Dive deep into the intricacies of faith as Rabbi Schneider guides us through Paul’s epistle to the Romans. Discover how faith, grace, and the belief in Yeshua shape our path to righteousness. Learn about the power of faith, exemplified by Abraham, and how it transcends works and brings us into a promised relationship with God. This episode explores the journey from zeal in faith to the potential pitfalls of relying on works and offers insights into staying true to the gospel’s message of grace.
If you’re believing God for something that is in His Word, that’s biblical to believe, something that Yeshua has purchased for you, keep believing. Keep believing for your freedom.
SPEAKER 03 :
Many of us start our faith off with a lot of zeal, and we realize that we’re saved by faith, that it’s a gift of God. But as we continue along the journey, sometimes we get deceived and off track, thinking that it’s our works that justify us, and it’s our works who can make us clean before God. But we’ve been learning as we’re exploring Paul’s epistle, the book of Romans, where We’ve been learning that that’s not how it works. We needed the gift of God when we got saved. We need it today, and we’ll still need that gift tomorrow. Rabbi, we’re picking up in Romans 4, verse 16 today.
SPEAKER 02 :
Yeah, so for those of you that are tuning in for the first time to this series, just very quick, a summation here. Paul has gone to extensive lengths to teach us that we can only walk in blamelessness before our Creator by putting our faith in the One that lived and died and rose again on our behalf, and that it’s only through His blood that we can be made legally righteous before our Creator. Paul began this by speaking to the Jews and saying to them that you’re guilty because you’ve disobeyed the law. And then to the Gentiles, you’re guilty because you haven’t paid attention to the Holy Spirit’s witness in your conscience, and that everybody’s guilty, and that faith is the remedy. So we’re picking up right now in the 16th verse of Romans 4, and Paul says this, “…for this reason it is by faith, in order that it might be in accordance with grace…” I want to just pause for a second. We’re talking about faith. Faith is a power. Faith is the conviction of things unseen. It’s the conviction that Yeshua was a real person, God clothed in human form, that he really lived, that the innocent one gave his life for the guilty and by receiving this gift and this reality that we are then made righteous in him. And this is a gift, and this is the word I want to highlight here, of grace. Once again, It is by faith in order that it might be in accordance with grace. And grace is unmerited favor. And what Dustin was alluding to a moment ago is a lot of times when we first hear the gospel, we hear the gospel presented. We believe that God sent his son to die in our place while we were yet sinners. We receive it as a free gift given by grace. But then as we start attending churches, we we sometimes fall into a different thought pattern where we don’t fully receive God’s love for us through His Son, but instead we start trying to measure our loveliness based on our works. For the Jewish people, Paul illustrated it, because they weren’t keeping the law. But to Gentiles, Paul also said in the book of Galatians, he said, you foolish Galatians, did your walk with God begin by the works of the law or by the free gift of the Spirit? He said, who deceived you? You fell for a different gospel. And so we just want to stress today, this walk that we enjoy with our Creator, it’s a gift of unconditional love that comes to us through grace. And we want to continue to stay on that pathway. So let’s read the verse again. For this reason it is by faith, in order that it might be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all descendants, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who’s the father of Esau. So what’s going on here? Paul says that this free gift of salvation is given not just to the descendants of those that receive the law, it’s not just to the Jewish people, but it’s also to the descendants of Abraham, who was the father of faith. And why is he saying that? Because Abraham believed God before he was circumcised. In other words, Abraham didn’t have the law, the law had not yet been given during Abraham’s lifetime. And beyond that, Abraham was considered righteous before God. He believed God and was considered righteous before he was circumcised. So Abraham is the center figure of faith. He’s the father of all that believe, both the circumcised, because the lineage goes through into the Jewish people, And Abraham’s lineage also goes to the Gentiles who put their faith in Jesus that are not Jews, but they’re descendants of Abraham because Abraham became a justified child of God before he was circumcised. So if you’re a Gentile today, you’re not an Israelite, you’re not a Jew, but you put your faith in the God of Abraham. then you’re part of God’s family. Abraham is your father because Abraham is the father of faith to all those that believe, to both the Jew and the Gentile.
SPEAKER 03 :
I love this, Rabbi, because it just shows the faithfulness of God that we can trust his promises because that last verse you’re reading, the faith of Abraham who is the father of us all, and then that next verse it says, as it is written, a father of many nations have I made you. he fulfilled his promise to Abraham. And Abraham, who believed in faith, we’ve seen now that promise be fulfilled to him. How much more now can we trust God and have faith to save us?
SPEAKER 02 :
Yeah. And remember earlier, Paul was speaking and he said that God’s righteousness has been revealed from heaven, Paul said, apart from the works of the law.
SPEAKER 01 :
Why?
SPEAKER 02 :
Because Abraham was was the father of all believers apart from the works of the law. It’s right here. And then he continues here, and he says that Father Abraham, a father of many nations whom I have made you, and then he continues, in the presence of him, speaking of Hashem, speaking of Father God, whom he believed, even God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist. He’s just speaking about faith there. Abraham believed in God. who calls into being that which does not yet exist. And then he elaborates on the texture or the substance of Abraham’s faith by describing it. And Paul says this about Abraham’s faith. In hope against hope, he believed so that he might become a father of many nations, according to that which had been spoken, so should your descendants be. And he goes on about Abraham’s faith. He said, without becoming weak in faith, he contemplated his own body, Now as good as dead, since he was about 100 years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb, yet with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief, but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God. In other words, here he is, he’s promised a son, he’s 100. Okay, his body, Paul describes as good as dead. And Sarah, same situation. And what’s amazing to me, Dustin, it says in that place, Abraham kept growing stronger in faith.
SPEAKER 03 :
Wow. That’s a testament. If God told me I was going to have a child at 100 years old, that’s some faith right there. Yeah. That’s real to believe in something like that that doesn’t exist yet like that. That’s a big deal.
SPEAKER 02 :
Yeah, I kind of relate in my own life, you know, I’ve been dealing with some skin issues and I’m believing in God to supernaturally heal my body. And I just love believing in God for the healing of my body because according to the Word of God in Isaiah 53, Yeshua not only died for our sin. But he took our own sickness into his own body in the tree. That’s why Matthew, in Matthew chapter 8, after Jesus got done healing everybody, Matthew said this was to fulfill Isaiah’s prophecy. And then Matthew quoted Isaiah 53. And Isaiah 53 is all about the atonement. And when you go to Isaiah 53, it speaks about Yeshua dying in our place. He died in the place of the guilty and took our sickness into his body. So I believe the same one that forgives our sin, we should look to to be the health of our body. I’m saying that because Abraham grew strong in faith. Because God said, I’m going to give you a child. He looked at his body, 100 years old. He looked at his wife. But the Bible says he kept going stronger in faith, looking at his body and looking at his wife’s body.
SPEAKER 03 :
I mean, this just makes me think, we as Christians, we have this great, awesome God who, as you just read, gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist. How much more, Rabbi, should we be believing God to do these amazing, great things in our lives?
SPEAKER 02 :
Exactly. So that’s kind of what I was bringing up here. So I’m looking at my skin, believing God for my healing. And as soon as I wake up in the morning and it’s like my skin’s worse than the day before, but rather than getting weak in faith, I find my faith keep rising. Wow. Wow. I’m encouraged. That’s what Abraham said here. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. So he did not waver in unbelief in verse number 20, but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God. Abraham was not a victim of circumstances. He had a supernatural anointing, a supernatural power on him. It was the same power, Dustin, that raised Jesus from the dead, which caused him to grow in faith, even when the natural around him seemed to be speaking complete unbelief. opposite to what he was promised, but it says, but being fully assured in the next verse that what God had promised, he was also able to perform.
SPEAKER 03 :
That is powerful. God give us that kind of grace. Yeah. We need to walk in this, Rabbi.
SPEAKER 02 :
Yeah. You know, the Lord said to me years ago, I mean, literally he spoke to me, he said to me, seize my word. And don’t let anything else in. Abraham heard God’s word. At this time next year, you’re going to have a child. And he didn’t see any evidence that this promise was going to come true. But he didn’t let that in. He sees God’s word. He didn’t waver, the scripture says there, in unbelief, but grew strong in faith. giving glory to God. So I just want to encourage all of our listeners today. I’m speaking to you, my friends. You’re listening right now. You’re believing God for something biblical, something that’s promised to you in God’s Word. And I just want to encourage you today, there’s a testing sometime of our faith. And the reason there’s a testing of our faith is because believing God when there’s not evidence that what we’re believing for is happening, that will strengthen our faith, just like Abraham here. He had a promise. The promise wasn’t happening. In fact, he spent most of his adult life waiting for the promise. The promise came when he was 100, but it was given earlier. Through your seed, Abraham, all the nations of the earth shall be blessed. He’s waiting for the seed, but Sarah couldn’t get pregnant. But his faith got getting stronger.
SPEAKER 03 :
Yeah.
SPEAKER 02 :
So I want to encourage you today, my beloved friends that are listening, if you’re believing God for something that is in his word, that’s biblical to believe, something that Yeshua has purchased for you, keep believing. Keep believing for your freedom. Yeshua said, if the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed. Keep believing for your deliverance out of depression. Keep believing for God, not to make you rich necessarily, but to give you the means, the financial means, to be able to pay your bills if you’re living a responsible life. Believe God for your health. Keep believing God to be and do what he said he would be and do for us. God is a good God, and he’s accessed through faith. Faith opens up a door for the Holy Spirit to work in our life. This is why people receive their healing from Jesus when they believe. Jesus would heal people. He said, your faith has made you well.
SPEAKER 03 :
Wow, if you’re enjoying this conversation, make sure to stay tuned in. But first, I want to thank you for listening to Discovering the Jewish Jesus. I also want to invite you to visit our website. That’s discoveringthejewishjesus.com. We’ve got lots of articles there that’ll help you dive deeper into the Word, just like we’re doing today. For example, Rabbi has one titled, Set Apart, that refers to Paul’s life and his writings in Romans. And if you want even more teaching on this book of the Bible, just check out our podcast. All you have to do is search Discovering the Jewish Jesus Podcast on YouTube or Spotify, whatever podcasting platform you like to listen to. And we really believe you’ll be blessed by all of these resources. And the truth is we couldn’t have them without you. They’re all thanks to your generous support. And if you feel the Lord leading you today to support us, would you give a financial gift to help us continue doing what we do? Just call the number 800-777-7835. That’s 800-777-7835. Or you can give online at discoveringthejewishjesus.com. And now let’s jump back into our study of Romans.
SPEAKER 02 :
Amen. You know, Paul was speaking here all about what Yeshua’s done for us. But I want to point out something very, very important that I think a lot of times as believers we can miss, because our focus sometimes as believers is all upon Jesus. And oftentimes we have a theological concept that, you know, it all begins and ends with Jesus. But that’s really not a full biblical concept because it was the Father. that was moved to send Jesus to die on the cross for us. So it doesn’t end with Jesus and it doesn’t begin with Jesus, but rather it begins with the Father and it ends with the Father. So again, I’m speaking to perhaps some of you right now, and you know, you pray to Jesus, you sing to Jesus, and you don’t think sometimes about the Father. But when Jesus taught us to pray, he said, pray in this way, our Father that art in heaven, And so, Gia said, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man cometh to the Father but through me. And the reason, Dustin, I’m bringing this up now and my listening audience is because in the same discussion in verse 24, as Paul is discussing here about being justified through faith, because it says in verse 24, we believe—and here’s Paul’s words—we believe in him— who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. So notice our faith there isn’t just in Jesus. It’s in the Father who raised Jesus from the dead.
SPEAKER 03 :
Wow. That’s good. They’re working together as one, and Jesus is always pointing us back to the Father.
SPEAKER 02 :
So we’re putting our faith, beloved, in the Father that raised Jesus from the dead, and we’re putting our faith in Jesus, recognizing that he is the propitiation for our sins that the Father has given us. And then Paul continues in his last verse in this chapter by saying he, referring to Yeshua, he was delivered over because of our transgressions. What does that mean? Because of our sins. It’s like… You know, the Romans didn’t kill Jesus. The Jews didn’t kill Jesus. You and I killed Jesus. I mean, the Romans had a part. The Jews had a part. But at the end of the day, it’s because of my sin and your sin that the nails were pierced through his hands and in his feet.
SPEAKER 03 :
It’s hard to even think about that sometimes because it happened so long ago. And to think a moment that it’s the fact that, you know, what I said the other day that I shouldn’t have said or, you know, the person I hurt that I shouldn’t have hurt, that that’s why he had to go to the cross because I chose to do something wrong. That’s not something that we think of much unless it’s, you know, a Good Friday service.
SPEAKER 02 :
The Bible says that Yeshua was slain before the foundation of the world. Right. So the fact that our sin today is what crucified Jesus, God’s outside of time. Every sin was part of that spirit inside.
SPEAKER 03 :
And not just for our past sins, Rabbi, but even what’s coming, what we still might make mistakes.
SPEAKER 02 :
Absolutely. The past, present, and future. So exactly what we were saying, Dustin. He was delivered over because of our transgressions. He was given for godless men to crucify him because of our sin. And then it goes on to say, and was raised because of our justification. Crucified for our sin, then raised again. Because the father was saying, now that my son has died in your place, he’s taken your guilt away. The price has been paid. Jesus died in your place. And now I’ve raised him from the dead and brought him back to life that you might know you’re now justified.
SPEAKER 03 :
Amen. Amen. He’s like the perfect lawyer. Not only does he like argue our case, but he actually takes the punishment for us too, even when we’re found guilty and like we’re totally free. You know, what criminal case could you do where you’re actually guilty and then hire someone to actually take the punishment for you and then, you know, go argue that you’re innocent?
SPEAKER 02 :
That’s a heavy thought. You know, I’m thinking, Dustin, as you’re saying that, one of the most lovely things things about what Father did for us through Yeshua is this. God is both holy and just. He’s completely holy and completely just. And he’s also completely loving. He’s totally holy and just and completely loving. So how does a loving, holy God… Be just and forgive sin. Let’s just give an example. Let’s say that there’s somebody out—this is a terrible thing to say, but people understand that. You know, let’s say that there’s a person that has abused children, and they knew what they were doing was terribly evil and wrong. Can God forgive that person just because they say they’re sorry? That’d be a travesty of justice.
SPEAKER 03 :
That would be a travesty of justice. I’m sorry, and then, oh, you’re free.
SPEAKER 02 :
No, that’s just the worst example. But the point that I’m trying to make here is saying I’m sorry is not enough for God to forgive sin. You can’t just beat your wife up and then say, you know, I’m sorry, and, oh, it’s okay, you said you’re sorry. No. Sin has to be punished. And so the way that a loving and just God could both satisfy his requirement for justice and also be able to release his love for humanity at the same time was to have his son die for the guilty. And I know that the example that I gave of a child abuser is terrible because that’s so extreme. And I know some of us emotionally are feeling like, no, God can never forgive a child molester or not understand emotionally that kind of reaction. But we have to believe that Jesus’ death on the cross is sufficient. His blood is sufficient to forgive every sin. I just use that example because it’s so extreme that God just can’t forgive people because they said, I’m sorry. The harm that their actions have done, saying I’m sorry is not enough. There has to be justice done. And so God was able to fulfill his justice, which is the requirement of his holiness, by having his son take the penalty in himself for all of us that are sinners, all humanity. And because he was able to satisfy his justice by having his son beaten, whipped, scourged, spit on, mocked, rejected, laughed at, and finally crucified… He’s now able to release his love towards us because his justice has been satisfied because of our sin.
SPEAKER 03 :
Yeah, yeah. I’m thinking of a white garment and just a small ink stain or a big ink stain. Both of them ruin the cleanliness of that garment, no matter whether our sin feels small or whether it feels big. The fact is, the moment that stain hits the garment, it’s no longer pure, no longer holy. Right.
SPEAKER 02 :
and so forth so rabbi maybe someone’s listening right now they feel like they’ve got a big sin or a little sin and god’s grace is enough for them what would you say put your faith in jesus put your faith in yeshua his blood is so powerful that it covers every single sin when he was born the angel said to his parents you shall call his name yahshua which means Yah, Yahweh saves, Jesus saves, and his sacrificial death is omnipotent, and he can save everybody, even the worst sinner on the planet. And this is what Paul said, that he was saved, someone that was out to kill Christians, yet God saved him. And Paul said this was an example to all humanity that God is able to save even the worst of sinners. Father, we ask you right now for cleansing, forgiveness, and deliverance. And we worship you and thank you in Yeshua’s name. My beloved friend, if you’re listening right now, God is strengthening you in the word of God as you’re hearing me minister today. I want to ask you, would you just present a financial gift to the Lord through discovering the Jewish Jesus? It’s only through your financial gifts that we can reach the world through the gospel. And God has ordained in his word that those that are being blessed through a ministry should support that ministry, being blessed through.
SPEAKER 03 :
Amen. And so if God is calling you to give a financial gift of any amount to Discovering the Jewish Jesus, then please give online at discoveringthejewishjesus.com. Or if it’s easier for you, just go and give us a call at 800-777-7835. And as a token of our appreciation when you give, we want to make sure that you receive our latest newsletter in the mail. Every issue gives you additional insights from Rabbi. Plus, you’ll also be able to see the impact that you’re giving is having through the testimonies that our listeners send in. I also want you to know today that we have a powerful resource package that’s waiting for you, and it explores the biblical path to freedom and deliverance. It’s a complimentary gift, and it includes Rabbi’s comprehensive PDF guide on It reveals how believers can break free from spiritual strongholds through the power of Jesus. And you’ll also receive an inspiring audio message that shows you how to walk in the freedom that Jesus purchased for you. This amazing bundle, it’s yours and it’s free at myfreegift.com forward slash freedom. That’s myfreegift.com forward slash freedom. And now let’s turn things back over to Rabbi Schneider as he closes today’s message special blessing.
SPEAKER 02 :
The Aaronic blessing in the book of Numbers chapter 6 is not a blessing that comes from an impersonal being out there somewhere in the heavens. This special blessing comes from a person, Yahweh God Almighty, our creator and maker. So receive God’s blessing into your life right now.
The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift you up with His countenance. And the Lord give you, beloved one, His peace. God bless you and shalom.
SPEAKER 03 :
This program is produced and sponsored by Discovering the Jewish Jesus. And I’m your host, Dustin Roberts. Join us tomorrow when Rabbi Schneider explores the free gift of God’s grace and peace. That’s Thursday on Discovering the Jewish Jesus.
