God's Sovereign Choice: Children of Promise Explained

 

Summary

In our exploration of Romans 9:6-9, we delve into the profound truth of God's sovereign choice and the distinction between natural descent and spiritual promise. The Apostle Paul addresses a critical objection from the Jews regarding the gospel, emphasizing that God's word has not failed. The key lies in understanding the true meaning of "Israel." Not all who are descended from Israel are the true Israel. This distinction is crucial, as God's promises are fulfilled in the true Israel, those who are children of the promise, not merely children of the flesh.

Paul illustrates this with the example of Abraham's sons, Ishmael and Isaac. Though both were Abraham's descendants, God's covenant and promise were carried through Isaac, not Ishmael. This demonstrates that God's promises are not based on natural descent but on His sovereign choice. Isaac's birth was a result of God's promise, not merely a natural occurrence. This highlights the miraculous nature of God's work, where His promises bring forth life and fulfillment beyond human capability.

The distinction between the children of the flesh and the children of the promise is vital. The children of the promise are those who are spiritually born, brought into being by God's promise and power. This spiritual birth is not of human effort but of divine intervention. It is a reminder that our identity as God's people is not based on heritage or human effort but on God's gracious calling and promise.

This teaching challenges us to examine our understanding of what it means to be part of God's people. It calls us to recognize that true belonging to God is not about external markers or lineage but about being born of the Spirit, being children of the promise. It is a call to trust in God's sovereign work and to rest in the assurance that His promises are sure and unfailing.

Key Takeaways:

- God's Sovereign Choice: God's promises are fulfilled in the true Israel, those who are children of the promise, not merely children of the flesh. This distinction emphasizes that God's word has not failed, as His promises are based on His sovereign choice, not human descent. [01:50]

- The Example of Isaac and Ishmael: The story of Abraham's sons illustrates that God's covenant is carried through Isaac, the child of promise, not Ishmael. This demonstrates that God's promises are not based on natural descent but on His divine choice and promise. [09:02]

- Spiritual Birth Over Natural Descent: True belonging to God is not about heritage or human effort but about being born of the Spirit. The children of the promise are those who are spiritually born, brought into being by God's promise and power. [29:25]

- Miraculous Nature of God's Work: Isaac's birth was a result of God's promise, highlighting the miraculous nature of God's work. His promises bring forth life and fulfillment beyond human capability, reminding us of the power of divine intervention. [43:33]

- Trust in God's Unfailing Promises: This teaching challenges us to trust in God's sovereign work and rest in the assurance that His promises are sure and unfailing. It calls us to recognize that our identity as God's people is based on His gracious calling. [50:43]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:14] - Introduction to Romans 9:6-9
- [01:06] - The Objection from the Jews
- [01:50] - Understanding True Israel
- [03:00] - The Importance of Spiritual Israel
- [04:23] - The Argument from Jewish History
- [05:35] - Abraham's Two Sons: Ishmael and Isaac
- [07:27] - Justification Illustrated in Abraham
- [09:02] - The Division of Abraham's Seed
- [12:06] - Natural vs. Spiritual Seed
- [14:24] - God's Promise to Abraham
- [19:18] - The Meaning of "Called"
- [22:32] - God's Choice and Calling
- [29:25] - Children of the Flesh vs. Children of the Promise
- [43:33] - The Miracle of Isaac's Birth
- [50:43] - Conclusion: Trust in God's Promises

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Romans 9:6-9
- Genesis 21:12
- Galatians 4:22-23

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Observation Questions:

1. What distinction does Paul make between the natural descendants of Abraham and the children of the promise in Romans 9:6-9? How does this relate to the concept of "true Israel"? [01:50]

2. How does the story of Isaac and Ishmael illustrate the principle of God's sovereign choice according to the sermon? [09:02]

3. In the sermon, what is emphasized about the nature of Isaac's birth and its significance in understanding God's promises? [43:33]

4. How does the sermon explain the difference between being a child of the flesh and a child of the promise? [29:25]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of God's sovereign choice challenge common assumptions about heritage and spiritual identity? What implications does this have for understanding who belongs to God's people? [01:50]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that God's promises are fulfilled beyond human capability? How does this understanding affect one's faith in God's promises? [43:33]

3. How does the sermon interpret the role of divine intervention in spiritual birth, and what does this imply about human effort in achieving spiritual identity? [29:25]

4. What does the sermon suggest about the nature of God's promises and their fulfillment in the context of Isaac's miraculous birth? How does this relate to the assurance of God's promises in our lives? [50:43]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own understanding of spiritual identity. How does the distinction between natural descent and spiritual promise challenge or affirm your view of belonging to God's people? [01:50]

2. Consider a situation in your life where you have relied on human effort rather than trusting in God's sovereign work. How can you shift your perspective to trust more in divine intervention? [29:25]

3. How can the example of Isaac's miraculous birth inspire you to trust in God's promises, even when circumstances seem impossible? Share a personal experience where you witnessed God's intervention. [43:33]

4. In what ways can you cultivate a deeper understanding of being a child of the promise rather than a child of the flesh in your daily life? What practical steps can you take to live out this identity? [29:25]

5. How does the assurance of God's unfailing promises influence your approach to challenges and uncertainties in life? Identify a specific promise of God that you can hold onto this week. [50:43]

6. Reflect on a time when you felt excluded or unworthy of God's promises. How does the sermon encourage you to see your identity as based on God's gracious calling rather than external markers? [01:50]

7. Identify an area in your life where you need to rest in the assurance of God's promises. What practical actions can you take to remind yourself of His faithfulness daily? [50:43]

Devotional

Day 1: God's Sovereign Choice and True Israel
God's promises are fulfilled in the true Israel, those who are children of the promise, not merely children of the flesh. This distinction emphasizes that God's word has not failed, as His promises are based on His sovereign choice, not human descent. The Apostle Paul clarifies that not all who are descended from Israel are the true Israel. This understanding challenges the notion that natural descent guarantees inclusion in God's promises. Instead, it is God's sovereign choice that determines who the true children of the promise are. This truth invites believers to trust in God's wisdom and sovereignty, recognizing that His plans and purposes are beyond human understanding. [01:50]

Isaiah 45:9-10 (ESV): "Woe to him who strives with him who formed him, a pot among earthen pots! Does the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?’ or ‘Your work has no handles’? Woe to him who says to a father, ‘What are you begetting?’ or to a woman, ‘With what are you in labor?’"

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to trust God's sovereign choice? How can you surrender these areas to Him today, acknowledging His wisdom and plan?


Day 2: The Example of Isaac and Ishmael
The story of Abraham's sons, Ishmael and Isaac, illustrates that God's covenant is carried through Isaac, the child of promise, not Ishmael. This demonstrates that God's promises are not based on natural descent but on His divine choice and promise. Isaac's birth was a result of God's promise, highlighting the miraculous nature of God's work. This example serves as a reminder that God's promises are fulfilled through His power and not through human effort or lineage. Believers are encouraged to rely on God's promises and trust in His ability to bring them to fruition, even when circumstances seem impossible. [09:02]

Galatians 4:28-29 (ESV): "Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now."

Reflection: Consider a promise from God that you are waiting to see fulfilled. How can you actively trust in His timing and power, rather than relying on your own efforts?


Day 3: Spiritual Birth Over Natural Descent
True belonging to God is not about heritage or human effort but about being born of the Spirit. The children of the promise are those who are spiritually born, brought into being by God's promise and power. This spiritual birth is not of human effort but of divine intervention. It is a reminder that our identity as God's people is based on His gracious calling and promise. Believers are called to examine their understanding of what it means to be part of God's people, recognizing that true belonging is about being born of the Spirit and living in accordance with God's promises. [29:25]

John 1:12-13 (ESV): "But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God."

Reflection: Reflect on your spiritual journey. How can you cultivate a deeper reliance on the Holy Spirit to guide and shape your identity as a child of God?


Day 4: The Miraculous Nature of God's Work
Isaac's birth was a result of God's promise, highlighting the miraculous nature of God's work. His promises bring forth life and fulfillment beyond human capability, reminding us of the power of divine intervention. This truth encourages believers to recognize the miraculous in their own lives, understanding that God's promises often defy human logic and expectation. It is a call to embrace the miraculous nature of God's work and to trust in His ability to bring about His promises in ways that surpass human understanding. [43:33]

Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV): "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."

Reflection: Identify a situation in your life where you need to see God's miraculous work. How can you open your heart to His intervention and trust in His power to bring about change?


Day 5: Trust in God's Unfailing Promises
This teaching challenges us to trust in God's sovereign work and rest in the assurance that His promises are sure and unfailing. It calls us to recognize that our identity as God's people is based on His gracious calling. Believers are encouraged to rest in the assurance of God's promises, knowing that they are grounded in His unchanging nature and faithfulness. This trust is not passive but active, inviting believers to live in the confidence of God's promises and to align their lives with His purposes. [50:43]

Hebrews 10:23 (ESV): "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful."

Reflection: What is one promise from God that you need to hold onto more tightly? How can you actively live out your trust in this promise today?

Quotes


The Apostle Paul addresses a critical objection from the Jews regarding the gospel, emphasizing that God's word has not failed. The key lies in understanding the true meaning of "Israel." Not all who are descended from Israel are the true Israel. This distinction is crucial, as God's promises are fulfilled in the true Israel, those who are children of the promise, not merely children of the flesh. [00:01:50]

Abraham has two children he has two sons so as far as natural descent is concerned there was no difference between them at all Ishmael was as much the son of Abraham as Isaac was and yet he says the whole point as you know perfectly well is this that a division was made immediately. [00:09:19]

The children of God are not merely the children of the flesh but the children of Promise are counted for the seed now you see what he's establishing here there are children of the flesh there are children of God there are children of the promise and what he's saying is this not all the children of the flesh are the children of God. [00:28:00]

The promise produces its own children that's clearly stated in this eth verse the children of the promise the children that result from the promise are the ones who are accounted for the seed these are the children of God not the ones produced by natural descent but the ones produced by the promise the children of the promise. [00:34:02]

The promise was made with respect to Isaac not only before he was born but even before he was conceived that's a very important point the promise was made not only before he was born but before he was even conceived in the womb too the child Isaac was born because of the promise. [00:40:31]

Isaac is really produced by the promise he's the child of the promise the thing I emphasized as we were dealing with verse 8 the children of the promise the children resulting from the promise the children brought into being by the promise accounted for the seed and ab and Isaac I'm arguing here is something more than the son of Abraham. [00:42:41]

God did not choose Isaac rather than Ishmael after Isaac was born but as I've already reminded you before he was even conceived so that then our fifth deduction is this God elected Isaac as the seed and produced him because he had elected him is that clear to you God had chosen Isaac to be the one through whom this Covenant and promise were to be worked out. [00:44:37]

Isaac then we can say is really born of The Spirit Well I know that in a sense he's born of the flesh but Isaac the important thing about Isaac is that he is born of the spirit do you think I'm going too far well let the Apostle Paul support me not in Romans but in Galatians as well. [00:45:47]

Nothing matters in this connection except the spiritual birth and that spiritual birth is always of God that is never of the flesh the case of Isaac proves it Isaac and Sarah Abraham and Sarah could not produce Isaac it was God who produced him he's born of the spirit and this spiritual birth is always of God. [00:47:47]

Natural descent is not the thing that matters the thing that matters is the that we be born of the promise that we be born of the spirit that we be born of God God's purpose does not apply to everybody it doesn't apply to all the Seed of Abraham God's purpose applies to and is worked out in only those who are born of the spirit. [00:49:58]

God brought Isaac into being by his own action in order that his purpose might be carried out in him and through him it is the explanation of the case of Isaac and as the Apostle there argues in the epistle to the Galatians in chapters 1 and fall it is the sole explanation also of anybody who is a Christian anywhere and at all times. [00:50:43]

The children of Promise produced by the promise born of the promise not of the flesh these and these alone are the seed let us pray oh Lord Our God we come into thy presence once more with praise and with Thanksgiving Lord what can we say un thee we can but acknowledge that we are what we are by thy Grace and by thy grace alone. [00:51:58]

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