Pastor Marshall Ochs | MARCH 8, 2026
In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from Romans 10. In this chapter, Paul explains that God’s promises to Israel have not failed; rather, salvation has always been based on faith, not ethnic identity or good works. Paul grieves that many Jews have rejected the Gospel even though God made His word clear and near to them, while Gentiles are coming to faith because the message is being preached and believed. The chapter emphasizes that salvation comes through hearing and believing the gospel and calls believers to pray for the lost and participate in sharing the message of Christ.
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In Romans 9-11, Paul covers the questions, “Did God’s promises fail, and how can we trust that Jesus won’t fail?” He is also covering the issue of who belongs to the one true Israel. Paul explains that it is not based on an ethnic or bloodline connection. The one true Israel is based on faith in Jesus Christ as the Messiah. His heart is burdened for the Jewish people and his desire to see them come to faith in Jesus.
Like the Jewish people of Paul’s day, we too can easily slip into the misguided mindset that if we are generally “good people” and we do “good works” God is pleased with us and would surely let us into heaven. This is the lie that many people in our society believe today. Good works do not get us into heaven, but we do good works because God saved us through His Son, Jesus. It is our responsibility to understand and accept that faith in Jesus is the ONLY way to salvation and eternity with God. It is also our responsibility to share our faith with others and to pray for them. Paul is grieved for his Jewish brothers and sisters that have not accepted Christ, and he takes his grief to the Lord in prayer. Prayer is essential in our lives!
Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior? (Please read Romans 10:9-10) Salvation is for everyone!
If you have accepted Christ, who has God placed on your heart to pray for that needs to come to faith in Jesus? List them by name and begin to pray faithfully for them. Ask the Lord to show you how to share your faith with them. We can’t save anyone; however, the Holy Spirit can speak to their hearts through us.
Paul goes on to teach the people that God is close to them. He did all the work through His son, Jesus. God made the way for us. We don’t have to do anything to try and “reach” God. God reached out to us. It is up to each person to make the choice if they will receive or reject Christ. We are all accountable for that choice. The Jews struggled to accept this message of salvation because it was offered to both the Jew and the Gentile. They didn’t really like that plan. Israel rejected not only God’s plan of salvation, but also His inclusion of the Gentiles as co-heirs.
Has there been a time in your life when you could see God working – see His plan in your life, and you didn’t like it or agree with it? We often want our own way, or for God to follow our plan. It is up to us to accept God’s plan for us and operate in His blessing, or reject His plan and suffer the consequences of our disobedience.
What is God currently asking you to do and what is your response to Him?
We are all missionaries right where we are planted. Your ministry is what God has called YOU to do. Everywhere you go there is opportunity for ministry – at home, work, school, social gatherings, public places you frequent… Your conversations and the way you treat people is a ministry. In everything we say and do, we should be pointing others to Christ.
In what ways do you see God calling you to minister where He has planted you? Keep praying, keep seeking, and He will equip you.
