The Servant Of The Lord

Romans 10:1-3 says, "Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness."

We have just finished a two month series of messages designed to cause all of us to determine whether we are saved. The above verses from Romans 10 illustrates Paul desiring that his people, the Israelites, would be saved. He shows that his people have established their own righteousness based on keeping the Law and not based on righteousness through Jesus Christ as their Savior or Messiah.

The Apostle Paul continues his message by trying to determine why the majority of his people have not accepted Jesus Christ as their Messiah. Romans 10:16-18 says, "But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, 'Lord, who has believed our message?' Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message and the message is heard through the word of Christ. But I ask, did they not hear? Of course they did." As we can see, it was not because they have not heard the message of Jesus Christ as their Messiah!

Additionally, Romans 10:21 says, "But concerning Israel He says, 'All day long I have held out My hand to a disobedient and obstinate people.'" Was it because they did not desire to believe the message of Jesus Christ as their Messiah?

Lastly, Paul raises the question, Did God reject His people? Romans 11:1-2 says, "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. God did not reject His people, whom He foreknew." God has not rejected the Jewish People!

Our message this week has raised a number of questions. The most important question to be answered is, How can the Jewish People recognize their Messiah? Next week will start a new series entitled "The Servant Of The Lord" that will answer this very important question. Stay Tuned!

May The Lord Bless You This Day And Every Day,

Frank