Daily Archives: August 28, 2017

Children of Promise

Romans 9:6-9 (p. 1758-1759)                                                                       August 27, 2017    

In other words, it is not the natural children who are God’s children,
but it is the children of promise who are regarded as Abraham’s offspring.
Romans 9:8

Paul and the Hebrews

For I wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race, the people of Israel.
Romans 9:3-4

1. Paul really love HIS BROTHERS, THE HEBREW PEOPLE
2. Because of Jesus, their promises ARE MINE

God and history

 – in order that God’s purpose in election might stand: not by works but by him who calls –
Romans 9:11-12

1. It had never been about  WORK
2. God’s love is a CHOOSING = ELECTING  love
3. God’s  CALL  has always been sovereign
   = both free (without obligation) and effectual

Three questions from history

1. Is God just?  No, [in the sense of being “fair” = giving me what I deserve] but God is  GOOD

It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.
\For Scripture says to Pharaoh, “I raised you up for this very purpose . . . .”
Romans 9:16-17

 

2. Where does faith fit in?  God’s people have always been made righteous by faith

Christ is the end of the law so that there might be righteousness for everyone who believes.
Romans 10:4

 

3. Did God reject his people?   WE ARE his people!
   but . . . . KEEP WATCHING his people!

I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited:
Israel has experienced a hardening in part
until the whole number of the Gentiles has come in.
And so all Israel will be saved.
Romans 11:25

 

More study resources for Romans 9-11

Tim Browning at https://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/onsite/mp3/romans_browningpdf.html

Bob Deffinbaugh’s  sermon, “Man Proposes” at https://bible.org/series/romans-righteousness-god

Ligon Duncan’s messages at http://www.fpcjackson.org/resource-library/sermons/greetings-from-an-apostle

John Murray’s Redemption Accomplished and Applied (Eerdmans, 1955).

Michael Horton’s “Romans from 30,000 Feet” from “An Overview of the Book of Romans”, http://www.reformationtheology.com/2011/04/romans_from_30000_feet_by_mich.php

Kim Riddlebarger’s “And so All Israel Will Be Saved?” at http://kimriddlebarger.squarespace.com/sermons-on-pauls-epistle-to-th/

Sinclair Ferguson’s “The Great Exchanges” at http://www.ligonier.org/blog/great-exchanges-romans/

F.F. Bruce’s paraphrase of Romans at https://biblicalstudies.org.
uk/pdf/eq/1958-2_bruce.pdf  or Paternoster Press (1965); Paul: Apostle of the Heart Set Free (Eerdmans, 1977); and The Epistle of Paul to the Romans (Eerdmans, 1963).

Tim Keller’s Romans For You (The Good Book, 2014).

William Hendriksen’s Romans in BNTC (Baker Books, 1980).

James Boice’s Romans, Volume 3: God and History (Baker Books, 1991).

Earl Palmer’s Romans series notes “The Greatest Book”, Winter 2002, University Presbyterian Church, Seattle.

Reading this week: The mystery of grace and faith

This week we focus on that great promise in Romans 10:13 – “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” –  by looking at the passages Paul quotes in Romans 10.  Yes, both God’s grace is sovereign and my response of faith is necessary.  What an incredible mystery to ponder this week!

Monday: Romans 9:30-10:21, Confess and believe
In good Reformation style, Paul turns from God’s work to my response.  When did you first hear this great promise?  How have both confession and belief been a part of your faith walk?

Tuesday: Deuteronomy 30:11-20, The Word is near
This is passage Paul quotes to show us that God’s word of promise has always been “close.”  How were you first made aware that God’s promise was really for you?

Wednesday: Psalm 19, Everyone hears!
Paul quotes David’s wonderful hymn to general (the heavens) and special (his Word) revelation.  How has all of God’s revelation help you discern your “hidden faults” and “willful sins”?  How has this Psalm changed your meditation?

Thursday: Isaiah 65, Old judgments and new heavens
Paul quotes this passage to remind us that God’s judgment always leaves room for his blessing.  How does Isaiah make the transition from judgment to blessing (see 65:16, it has to do with truth!)?   How have you experienced the “beforeness” (see 65:24) of God’s call?  How are you living a new creation life?

Friday: Joel 2:18-32, Everyone who call on the name of the Lord
This is the central promise of Romans 10, that by faith God’s grace is available to Hebrew and Gentile alike.  So Peter chooses this as his Pentecost text!  What is your story of calling on the Lord?  How are you assured of the Spirit poured out?

Saturday: Isaiah 28:16-29, Listen to this wonderful counsel!
This is the judgment part of Paul’s salvation message.  How has God’s wise “harvest” plan been evident in your life?  What “threshing” still needs to take place?  How have you avoided stumbling over grace?