Rom 9-Patience and Wrath
| Patience and Wrath! Romans 9:22-29
August 19, 2007 22What if God, choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction? 23What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory— 24even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles? 25As he says in Hosea: “I will call them ‘my people’ who are not my people; and I will call her ‘my loved one’ who is not my loved one,”26and, “It will happen that in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’”27Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: “Though the number of the Israelites be like the sand by the sea, only the remnant will be saved. 28For the Lord will carry out his sentence on earth with speed and finality.”29It is just as Isaiah said previously: “Unless the Lord Almighty had left us descendants, we would have become like Sodom, we would have been like Gomorrah.” PRAY Scripture Memory:Romans 9:20 (NIV) – Who are you, O man, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this? Intro: How many of you have ever lost your temper? How many have gotten REALLY angry at some injustice or injury done to someone? Perhaps you have read about someone dealing with a person who has committed violence against them or against a loved on as they wrestle with the issues of justice, mercy and forgiveness… Five of God’s attributes: wrath, power, patience, glory, and mercy(NIV) 22What if God, choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction? 23What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory?1. God’s WrathJonathan Edwards: Sinners in the hands of an angry GodThe Battle Hymn of the Republic – “Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord; He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored; He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword; His truth is marching on.”God’s Wrath has to do with Righteous JudgmentThis is not arbitrary passion. It is righteous indignation. The objects of this wrath “DESERVE to be cast into Hell.” (Jonathan Edwards)“The wrath of God is like great waters that are dammed for the present. They increase more and more, and rise higher and higher, till an outlet is given. The longer the stream is stopped, the more rapid and mighty is its course, when once it is let loose. (Jonathan Edwards) “There is nothing that keeps [unrepentant sinners] at any one moment out of Hell, but the mere pleasure of God.” (Jonathan Edwards) “Natural men are held in the hand of God over the pit of Hell. They have deserved the fiery pit, and are already sentenced to it. God is dreadfully provoked; His anger is as great towards them as towards those that are actually suffering the executions of the fierceness of his wrath in hell.” (Jonathan Edwards)Imagine watching a movie in which the villain has the upper hand through most of the movie, doing dreadful things to innocent people. Then, enter the hero – we delight to see the wicked get a taste of their own medicine, to see justice prevail…Imagine a scene from Narnia where the evil creatures are abusing the great lion Aslan… A question: If God is a loving, all-powerful God then why is there so much evil in the world? “The reason why they are not fallen (into hell) already, and do not fall now, is only that God’s appointed time is not come.” (Jonathan Edwards)“Consider here… whose wrath it is. It is the wrath of the infinite God. If it were only the wrath of man, though it were of the most potent prince, it would be comparatively little to be regarded.” (Haldane, R.)People tend to view hell in one of the following ways:Ø They may convince themselves that God will surely not send THEM to hellØ They may convince themselves that there is no hell (or heaven?)Ø They may convince themselves that they WANT to go to hell where they can party with fellow sinners…Ø They may just avoid the issue, buying into that first and greatest lie of Satan’s “You surely shall not die!” (Gen. 3:4)Let wicked men hear what God says in this place. They flatter themselves that in some way, through mercy, or because great severity, they suppose, would not be just, they will finally escape. But God here declares by the Apostle, that He has endured sin in the world for the very purpose of glorifying Himself in its punishment. (Haldane, R.) 2. God’s Power dunamis – dynamite – explosive, dangerous power…☞ God’s power is something to be feared.Fear Him who is ABLE to cast body and soul in hell. (Luke 12:5 – Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.) ☞ God’s power is limited only by His own attributes | | ☞ God’s power is seen both in His judgment of the wicked and in His mercy to His adopted childrenSin is in its own nature to God’s dishonor. He has overruled it so that He has turned it to His glory. This is the most wonderful display of power. (Haldane, R.) 3. God’s Patience☞ The reason for God’s patienceThe patience of God is seen in his toleration of the wicked for a time.Why does God bear with those who have earned and deserve His wrath? Their punishment is already decided and prepared.So WHY doesn’t He just do it? Not because He is not angry with them…“God is a great deal more angry with great numbers that are now on the earth, yea doubtless, with many that are now in this congregation, that, it may be, are at ease and quiet, than He is with many of those that are now in the flames of Hell” (Jonathan Edwards)The sentence of condemnation has already been given and is just waiting its final consummation.There are in the souls of… men those hellish principles reigning, that weould presently kindle and flame out into hell-fire, if it were not for God’s restraints. While [sinful] men live here, it is like fire pent up by God’s restraints, when if it were let loose it would set on fire the course of nature. (Jonathan Edwards)Ø To make the riches of His glory known to the objects of His mercy…The objects of His wrath (v. 22)The objects of His mercy (v. 23)Ø To bring His people to repentance2 Peter 3:9 (NLT) – The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise to return, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to perish, so he is giving more time for everyone to repent. The patience of God is also displayed so that those whom God is calling to faith might have space to repent – both in the immediate application of grace and in the delay of Christ’s return.Ø To show His people His desire that they be saved1 Timothy 1:15-16 (NIV)15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.☞ The limit of God’s patienceRom. 2:3-4 (NIV) – 3So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? 4Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?Mat. 7:21-23 – to many who call out to Him on the judgment day: “I never knew you. Away from me, you evil doers!”☞ Our response to God’s patienceØ RepentanceØ WorshipØ ThankfulnessØ Evangelism 4. God’s GloryThe goal of history: that the glory of God might be knownSC Q. 1These verses teach that God’s treatment of the wicked is neither arbitrary nor meaningless, but is intended rather to make His wrath, power, and patience known, just as, on the other hand, his treatment of those who are chosen to be saved displays His mercy. (Boice)Every person who has ever lived or ever will live must glorify God, either actively or passively, either willingly or unwillingly, either in heaven or in hell. You will glorify God. Either you will glorify Him as the object of His mercy and glory, which will be seen in you. Or you will glorify Him in your rebellion and unbelief by being made the object of his wrath and power at the final judgment. In fact, if you are rebelling, you are glorifying Him even now, because even now his patience is displayed in you by His enduring your sin for a time, rather than sending you to hell immediately, which you deserve. (Boice)God is glorified in his justiceGod is glorified in his mercyQ: Is it our heart’s desire to see Him glorified? 5. God’s MercyThere are vessels of wrath who are prepared for destructionThere are vessels of mercy who are prepared for gloryThe difference between God’s mercy & His patience…Mercy is pardon. It is forgiveness for wrongs done.Patience is holding off on just punishment. It is a temporary reprieve given in the hope that the just punishment will not have to eventually be carried out. Summary / Review:If you have not responded to the gospel personally, are you ABLE to respond to the gospel now…?If you HAVE responded, how are you responding to His patience? Do you see the terror of His coming wrath? Does that motivate you to keep trying to bring people to know the mercy and grace that is ours in the gospel?Is it your desire to see God glorified above all else? A Truth to Remember: God is patient with sin because He wants people to repent and to know His mercy. A Challenge to Consider: God WILL be glorified in us. The only question is: Will He be glorified in His just judgment or in His amazing mercy, in our humble submission and repentance, or in our foolish disobedience? One thing I heard this morning was… |