Burdened For The Lost Romans 9:1-5

Romans 9:1–5 ESV

1 I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— 2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. 4 They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. 5 To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.

Paul is the Apostle to the nations…Gentiles

Romans 11:13 he states as much.

Romans 11:13 ESV

13 Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry

With Paul being an apostle to the gentiles, some of his own countrymen believed they weren’t important and some even believed that the gospel wasn’t for them or even needed by them.

Remember what Romans 1:16 said…Gospel is for Jews first then gentiles.

Romans 1:16 ESV

16 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.

There are other Jews who believe that because they were the chosen race, the seed of Abraham that they didn’t need to be saved because they were special.

Paul addressed that in Romans 2-3

John MacArthur pointed out how can the gospel be for the Jews if they have rejected it. That’s exactly why the Jews need the gospel. Because they have rejected it!!!!

So as we begin this section which is actually chapters 9-11, Paul will address this very fact.

1. Truthfully Speaking In Christ

He speaks Truth

Christ is his witness

He is not lying to them

Christ is truth.

The Holy Spirit Confirms his conscience

If the Holy Spirit doesn’t confirm Christs truth in you, then you aren’t truly speaking truth.

Romans 1. The Justice of Rejection (9:1–29)

The conscience of those outside of Christ, while faulty, is nevertheless their best guide for conduct. But the believer has the privilege of a conscience informed by the Holy Spirit. Only then does conscience become a reliable guide for moral conduct.

2. Paul has a deep burden for the lost

Willing to give up his own salvation

How many would be willing to give up your salvation and eternal life in heaven for your neighbor, coworker, friend, stranger…ETC.

That’s how much Paul was wanting to see his fellow kinsman be saved and accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The reason churches aren’t seeing people saved in the numbers they once did is because we’re not as burdened with lostness as we once were.

We have mindset of I’m saved, my kids are saved, my grandkids are saved and that’s all that matters. Basically we’re telling the lost world that my inner circle is saved so they can just go to hell.

Paul was doing the opposite here. He was saved but he was hurting so bad because of the lostness around him that he’d give it all up to see them saved?

When is the last time you shed tears at the altar for that lost person you know?

When was the last time you lost sleep over the lostness of people around you?

---TALK ABOUT BAPTIST PRESS ARTICLE ABOUT WAX BAPTIST CHURCH IN GEORGIA

Most of us don’t do either one because we are not broken about the list around us or we just don’t love our neighbors with the true love of Jesus.

WE NEED TO BE PRAYING FOR THE LOST TO BE SAVED!

WE NEED TO BE SHARING THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS WITH THOSE WE COME INTO CONTACT WITH SO THEY CAN BE SAVED!

WE HAVE NUMEROUS OPPORTUNITIES TO TELL OTHERS ABOUT JESUS

THE FAIR, THE FISHING TOURNAMENT, OUR JOBS, OUR COMMUNITY, WHEREVER WE GO!!!!!

3. We cant assume they all know. We must tell them about Jesus and Salvation.

In the Bible Belt, most everyone will tell you they are a Christian. However, when we engage in a gospel conversation (more than asking them if they go to church), we will often find out they are not really saved. I’ve said for years, to get people saved in the south, we must first get them lost. What do I mean? We have to help them realize what Romans 3:23 “23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” and Romans 3:10 “10 as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one;” are really saying!!!!

Israel was the same way because they were born Jews so they thought they didn’t need Jesus!!!!!

The one group who should know all about salvation missed it. The sad reality is that in today’s world we see it all around us.

I hear phrases like, I’ve always been saved. I’ve gone to church all my life. I’ve been baptized. I’m a good person, I give to the church and those in need. I don’t lie, I’m a good husband or I’m a good father, that also flips to wife and mother.

Those are all good but that’s no different than saying, I’m good because I’m a descendant of Abraham. I’m a Jew, etc.

Without repentance for your sins and placing your full faith in Jesus Christ, you cannot be saved! I don’t care who your mama or daddy are!!!!

God had given Israel so many opportunities to see the truth....

1. They are a special nation (9:4a).

2.They have been adopted by God (9:4b, 5).

3.They have had God’s glory revealed to them (9:4c).

4.They have been given the covenants (9:4d).

5.They have been given the law (9:4e).

6.They have the privilege of worshiping him (9:4f).

7.They have the messianic promises (9:4g).

8.They have a godly ancestry (9:5a).

9.They are the people from which Christ came (9:5b).

The only hope for the lostness of all nations is Jesus Christ. All have Sinned!!!! The Bible never says some have sinned but rather it says very clearly ALL HAVE Rom. 3:23.

However, there is hope. We have the message of hope and salvation for that lost world. It’s called the Gospel and just like Paul in Romans 1:16, we should never be ashamed of it.

Remember: Matthew 28:19-20

Matthew 28:19–20 ESV

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

We are to go to all nations because all nations need Christ and need to be saved!!!!