“For whom would you be willing to go to hell?”

Romans 9:1–3, (NLT) “With Christ as my witness, I speak with utter truthfulness. My conscience and the Holy Spirit confirm it. My heart is filled with bitter sorrow and unending grief for my people, my Jewish brothers and sisters. I would be willing to be forever cursed—cut off from Christ!—if that would save them.”

Seven Missed Opportunities People of a promise Adopted as God’s sons Witnesses of God’s glory Included in God’s covenants Given God’s law Provided God’s temple Recipients of the Messianic promise

What hope is there for salvation ? Did God fail?

God’s Majesty Romans 9:1-11:29

Majesty of God’s Character, Chapters 9-11 Sovereignty Ch. 9 Justice Ch. 10 Faithfulness Ch. 11

“Sovereign” Holding complete power and authority over another.

The Sovereign God Who Saves “Our God is a God who saves! The Sovereign L ORD rescues us from death.” (Psalm 68:20, NLT)

WE ARE SAVED BECAUSE OF HIS PROMISE God’s Sovereignty

“Well then, has God failed to fulfill his promise to Israel? No, for not all who are born into the nation of Israel are truly members of God’s people!” (Romans 9:6, NLT)

It’s not about being from the right family.

“Being descendants of Abraham doesn’t make them truly Abraham’s children.”

It’s not about your efforts.

“For the Scriptures say, “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted,” though Abraham had other children, too. (Romans 9:7, NLT)

It’s about God’s faithfulness to His promise.

“And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”” (Matthew 1:21, NLT)

WE ARE SAVED FOR HIS PURPOSES God’s Sovereignty

“This son was our ancestor Isaac. When he married Rebekah, she gave birth to twins. But before they were born, before they had done anything good or bad, she received a message from God... “he calls people, but not according to their good or bad works.) She was told, “Your older son will serve your younger son.”” (Romans 9:10, 12, NLT)

God’s mercy is not dependent on how good or bad you are.

“But before they were born, before they had done anything good or bad, she received a message from God. (This message shows that God chooses people according to his own purposes;” (Romans 9:11, NLT)

It’s about God in His grace choosing you for His purposes.

His Purpose – His Glory – Your Destiny Who are his God Knows To be like Christ God Chose Come to him God Called Standing Glory God Gave “…those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28, NLT) ultimate destiny basis of relationship goal reality of relationship

Does God Hate? “In the words of the Scriptures, “I loved Jacob, but I rejected [hated – NIV84)] Esau.”” (Romans 9:13, NLT) “Hate” = actions God carries out, not emotions God feels.

WE ARE SAVED BY HIS MERCY God’s Sovereignty

“Are we saying, then, that God was unfair?” (Romans 9:14, NLT) “unfair” = inconsistent; untrue to His character

“Are we saying, then, that God was unfair? Of course not!” (Romans 9:14, NLT)

“For God said to Moses, “I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose.” So it is God who decides to show mercy. We can neither choose it nor work for it.” (Romans 9:15–16, NLT)

It is God’s character to be merciful; not because we will it or work for it, but because He has freely given His mercy.

“mercy” “harden” Those who are already objects of judgment Those who do not deserve it

“In the same way, even though God has the right to show his anger and his power, he is very patient with those on whom his anger falls, who are destined for destruction.” (Romans 9:22, NLT)

“He does this to make the riches of his glory shine even brighter on those to whom he shows mercy, who were prepared in advance for glory.” (Romans 9:23, NLT)

God’s patient restraint in showing His power and anger against sin causes His mercy to shine even brighter.

“But you, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.” (Psalm 86:15, NLT)

The great mystery of salvation is not that in our sin and rebellion we are destined for destruction, but that it is in our sin and rebellion God shows us His mercy.

WE ARE SAVED TO LIVE IN THE REALITIES OF HIS MERCY God’s Sovereignty

“Concerning the Gentiles, God says in the prophecy of Hosea, “Those who were not my people, I will now call my people. And I will love those whom I did not love before.”” (Romans 9:25, NLT)

“And, “Then, at the place where they were told, ‘You are not my people,’ there they will be called ‘children of the living God.’ ”” (Romans 9:26, NLT)

In God’s mercy, we receive identity, we experience His love, and we have the assurance of adoption.