“The Proper Pursuit for All People”

First Baptist Church Bartow

United in the Gospel / Romans 9:23–10:4

Introduction

Thus far in our study of Romans 9, we have asked and answered two monumental questions regarding God? Did God fail? By the way, the answer to that is “no.” And, we asked if God is unjust? Again, the answer is no.However, Paul has also pointed out in this chapter that there is something happening with the Jewish people. Paul has pointed out that many of the Jewish people of his day had rejected Jesus the Messiah.Yet, Paul points out that God is not done! God will not only redeem a remnant of the Jewish people; He will also redeem many who are not Jewish, those who are among the Gentile people.Remember, Church: as God is doing this work He is creating a beautiful masterpiece.In today’s passage, we will look back at what Paul has said regarding the prophecies about Israel and what else that means for Israel, and others, going forward.We will also discover where true righteousness can be found and what we should truly pursue? Today’s sermon is entitled, “The Proper Pursuit for All People.”Before we go any further, let’s pray together and ask God to guide us in this sermon.(Prayer)Remember, Church: we discussed God’s election of His people for a couple different weeks. Today, we’re going to see the human responsibility side. We’re going to see that it greatly matters how people respond to God’s offer of grace and love.So, today we’re going to talk about two differences as it pertains to the old way of things for God’s people.First, let’s talk about . . .

I. Other people (9:23-29)

So, remember: as we concluded last time we got into the idea that God is working His will, by His choice, for His reasons, and according to His prerogative.Paul pointed out that part of God’s reason that He may be doing certain things is for the good of His people.So, let’s do some review in our first point. Look at Romans 9:23-29:9:23 And what if he did this to make known the riches of his glory on objects of mercy that he prepared beforehand for glory—24 on us, the ones he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles? 25 As it also says in Hosea, I will call Not my People, My People, and she who is Unloved, Beloved., 26 And it will be in the place where they were told, you are not my people, there they will be called sons of the living God. 27 But Isaiah cries out concerning Israel, Though the number of Israelites is like the sand the sea, only the remnant will be saved; 28 since the Lord will execute his sentence completely and decisively on the earth. 29 And just as Isaiah predicted: If the Lord of Hosts had not left us offspring, we would have become like Sodom, and we would have been made like Gomorrah.So, Paul points out that sometimes we don’t see why God is doing what He is doing in the world. Sometimes He does so to, “make known the riches of his glory on objects of mercy that he prepared beforehand for glory—24 on us, the ones he also called.”Church, how wonderful is it that God is doing something special in the world in order to bless His people with knowledge of Him and His ways? What a display of God’s wisdom, grace, and love shown towards His people!Notice also the definition of who these people are. Paul has been speaking in here about his love for the Jewish people, the failure of the Jewish people to receive Jesus, and God’s plan for the Jewish people; but here Paul mentions a larger audience than just the Jewish people.Paul says that there are otherpeople, who are a part of God’s people. Check out verse 24: Paul says, “ . . . not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles.”So, we know who these otherpeople are, don’t we? The blood of Jesus Christ is so powerful, the love of God is so grand, and the plan of God is so majestic that God chooses to not only bless and redeem the Jewish people but also people from multiple languages, multiple ethnicities, and multiple locations! Wha