Vessel of Mercy: Formed by God's Hands

Introduction

What is Paul doing in this Letter?

Paul is writing to both Jews and Gentiles about how they need to team up and be a spring board to go to Spain. Paul wants to bring the people that were divided in tower of babel back into the family of God. Compare Genesis 10 with Acts you’ll see every nation that was divided there coming back under Jesus Christ except Tarshish which is in modern day Spain.

Paul wants to be the one take the gospel to every place that is disinherited in Babel.

As he is doing this he writes this lengthy letter to the Assembly in Rome.

And here in Chapter 9 he is defending the choice for God to choose the Gentiles as well as the Israelites.

Romans 9:14–24 LEB

14 What then shall we say? There is no injustice with God, is there? May it never be! 15 For to Moses he says, “I will have mercy on whomever I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I have compassion.” 16 Consequently therefore, it does not depend on the one who wills or on the one who runs, but on God who shows mercy. 17 For the scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very reason I have raised you up, so that I may demonstrate my power in you, and so that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” 18 Consequently therefore, he has mercy on whomever he wishes, and he hardens whomever he wishes. 19 Therefore you will say to me, “Why then does he still find fault? For who has resisted his will? 20 On the contrary, O man, who are you who answers back to God? Will what is molded say to the one who molded it, “Why did you make me like this”? 21 Or does the potter not have authority over the clay, to make from the same lump a vessel that is for honorable use and one that is for ordinary use? 22 And what if God, wanting to demonstrate his wrath and to make known his power, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction? 23 And he did so in order that he could make known the riches of his glory upon vessels of mercy that he prepared beforehand for glory, 24 us whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?

God’s Sovereignty and Election

Paul upholds God’s freedom in election such that even Gentiles can find righteousness.

That’s why he ask the question is there injustice with God?

Which he answers may it never be.

The idea is some of the Israelite are upset with the idea that God would offer the same reward to people that have not been part of the Children of God. Enemies of the Israelite, Romans who had control over Isreal.

I am reminded of the story in Jonah. We all know the fish, but Jonah didn’t want to go to Nineveh because he didn’t want God to forgive them. Funny how things don’t change.

God’s mercy and compassion are not dependent on human will or effort but on His sovereign choice. Paul uses the example of Pharaoh, whose hardened heart was used to display God’s power and proclaim His name throughout the earth, Quoting from Exodus 9:16.

Paul’s analogy of the potter and the clay, drawn from Isaiah, emphasizes God’s absolute authority over creation. Just as a potter has the right to shape clay into vessels for various purposes, so God has the authority to shape our lives according to His divine will.

The Potter-Clay Analogy in Isaiah

Isaiah 41 and 45 provide a rich backdrop for understanding Paul’s message.

In Isaiah 41, God promises that Abraham’s offspring will rejoice and glory in the Holy One of Israel. He tramples rulers as a potter treads clay, showcasing His unique glory as Creator and sovereign King. God challenges idols to prove their divinity, exposing their impotence and the folly of those who trust in them.

Isaiah 45 further illustrates God’s plan using Cyrus, a Gentile king, to deliver Israel. This unconventional method of salvation demonstrates that God’s ways are higher than ours, and His righteousness will be revealed in ways that often confound human expectations.

Paul uses these passages - these ideas. To emphasis that God works in ways that we don’t always understand or even like, but we can’t see the bigger picture. The Sovereign Lord can and does use even Gentile kings to save his people from the shame of slavery.

Our honor comes form God’s sovereign choice, not our own efforts or social status.

The Lord as Creator alone has the right to accomplish his creation purposes. because

Isaiah 45:21 (LEB)

21 Declare and present your case, also let them consult together! Who made this known from former times, declared it from of old? Was it not I, Yahweh? And there is no other god besides me, a righteous God besides me, and no savior besides me.

God is uniquely worthy of praise and glory. Idolaters don’t understand true glory and so are put to shame.

The Creator is sovereign King over the world and

Isaiah 45:23

Isaiah 45:23 LEB

23 I have sworn by myself; a word that shall not return has gone forth from my mouth in righteousness: ‘Every knee shall kneel down to me; every tongue shall swear.’

When we put one group over another. When we say this group is less than. Or in there case when gentiles can’t be saved because they aren’t Jews. They are putting the creation over the creator. They are making Idols from themselves.

Paul is saying that is is God’s righteousness and sovereignty that serves to unite believers. Whether Jew or Gentile, our common identity in Christ transcends all other distinctions. We are all vessels of mercy, prepared beforehand for glory, called to proclaim God’s name to the nations.

Practical Implications for Today:

Firstly, we must cultivate a righteous sense of shame that leads to repentance. A community that fosters accountability helps its members grow in faithfulness.

Secondly, we should consider the source of our hope. Are we trusting in the Creator or in created things? The looming threat of shame should motivate us to place our trust firmly in God.

Next Steps

Paul’s message to the Romans calls us to recognize God’s sovereign authority and to respond with humility and faith.

As vessels of mercy, we are called to glorify God and spread the gospel to all nations, fulfilling His plan to bring all people into His family.

Let us embrace our role in this divine mission, trusting in God’s righteousness and sovereignty.

Amen.

Bibliography

https://youtu.be/_Ooi53yBE9k

W., Jackson. Reading Romans with Eastern Eyes: Honor and Shame in Paul’s Message and Mission. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic: An Imprint of InterVarsity Press, 2019.

Questions for further discussion

What is the main theme of the passage in Romans 9:14-24 according to the sermon?

How does the sermon explain the concept of God's sovereignty and election in relation to Gentiles and Israelites?

According to the sermon, what analogy does Paul use to emphasize God's authority over creation?

How does the sermon suggest believers should respond to the idea of God's sovereign authority and righteousness?

What practical implications for today are mentioned in the sermon, and how can believers apply them in their daily lives?

In the sermon, how is the story of Jonah related to the theme of God's mercy and compassion?

How does the sermon explain the significance of Gentile kings like Cyrus in fulfilling God's plan for salvation?

Based on the sermon, how can teenagers cultivate a sense of humility and faith in response to God's sovereignty?

What is the importance of trusting in God's righteousness and sovereignty, according to the sermon, for teenagers facing challenges and decisions in their lives?

How does the sermon explain God's uniqueness as the sovereign King over the world?

According to the sermon, why is it important for believers to understand that God's ways are higher than human expectations?

How can children learn from the examples of Pharaoh and the potter and clay analogy to trust in God's divine will for their lives?

What lesson about unity and common identity in Christ can children take away from the sermon's explanation of believers being vessels of mercy?

Online Help

Summary: In Romans 9:14–24, Paul explores God's sovereignty in choosing vessels of mercy based on His will and purpose.

Application: This passage reminds believers that our salvation is entirely dependent on God's mercy and not our own works. It encourages us to humbly accept God's choices and trust in His perfect plan for our lives.

Teaching: The passage teaches that God's mercy and grace are freely given to those He chooses, not based on human efforts or merit. It highlights the importance of surrendering to God's will and sovereignty in our lives.

How this passage could point to Christ: This passage reflects the overarching theme of God's sovereignty and mercy throughout the Bible. It points to Jesus Christ as the ultimate vessel of mercy through whom all believers receive salvation.

Big Idea: God, in His mercy, chooses and shapes believers as vessels for His glory, emphasizing the importance of humility, surrender, and trust in His sovereign plan.

Recommended Study: As you prepare to preach on Romans 9:14–24, delve deeper into the theological implications of God's sovereignty in salvation using Logos resources. Explore the concept of predestination and human responsibility, examining key biblical texts such as Ephesians 1 and 2 Timothy 1. Consider the Reformed perspective on election and the Arminian view of free will to gain a comprehensive understanding of this complex topic.