Unceasing Anguish Romans II Series [1] Romans 9:1-5

Romans 9:1-5 [ESV] 1 I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— 2that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. 4They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. 5To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.

THE PROBLEM AND OPPORTUNITY OF ROMANS 9 The cultural trends concerning biblical doctrine:  The consumer-oriented culture made it irrelevant because it is preoccupied by felt-needs.  The marketing church-culture avoids it because it doesn’t sell [unpopular].  The post-modern culture made it offensive because it has aversion to objective truths. Why doctrine is so important:  Without doctrine [teaching/theology of the Scriptures], we become man-centered in our view of God.  Without doctrine, we tend to avoid difficult ideas in Scripture.  Doctrine leads us to think rightly about God through Scripture.  Doctrine builds us to have a biblical world view [God-centered perspectives in all things].

THE PROBLEM AND OPPORTUNITY OF ROMANS 9 How, then, should we approach the troublesome and difficult parts of Romans 9?  With the Right VIEW: Scripture as God’s revelation [God-breathed Word] to us. (2 Tim. 3:16; Matt. 4:4; John 17:17; 1 Cor. 14:37)  With the Right COMMITMENT: a priori resolve to submit to Scripture as God’s timeless counsel to us. (Col. 3:16; Psalm119:97, 105; Rom.12:2; 1 Pet. 2:2)  With the Right ATTITUDE: receiving Scripture as God’s transforming power for us. (Luke 1:38; John 14:15; Rom. 1:16; Heb. 4:12)

THE MAIN THEME OF ROMANS 9 An Overview and Structure of Romans*:  [1:1-1:17] — Intro/Theme: Righteousness of God (Salvation)  [1:18-3:20] — SIN: God’s Holiness in Condemning Sin (The Need of Salvation)  [3:21-5:21] — SALVATION: God’s Grace in Justifying Sinners (The Way of Salvation)  [6:1-8:39] — SANCTIFICATION: God’s Power in Sanctifying Believers (The Life of Salvation)  [9:1-11:36] — SOVEREIGNTY: God’s Sovereignty in Saving Jews and Gentiles (The Scope of Salvation)  [12:1-16:27] — SERVICE: God’s Glory as the Object of Service (The Practice of Salvation) * adapted from Irving Jenson’s Chart on Romans.

THE MAIN THEME OF ROMANS 9 Romans 9 in the context of the Whole Letter:  Its overarching theme is NOT election or Israel—although they are dominant subjects of Romans 9.  Its overarching theme emerges out of a question/objection about Romans 8: i.e., “if the eternal security of believers is guaranteed because God’s word/promise never fails, what about the Israelites—has God failed them?”  Therefore, the overarching theme of Romans Chapter 9 is GOD’S ABSOLUTE SOVEREIGNTY in his will to complete his purpose.

28And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. Romans 8:28-30

UNDERSTANDING APOSTLE PAUL’S UNCEASING ANGUISH 1)Paul’s unceasing anguish was intense and real. 1 I am speaking the truth in Christ— I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— 2that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. (vs.1-2)  Paul’s preface to his confession is to assure his sincerity and truthfulness. [threefold assurance].  Why? Because of two reasons: (1) this was utterly personal to him and (2) Up until now, Paul’s gospel repudiated the Jewish pride as God’s chosen.  Amidst the peak of joy in Romans 8, he also shares his great sorrow and unceasing anguish—his aching heart was intense and real.

UNDERSTANDING APOSTLE PAUL’S UNCEASING ANGUISH 2) Paul’s unceasing anguish was due to the unbelief of Israelites. 4They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. 5To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen. (vs.4-5)

UNDERSTANDING APOSTLE PAUL’S UNCEASING ANGUISH 2) Paul’s unceasing anguish was due to the unbelief of Israelites.  The cause of Paul’s unceasing anguish was this: God’s own people, Israelites are being accursed because of unbelief.  Israel had eight favors of God: (1) adoption, (2) God’s glory revealed, (3) the covenants, (4) giving of the law, (5) the worship, (6) the promises, (7) the patriarchs (starting with Abraham), and (8) Jesus Christ.  In spite of all this, the Jews were being set aside from God’s salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone.

UNDERSTANDING APOSTLE PAUL’S UNCEASING ANGUISH 3)Paul’s unceasing anguish was because of his love for his people, the fellow Jews. 3For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh (v.3)  Paul’s love for his people brought this great sorrow.  Paul’s love for God and the gospel brought this unceasing anguish.  “I could wish”: This was impossible in reality—because of God’s sovereign purpose. Nonetheless, Paul moves into action out of this love—to feel the great sorrow, to pray, and to go!

1Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. Romans 10:1 God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth. 2 Timothy 2:25

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS FOR OUR EVERYDAY LIFE 1.Ask God to give you UNCEASING ANGUISH for your people.  Come closer to God’s heart and the gospel of Christ.  Seek love in eternal perspective for those who need Christ. 2.Pray for THEIR SALVATION by God’s sovereign grace.  Pray for those who are in your immediate circle.  Pray for a people—your ethnic group, your country men, a people that God bring to your heart.

WHAT WILL YOU DO? Brother, sister, I want to tell you calmly and quietly, I am resolved, God helping me, to stretch this poor body of mine across their pathway to a burning hell, if perchance some may stumble over it and land in a happy Heaven. I am resolved, God helping me, my time, my talents, my money, my strength, my all, shall be thrown between them and their hopelessness and helplessness here and hereafter if perchance some may hear the gracious invitation, accept and be saved. Beloved, what will you say? What will you do? – William Hesslop (early missionary to Korea)