Belief -vs- Trust, Romans 10:1-21, Sermon given March 10, 2019

Last Sunday's sermon began with a caution against placing one's self in opposition to God's chosen people the Israelites.  Far too often verses in Paul's letter to the Romans are used to justify anti-semitic beliefs and teachings, in reality, Romans firmly affirms that the Hebrew people hold a special place in the scheme of salvation, "all Israel will be saved" (Romans 11:26).

The main thrust of the sermon had to do with the contrast of 'believing' versus 'trusting'.  We can hold a casual belief in something and yet not fully and unequivocally trust in that thing or individual.  I tell a story in the sermon as an illustration of this dynamic of belief -vs- trust that I feel nearly fully reveals the chasm that exists between saying we believe something and the reality of trust.  Once again, this wasn't a long sermon so please take a few moments and listen.

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Trusting In Him,
Roy

Romans 10:1-21    New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
1 Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. 2 I can testify that they have a zeal for God, but it is not enlightened. 3 For, being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking to establish their own, they have not submitted to God’s righteousness. 4 For Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.
Salvation Is for All
5 Moses writes concerning the righteousness that comes from the law, that “the person who does these things will live by them.” 6 But the righteousness that comes from faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) 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,
    on your lips and in your heart”
(that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9 because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. 11 The scripture says, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. 13 For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
14 But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? 15 And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” 16 But not all have obeyed the good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” 17 So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.
18 But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have; for
“Their voice has gone out to all the earth,
    and their words to the ends of the world.”
19 Again I ask, did Israel not understand? First Moses says,
“I will make you jealous of those who are not a nation;
    with a foolish nation I will make you angry.”
20 Then Isaiah is so bold as to say,
“I have been found by those who did not seek me;
    I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.”
21 But of Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”

Isaiah 28:16 New International Version (NIV)
16 So this is what the Sovereign Lord says:
“See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone,
    a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation;
the one who relies on it
    will never be stricken with panic.

Romans 3:31 New International Version (NIV)
31 Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.
Romans 7:12 New International Version (NIV)
12 So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good.

Romans 3:3  New International Version (NIV)
3 What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness?

Romans 11:1  New International Version (NIV)
11 I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin.

Romans 11:25-27  NIV
25 I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, 26 and in this way  all Israel will be saved. As it is written:
“The deliverer will come from Zion;
    he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.
27 And this is  my covenant with them
    when I take away their sins.”