the fat of fed cattle. I do not delight in the blood of bulls, Or of lambs or goats.


-----------------------------------------------


Romans 10:6a NKJV


6a But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way,...


The beauty of Paul’s argument is his mastery of Scripture. His understanding of the Law of Moses and the Prophets and his ability to apply that understanding to the knowledge of Christ is brilliant. In essence, he allows the Scriptures to argue on behalf of Christ, Jesus. We should take his example.


Romans 10:6b-8  NKJV


6b “...Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ down from above) 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 preach):


Deuteronomy 30:11-13 NKJV


11 “For this commandment which I command you today is [c]not too mysterious for you, nor is it far off. 12 It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend into heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ 13 Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ 14 But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it.


The word “Deuteronomy” means “repeated law”. The book of Deuteronomy was given that name by Moses because Moses repeated the Mosaic law to the second generation of Israelites, as the first generation died in the desert due to their unfaithfulness. This second generation of Israelites was preparing to receive their inheritance; the Promised Land. This repetition of the law by Moses set the boundaries by which they were to govern themselves. 

In chapter thirty, verses eleven through thirteen, Moses reminds his people that there is no necessity for the Hebrews to climb to some high mountain, as Moses had done when he received the original commandments. Nor would it be necessary to cross some great expanse of sea to find God’s word. In essence, God’s Word could never be attained by the will of man. Rather, God’s intent was that He would inhabit His Word, and He would inhabit it in the midst of His people. As he had been with them in the desert, so He would be with them in the land of promise. 

In quoting this passage from Deuteronomy, Paul made exactly the same argument as Moses, with the added allusion to Christ. No man can ascend to Heaven to bring Christ down to us by the strength of his own will. Nor does anyone have the power to raise Christ, the Living Word up from the grave. In fact, the exact opposite is true. Wherever we are, in whatever state we find ourselves, we are never removed from the presence of Christ, himself. And that by virtue of the Holy Spirit. Then what is required of us? 


Romans 10:9-10 NKJV


9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation.


Our only requirement is to believe: to trust that what Christ accomplished in His death, burial, and resurrection is enough to save us; once for all of time and Eternity. Most certainly, when Christ exercised His power over death, Hell, and the grave, HE displayed His Lordship over all of Creation. When we acknowledge His Lordship, we assume it for our own lives and thus, we receive salvation; life everlasting.


Romans 10:11 NKJV


11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”


Isaiah 28:16 NKJV


16 ...therefore thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: ‘Whoever believes will not be in haste.’


Paul again borrows from Scripture. In quoting the Prophet Isaiah, Paul identifies Christ as the cornerstone laid as the foundation in Zion, a clear allusion to the Messiah. By doing so, Paul argues that Christ replaces the Law of Moses in God’s plan for the salvation of Man. Indeed, he argues, through Scripture, that Christ fulfills the requirement that the Law could only identify: our need for a Savior.


Romans 10:12-13 NKJV


12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”


Joel 2:32 NKJV


32 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those who escape, as the Lord has said, and among the survivors shall be those whom the Lord calls.


So, once again, from Scripture, Paul concludes from Scripture that, since salvation comes from Christ, not the Law, then said salvation is available to all who call upon Him (Christ), both Jews and gentiles.


Romans 10:14-15 NKJV


14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:

“How beautiful are the feet of those who [b]preach the gospel of peace,

Who bring glad tidings of good things!”


Isaiah 52:7 NKJV

7 How beautiful upon the mountains

Are the feet of him who brings good news,

Who proclaims peace,

Who brings glad tidings of good things,

Who proclaims salvation,

Who says to Zion,

“Your God reigns!”


Continuing to quote Scripture, Paul argues convincingly that God sends preachers to preach the anointed Word of God which places the hearer in the very Presence of God through the unction of the Holy Spirit, thereby providing access to those who hear and receive the Gospel to God’s precious grace.


Romans 10:16-17 NKJV

16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” 17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.


Isaiah 53:1 NKJV

1 Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?


Paul closes the lesson, quoting from, perhaps one of the most recognizable passages in all of Scripture: Isaiah 53. Isaiah 53 clearly speaks to the life and mission of the Messiah, however, Paul points out that not all who hear believe. He then reasons that the converse argument is true as well; that some who hear do indeed believe the report of the Lord and are healed.

    Paul proves from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets that true righteousness comes from God. He proves from the Law and the Prophets that the Law could not save, but that it could point us to the Savior whereby true righteousness is attained. Jesus made the same argument when He quoted Moses from Deuteronomy...


Matthew 4:4 NKJV

4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”


Deuteronomy 8:3 NKJV

3 So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.


Jesus, during a dispute with the Pharisees, put it more succinctly in the Book of John:


John 5:37-40 NKJV

37 And the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time nor seen His form. 38 But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe. 39 You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. 40 But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.


Beloved, Christ is the Word, the Living Word. All who call upon Him for Eternal Life shall have it.


Selah

wb

 

Psalm 19:14 NKJV

14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

Be acceptable in Your sight,

O Lord, my [h]strength and my Redeemer.


Saturday, July 24, 2021

Sunday School Lesson for July 25, 2021 - Peace with God: Printed Text: Romans 5:1-11 NKJV; Background Scripture: Romans 5:1-11 NKJV; Devotional Reading: Isaiah 53:1-12 NKJV

 


Key Verse:


Romans 5:1 NKJV


1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, [a]we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,


Isaiah 53:5 NKJV


5 But He was wounded[k] for our transgressions,

He was [l]bruised for our iniquities;

The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,

And by His stripes[m] we are healed.



Where to begin?


Romans 3:25b-26 NASB


25b ...This was to demonstrate His righteousness, [v]because in God’s merciful restraint He let the sins previously committed go unpunished; 26 for the demonstration, that is, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who [w]has faith in Jesus. 


We deserved judgment for our transgressions, for every sin we commit is an affront to God. But, to demonstrate His matchless mercy to all of us, He sacrificed His beloved Son, Jesus, to save us. Jesus paid the price. We received the benefit. God receives the praise. 


The Lesson


Romans 5:1 NKJV


1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, [a]we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,...


Romans 1:17 NKJV


17 For in it, the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”


Paul continues his argument from chapter four that, just as Abraham was justified by faith, so are we who have accepted Christ. Per Paul, not only were we declared just by the shed blood of Christ, but we have peace with God through that same shed blood of Christ. When God raised Christ from the tomb, we too were raised into a new life. That new life includes life in the company of the author of life. He is the answer to every our every question. He is the fulfillment of our deepest longings. And we now are at liberty to share our hearts deepest insecurities, fears, and failings. That is what peace affords. Peace affords us favor with God. Paul says so in the very same breath…


Romans 5:2 NKJV


2a through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God…


Psalm 31:7-8 NKJV


7 I will be glad and rejoice in Your mercy,

For You have considered my trouble;

You have known my soul in [d]adversities,


8 And have not shut[e] me up into the hand of the enemy;

You have set my feet in a wide place


Grace, God’s unmerited favor at Christ’s expense, has afforded us access to the very Presence of God. There is no greater gift. There is no place safer than the Shadow of the Almighty. No place more firm, more sure. Therefore we glory in His tender mercies. We rest in the knowledge of His immeasurable love for us.


Romans 5:3-4 NKJV


3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces [b]perseverance; 4 and perseverance, [c]character; and character, hope.


This undeserved grace undergirds us in such a way that even in suffering, we are strengthened, we are encouraged. Even in tribulation, we look for God. Our search for Him encourages our souls and prompts us to encourage one another. That encouragement received builds our faith, makes us stronger, bolder, determined to persevere, and gives us an inner peace built on the faith God imparts that results in a hopefulness built on the certainty that if God is with us (and He always is), He’s more than the whole world against us. Hope is built on the expectation that God will meet our every need according to His riches in Glory, by Christ Jesus.


Romans 5:5 NKJV


5 Now, hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.


2 Corinthians 1:21-22 NKJV


21 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, 22 who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.


Hope, so certain, can only open our hearts to God’s very best for us; the precious Holy Spirit living within us, whereby we are sealed: set apart for God’s eternal purpose, with an inheritance to be received in Glory.


Romans 5:6 NKJV


6 For when we were still without strength, [d]in due time Christ died for the ungodly.


Hebrews 9:28 NASB


28 so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.


Like Abraham, all of this came about while we were yet in sin. While we were fully undeserving of God’s great grace, Christ gave Himself for us. Oh, how great is His love for us. Rescued, when we didn’t even know we needed rescuing. Yes, we were all like sheep gone astray; each following after our own dark desire, yet Christ loved us so that He gave His life for us. In doing so, He forever removed our sin debt, justifying us for eternity.


Romans 5:7-8 NKJV


7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 


John 3:16 NKJV


16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.


There are so few examples imagined where one would give their life for another. A parent’s life for their child. A soldier for his comrades. There are very few examples that would require something so precious as one’s life. Yet, Christ gave Himself for us. Paul repeats this over and over, so as to accentuate the point: Christ gave His life for you. There is no greater love.


Romans 5:9 NKJV


9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.


1 Thessalonians 5:8-10 NKJV


8 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. 


Beloved, you were not appointed for wrath, but for salvation, for blessing, for abundance, for love everlasting. Before time began, God planned your escape from eternal wrath.


Romans 5:10-11 NKJV


10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.


Our lesson ends in the same way it began; glorifying the Lord, by whom we were saved, and through whom we glorify God for so great a salvation. Some years ago, the Winan Brothers had a song that declared God’s great salvation in this way: “This was not a haphazard event, nor a secondary scheme, but it was the plan of the Lord to Redeem.”  Let the redeemed of the Lord say so.


Psalm 107:1-2a NKJV


1 Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!

For His [a]mercy endures forever.

2a Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,



Selah


wb



Written in loving memory of a brother in Christ who recently crossed over into Glory, Brother J. Thomas of NMZMBC. He will be missed.