23rd November 2023

23rd November 2023


Pray (ACts)


Read (Romans 15v8-12)


Message (Scott Woodburn)


In Rome there may well have been Christians from different ethnic backgrounds but there has never been two Gospels or two churches or two paths of salvation. The Gospel is for all who will believe and regardless of your ethnic background, as you trust Christ, you take your place in the one olive tree (Romans 11) also called the church.


Even so, we would do well to understand the unfolding drama of salvation throughout history. At Calvary, Jesus died for all of His people but it is true to say that He came first to the Jew. Paul explains this by saying "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." (Romans 1v16) Jesus spoke on this issue too when He explained to the Canaanite woman "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." (Matthew 15v24) and elsewhere in Romans Paul stressed that even though the Jewish people had largely rejected the Gospel they had been richly blessed throughout history "They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen." (Romans 8v4-5)


So we speak truthfully when we say that Jesus came first to the Jew and He did this in order to prove the truthfulness of all of God's promises that had been made to the patriarchs (v8). Who are the patriarchs? These were the "fathers" of the faith and we know them as Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. To these men were given promises that were shown to be yes and amen in the person and work of Jesus.


Therefore, Jesus came first to the Jew but not solely to the Jew. Christ's work was also for the Gentiles, men and women who were not born and reared Jews, men and women like us. Christ came in order that Gentile Christians would glorify God for the mercy that He has shown us (v9). This should not have been a surprise as the Old Testament clearly taught that the Gentiles would be included in the people of God.


To prove this, Paul quoted from four passages of Scripture. Firstly, from 2 Samuel 22v50 and Psalm 18v49 which state "Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name." In both of these passages David rejoices that the Lord had given him the victory over his enemies and made him "the head of the nations" (2 Samuel 22v44). In the same way Jesus has won the ultimate victory at Calvary and He alone is the King of kings over every nation. 


Secondly, Paul speaks from Deuteronomy 32v43 which says "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people." Not only is Christ the king over every nation but the Gentiles are included in the worshiping people of God. Thirdly, Paul draws from Psalm 117v1 which is a call to “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him.” Why must the Gentiles praise God? Because of His steadfast love and faithfulness. Both Jew and Gentile alike would experience the love and faithfulness of Almighty God.


Finally, Paul moved to Isaiah 11v1 which states “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.” David was the son of Jesse and David was told that one of his descendants would reign forever (2 Samuel 7v12-16). Nevertheless, David's line seemed to have gone and his kingdom had been reduced to a stump. But a new shoot would grow from this stump and Christ would be the promised descendant in whom the Gentiles would hope.


The church is a beautiful and ancient body whose entry requirement has always been faith in Christ.  John would catch a glimpse of Christ's bride in the book of Revelation saying "After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, 'Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!'" (Revelation 7v9-10) 


Every nation, every tribe, every people and every tongue - thanks be to God.


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC


Q104 What do we pray for in the fourth petition? In the fourth petition, which is, Give us this day our daily bread,” we pray, that of God’s free gift we may receive a competent portion of the good things of this life, and enjoy his blessing with them.
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