The Grace Message with Dr. Andrew Farley

I feel overwhelmed by doubt about my salvation. Can you help me? Is salvation based on God choosing you? When was Paul actually saved? I suffer from depression and wonder why I don’t experience the peace of God. Can you explain? My friends tell me that because I’m divorced and remarried, I’m living in adultery. Is this true? How are the four gospels different from the epistles?

“Jacob, I loved. Esau, I hated.” -God

We hear this and wonder what it means and what God is trying to tell us today. Some say it’s about God individually selecting people for salvation and leaving others with no chance. But is that what’s really going on in Romans 9?

No way! Instead, it’s about God historically doing whatever He pleases. He always does it His way. And now “His way” is known as the new covenant. Through the new covenant, Gentiles are invited to be a part of God’s kingdom.

So, it’s not about individual selection. It’s about God’s prerogative and His secret plan (now revealed!) to unleash the Gospel on the whole world through Jesus. This is how He calls people who were never His people, His people!

Enjoy this enlightening take on Romans 9. It’s so liberating and unifying!

Discussion Questions for Romans 9:

1. Read verses 1-5. Why does Paul say he’s telling the truth and why would he be willing to give up his own salvation?
2. Read verses 6-8. Explain “they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel.”
3. Read verses 9-12. How do Isaac and Ishmael, and Jacob and Esau, both make the point that physical Israel doesn’t get a free pass and God can do as He pleases?
4. Read verses 14-18. Who is “the man who wills or the man who runs” in this passage? And who is it that God has decided to have mercy on today under the new covenant?
5. Read verses 19-24. Who are the vessels of common use (vessels of wrath)? Who are the vessels of honorable use? What is Paul defending in the passage?
6. Read verses 25-26. How does the Old Testament quote from Hosea reveal the true meaning of predestination in Romans 9?
7. Read verses 30-31. How is this a summation or encapsulation of the whole chapter?
8. Read verses 32-33. How is Jesus a stumbling stone to the Jews? And what does it mean to you that believers in Him “will not be disappointed”?

What is the difference between spirit and soul? How important is it to understand this? Should Genesis be taken literally or allegorically? Someone from my church uses the Lord’s name in vain. Are they really saved?

Are there levels of punishment in Hell? Would it be enough to call on the Lord to save you on your deathbed? Or is more repentance from sins needed? What is 2 Thessalonians 2 really saying about a "rebellion" or "departure" from the truth? Is it about people walking away from the Gospel and losing their salvation?

How do I take every thought captive? Why does the New Testament talk about "religion" in a positive and negative light? The churches I've attended make me feel inferior for not speaking in tongues. What should I do?

Are there good qualities in people before they’re saved? What if you’re struggling with sin when you die? Do you go to Hell? Is it safe to say those who completely abandon Christianity were never really in Christ to start with? Is it accurate to say God unconditionally loves some people and hates others?

What is “binding and loosing” in Matthew 16? Why do I experience so much fear? My friends tell me I should have more faith. What are the main benefits of the new covenant?

Does living by the Spirit mean keeping the Ten Commandments? How do we recognize the Holy Spirit? What is meaning of the Parable of the Talents? Is it possible that I have been severed from Christ? Should my wife be baptized again? Are there membership requirements to take communion?

Why is there so much talk about revival? Is there something wrong with the church? Is that how God sees us? What does real spiritual maturity look like? I have a friend who is dying and believes in the health-wealth gospel. How can I help him?