1. The stumbling stone (9:30-33)

It is not enough to be sincere or zealous. The people of Israel were zealous, but they lost God's blessing because they were proud. They thought they could do something for God before accepting what God had done for them. Jesus is the stumbling stone God laid in Zion. His death was shameful, so one can only come to him with a humble, repentant heart. Proud people do not want to repent, so they fall under God's hand of judgment. But anyone who confesses his sins and trusts in Jesus will be saved.

2. The righteousness of God (10:1-4)

Jesus is the righteousness that comes from God. He fulfilled the law; he kept God's promises. We are unrighteous sinners; until our sin problem is solved, whatever we do is sin. We cannot save ourselves by our own zeal or righteousness. God does not look at our zeal. He looks at Jesus. We must come to Jesus and submit to God's righteousness.

Application: Lord, I come, 'Just as I am, without one plea, but that thy blood was shed for me.'
One Word: By faith in Jesus alone