The Righteousness of Faith 

Scripture Reading: Romans 9:30-10:11.

Memory Verse: "So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief" (Hebrews 3:19).

Introduction: Donald Barnhouse says, in his Romans Commentary, "Every Jew was familiar with the priesthood of Aaron which governed the religious life of Israel. One of the priests of the Tribe of Levi offered the morning and evening sacrifice every day of the year. The priests were headed by a man who bore the title of High Priest. The Old Testament contains whole books that have to do with the foundation of this priesthood and the maintenance of its work. Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy are filled with details concerning the consecration and service of these earthly priests.
  "Suddenly, the New Testament announces that this priesthood is to be abolished. At the moment Christ died, the great curtain in the temple which separated the holy place from the holiest of all was torn in two, from top to bottom, and God announced that He was through with priesthood and liturgical service.
  "Israel had operated under the law of Moses throughout the fifteen centuries between the giving of the law and the coming of Christ. This was by the order and plan of God. When we come to the New Testament, we discover that the Old Testament was an object lesson or a temporary picture of that which was to be permanent. The Old Testament was the shadow of something that was to be substance.
  "The New Testament might be summarized in its relationship to the Old Testament by saying: Instead of the temple, it is to be Christ; instead of Moses, Christ; instead of Aaron, Christ; instead of the law, Christ; instead of ceremonies, Christ; instead of worship localized in a building, there is to be the eternal, omnipresent Christ."--Donald Grey Barnhouse, God's Covenants, p. 68.
  This passage of scripture is "a trumpet shout of triumph that a revolution has taken place and that an entirely new manner of life has been set before men by God . . . The righteousness of God, which He wished to make effective in the lives of men, is made available under the new conditions of the risen Christ coming to live His life in the hearts of those whom He has redeemed, and in whom He is working out His purposes."--The Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible, Romans, Volume 7, p. 181.

Lesson Questions:

1. What conclusion does Paul reach in contrasting the Gentiles to the Jews? Romans 9:30,31.

2. What hindered the Jews from attaining true righteousness? Romans 9:32,33; 3:20; Hebrews 11:6; 3:12,17-19; 4:1-3; 2 Timothy 3:5;Galatians 2:16; 1 Corinthians 1:23; 1 Peter 2:7,8.

3. Despite Israel's zeal, what knowledge did they lack that made them resist God's righteousness? Romans 10:1-3; Jeremiah 5:1-4; Mark 7:6; Ephesians 4:18; Philippians 3:9,10.
The word "knowledge" (epignosis) means correct, right, full, complete. It means an experiential knowledge of the truth.--The Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible, Romans, Volume 7, p. 182. Zeal and sincerity are not enough in seeking God . . . A person can be as zealous and sincere as possible and still be on the wrong road and never reach his destination. To reach his destination, he must know the right road.--Donald Grey Barnhouse, God's Covenants, p. 67.

4. Is anyone now made righteous by the keeping of the Law? Romans 10:4; Galatians 3:24,25; Hebrews 9:9; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:15.
The meaning of the word telos, "the end," depends always on the context. The end of life is its termination. The end of troubles is their transformation. The end of a promise is its fulfillment. The end of our faith is the salvation of our soul (1 Peter 1:9). What is the end of the law? Our text says, "Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth.--The Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible, Romans, Volume 7, p. 183.

5. What is the terrible flaw in attempting to reach God by Law and works? Romans 10:5; Galatians 3:10-12; Romans 7:6; 8:2,3.

6. Has God called us to do the impossible to secure a Messiah (from Heaven) or a Deliverer (from the abyss)? Romans 10:6,7; Proverbs 30:4;
John 3:13; Deuteronomy 30:11-14; Ephesians 4:8-10.
A person does not have to scale heaven nor fathom the deep to be saved. If he did, he would be lost eternally, for no man can penetrate heaven to secure righteousness or go into the depths to conquer death and hell.--Donald Grey Barnhouse, God's Covenants, pp. 87,88.

7. What specific exercises of faith are absolutely necessary for a man to be saved? Romans 10:8-10; 1 John 4:15; 5:1-5; John 6:28,29;
Matthew 16:24-26.

8. How can we know a man is truly converted? Romans 10:11; Mark 10:32,33; Luke 12:8; 1 John 2:23; Acts 1:8; 2 Timothy 1:8.