Chico Alliance Church
Pastor David Welch
“The Master Potter”
Review
I. Receive the gift of righteousness
Paul spent the first two and a half chapters of his letter cataloging crimes against the righteous King whose anger has been stirred and emphasizing the need for God’s righteousness. Until we appreciate the gravity of our sin against God, we will never fully appreciate the absolute wonder of His mercy and grace and His offer to become a profoundly cherished member not only of His kingdom but His family. Not only does God forgive our arrogant crimes against Him and rewrite our horrific history, but he also credits us with deeds we did not even accomplish; deeds eternally accomplished by His perfect Son. Just as Abraham believed that God does what He promises and God responded to his belief by crediting his life record with all of the righteous actions of His Son…
…so such righteousness will be credited to us as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification. (Romans 4:24-25) This great work of God for us is called justification and it is the theme of this letter.
Justification – God declares guilty sinners “not guilty” and views them as having always done right - all on the basis of
Christ’s substitutionary death and glorious resurrection.
On the basis of this remarkable work, God releases the floodgates of blessing into the life of the believer.
Starting in chapter five and running all the way to chapter eight, Paul touches on numerous spiritual blessings or benefits that come to those who trust Christ as a result of justification. What began in gloom ends in glory. What started out hopeless ends with a deep conviction and anticipation of a glorious future! What opened with screams of doom ends with shouts of delight.
II. Apply the Gift of Righteousness
A. New peace and reconciliation with God (5:1)
Opening up whole new possibilities of relationship with God
B. New hope of a glorious transformation (5:2)
Providing a whole new anticipation of life here and hereafter.
C. New appreciation for the struggles of life (5:3-8)
Enabling a new perseverance under tribulation realizing their divine purpose
D. New guarantee of escape from the coming wrath (5:9)
Freeing us from fear of facing a holy God in future
E. New assurance of our complete salvation (5:10)
Giving us confidence in God’s continued work in us.
F. New excitement concerning our reconciliation with God (5:11)
Encouraging us to tell others and shout about our relationships with God
G. New heritage and connection to Christ’s righteous life (5:12-21)
Freeing us to discard the baggage of our earthly heritage and embrace our new heritage
H. New identification with the death and resurrection of Christ (6:1-14)
Breaking the hold that sin and the law had and assuring resurrection life
I. New master (6:15-23)
Motivating us to think differently about our old ways and walk in the new ways.
J. New relationship to the law (7:1-13)
Freeing us from condemnation of the law to serve God in the newness of our new spirit
K. New Struggle against the flesh (7:14-25)
Demonstrating that God has put new desires that long to serve Him not sin.
L. New Victory in Jesus through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. (8:1-30)
Providing all the help we need to walk in newness of life.
1. The Holy Spirit eliminates condemnation for those in Christ
2. The Holy Spirit establishes His new life in our spirit
3. The Holy Spirit ensures our complete deliverance
4. The Holy Spirit enables us to put to death the works of the flesh and emulate the Father’s nature.
5. The Holy Spirit echoes our sonship
6. The Holy Spirit encourages us in the midst of misery
7. The Holy Spirit edits our prayers in the midst of weakness.
The Grand Conclusion
What shall we say to all this?
Since God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Romans 8:31-32
• No Charges
Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies; Romans 8:33
• No Condemnation
who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Romans 8:34
• No separation from Christ’s love
Who will separate us from the love of Christ?
Paul was thoroughly convinced that absolutely nothing could separate the genuine believer from the intentional love of God demonstrated through Christ Jesus.
Having so powerfully presented a thorough explanation of how a rebellions sinner separated from God can move from separation to embrace, Paul contemplates the state of his own countrymen, the Jewish people in terms of this great salvation. When you run into a great blessing, you want everyone to take advantage of it. The next three chapters express the heart of a passionate man of God concerned for the eternal destiny of those he deeply loves. In some ways, this serves as an “aside”, explaining where Israel or the Jews fit into the purposes of God. These chapters present some difficult concepts and have been known to stir up some lively debate and conversation over the centuries. Without spending to much time in the thinner atmosphere of lofty theological concepts I will try do my best to offer a framework for thinking about some of the things taught by Paul.
Passages like this cause a hearty, “Amen” to the Apostle Peter’s assessment of Paul’s letters.
and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand… 2 Peter 3:15-16
III. Place of Israel in the God’s Plan of Salvation
A. The Passion of Paul for souls Expressed 9:1-5
I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh, who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons, and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple service and the promises, whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.
I find it fascinating that in the midst of such a deep theological argument runs an unmistakable thread of personal passion. It was Paul’s intense passion to see his countrymen save that triggered this deep theological argument in the first place. Perhaps Paul’s declaration that nothing can separate the child of God from the love of God in Christ caused Paul to think about the chosen people of God. If I were to summarize these first five verses in a sentence it might be Paul saying,
“I’d give ANYTHING to see my fellow Jews saved.”
Who are the ones so dear to Paul’s heart? He unmistakably identifies them.
“My brethren and kinsmen by genealogical connection “according to the flesh”.
Paul refers here to an ancestral, national connection.
1. They were Israelites.
2. They were recipients of great privilege.
a) Adopted as sons
b) Witness to God’s Glory
c) Beneficiaries of Covenants “Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David”
d) Recipients of the great Law
e) Participants in divine Worship
f) Objects of numerous promises “Land, seed, blessing”
3. There were descendants of the great Patriarchs
4. They were the physical ancestors of Jesus who is also the sovereign Lord and eternal God Himself.
The passion for his lost countrymen expressed here is so intense that Paul felt the need to let people know he was not merely using hyperbole or exaggeration.
“I’m not lying.”
“Both Christ and the Holy Spirit would testify that this is how I really feel.”
Some might give money to see others saved.
Some would sacrifice time and energy.
Some would even invest their whole life to see others saved.
A few might even sacrifice their own life for the eternal salvation of others.
How many would be willing to sacrifice their own eternal destiny?
How many would sacrifice their close relationship with Christ to see others saved?
How many would choose eternal punishment so that others might experience eternal life?
Well, Paul would. Paul expressed willingness, a prayer even (he uses a common word for prayer), to be cursed (considered anathama) for the sake of his brethren – to see them saved.
The verb tense used here does not express an incessant prayer or wish but an intermittent desire. Paul realized he could not be separated from Christ. He confidently declared as much in just the previous chapter. He did however from time to time feel such a passion to see Jews saved that he would be willing to make that choice if possible. By the way, these are some of the same Jews who continually dogged and disrupted his ministry, stoned him, and eventually had him killed.
There are only two in the Bible that I know of who exhibited this level of passion for others. Moses and Paul. Moses (Exodus 32) bargained with the Lord to forgive the Israelites or blot His name out of the book of life. Paul’s longing for their salvation caused emotional turmoil. He describes it as great sorrow and unceasing grief in his heart.
“great (megas) sorrow” pain of body or mind, grief, sorrow.
“unceasing grief” incessant distress, grief, pain.
Even though the prayer may not have been incessant, the pain in his heart for the salvation of the Jews was. The emotional distress stirring in Paul’s heart regarding his lost countrymen was intense and incessant which surfaced from time to time in a conscious consideration and willingness to suffer personal loss in order that they might find personal life. It was so intense and incessant that he would have sacrificed his own eternal destiny in order to relive it. I tell you right now, I do not have that kind of passion for the lost or for that matter, anyone. I don’t know too many who do. I know some that have a deep passion and have sacrificed much to see others saved. The majority of our Alliance missionaries have that kind of passion. At least the ones we encountered in Guinea. We met a young couple in their early 20s at the renewal conference on their way to Guinea that exhibited such a passion to serve God that it seemed to fill the room like a fragrance flower.
Paul’s passionate desire manifested in continual prayer.
Brethren, my heart's desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation. Romans 10:1
How does one develop this kind of passion? Perhaps if we better understood what it meant to be lost and without Christ we would have a greater drive to see people saved from such an awful fate. Perhaps if we were not so self-focused and now-centered in life, we would be willing to risk emotional trauma on behalf of others. If we can discern such a passionate heart for the lost in a servant of God, perhaps it is the heartbeat of God as well.
Passion Scale
PRAYER
Paul’s heart struggle drew him into a theological struggle.
“Why aren’t the Jews saved?”
“What seems to be the problem?”
“With all that privilege and advantage, what keeps them from embracing Christ?”
B. The Problem Exposed: Why aren’t all the Jews Saved?
1. God’s word hasn’t failed has it?
One might first think that the Word of God is somehow not powerful enough to convince everyone. Paul would not entertain such a thought for even a moment and categorically denied such an allegation. After all, he emphatically declared at the beginning of his letter that his passion came from his utmost confidence in the power of the Gospel.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Romans 1:16
But it is NOT as though the word of God has failed. 9:6a
The reason every Jew was not embracing Jesus was not a failure of the Word of God! So what was it? In the course of Paul’s argument there are several bold and difficult assertions regarding the sovereignty of God. No amount of interpretive finesse can escape a most clear message in this passage. God is the Master Potter and we are merely the clay subject to the will of the Potter.
2. Every person or group has not been chosen by God
Paul appeals to two well-known Old Testament examples.
a) Isaac was chosen, Ishmael was not.
For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; nor are they all children because they are Abraham's descendants, but: "THROUGH ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS WILL BE NAMED." That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants. For this is the word of promise: "AT THIS TIME I WILL COME, AND SARAH SHALL HAVE A SON." Romans 9:6b-9
Even though God ended up blessing Ishmael, he was not the promised heir.
God’s promises were to the descendents of Isaac. Just because the descendents of Ishmael claim connection with Abraham does not make them children of promise.
Jon Flavel wrote, “If Abraham’s faith be not in your hearts, it will be no advantage that Abraham’s blood runs in your veins.”
The point Paul makes is that God operates on a spiritual level not on a fleshly level. It is the children of promise, the ones who God establishes a link who are his children. The sovereign God chose Isaac over Ishmael.
OK, I understand why God might have made that choice. It is obvious that Ishmael was the result of impatience in Abraham’s faith. Ishmael was connected to Abraham but not Sarah. Ishmael was the son of an Egyptian handmaid.
b) Jacob was chosen, Esau was not
And not only this, but there was Rebekah also, when she had conceived twins by one man, our father Isaac; for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God's purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls, it was said to her, "THE OLDER WILL SERVE THE YOUNGER." Just as it is written, "JACOB I LOVED, BUT ESAU I HATED." Romans 9:10-13
The second illustration presents an even greater difficulty. This choice was between two direct heirs from the same moment of conception. It appears that God makes choices not only regarding groups or nations but individuals. Here are two children directly descended from Abraham. One is chosen by God, the other not. In fact, the language indicates that God loved Jacob but hated Esau. Many interpret this Old Testament formula to indicate acceptance and rejection. Jacob I have chosen, but Esau I have rejected or not chosen.” Others take a cue from Jesus difficult requirement that unless you “hate” your family you cannot be His genuine followers. By this Jesus seems to indicate intensity of preference.
Unless you strongly desire to follow me over loyalty to family you are not a true disciple.
In this case God preferred Jacob to Esau. However you interpret this phrase the point is clear. God chose Jacob over Esau. So, on what basis did God choose Jacob over Esau? Was it because Esau was such a lousy person? He had his problems but Jacob was no jewel of a person either. According to this passage God made His determination even before they were born or exhibited any good or bad behavior. God determined that the younger would have the place of authority. God determined that the younger would have the place of privilege not based on anything but His own determination.\
Here we slam into a truth that seems to grate on most people, even Christians. We have difficult letting God be God. We think that God must live by our sense of fairness and justice. God’s purpose comes about by HIS choice not ours. God’s purpose comes about not because of our conduct but because of His calling.
so that God's purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls
Note the contrast between works and calling. People are not chosen because of their wonderful works. People are chosen because God chooses to call them. Paul appears to indicate that many of His brethren will not be saved simply because God did not choose them. That doesn’t seem fair or just. If you understand this section properly, you must face this issue of justice. Paul anticipates that in the next section.
3. God shows mercy to whomever he chooses to show mercy
What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? May it never be! Romans 9:14
Again, Paul is quick to keep our concept of God straight and appeals directly to God’s actions in the past.
For He says to Moses, "I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION." So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy. For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE I RAISED YOU UP, TO DEMONSTRATE MY POWER IN YOU, AND THAT MY NAME MIGHT BE PROCLAIMED THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE EARTH." So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires. Romans 9:15-18
He showed mercy to Moses and the children of Israel (even though they themselves did not deserve it) in order to demonstrate his compassion. He hardened the heart of Pharaoh in order to illustrate his power and exalt is name throughout the whole earth. God Chose Moses over Pharaoh. God chose Israel over Egypt.
Not only did God choose Moses over Pharaoh, God hardened Pharaoh and temporarily spared Pharaoh in order to bring about His own purposes.
1 – Demonstrate his power
2 – Make His name known throughout the whole earth.
On what basis did God choose? Notice again the emphasis on God’s choice not on men’s merit.
So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.
Do such choices constitute injustice on God’s part? Paul declared that such charges of injustice are unfounded.
Consider this!
• God created all things including the human race.
• The first man rebelled against the Creator
• Since the fall, all men are guilty.
• No one seeks after God without some kind divine intervention.
• All will continue to reject God and continue to do their own thing rightfully incurring just punishment for their rebellious attitudes and actions.
So what are God’s choices?
• Rescue everyone.
• Rescue no one (star over?)
• Rescue some and not others.
I would imagine, as Creator, God could have rightly or justly chosen any of the three options. It appears that God opted for choice number three. If it is true that some Jews or Gentiles do are not saved because God chooses some but leaves other, then how can he blame those who don’t choose Him? Paul anticipates that issue and passionately responds.
4. God has the right to call whoever he desires
You will say to me then, "Why does He still find fault? For who resists His will?" On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, "Why did you make me like this," will it? Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use?
Again we squarely face the sovereignty of God. We have become so accustomed to the concept of God meeting our needs, touching our life, fixing our problems, coming to our rescue, blessing our life,
What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction? And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory, even us, whom He also called, not from among Jews only, but also from among Gentiles. As He says also in Hosea,
"I WILL CALL THOSE WHO WERE NOT MY PEOPLE, 'MY PEOPLE,'
AND HER WHO WAS NOT BELOVED, 'BELOVED.' "
"AND IT SHALL BE THAT IN THE PLACE WHERE IT WAS SAID TO THEM, 'YOU ARE NOT MY PEOPLE,'
THERE THEY SHALL BE CALLED SONS OF THE LIVING GOD."
Isaiah cries out concerning Israel, "THOUGH THE NUMBER OF THE SONS OF ISRAEL BE LIKE THE SAND OF THE SEA, IT IS THE REMNANT THAT WILL BE SAVED; FOR THE LORD WILL EXECUTE HIS WORD ON THE EARTH, THOROUGHLY AND QUICKLY." And just as Isaiah foretold,
"UNLESS THE LORD OF SABAOTH HAD LEFT TO US A POSTERITY,
WE WOULD HAVE BECOME LIKE SODOM, AND WOULD HAVE RESEMBLED GOMORRAH." Romans 9:19-29
5. Jews are lost because they failed to believe 9:30-10:4
The issues falls to the basis on which God chooses and man’s part in the process.
Yes salvation ultimately has to do with God’s sovereign choice but man also has responsibility. God is sovereign. God in his sovereignty has granted freewill to man.
Man’s freewill begins and ends where God declares it to begin and end. Even in the earlier examples there is a mysterious interplay between these two things. God promised Abraham and Sarah a son but Abraham believed God. God rejected Esau but Esau also foolishly forfeited his rightful birthright. God hardened Pharaoh but Pharaoh hardened himself first.
Scripture clearly teaches that we did not choose God but He chose us. (John 15)
We love Him only because He first loved us. (1 John 4)
We were foreknown before the foundation of the world, predestined to become like Jesus and called to proclaim the excellencies of Him who called us.(Rom 8)
No one comes to the Son unless the father draws Him. (John 6)
He chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world. (Eph 1)
Scripture also indicates that the chose must choose.
Whosoever believes shall be saved.
Whosoever will may come.
As many as received Him.
Whoever calls on the name of the Lord.
All that the Father has given Me (God’s choice) shall come (man’s choice)
As many as were ordained to eternal life (God’s choice) believed (man’s choice).
The basis for God’s choice? – His will not our works or even pre-seen faith.
Note: to choose on the basis of knowing before hand is not really a choice.
I can chose for the sun to come up tomorrow because I know before hand it will and even what time. That is not true causal choice. God’s choosing us is causal.
The basis for our choice? – His will and His works.
How should we respond to this? Humility!!!!! God is opposed to the proud. We can’t be like the Jews who still maintained that they could pull it off on their own. They could one day do it right on their own. God wants those who will admit that there is not way.
Not look how well I am doing and I thank God I am not as bad as “those guys” but Lord be merciful to me a sinner. Just think about it believer. Why you? Why would God choose you? Why would you be born in America rather than in Somalia somewhere? Why would you be privileged to hear the Gospel and respond?
Don’t get all proud. It had nothing to do with your works or your will. It had everything to do with His will and His work in you. Fall in humble gratitude at his feet and dedicate your life as a faithful vessel in the Master’s hand.
