Sermon Tone Analysis

| *A Broken Heart*!

Romans 9:1-5

July 22, 2007 (NIV) I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit— 2I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.

3For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race, 4the people of Israel.

Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises.

5Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised!

Amen.

(The Message) 1 At the same time, you need to know that I carry with me at all times a huge sorrow. 2 It’s an enormous pain deep within me, and I’m never free of it.

I’m not exaggerating—Christ and the Holy Spirit are my witnesses.

It’s the Israelites … 3 If there were any way I could be cursed by the Messiah so they could be blessed by him, I’d do it in a minute.

They’re my family.

4 I grew up with them.

They had everything going for them—family, glory, covenants, revelation, worship, promises, 5 to say nothing of being the race that produced the Messiah, the Christ, who is God over everything, always.

Oh, yes! PRAYScripture Memory: Nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

– Romans 8:39b (NLT) Intro:I am sure that most of us have, at one time or another, watched a movie that moved us to tears…Question: What breaks your heart?

What moves you to tears?

Paul’s heartFor the gospelFor His peopleFor the ChurchFor God 1.

Paul’s Heart for the GospelNot that we can explicitly see it in this passage, but it is certainly IMplicit.

In other words, his obvious concern is how his countrymen respond to the gospel message…What was it that caused Paul to have this great sorrow and unceasing anguish in [his] heart?The gospelWhy?Because the /good news/ is also the /bad news/.John 3:36 (NIV) – Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, *but* whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.

The reality is if it really doesn’t matter what people believe, then why did Jesus have to go to the cross?If all religions are merely seeking different paths to the same God…Acts 26:28-29 (NIV) – 28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”

29 Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.” 2 Tim.

2:8-10 (NLT) – 8 Never forget that Jesus Christ was a man born into King David’s family and that he was raised from the dead.

This is the Good News I preach.

9 And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal.

But the word of God cannot be chained.

10 I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen.

What motivated Paul to endure what he did? 2.

Paul’s Heart for His PeopleV. 3 – I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race, 4the people of Israel.Note Paul’s further emphasis that Christianity is not merely one path among many to God…Note v. 2 as Paul describes his heart: I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.In a word, he is /heart-broken/ over his kinsmen.

WHY?Because they refuse to embrace Jesus Christ…Our problem is that we often love our families more than we love God.

We desire to be with THEM more than we desire to be with HIM.

We desire to be right with THEM more than we desire to be right with HIM.We desire THEIR happiness more than we desire God’s glory…We will never have this kind of burden for out loved ones until we truly do have heart for the gospel…*Q:* What causes a person to really have a heart for the gospel?

What does this look like?E They truly understand and believe that salvation is by faith alone, through grace alone, in Christ alone.John 14:6 – Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life.

No one comes to the Father except through me.”If you believe that there is any other way to God except through Christ…Sometimes our problem with this is that it seems arrogant and closed minded to say that MY way is the ONLY way… "WHEN I SAY "I AM A CHRISTIAN"When I say...I am a Christian I'm not shouting "I am saved" I'm whispering "I get lost" That is why I know that I need this way.When I say...I am a Christian I don't speak of this with pride.

I'm confessing that I stumble and need Someone to be my guide.When I say...I am a Christian I'm not trying to be strong.

I'm professing that I am weak and pray for strength to carry on.When I say...I am a Christian I'm not bragging of success.

I'm admitting I have failed and cannot ever pay the debt.When I say...I am a Christian I'm not saying “I’ve arrived.

Rather I’m admitting why Christ died.

Until we truly believe this, we will be lazy in our outreach.

We will find it easy to find excuses for why we do not reach out more to family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, etc.Until we truly believe this, until our hearts are truly broken, as Paul’s was…It is interesting to note, also, that Paul’s passion for his countrymen was *despite* their treatment of him.2

Cor.

11:24-29 – 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one.

25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned,“The truly remarkable thing is not that the Jew’s hated Paul.

That was natural, given what each believed and what each was trying to accomplish.

The remarkable thing was Paul’s overwhelming love for those who were his enemies.”

(Boice) Like Jesus, who wept over the city of Jerusalem for the hardness of their hearts which was about to result in His crucifiction.

(John 11:35) |   | Q: Who, in your life, is giving you good reason to be angry with…?

Are you praying for their salvation?

Do you desire their good?Q: Do you anguish over the those around you who are headed for a Christ-less eternity?If not, is that because you do not really believe that they are perishing?

If not, then what is the basis of YOUR hope?Q: Are you willing to pay the price to be a part God’s answer to that?Many years ago there was a little girl named Liza who was suffering from a rare and serious disease.

Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her five-year-old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness.

The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister.

He hesitated for only a moment before taking a deep breath and said, "Yes, I'll do it if it will save Liza."

As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheeks.

Then his face grew pale and his smile faded.

He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, "Will I start to die right away?" Being young, the boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give her all his blood.Briefly point out some of the ways we can do this…(5 Day clubs, VBS, Investigative Bible Studies, inviting them to church etc.)3.

Paul’s Heart for the Churchvv.

3-5 – 3For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race, 4the people of Israel.

Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises.

5Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ,Paul’s heart was for God’s people – which raises the question: who are God’s people?According the flesh (NKJV): God’s people are the JewsAccording the heart: God’s people are true believersRomans 2:9 – No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code.

Such a man’s praise is not from men, but from God. Paul referred to himself as a Hebrew of Hebrews (Phil.

3:5).

In this passage (in Philippians), he speaks of how he was as zealous a Hebrew as anyone could find…However, he came to realize that God’s TRUE people are those who have acknowledged Jesus Christ…As such, his greatest longing, apart from his desire for God, Himself, was for God’s people.2

Cor.

11:27-29 – 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.

28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.

29 Who is weak, and I do not feel weak?

Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?1 Thess.

2:19 – 19 After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what is our proud reward and crown?

It is you!

Yes, you will bring us much joy as we stand together before our Lord Jesus when he comes back again.

20 For you are our pride and joy.Paul loved God’s people!

He loved them both in terms of the flesh and in terms of the Spirit.

He understood that these people are his TRUE family…E He was committed to them because they are children of His beloved God and Savior.E He was committed to them because they are familyE He was committed to them because he had invested his life in them.Ray Stedman:A congregation dismissed its pastor.

When asked why, someone said because “the pastor kept telling us we were going to hell.”

What does the new pastor say?He says that we are going to hell, too.So what’s the difference?The 1st pastor sounded like he was glad.

But the new pastor sounds like this is breaking his heart.This SHOULD be true of each of us.

The problem is that we have a hard time getting beyond our own feelings and comfort…A litmus test…How strong is YOUR love for the family of God?How much would your brothers and sisters in the faith say that you love this family?How much do you INVEST in building that family?

4.

Paul’s Heart For God5Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised!

Amen.Finally, we see Paul’s heart for God and for His glory.

That is was the bottom line for him.Remember what he had just emphasized in the preceding verses…… Christ, who is God over all…What is the chief end of man?Ultimately everything we have been talking about flows from this:When we have a heart for God, we also have a heart for the gospel.We are jealous for God and for His gloryWe are in love with Him and therefore want others to know that love.When we have a heart for God, we also have a burden for people who do not know Him.We want all people to honor Him and to have the joy of knowing Him.When we have a heart for God, we also have a heart for those people who *do* know Him.Do you see the need, this morning, for a greater burden for the gospel, for your unsaved neighbors and friends, for the Church?

Then commit yourself to growing in your faith.

If one or two hours a week on Sunday mornings is virually all you are investing in your spiritual growth, then you are NOT growing as you could… That is NOT ENOUGH for this to happen!

A Truth to Remember: The good news of the gospel, that we are saved by grace through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ, is also the bad news that those who do not embrace Him as Lord and Savior are headed for a Christ-less eternity, known as Hell.

A Challenge to Consider:What one thing can you do in the days and weeks ahead to grow in your knowledge and thereby in your love for God, for His people, and for the gospel?

One thing I heard this morning was…      |