Beautiful Feet / Romans 10:1-21

Alright, church. It is good to see you here this evening. If you have your Bibles with you, go ahead and turn to Romans chapter 10. That is where we are going to be this week. If you are a guest among us, I want to welcome you. My name is Shay Simlin, one of the pastors here, and I am grateful you are with us.

We are continuing our series on the book of Romans. Last week, Brad Bell came out of the gate pretty strong in Romans 9, dealing with an exalted view of God and His mercy in the salvation of those whom He chooses for Himself. One thing we have seen from cover to cover in the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, is that God is in the business of saving and redeeming a people for Himself of His own choosing.

In doing so, Paul took this argument of God’s sovereign choice and showed us that if God decided to simply hand us over in our sin and rebellion to the condemnation we deserve, He would be absolutely justified. A God who must punish sin would be fair to do that. But in His amazing riches of grace and mercy, God chooses to save. The fact that God would provide a way out of condemnation through Jesus Christ is a gift of mercy.

Paul put that argument against the backdrop of Israel’s past. We see God’s choice everywhere: Abraham over others, Isaac over Ishmael, Jacob over Esau. But the question that comes up now is: what about Israel’s present condition? Why does it seem that so many of the covenant nation of Israel have rejected Jesus Christ as their Messiah?

While there are many Jews coming to faith—which we wouldn’t call a conversion to Christianity, but rather a completion of their faith—the vast majority of the nation still rejects Jesus. They are still waiting for the Savior to arrive. Why? Did God forsake His promises? Paul argues in chapter 9 and now in chapter 10: No, may it never be. God is still in the business of redeeming. The question is how the message of Jesus is going to penetrate the hearts of those currently rejecting Him.

The Heart for the Lost

Notice how Paul starts chapter 10. He comes right out of the gate the same way he did in chapter 9: by praying for the salvation of his kinsmen.

Romans 10:1 (NASB)

Brethren, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for [their] salvation.

Paul’s heart breaks for his fellow Jews. He understands they are still condemned in their sins and perishing without salvation. He prays that God might wreck their hearts and bring them to His Son.

I felt that same way when I first came to faith. When the veil was lifted and I could see the weight of my sin and the separation it created between me and God, I understood the provision God made to reconcile me through faith in Christ. But at that same moment, my eyes were opened to the reality that almost all of my family had not put their faith in Jesus. They were perishing in their sin, and it crushed me. I prayed fervently for them, just as Paul does here.

Incidentally, does the doctrine of election we studied last week negate a heart for the lost? No, it does not. In fact, I think it intensifies it. We do what we can only do: we pray. We pray because, as we see in verse two, these people are sincere in their faith but sincerely misled. They are in need of divine intervention.

Zeal Without Knowledge

Look at what Paul says about the nation of Israel in verse two.

Romans 10:2 (NASB)

For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge.

Do the Jewish people have a zeal for God? Absolutely. If you go to the Western Wall in Jerusalem, you see zeal. You see men and women prostrate on their faces, tucking prayers into the crevices of the wall. You see religious leaders wearing phylacteries and wrapping their arms in leather straps, reading the Torah with fervor. You can never accuse Israel of lacking zeal.

However, Paul says the tragic flaw is that their zeal is not in accordance with the truth. It is not based on the knowledge God has revealed about salvation. Is it possible to be absolutely sincere, absolutely devoted, and convinced you are right, yet be completely wrong? Absolutely.

I see this all the time. Our churches and religions all across the world are saturated with people who are zealous in their religiosity. They are pursuing external works, praying prayers, and showing up at church, but it is in vain because it isn’t based on God’s revelation of where salvation comes from. They are seeking to earn salvation and, in doing so, they reject the Savior.

Three Barriers to Christ

In verse three, Paul lists three reasons why a self-righteous person will ultimately reject Jesus Christ. This is a three-pronged rhythm of error.

Romans 10:3 (NASB)

For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.

First, they are ignorant of God’s righteousness. God is perfectly holy and without sin. If we could get even a glimpse of the true righteousness of God, do you think we would still try to collect our own “good deeds” to show off to Him?

It would be like me pulling out a twenty-dollar bill and flapping it in Bill Gates’ face. “Hey buddy, check this out! I know you’re one of the richest men on the planet, but check out my twenty. Taco Bell is on me tonight!” It’s all good until Bill opens his wallet and I realize I’m broke. I thought I was doing well, but I wasn’t. If you saw the glory of God, you would realize you are spiritually bankrupt.

Second, because they are ignorant of God’s righteousness, they seek to establish their own. If you don’t know who God is, you begin to build a resume of why you are worthy. “I’ve been a good person. I never murdered anyone. I go to church.” Whenever someone does that, it indicates they don’t understand God’s righteousness. All those things are like filthy rags compared to His perfection. A low theology always leads to an over-inflated view of man.

Third, they will not subject themselves to the righteousness of God. If you think you’ve got it yourself, you don’t think you need God’s version. But the “righteousness of God” isn’t a “what”—it’s a “Who.”

The End of the Law

His name is Jesus Christ. He is the full manifestation of God’s righteousness.

Romans 10:4 (NASB)

For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

To the self-righteous person, Jesus is unnecessary. But to the person who realizes they have fallen short, Jesus becomes everything. He is the “end of the law” for righteousness. This doesn’t mean the Ten Commandments stopped being good; they are still a reflection of God’s character. It means Jesus terminated the law as a means of salvation. He is the righteousness you need, so you transfer your trust from yourself to Him.

In verses 5 through 11, Paul shows us the terms of salvation. He gives us two ways to be saved: one is hypothetical, and one is actual.

Romans 10:5 (NASB)

For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on law shall live by that righteousness.

If you want to be saved by the law, you have to obey it perfectly, all the time, until your last breath. You have to be kind to the nurse turning off your life support. No mistakes. Ever. Does anyone want to try that? How many in here are toast? All of us. We’ve already seen that “all have fallen short.”

So, we need Plan B.

The Nearness of the Word

Romans 10:6-8 (NASB)

But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: ’DO NOT SAY IN YOUR HEART, ‘WHO WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN?’ (that is, to bring Christ down), or ‘WHO WILL DESCEND INTO THE ABYSS?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).’ 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 are preaching,

Paul quotes Moses from Deuteronomy here. Moses told the people they didn’t have to swim across the sea or climb a ladder to the stars to find some new revelation to save them. It was right in front of them. Paul applies this to Christ.

You don’t have to go on a pilgrimage to Mecca or dig through the jungles of Thailand to find some mysterious knowledge. You don’t have to bring Christ down, because He already came. You don’t have to bring Him up from the abyss, because He already rose. Everything you need was accomplished in Jesus.

Romans 10:9 (NASB)

that if you confess with your mouth Jesus [as] Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;

To confess Jesus as Lord is to acknowledge that the baby in the manger was God Himself. To believe God raised Him from the dead is to trust in His finished work.

Romans 10:10 (NASB)

for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.

These aren’t two separate acts. In Romans, righteousness and salvation are synonymous. But Paul feels that internal belief and outward expression go hand in hand.

A Public Profession

I hear people say all the time, “My faith is private.” That is a pithy statement, but it didn’t come from the Bible. Your faith is deeply personal, but it is anything but private. If an internal conviction is true, it should find an external profession.

Think about the Exodus. When the angel of death was coming, God didn’t tell the Israelites to put the blood of the lamb in a closet in the back of the house. He told them to put it on the front doorframe. It had to be visible. Now, I know we have introverts here who would rather do anything than speak on a stage, but I’m saying that if you believe Jesus is who He said He is, that belief must be visible.

Romans 10:11 (NASB)

For the Scripture says, ‘WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.’

To the one who trusts in their own works, there is a day of disappointment coming. But the one who trusts in Jesus will never be put to shame.

Romans 10:12-13 (NASB)

For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same [Lord] is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for ‘WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.’

God isn’t playing favorites based on your race, your background, or your socioeconomic status. The basis of salvation is faith, and anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Now, there is a tension here. Last week, we saw that God is sovereign in choosing us. This week, it says “whoever believes.” So which is it? Did God choose me, or did I choose Him? The answer is: Yes.

Chapter 9 is clear: God is sovereign. He chose you before the foundations of the earth. How much did you have to do with that? Not much. But Chapter 10 is also clear: we have a responsibility to respond to His call. Where those two worlds marry is an enigma. It’s like the deep magic of Narnia; we can’t fully figure it out. But we can trust that God is in control and we can respond in obedience.

The Sovereignty of the Means

If salvation is for all who believe, how do we get the message to them? Some people argue, “If God is sovereign and choosing people, why do I need to share my faith?” Paul addresses this with perfect logic.

Romans 10:14-15 (NASB)

How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, ‘HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!’

How can they call on Him if they don’t believe? How can they believe if they haven’t heard? How can they hear without a preacher? And how can someone preach unless they are sent?

God could have shared the gospel any way He wanted. He could have airdropped tracts from the clouds or made plants that grow leaves saying “Jesus is Lord.” But He chose us. The same God who sovereignly orchestrates the end is also sovereign over the means. He has elected His saints to be the bearers of the light.

The Beautiful Feet of the Church

Paul quotes Isaiah: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.” This doctrine of sovereignty shouldn’t neutralize evangelism; it should intensify it! We don’t know who the elect are, and God is worthy to be preached to the ends of the earth.

I was looking at the International Mission Board website this week. There are over 7,000 semi-unreached people groups on this planet right now. These are communities where less than 2% of the population is evangelical Christian.

I met a family recently at a foster-to-adopt meeting. They have adopted thirteen kids—just popping them like PEZ, taking them all in. They are about to move to one of the “stan” countries—Kyrgyzstan or Kazakhstan. They told me that the day their family of fifteen hits the ground, the Christian population in that area will quadruple.

We don’t even have a category for that in America. There are 3,000 people groups where the name of Jesus has never even been named. My heart breaks, and I hear the Lord asking, “Who will go for me?” I believe God’s elect are in those places, waiting to hear. I believe there are people in this room right now whom the Holy Spirit is thumping on the chest, telling you to go.

Will you respond? Or will you fold your arms and say, “Someone else will do it”? Maybe “going” starts with your non-believing family this Christmas. Maybe it starts in your dorm or your workplace.

The Tragedy of Rejection

What about Israel? Paul applies this logic to them. Have they turned to Jesus?

Romans 10:16 (NASB)

However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, ‘LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT?’

Paul quotes Isaiah 53, the most explicit chapter about the crucifixion. Isaiah lamented that so few believed the report.

Romans 10:17 (NASB)

So faith [comes] from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

So, is the problem that Israel hasn’t heard?

Romans 10:18 (NASB)

But I say, surely they have never heard, have they? Indeed they have; ‘THEIR VOICE HAS GONE OUT INTO ALL THE EARTH, AND THEIR WORDS TO THE ENDS OF THE WORLD.’

No, they have heard. The message has gone out. Is it that they didn’t know or understand?

Romans 10:19-20 (NASB)

But I say, surely Israel did not know, did they? First Moses says, ‘I WILL MAKE YOU JEALOUS BY THAT WHICH IS NOT A NATION, BY A NATION WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING WILL I ANGER YOU.’ And Isaiah is very bold and says, ‘I WAS FOUND BY THOSE WHO DID NOT SEEK ME, I BECAME MANIFEST TO THOSE WHO DID NOT ASK FOR ME.’

No, they knew. God even told them He would go after the Gentiles to make Israel jealous so they would turn back to Him. The Gentiles, who weren’t even looking for God, found Him.

Romans 10:21 (NASB)

But as for Israel He says, ‘ALL THE DAY LONG I HAVE STRETCHED OUT MY HANDS TO A DISOBEDIENT AND OBSTINATE PEOPLE.’

God has held out His hands all day long, pouring out grace upon grace. The reason they haven’t received Jesus is because they are stubborn. They are too busy clinging to themselves to cling to Him.

A Call to Surrender

I want to ask you two things in closing.

First, to those who are clinging to your own works: stop. Some of you came here tonight because you had a bad week and you thought showing up would give you some good karma with God. It doesn’t work that way. God’s love for you is not based on your performance. Take your sacrifices and put them on the shelf. Transfer your trust to Jesus Christ and be saved tonight. He will never turn you away.

Second, to the church: if this Gospel is true, it must be preached. We have a choice. we can sit in indifference and turn a deaf ear. But if you keep saying “no” to the Holy Spirit, you will eventually quench the Spirit and reach a place where you can’t even hear Him anymore. That is a scary place.

The better option is radical surrender. When the Lord asks, “Who will go?” our response should be: “Here I am, Lord. Send me.” Let’s see the name of God heralded throughout the world.

Now, some of you are asking: Is God done with Israel? Has He forsaken them? Come back next week for Chapter 11.

Let’s pray.

God, I am grateful that You are the God who sanctifies both the ends and the means. Thank You for providing a righteousness through Jesus that we could never provide on our own. I pray for anyone here who hasn’t trusted Him. Holy Spirit, crush their pride and open their eyes. And for us as a church, move us out of complacency. Strip away the comforts that cocoon us. Give us a heart for the lost, and may we proclaim this Gospel to the ends of the earth so that Your name would be glorified. In Jesus’ name, Amen.