Romans, Part 28
Romans 9:1-15
Introduction
- Concluding chapter 8 what we saw was a rally cry for all believers
-- Living for God is a command that we each must follow, totally, and completely
-- It is not open for debate, and is something we must know that we can do it
- Tonight we enter a new section which discusses God’s mercy (teaching lesson)
- Many of us today need mercy, we need grace, and we are in dire places without it
- It is because of the cross that we receive grace, but Grace comes from God
- Stand and read Romans 9:1-15 / Pray
Point 1 – Praying for Israel (1-5)
- Paul offers confirmation through the Holy Spirit of his testimony
-- His conscious is such that it is in constant check with the Holy Spirit
- Paul’s understanding of the importance of the Spirit is critical
-- Ephesians 4:30, “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”
- He is unable to lie in this instance because of the ref to the Holy Spirit
- Everything he does, every way he lives is in communication with the Spirit
- Yet, even in that knowledge he still desires to help his people – to be with them
- Paul expresses a heart-ache over Israel’s current condition
-- Despair and judgment, outcast and rebellion, God’s name used in vain
-- Relevant to today because even now Israel is in the center of great controversy
- What we must realize as believers is our role to pray for and support Israel
- APP: God’s chosen people are there, and we must be united with them
- Paul’s connection to them is even deeper because he knows them personally
- Through their trials and struggles he still desires to help them; to comfort them
-- This gives great insight to Paul as a man of God – willing to reach others
-- But notice what he makes reference to: being cut off from Christ
- There is a tremendous human side to Paul being revealed to his readers
- He too, even though called into the ministry, wishes to help those he knows
- It is because of Israel’s place in God’s eyes that he knows they need the Lord
-- Paul knows that they also need to be freed from the oppression and hurt
-- Confirming the history and lineage is very important … but why?
-- Consider the reader of this section – this is to the Jews in the church in Rome
- He understands their plight as well to help those that they know as well
- But what’s more: Paul desires to go to them just as they would be doing also
- TRANS: Paul’s humanity is ONLY over-taken by his service to Christ
Point 2 – God’s Choice (6-14)
- APP: Doctrinal issues here which causes most church issues over Israel
- Gentiles who believe are also of Abraham's spiritual seed; but here the apostle is not considering them, but only the two kinds of Israelites, the natural and the spiritual Israel.
- Romans 4:1-3, “What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter? If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”
- Galatians 3:6-7, “So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham.”
- John 8:37-39, “I know that you are Abraham’s descendants. Yet you are looking for a way to kill me, because you have no room for my word. I am telling you what I have seen in the Father’s presence, and you are doing what you have heard from your father.” “Abraham is our father,” they answered. “If you were Abraham’s children,” said Jesus, “then you would do what Abraham did”
- The rejection of the Jews by the gospel dispensation did not break God's promises
-- APP: God is faithful to redeem & keep His word, but not always as we think
-- The promises and threatening of the Lord throughout history shall be fulfilled
- Just as God foresaw both Esau and Jacob as born in sin (by Rebekah), by nature they were children of wrath
- If left to themselves they would have continued in sin through life; but for wise and holy reasons, not made known to us, he purposed to change Jacob's heart, and to leave Esau to his perverseness.
- Mal 1:2-3, “I have loved you,” says the LORD. “But you ask, ‘How have you loved us?’ “Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the LORD. “Yet I have loved Jacob, but Esau I have hated, and I have turned his hill country into a wasteland and left his inheritance to the desert jackals.”
- This instance of Esau and Jacob throws light upon the Divine conduct to the fallen race of man.
- The whole Scripture shows the difference between the professed Christian and the real believer.
- Outward privileges are bestowed on many who are not the children of God.
-- There is, however, full encouragement to diligent use of the means of grace which God has appointed.
- APP: Whatever God does, must be just.
- APP: God's grace alone makes them differ.
- In this preventing His grace, he acts as a benefactor; whose grace is His own
- None have deserved it; so that those who are saved, must thank God only; and those who perish, must blame themselves only
- TRANS: This is critical to understand as a modern day follower of Jesus Christ
Conclusion
- When we consider all that we go through; we must constantly turn to God
- It is God that provides comfort and even as we see Esau and Jacob’s plight
- In our lives, we are to turn fully to God for comfort and for mercy
- Because He is the one who provides it; for all who seek after Him … fully
- Pray
