October 4, 2026

Romans

Week 4: Almost Yet So Far Away

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The doctrines of election and predestination are always given to those who are

saved.

It should also make believers thankful, because God chose us by grace—not

because we were more worthy than those who remain lost.

Are the lost responsible for their choice? Yes

1.     (Almost) -     Which Righteousness – 1-7

1.1.    Paul’s passion for evangelism. – v.1

He believed that the people of Israel could be saved – all of them!

And he believed that prayer is used by a sovereign God to bring people to the truth!

There are 286,432 unchurched people that live within a 45-minute radius of this church.

I believe that every one of them could be saved if we would pray and they would believe!

1.2.    People’s passion for self-righteousness – vv.3-5

“It doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you are sincere.”

The proverb reflects modern secular and pluralistic values that prioritize personal feeling, open-mindedness, and individual tolerance over rigid doctrinal boundaries.

Ignorant of the righteousness of God

Attempted to establish their own righteousness

They have not submitted to God’s righteousness.

The Bible speaks of two kinds of “righteousness.”

•        “works righteousness,” which comes from obeying law.

•        “faith righteousness,” which is the gift of God.

Jesus did not come to cancel the Law, but to complete its purpose, satisfy its demands, bear its penalty, and reveal its deepest meaning.

1.3.    Principle of righteousness – 4-6

Moses reminding them that He did not expect moral perfection from them.

Rather, he wanted their devotion from their heart and soul.

What He calls for is a response of faith: devotion from the heart and trust in what He has provided.

Almost - Moses said it 2000 years before Paul said it in Romans and here, we are 2000 years later with the same message all the way through!

The truth is that zeal without knowledge or understanding is fanaticism, even terrorism

2.     (Yet)           Remedy and Responsibility – 8-17

2.1.    Choice of faith – 8-13

What is being said is essentially what James was trying to say in his book.

Belief determines behavior.

What you believe will be seen in how you behave.

What is the Gospel of Salvation?

Believing that I have sinned against God and deserve His eternal punishment.

Believing that Jesus is God and paid the price for sin by dying on the cross and raising from the dead.

By faith, call on Him to save you.

Yet!

1 John 2:2

Hebrews 2:9

2 Peter 2:1

The blood of Jesus was shed so that the whole world could be saved.

The blood of Jesus is sufficient for all, efficient for some.

Salvation is a choice in what we are going to believe.

2.2.    Commitment to follow – 14-17

God sends us – to proclaim the Gospel – so that others may hear – and believe – and call on Jesus to be save. That is God’s sovereign plan!

As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.

(Is. 52:7)

They might be smelly, dirty, stinky, sore, swollen and full of blisters but if those feet carry great news…. Do you have beautiful feet?

Yet!

The Gospel is the greatest news that ought to be shared with everyone because the Gospel is not just for the Jew, or the Gentile but for…. whosoever.

Our responsibility is to share. God’s responsibility is to do the rest.

3.     (So far away)            Result of Rejection – Choice to disobey – 18-21

Being so near the truth and with all of the privileges given to Israel, why did they not believe?

3.1.    Is it because they didn’t hear the Gospel? No

3.2.    It is because they didn’t understand the Gospel? No

3.3.    So, why does Israel reject the Gospel?

They are disobedient and defiant.

This is breath taking…. what is God doing?

Holding out His hands – ready to receive.

So far away….

A person can hold orthodox theology, lead a moral life, acknowledge his sin, desire eternal life, be painstakingly religious by focusing on behavior not belief, and yet go to hell. It is a choice.

Application:

1. Every unsaved person on planet earth is responsible for their own choice as to how they will respond to the Gospel.

Every one that is in hell is there because of their own choice.

John 3:16           Whoever believes will not perish

John 6:37           Whoever comes will not be cast out

John 7:37           If anyone thirsts, let him come

Acts 10:43          Whoever believes receives forgiveness

Romans 10:11    Whoever believes will not be ashamed

Romans 10:13    Whoever calls on the Lord will be saved

Revelation 22:17 Whoever wills/desires, take the water of life freely

2. Every saved follower of Jesus is compelled to share the Gospel to their world.

The Sovereign God of the universe placed you exactly where you are in order to bring glory to His name by sharing the Gospel to those around you.

The doctrine of election humbles.

The doctrine of election secures.

The doctrine of election gives peace

The doctrine of election brings joy

The doctrine of election motivates to worship

The doctrine of election encourages fellowship

The doctrine of election emboldens evangelism

 Whosoever will is taught clearly in Scripture to those who are lost.

They are both true at the same time which is an apparent impossibility.

The cross is the greatest demonstration of this truth. Wicked men freely committed history’s greatest evil, yet it occurred according to God’s predetermined plan and produced history’s greatest good.

God was neither the morally guilty author of their sin nor a helpless spectator.

God not only chose who would be saved but also how they would be saved, through their own choice.

Action Plan:

1. Saved followers of Jesus

      - worship the Sovereign God who chose you who are unworthy in yourself.

      - Open your eyes to opportunities to share the Gospel

2. Unsaved

      - Now is the day of your salvation. Choose today to repent and believe.