Sermon25-45 Rom9&10 Guide

Romans 9:10-10:17 theme verse Romans 9:18

The praise and honor and glory be to our heavenly Father who seeks true worshipers who worship Him with the Spirit and truth.

In this fortieth Sunday of 2025, on Pentecost Sunday, I pray that His grace of the application of all the benefits which Jesus earned for our salvation and also the glorious ministry of the proclamation of His kingdom by the power of the Holy Spirit may be full in our life. Last week, we looked at what the intermediate state is, yet this week, we would like to look at what the Sovereignty of God the LORD is together.

1)    First, to summarize today's text, Romans where today's text is read, is structured with an introduction of 1:1-17, the main of 1:18-15:13 and the conclusion of 15:14-16:27, while in the main text of chapter 1-15,

a)     Chapters 1 through 4 discuss the core of the gospel, namely justification by faith.

b)    Chapters 5 through 8 explain the results of justification, I mean, the union with Christ, life of righteousness and joy and also a life that fulfills the law through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

c)     And then chapters 9 through 11, where today's text is read, discuss God's sovereignty in the gospel and the remnant of Israel.

d)    And finally, chapters 12 through 15 explain the Christian life through the power of the gospel.

In particular, today’s text of chapters 9 and 10 teach that not all Israelites born of Israelite blood are considered children of promise who receive God's salvation. Just as Isaac's wife, Rebekah, was pregnant with twins, though they were not born and had one nothing either good or bad, God said, "The older will serve the younger and I loved Jacob, but I hated Esau." As such, only those who were chosen and called according to God's will become the true people of Israel, the children of promise, not depending on their will or exertion, but by God's mercy In other words, Paul says that salvation depends solely on God's sovereignty.

2)    As such, Paul says in today’s text that ultimately, salvation comes only through God, who is sovereign, just as God says He has mercy on whom He wills and hardens whom He wills.

3)    However, regarding this sovereignty of God, Calvin said that God, in His sovereign good pleasure, chose those whom He wanted to save and made them the recipients of the special grace of eternal salvation, but also that He chose to reprobate those He did not save so that He decided to pass over some people with His special grace to regenerate and save them, and to punish them for their sins, thus demonstrating His justice. But Calvin said that God was not the author of sin and was in no way responsible for human sin. So, since this doctrine of divine predestination was so complex and difficult to understand, he even referred to it as a "dreadful decree."

4)    Regarding His eternal decree, chapter 3 of Westminster confession of faith confesses that

a. God from all eternity did, by the most wise and holy counsel of his own will, freely and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass (Rom 9:15,18; 11:33; Eph 1:11; Heb 6:17); yet so as thereby neither is God the author of sin(James 1:13,17; 1 John 1:5), nor is violence offered to the will of the creatures, nor is the liberty or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established (Prov 16:33; Mat 17:12; John 19:11; Acts 2:23; 4:27-28).

b. Although God knows whatsoever may or can come to pass upon all supposed conditions (1 Sam 23:11-12; Mat 11:21, 23; Acts 15:18), yet hath he not decreed anything because he foresaw it as future, or as that which would come to pass upon such conditions (Rom 9:11, 13, 16, 18).

c. By the decree of God, for the manifestation of his glory, some men and angels (Mat 25:41; 1 Tim 5:21) are predestinated unto everlasting life, and others fore-ordained to everlasting death (Prov 16:4; Rom 9:22-23; Eph 1:5-6).

d. These angels and men, thus predestinated and fore-ordained, are particularly and unchangeably designed; and their number is so certain and definite that it can not be either increased or diminished (John 13:18; 2 Tim 2:19).

e. Those of mankind that are predestinated unto life, God, before the foundation of the world was laid, according to his eternal and immutable purpose, and the secret counsel and good pleasure of his will, hath chosen in Christ, unto everlasting glory (Rom 8:30; Eph 1:4, 9, 11; 1 Thes 5:9; 2 Tim 1:9), out of his mere free grace and love, without any foresight of faith or good works, or perseverance in either of them, or any other thing in the creature, as conditions, or causes moving him thereunto (Rom 9:11, 13, 16; Eph 1:4, 9); and all to the praise of his glorious grace (Eph 1:6, 12).

f. As God hath appointed the elect unto glory, so hath he, by the eternal and most free purpose of his will, fore-ordained all the means thereunto (Eph 1:4-5; Eph 2:10; 2 Thes 2:13; 1 Pet 1:2). Wherefore they who are elected, being fallen in Adam, are redeemed by Christ (1 Thes 5:9-10; Titus 2:14), are effectually called unto faith in Christ by his Spirit working in due season; are justified, adopted, sanctified (Rom 8:30; Eph 1:5; 2 Thes 2:13), and kept by his power through faith unto salvation (1 Pet 1:5). Neither are any other redeemed by Christ, effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified, and saved, but the elect only (John 6:64-65; 8:47; 10:26; 17:9; Rom 8:28-39; 1 John 2:19).

g. The rest of mankind God was pleased, according to the unsearchable counsel of his own will, whereby he extended or withheld mercy as he pleaseth, for the glory of his sovereign power over his creatures, to pass by, and to ordain them to dishonor and wrath for their sin, to the praise of his glorious justice (Mat 11:25-26; Rom 9:17-18, 21-22; 2 Tim 2:19-20; 1 Pet 2:8; Jude 1:4).

h. The doctrine of this high mystery of predestination is to be handled with special prudence and care (Deut 29:29; Rom 9:20), that men attending the will of God revealed in his Word, and yielding obedience thereunto, may, from the certainty of their effectual vocation, be assured of their eternal election (2 Pet 1:10). So shall this doctrine afford matter of praise, reverence, and admiration of God (Rom 11:33; Eph 1:6); and of humility, diligence, and abundant consolation to all that sincerely obey the gospel (Luke 10:20; Rom 8:33; 11:5-6, 20; 2 Pet 1:10).

5)    However, regarding this doctrine, as we can see at today's passage, even since even Paul's time, there have been objections on this doctrine that "Isn't God's predestination unjust? Or isn't it unfair?" or, "If God predestined someone to probate, why does He condemn those whom He did not elect?"

6)    But I think we need to consider the human status, before we raise this objection. I mean, first, according to Romans 5:12 says, we have to know that all human beings are sinners. Therefore, we can see that all humans died by the flood in Genesis 6, and even Noah and his family, total eight were saved by God's grace, and also, all human beings have to die as Romans 5:12 says, "All sinned, and as a result, death came to all men." However, the problem is that according to Romans 3:20, humans cannot be justified before God through the works of the law, I mean, through good works. Because even what we consider the best works cannot be perfect before God so that our good works cannot save or justify us. And there's an even bigger problem, I mean, as Ephesians 2:1 says, we are all spiritually dead due to our transgressions and sins, I mean, we are incapable of knowing or understanding spiritual truth by our own. That's why Romans 3:10-12 says, "There is none righteous, not even one; there is none who understands, there is none who seeks God. All have turned away, together they have become worthless; there is none who does good, not even one.’”

7)    Even regarding this human misery, Westminster confession of faith in chapter 9, confesses that

a. God hath endued the will of man with that natural liberty, that is neither forced, nor by any absolute necessity of nature determined, to good or evil (Mt17:12; James1:14; Deut30:19).

b. Man, in his state of innocency, had freedom and power to will and to do that which is good and well-pleasing to God (Ecc 7:29; Gen 1:26); but yet mutably, so that he might fall from it (Gen 2:16,17;3:6).

c. Man, by his fall into a state of sin, hath wholly lost all ability of will to any spiritual good accompanying salvation (Rom 5:6; 8:7; Jn 15:5). ; so as a natural man, being altogether averse from that good (Rom 3:10,12), and dead in sin (Ep 2:1,5; Col 2:13), is not able, by his own strength, to convert himself, or to prepare himself thereunto (John 6:44,65; Eph 2:2-5; 1 Cor 2:14; Tit 3:3-5).

d. When God converts a sinner, and translates him into the state of grace, he freeth him from his natural bondage under sin (Col 1:13; John 8:34,36) , and by his grace alone, enables him freely to will and to do that which is spiritually good (Phil 2:13; Rom 6:18,22); yet so as that, by reason of his remaining corruption, he doth not perfectly nor only will that which is good, but doth also will that which is evil (Gal 5:17; Rom 7:15,18,19,21,23).

d. The will of man is made perfectly and immutably free to do good alone in the state of glory only (Ep 4:13; Heb 12:23; 1 Jn 3:2; Jud 24).

8)    Therefore, to save humanity from this miserable state, first, as Romans 3 says, God opened the way to righteousness through faith, not through the works of the law. I mean, God sent Jesus Christ, the Son of God so that He came to this earth and, through His death on the cross, removed all the guilt of sins incurred by humanity. Furthermore, by obeying God's Word and fulfilling the law, He accomplished righteousness for humanity and imputed His righteousness to all who believe in Him. In other words, God opened the way for ”the righteousness of God." And then second, as 1 Corinthians 1:21 says, "For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom could not know God, God was pleased through the foolishness of preaching to save those who believe," God sent evangelists to proclaim this good news to the whole world. And thirdly, He opened the heart of people who listen to the gospel and enabled them to understand the proclaimed word of the gospel, so that they could believe in Him and be imputed with the righteousness of Christ. That’s why Ephesians 2:8 says that not only salvation by grace, but also faith are all gifts of God. And also that’s why today's text, Romans 9:16, says that "So the grace of God does not depend on will or on running, but on God's mercy," and Romans 10:13-15 says, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how will they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? And how will they preach unless they are sent?" and also Romans 10:17 says, "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." Furthermore, that’s why Romans 8:15 says, “For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba, Father!’” and also John 3:3 & 5 says, “no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again. Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”

9)    And the purpose of God to choose some individuals and bestow the blessings of salvation was not that they would be blessed on earth and in heaven, living happily ever after, instead, I mean, in Genesis 12, when God chose and called Abram, as He said, "Leave your country, your people, and your father's household, and go to the land I will show you. I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth will be blessed." the purpose to call Abram was, it was that Abraham would be blessed and become a blessing, spreading that blessing to all nations. And, receiving this grace and spreading the gospel involves sufferings, as Philippians 1:29 says, "For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for His sake." Therefore, in the Bible, we witness all the chosen ones had to go through sufferings for the kingdom of God. Therefore, I pray that we too, following the example of our forefathers in faith, may endure sufferings for the gospel, thereby expanding the kingdom of God and enjoying its glory.

Key Questions as Small Group Activity

Q1 Through today’s text, we became to know that we could receive the salvation of God through His pre-destination by His Sovereignty. So, after meditating on this grace of predestination and election and thinking how we can enjoy this grace, I hope we could share our thought and experience with our team members together to learn from each other.

Q2 And also, we became to know that the purpose of this grace was not only to make us happy for His glory but also more importantly to make us proclaim this salvation through faith to the world. So after reviewing our life and checking how we live, I hope we could share our thought and experience with our team members together to learn from each other.

Love you. Thank you. God bless you.

Prayer Note

Dear ( God’s attribute which you found Today ) God!

Thanks for ( something you received through the sermon or  even during the week )

Praise, gratitude and glory be to You, Lord!

Today, I realized my sin (pains) that ( the sin God reminded through the sermon ),

please forgive (or heal) me and help me not to repeat ( the sins you recognized   ).

I learned that ( something you learned through the sermon                                    )

Please help me to live in that (  learned way of life                                                )

I pray in ( Jesus’ attribute you find ) Jesus’ name. Amen.