|  |  | |  |   | | | The Jews and Grace John Lusk, Evangelist, Denver Church of Christ
Romans 9 - 11
In the previous chapters, Paul addressed the Gentiles. In these chapters, Paul goes after the Jews. There are three things that Paul states:
1. God has absolute sovereignty
Romans 9:1-29
- Paul encourages them by assuring them that he thinks they are awesome. He wants them to understand that he knows how they’re feeling and that he loves them deeply. He loves them enough to be cut off from God and Heaven for them. This parallels Moses in Ex. 32:31-34. He wants them to realize that he is on their side.
- He goes on to say that God is still God. Humans try to explain away God and we try to be more than Him. Just like Adam we want to be like God. We think that if we don’t understand something then it’s not fair. Because we think we’re equal with God, if we don’t understand something, then it can’t be right.
- We are like sheep – dumb animals. They have to be told what to do and what direction to go. We really need God to do that for us. We have to realize this and be content to be sheep.
- In verses 6-29, he’s writing to the Jews here, so he is using a lot of Old Testament History. In this passage, “love” in Hebrew means chosen and “hate” means not chosen. The inheritance is not by birthright. In fact, God made the choice to overlook Esau’s birthright. It’s God who calls the shots!
- Moses and Pharaoh – God knew that Pharaoh wouldn’t respond but kept him alive to help us get the point that God is the one in charge.
2. The Jews have Ultimate Responsibility.
Romans 9:30-10:21
- All we have to do is believe as well. Paul says that it’s our responsibility to believe.
- In chapter 10:8-13, Paul states that there is no difference between Jews and Gentiles. All an individual has to do to be saved is to turn and believe.
3. Purpose of God is Rooted in Mercy
- Paul is talking about Israel in a different way – a spiritual Israel not necessarily a physical one. Israel in heart.
- He stresses again that it is not about heritage. His hope is that the spiritual Jew will help all of Israel become Christians eventually. The point of all this is to win as many as possible. | | |
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