NBC SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON FOR AUGUST 1, 2021 : TOPIC – SALVATION FOR ALL WHO BELIEVE

NBC SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON FOR AUGUST 1, 2021 : TOPIC – SALVATION FOR ALL WHO BELIEVE

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NBC SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON

August 01, 2021

TOPIC: SALVATION FOR ALL WHO BELIEVE

Devotional Reading: Psalm 92: 1-14

Background Scripture reading: Romans 10:5-17

Lesson Scripture reading: Romans 10:5-17

Golden Text: For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Romans 10:13

By the end of the lesson, class members should be able to:

Explain the process through which salvation is for all;

Justify that the confession of faith in Christ is an indispensable step to salvation;

Express their resolve to reach the unreached with the Gospel.

Introduction

The Christian Education Department of the Nigerian Baptist Convention cherishes and encourages ingenuity. The reason is that one cannot continue to do the same thing in the same way, and then expect a different result. Sometime ago, the Director of the Department introduced a method whereby delegates were encouraged to preregister for the Conference online with a promise of a discount. According to record, it was observed that the number of registered delegates increased when compared with previous years. The following year, she was inspired to give gifts to as many that pre-registered for the Conference. Surprisingly, while the gifts were being distributed, others who had not pre-registered also wanted to have the gifts, not knowing that there was a condition attached to it. The struggle to get the gift was  serious until it was announ  that the free gifts were mean  serious until it was announced that the free gifts were meant for those who preregistered. Unlike the distributed gifts, God’s gift of salvation is all inclusive.

The first few verses of Romans chapter 10 indicate Paul’s sincere desire for the people to be saved. He rightly observed that their devotion to God was encouraging but was not based on true knowledge because they had not fully understood the concept of justification. They did not know that the law was no longer the basis for justification, since Christ has brought the law to an end. Paul wrote to inform them that everyone who believes is put right with God through Jesus Christ.

Therefore, just like pre-registration was a condition for getting a free gift during the Christian Education Conference, so faith in the Lord Jesus Christ enables us to be saved.

The focus of today’s lesson is that the gift of salvation is for all peoples who believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that He died, resurrected and lives forever.

THE LESSON EXPLAINED

A Comparison of the Old and New Romans 10:5-8

Paul’s concern for the spiritual state of the people of lsrael motivated him to pray earnestly for them. His prayer was necessitated by the fact that they did not depend on faith for their salvation; instead, they depended on their works. He made them understand that whoever believes in God will not be disappointed (Romans 9:30-33), which means salvation is for all who believe. ln verse 5, Paul made reference to Moses’ writing about righteousness that comes by obeying the law. In contrast, Paul affirmed what the Scripture says about righteousness through faith. Such faith does not give room for questions about who will  bring Christ down or up from the dead. To Paul, what matters was the message of faith that brings salvation for all who believe the gospel message (v. 8).

The import of Paul’s message is that the righteousness of God cannot be attained by human effort.

The Student Bible Dictionary defines the righteousness of God as rightness by God’s standards. It means matching one’s life with God’s commandments, love and purposes. Paul had a deep concern that the Jews were ignorant of the righteousness of God that brings justification to a sinner. He explained that Moses introduced righteousness, which was based on law but Christ has brought righteousness by faith and it is for all who believe. Salvation is not something that can be attained by human efforts; the only key is faith in Christ Jesus as the Son of God. God’s plan for humankind is to save His people from sin and trouble, as long as they call on Him for salvation.

The implication of this is that people must come to the point where they realise that salvation comes only through faith in Jesus.

Discussion Time 1

1. What do you understand by the universality of the Gospel and salvation?

2. Which is better, righteousness by obeying the law or faith in Jesus Christ? State your reasons.

B. Salvation ls Earned by Faith Romans 10:9-13

Again, Paul reaffirmed the necessity of faith as key to earn salvation. He said if you confess with your mouth that “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (v. 9) By faith we are justified, but this faith must be put into action as we confess with our mouth. When we confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord, we are solved.

According to verse II, the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in him will not be disappointed (Romans 9:33, ll). Therefore, it is important to note that the word “Whoever” suggests that anyone can become saved as long as they put their faith in Christ Jesus. God is the Lord of all who call on Him; there is no longer difference between Jews and Gentiles everyone is included in God’s plan of salvation. Jesus saves and blesses all who call Him.

Ultimately, God’s righteousness is not gained by works. It is when we confess and believe in Jesus Christ (as stated in verse 9) that we are saved. Paul uses the term ‘anyone’ to show that salvation is for oil. If keeping the low wos the condition for salvation, it would be merely on Jewish concern, but since faith is the criterion, it is available to Jews and Gentiles. Paul quoted Joel 2:32 to reestablish that believers’ salvation is guaranteed. Unbelievers must confess Jesus and accept Him as their Saviour and Lord,

while Christians must continue to live lives that

correspond with righteousness of Christ.

Discussion Time 2

1. What is the meaning of

righteousness?

2. Why is righteousness important in our relationship with God?

C. The Necessity of Preaching the Gospel Romans 10:14-17

Based on his declaration in verse 13 that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved, Paul asked some pertinent questions about the necessity of preaching the Gospel and the steps to take. He said:

▪︎How can they call on Him for salvation if they have not believed?

▪︎How will the people believe when they have not heard the message?

▪︎How will they hear the message if it has not been proclaimed?

▪︎How will the message be proclaimed if the messengers have not been commissioned for the task? His affirmation in verse 16 is a reference to Prophet Isaiah’s declaration, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” (Isaiah 52:7) Unfortunately, not all the Israelites accepted the good news. Thus lsaiah said, “Lord who has believed our message?” Paul concluded that faith can only come through constant hearing of the Word of God (v.17).

The steps stated above point to the fact that those who have already believed and accepted Jesus as Saviour and Lord will be used by God to help others hear the same message. God could have chosen any means for the message of salvation __ it could be angelic messengers or directly working without human preachers. Nevertheless, He chose to use those who have heard, believed the message and responded to it in faith. Little

wonder he used the phrase “beautiful feet” to describe those who preach the Gospel for the salvation of others, and it shows the blessedness of those who preach the Gospel. Every Christian is expected to respond to the task of preaching the gospel message as stated in verses l4 and 15. The lesson is a reminder that preaching the gospel message is a task that must be fulfilled by believers, especially in these days of corruption, juvenile delinquency, criminality, prostitution, child rape and trafficking, embezzlement of public funds, insecurity,

poverty, kidnapping, cultism as well as insurgency.

Discussion Time 3

1. Identify some hindrances to preaching the gospel message in our contemporary world and how to overcome them.

2. It is easy to make open confession that Jesus is Lord but how can we know those who actually believe in their hearts?

Fellowship and Ministry Building Activity

1. Let each class member narrate their conversion experience and the process.

2. Compare and contrast

righteousness through the law and righteousness through grace.

Take Home

• Confession of Jesus Christ is an indispensable step to

salvation.

• Jesus Christ is the end of the law for those who believe in Him.

• The righteousness of God is accessible to anyone who believes.

• The gift of salvation is easily attained and universally available to all.

• Salvation is a free gift from God through Jesus Christ.

• God’s imputed righteousness is by faith in Christ Jesus alone.

Please let everyone note that our Sunday School Lesson book erred in the second part of the lesson for this coming Sunday with the sub-topic: SALVATION IS EARNED BY FAITH.

The whole argument of Paul in Romans, Galatians and Ephesians is that salvation cannot be earned.

You earned what you work for. Salvation is not by works. No one works for salvation. It is given by grace through faith.

A better sub topic therefore is: SALVATION IS RECEIVED BY FAITH.

Thank you.

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