Divine Sovereignty and Redemption in Christ
Summary
The pastor begins his sermon by acknowledging that he will be providing an exposition of a chapter of scripture, specifically Romans 9. He links this sermon to a previous one he delivered about six months ago called "the golden chain," which is a theological term used to describe Romans 8:29-30. He emphasizes that God has put something into place with regards to predestination, calling, justification, and glorification. The pastor then discusses the security of our salvation in Christ Jesus, emphasizing that it is foreordained by God. He transitions to the beginning of chapter nine in the book of Romans, where the apostle Paul expresses his deep sorrow and grief for his fellow Israelites who have not believed in Jesus as the Messiah.
The pastor then discusses the concept of God's sovereignty and how it relates to the Potter story in Jeremiah. He emphasizes that God does not owe us an explanation for His actions, as He is the ultimate judge. He also mentions the story of Joseph as an example of how God can bring something good out of evil. The pastor then moves on to discuss the inclusion of Gentiles in God's plan of salvation, referencing Hosea and the promise made to Abraham. The pastor highlights that salvation is by Divine election and not based on works or human effort.
The pastor addresses the argument that the concept of salvation seems unfair. He emphasizes that none of us deserve salvation, as we all deserve justice and wrath. However, God grants mercy to some and not others. The pastor questions whether man's will is equal to God's will, stating that if God were a gentleman and didn't interrupt, none of us would be saved. The pastor concludes by emphasizing that sin is always our responsibility, not God's.
The pastor emphasizes the concept of redemption through Christ. He highlights the amazing truth that God saves us from Himself for Himself. The sermon acknowledges that all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory, and everyone is full of blame, guilt, and shame. However, Christ took upon Himself the punishment that justice demands for sin. The pastor emphasizes that God, out of His mercy, chooses whom He will have mercy on, and He decided before the foundation of the Earth who would be saved.
The pastor concludes his message with a heartfelt prayer for the people of the United States. He acknowledges the challenges and difficulties that the nation is currently facing, and he expresses his deep concern for the well-being of its citizens. With a humble heart, the pastor calls upon the name of Jesus, seeking His intervention and guidance in these troubled times.
Key Takeaways:
- God's sovereignty is absolute and He does not owe us an explanation for His actions. He is the ultimate judge and His decisions are always just. This is evident in the Potter story in Jeremiah where God shapes us according to His will. ([49:33])
- Salvation is by Divine election and not based on works or human effort. This is a profound truth that emphasizes God's grace and mercy in choosing whom He will save. ([52:45])
- Sin is always our responsibility, not God's. While God grants mercy to some and not others, it is important to remember that none of us deserve salvation as we all deserve justice and wrath. ([56:12])
- God saves us from Himself for Himself. This amazing truth highlights the concept of redemption through Christ. Despite our sins and shortcomings, Christ took upon Himself the punishment that justice demands for sin. ([59:30])
- The pastor's heartfelt prayer for the United States serves as a reminder of the power of prayer and the importance of seeking God's intervention and guidance in times of trouble. It also emphasizes the pastor's deep concern for the well-being of its citizens. ([1:03:45])
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
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1. Romans 8:29-30: "For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified."
2. Romans 9:14-18: "What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means! For he says to Moses, 'I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.' So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, 'For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.' So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills."
3. Romans 9:30-33: "What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith; but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law. Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, as it is written, 'Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.'"
```
Observation Questions:
1. What does Romans 8:29-30 reveal about God's plan for those He foreknew and predestined?
2. In Romans 9:14-18, what does it mean when it says that God will have mercy on whom He will have mercy?
3. How does Romans 9:30-33 contrast the righteousness attained by the Gentiles and the righteousness pursued by Israel?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of predestination in Romans 8:29-30 align with the idea of God's sovereignty?
2. What does Romans 9:14-18 suggest about the nature of God's mercy and justice?
3. How does the stumbling stone mentioned in Romans 9:30-33 relate to the concept of faith and works in attaining righteousness?
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt like you were trying to attain righteousness through your own efforts. How does Romans 9:30-33 challenge this approach?
2. Considering Romans 8:29-30, how does understanding God's predestination affect your view of your own salvation and calling?
3. In light of Romans 9:14-18, how can you cultivate a deeper trust in God's mercy and justice in your daily life?
4. How can you demonstrate your faith in God's mercy and justice to someone who is struggling with the concept of predestination this week?
5. What is one way you can remind yourself of God's sovereignty and mercy when you face challenges or difficulties?
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing God's Sovereign Judgment
God's sovereignty is absolute, and He does not owe us an explanation for His actions. He is the ultimate judge, and His decisions are always just. This is evident in the Potter story in Jeremiah where God shapes us according to His will. ([49:33](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qa4lCgt1coM&t=2958s))
Isaiah 45:9 - "Woe to those who quarrel with their Maker, those who are nothing but potsherds among the potsherds on the ground. Does the clay say to the potter, 'What are you making?'"
Reflection: How can you better accept God's sovereignty in your life, especially in situations that seem unfair or difficult to understand?
Day 2: Divine Election: God's Grace, Not Our Works
Salvation is by Divine election and not based on works or human effort. This is a profound truth that emphasizes God's grace and mercy in choosing whom He will save. ([52:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qa4lCgt1coM&t=3150s))
Ephesians 2:8-9 - "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."
Reflection: How does understanding salvation as a gift of God's grace, not a result of your works, change your perspective on your relationship with God?
Day 3: Sin: Our Responsibility, Not God's
Sin is always our responsibility, not God's. While God grants mercy to some and not others, it is important to remember that none of us deserve salvation as we all deserve justice and wrath. ([56:12](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qa4lCgt1coM&t=3357s))
James 1:13-14 - "When tempted, no one should say, 'God is tempting me.' For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed."
Reflection: How can you take responsibility for your sins and seek God's mercy and forgiveness in your life?
Day 4: Redemption: Saved from God, for God
God saves us from Himself for Himself. This amazing truth highlights the concept of redemption through Christ. Despite our sins and shortcomings, Christ took upon Himself the punishment that justice demands for sin. ([59:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qa4lCgt1coM&t=3555s))
1 Peter 3:18 - "For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit."
Reflection: How does understanding that Christ took upon Himself the punishment for your sins impact your view of God's love and mercy?
Day 5: Praying for Our Nation
The pastor's heartfelt prayer for the United States serves as a reminder of the power of prayer and the importance of seeking God's intervention and guidance in times of trouble. It also emphasizes the pastor's deep concern for the well-being of its citizens. ([1:03:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qa4lCgt1coM&t=3810s))
1 Timothy 2:1-2 - "I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness."
Reflection: How can you incorporate prayer for your nation and its leaders into your daily prayer routine?
Quotes
"For Those whom he forenew he also predestined to become conformed to the image of his son so that he would be the firstborn among many Brethren those these whom he predestined he also called and Those whom he called he ALS also Justified and these whom he justified he also glorified." [01:28]
"That's the vast passage of scripture that's called the golden chain and that's what our Salvation as many theologians have said kind of Falls in order of that it's a link one link right after another just like a chain." [02:10]
"You have one person that gets Mercy, this person gets Justice, and nobody gets Injustice... it's all up to God." [20:12]
"Christ went to the cross the just for the unjust... he took all the sin that we've ever committed... and he gave to us his righteousness imputed." [21:28]
"It's neither the good or the bad that's in our lives that makes that decision, it's God who is Sovereign makes the decision to pour His grace and his mercy upon people." [12:50]
"There is no doubt about your salvation because God is He who holds your salvation in his hands Divine election." [15:22]
"In other words, what he's saying is there's no way we would have ever been redeemed except by the grace of God as he has applied it in abundance to hearts all over the world as he has seen fit. It's not of works nor of human effort." [31:21]
"Christ took that upon himself...Justice demands that sin be punished...God out of his Mercy has Mercy on whom he will as he Wills...he decided Jesus would be the sacrifice and the Holy Spirit would apply the knowledge, wisdom, and sanctification that would change us." [22:11]
"Who are you, oh man, who answers back to God?...Does not the Potter have a right over the clay to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use?...He did so to make known The Riches of his glory upon the vessels of Mercy which he prepared beforehand for Glory." [23:42]
"God saved me just because he wanted to...I could not lose what I could not gain on my own" [33:18].
Chatbot
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