“God’s Mysterious Purpose for His People”

(Romans 9:1-13)

Series: Romans – United in the Gospel [on screen]

Rev. Matthew C. McCraw, EdD

First Baptist Church, Bartow, Florida

December 31, 2022

Introductory Comments:

Well, it’s a joy to be back in the book of Romans. Today, we are going to start one of the more challenging sections of Romans and perhaps one of the most challenging sections of the Bible.I’ve given you notice for the last few weeks to read ahead of time in order to start to get a grasp on Romans 9. 

Today, we’re going to dive into God’s glorious Word in Romans 9:1-13. Today’s sermon is entitled, “God’s Mysterious Purpose for His People.”[on screen]

Before we get started, let’s pray together and ask God to speak to us. 

(prayer)

Romans 9 is indeed a challenging chapter. I’ve heard of some pastors who simply skip over this chapter when they are preaching through the book of Romans. However, most of you know me well enough to know that I can’t do that. So, let’s see what God has for us in this chapter. 

It’s important for us to understand that after all is said and done with this sermon, we will not perfectly understand what we’ve learned. In fact, we are more likely to have additional questions than we are to have all of our answers. To be honest, if you understand this perfectly, please come explain it to me after we dismiss today. 

We must remember as we study this passage that God is God and we are not. We must also remember that He has given us His Word for our benefit. He has revealed some of who He is, what He does, and why He does it in the Bible. However, He has not revealed all of Himself to us. We must remember the words of Isaiah 55:8-9:

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,and your ways are not my ways.”This is the Lord’s declaration.

“For as heaven is higher than earth,so my ways are higher than your ways,and my thoughts than your thoughts.” [on screen]

So, let’s do a little review. We took all of June off from the book of Romans. In chapter 8, Paul has spoken about the beautiful saving love of God and how nothing can separate us from that love. Now, he starts to explain more of what God is doing through His saving love in chapter 9. 

So, first, let us look at . . . 

I. Paul’s statement and sorrow (1-3) [on screen]

Let’s dive right into what Paul is saying here at the beginning of chapter 9. I have to tell you, it’s a bit peculiar. Look at verses 1-3. 

1 I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience testifies to me through the Holy Spirit— 2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the benefit of my brothers and sisters, my own flesh and blood. 

First of all, Paul has to tell us he’s not lying. Now, it’s not as though he usually lies. However, he wants to be sure that we’re paying attention. What he’s going to say in a few spots in this passage is strange and maybe even uncomfortable for his readers. So, Paul says, “I am not lying; my conscience testifies to me through the Holy Spirit.” So, Paul is telling the truth, he’s serious, and God has put this on his heart. 

Well, why do I think that this passage is strange? Why would folks think that he is perhaps lying?

Paul first says, “I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.”

Well, that’s not too weird. Many of us have sorrow and anguish in our hearts at times. In fact, when you go on and realize that Paul’s anguish has grown out of his love for the Jewish people it starts to make sense. 

You see, Paul realizes that many of his brothers and sisters in Judaism have rejected Jesus the Messiah. Paul knows that a rejection of Jesus means a rejection of God. Paul knows that those Jewish people who have rejected Jesus have rejected all the promises and rewards of God including a home in heaven with God. Paul has great sorrow over this reality. 

The next statement that