October 22, 2023
SERMON SERIES: GOD’S WORLDWIDE PLAN FOR EVERY PERSON
BOOK OF ROMANS
Sermon # 14: Salvation Is Near Us
Part 2
Romans 10:1-13
Have you ever headed out on a trip in the wrong direction?
Have you ever missed your exit on the interstate and kept right on going?
Have you ever turned left when you should have turned right or north when you should have turned south?
People make honest mistakes every day while traveling. But no matter how sincere they are, if they are headed in the wrong direction, they will not reach their desired destination. Missing a turn while driving is one thing. Missing an opportunity to have a relationship with God Himself is something altogether different.
Chapter nine of Romans teaches the sovereignty of God’s choices, and chapter ten tackles the other side of the coin---our responsibility.
This passage has two powerful points. It shows the tragic mistake of Israel, and it proclaims the great danger of missing God’s righteousness. It is an excellent study on God’s righteousness. It shows man exactly what has to be done to make all things right. This lesson shows salvation is near us. Let’s look at two components of salvation that is near us. Last Sunday I preached on the first component of salvation is near us.
I. THE DIFFICULTY IN ACCEPTING SALVATION v. 1-5
Today, I will preach on the second component of salvation is near us.
II. THE AVAILABILITY OF SALVATION v. 6-13
A. God’s righteousness does not have to seek out a Messiah or a Deliverer (10: 6-7). God has made salvation so easy. Paul paraphrases passages from Deuteronomy 30:12-13 and writes, But the righteousness, which is of faith speaketh on this wise, say not in thine heart, who shall ascend into heaven? (That is, to bring Christ down from above:) Or, who shall descend into the deep? (That is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.). This means salvation is very accessible. We don’t have to go up to heaven to get it because Christ has already come down. We don’t have to raise Christ from the dead because that has already happened. Everything that has to be done for us to be saved, has already been done!
B. God’s righteousness and salvation are right before a person (10:8-10). We don’t have to go anywhere to be saved. Salvation is as close as God can possibly make it---in our mouths and in our hearts. Paul gave us two actions we must do to be saved:
1. First: That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus (10: 9a).
2. Second: and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead (10:9b).
The result pf confessing and believing in your heart is you shalt be saved (10:9c).
C. God’s righteousness and salvation deliver a person from shame 10:11).
Paul is quoting from Isaiah 28:16 and writes: For the scripture saith, “Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” The word translated “ashamed” means “disappointed.” You, who have accepted Christ as Savior will never be disappointed with the salvation found you!
1. Proof 1: God treats all people just alike (10:12).
A. He makes no distinction between the Jew and the Greek. Because all are sinners in need of a Savior.
B. He is rich to all with His mercy and grace.
2. Proof 2: All people are saved by the same promise (10:13). For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
ILLUSTRATION:
If you are a Christian believer, you have no reason to be ashamed of living for Christ before men. A lack of confidence in the power of the Gospel will keep you from experiencing the victorious Christian life.
“On July 15, 1986, the sizzling right-hander for the Boston Red Sox, started his first All-Star Game. In the second inning he came to bat, something he hadn’t done in years because of the American League’s designated-hitter rule [pitchers were not usually allowed to bat]. He took a few uncertain practice swings and then looked out at his forbidding opponent, Dwight Gooden, who the previous year won the Cy Young award.
“Gooden wound up and threw a white-hot fastball past Clemons. With an embarrassed smile on his face, Clemons stepped out of the [batter’s] box and asked catcher Gary Carter, ‘Is that what my pitches look like?’
“Sure, it is!’ replied Carter. Although Clemons quickly struck out, he went on to pitch three perfect innings and be named the game’s most valuable player. From that day on, he later said, with a fresh reminder of how over-powering a good fastball is, he pitched with far greater boldness.
“Sometimes we forget the Holy Spirit within us and how powerful our witness can be. The Gospel has supernatural power----when we speak it in confidence.’’’
Sometimes we may need to be reminded of how powerful the Gospel is!
SALVATION IS NEAR US!
1. The Difficulty in Accepting Salvation (10:1-5)
2. The Availability of Salvation (10:6-13)
Responsive Reading: Romans 10:6-13
