Overview of Romans I. Intro. + Theme1:1-17 II. Condemnation1:18-3:20 III. Justification3:21-5:11 IV. Sanctification5:12-8:39 V. Illustration9:1-11:36.

Overview of Romans

I. Intro. + Theme 1:1-17 II. Condemnation 1:18-3:20 III. Justification 3:21-5:11 IV. Sanctification 5:12-8:39 V. Illustration 9:1-11:36 VI. Application 12:1-15:13VII. Epilogue 15:14-16:27

Overview

1. Paul’s concern for Israel – 1-52. Israel’s unbelief and God’s plan - 6-133. God’s purpose and His choices – 14-294. The remnant and the collision – 30-33

Paul’s Concern for Israel – 9:1-2

Paul’s concern is shown by…• Own words• His conscience and• The Holy Spirit

Paul’s Concern for Israel – 9:3

The idea here is something like, “I almost wish I could die for Israel”.

2 Sam. 18:33

Paul’s Concern for Israel – 9:4-5

“Israel” comes from the special favor shown to Jacob when he was renamed.

Paul’s Concern for Israel – 9:4-5

Six examples of God’s favor to Israel:• “Adoption as sons” = Like NT believers (Ex.

4:22-23)• “The glory” = God uniquely manifested

Himself to Israel – Ex. 16:2; 24:16-18• The Covenants – Mosaic and Palestinian (Dt.

5:3; 29:1)

Paul’s Concern for Israel – 9:4-5

Six examples of God’s favor to Israel:• The Law (Legislation) – Specific stipulations

that came from the Law• The Promises – Many, like the Messiah, the

Kingdom, and the Gospel

Paul’s Concern for Israel – 9:4-5

Six examples of God’s favor to Israel:• The Fathers – Abraham, Isaac, Jacob• The Christ – Jesus was an Israelite; God

became an Israelite!

Paul’s Concern for Israel – 9:4-5

Six examples of God’s favor to Israel:• The Fathers – Abraham, Isaac, Jacob• The Christ – Jesus was an Israelite; God

became an Israelite!

Paul’s Concern for Israel

“So, what happened to Israel?”

Paul’s Concern for Israel

“Israel’s unbelief lines up with Scripture, it has not failed, and it is part of God’s plan for the

world.”

Unbelief and the Channels of God’s Grace - 9:6

Israel’s future is sure and nothing has happened to change that.

Unbelief and the Channels of God’s Grace - 9:6

Being a Jew is more than a physical and racial connection.

Unbelief and the Channels of God’s Grace - 9:7-9

Physical lineage isn’t necessarily spiritual descent.

Unbelief and the Channels of God’s Grace - 9:7-9

Ishmael had a physical connection but no spiritual standing in the designated line, as did

Isaac.

Unbelief and the Channels of God’s Grace - 9:7-9

“Children of God”• Isaac came by miraculous birth• Isaac was a child of promise• Both of the above are true for us

Unbelief and the Channels of God’s Grace - 9:7-9

Believers have a miraculous spiritual birth and are participants in the Abrahamic Covenant

(children of promise).Gal. 3:7-9

Unbelief and the Channels of God’s Grace - 9:10

Not only was Isaac chosen on the basis of promise (Gen. 18:10, 14), but the example of

Jacob and Esau illustrate God’s choice.

Unbelief and the Channels of God’s Grace - 9:11-12

God’s purpose came by His choice, not their actions.

Unbelief and the Channels of God’s Grace - 9:11-12

Literally = “the choice purpose”!

Unbelief and the Channels of God’s Grace - 9:11-12

The issue here has nothing to do with their eternal life, one way or another!

Unbelief and the Channels of God’s Grace - 9:11-12

God had special purposes for Jacob and He has them for us!Rom. 8:29-30

Unbelief and the Channels of God’s Grace - 9:11-12

God’s wisdom as to why He chose Jacob is unrevealed, we only know it had to do with

God’s choice.Dt. 29:29

Unbelief and the Channels of God’s Grace - 9:13

“Loved…hated”Terms involving choice, not emotion

Unbelief and the Channels of God’s Grace - 9:13

In Paul’s day, the believing remnant of Israel had also received mercy.

Unbelief and the Channels of God’s Grace - 9:13

This is the way God acted in the past and is acting toward Israel today.

Unbelief and the Channels of God’s Grace - 9:14-29

But, is God wrong to show favor to some and not others?

Unbelief and the Channels of God’s Grace - 9:14-16

God has rights!

Unbelief and the Channels of God’s Grace - 9:14-16

No one can demand mercy; its very nature comes from our failure!

Unbelief and the Channels of God’s Grace - 9:14-16

Mercy never comes just because we want it or work for it!

Unbelief and the Channels of God’s Grace - 9:14-16

Mercy comes because God chooses to give it……and He has chosen to give it to those who

believe!Rom. 11:32

Unbelief and the Channels of God’s Grace - 9:14-16

Nothing at all is said here about a “predestination” to hell.

Unbelief and the Channels of God’s Grace - 9:14-16

Paul never tries to reconcile free will and predestination.

Unbelief and the Channels of God’s Grace - 9:17-18

God has a right to show mercy and to withhold it, as He did with Pharaoh.

Unbelief and the Channels of God’s Grace - 9:17-18

The issues here are not eternal!

Unbelief and the Channels of God’s Grace - 9:17-18

“…All God really does is to confirm and extend a process of hardening that Pharaoh himself

had initiated”!Hodges p. 273

Unbelief and the Channels of God’s Grace - 9:19-21

This is not saying God has a right to be completely arbitrary.

Unbelief and the Channels of God’s Grace - 9:19-21

It is saying that, as humans, we cannot possibly know all that goes into God’s decisions.

As creatures, we have no right to judge God!

Unbelief and the Channels of God’s Grace - 9:22-24

God has chosen to pour out His temporal wrath on Israel and show mercy to Gentiles.

Unbelief and the Channels of God’s Grace - 9:22-26

God has chosen to pour out His temporal wrath on national Israel and to show mercy to His

true children, both Jew and Gentile.

Unbelief and the Channels of God’s Grace - 9:27-28

God’s present mercy is on a small number; the Remnant.

Unbelief and the Channels of God’s Grace - 9:29

“Sodom…Gomorrah” = Temporal destruction.

Israel’s problem = Jesus - 9:30-33

The Gentiles didn’t deserve mercy.

Israel’s problem = Jesus - 9:30-33

Israel’s pursuit of +R is not faith-based.

Israel’s problem = Jesus - 9:30-33

Israel “collided” with their Messiah!

Israel’s problem = Jesus - 9:30-33

In spite of Israel’s “collision”, we should never be ashamed of Him!