God’s Call of a New People: Jews and Gentiles Romans II Series [5] Romans 9:24-33

RECAP: HOW CAN ISRAEL’S UNBELIEF BE EXPLAINED? It is NOT because God is unfaithful to his promises because God’s word still stands for the true Israel (vs. 6-13). It is NOT because God is unjust in his sovereign choice because he gives justice or mercy but never injustice to anyone (vs ). It is NOT because God is unfair in holding us accountable because he has the sovereign right to use us to show his wrath and mercy for his glory (vs ). TODAY’S TEXT (vs ): Rather, it is because God desires to INCLUDE Gentiles in his sovereign plan of salvation.

ISRAEL’S UNBELIEF: GOD’S SOVEREIGN PLAN TO INCLUDE GENTILES 1)God has mercifully included Gentiles in his sovereign election—which was foretold through Hosea. 24even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles? 25As indeed he says in Hosea, "Those who were not my people I will call 'my people,' and her who was not beloved I will call 'beloved.'" 26 "And in the very place where it was said to them, 'You are not my people,' there they will be called 'sons of the living God.'" (vs.24-26)

ISRAEL’S UNBELIEF: GOD’S SOVEREIGN PLAN TO INCLUDE GENTILES 1)God has mercifully included Gentiles in his sovereign election—which was foretold through Hosea.  Hosea’s marriage with the adulterous wife, Gormer, was an object lesson for God’s relationship with unfaithful Israel—his two children were named, “Lo-Ruhamah” [not loved] and “Lo-Ammi” [not my people].  Yet, God in his unchanging love promised that he would reverse the situation of rejection and restore them.  This promise of God has a threefold implication—[1] first for Israel, [2] for the Church (especially for Gentiles), and [3] for God’s consummated kingdom—Apostle Paul’s application here is to show the inclusion of Gentiles in salvation.

ISRAEL’S UNBELIEF: GOD’S SOVEREIGN PLAN TO INCLUDE GENTILES 2)God has also mercifully included a remnant of Israel in his sovereign election—which was foretold through Isaiah. 27And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: "Though the number of the sons of Israel be as the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will be saved, 28for the Lord will carry out his sentence upon the earth fully and without delay." 29And as Isaiah predicted, "If the Lord of hosts had not left us offspring, we would have been like Sodom and become like Gomorrah." (vs.27-29)

ISRAEL’S UNBELIEF: GOD’S SOVEREIGN PLAN TO INCLUDE GENTILES 2)God has also mercifully included a remnant of Israel in his sovereign election—which was foretold through Isaiah.  Isaiah’s prophecies bring up the flipside of inclusion of many Gentiles: exclusion of Israel except only a few remnant within Israel.  The “true Israel” within Israel is this remnant of Israel— What the LORD has said he will carry out fully [judgment & restoration].  But because of his mercy, God had left a remnant of his people within Israel instead of wiping them out like Sodom and Gomorrah.  Will Israel’s future be the same? No…

25I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. 26And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob. 27And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins." Romans 11:25-27

ISRAEL’S UNBELIEF: GOD’S SOVEREIGN PLAN TO INCLUDE GENTILES 3)Gentiles’ response to Christ by faith led them to salvation—receiving God’s free gift in Christ. 30What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith. (v.30)

ISRAEL’S UNBELIEF: GOD’S SOVEREIGN PLAN TO INCLUDE GENTILES 3)Gentiles’ response to Christ by faith led them to salvation—receiving God’s free gift in Christ.  Gentiles did not try to seek God’s standards [righteousness] by obeying the Law.  But they have been made right with God through a righteousness by God’s grace through faith in Christ.  Therefore, Gentiles are no longer strangers [“not my people”] but members of God’s household [a new people of God].

19So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone. Ephesians 2:17-21

ISRAEL’S UNBELIEF: GOD’S SOVEREIGN PLAN TO INCLUDE GENTILES 4)Israel’s pursuit of righteousness by works led them stumble over the stumbling stone—rejecting God’s free gift in Christ. 31but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law. 32Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, 33as it is written, "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame." (vs.31-33)

ISRAEL’S UNBELIEF: GOD’S SOVEREIGN PLAN TO INCLUDE GENTILES 4)Israel’s pursuit of righteousness by works led them stumble over the stumbling stone—rejecting God’s free gift in Christ.  Israel’s failure is to seek their “self-made righteousness” by obeying the law, which they can never reach [cf. Romans 3:30 “For by the works of the law, NO ONE will be justified”].  Rather than pursuing righteousness by faith, they based it on works [Man’s way = by works VS. God’s way = by faith].  Therefore, Christ became their stumbling stone. Even today, people still stumble over Christ because of [1] exclusivity [Christ Alone], [2] the cross [Grace Alone] and [3] simplicity [Faith Alone].

A Profound Truth and Great Mystery! If you ask, How is any man saved?, there is only one answer: It is because God has chosen them. Why is man lost? A man is lost because he is a willful and a deliberate sinner, and a proud and boastful sinner, who rejects the offer of salvation. That is the other side. There is human responsibility. So we must be careful how we handle the doctrine of election. If you have ever thought that the doctrine of election means that man is not responsible, you have been entirely wrong. Man is responsible. But the fact the he is responsible does not mean that he can save himself… This is a profound truth! It is the truth of God! It is a great mystery! - Martyn Lloyd-Jones

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS FOR OUR EVERYDAY LIFE 1.Be thankful for GOD’S MERCIFUL CALL TO BE HIS PEOPLE.  Don’t take your salvation for granted.  Be humble before God and others.  Tell others about God’s mercy for you! 2.Put your trust in CHRIST AS YOUR CORNERSTONE OF SALVATION.  Relinquish any self-righteous attitude or pride in your heart.  Fix your eyes on Jesus who is the author and perfecter of your faith.  Stand on Christ, the solid Rock—all other ground is sinking sand.

My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less by Edward Mote, My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus' blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus' name. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand.

My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less by Edward Mote, When He shall come with trumpet sound, Oh, may I then in Him be found, Clothed in His righteousness alone, Faultless to stand before the throne! On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand.