Category Archives: Jesus

Romans 9- Christ The Cornerstone

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What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. Romans 9:30-33

As the Apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, continues to reveal to us the New Covenant in Christ, the Chief Cornerstone, Paul also explains to us why many failed to achieve righteousness, even if they were elect or not, righteousness is attained by faith and not the works of The Law. 

Paul begins “The Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith” Israel was given The Law through Moses, yet they failed to obtain righteousness because they didn’t understand The Law. As Paul continues “because they sought it not by faith, but as if it were by the works of the law” Israel tried to earn their own salvation, they tried to obtain righteousness by themselves

However nobody is able to obtain righteousness by works, The Law was given to reveal our sin, not to make us sinless. The Law is a mirror, that should have brought them to their knees of repentance, however it made them boast in arrogance of sin. Ultimately The Law condemned them because they didn’t seek God by faith, but they sought God by works. 

The Apostle Paul reveals another prophecy about Christ from the Old Testament, the prophet Isaiah fortold about Jesus all throughout His ministry, Paul quotes him here “Behold I lay in Zion (Israel) a stumbling stone, a rock of offence, and whoever (Jew or Gentile) believes on Him (Christ) will not be put to shame” (Isaiah 28:16) The prophet was telling Israel, salvation is found in faith in Christ and not of yourselves!

Jesus Christ is the Chief Cornerstone, (1 Peter 2:6-8) He is the only way to salvation (John 14:6) Its not by the works of The Law but its by faith in Christ, everyone who calls upon the name of The Lord shall be saved! (Joel 2:32, Romans 10:13) Amen!

Romans 9- The New Covenant

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As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God. Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved: For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth. And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha. Romans 9:25-29

One of the blessings of the Apostle Paul is him being a well trained Pharisee filled with the Holy Spirit, He can tie together the Old and New Testaments. Paul is going to just quote the prophets of the Old Testament to reveal the New Covenant in Christ. This was not a new idea or religion by the Apostles, this was foretold by God since the foundation of the world, that Jews and Gentiles would become Children of God through The Lord Jesus Christ

The Prophet Hosea states “I will call them My People, who are not My People”  (Hosea 2:23) This is a clear prophecy of the New Covenant in Christ, this is a clear reference to us the Gentile Church. Without Christ we were outside of God, but In Christ we are Children of God (Galatians 3:26) This is what the prophet Hosea states “They will be called Children of the Living God” (Hosea 1:10) Not only are we saved, but we become Children of God through Christ!

Then the Apostle Paul quotes the prophet Isaiah “Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, the remnant will be saved” (Isaiah 10:22-23) This points out a topic we discussed previously about election and salvation. Even though there is an elect of Israel that is as numerous as the sand, only a small remnant will be saved. So again, election doesn’t automatically equal salvation. Even though Israel was elected for a special purpose to bring forth the Messiah Jesus, it doesn’t mean every Jewish person is a Child of God, you must be Born Again in Christ (John 3:3)

Paul quotes the prophet Isaiah by stating “Unless The Lord of Hosts/Almighty has left us a seed, we would have become like Sodom” (Isaiah 1:9) So who is the seed or remnant? Think about the heroes of the Bible (Abraham, Noah, Moses, ect) there has always been a faithful remnant of God, unless we would end like Sodom, a remembrance of total depravity and wickedness. What was the sentence for Sodom and Gomorrah? Total destruction, turn to The Lord Jesus Christ, our only hope, Amen!

Romans 9- Glory To God

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What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? Romans 9:22-24

This is a very powerful text or revelation from the Apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. We as finite creatures, have these preconceived notions that we know God should be doing or how He should be doing it. And then we need to come to the realization that we are the creation and God is The Creator, the Boss of us all. And this really sums up the New Covenant in Christ. 

As the Apostle Paul begins here “What if God, willing to show his wrath, and make His power known, endure with longsuffering (patience) the vessels of wrath fitted for destruction” In other words what if God is going to show you His sovereignty and power by saving the Gentiles who were worthy of being destroyed? And of course this was sickening to the Jews, we are “Gods chosen people” why would our God save the “Gentile Dogs”? Well because they are Gods children also and He can! God doesn’t need your understanding or approval to accomplish His will

And the ironic thing is the Church today acts the same way. Most “Christians” today will say “The Jews are done away with” , they are all apostates worthy of Hell, but that’s not what the Word of God says! Well this is my theological doctrine belief and ect, ect. God is not impressed by your theological understanding, God is going to demonstrate His power on giving mercy to whoever He wants to give mercy!

As Paul continues here “And that He (God) might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, whom He prepared in advance for His glory” While this may be a shocking revelation to the Jews and Gentiles, this is not suprising to God, He already knew who His children are, He already knew that Jesus Christ would become flesh, die on the cross and defeat sin, death, hell, and Satan forever! 

Even Us, whom He called, not of the Jews only, but also the Gentiles! The New Covenant that was prophesied by the prophets is fulfilled in Christ, to the Glory of God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen!

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Jesus Christ died for my sins on the cross, rose again on the 3rd day, defeating sin and death forever, gave me the Holy Spirit to live inside of me, and we will reign victorious forever as His return!

Romans 9- The Potter

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Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? Romans 9:19-21

So as were working through the book of Romans, specifically Chapters 9 through 11, many people have different interpretations or understanding of the text. Many will argue their theological position to remain in the religious tradition they are in. However the bottom line, it doesn’t matter what you think or if you can even comprehend Gods will and plan. God is soverign, rules and reigns over His creation, and regardless whether you can comprehend his glory or holiness, doesn’t matter. In fact, if we are being honest, nobody could possible fully comprehend God, as we are His finite creation.

The old preacher John Wesley once said “Bring me a worm that can comprehend man, and I’ll show you a man that can comprehend the Triune God” Now skeptics will say this is an excuse, this is a copout to say we can’t comprehend God. Is it really? Or are we just being honest with our limitations as His creation? Can you explain to me how God created the Heavens and Earth, stars, moon, planets, humans, animals, ect from nothing? Nobody can explain the awesome power of our God

The Apostle Paul gives us gives us great insight in this text “Does not the potter have power over the clay” (v21) God is the potter and we are the clay, that should be a little humbling, right? Can the clay comprehend the Potter? Probably not, but does that matter? The Potter is in control, the Potter is the Creator and ruler of His Creation. The Potter has the power and authority to do whatever He wishes, regardless of how you feel about it or if it falls into your theological tradition or thinking

As scripture says “The Fear of The Lord is the beginning of wisdom and understanding” (Proverbs 9:10) One of the big issues with the Church today, is we lost our Fear, our Reverence of God our Creator.  Instead of obeying Gods Word, we argue well I was taught this or this person said that, they are all just Clay! The Potter is greater than all Clay, yet in todays Church we have elevated the Clay over the Potter. Professing ourselves to be wise, we became fools (Romans 1:22)

How can God harden Pharoahs heart? Because God is the Potter and Pharoah is the Clay, as the Apostle Paul says “But who are you to reply against God” (v20) But we argue against God, because we have no fear of God, we have no reverence of God, we have elevated the Clay over the Potter, the Church needs to Repent and sumit to our Lord Jesus Christ, and be filled and led by the Holy Spirit, Amen!