SF488 - REASONS FOR REACHING THE RELIGIOUS (Romans 9 1-5)
SF488
REASONS FOR REACHING THE RELIGIOUS
Romans 9:1-5
INTRODUCTION
Overview
Chapters 1-8: Salvation
Chapters 9-11: Segregation
Chapters 12-16: Service
Chapters 9-11 - Focus on Israel
9 - Israel’s Past Election
10 Israel’s Present Rejection
11 Israel’s Future Restoration
In The First Five Verses ...
We are allowed to inquire into Paul’s Motive
We are allowed to encounter Paul’s Message
We are allowed to examine Paul’s Method
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1A. PAUL’S GODLY PASSION (1-3)
1B. His Confession (1)
The word he speaks...
the truth
The witnesses he calls...
Christ
His conscience
the Holy Spirit
2B. His Concern (2)
“great sorrow” = mega heaviness
“unceasing anguish” = unending, continual sorrow
3B. His Commitment (3-4a)
To be “cursed” = doomed for hell
To be “cut off from Christ” = to give up his salvation
John Knox “Give me Scotland or I die.”
David Brainard - prayed that he might burn out for God. Died before he was thirty.
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2A. GOD’S GRACIOUS PROVISIONS (4-5)
Nine Glorious Privileges That God Granted...
1B. Privilege Of A Holy Heritage (4a)
“the people of Israel” = decedents of Abraham!
A name of honor
To be an American was for nearly 200 years associated with being a Christian.
2B. Privilege Of Their Adoption (4b)
“adoption as sons..”
(Exodus 4:22) Then say to Pharaoh, 'This is what the LORD says: Israel is my firstborn son,
America has been blessed by God because of our relationship to Him.
3B. Privilege Of God’s Presence (4c)
“theirs the divine glory”
This is God’s Shekinah glory!
(Exodus 16:10) ...and there was the glory of the LORD appearing in the cloud.
America has experienced the privilege of God’s presence (ie. Gulf War)
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4B. Privilege Of The Covenants (4d)
With Abraham (Gen 12:1-3; Rom 4:11)
Through Moses the Covenant of the Law (Exo 19-31)
Through David the Covenant of the Eternal Kingdom (2 Sam 7:8-16)
Through Jesus the Final Covenant of redemption (Jer 31:31-33; Eze 37:26)
We hear a great deal of talk about a “new covenant” with our government - We must live up the old covenant with God!
5B. Privilege Of The Written Law (4e)
(Deuteronomy 4:5‑8) See, I have taught you decrees and laws as the LORD my God commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land you are entering to take possession of it. {6} Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, "Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people." {7} What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the LORD our God is near us whenever we pray to him? {8} And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today?
It was God’s law that separated them from those around them!
Our laws are based on God’s law!
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6B. Privilege Of Worship (4f)
“the Temple worship” = refers to the entire ceremonial system of the OT.
(Exodus 29:43‑46) there also I will meet with the Israelites, and the place will be consecrated by my glory. {44} "So I will consecrate the Tent of Meeting and the altar and will consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve me as priests. {45} Then I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God. {46} They will know that I am the LORD their God, who brought them out of Egypt so that I might dwell among them. I am the LORD their God.
More churches more houses of worship than ever - yet less true worship.
7B. Privilege Of Fulfilled Promises (4g)
“the promises” = the coming Messiah!
(Acts 13:32‑33) "We tell you the good news: What God promised our fathers {33} he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus.
8B. Privilege Of An Inspiring History (5a)
“Patriarchs” = forefathers in the faith!
9B. Privilege Of Royal Kinship (5b)
“from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ”
We are still the most Christian nation on earth.
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APPLICATION
We Have Before Us A Great Challenge...
To reach a nation of religious people who are bound for hell.
How will we do it?
We must have a great passion for the lost!
We must have a great appreciation for our past!
We must refuse to be deterred from the truth.