Embracing God's Sovereignty and the Stumbling Stone
Summary
### Summary
This evening, we delved into the profound and often challenging themes found in Romans chapter 9. We began by reflecting on Psalm 111, emphasizing the importance of praising the Lord with our whole hearts and studying His magnificent works. This set the stage for our exploration of the Apostle Paul's deep struggles as he wrote to the Romans. Paul expresses his immense sorrow and unceasing anguish for his Jewish brothers and sisters who have not accepted Christ. His willingness to be accursed for their sake underscores the depth of his love and the gravity of their spiritual condition.
We then examined the concept of struggling with God's sovereignty. Many find it difficult to accept the idea of sovereign election, where God chooses some and not others. This struggle is evident in Paul's discussion of God's selection of Israel over other nations and His choice of Jacob over Esau. Paul anticipates objections to this doctrine and addresses them by affirming God's justice and sovereignty. He explains that God has the right to show mercy and compassion to whom He wills and to harden whom He wills, as seen in the example of Pharaoh.
The third struggle we explored is with God's selection. Paul uses the example of Rebekah's twins, Jacob and Esau, to illustrate that God's purpose in election is not based on human actions but on His sovereign will. This leads to the difficult truth that God has the right to do as He pleases with His creation, much like a potter has authority over the clay.
Finally, we discussed the stumbling stone, which represents Jesus Christ. Paul explains that Israel stumbled over Jesus because they pursued righteousness through the law rather than by faith. This stumbling was part of God's plan to extend salvation to the Gentiles, demonstrating His sovereign choice and the fulfillment of His promises.
### Key Takeaways
1. Struggling with Sorrow: Paul's deep sorrow for his Jewish brothers and sisters who have not accepted Christ highlights the importance of interceding for the lost. His willingness to be accursed for their sake challenges us to examine the depth of our own compassion and commitment to evangelism. [24:55]
2. Struggling with Sovereignty: The doctrine of God's sovereign election can be difficult to accept, but it is a recurring theme in Scripture. Understanding that God has the right to choose according to His will, and that His choices are always just, helps us to trust in His perfect plan even when it is beyond our comprehension. [31:37]
3. Struggling with Selection: The example of Jacob and Esau illustrates that God's election is based on His purpose and not on human merit. This challenges us to humbly accept God's sovereignty and to recognize that our salvation is entirely a result of His grace and mercy. [35:06]
4. Struggling with the Stumbling Stone: Jesus Christ, the stumbling stone, was rejected by many because they sought righteousness through the law rather than by faith. This teaches us the importance of faith in Christ as the foundation of our righteousness and the necessity of embracing God's plan of salvation. [52:11]
5. God's Right to Choose: The analogy of the potter and the clay reminds us that God, as the Creator, has the authority to shape His creation according to His will. This truth calls us to submit to God's sovereignty and to trust that His purposes are ultimately for His glory and our good. [45:24]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[03:23] - Call to Worship: Psalm 111
[04:30] - Opening Prayer
[19:59] - Worship in Song
[21:12] - Introduction to Romans 9
[22:41] - Struggling with Sorrow
[24:55] - Paul's Deep Anguish
[26:41] - Israel's Privileges
[30:14] - Struggling with Sovereignty
[31:37] - God's Sovereign Election
[34:09] - Struggling with Selection
[35:06] - Jacob and Esau
[40:05] - Pharaoh's Example
[45:24] - The Potter and the Clay
[52:11] - Struggling with the Stumbling Stone
[57:07] - Closing Prayer and Announcements
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Romans 9:1-33
2. Psalm 111:1-3
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul express about his feelings towards his Jewish brothers and sisters in Romans 9:2-3? [22:41]
2. How does Paul describe God's sovereignty in His selection of Jacob over Esau in Romans 9:11-13? [34:09]
3. What analogy does Paul use to explain God's authority over His creation in Romans 9:20-21? [45:24]
4. According to Romans 9:32-33, why did Israel stumble over Jesus Christ, the stumbling stone? [52:11]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does Paul's deep sorrow for his Jewish brothers and sisters teach us about the importance of interceding for the lost? [24:55]
2. How can understanding God's sovereign election help us trust in His perfect plan, even when it is beyond our comprehension? [31:37]
3. In what ways does the example of Jacob and Esau challenge our understanding of God's grace and mercy? [35:06]
4. How does the concept of Jesus as the stumbling stone illustrate the necessity of faith in Christ for righteousness? [52:11]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on Paul's willingness to be accursed for the sake of his Jewish brothers and sisters. How does this challenge your own compassion and commitment to evangelism? [24:55]
2. Have you ever struggled with the idea of God's sovereignty in your life? How can you learn to trust in God's perfect plan even when it is difficult to understand? [31:37]
3. The example of Jacob and Esau shows that God's election is based on His purpose, not human merit. How does this truth affect your view of your own salvation and the grace you have received? [35:06]
4. Jesus Christ, the stumbling stone, was rejected by many because they sought righteousness through the law rather than by faith. How can you ensure that your faith is the foundation of your righteousness? [52:11]
5. The analogy of the potter and the clay reminds us of God's authority over His creation. How can you submit to God's sovereignty in areas of your life where you may be struggling for control? [45:24]
6. Think of a time when you felt sorrow for someone who has not accepted Christ. How did you respond, and what can you do to deepen your intercession for the lost?
7. How can you practically demonstrate your trust in God's sovereignty in your daily life, especially in situations that are challenging or confusing?
Devotional
### Day 1: Compassionate Intercession
Paul's deep sorrow for his Jewish brothers and sisters who have not accepted Christ highlights the importance of interceding for the lost. His willingness to be accursed for their sake challenges us to examine the depth of our own compassion and commitment to evangelism. Paul’s anguish is not just a fleeting emotion but a profound, unceasing burden that drives him to fervent prayer and action. This kind of compassion calls us to a deeper level of empathy and dedication in our own spiritual lives.
Reflecting on Paul's example, we are reminded that true intercession involves more than just casual prayers. It requires a heart that is deeply moved by the spiritual condition of others, a willingness to bear their burdens, and a commitment to seek their salvation with the same intensity that Paul did. This kind of intercession can transform our prayer lives and our approach to evangelism, making us more effective witnesses for Christ. [24:55]
Romans 10:1 (ESV): "Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved."
Reflection: Think of someone in your life who does not know Christ. How can you commit to interceding for them daily, and what specific steps can you take to share the gospel with them?
### Day 2: Trusting in God's Sovereignty
The doctrine of God's sovereign election can be difficult to accept, but it is a recurring theme in Scripture. Understanding that God has the right to choose according to His will, and that His choices are always just, helps us to trust in His perfect plan even when it is beyond our comprehension. This trust is not a passive resignation but an active faith that God’s ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts higher than our thoughts.
When we struggle with the concept of sovereignty, it is essential to remember that God's justice and mercy are perfectly balanced. His decisions are not arbitrary but are rooted in His divine wisdom and love. By embracing this truth, we can find peace in the midst of uncertainty and rest in the assurance that God is in control, working all things for His glory and our good. [31:37]
Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find it difficult to trust in God's sovereignty? How can you surrender this area to Him today and trust in His perfect plan?
### Day 3: Embracing God's Election
The example of Jacob and Esau illustrates that God's election is based on His purpose and not on human merit. This challenges us to humbly accept God's sovereignty and to recognize that our salvation is entirely a result of His grace and mercy. It is a humbling realization that we are chosen not because of our works or righteousness but solely because of God's loving and sovereign choice.
This understanding should lead us to a place of deep gratitude and humility. It reminds us that our relationship with God is not something we have earned but a gift we have received. This perspective can transform our worship, making it more heartfelt and sincere, as we acknowledge the greatness of God's grace in our lives. [35:06]
Ephesians 1:4-5 (ESV): "Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will."
Reflection: Reflect on the fact that your salvation is a result of God's grace and not your own merit. How does this truth impact your view of yourself and your relationship with God?
### Day 4: Faith Over Law
Jesus Christ, the stumbling stone, was rejected by many because they sought righteousness through the law rather than by faith. This teaches us the importance of faith in Christ as the foundation of our righteousness and the necessity of embracing God's plan of salvation. The law, while good, was never meant to be the means of salvation but a guide that points us to our need for a Savior.
Faith in Christ is the cornerstone of our relationship with God. It is through faith that we receive His righteousness and are justified before Him. This truth calls us to examine our own lives and ensure that we are not relying on our works or adherence to the law for our salvation but fully trusting in Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross. [52:11]
Galatians 3:24-25 (ESV): "So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian."
Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you are relying on your own efforts rather than faith in Christ? How can you shift your focus to trust more fully in His grace and righteousness?
### Day 5: Submitting to the Potter
The analogy of the potter and the clay reminds us that God, as the Creator, has the authority to shape His creation according to His will. This truth calls us to submit to God's sovereignty and to trust that His purposes are ultimately for His glory and our good. Just as a potter has a vision for the clay, God has a divine purpose for each of our lives.
Submitting to God's will involves a willingness to be molded and shaped by Him, even when it is uncomfortable or challenging. It requires a trust that His plans are better than our own and a surrender to His divine craftsmanship. This submission is an act of worship, acknowledging God's rightful place as the sovereign Lord of our lives. [45:24]
Jeremiah 18:6 (ESV): "O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter has done? declares the Lord. Behold, like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to submit to God's will? How can you allow Him to shape and mold you according to His purpose today?
Quotes
1. "When you look at chapter 9, 10, and 11, there are some things that you might say, man, I struggle with that. That's pretty stout stuff, pretty potent stuff. I guarantee you it's not dealt with in most churches. They just skip over this. But let's struggle together as we go through this portion of Scripture. As you know, the Apostle Paul wrote this portion of Scripture, and I can picture him there writing these words of the book of Romans that we looked at this morning." [21:12] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Paul was struggling. You can feel it. He's struggling with this thing. He says, I'm speaking the truth. I'm speaking the truth in Christ. I'm not lying. My conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit. Okay, Paul, what is it that you have to say I'm speaking the truth, and you have to say I'm not lying, and you have to say my conscience is bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit. I have great sorrow. And unceasing anguish." [23:51] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "If you've got some lost loved ones. Are you in such anguish over their loss? And they're going to hell. That you say to God, Lord, if it were possible, I would go to hell instead of them. I don't think many of us struggle with this stuff. But Paul is struggling with sorrow. He says in verse four and five that they are Israelites and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants. They're going to hell." [24:55] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Many people have a struggle, difficulty of believing sovereign election. But you can't deny it all through the scripture that God chose one people, the Jew, Israel. did not choose Egypt. He did not choose Assyria. He did not choose Babylon. All these heathen nations around Israel, he did not choose any of them. He did not provide any sacrifices. He did not reach out to them. And you say, preacher, I've got a problem with that. That doesn't sound like my God. And that's a problem a lot of people have." [31:37] (72 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So then. Yeah. So then. This is now after he said these previous verses. So now. So then. It depends not on human will. Circle that. In other words. Your choice. Your will. My will. Doesn't. It doesn't depend on human will. doesn't depend on exertion. Circle that word. Meaning. I'm going to try. I'm going to try. I'm going to try. I'm To earn God's favor. It's not exertion. But circle the next three words. But. On. God. Who has mercy." [39:10] (55 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "So what if, verse 22, what if God, desiring to show this, verse 23, circled these next two words in order? In order. In order to do what? In order to make known the riches of his glory. vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory. Even us, whom he has called. Not from the Jews only, but also from the Gentiles." [46:31] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Notice the selection. Notice that third point we're looking at, struggling with selection. God says, Those who were not my people, I will call my people. The Jews were his people. The Gentiles, he says, I'm going to call them my people. And her who was not beloved, I will call beloved. And in every place where he has said to them, You are not my people. There they will be. He calls sons of the living God." [47:53] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "What shall we say then? Notice all these questions Paul is posing. What shall we say then? What are you going to answer to all this? What shall we say then? That Gentiles who did not persevere, And 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." [51:25] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Why would god purposely put a stone of stumbling in their path you know who that is that's jesus jesus the messiah he was a stone of stumbling he was a rock of of offense they took offense offense at jesus he wasn't what they thought they were looking for or what they were looking for what they thought he would be so ask yourself the question i ask myself the question i i struggle with this why would god put a stumbling over when they were actuallyair lying down onto a stone of stumbling what it means uh stone in their way so that they would stumble what do you answer what do you say that's god's prerogative that is god's plan is the way he designed it to be" [54:40] (87 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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