SF491- GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY EXPLORED (Romans 9 6-13
SF491
GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY EXPLORED
Romans 9:6-13
INTRODUCTION
This chapter deals with God’s past dealings with Israel.
Specifically his election of Israel as his chosen people.
There is in the mind of mankind a constant tension between God’s sovereignty and man’s free will; God’s election and man’s salvation.
For years men have tried to reconcile what they perceived to be a conflict in these two.
In fact this passage teaches us that there is no conflict, but that God’s SOVEREIGNTY; cannot be explained but it can be explored and appreciated.
We must remember that anything short of hell is grace and mercy.
Paul deals with this subject by answering Four Questions...
Did God break His promise to Israel? (6-13)
Is God unjust? (14-18)
Why does God still blame us? (19-29)
What shall we say then? (30-33)
In answering this Paul sets forth four of God’s attributes that will help us understand His SOVEREIGNTY
1A. GOD’S FAITHFULNESS (6-13)
Israel’s failure to trust God does not mean that God has failed. In fact it illustrates God’s faithfulness.
Paul explains the basis of Israel’s election...
1B. Not of Natural Descent (6-9)
Compare Isaac and Ishmael
“Children of promise” = those who were believing descendants of Isaac.
2B. Not of Human Merit (10-13)
God’s chose was base on His sovereign wisdom not on what they did.
Testimony to God’s foreknowledge.
Esau - Edom, sinful and rebellious
Jacob - Israel, produce the Messiah!
2A. GOD’S JUSTICE (14-18)
1B. Tempered By Mercy (14-16)
Refers to Exodus 33
Israel’s rebellion
Only 3,000 die
2B. Tested by Man (17-18)
Pharaoh hardened his heart
(Exodus 7:13‑14) Yet Pharaoh's heart became hard and he would not listen to them, just as the LORD had said. {14} Then the LORD said to Moses, "Pharaoh's heart is unyielding; he refuses to let the people go.
God confirms the hardening
(Exodus 9:12) But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart and he would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the LORD had said to Moses.
3A. GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS (19-29)
Is it “right” for God to hold man responsible for their sin, if He is indeed sovereign?
1B. Yes, Because of God’s Purpose (19-21)
Only God has the right to create men a certain way in order to fulfill His divine purposes.
2B. Yes, Because of God’s Patience (22-24)
No one “deserves” forgiveness.
“Prepared for destruction” = Men like Pharaoh by their own choices “prepare” themselves for destruction.
As a result we witness the “riches of his glory.”
3B. Yes, Because of God’s Prediction (25-29)
Through Hosea... (25-26)
He promised the salvation of the Gentiles. (Hosea 2:23; 1:10)
Through Isaiah... (27-29)
He predicted the remnant of Israel (Isaiah 10:22-23; 1:9)
4A. GOD’S GRACE (30-33)
1B. Salvation is Always Received By Faith (30)
(Ephesians 2:8‑9) For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith‑‑and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God‑‑ {9} not by works, so that no one can boast.
2B. Salvation is Never Produced By Works (31-33)
The stumbling stone is Christ and his work of redemption.
APPLICATION
Men are still stumbling today...
When we seek to help God.
When we seek to hinder others.
When we seek to explain God.
We must simply accept God!