Romans 9-11: Lesson 4
Overview
Holding Wrath and Mercy Together
Paul presses us into a holy tension in Romans 9:22-23: God endures with much patience "vessels of wrath" in order to make known the riches of His glory toward "vessels of mercy." This is not a contradiction but a paradox we must hold. God is not God if He is not eternally just; God is not God if He is not eternally merciful. Both are absolute, and both are necessary. Pharaoh forfeited God's saving power by hardening his heart, while Paul prays that his Jewish brethren will instead be vessels of mercy. The promise reaches further than ethnic Israel: quoting Hosea, Paul declares that those who were "not my people" are now called children of the living God—a tribe larger than Israel alone, into which Gentiles are gathered.
The Stumbling Stone: Faith Versus Works
In Romans 9:30-10:4, Paul names the great irony: Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness obtained it through faith, while Israel, pursuing the law, did not arrive at righteousness because they pursued it "as if it were based on works." They stumbled over the stone God laid in Zion. Paul does not raise this for the first time here; he has already laid out the full force of the law in Romans 1:18-32, Romans 2:1-24, and Romans 3:9-20, concluding that no human being will be justified by works of the law. But he does not leave us there. In Romans 3:21-26 and Romans 4:22-25, he proclaims the fullness of the gospel: righteousness comes through faith in Jesus Christ, reckoned to all who believe in Him who was raised for our justification.
Christ the Cornerstone
The "stone in Zion" Paul cites comes from Isaiah 28:16—"one who trusts will not panic"—and from Psalm 118:22-24, where the rejected stone becomes the chief cornerstone. Trust is not a matter of working but of believing. Christ crucified and risen is the cornerstone of our faith; some stumble over Him, but those given eyes to see and ears to hear rejoice in Him. There is one road to the Father, and that road is the Son, made known to us by the Holy Spirit. Salvation is all of God, from beginning to end.
Misplaced Zeal and the Call to Submission
Paul testifies in Romans 10:1-2 that Israel has "a zeal for God, but it is not enlightened." Zeal is not the problem; misplaced zeal is. Paul knew this firsthand—he had once persecuted the church in religious fervor—and Jesus warned in John 16:2 that some who kill His followers will believe they are offering worship to God. Israel sought relationship with God on its own terms, defining its own righteousness through adherence to the law. But God's terms of righteousness can only be fulfilled by God Himself, and "Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes" Romans 10:4. The law is good, holy, and perfect, but it was never meant to be the ladder by which we climb to God. We do not earn relationship—we receive it. Faith itself is a gift of grace Ephesians 2:8-9, so that no one may boast. The pastoral call is plain: stop establishing your own righteousness, and submit to God's. Trust the cornerstone, and you will not be put to shame.
Transcript
Thank you so much for this day. 7s
We thank you for the sun that shines for the birds that 10s
chirp and for truly all of creation that 13s
sings praise to you. 16s
Lord, we thank you that we are part of 18s
creation that gets the opportunity to 19s
sing praise to you this morning in your house. 22s
Lord, we ask that you would bless our 26s
time of study today that you would 28s
lead us by your spirit through your 30s
word that you would draw us closer to you 33s
that we would know you and love you that 35s
much more. 38s
Lord, be with us, guide us and keep us 40s
today and always in your holy name we 42s
pray. Amen. 45s
Okay, so please open your 47s
Bibles to Romans, Romans 9. 49s
And last week we talked a lot 54s
the entire class ended up being really 59s
based out of the heartening of 62s
Pharaoh's heart versus 67s
17 and 18 where it talks about the 68s
scripture says to Pharaoh, I have raised you 71s
up for the very purpose of showing my 73s
power in you so that my name may be 74s
proclaimed in all the earth so then he 76s
has mercy on whomever he chooses and he 78s
We addressed what that is. 83s
We addressed the heartening of 86s
Pharaoh's heart and the response that 88s
Pharaoh had to God and to God's 91s
word to God's will to God's mercy and 94s
that he had to 99s
God had to respond with his wrath with 102s
judgment because that is 106s
Pharaoh would not come to him or would not 110s
soften his heart. He kept a heart and 118s
heart. 120s
So then we come over to the same 121s
chapter 9. We're going to look at 126s
verses 22 through 29 and then we're going to 129s
jump into the next topic of 133s
Israel's unbelief. So beginning at 136s
the first 22, what if God 138s
desiring to show his wrath and make 142s
known his power has endured with 144s
much patience to objects of wrath that 147s
are made for destruction and what if he 149s
has done so in order to make known 152s
the riches of his glory for the 154s
objects of mercy which he has 156s
prepared beforehand for glory, 159s
including us whom he has called 161s
not from the Jews only but also from 164s
the Gentiles. 167s
As indeed he says in 168s
Hosea, those who were not my 169s
people I will call my people and 172s
her who was not beloved I will 175s
call beloved. 177s
And in the very place where it was 179s
said to them, you are not my 180s
people there, they shall be 182s
called children of the living 185s
God. 187s
And as they arise out concerning 188s
Israel, though the number of the 190s
children of Israel were like the 192s
children of the living. 195s
And as they are not 198s
the children of the living, they 201s
And as they are predicted, if the 202s
Lord of Hose had not left 204s
survivors to us, we would have 206s
fared like Sodom and had been 208s
made like Gamora. 210s
So we have this paradox living. 213s
We have this truth of God's wrath 215s
and the truth of God's 222s
mercy. 224s
And we see that God's proper work in 226s
primary purpose is to be gracious 229s
but we have to hold together those 231s
verses 2223, what if God 234s
desiring to show his wrath and to make 237s
known his power has endured with 240s
much patience. 241s
The objects of wrath that are made 243s
for destruction and what if he 245s
has done so in order to make known 247s
the riches of his glory for the 249s
glory of the Lord, which he has 254s
prepared beforehand for 254s
glory. 257s
So there's this tension that we have 257s
between God's wrath and mercy and 260s
this leads us to that tension that we 264s
have between law and gospel. 269s
Because God, God's law is perfect and 272s
holy. 277s
His mercy is also perfect and 279s
holy. 283s
They seem like they're at end 284s
odds with each other. 286s
There is tension there but 288s
but we need both just like we 290s
talked about last week that 292s
that God is not God if he is 294s
not eternally just. 296s
God is not God if he is not eternally 298s
merciful. 301s
And so we hold those two together 302s
because they're both absolute. 306s
They're both absolutely true and 308s
they're both absolutely necessary. 311s
So God makes known his saving 314s
power. 316s
He continues to make known his 317s
saving power. 319s
And some like Pharaoh, 321s
forfeit that saving power. 324s
Some forfeit it and turn away. 328s
Harden their hearts. 332s
stiffen their necks. 334s
And they go. 336s
And they say no thanks. 337s
Paul is praying that his Jewish 340s
brethren will become instead of 342s
vessels of wrath as Pharaoh was 344s
vessels of mercy. 347s
He's praying that his Jewish 350s
brothers and sisters would be 352s
vessels of mercy. 354s
And so we find Israel's 357s
response to this as Paul 359s
lays it out. 361s
So let's look at verse 30. 363s
We're going to go nine 365s
thirty through ten four. 367s
What then are we to say? 370s
Gentiles who did not 372s
strive for righteousness have 373s
attained it. 375s
That is righteousness through faith. 376s
But Israel who did strive for the 378s
righteousness that is based on the law 380s
did not succeed in fulfilling the law. 382s
Why not? 385s
Because they did not strive for it 386s
But as if it were based on works, 390s
they have stumbled over the 392s
Bible. 394s
struggling with the Bible. 394s
As it is written. 395s
See, I am laying a stone in 397s
Zion. 399s
A stone. 400s
I am laying in Zion a stone. 401s
That will make people stumble. 402s
A rock that will make them fall. 404s
And whoever believes in him will not 406s
be put to shame. 408s
I am not going to be put to shame. 409s
Brother's and sisters, my heart's 410s
desire and prayer to God for them is that they 412s
may be saved. 414s
I can testify that they have a zeal 416s
for God, but it is not enlightened. 418s
For being ignorant of the righteousness that 421s
comes from God and seeking to establish their 423s
own, they have not submitted to God's 426s
righteousness. 429s
For Christ is the end of the law so that 430s
there may be righteousness for everyone who 432s
believes. 436s
So Paul is not bringing up anything really 436s
new here. 442s
He has already addressed this. 443s
He has addressed righteousness. 445s
He has addressed God's wrath and mercy. 447s
The law and gospel, the works and faith. 450s
Earlier in his letter. 453s
He laid out his whole case for works and 454s
works righteousness versus faith. 461s
So if we can go to Romans chapter one and we're going to go. 463s
And he did this. 468s
We're going to just pull out a few sections of 470s
verses in the first three chapters of Romans. 473s
But Romans one, we're going to see that Paul did not 477s
shy away from the fullness of God's law. 480s
I was speaking with someone this morning. 483s
And she mentioned that she just, she loved Paul. 486s
And she said, she was going to ask you how he just, 490s
he calls a duck a duck in her words. 491s
And he does not shy away from it. 496s
He absolutely speaks truth. 499s
He does it as we know as we see that he is in 501s
anguish for his brothers and sisters to know the truth. 506s
He does it with a heart that is for the 511s
fear. 515s
It is for the one who does not know truth yet. 516s
So he doesn't shy away from it. 521s
But he does it in a heart that is for the other. 523s
So he's going to, he's going to just lay out the fullness of the law. 530s
If we look at Romans chapter one verses 18 through 19, 534s
for the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all 539s
Godliness and wickedness of those who by their wickedness suppress the truth. 542s
For what can be known about God is plain to them because God has 547s
shown it to them. 552s
And then we can jump down to verse 28. 554s
And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, 559s
God gave them up to a debased mind and to things that should not be done. 562s
They were filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, covetousness, 566s
malice full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, 572s
craftiness, their gossip, slanderers, 575s
God haters, insulin, hotty, boastful, inventors of evil, 578s
rebellious toward parents, foolish, faithless, 583s
heartless, ruthless. 586s
They know God's decree that those who practice such things 588s
deserve to die, yet they not only do them, 591s
but even applaud others who practice them. 595s
Let's go over to chapter 2 verse 1. 599s
Therefore you have no excuse, whoever you are, 602s
when you judge others for impassing judgment on another, 606s
you condemn yourself because you the judge are doing the very same things 610s
and jumping down to verse 17. 615s
But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and 618s
do you know the truth? 622s
You are the most of your relation to God and know his will 622s
and determine what is best because you are instructed in the law. 625s
And if you are sure that you are a guide to the blind, 629s
a light to those who are in darkness, 633s
a correcter of the foolish, a teacher of children, 636s
having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth, 639s
you then that teach others will you not teach yourself? 643s
While you preach against stealing, do you steal? 647s
You that forbid adultery, do you commit adultery? 652s
You that abhor idols, do you not rob temples? 655s
You that boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? 660s
For as it is written, the name of God is blasphemed 664s
among the Gentiles because of you. 668s
And then going over to Romans chapter 3, 671s
beginning at verse 9, what then, what then, are we any better off? 675s
No, not at all. 682s
For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks 683s
are under the power of sin as it is written. 687s
There is no one who is righteous, not even one. 691s
There is no one who has understanding. 697s
There is no one who seeks God. 699s
All have turned aside. 701s
Together they have become worthless. 704s
There is no one who shows kindness. 706s
There is not even one. 708s
Their throats are open graves. 712s
They use their tongues to deceive. 713s
The venom of vipers is under their lips. 716s
Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness. 718s
Their feet are swift to shed blood, ruin and misery are in their paths. 721s
And the way of peace they have not known. 726s
There is no fear of God before their eyes. 728s
Now, we that know whatever the law says, 732s
it speaks to those who are under the law 734s
so that every mouth may be silenced. 737s
And the whole world may be held accountable to God. 740s
For no human being will be justified in his sight by deeds, 743s
prescribed by the law. 748s
For through the law comes the knowledge of sin. 750s
But Paul doesn't leave it there. 755s
Because any one of us can go back to chapter one, 759s
the verses that we read, back to chapter two, 764s
the verses that we read, back to chapter three, 768s
the verses that we read and hang our head and shame. 770s
Because we fall under that same category. 775s
Because we are sinners. 785s
And so Paul doesn't leave it there. 790s
He doesn't shy away from laying out the law 793s
and the lack of our ability to find righteousness through or under the law. 797s
But he also doesn't stop. 805s
He continues and follows up with the fullness of the gospel. 808s
So we're going to look at Romans 3, 21, through 26. 814s
But now apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed 821s
and is attested by the law and the prophets. 826s
The righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. 830s
For there is no distinction since all have sinned 834s
and fall short of the glory of God. 838s
They are now justified by His grace as a gift 840s
through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 846s
whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by His blood, 850s
He did this to show His righteousness because in His divine 859s
forbearance, He had passed over the sins previously committed. 863s
It was to prove at the present time that He Himself is righteous 867s
and that He justifies the one who has faith in Jesus. 871s
Let's go over to chapter 4 verses 13 through 15. 877s
For the promise that He would inherit the world 882s
did not come to Abraham or who to His descendants through the law 884s
but through the righteousness of faith. 888s
If it is the adherence of the law who are to be the heirs, 891s
the faith is null and the promise is void. 895s
For the law brings wrath but where there is no law neither is their 898s
violation and then jumping down to verses 22 through 25, 902s
22 through 25. 908s
Let me see. 911s
Therefore, His faith that is Abraham's was reckoned to him as 912s
righteousness. 916s
Now the words it was reckoned to him were written not for his 918s
own. 925s
He will be reckoned to us who believe in him who raised Jesus 925s
our Lord from the dead who was handed over to death for our 928s
trespasses and raised for our justification. 932s
So we hear Paul right away in Romans in His letter to the 938s
Romans. 944s
He lays out the law. 945s
Full force. 948s
And he follows it up. 949s
Lay out the gospel. 951s
Full force. 953s
So now we are going to come back to Romans 9. 953s
Romans 9. 959s
And we are going to see in Romans chapter 9, verses 964s
33 through 33. 970s
So he has been talking where we had just gone in chapter 9. 973s
We were talking about the wrath and mercy of God and that the 977s
people who were not in the right to really are held together 981s
because God is eternally just and God is eternally merciful. 985s
And so then we come to Israel's response to God's wrath and mercy. 991s
Paul says, what then are we to say? 998s
Gentiles who did not strive for righteousness have attained it that is 1001s
righteousness through faith, but Israel who did strive for righteousness that is 1005s
the law did not succeed in fulfilling that law. 1010s
Why not? 1016s
Because they did not strive for it on the basis of faith. 1018s
But as if it were based on works, they have submitted or they have 1022s
stumbled over the stumbling stone. 1027s
As it is written, see I am laying in Zion a stone that will make a 1030s
people stumble a rock that will make them fall and whoever believes in 1035s
them will not be put to shame. 1039s
In verse 30, Paul is setting up a rhetorical question or he gives a rhetorical 1043s
question. 1048s
He's setting it up that leads to an incorrect conclusion that he lays out. 1049s
But then he uses that incorrect conclusion. 1056s
He uses it to lay out his argument. 1060s
This is kind of like the literary device of using a foil. 1066s
So if you read the bondage of the will, this is Luther's writing in 1070s
defense of election and we are not going to talk about free will right now. 1077s
But what he does is he lays out erasmus. 1086s
He lays out erasmus as arguments and then he comes back to them laying out 1090s
his own in response. 1097s
So I know when I was when I was in seminary oftentimes I would use an 1100s
author or a theologian. 1106s
There was there was a universalist priest. 1108s
I don't know why. 1111s
I don't know how I stumbled onto him. 1112s
But I would use him in certain papers as my foil. 1114s
Like I would use his writings then to lay out my argument and defend 1120s
scripture by using him as kind of a foil. 1127s
I don't want to call him an antagonist. 1131s
But someone who is in opposition. 1135s
So Paul is going ahead to use this rhetorical question drawing an incorrect 1140s
conclusion so that he can lay out his argument or lay out his case. 1151s
And this comes to that faith versus works. 1159s
We are going to talk about faith versus works but we're not going to go as depth or as 1163s
depth as we did last year. 1168s
If you would like our class on our adult ed on Galatians we talk a lot about law and 1170s
gospel a lot about faith and work. 1177s
So if you were not able to attend those classes last year you can go back on YouTube and 1180s
find the Galatians class. 1187s
Since we're talking about classes on YouTube I do need to pause here for a second from 1189s
our class and tell you there are two classes that I recommend over and over and over again. 1193s
So I'm going to do it again. 1198s
Pastor Eibels adult ed and this was I'm trying to remember how many years ago on heaven and 1200s
hell. 1206s
Absolutely just a stunning class. 1208s
So good. 1211s
So I highly recommend that one and the other one that I highly recommend is Pastor Eibels 1212s
class on forgiveness. 1217s
It's very. 1220s
Those two are just incredible classes that you can come back to over and over again and 1221s
get something more from. 1227s
Okay. 1232s
We're back to class. 1233s
So Paul is quoting Isaiah 28 verse 16. 1236s
So keep your hand in Romans. 1241s
We're going to go two places but then we're going to come back to Romans. 1245s
So Isaiah if you open up your Bibles to the middle you're going to find yourself either in 1248s
Psalms or Isaiah if you're in Psalms go to the right if you're in Isaiah go to chapter 28. 1254s
Just right in the middle. 1261s
Isaiah 28 verse 16. 1263s
This was so cool to just think through and I'm hoping I don't get really off because my brain just kind of follows these interesting 1268s
things. 1277s
I'm going to try to keep it locked in here. 1279s
So 28 16. 1283s
Therefore thus says the Lord God. 1287s
I am laying in Zion a foundation stone. 1290s
A tested stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation. 1293s
One who trusts will not panic. 1298s
What a cool, cool line. 1304s
One who trusts will not panic. 1306s
What does it take to trust? 1309s
I saw you saying that. 1315s
We don't trust by working. 1320s
We trust by believing. 1324s
So then we're going to go to Psalms so you're going to go back back to Psalm 118. 1327s
It's just so cool when you've got all of this. 1339s
I mean God is just awesome. 1342s
He ties everything together and it's so cohesive that it's just exciting. 1345s
I don't understand how anyone is not just thrilled. 1353s
Every time you open the Bible. 1359s
Oh my goodness. 1361s
Okay. 1362s
So, 1363s
1 18 verse 22. 1364s
The stone that the Bibles, that the builders that the Bibles on my goodness. 1367s
Okay. 1371s
The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief corner stone. 1371s
We're going to keep reading. 1376s
This is the Lord's doing. 1377s
It is marvelous in our eyes. 1379s
This is the day that the Lord has made. 1383s
Let us rejoice and be glad in it. 1385s
The one who believes or the one who trusts will not panic. 1389s
We'll not fall. 1398s
We believe and we know who the corner stone is. 1400s
It is Christ. 1406s
When the Psalmist writes, this is the day the Lord has made. 1408s
Let us rejoice and be glad in it. 1412s
Yes, every day is a day that the Lord has made. 1414s
But specifically that is, that is Easter. 1416s
It is Easter. 1421s
What is Easter? 1422s
Easter is all about the resurrection. 1424s
What is the resurrection? 1426s
It is the life of Christ that our sins are forgiven. 1427s
What is Christ that our sins are forgiven? 1432s
It is the corner stone. 1434s
It is the corner stone of our faith. 1436s
There are those that stumble over that corner stone. 1443s
But praise the Lord that we have been given faith. 1446s
We have been given eyes to see ears to hear hearts and minds to believe. 1448s
And so Paul going back to Romans, Paul is shifting into righteousness. 1456s
What is righteousness? 1465s
Is righteousness found in our works? 1466s
Is righteousness found in our doing, in our deeds? 1470s
Righteousness is found in our faith. 1475s
It is not our own doing, but a gift from God, so that no one may boast as we read in Ephesians. 1479s
So righteousness attained by the law. 1488s
There is nothing to see here, because there is no righteousness obtained by the law. 1493s
Looking in a verse 4 of chapter 10, we see, for Christ is the end of the law, so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes. 1499s
So Paul is revisiting the law gospel, the faith works righteousness, arguments specifically here in relation to unbelieving Israel. 1513s
And he's talking about Israel and Gentiles. 1527s
Israel and Gentiles. 1532s
And I love that quotation just jumping back in chapter 9 about what he's quoting from the prophet Joseah. 1534s
Those that were not my people are called my people. 1544s
And that claim that he has made all throughout. 1548s
God has been saying, you know, or he was saying to the Israelite people, like my tribe is bigger. 1552s
It's bigger than you. 1562s
And we get to read scripture and know that we are called into that, into that tribe, into that chosen people. 1567s
So Israel was striving after righteousness through adherence to the law by their works instead of faithfulness. 1574s
They were striving to relate to God through the law. 1584s
We know when we studied Judaism a little bit, we had talked about how important, oh, and I think we talked about this in Galatians too. 1589s
How important the law is for the Jewish people that that is how they relate to God or connect to God, which is so interesting because we know that the law killed that shows us our sin. 1597s
And when we are aware of our sin, it's really hard to even feel like we should relate to God. 1613s
So it's very interesting that that is how Israel relates to God through the law and through adherence to it. 1618s
But it's defeating. 1628s
It's defeating because the law is a burden that we cannot bear. 1630s
It's a burden that we cannot carry. 1634s
It does not mean that the law is not good. 1638s
It does not mean that the law of God is not perfect and holy. 1640s
But to find righteousness and perfection for ourselves in it through it. 1646s
Worthy to stand before the Lord. 1654s
That is not something that we can carry. 1657s
It's not something that we can do for ourselves. 1661s
And so Israel is stumbling because they're trying to do something with the law that is impossible for them to do. 1663s
They're trying to relate through the ceremonial law. 1677s
They're trying to relate to God through the rights and rituals. 1680s
It doesn't nullify God's law. 1685s
It does not nullify God's perfection. 1688s
But we know that we're going to fall short when we attempt to attain righteousness through works. 1690s
And Paul is insisting through his writings that there is one road. 1698s
There's one way to God. 1703s
That one way is Jesus. 1705s
God, the Son of God. 1708s
That is the only way. 1711s
And so we're stumbling over the stone verse 32, 1713s
where he says, they did not strive for it. 1719s
That is righteousness on the basis of faith. 1722s
But as if it were based on works, they have stumbled over the stumbling stone. 1725s
We're stumbling over the stone when we're trying to attain relationship with God by any means other than through Christ's death and resurrection. 1731s
Christ's death and resurrection is the only road, the only way to God. 1744s
And when we say God, it is God, the Father's Son Holy Spirit is the triune God. 1754s
So we can say the way to the Father is through the Son. 1760s
The way to God is through God. 1765s
And we know when we believe by the power of the Holy Spirit. 1767s
So it is all God. 1773s
God opens our eyes to show us that God died for us, 1775s
to show us that we can be in communion with God. 1782s
It's all God. 1788s
It's all God. 1790s
And praise be to Him that we know the truth. 1791s
So let's look at verse 2 of chapter 10. 1795s
Paul says, I can testify. 1800s
Did we already read all of, yeah, we did read the first four chapters of chapter 10. 1803s
Okay, so we're going to go back. 1807s
Let's actually do verse 1. 1809s
So Paul says, brothers and sisters, my hearts desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. 1812s
I can testify that they have a zeal for God, but it is not enlightened. 1817s
It is not enlightened for being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God and seeking to establish their own. 1825s
They have not submitted to God's righteousness. 1833s
Oh my gosh, I don't want to spoil today's sermon for anyone. 1837s
So if you have not been in service yet, so good. 1841s
But this is submission to God. 1844s
Submission to God. 1851s
I love how He says they are zealous. 1854s
They are absolutely zealous. 1857s
And Israel has a zeal for God and zeal can be a very good thing when it's channeled properly. 1859s
But zeal within Israel as Paul writes, he says, it's misplaced. 1869s
Their zeal is misplaced. They're seeking to establish their own path of righteousness, their own path of worthiness. 1874s
And they're very zealous about it, but it's misplaced. Paul himself talks in his writings about how he was zealous. 1885s
He was so zealous for God that he persecuted the church that he watched and stood by as a zeal. 1894s
And that he was zealous. 1905s
He was zealous for God. 1912s
He thought he was doing right and Jesus warned of this. 1916s
We're going to go keep your hand there. 1921s
We don't either way. 1924s
You can whatever. 1925s
Anyway, go to John the Gospel of John chapter 16. 1926s
So you're going to just go back a couple of books. 1931s
The Gospel of John chapter 16 verse 2, Jesus is warning of that exact misplaced zealousness. 1933s
He says, I have said, all these things to you to keep you from stumbling. 1944s
They will put you out of the synagogues. 1950s
Indeed, an hour is coming when those who kill you will think that by doing so, they are offering worship to God. 1953s
They think that they are doing right by God because they're stumbling over the cornerstone. 1963s
They are trusting in their established way of righteousness. 1974s
And they are zealous for it. 1980s
Instead of trusting, having faith that the Messiah has indeed come and it is Christ. 1982s
Jesus. 1997s
So their zeal is misplaced because Israel was seeking righteousness and relationship with God on their terms. 1999s
It's very interesting to think about that. 2009s
That we think about God's perfect and holy law. 2014s
And we think, those are God's terms of righteousness. 2018s
That's God's terms of righteousness. 2022s
And yet, we find that God's terms of righteousness are only fulfilled by God himself. 2025s
And so God throughout the Old Testament is directing, directing to the Messiah to come. 2035s
That is Christ. 2043s
All signs are flashing. 2045s
This is the Messiah. 2046s
This is the one who has come to save. 2048s
And yet, in the stiff neck ofness, neck, neck, neck. 2053s
You know what I'm saying? 2060s
Oh my gosh. 2061s
All right. 2062s
Jesus loves you. 2063s
And this isn't repeat with you. 2077s
establishing a very hubris sort of manner that I have it. 2095s
I'm going to define the terms of my redemption. 2102s
I'm going to define the terms of my righteousness. 2106s
And it's all going to be according to God's law, 2110s
but I'm going to tell you how it is, 2112s
including tell God how it is and how I will be found righteous before him. 2115s
Where that's misplaced, because the righteousness that we have 2121s
is in Christ and Christ alone, because it is God and God alone, 2127s
who can provide for us that perfect righteousness before himself. 2132s
Seeking, seeking relationship with God through works, 2140s
it just doesn't work. 2145s
It doesn't work. 2147s
And so we seek relationship and we receive relationship through faith. 2148s