Romans 9:30-33: Why the Jews did not believe
Introduction: Finding the answer to why we do what we do has sparked off differences in philosophy, psychology, theology, sociology and any other science that concerns itself with human action. With the growth of intense research of the human body our behaviour has been looked at from the perspective of brain structure, hormones and other bodily realities. With the growth in psychology we see more interest in personality types and childhood experiences as those things that explain why we do what we do. With the growth in the belief in the theory of evolution animal behaviour has become a...
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Romans 9:27-29: The Jewish Remnant
Introduction: The trophy case of God’s grace holds some unexpected prizes. If we looked into God’s trophy case we would see vessels of dishonour repurposed as vessels for honourable use. We would see the low, the despised, the broken and the rejected. We would not find any perfect trophies but all would be works-in-progress. Paul has been surprising us with who will be in it, God saves Gentiles, outsiders, aliens, those who were once far away, without God and subject to satan. But the biggest surprise of Romans 9 is the fact of who will not be there. We...
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Romans 9:24-26: Who are the elect people of God?
Introduction: Controversy seems to dog every step we take when we try and interpret the bible. It seems that every text and truth is shrouded in debate and division. That reality is no less for us as we look at the next section of Romans 9, v24-26, and answer the question, who are the elect people of God? But before we get into it let me give a word of encouragement to those of you who are not accustomed to finding the truth through arguments or who may just be battle weary. Listen to these wise words from John...
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Romans 9:24: The Marvel of God’s Electing Grace
Introduction: I have found that the true understanding of grace is a truth that puts everything else into perspective. When we see God’s grace clearly everything becomes clear. I remember I had a Seventh Day Adventist friend who was bogged down in a legalistic view of Christianity and it was a biblical view of grace that helped her see the truth. To see that salvation was not based on what I could earn by my works but was a free gift of God through Christ, a gift not merited, this is what set her free. If we are struggling...
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