Not Ashamed-Part 33- Deeply Burdened

Introduction-Romans 9:1-6

Last time we were here in the book of Romans we closed out chapter 8 with an encouraging look at the love of God and the fact that there is nothing and no one who can separate us from His love.

As we launch into chapter 9 we may have some difficulty in recognizing the connection between this and what comes before.

Yet there is a connection. The question might be asked that if there is nothing and no one who can separate us from the love of God then what has happened with Israel?

They were chosen by God and He has expressed His love for them on many occasions and yet it seemed as if in the present they we somehow separated from His love.

This is the very idea that will now be addressed.

In the first few verses of this chapter the Apostle Paul takes the time to share the deep burden that he has for the salvation of his brethren according to the flesh.

The Obejct of His Burden (Vs. 3b-5)

Paul was deeply burdend for what he refers to as his brethren, his kinsmen according to the flesh.

Then he clearly states that he is speaking here of the Israelites.

Paul was himself of Jewish descent and he speaks specifically of his concern for those of similar origin.

It is not as though Paul was not burdened for other people groups but there was a particular burden for those who were so closely related to him.

We might well draw a comparison here in our own lives. We ought to have a burden to reach the world with the gospel but there should be a unique burden for us to reach our own people.

Illustration- Navajo men who have been saved and who have then dedicated their lives to reach other Navajo people with the gospel. Bro. Benjamin Park who has dedicated his life to reaching other Koreans.

You and I can look at this from a narrow and a more broad perspective, certainly we ought to have a deep burden first and foremost for our own family but in a more broad sense for our own nation.

As Paul references the Israelites he also recounts many of the unique characteristics of the nation.

He speaks of their adoption- the fact that they were chosen by God from among the nations.

He speaks of “the glory” the fact that the glory of God had been present among them and powerfully manifested on many occasions.

He speaks of “the covenants” referring to the many covnenants that God had made with them in particular throughout history.

He speaks of “the giving of the law” how that the law was delivered to them directly from God.

He speaks of “the service of God” the unique opportunity that had to participate in the work of God serving Him in various capacities.

He speaks of “the promises” the many promises that God had made specifically to them.

He speaks of “the fathers” referring to the great fathers of faith.

Finally he speaks fo the coming of Christ in the flesh through the Israelite lineage.

We must not neglect to mention the reference here in verse 5 to Jesus as “God blessed for ever” providing confirmation of the deity of Jesus.

But why does Paul mention all of this? It is to show the great advantages they had and the privileged position they had been given and even still they rejected the savior.

We do not equate America with Israel but nevertheless the same could be said of those born in America, there is a distinct advantage because of the religious liberty we have and the ready access to the Word of God which we enjoy as a nation.

The Depth of His Burden for Them (Vs. 1-3a)

This chapter begins with a testimony to the truth of the statements that follow.

It is as though Paul expects that the Roman Christians may have trouble believing what he is about to say and one can easily understand why when we read what follows.

Paul wanted the Roman believers and all others who would read this epistle to know that he still carried a deep burden for the salvation of the Jews.

He testifies to the truth of the statements he will make invoking Christ, his conscience, and the Holy Spirit as his witnesses.

Next he speaks of the great heaviness and the continual sorrow that has overwhelmed his heart.

This sorrow and pain is not because of his own condition but is due to the lost condition of a great majority of the Israelites.

Throughout Paul’s ministry as it is recorded in the book of Acts, we see him entering into an area and immediately going into the synagogue to proclaim Christ as his first order of business.

This is the evidence that what he says is true. One can easily imagine Paul weeping and praying for his brethren often.

I wonder when is the last time that you and I have been so deeply burdened for someone who is lost?

Are we at all concerned that so many of our friends, neighbors, and even our own family members do not yet know Christ?

Paul was so deeply burdened for them that he makes a statement that is almost unbelievable.

He states that he would be willing to be separated from Christ himself if only his brethren could be reconciled to God.

This is just another evidence of the depth of his burden for his lost brethren.

Paul was willing to make what could easily be considered the greatest sacrifice one could make in order to see them saved.

This begs the question what are we willing to sacrifice to see others come to Christ?

Many believers today are not willing to sacrifice an hour of their Saturday to attempt to reach others with the gospel.

A great many are not willing to sacrifice their own pride for fear that they might be embarassed or rejected as they attempt to testify of Christ.

Is is not the case that we do not have nearly the burden that we should have for all those around us who are lost and on their way to eternal torment?

“Romans 9:1–13 (BEC): Paul was willing to stay out of heaven for the sake of the saved (Phil. 1:22–24), and willing to go to hell for the sake of the lost.”

Conclusion

We may not ever have so deep a burden for the lost as Paul had but surely we ought to have a deeper burden than we presently have.

We should carry a burden for all those that are lost but there should be a unique burden for our own family members for those in our own community, our own state, our own country.

How deeply burdened are you right now for family members that you know are lost, for coworkers, friends, and neighbors who do not yet know Christ?

Are you burdened for the lost in our community, our state, our country?

If so there will be evidence of that burden as we strive to lead them to Christ and pray for their souls.