1. sovereign mercy Romans 9:1-29

3. God’s Promises 1.I will use everything for your good 2.I will finish what I’ve started 3.I will allow nothing to separate us But what about Israel!?

4. Was God unfaithful to Israel?

5. No, the promises were only ever meant for the electNo, the promises were only ever meant for the elect Ephesians 1:3–5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,

6. Isn’t election unfair? God is God and we have no right to accuse Him (v20-21)God is God and we have no right to accuse Him (v20-21) God isn’t fair; He’s mercifulGod isn’t fair; He’s merciful fair = giving everyone exactly what they deserve mercy = withholding deserved punishment

7. Isn’t election unfair? God is God and we have no right to accuse Him (v20-21)God is God and we have no right to accuse Him (v20-21) God isn’t fair; He’s mercifulGod isn’t fair; He’s merciful –Merciful to Israel (15) –Merciful to us (16)

8. Isn’t election unfair? Romans 3:10–12,23 as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

9. Isn’t election unfair? Ephesians 2:1–3 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

10. Isn’t election unfair? God is God and we have no right to accuse Him (v20-21)God is God and we have no right to accuse Him (v20-21) God isn’t fair; He’s mercifulGod isn’t fair; He’s merciful –Merciful to Israel (15) –Merciful to us (16) –Merciful to & through the un-elect (17-18,22-24)

11. Isn’t election unfair? "Pharaoh was already wicked. Pharaoh already had an evil heart, out of which came evil continually. Pharaoh delighted in doing evil… God does not cause men to sin, nor does He make them bad. Rather, He simply lets them harden themselves, as a punishment for their wickedness." R.C. Sproul,

12. Isn’t election unfair? 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 1 John 2:2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

13. Isn’t election unfair? God is God and we have no right to accuse Him (v20-21)God is God and we have no right to accuse Him (v20-21) God isn’t fair; He’s mercifulGod isn’t fair; He’s merciful –Merciful to Israel (15) –Merciful to us (16) –Merciful to & through the un-elect (17-18,22-24)

14. Application ConfidenceConfidence –God always keeps His promises ThankfulnessThankfulness –God is merciful, not fair –God chose you