Faith Over Tradition: Embracing the True Gospel

 

Summary

In Romans 10:18-21, Paul addresses the tragic irony of Israel's rejection of the Gospel despite their privileged position as God's chosen people. They relied on their nationality, knowledge, and works rather than embracing the true way of salvation through faith in Christ. This rejection is not just a historical account but a lesson for us today. The unity of the Bible is evident as Paul frequently quotes the Old Testament to establish New Testament principles, showing that God's plan of salvation has always been consistent. The same spiritual principles apply across both Testaments, emphasizing justification by faith alone.

The history of the church reveals a recurring pattern: when God's people become hardened and rely on tradition and works, they often oppose the true Gospel. This has been evident from the early church through the Reformation and continues today. The church, meant to be the guardian of the Gospel, has often been the source of persecution against those who preach the true message of salvation. Yet, God has consistently raised up new movements and individuals to carry on His work, often from unexpected places.

Today, we face similar challenges. There is a growing emphasis on tradition and works, even within Protestant circles, which threatens to overshadow the true Gospel. The danger of dead orthodoxy looms large, and we must be vigilant to ensure that our faith is alive and active. We must test everything by Scripture, allowing it to search and examine us, and remain open to the movements of the Spirit. Our hope lies in the unchanging nature of God and His eternal purpose, which will continue regardless of human failure.

Key Takeaways:

1. Unity of Scripture: The Bible is a unified whole, with the same spiritual principles operating in both the Old and New Testaments. This unity underscores the consistent plan of salvation through faith, not works or tradition. We must not neglect any part of Scripture, as it all points to God's eternal purpose. [05:18]

2. Historical Patterns: Throughout history, the church has often opposed the true Gospel, relying on tradition and works. This pattern is evident from the early church to the Reformation and continues today. We must learn from history to avoid repeating these mistakes. [18:11]

3. Current Challenges: Today, there is a renewed emphasis on tradition and works, even within Protestant circles. This threatens to overshadow the true Gospel of salvation by faith alone. We must remain vigilant and ensure our faith is alive and active. [27:31]

4. Testing by Scripture: Everything must be tested by Scripture, which is the ultimate authority. We must allow Scripture to search and examine us, not just use it to support our preconceived ideas. This requires humility and openness to the Spirit's leading. [36:27]

5. God's Unchanging Purpose: Despite human failure, God's purpose remains unchanged. He will continue His work, often raising up new movements and individuals from unexpected places. Our hope lies in God's unchanging nature and His eternal purpose. [42:02]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:12] - Introduction to Romans 10:18-21
- [01:08] - The Case Against the Jews
- [02:49] - The Tragedy of Israel's Rejection
- [03:25] - Applying the Lessons to Ourselves
- [04:44] - The Unity of the Bible
- [06:45] - Unbelief in History
- [09:44] - Opposition to the Gospel
- [13:13] - Historical Examples of Persecution
- [18:11] - Reenactment of Historical Patterns
- [25:29] - The Present Situation
- [30:41] - Challenges Among Evangelicals
- [33:35] - Lessons for Today
- [39:04] - An Appeal for Vigilance
- [42:02] - God's Unchanging Purpose

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Romans 10:18-21

Observation Questions:
1. What reasons does Paul give for Israel's rejection of the Gospel in Romans 10:18-21? How does this reflect their reliance on nationality, knowledge, and works? [01:59]
2. How does Paul use the Old Testament to support his argument in Romans 10:18-21? What does this suggest about the unity of Scripture? [05:18]
3. What historical patterns of opposition to the Gospel are mentioned in the sermon, and how do they relate to the principles outlined in Romans 10:18-21? [09:44]
4. How does the sermon describe the role of unexpected individuals or movements in carrying on God's work despite opposition? [20:54]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon interpret the unity of Scripture as a lesson for believers today? What implications does this have for how we read and apply the Bible? [05:18]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the church today might be repeating the historical patterns of relying on tradition and works? How does this relate to the message of Romans 10:18-21? [18:11]
3. How does the sermon describe the danger of "dead orthodoxy," and what does it suggest is necessary to keep faith alive and active? [32:36]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the role of humility and openness to the Spirit in avoiding the mistakes of Israel's rejection of the Gospel? [33:35]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own faith journey. Are there areas where you might be relying on tradition or works rather than faith in Christ? How can you shift your focus to faith alone? [29:13]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of testing everything by Scripture. How can you incorporate this practice into your daily life? What steps can you take to ensure you are open to the Spirit's leading? [36:27]
3. Consider the historical patterns of opposition to the Gospel mentioned in the sermon. How can you learn from these patterns to avoid similar mistakes in your own faith community? [18:11]
4. The sermon warns against the danger of "dead orthodoxy." What specific actions can you take to ensure your faith remains alive and active? [32:36]
5. How can you cultivate humility and openness to the Spirit in your personal and communal faith practices? What might this look like in your daily interactions with others? [33:35]
6. The sermon highlights the role of unexpected individuals in carrying on God's work. How can you be open to God's calling in your life, even if it comes from unexpected places? [20:54]
7. Reflect on the idea of God's unchanging purpose. How does this provide hope and assurance in your faith journey, especially in times of personal or communal failure? [42:02]

Devotional

Day 1: The Consistent Plan of Salvation Through Faith
The Bible is a unified whole, with the same spiritual principles operating in both the Old and New Testaments. This unity underscores the consistent plan of salvation through faith, not works or tradition. Throughout the Scriptures, God’s eternal purpose is revealed, showing that salvation has always been by faith. The Old Testament lays the foundation for the New Testament, and together they point to the same truth: that faith in God, not adherence to tradition or reliance on works, is the path to salvation. This understanding calls us to embrace the entirety of Scripture, recognizing its cohesive message and allowing it to guide our lives. [05:18]

"For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." (Romans 15:4, ESV)

Reflection: How can you ensure that you are not neglecting any part of Scripture in your daily study and application of God’s Word?


Day 2: Learning from Historical Patterns of Opposition
Throughout history, the church has often opposed the true Gospel, relying on tradition and works. This pattern is evident from the early church to the Reformation and continues today. The church, meant to be the guardian of the Gospel, has sometimes been the source of persecution against those who preach the true message of salvation. By examining these historical patterns, we can learn to avoid repeating the same mistakes. It is crucial to remain vigilant and discerning, ensuring that our focus remains on the Gospel of grace rather than on human traditions or efforts. [18:11]

"Thus says the Lord: 'Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’" (Jeremiah 6:16, ESV)

Reflection: What historical patterns of opposition to the Gospel can you identify in your own church or community, and how can you actively work to counteract them?


Day 3: The Present Challenge of Tradition and Works
Today, there is a renewed emphasis on tradition and works, even within Protestant circles. This threatens to overshadow the true Gospel of salvation by faith alone. The danger of dead orthodoxy looms large, and we must be vigilant to ensure that our faith is alive and active. It is essential to test everything by Scripture, allowing it to search and examine us, and remain open to the movements of the Spirit. By doing so, we can guard against the temptation to rely on human efforts and instead embrace the transformative power of faith in Christ. [27:31]

"Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?" (Galatians 3:3, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways might you be relying on tradition or works in your spiritual life, and how can you shift your focus back to faith in Christ alone?


Day 4: Testing Everything by Scripture
Everything must be tested by Scripture, which is the ultimate authority. We must allow Scripture to search and examine us, not just use it to support our preconceived ideas. This requires humility and openness to the Spirit's leading. By submitting to the authority of Scripture, we can ensure that our beliefs and practices align with God’s truth. This process of testing and examination is ongoing, calling us to continually seek God’s guidance and wisdom in all areas of our lives. [36:27]

"Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" (2 Corinthians 13:5, ESV)

Reflection: How can you incorporate a regular practice of testing your beliefs and actions against Scripture in your daily life?


Day 5: Trusting in God’s Unchanging Purpose
Despite human failure, God's purpose remains unchanged. He will continue His work, often raising up new movements and individuals from unexpected places. Our hope lies in God's unchanging nature and His eternal purpose. This assurance allows us to trust in His sovereignty, even when circumstances seem uncertain or challenging. By focusing on God’s unchanging purpose, we can find peace and confidence in His plan, knowing that He is always at work for His glory and our good. [42:02]

"The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations." (Psalm 33:11, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to trust more fully in God’s unchanging purpose, and how can you actively cultivate that trust today?

Quotes


The trouble with them was that they had a false idea of Salvation they were trusting to their nationality to their knowledge and to their works in the same way they lacked an understanding of the way of Salvation as it truly is in Christ Jesus justification by faith only faith in the Lord and in his perfect and completed work. [00:01:51]

The unity of the Bible and that's a lesson which all of us surely must have learned very plainly and clearly it's quite astonishing to notice the frequency with which the Apostle quotes the Old Testament scriptures to establish a New Testament principle and of course he does that for one reason only that the same spiritual principles operated under the Old Testament dispensation as operate in the New Testament dispensation. [00:04:43]

Opposition to the truth of the Gospel is always the result of falling back upon and relying upon tradition and works now that is the charge you see that the Apostle brings here against the Jews that they were falling back upon their tradition upon their Nation their nationality upon their possession of the scriptures upon the fact that they' had the prophets and so on. [00:09:51]

The Christian church starts she's all right at the beginning she sees the error of the Jews and the Christian church starts in Purity and in Simplicity and they believe and they accept it all by faith and it's all of Grace and they have no confidence in themselves at all but in a very short time things began to change. [00:11:39]

What does God do when his people like this become hardened in unbelief and when their hearts become in fattened as Wickliffe puts it well we are told what he does is this I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people and by a foolish na I will anger you and that is what God has proceeded to do throughout the running centuries. [00:19:09]

Our hope is that God is still the same we've seen that mankind is the same that God's people tend to be the same yes but the Glorious thing is that God is still the same and the comforter I have tonight is this that God's purpose is still the same that God's work is still the same that God's power is still the same. [00:41:46]

We must test everything by the scriptures there is no other test apart from the test of the scriptures the Apostle basis is all argument as we've seen abundantly upon the teaching of the scriptures he doesn't just stand up and say I say this to you he says listen this is what Moses says listen to The Bold Isaiah he's proving it from the scriptures. [00:36:27]

We must allow the scriptures to speak to us and to search us and to examine us we mustn't merely use the scriptures to prove our prejudice or to show that we are right in our position we must submit ourselves to the scriptures in every respect we must have not only the letter but also the spirit. [00:37:08]

The danger always with God's people is to become hardened and formal and set and eventually dead and lifeless so that when the truth comes the truth that gave her being she opposes it and hates it and she has to be left on one side very well then that brings us right up until today. [00:25:04]

The main attitude towards Doctrine is an entire dislike of Doctrine altogether we are told that Doctrine doesn't matter the doctrine divides so that we mustn't be specific in our preaching we mustn't be too Evangelical now now the great thing is organization a great World Church don't pay too much attention to what people believe. [00:27:31]

The case of the Jews is a Perpetual warning to God's people that we must always be on the alert lest we unconsciously slide into this position which is the exact opposite of that in which we began you see I could have emphasized that point as I did my review of history. [00:34:33]

Let us be careful in other words let us be careful lest when God in his grace and in his mercy and sovereignty does decide to revive his work in a mighty Revival let us be careful that we are not bypassed because of our rigidity because of our self-satisfaction because God may be choosing to do things in a way that we've never hither to known. [00:40:32]

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Transcript
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