Sermons on Romans 10:4

Romans 10:4 Interpretation:

Transformative Power of the Gospel: Humility and Confidence (Westover Church) offers a nuanced interpretation of Romans 10:4 by emphasizing that “Christ is the end of the law” does not mean Christians should “unhitch” themselves from the Old Testament or disregard the law’s value. Instead, the sermon explains that the law’s purpose was to point to Christ, acting as a “tutor” (referencing Galatians 3:23-24) that reveals human inability to achieve righteousness on their own, thus driving people to faith in Christ. The preacher distinguishes between the law’s moral, civil, and ceremonial aspects (citing the Westminster Confession), but stresses that Paul’s point is not about abolishing the law but about its fulfillment in Christ, who alone can justify. The sermon uses the analogy of a mediator (from Job) who can “have his hand on heaven and a hand on me,” illustrating Christ’s unique role in bridging the gap between God and humanity. The preacher also draws on the Greek understanding of “heart” (kardia) as the “causal core” of personhood, referencing Paul Tripp, to explain that faith in Christ is not merely emotional or intellectual but involves the very center of one’s being.

Fulfilling the Law: Heart Over Ritual (Mountain Vista Baptist Church) interprets Romans 10:4 as declaring Christ to be the “end” (Greek: telos) or fulfillment of the law, using the analogy of a paid-off mortgage or debt: once the debt is fulfilled, it is no longer binding, though the house (the law) remains. The sermon uniquely highlights that Jesus is the “eschatological goal” of the Old Testament, referencing D.A. Carson, and that only Christ, as the author and fulfiller of the law, has the authority to interpret its meaning and application. The preacher also critiques the common practice of dividing the law into moral, civil, and ceremonial categories, arguing that Jesus never made such distinctions and that the law is a unified whole fulfilled in Christ.

Embracing the Victory of Christ: It Is Finished (Daystar Church) interprets Romans 10:4 through the lens of Jesus’ declaration “It is finished” (tetelestai) on the cross, connecting the Greek term to its use in legal, financial, artistic, and religious contexts to illustrate that Christ’s work has fully satisfied the requirements of the law. The sermon explains that Christ “ended the law” for righteousness, meaning that believers are no longer under the law’s condemnation but stand justified by faith. The preacher uses the metaphor of a debt being stamped “paid in full” and the image of a legal document nailed to the cross to convey the completeness and finality of Christ’s accomplishment.

Freedom in Christ: Embracing Faith Beyond Rituals (David Guzik) interprets Romans 10:4 as a declaration that Christ is both the fulfillment and the end-goal (telos) of the law, meaning that the law’s requirements for righteousness are fully met in Jesus for all who believe. Guzik emphasizes that the law, with its rituals and observances (such as the Jewish Sabbath and holy days), is no longer the basis for a believer’s righteousness or acceptance before God. Instead, righteousness is grounded solely in Christ’s finished work. He uses the analogy of “ground of righteousness” to stress that neither keeping nor not keeping Jewish rituals makes one more right with God, and that believers have liberty in these matters. This interpretation is notable for its practical application to contemporary questions about observing Jewish customs, and for its focus on the believer’s freedom rather than obligation.

Christ: The Fulfillment of the Law and Salvation (MLJTrust) offers a detailed and theologically rich interpretation, focusing on the Greek word “telos” (end, goal, fulfillment) to argue that Christ is not the abolishment of the law but its fulfillment. The sermon distinguishes between abolishing and fulfilling, insisting that the law’s demands remain eternally valid as the expression of God’s holy character, but that Christ has perfectly satisfied those demands on behalf of believers. The preacher uses the analogy of a legal charter or “charter of liberty” to describe this verse, and traces Christ’s fulfillment through his incarnation, perfect obedience, and atoning death, culminating in the resurrection as proof that the law’s demands are satisfied. This interpretation is unique in its insistence that the law is not set aside but rather established and honored in Christ, and in its careful distinction between antinomianism and gospel liberty.

Faith, Simplicity, and the Glory of God (Ligonier Ministries) interprets Romans 10:4 as teaching that Christ is the culmination and fulfillment of the law, making righteousness accessible to all who believe. The sermon highlights the Greek term “telos” and draws a parallel to Deuteronomy, noting that just as the law was “near” in Moses’ day, now Christ is “near” and accessible—not distant or requiring human striving. The preacher uses the analogy of climbing a ladder or crossing a sea to reach God, contrasting this with the gospel’s message that Christ has come down to us. This interpretation is notable for its emphasis on the accessibility and simplicity of the gospel, and for its critique of any teaching that complicates or adds to the finished work of Christ.

Romans 10:4 Theological Themes:

Transformative Power of the Gospel: Humility and Confidence (Westover Church) introduces the theme that the law itself “teaches faith” and is not opposed to faith but is fulfilled in it, emphasizing that there is only one righteousness—Christ’s—and that the law’s ultimate function is to drive people to dependence on Christ rather than self-effort. The sermon also explores the idea that faith is harder than law-keeping because it requires relinquishing self-reliance, and it challenges both legalistic pride and feelings of unworthiness by asserting that “Jesus welcomes everyone who calls on his name,” regardless of their past.

Fulfilling the Law: Heart Over Ritual (Mountain Vista Baptist Church) presents the distinct theme that the law’s fulfillment in Christ does not render the Old Testament obsolete but rather reorients its purpose for believers, who now serve “in the new way of the Spirit and not the old way of the written code” (Romans 7:6). The sermon also critiques the tendency to create extra-biblical rules (fencing the law) and warns against the danger of equating outward conformity with true righteousness, insisting that the heart’s intent is central.

Embracing the Victory of Christ: It Is Finished (Daystar Church) adds the theme of “victory” and “triumph” over sin, death, and condemnation as a direct result of Christ’s fulfillment of the law. The sermon stresses that believers are not only forgiven but also transferred into a new kingdom, empowered to live in victory rather than defeat, and that attempts to “pay off” spiritual debt through good works are futile because the debt has already been canceled.

Freedom in Christ: Embracing Faith Beyond Rituals (David Guzik) introduces the theme of Christian liberty in relation to the law, arguing that believers are free to observe or not observe Jewish rituals as a matter of conscience, provided they do not see these practices as a basis for righteousness. This theme is distinct in its pastoral application to modern questions about Messianic practices and its insistence that liberty, not legalism, is the mark of the new covenant.

Christ: The Fulfillment of the Law and Salvation (MLJTrust) presents the theme of the law’s ongoing validity as the eternal standard of God’s righteousness, but fulfilled in Christ for believers. The sermon uniquely insists that the gospel does not lower the standard of the law (antinomianism), but rather that Christ’s perfect obedience and atoning death meet its demands fully. It also develops the theme of union with Christ: believers are “dead to the law” because they have been crucified with Christ, and thus are no longer under its condemnation, but are enabled to live in newness of life.

Faith, Simplicity, and the Glory of God (Ligonier Ministries) introduces the theme of the gospel’s radical accessibility and simplicity, arguing that Christ’s fulfillment of the law means that salvation is not a matter of human effort or ritual, but of faith alone. The sermon adds the facet that the gospel’s simplicity is itself a safeguard against distortion, and that complicating the gospel is tantamount to undermining its power. It also uniquely ties the fulfillment of the law in Christ to the universal offer of the gospel—“everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved”—emphasizing the inclusivity and missionary impulse of the passage.

Romans 10:4 Historical and Contextual Insights:

Transformative Power of the Gospel: Humility and Confidence (Westover Church) provides historical context by explaining that Romans was written from Corinth to the church in Rome as a theological treatise, and that Paul’s discussion in chapters 9 and 10 addresses the Jewish community’s relationship to the law and the inclusion of Gentiles. The sermon also references the Westminster Confession’s 17th-century division of the Mosaic law and situates Paul’s argument within the broader context of Jewish law-keeping and the function of the law as a “tutor.”

Fulfilling the Law: Heart Over Ritual (Mountain Vista Baptist Church) offers detailed historical context about post-exilic Judaism, describing how the Jewish people, after returning from Babylonian captivity, became strictly monotheistic and developed extensive traditions (“fencing the law”) to prevent future disobedience. The sermon explains the cultural practices around Sabbath observance, including counting steps and setting up household routines to avoid “work,” and how these traditions became more important than the law itself. The preacher also notes that the Gospel of Matthew was written specifically to a Jewish audience concerned with the law’s ongoing relevance.

Christ: The Fulfillment of the Law and Salvation (MLJTrust) provides extensive historical context, explaining the Jewish understanding of the law in the first century as the means of righteousness and the source of national pride. The sermon details how the Jews’ zeal for the law led to a tragic ignorance of God’s provision of righteousness in Christ, and how this ignorance resulted in their rejection of Jesus. The preacher also situates the law as the permanent expression of God’s character, not a temporary or merely national code, and explains the cultural significance of Christ’s incarnation, baptism, and obedience as acts of fulfilling the law on behalf of humanity.

Romans 10:4 Cross-References in the Bible:

Transformative Power of the Gospel: Humility and Confidence (Westover Church) references several passages to expand on Romans 10:4: 2 Corinthians 1:20 (“the promises of God find their yes in him”) to show Christ as the fulfillment of all God’s promises; Galatians 3:23-24 to explain the law as a “tutor” leading to Christ; Leviticus 18:5 and Deuteronomy 30:11-15 to illustrate the law’s requirements and the accessibility of God’s word; Psalms 1 to affirm the goodness of God’s law; and Job 9 to highlight the need for a mediator. The sermon also cites Romans 10:9-13 to stress the universality of salvation through faith and 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 to commission believers as ambassadors of reconciliation.

Fulfilling the Law: Heart Over Ritual (Mountain Vista Baptist Church) cross-references Matthew 5:17-20 (Jesus’ teaching on fulfilling the law), Luke 16 (the law and the prophets until John), Romans 7:6 (serving in the new way of the Spirit), Romans 15 (the Old Testament written for our learning), James (whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point is guilty of all), and Jeremiah 31:31-34 (the prophecy of a new covenant with the law written on the heart). The preacher also references Romans 5:8 and Romans 10:4 directly, as well as the broader context of the Sermon on the Mount.

Embracing the Victory of Christ: It Is Finished (Daystar Church) references John 19 (Jesus’ words “It is finished”), Romans 8 (the law’s inability to save and the Spirit’s empowerment), Colossians 1 and 2 (rescue from darkness, debt canceled and nailed to the cross), Romans 5 (Adam’s sin and Christ’s righteousness), 1 Peter 3 (Christ preaching to the spirits in prison), Ephesians 4 (Christ descending and setting captives free), Luke/Acts (David foreseeing the resurrection), and 1 John 4:4 (“greater is he that is in you”). The sermon also alludes to the Ten Commandments and the story of Adam and Eve to illustrate the universality of sin and the need for redemption.

Freedom in Christ: Embracing Faith Beyond Rituals (David Guzik) references Colossians 2:16-17, where Paul warns against being judged regarding food, drink, festivals, new moons, or Sabbaths, calling them “a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.” This passage is used to reinforce the idea that observance of Jewish rituals is a matter of Christian liberty, not a requirement for righteousness. Guzik also alludes to Hebrews (the supremacy of Jesus and the new covenant) and to Jesus’ own interactions with the law and traditions in the Gospels, though without detailed exegesis.

Christ: The Fulfillment of the Law and Salvation (MLJTrust) makes extensive use of cross-references: Matthew 5:17 (“I have not come to destroy the law but to fulfill it”) is cited to show that Christ did not abolish the law. Romans 3:24-26 is referenced to explain justification and the satisfaction of the law’s demands. 2 Corinthians 5:19-21 is used to illustrate the exchange of our sin for Christ’s righteousness. Romans 6 and 7 are cited to explain union with Christ and being “dead to the law.” John 17 is referenced to refute universalism and to show that Christ’s work is effectual for those who believe. Acts 4:12 and John 14:6 are used to affirm the exclusivity of Christ as the only way of salvation.

Faith, Simplicity, and the Glory of God (Ligonier Ministries) references Deuteronomy (the law is “near you, in your mouth and in your heart”) to show how Paul reinterprets the nearness of the law as the nearness of Christ. The sermon also references John 3 (Nicodemus), Exodus 32 (Moses’ intercession), and Acts 2 (the early church’s life together) to illustrate the accessibility of the gospel, the heart for the lost, and the practical outworking of gospel community. Romans 9 is repeatedly referenced to situate Romans 10:4 within the broader context of God’s sovereignty and the offer of salvation to all who believe.

Romans 10:4 Christian References outside the Bible:

Transformative Power of the Gospel: Humility and Confidence (Westover Church) explicitly references Tim Keller, quoting his summary of the gospel as producing both “deep humility and deep confidence,” and Paul Tripp, who is cited for his teaching on the biblical meaning of “heart” as the “causal core” of personhood. The sermon also quotes Charles Spurgeon: “A little faith will bring your soul to heaven and a great faith will bring heaven to your soul,” to illustrate the transformative power of faith.

Fulfilling the Law: Heart Over Ritual (Mountain Vista Baptist Church) explicitly references D.A. Carson, quoting his view that Jesus is the “eschatological goal of the Old Testament and thereby its sole authoritative interpreter,” and Warren Wiersbe, who is cited for his critique of the Pharisees’ traditions as destructive to the law’s true intent. The sermon also mentions Andy Stanley’s controversial statement about “unhitching” from the Old Testament and a Southern Baptist seminary professor’s response, using these as contemporary examples of debates about the law’s relevance.

Faith, Simplicity, and the Glory of God (Ligonier Ministries) explicitly references John Calvin, quoting him as saying, “A good missionary is a good theologian, and a good theologian is a good missionary,” to support the idea that deep theology and missionary zeal should go hand in hand. The sermon also references Martin Luther (“Peace if possible, but truth at all costs”) to emphasize the importance of doctrinal truth alongside unity. Charles Spurgeon is quoted: “If sinners be damned, at least let them leap over hell over our dead bodies…” to illustrate the preacher’s call to passionate evangelism. The sermon also mentions Francis of Assisi, critiquing the misattributed quote, “Preach the gospel at all times, and if necessary use words,” arguing that verbal proclamation is essential for gospel witness.

Romans 10:4 Illustrations from Secular Sources:

Transformative Power of the Gospel: Humility and Confidence (Westover Church) uses the detailed analogy of the 2000 Super Bowl, specifically the image of Kevin Dyson being tackled just short of the goal line, to illustrate the idea of being “so close” to salvation but missing it by relying on self-effort rather than faith in Christ. The preacher also references the emotional dynamics of sports fandom and the “could have, should have, would have” mentality as a metaphor for spiritual striving and the need for boldness in evangelism.

Embracing the Victory of Christ: It Is Finished (Daystar Church) provides an in-depth explanation of the Greek word “tetelestai” as used in various secular contexts: a servant reporting to a master, a judge declaring a debt paid, an accountant stamping a financial document, and an artist finishing a masterpiece. The preacher also uses the analogy of a mortgage or credit card debt being paid off to illustrate the finality of Christ’s work. Additionally, the sermon employs the image of a military general declaring victory (“tetelestai”) and a headless chicken running around after being killed as a vivid metaphor for Satan’s defeated but still active presence. The preacher references the Johnny Carson show and Billy Graham’s appearance to discuss the universality of breaking the law, and alludes to Oprah and Hallmark movies to satirize cultural messages about “following your heart” versus biblical truth.

None of the sermons analyzed included explicit illustrations from secular sources (such as stories, events, or examples from popular culture) specifically to illustrate Romans 10:4.