God’s Sovereign Choice Romans II Series [2] Romans 9:6-13 2

Romans 9:6-13 [ESV] 6But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, 7and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but "Through Isaac shall your offspring be named." 8This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring. 9For this is what the promise said: "About this time next year I will return, and Sarah shall have a son." 10And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, 11though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls— 12she was told, "The older will serve the younger." 13As it is written, "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."

ROMANS 9: WILL THE PROMISES OF ROMANS 8 STAND? The focus of Romans 9 is to deal with the questions raised against the promises of Romans 8: 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

ROMANS 9: WILL THE PROMISES OF ROMANS 8 STAND? The focus of Romans 9 is to deal with the questions raised against the promises of Romans 8: The basis for the eternal security of believers in Romans 8 is God’s word to complete his purpose in our salvation, from the beginning to the end. This word/promise of God is trustworthy because God and his purpose NEVER change. If so, what about Israel’s unbelief now? If God’s chosen Israelites are being cut off from salvation, can this promise of God still be true to us?

ROMANS 9: WILL THE PROMISES OF ROMANS 8 STAND? Three questions/objections because of Israel’s unbelief: QUESTION #1: “Has the word/promise of God failed?” (v.6) QUESTION #2: “Is God unjust in his sovereign choice?” (v.14) QUESTION #3: “Why then does God still blame us?” (v.19)

ROMANS 9: WILL THE PROMISES OF ROMANS 8 STAND? Three questions/objections because of Israel’s unbelief: QUESTION #1: “Has the word/promise of God failed?” (v.6) QUESTION #2: “Is God unjust in his sovereign choice?” (v.14) QUESTION #3: “Why then does God still blame us?” (v.19)

HAS THE WORD OF GOD FAILED IN THE CASE OF ISRAEL’S UNBELIEF? No, the word of God still stands because…  1) Not all physical descendents of Israel belong to Israel. 6But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, 7and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but "Through Isaac shall your offspring be named." (vs.6-7) God’s promise for Israel is not for all descendents from Israel—there is true Israel within Israel. Why? Because God has chosen some to be saved—not all within Israel. Therefore, God’s word still stand for the believing Jewish remnant although they are only few at the moment (God will eventually restore the nation of Israel to Christ).

HAS THE WORD OF GOD FAILED IN THE CASE OF ISRAEL’S UNBELIEF? No, the word of God still stands because…  2) God has sovereignly chosen the children of promise within the physical Israelites—e.g., Isaac not Ishmael and Jacob not Esau. 8This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring. 9For this is what the promise said: "About this time next year I will return, and Sarah shall have a son." 10And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac…12she was told, "The older will serve the younger." 13As it is written, "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated." (vs. 8-10,12-13)

HAS THE WORD OF GOD FAILED IN THE CASE OF ISRAEL’S UNBELIEF? No, the word of God still stands because…  2) God has sovereignly chosen the children of promise within the physical Israelites—e.g., Isaac not Ishmael and Jacob not Esau. Only the children of promise are counted as the children of God—i.e., only some are chosen by God’s sovereign mercy. Illustration #1: Isaac not Ishmael God’s promised son [Isaac] vs. Abram’s physical offspring [Ishmael] From God’s sovereign plan vs. Man’s clever solution. From Rebekah vs. From Hagar

HAS THE WORD OF GOD FAILED IN THE CASE OF ISRAEL’S UNBELIEF? No, the word of God still stands because…  2) God has sovereignly chosen the children of promise within the physical Israelites—e.g., Isaac not Ishmael and Jacob not Esau. Only the children of promise are counted as the children of God—i.e., only some are chosen by God’s sovereign mercy. Illustration #2: Jacob not Esau From same father & same mother From the same birth as twins. Before all conditions for any meritorious differences Conclusion: God’s choice in children of promise is (1) free, (2) unconditional, and (3) sovereign.

ELECTION & PREDESTINATION OF GOD Common Misconceptions of Election/Predestination: It is NOT foreknowledge. It is NOT fatalism. It is NOT conditional. It does NOT encourage pride/sin. It does NOT cancel out human freedom/responsibility. True Biblical Meaning of Election/Predestination: God is merciful in election and predestination of the saved. God is just in giving what each person deserves. God’s election is unconditional—this is a merciful act of God’s sovereignty [absolute freedom & power] God’s sovereignty cancel out human autonomy but not human freedom/responsibility.

HAS THE WORD OF GOD FAILED IN THE CASE OF ISRAEL’S UNBELIEF? 3) Why? So that God’s purpose in election may continue not because of works but because of God who calls. Though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls… (v.11) 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. Ephesians 1:4-6

HAS THE WORD OF GOD FAILED IN THE CASE OF ISRAEL’S UNBELIEF? 3) Why? So that God’s purpose in election may continue not because of works but because of God who calls. What is “God’s purpose in election”? To bring all praise to God’s glorious grace! This glorious grace is by God’s unconditional sovereign choice according to the riches of his glory and goodness. “…not because of works but because of him who calls”: This means that election is unconditional [by God] while final judgment/salvation is conditional [by faith].

Not to Us, O LORD, But to Your Name! It is the essence of worship to say, “Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name be the glory.” If we were responsible for our own salvation, either in whole or even in part, we would be justified in singing our own praises and blowing our own trumpet in heaven. But such a thing is inconceivable. God’s redeemed people will spend eternity worshipping him, humbling themselves before him in grateful adoration, ascribing their salvation to him and to the Lamb, and acknowledging that he alone is worthy to receive all praise, honor, and glory. Why? Because our salvation is due entirely to his grace, will, initiative, wisdom and power. - John R. W. Stott

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS FOR OUR EVERYDAY LIFE Stretch your vision of God by GOD-CENTERED VIEW OF GOD. Shift from man-centered view, giving up man-generated concepts of God. Be broken by Scripture’s ideas of God rather than breaking the ideas of Scripture. Be thankful for GOD’S UNCONDITIONAL SOVEREIGN CHOICE for your salvation. Humbly receive God’s grace & mercy for you. Live with the full gratitude to God who unconditionally chose you! Live out God’s purpose for your salvation: PRAISE GOD’S GLORIOUS GRACE! Let your entire LIFE be the praise –as well as your lips! SPREAD your passion of God’s glorious grace to the world around you.

Why Have You Chosen Me? by Roger Strader Why have You chosen me out of millions Your child to be You know all the wrongs that I have done Oh how could You pardon me, forgive my iniquities To save me give Jesus Your son I am amazed to know that a God so great could love me so Is willing and wanting to bless His love is so wonderful, His mercy so bountiful I can't understand it I confess But Lord help me be what You want me to be Your word I will strive to obey My life I now give, for You I will live And walk by Your side all the way