Because I Said So!

Subject: God

Theme: Holiness of God

Thesis: What is the Ultimate Purpose of God

QW: How?

KW: Proclaim

I. Fishing Story

A. Dad, Brad and I fishing in the Big Horn Mountains in Wyoming

Brad got a belly boat for Christmas that year and was dying to get it in the water.

2. Getting into the water and away from shore

3. Storm clouds in the distance

4. Taking Shelter from the storm

B. Why Tell this story?

The factors that played into the decisions

2. Why not me in that boat?

C. Read Romans 9:14-18, Prayer

There is one question that Paul anticipates in this section, born from the statements made in verses 9-13, that he will spend the next 15 verses trying to answer. The answer doesn’t really answer the question because God is so much more out there, and we are so finite and here that we can never on this side and even possibly on the other side, know any reason why God does what He does. We are left ultimately with have faith, and trust God. In today’s passage we have two proofs of God’s otherness, one in Moses, and the other in Pharoh.

II. Is there any unrighteousness in God? (v 14)

A. The Natural Man’s Question

Coming from verses 9-13 a natural mind would want to ask this question.

2. Is there ever someone who is on his way to Jesus but God has hardened them therefore they fall?

B. Is 55:8-9

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

We touched on this passage last week when we looked at the Word of God never failing.

We get a glimpse of how God works out His plan here on earth

To the Question of Why? God never gives an answer!

a. Job 38

C. By No Means!

This construct is only found in Romans

a. 3 in Rom 3, 2 in Rom 6, 2 in Rom 7, 1 in Rom 9, and 2 in Rom 11

2. How do we Translate it?

a. Not even in the realm of possibility can this be true!

b. One translation: Parrish the Thought!

III. Compassion through Moses (v15, 16)

A. Ex 33, 34 God showing Himself to Moses.

Moses is the only person who came this close to “seeing” God; Peter, James, and John saw a glimpse of it on the Mount of Transfiguration.

a. The disciples were told, if they have seen Jesus they have seen the Father.

2. This account takes place right after the account of Moses talking face to face with God in the Tent of Meeting.

a. Are we content to seek God as He has revealed Himself to us, or are we asking God for more of Himself?

B. God Does it

Not on Human will or Running

But By God who has mercy, Still doesn’t give us a reason why

IV. Non-compassion through Pharoh (v17, 18)

A. Pharoh’s story (Ex 9)

Where they are in the plagues

What was God’s purpose for Pharoh?

B. He hardened whom He will.

This is tough to understand. God doesn’t give any reasons to why

Hardening, one lexicon: Given over to Stubbornness.

Trying to understand Hardening. (Ex 3-14, Rom 3, Rom 1)

V. Conclusion- Fear God

A. Ps 111:10

Psalm 111:10 ESV

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!

Matthew 10:28 ESV

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

This is an occasion for the Fear of the Lord to be shown here in our lives.

God does as He wills, without explanation, much like our parents said, “because I said so.”