Rsbc
February 22nd 2004
Sunday Morning
Series: What Is Salvation?
Subject: “ Salvation Is The Imputed Righteousness of Christ”
Text: Romans 10:1-17
Intro: Each time I address this subject of salvation, I am so reminded of the fact that many people have preconceived notions as to what is real salvation, how do you obtain, what can I do to please God so he want send me to hell.
These and many more question are never settle in the minds and hearts of the vast majority of people on this earth. If you have been blessed and privileged to understand that Salvation is a work of God on the cross and by Jesus Christ, a work in the heart of sinners by the Holy Spirit and the word of God...you mind friend are blessed.
In this third message I wish to show from this text four main thoughts, but before I get to that let me define several terms in my title.
“Imputed” means to reckon it to be so. Like Abraham believed God and it was imputed to him for righteousness. This word “righteousness” has a broad sense of meaning, but the way I am using it, it is the means by which God accepts us and approves us...
I... “WE SHOULD DESIRE TO SEE SINNERS SAVED GOD’S WAY” VS 1
I know that you know that God’s way is the only way, and that way is Jesus Christ. Sinners must come through him. The early preachers of the gospel always made it clear in their messages...
Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Modern theology teaches man can come his way, he can will to come, he can through the baptism, he came come through keeping the golden rule, turning over a new leaf and a thousand other ways...
We should as the people of God desire to see our loves one saved, our neighbors, all those that God puts in our life. We should look for the times God opens doors for us to witness...
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II... “ REASONS WHY WE SHOULD LOOK FOR SINNERS TO BE SAVED THE LORD’S WAY..VS 2-3
1st. Because men are religious..vs 2 “ the have the zeal of God”
Paul had Zeal before he was saved: Philippians 3:6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
Matthew 7:22‑23 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
2nd. Because religious zeal caused them to establish their own righteousness..vs 3
Let me tell you this morning that our righteousness is as filthy rags..Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean [thing], and all our righteousnesses [are] as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
The motives, the intents, the pride, the issues of the heart are always wrong outside the LORD JESUS CHRIST. For it is out of the heart proceeds evil thoughts..and every imaginable sin that sinners are capable of committing.
3rd. Because they have not submitted to the righteousness of God: vs 3
Jeremiah 10:23 O LORD, I know that the way of man [is] not in himself: [it is] not in man that walketh to direct his steps.
MH says : that unbelief is a non submission to the righteousness of GOD. Sinners will apart from the work of Grace in their hearts, opt to do it their way every time.
They will reason, they will rationalize, they will put up the barriers, they will suggest another way, but never God’s way which is Chirst.
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III... “ A CLEAR IRREVOCABLE FACT”..VS 4-7 “ Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness”
What a statement of fact, truth that superimposes the real issue of salvation. We need something greater than the law, we need someone greater than the law, we need someone greater than the prophets and Jesus Christ is that man.
What is meant by “end of the law” Barnes says: The word translated "end" means that which completes a thing, or renders it perfect; also the boundary, issue, or termination of anything, as the end of life, the result of a prophecy.
You use this language all the time, such as, end of discussion, end of the payments, end of a movie, so it is used here that Christ is the end of all law, all prophecy, For he himself said: Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
The verse clearly state: “For righteousness” Paul understood that real salvation was in the righteousness of Jesus Christ and not in the law nor the prophets are anything else.
Philippians 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
2 Peter 1:1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:
Paul contrast the righteousness of the law and the righteousness which by faith.
(1.) Righteousness by the law is a doing..vs 5
(2.) Righteousness of faith..vs 6-7 Ye have not to sigh over the impossibility of attaining to justification; as if one should say, oh! if I could but get someone to mount up to heaven and fetch me down Christ, there might be some hope, but since that cannot be, mine is a desperate case."
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IV... “ THE CLEAR MEANS THROUGH WHICH GOD IMPUTES THIUS RIGHTEOUSNESS... VS 8-17
1st. The great opportunity afforded sinners... vs 8 “The word is night thee”
Moses said to his people and this is a partial quote by Paul but it opens this up...Deuteronomy 30:11‑14 For this commandment which I command thee this day, it [is] not hidden from thee, neither [is] it far off.
12 It [is] not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? 13 Neither [is] it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?14 But the word [is] very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.
How many times have some of you had God’s word nigh thee, and you have refused it, you have ignored it, you have walked away from it. This is what Paul is saying... It was in their mouth and heart:..
2nd. The essence of his word: vs 8 “ The word of faith”
The great channel that God has chosen to convey the message of the gospel in the hearts of men, is faith. He not only requires it but also gives it. Abraham believed God and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
Acts 10:43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
Paul in defending his doctrine of justification by faith, said these words to the Galatians: Galatians 3:2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
3rd. The unfolding of this wonderful truth: vs 9-17
a. Salvation has a right confession...vs 9
b. Salvation has a right message to believe...vs 9
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c. Salvation changes the heart...vs 10
d. Salvation has a great foundation to rely on...vs 11
e. Salvation sees no difference in people...vs 12-13
f. Salvation has a right messenger...vs 14-17
Conclude this morning...wrapped up in one man is all the righteousness that you and I need to be saved from our sin, to live with God forever, we need more than what we have in ourselves we need Christ...