“Israel Past and God’s Sovereignty” Romans 9:1-29 & Selected Cross Creek Community Church, Pastor Dave Martin – August 23, 2015

Introduction “Sovereignty” – God’s absolute right to do all things according to his own good pleasure (Dan 4:25, 35; Rom 9:15-23; 1Ti 6:15; Rev 4:11).

Daniel 4:35 All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing Daniel 4:35 All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: "What have you done?“

Revelation 4:11 11 "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."

Why did the Jews refuse the Gospel? Rom 9, Israel past Rom 10, Israel present Rom 11, Israel future

1. Israel’s Special Privilege, 9:1-5 Romans 9:1-5 1 I speak the truth in Christ--I am not lying, my conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit-- 2 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race, 4 the 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. 5 Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.

Deuteronomy 7:6 6 For you are a people holy to the Lord your God Deuteronomy 7:6 6 For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.

The Privileged People of Israel… God adopted them as a nation

The Privileged People of Israel… God adopted them as a nation God revealed to them His shekinah glory

The Privileged People of Israel… God adopted them as a nation God revealed to them His shekinah glory Covenants were given (Abraham, Moses, David)

The Privileged People of Israel… God adopted them as a nation God revealed to them His shekinah glory Covenants were given (Abraham, Moses, David) Mosaic Law delivered (Govern political, social & religious life)

The Privileged People of Israel… God adopted them as a nation God revealed to them His shekinah glory Covenants were given (Abraham, Moses, David) Mosaic Law delivered (Govern political, social & religious life) Sacred service in tabernacle/temple worship (Blood sacrifice)

The Privileged People of Israel… God adopted them as a nation God revealed to them His shekinah glory Covenants were given (Abraham, Moses, David) Mosaic Law delivered (Govern political, social & religious life) Sacred service in tabernacle/temple worship (Blood sacrifice) God made thousands of promises to His covenant people

The Privileged People of Israel… God adopted them as a nation God revealed to them His shekinah glory Covenants were given (Abraham, Moses, David) Mosaic Law delivered (Govern political, social & religious life) Sacred service in tabernacle/temple worship (Blood sacrifice) God made thousands of promises to His covenant people Historical patriarch fathers (Abraham, Isaac & Jacob… Israel)

Through whom Jesus the Messiah came!

2. God’s Divine Prerogatives, 9:6-24 Not chosen by natural descent or human effort, vs6-13 God sovereignly extends His mercy and grace, vs14-18

Examples: Abraham & Sarah… Isaac & Rebecca… Jacob & Esau… Moses & Pharaoh… Potter & Clay… You & Me…

Moses & Pharaoh

Romans 9:20-21, 24 20 But who are you, O man, to talk back to God Romans 9:20-21, 24 20 But 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?'" 21 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?... 24 even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?

Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility are both true! John 6:37 “All that the Father gives me will come to me, [divine election] and whoever comes to me [human response] I will never drive away.”

Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility are both true! Acts 13:39, 48 “Through him everyone who believes is [human response] justified” and 48 “…and all who were appointed [divine election] for eternal life believed.”

3. Blended Together Perfectly, 9:25-29 Romans 9:25-28 25 As 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," 26 and, "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.'" 27 Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: "Though the number of the Israelites be like the sand by the sea, only the remnant will be saved. 28 For the Lord will carry out his sentence on earth with speed and finality.“

“Antinomy” – Comes from two words… Anti- “against” and nomos- “law” which simple means “against the law of human reasoning”

Isaiah 55:9 9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Where do I stand before God?

Where do I stand before God? God offers forgiveness through His Son

Where do I stand before God? God offers forgiveness through His Son God gives opportunities to repent and believe

Where do I stand before God? God offers forgiveness through His Son God gives opportunities to repent and believe We consciously decide to receive Christ and eternal life

Revelation 22:17 The Spirit and the bride say, "Come Revelation 22:17 The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.