Sorrow and Salvation

Romans 9:1-13

Intro:

Consider the life of John Newton, a former slave trader who experienced a dramatic conversion to Christianity. After his heart was changed by the grace of God, he penned the beloved hymn, 'Amazing Grace.' His passion for sinners stemmed from his own past, understanding firsthand the depths of sin and the power of redemption. Newton devoted his life to preaching the gospel, emphasizing that no one is too far gone for God's love. His story serves as a profound illustration of redemption that inspires both youth and adults alike to pursue the lost.

A shift in the book of Romans so far the first eight chapters has been about mans need of sanctification and the gift of Jesus that makes the way for us to live righteously through faith in Christ.

No Paul takes some time in the next couple of chapters and discussing the state of Israel as they have missed and rejected their Messiah.

God is not done with Israel- He has promised their good and He is not done

Paul’s declaration in these next chapters we can learn a good deal from we have learned that we have been given the provision for Salvation.. could the same be right now that we know we are saved and loved.. will we be like Israel who is rejected and cursed?

We will also see here in our text what passion for the lost looks like… I have heard people only care about their own stuff… I am hoping after todays message for you and me we would have a passion for those who have rejected Christ.. who are living sin filled lives.

Story…

I do want to say that it is good that we don’t have everything figured out… there is a powerful truth that will come from what we are reading, faith is all about trusting God. It should not make us a un sympathetic careless, self focused person.

From our text we will have two points of truth that when it comes to the Christian life

Christian Sorrow (vs 1-5)

Unceasing grief and sorrow- these two things come from a relationship with Jesus

We should be sad with what is going on in our world, we should be sad what is going on in our neighborhoods, we should be sad with whats going on in our churches.

God gives us heavenly perspectives that may always exist till we are in heaven.

Paul is speaking concerning Israel- who seem to be cursed and unbelieving

Why did Paul use these words- The Jews were Paul’s enemy

There will be those who will be your enemy.. God is our defense. it is is for us to desire for our family to be saved, I know it can be frustrating to see those who have rejected Christ to be so evil. Paul is teaching you and I something. Spending time with Christ will have a dramatic change in your life. Not just for our gain or reward but for our desire to see others come to know Christ like we have and not seem them as enemies but as those who we would willingly lay our life down. (Sounds like Christ)

Though they were his enemy Paul treated them like a friend… something here we can not miss for the life of the believer why do we have discipleship, reaching our community etc…

Holy Spirit at work- Had given the Lord complete guiding over his life

Vs 3 don’t be so dramatic Paul- actually he is so concerned with the salvation of Israel that all other issues are less, even being accursed

Sounds familiar -

Exodus 32:32 “32 But now, if You will, forgive their sin—and if not, please blot me out from Your book which You have written!””

It is here that we are getting a glimpse of Christian sorrow for everyday life

if you are concerned about the souls of men... Get your soul full of a great grief, and your little griefs will be driven out.” (Spurgeon)

This is the example of Christ- We have been with Jesus

Galatians 3:13 “13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”—”

Love people and make disciples- at foothills calvary we care for the lost (would i be accepted) - this needs to drive you and me, why do we do what we do it is that people are pereshing and God is moving may we be attentive to His will.

It is ok to be patriotic to love your fellow country men- Paul passion speaks volumnes today for us in america- it could be said that Christians we have some enemies, all over the world Christians have enemies. We do not need to compare persecution, this is an issue of the heart.

How do you view your enemies? They aren’t wronging you- we take it personal but it is always a issue of the heart wickedness.

I don’t know why but there seems to be a move amongst believers that people here are beyond the love of God- may I encourage you to repent to come back to the grace of God and have compassion for one another- I know there has been laws passed that upset us and make us mad, we think we can fix it (yes we need to play a part as faithful Christians but we must be mindful of our desire to fix the problem and not minister to the person)

This is where great things happen! Have you prayed for the lost this week, have we sought to have this type of heart that goes beyond our daily focus of self.

You know what makes God’s church powerful… faith and belief that God is rescuing the lost from their sin. That what we are doing here today is preparing us for our week month etc…

don’t fool yourself that what is going on is any worse than what we did to God and yet HE forgave and saved us.

Well where does our stirring begin in our prayer life- the will of the father

Reoccurring theme for Paul (vs 3 pray)

Well why did Paul have this sorrow-

How they were blessed by God- special privileges of being God’s chosen people

Deuteronomy 7:6 “6 For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.”

God’s presence (vs 4) Glory

Exodus 40:34 “34 Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.”

Their Spiritual Legacy

It is from Israel that Moses and David come. Jesus! - The greatest legacy of all!

They knew of these men and yet they doubted

Paul is claiming the deity of Christ

His statutes

Psalm 147:19 “19 He declares His words to Jacob, His statutes and His ordinances to Israel.”

Let me expound as well how relative this is… there is nothing new under the sun.

Christians are those redemeed as well and recieve the promises of Christ

We do need to be honest that there are those who claim Christianity that are not living according to faith.

Can we be honest- come to the feet of Jesus. Arent you tired of playing the game… I am will be honest with you.. if you claim Christ we are held to that calling

My heart brakes for you… you and great promises from Christ.

Where do we go from here- well I am convinced that it begins at the feet of Jesus, then it comes to community how are you getting connected and plugged in and how are you serving. There is a balance

What will we do with this series?

I love that when I came here I was asked what I would be teaching and what book I would be going through… (Yes we will teach exposition- it is secondary issue) I desire that we are people who love Christ and love others with such a passion of Christ. Not that we are lovers of expositional teaching (God did not say we will be known by our love expositional teaching)

I am so glad that we love exposition teaching… I love it- but we need to be careful

Aww man Romans or yes Romans I am glad but you know it does not matter what you and I think, can we surrender can we submit that God will do a fresh and new. (We fully have not grasped any of this…) The Lord leads that not you and not me… We do not conform to man, we surrender to God. What will we do you and me needed to hear that we need to have faith, this is what we need the santifying work of God his mighty promise and it is through faith. I am encouraged by our fellowship I love it… God is giving us an oppurunity like He has always it may look different but it is the same question will our claim to being a chirstian matter more than recieving His promises. I dont know about you but I am looking forward to knowing Him more. (Sanctified by His work)

2. Surrendered Salvation (vs 6-13)

Paul makes a clear statement that God’s word didn’t fail

Numbers 23:19 “19 “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent; Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?”

Why would this need to take place- well from perspective it would seem Israel is now cursed becuase of the unbelief.

Paul is declaring that Israel currents state is a part of God’s sovereign plan

Yes God wants His people to turn to Him, yet His work is being done.

We must be careful concerning our arrogance.

He reveals Himself

What does Israel men - Governed by God

God gives that name

It is God’s plan of surrendered Salvation- that it would be through His revealing His people would surrender. God is not done He has made the way

“Paul tells us that no one is truly Israel unless he is governed by God. We have a parallel situation with the word ‘Christian.’ Not everyone who is called a Christian is truly a follower of Christ.” (Smith)

How do we relate to this well.

Romans 8:14 “14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.”

God is not done with Israel- may we have the same broken heart for the people

He is restoring them and in the end they are in the will of the father.

There is some contemplation that the church has replaced Israel- this does not line up Biblically.

We support Israel- we need to pray for them and for the people that they would surrender and for of you who are in the idea that Israel can do no wrong be careful (They are God’s people but without God they have not been redeemed) We will always support them as Paul did honestly. With a care and compassionate heart.

God is defined who are His not man! (Lets trust him- let us just be obedient) Our identity is in Christ alone- not if we are saved or baptized yes all good things necessary for our faith but not our identity

Galatians 3:29 “29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.”

It is always a work of God for our Salvation

Paul uses examples here in the text

Being a descendant of Abraham does not save anyone (vs 7)

Issac- Child of the promise

Ishmael- Child of the flesh

Jacob and Esau

It is not a love and hate is more of an accepting and rejection

Loved less

Esau was blessed

Genesis 33:8-16

Genesis 36

“A woman once said to Mr. Spurgeon, ‘I cannot understand why God should say that He hated Esau.’ ‘That,’ Spurgeon replied, ‘is not my difficulty, madam. My trouble is to understand how God could love Jacob.’” (Newell)

No en meanie mighty moe- God in His choices knows far better… Next week will dig deeper into this.

Surrendered Salvation is God’s plan for us all. His chosen people. We know this is how it ends.

Ever knee will bow and declare He is Lord.

What do we do with today how do we apply this message

What is our application:

Time with Jesus gives us sorrow for the lost

Paul was dealing with His enemy

This is where we are headed as a church.

As well as Individuals

God has a plan of surrendered Salvation

He is revealing Himself

He has a mighty plan!

It starts at the feet of Jesus and His sovereign worked is played out in our lives.

What will you and I do today