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!

Romans 9- God Is Sovereign

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What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. Romans 9:14-18

Now as we continue to talk about election and salvation, many of us define our preconceived ideas of who should be saved and who should not be saved. The problem is we are not God, when you start going down this trail, you are going way above your pay grade. As the Apostle Paul quotes Exodus when God told Moses “I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy” God is going to save whoever he wants, this again is above our pay grade

This reminds me of the thief on the cross (Luke 23:39-43) While he was condemned to die on the cross, Jesus told him “Today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43) While he was condemned to die, God chose to save him. The thief on the cross will probably be one of the most controversial people in Heaven. Even today, many legalists argue you must do this and that to be saved, but the thief on the cross did none of these things, it was Christ alone that saved him. This is a great example of Gods sovereignty, going against our man-made religious formulas for salvation.

Pharaoh is another great example, that the Apostle Paul brings up, “For this very purpose, I raised you up that I may show my power in you” (Romans 9:17) The evil Pharaoh actually fulfilled Gods will and purpose, by God demonstrating His power and sovereignty with the plagues and exodus of Egypt. (Exodus 9:16) As scripture says “God hardened Pharaoh’s heart” (Exodus 7:3) Again the critics will say “This is not fair”, “why would God harden Pharaoh’s heart?” Because God is sovereign and we are not, going back to what He told Moses, God will have mercy on whomever he desires, and hardens whomever he wants to harden” (Romans 9:18)

Now on the flipside, did Pharoah have any opportunity to repent? Of course He did,  Moses went to Pharaoh ten times, and asked to “Let my people God” (Exodus 5:1, Exodus 8:1) Why would God grant him these opportunities if he couldn’t respond? But didn’t God already know how this was going to go? Of course because God is sovereign and Reigns over all the Heavens and The Earth!  (Psalm 113:4-6)

The problem is when we try to inject our will or ideas into Gods soverignty, you might say “I don’t understand how God has mercy on whomever he wants to have mercy, and Gods hardens whomever he wants to harden”  Yes because your a finite creature of the Creator, to think you can comprehend the mind of God is sure blasphemy in itself. God rules and reigns, submit to The Lord Jesus Christ today! Amen!

Romans 9- Election

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Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son. And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. Romans 9:6-13

One of the great questions or mysteries about Israel, is how can they be Gods people when the majority of them reject Christ? The Apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit addresses this topic right here. Paul brings up the topic of election, which is a concept throughout the Bible, however I think most Christians don’t understand the concept of election. The late Dr. Michael Heiser I think did a great job explaining election, I would highly recommend you check out his work. The summary is, just because you are elect doesn’t mean your automatically saved!

There are many examples, but lets look at the example of the “Rebellion of Korah” (Numbers 16, a priest named Korah lead a rebellion against Moses and challenged his spiritual authority. The punishment was severe, as God opened up the ground and swallowed all 250 men destroying them. These rebellions of Korah were Israelites, they were part of the Exodus, they were elect, yet they all lost their salvation because of their disobedience to God. We can look at Angels, another elect group, where many lost their salvation due to disobedience to God (Jude 1:6)

So its important to understand election doesn’t automatically equal salvation. You can be elected and still lose your soul. You need to be Born Again in Christ (John 3:3) Salvation is only found in Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12) So when were talking about Israel is elect, they are the chosen people of God, we are not saying they are all going to be saved. Obviously there is no salvation outside of Jesus Christ, however they have been elected to fulfill a purpose! Election caused many to great jealousy, as the Jews are jealous of the Church and the Church is jealous of Israel (Romans 11:11) You can’t allow that jealousy to reject the Word of God!

The Apostle Paul gives another great example of election, Jacob and Esau, God hated Esau, why? Well Esau sold his birthright (Genesis 25:29-34) Esau despised his birthright, it was a heart issue, Esau hated God, he was disobedient and lost his salvation. Esau was the firstborn, He should have inherited everything, He should have been a patriarch of Israel, however his disobedience to God lost his salvation! Amen!

Romans 9- Anti-Semitism

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I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen. Romans 9:1-5

Anti-semitism, which is the hatred of Jewish people, has been a problem since the beginning of the world. Once God anointed a chosen race of people (Deuteronomy 7:6) Satan and his demons have been trying to annihilate his people since the beginning. Think about even in the history of the Bible, Pharaoh tried to wipe out the Hebrews boys including Moses (Exodus 1:22), Haman tried to wipe out all the Jewish people (Esther 3:5-15), even when Jesus was born, King Herod tried to wipe out all the Jewish boys (Matthew 2:16-18)

Look at our more modern history, of course the Holocaust , where Hitler killed over 6 million Jews, trying to exterminate the race. Even today, the Jewish people are continually under attack by Hamas and other Islamic Terrorist groups, murdering and raping innocents Jewish people. Most recently our state governor of Pennsylvania, Josh Shapiros, home was bombed  by a man on Passover, trying to kill his entire family, why? Simply because he was Jewish. Anti-Semitism is a demonic force that has been in the world since the beginning, most people don’t even know why they hate the Jewish people, because its demonic influence.

Sadly, even in the Christian Church, Anti-Semitism is at an all time high. As I write this article, many professed “Christians” will write me off as a “Zionist” or deceived because I believe what scripture says that the Jews are Gods chosen people. The Apostle Paul here in our text this morning, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, states the Jews are Gods Chosen people. In fact, in the next 3 chapters, Paul make a strong case that Israel and the Church are not the same group, and one day Christ will come back to save his remnant (Romans 11)

The Apostle Paul shows his humility and love for the Jewish people by stating “for I wish myself accursed from Christ for my brethren” If Paul could give up his salvation for the sake of the Jewish people , he would, but obviously we are not God. But the love for the Jewish people is very prominent in Pauls writings, who is a Jew himself. If there is any question who Paul is talking about , he makes it clear “my kinsmen according to my flesh, who are the Israelites” Paul is addressing the issue of the Jewish people need for Christ!

The Apostle Paul makes a very strong point “of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all” Our Lord Jesus Christ became flesh through Israel, through the Jewish people. To hate the Jewish people is to hate Christ himself. This text sets the tone for the next 3 chapters in which the Apostle Paul will explain Gods future plan for the Jewish people, Amen!

Romans 8- Conquerors in Christ

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Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39

When you become a Christian, a servant of Jesus Christ, your life is going to get harder not easier. This is why the false prosperity gospel makes many false converts, consider what The Lord said himself “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” (Matthew 16:24) Jesus said you must deny yourself and carry your cross, this is not the carnal gospel being preached today. You must understand this when giving your life to Christ, it will cost you everything!

Now with all that said, as the Apostle Paul reveals to us , “we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us” (v37) So how can we be victorious when we must die to ourselves? Because its a spiritual battle we are in for your soul (Ephesians 6) Those who don’t understand this pursue the flesh, which actually leads to death. We are conquerors in Christ because at the cross, Jesus defeated sin, death, Satan, and Hell forever! We are conquerors because Christ Is Risen! This is a victory the world can’t understand, because they need to be Born Again (John 3:3)

The next verse reminds me of the old hymn “Abide in Me”, it goes “in life and death, O Lord Abide in Me” Jesus warned you might lose your life for Him (Matthew 16:25) And you might ask, where is the victory? The Victory is nothing can separate you from our Lord Jesus Christ, life , death, persecution, angels, demons, ect. There is nothing that can take your soul, because your soul belongs to the author of life, Jesus Christ

Jesus said this “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28) You don’t have to fear man or demon, because they can’t destroy your soul. They can destroy your body, they can destroy everything you have, but they can’t separate your from Jesus Christ. They can’t take away your salvation, and this is what Satan wantsQ

So knowing this, you are a conqueror in Jesus Christ , because Christ has overcome the grave, because Christ Is Risen, nothing can separate us from our Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen!

Romans 8- Are You Condemned?

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Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Romans 8:34-36

Our scriptures for this morning ask us a few questions, let’s address the first question, are you condemned? Many people are living their lives right now, not understanding that they are already condemned to eternal Hell. You might say but I’m a “good” person, and I’m living my best life, I don’t believe your Bible. None of this matters, the reality is we are all sinners in need of a Savior (Romans 3:23) You have condemned yourself already before God because of your sin, as scripture says “He who does not believe is condemned already” (John 3:18)

So let me ask you the question again, are you condemned? Or have your been Born Again in Jesus Christ? (John 3:3) The bad news is we are all condemned because of our sin, the good news is Jesus Christ paid the penalty for our sin, so we can be justified before God. As the Apostle Paul says here “Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.” (v34) Christ make intercession for us so we are not only saved, but we are now Children of God (1 John 3:1)

The next question I’ll ask you, is who can separate you from the love of Christ? If you are a Christian long enough, I have seen many people come to The Lord and fall away. Or I have seen many people hear the good news of Christ, yet harden their hearts and reject His salvation. Why? People will make excuses that Christ couldn’t save them because of x, y, and z. The reality is nothing can separate you from the love of Christ, Jesus has overcome the world, sin, death, Hell, and Satan. There is nothing separating you from Christ except your hard heart. 

As scripture says ““Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” (Hebrews 3:15) Many people have hardened their hearts against Christ, and have condemned themselves to eternal Hell. (Matthew 10:28) Understand this God doesn’t send anyone to Hell, you have chosen to go to Hell by rejecting our Lord Jesus Christ. So I’ll ask you again, are you condemned or are you Born Again? Do you believe something has separated you from Christ or are you In Christ? 

You can ignore these questions for as long as you have breathe, but one day you will stand before The Lord , bow a knee and give an account of your life (Philippians 2) There will be no excuses on judgement day (Romans 1:20) Repent and submit to The Lord Jesus Christ today and Be Set Free (John 8) Amen!