Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

This morning we will continue our walk through the book of Romans into chapter 9. Chapters 9-11 are a little bit different.

We do not want to skip them, there are things here that we have to understand.

We need to have a working knowledge of the doctrines presented here, if we are going to claim to be Christians.

We cannot skip things or dance around things, if that is the heart of God in Hosea, and God does not change, then I want to understand these things.

I want to get it.

There are some really difficult passages to understand here - things that are difficult to wrestle with.

is one of those passages.

It is also important that we take these three chapters together, as much as we can.

If you read just Romans 9 - you might develop a God does it all, what I consider an extremely calvinistic view.

God predestines, God calls, we just sit around and things happen to us.

If you only read Romans 10, then you might develop a theology where God barely involved in your salvation at all.

You work it out.

You are the one who confesses Jesus is Lord with your mouth and are therefore saved.

Its all up to you.

There is truth in both of those chapters, we have to consume them together to understand salvation the way that God intended.

Romans 11 seems to pull the other two chapters together to help us get it.

We should also understand that it is hard.

And Paul didn’t understand it all himself.

He ends these three chapters with this beautiful doxology.

Message

This morning we are only in Romans 9:1-5, because there is an issue here we need to see.

Several of the scholars and commentators on the book of Romans that I have been studying agree that the break between chapter 8 and chapter 9 is a time where Paul probably told his scribe to go home for the day, and when they got together again, they started on chapter 9.

It is a new chain of thought, a new thought process.

And Paul starts this way.

I speak the truth in Christ.

Paul is writing, but he is calling on the highest authority he knows.

He says I am not lying.

In Ephesians 4 Paul tells us to put on a new nature and not lie to one another.

My conscience testifies to me through the Holy Spirit.

As believers we know that the words Paul is writing here are absolute.

He says that the Holy Spirit has tested them, and we know - because they are included in scripture today - they have been protected by God for centuries.

In American, he is saying “As God is my witness, I swear on my granddaddy’s grave this is the truest thing I ever did say”

Why does he say that?

Because the next thing that he says is a little bit unbelievable.

You lay down guarantees when what you are saying could be debated.

It seems a little bit ridiculous.

Its the biggest fish you ever caught in the smallest puddle you’ve ever fished.

You lay on the fat for the sake of the thing you’re about to say.

So what is he building up?

I have great sorry and unceasing anguish in my heart.

Paul is writing about the nation of Israel.

The Jewish people.

His people.

Before coming to Christ, these were his only people.

He was zealous for their causes.

He persecuted Christians.

There were people who would question what Paul was saying here.

Because He changed.

He used to be the best of the Jews.

And he gave all of that up.

His primary identity now is as a Christian.

And now he writes, I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.

We go from hope and joy in Chapter 8, to a sudden realization that there are so many that do not have it.

That cannot receive it.

People that Paul cared about.

His new understanding of God, the Salvation he now understood - they couldn’t have.

And it hurt.

Paul had a burden for them.

He loves them.

This may not sound like love language, he calls them cursed here.

But it absolutely is.

These were his people and they were going to hell.

They rejected Christ.

He says

If I could - I would take their place if they could take mine.

This is now the most important thing to him.

He would take their place in hell if it could work out that way.

The thing is - Paul understands it.

Paul had a personal passion for the Lost.

Paul had a personal passion for sharing the gospel.

So he did.

And here - he tells us how deep that passion is.

If you know Paul’s story, we know that his passion caused him to endure some really difficult things - which is part of the reason I believe that he is writing to us here in Romans 9.

Our Passion dictates our behavior.

What we are passionate about determines how we use our resources.

There are times where our resources are forced out of our hands.

Where the realities of life consume everything we have - our obligations outweigh our passions.

But most of the time, what we are passionate about, determines how we use our resources.

A personal passion for the lost, will lead to personal interaction with the Lost.

There is a story about two Salvation Army officers who set out to start a new work, only to meet with failure and opposition.

Frustrated and tired they appealed to the General to close the mission.

General Booth sent back a telegram with two words on it, "TRY TEARS".

They followed his advice and they witnessed a mighty revival (2).

We get passionate about sports, music, vehicles, activities..... Our passions dictate our behavior.

Paul knew the people around him were lost.

- We have to acknowledge this.

Paul cared so much for the lost that he wanted to take their place.

Develop a passion for the lost:

Understand their plight, know their story.

Be involved in their lives.

3. Pray for God to give you that heart.

Warning to the lost.

Affiliation with the things of God is not the same as salvation through the Gospel

Romans 9:3-5 ESV

They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises.

To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ who is God over all, blessed forever.

Amen.

So my question to us this morning is....

What are you passionate about?