God's Purpose of Election.

Steve Gentry

[0:00] Today, we’re going to be in the second part of Romans 9. [0:04] We started in Romans 9 last week. [0:06] We are 44 sermons, counting today’s sermon into the book of Romans. [0:11] Who knows how far we’ll go before we get to the end. [0:14] Don’t know where the numbers are going to get. [0:16] I’m still mapping that out.

[0:18] But if you want to catch up on 1 through 8, those sermons are available on the website, [0:25] on iTunes. [0:26] If you have a really, really long drive, like 42 hours, you can get through the first [0:32] eight chapters of Romans with my voice, maybe a couple of other voices in there as well. [0:37] But the book of Romans is the story of Christianity. [0:42] It is our story of being redeemed by a God who pursues us with His love, even in light

[0:49] of the sin that we have committed against Him. [0:52] And so the first eight chapters kind of chronicle that of our rebellion and God’s pursuit of [0:58] redemption and specifically how He redeemed through the gospel of Jesus. [1:01] And then in chapter 8, we kind of get a good view into what the life of Christ and the [1:06] power of the Holy Spirit is going to look at for us. [1:09] And then in chapter 9, by way of reminder, at the very beginning there, Paul reminded

[1:15] us of his great passion for the gospel, for the sake of other people by living the mission [1:21] He said that he would be accursed if it meant that his kinsmen in the nation of Israel [1:27] would come to faith in Jesus and that that faith they needed to come to was so vital [1:32] that it was a life or death situation. [1:36] And he explains starting in Romans chapter 9, 6, that God has not turned His back on [1:41] the nation of Israel, but He’s clarified what it means to be a true child of Abraham.

[1:46] That in order to be a part of God’s covenant blessing through the gospel of Jesus Christ, [1:52] the necessity on us is that we put our faith and our trust in who Jesus is for us through [1:58] the cross and the resurrection. [2:01] And Romans 9, 6 tells us that the word of God has not failed, even if people in Israel [2:08] are lost. [2:09] Then in verse 9, Paul led by the Holy Spirit is going to explain to us why God cannot fail.

[2:17] That God is in absolute control. [2:19] He’s completely sovereign. [2:21] And our hope then is founded upon the absolute sovereignty of God over this life and over [2:28] death and over eternity. [2:30] If He were not in control then we should be terrified. [2:34] The Bible teaches that God is absolutely sovereign over everything and that humanity is completely

[2:40] responsible for His actions. [2:43] And this is going to be the message of Romans 9 and 10. [2:48] And here’s the issue that we run into when we’re dealing with these types of topics over [2:54] how free are we and how sovereign is God. [2:58] Is that we have to understand that coming into faith in the gospel, that our discipleship [3:02] comes under this book, the scriptures, the Bible, which we call the word of God.

[3:08] And at Village Church we believe that the Bible is inerrant. [3:10] That means that it’s completely error free. [3:13] It’s infallible. [3:14] But we go past that. [3:16] It’s not just true in fact. [3:18] It actually has authority.

[3:21] So there are things that are factual in life that have no bearing on me. [3:26] Doesn’t really change much about the way that I live every day. [3:29] Doesn’t really change the way that I look at authority structures over my life. [3:32] But the Bible is a completely different type of truth. [3:36] It is a truth that rules over me and reigns over me. [3:39] It is the way in which God has chosen to reveal himself to me as well as everyone around me.

[3:47] And so the issue that I run into is that when I’m wrong, something needs to happen. [3:53] I need to change my mind. [3:56] So if I walked around saying two plus two equals thirty seven, I hope that someone [4:03] would say, I don’t think they covered math very well for you. [4:07] Let’s sit down with a couple of apples, maybe a couple of oranges. [4:11] If I take two away.

[4:12] [4:12] OK, if I. [4:13] OK, four. [4:15] OK, so these are facts. [4:17] Well, what happens with scripture is, is that if scripture has authority, if scripture is [4:23] true, when I come into scripture and I read something that challenges maybe a cultural

[4:29] predisposition that I have or it challenges a way that I think about something or it [4:35] basically says the way that you’ve been thinking about God, the way that you’ve been [4:39] looking at God’s control over life and history, the Bible says something different than [4:44] what I think or maybe what I’ve always thought or maybe what I’ve always understood. [4:49] If that is the case and if the Bible does have absolute authority over me, then I’m [4:59] wrong.

[5:01] And something needs to change and that something that needs to change if the Bible’s the [5:06] authority over me is the way that I think and I need to change my way of thinking to [5:12] align with the scriptures. [5:14] If the scriptures is informing my thought process, but oftentimes the way in which we [5:21] think about things.

[5:25] Kind of we put ourselves in the seat of authority and we read scriptures and usually [5:30] we’re pretty good with them, but then we come across something like Romans 9 specifically [5:34] starting in verse 9. [5:36] And it challenges the way that I think about something. [5:41] Well, that’s not the way I see truth. [5:46] I’m going to tell you that not all quote unquote truths are equal.

[5:53] If there’s a competing truth with what Romans 9 says, then that’s not a truth. [5:59] It’s a falsehood. [6:01] And the way that you and I think about that is completely wrong. [6:05] And it’s not one of those issues, which I don’t know that there are many issues where [6:09] we sit down together and we’re like, well, we’re just going to have to agree to disagree. [6:12] And I’ll probably say something like, well, I’m not going to agree with that because one

[6:16] of us is wrong. [6:18] And it ain’t me. [6:20] Give me long enough and I’ll convince you. [6:23] Maybe it doesn’t always work specifically with my wife. [6:27] I’m often wrong, but the Bible isn’t. [6:32] Bible isn’t like me.

[6:35] The Bible doesn’t negotiate. [6:38] The Bible doesn’t compromise because it doesn’t need to because it’s all right. [6:43] And it’s all truth. [6:45] And so the way that we need to come into what does and probably will challenge the [6:51] way that we think about specific things in Scripture is with a great deal of humility [6:56] in allowing the Bible to define the terms and allowing the Bible to define the definitions

[7:01] of those terms for me rather than me for it. [7:07] And so join me in starting to read Romans chapter 9. [7:11] We’re going to read from verse 9 all the way down to verse 23 and then we’re going to [7:14] buckle up.

[7:17] For this is what the promise said. [7:20] About this time next year I will return and Sarah shall have a son. [7:24] And not only so but also when Rebecca had conceived by one man our forefather Isaac [7:30] though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad. [7:35] I’ll underline that not yet born done nothing either good or bad in order that God’s [7:43] purpose of election might continue.

[7:45] I’m doing this not because of works but because of him who calls. [7:53] She was told the older will serve the younger as it is written Jacob I loved but Esau I [7:59] hated. [8:01] What shall we say then is there injustice on God’s part by no means for he says to [8:06] Moses I will have mercy on whom I have mercy. [8:09] I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.

[8:12] So then it depends not on this. [8:15] It depends not on human will or exertion but on God who has mercy for the scripture [8:22] says to Pharaoh for this very purpose I have raised you up that I might show my power [8:28] in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth. [8:33] So then he has mercy on whomever he wills and he hardens whomever he wills. [8:40] You will say to me then why does he still find fault for who can resist his will.

[8:46] But who are you oh man to answer back to God. [8:50] Well what is molded say to its molder. [8:52] Why have you made me like this has the potter no right over the clay to make out of the [8:58] same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use. [9:03] What is God desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power has endured with much [9:09] patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction in order to make known the riches of

[9:16] his glory for vessels of mercy which he has prepared beforehand for his glory. [9:24] Well that settles it.

[9:27] James and the band are going to come back up and we’re done. [9:30] I wish but we’re going to unpack this section of verses a section of verses that many [9:38] people avoid but when you go through a whole book of the Bible at a time you tend to not be able [9:43] to do that nor do I want to do that. [9:45] I want to dive into this and I want to talk about what is he saying when he says that it doesn’t [9:50] depend on good or bad.

[9:52] It doesn’t depend on human will or exertion. [9:54] God will have mercy on me as mercy on. [9:56] He’ll soften who it’s often he’ll harden who he wants to harden because it’s all to his glory to [10:02] his glory alone under his absolute control. [10:05] What is he talking about in this section. [10:08] Well the rest of Romans 9 from verse 9 towards the end is going to offer an explanation of the

[10:15] sovereign work of God to accomplish his purposes. [10:18] Then in the very end of nine and then through Romans 10 he’s going to offer up an explanation as to how [10:24] human responsibility comes into the plan of God through the work of the gospel to accomplish God’s [10:32] And in proper order though Paul starts with God. [10:36] So we’re going to see two things in Romans 9 and 10. [10:39] The first thing we’re going to see is that God is in absolute control and has absolute sovereignty

[10:46] over everything that ever happens on this earth. [10:51] And then the second thing we’re going to see at the end of nine and into chapter 10 is that human [10:56] humans are absolutely responsible for everything that they do and every decision that they make [11:04] and every word that they say. [11:05] OK. [11:06] So in proper order we’re going to have preeminence to God the way that Paul does.

[11:10] And we’re going to start with the absolute sovereign hand of God. [11:15] The question that we really want to deal with jumping off of everything that he said about the [11:19] of Israel last week is how has God made sure that the gospel will triumph over sin. [11:27] And Paul answers that question starting in verse nine because there’s a way of looking at it to say [11:33] you know in the Garden of Eden that one piece of fruit that Adam and Eve ate it really seemed kind [11:41] of undo God’s plan.

[11:44] Everything was good. [11:45] They didn’t even need air conditioning back then. [11:47] I don’t think there were mosquitoes in the garden that bit people yet. [11:50] I mean it was good. [11:52] They’re just hanging out. [11:54] Lions are probably letting them pet them.

[11:57] One I mean I’m telling you probably happened. [11:59] I think it’s going to happen in the kingdom. [12:01] They take one bite over.

[12:07] Seem to undo it. [12:08] Well how can we trust then that that won’t happen again. [12:13] How can we trust that there won’t come a sin so big that it undoes God’s plan. [12:21] The reality is that no sin has ever undone God’s plan. [12:25] Not even the very original sin but it has all served to give God absolute glory for his [12:34] purpose.

[12:35] So I want to maintain one line. [12:36] What is the purpose of election. [12:38] The purpose of election is the glory of God. [12:43] What is the purpose of your life. [12:45] The purpose of your life is the glory of God. [12:49] It will happen whether you like it or not whether you follow Jesus or not.

[12:56] God will get glory out of your life for your betterment or to your detriment. [13:04] And so number one this morning starting in verse nine I want to unpack the reality [13:07] that election is about God’s choice not man’s works. [13:11] Election is about God’s choice not man’s works. [13:16] Starting in verse nine Paul is seeking to deconstruct the improper thinking about [13:20] salvation and reconstruct a basis upon which God can be trusted completely.

[13:26] And this is about God’s purpose for all things. [13:31] These verses are not though problem texts. [13:35] These are not verses where we say well you know God really wrote some confusing stuff. [13:40] And so we’re never going to know what those verses mean. [13:43] That’s not true. [13:45] There’s no such thing as problem texts.

[13:47] There are problem thinking but not problem text. [13:50] God has revealed this to us for us to understand more about his gospel and how he works. [13:57] And verses nine through 23 specifically actually seek to solve a problem and elevate God’s [14:03] grace above our work. [14:06] God’s work of election is good and joyful because of the gospel of Jesus. [14:12] And the reason for this is that God has guaranteed his will through the work of

[14:19] election. [14:20] Redemption from sin is the work of God. [14:23] And Paul is dealing with the Jewish mindset that God’s promises are secured by their [14:29] or just by who they are or where they are geographically or the things that they do where [14:34] the law is concerned. [14:36] And he’s trying to undo that type of muddled thinking.

[14:39] And so he goes back to the people of Israel in the book of Genesis to begin to unpack [14:45] that he starts with Abraham and Sarah and the promise that God makes to them where Abraham [14:50] and Sarah are not seeking God. [14:53] They’re just doing their thing. [14:54] And God shows up at their door and says hey move. [14:58] I’ve got some stuff for you.

[15:01] They weren’t looking for him. [15:02] God just showed up. [15:04] Then in the story of their descendants after Isaac is born to Isaac from his lineage come [15:11] Jacob and Esau. [15:13] And we see in the text that he says Jacob have I loved Esau have I hated. [15:18] What does God base that on because Jacob was a good guy and Esau was a bad guy.

[15:22] Nope. [15:23] It’s not a confusing text. [15:24] It point blank says God chose before they were born before they had done anything good [15:30] or anything bad that he was going to elevate Jacob above Esau and use Jacob to bring the [15:36] nation of Israel and he’s not going to use Esau because we have this problem thought [15:41] that Jacob was somehow a better guy than Esau.

[15:43] No he wasn’t. [15:44] Read the story. [15:45] So the Old Testament is so important. [15:47] If you look at the story of Jacob and Esau you’re gonna pick Esau no matter how hairy [15:51] he is.

[15:53] See that’s an Old Testament joke. [15:56] Go read the story and you’ll understand what I’m talking about there. [16:00] But but Esau is this wilderness guy he’s out there hunting he’s bringing back some good [16:05] meat for mom and dad to eat on his deathbed his father’s like get Esau I want a good meal.

[16:15] Jacob for lack of better terminology he’s what we would historically in an politically [16:20] incorrect way. [16:21] We call him a mama’s boy. [16:24] He stayed in the tent. [16:25] The scripture says he had really fair skin because it wasn’t hardened by the sun. [16:29] So he just kind of hung out in the house and we didn’t we don’t really look at Jacob and

[16:34] see this good guy. [16:35] And the first thing that we really see Jacob do in his life is he tricks his brother into [16:38] selling his birthright comes to Esau on one of his worst days ever where he’s starving [16:43] to death and he’s like I’ll give you some soup if you give me your birthright. [16:48] And so you have a deceptive guy and you got a total dumb dumb. [16:52] You got a guy that’s willing to sell his birthright for a bowl of lentil soup.

[16:58] And you’ve got the great deceptive Jacob doing that. [17:01] And then throughout the rest of Jacob’s life he never shows that he’s this great prominent [17:05] ruler. [17:06] He’s this great guy. [17:07] And so clearly you can see it’s not based on one being any better than the other. [17:13] It is totally by God’s sovereign decision before their birth that by grace he’s going

[17:20] to use the line of Jacob rather than the line of Esau to bring about the nation of [17:26] Israel to bring about Joseph who saves his people to bring about the birth of Moses [17:33] that Moses can lead the Exodus to the promised land to bring about King David King Solomon [17:40] the prophets the priests and the kings and then to bring about an enduring nation whom [17:45] will see the total purpose fulfilled just like we talked about last week in the birth [17:50] of Jesus Christ who would be the Savior of all who would be the yes to all of the promises

[17:55] of God who would completely be the fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant to give him [18:00] descendants that would outnumber the stars in the skies from all nations. [18:06] It’s not based on who’s good and who’s bad. [18:09] It’s based on God’s grace and God’s grace alone. [18:14] And this is a good thing because salvation is not dependent on man’s work or even man’s [18:22] will.

[18:23] It’s based on God. [18:24] Why is it a good thing for two reasons. [18:26] The first reason is that if salvation depended on human will or action in any way. [18:32] Paul shows us that last week through the mishaps of the nation of Israel. [18:36] If it was dependent on human will or action in any way we would all be condemned. [18:42] None of us would be saved.

[18:44] There’s nothing we can do to save ourselves. [18:47] Nothing. [18:48] Redemption requires God’s intervention in our lives and the gospel offers that. [18:55] And it’s also good. [18:56] Number two because it is completely dependent on God’s work and because it’s dependent [19:02] on God we know that it is secure and that all of the promises will happen because it’s

[19:09] not dependent on a changing character because it’s not dependent on someone like me whom [19:16] if you talk to me on Monday I’m doing all right you get me Tuesday morning things may [19:19] have already fallen apart.

[19:22] But it’s dependent on the constant. [19:25] It’s dependent on God. [19:27] And if it’s dependent on God I can trust that no matter what happens in my life no matter [19:33] what happens in this world I have the surefire promise that it will turn out the way that God [19:40] promises that it will. [19:42] Just as God’s covenant with Abraham came to fruition through Jesus so his promises to you

[19:48] and I in the Church of Jesus Christ it will come to fruition. [19:54] Therefore understand that God’s good purpose of election is based on God it’s not based on [19:59] me. [20:00] In Romans 9 11 it reinforces the point that the blessing of God is not based on work. [20:05] It says that it is based on him who calls. [20:09] See for this is grace.

[20:12] This is the work of God which stands complete and forever. [20:16] Our hope is that God would include us as beneficiaries. [20:20] But the reality that you need to understand by what he’s saying here the purpose of God for [20:26] Esau happened the purpose of God for Jacob happened. [20:32] And regardless of whether you trust Jesus or not regardless of what you think about God he will [20:39] get glory from you.

[20:41] But if you do not follow Jesus Paul’s point at the very beginning of this chapter is that he will [20:46] receive glory from your condemnation. [20:49] He will receive glory from his wrath on your life. [20:53] It’s based on him who calls. [20:55] It is not based on you. [20:56] In the context of the term hate is used in this passage.

[21:00] He’s not sitting up in heaven before Esau’s born saying I hate that baby.

[21:06] I mean so hairy gross. [21:09] That’s not the type of hate we’re talking about here in this language. [21:12] He’s talking about a preference for one over another. [21:15] Many elevated Jacob up over Esau but to be chosen by God according to this passage is not based [21:23] on any merit that any man has ever earned or will ever earn. [21:28] But God’s choices are not arbitrary.

[21:30] He’s not up in heaven playing a game of holy eny meeny miny moe with our souls. [21:35] One thing that we know for certain is that the reasons though are not based on us. [21:40] The reasons are totally based on God. [21:42] He has chosen so that many will be saved because if he did not then no one would be saved. [21:51] God’s good purpose of election is based on one thing. [21:54] So that God’s purposes will be accomplished.

[21:58] And that is a good thing. [22:00] This extends though past the nation of Israel. [22:03] It extends over all time for all people so that all peoples may be saved from all nations. [22:09] In First Thessalonians chapter one the apostle Paul is writing to the church at Thessalonica [22:14] and he says we give thanks to God always for all of you constantly mentioning you in our prayers [22:19] remembering before God and father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope

[22:24] and our Lord Jesus Christ for we know brothers loved by God that he has chosen you because our [22:30] gospel came to you not only in word but also in power and in the Holy Spirit with full conviction. [22:35] So what’s he saying. [22:36] He’s saying we know that you were chosen because of the effects that it had on your life but you [22:40] were chosen before the action. [22:43] Then Peter writes in First Peter chapter one verses one and two he says Peter an apostle of Jesus

[22:49] Christ to those who are elect exiles of the dispersion in Pontus Galatia Cappadocia Asia and [22:54] Bithynia according to the foreknowledge of God the father in the sanctification of the spirit for [23:00] obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood. [23:02] So he’s writing in here he’s saying you’re elect according to the foreknowledge of God and [23:08] foreknowledge is not ever in scripture something where he goes back and he knows what you’re going [23:14] to do before you do it.

[23:16] That’s never the way that it’s written in scripture. [23:18] Election is based on the foreknowledge of God. [23:21] So he elected you before your life. [23:25] And this is the hope that’s being written of to these churches because if this was not [23:32] true then we cannot trust that God is in absolute control. [23:38] But I want to prove to you Paul does actually because I’m going to stay with his text two

[23:43] things about why election is just. [23:48] The first thing I want to tell you is that God’s purpose of election is just because his [23:52] mercy is undeserved. [23:54] God’s purpose of election is just because his mercy is undeserved. [23:59] What’s just for you and I would be hell. [24:04] Mercy is what redeemed Paul assumes a retort and he’s going to do this twice in this passage

[24:11] where he’s going to give us a truth and then he’s going to assume that you’re going to [24:15] retort with either something that you’re going to say to him in the opposite of it or he’s [24:20] going to assume that you’re going to question him. [24:22] And the first retort is basically to sum it up he says if it wasn’t based on work but on [24:27] God’s choice is that unjust. [24:31] That’s where he starts in verse 14 and Paul responds in verse 14 with his common response

[24:36] throughout Romans. [24:38] It’s that term that you’ve seen a few times earlier in Romans. [24:41] It says by no means is it unjust. [24:45] And that term in the original language is a term called made good noito. [24:49] It’s the most negative way of saying no basically. [24:52] And what it is in our language it would be like that’s not even in the realm of possibility.

[24:57] That’s not even a blip on the radar of truth. [25:01] There’s no way that could actually be true. [25:05] In our vernacular we would probably say that couldn’t be more untrue if it tried. [25:12] God is not being unjust in his choice for election. [25:16] This is how God worked throughout all of history. [25:19] So then he fast forwards in the nation of Israel to the person of Moses in the great

[25:24] Exodus saying that everything that happened with Moses and Pharaoh was completely [25:29] dependent on the work of God. [25:33] You have this figure Pharaoh who has enslaved the chosen people of Israel. [25:37] And so you have Moses running away from him. [25:39] Moses not looking for God. [25:41] God inserts himself into Moses’s life at the burning bush and says hey Moses I’ve got

[25:46] something that I want you to do for me. [25:49] So Moses stops takes his shoes off he listens and he goes into Egypt and he says you’re [25:53] not God. [25:54] He’s in a bush back there which may have how they got started off on a wrong foot. [25:59] I don’t know. [26:00] But the reality is that God inserts himself into the story chooses Moses and what Paul

[26:07] says in this passage is God could have chosen Pharaoh.

[26:12] But he didn’t.

[26:15] God specifically chose one and not the other through Moses. [26:20] His grace was known. [26:23] His glorious mercy was known. [26:25] And then he turns around and he says through Pharaoh God’s wrath is known. [26:31] God’s condemnation for all who rebel against his plan is fully seen in the person and [26:41] work of Pharaoh.

[26:42] The reality is that justice would have been to have mercy on none of them. [26:48] I mean look at the nation of Israel. [26:50] They see God do these amazing things. [26:53] God hardens Pharaoh’s heart over and over and over sending plague after plague after [26:58] plague which is one bad thing that we do to the story of them as we say Pharaoh hardened [27:02] his own heart.

[27:03] No he didn’t. [27:04] The text says God hardened his heart. [27:08] So God says don’t let him go yet. [27:10] Don’t let him go yet. [27:11] I’m hardening the heart of Pharaoh. [27:13] I’m hardening the heart of Pharaoh.

[27:14] Then he releases the people of Israel when God deems it’s time for them to go. [27:19] People of Israel go. [27:21] They see these amazing miracles. [27:22] They see the Red Sea parted which we’re like that would have been enough for me. [27:26] But as soon as they get on the other side they get thirsty and they’re like oh we [27:29] should have just stayed in Egypt.

[27:31] They moan and they groan and they get hungry. [27:33] They moan and they groan some more. [27:35] They get thirsty again. [27:36] They’re like Moses you’re a terrible leader. [27:39] And we’re pretty hard on them but we would have done the same thing because we’re [27:41] dirty sinners too.

[27:43] But what do we see over and over again about the people of Israel. [27:46] They don’t deserve anything God is doing for them because it’s not dependent on [27:53] them. [27:53] It’s dependent on a gracious God. [27:56] So he chose to redeem Israel out of Egypt. [27:59] But what does the text say.

[28:01] He chose then to not have mercy on Pharaoh and his army. [28:07] He chose to pour his wrath on them. [28:11] So friend understand. [28:13] That God could have justly condemned every single person ever born and that would [28:17] have been justice. [28:19] But he didn’t.

[28:21] Tim Keller writes about this and he says that without election you compromise the [28:25] central teaching of the Bible that we are saved by grace alone not by works. [28:30] If the difference between the unbeliever and the believer is ultimately in us then we [28:34] are the real authors of our own salvation. [28:38] Friend if you place the responsibility of election on man’s will then you lose [28:43] grace.

[28:44] All would be lost. [28:46] Instead of demanding the choice not be fully dependent on God our response should [28:52] be absolute thankfulness that he offers grace and mercy through the cross of [28:56] Jesus Christ. [28:58] Romans chapter 2 4 explains to us. [29:03] The injustice of not wanting God to elect people to salvation based on himself says

[29:09] way back in Romans chapter 2 it says do you presume. [29:13] No don’t be presumptuous about God says do you presume on the riches of his [29:18] kindness and forbearance and patience not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to [29:23] lead you to repentance. [29:25] What he’s actually saying there is that he doesn’t want us to be presumptuous about [29:30] our place in his world.

[29:32] It presumes that people deserve to be saved. [29:36] That can’t be so because we already know that man is sinful that we’ve rebelled [29:40] against God. [29:41] If there was injustice on God’s part it would mean that people deserve salvation. [29:47] But if grace is an undeserved gift then God saving anyone shows a wonderful and [29:53] merciful God working his glory to man’s benefit.

[29:59] So God says in patience he waits redeeming more and more people through faith in the [30:06] gospel of Jesus Christ. [30:07] But it also tells us another thing that God’s wrath also shows his absolute glory [30:15] without wrath according to this text God would be less glorious to show this God uses [30:21] that example of Moses and Pharaoh and helps us understand that both Moses and [30:27] Pharaoh gave God glory but one was the beneficiary and the other it was

[30:34] detrimental to him so detrimental to him that it led to his condemnation and God is [30:40] glorious for that and it is a good thing. [30:43] It is that thought that we need to be saved from that God was unjust in his dealings [30:50] with Pharaoh. [30:51] We look at the text about Pharaoh. [30:54] People are always tempted to retort as Paul assumes that we will and the retort if you

[31:00] are someone that has spent time in church if you spent maybe your childhood in Sunday [31:04] school and you know a little bit about the Bible the retort that commonly comes from [31:08] Romans 9 is 2 Peter 3 9. [31:11] You say ah but 2 Peter 3 9. [31:13] God wants everyone to repent. [31:16] So God wanted Pharaoh to repent of his sins.

[31:19] Well let’s look at that text 2 Peter 3 starting in verse 8 it says but do not overlook [31:24] this one fact beloved that with the Lord one day is a thousand years and a thousand years [31:29] as one day the Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness but is [31:35] patient toward you not wishing that any should perish but that all should reach repentance.

[31:46] Now. [31:46] I guess it’s up there. [31:48] I actually have no idea what’s going on behind me. [31:50] I could be showing movies for all I know. [31:53] And you know you guys are not enraptured by me you’re enraptured by the film. [31:56] But what goes on over in Romans chapter 9 which which could cause us some problems with

[32:02] second Peter 3 it says that in verse 17 for the scripture says to Pharaoh for this very [32:08] purpose I have raised you up that I might show power in you that my name might be proclaimed [32:14] in all of the earth. [32:15] So he says Pharaoh for this purpose I raised you up for what purpose to be condemned.

[32:23] To work against the will of God. [32:26] Then down in verse 22 he says this he says and what if God desiring to show his wrath [32:31] and to make known his power has endured with much patience. [32:35] There’s a word patience vessels of wrath for destruction.

[32:43] So there’s three possibilities here. [32:47] About what’s going on in these two texts. [32:49] The first possibility is that they absolutely contradict one another. [32:54] And if that’s true then either a God is a moral monster or B the Bible contradicts [33:01] itself and it’s not true. [33:04] So I’ll be frank with you if I can’t trust one part of it why can I trust another part

[33:07] of it. [33:09] So that’s either true or there’s two more that might be true. [33:13] Number two may also be true that God has two wills. [33:18] This is the path that some people take. [33:21] He wants everyone to repent and be saved but he wants glory from election and wrath [33:27] more than he wants everyone to be saved.

[33:31] Because if God wants everyone to repent then why doesn’t everyone everyone repent. [33:34] Doesn’t God always get what he wants.

[33:37] There’s also a third option option three is what I think is the case with these texts [33:44] that God is speaking specifically in Second Peter chapter three verse nine. [33:50] The context is not everyone. [33:54] This text is speaking to God to us rather patiently waiting in hard times for God to [34:01] deliver on his promises and to flesh that out. [34:04] Here’s what it is.

[34:04] Here’s what I want you to understand that in light of Romans nine and other texts some [34:09] that we’ve already mentioned some that we haven’t mentioned yet. [34:13] God is not slow to fulfill his promise toward you because who are the people of God’s [34:21] promise. [34:22] Those who have faith in Jesus. [34:25] So Second Peter 3 9 is speaking.

[34:26] God is not excuse me patient to deliver his promises toward you. [34:31] Those who have faith in Jesus. [34:33] He is speaking specifically of those who believe those who have been elected to [34:40] salvation. [34:41] God does not wish for any whom he has chosen to perish. [34:47] Therefore to the church that Second Peter was written to which was the dispersion.

[34:53] People who have fled from Jerusalem during a great time where Christians were being [34:59] persecuted. [35:00] They were up in what is modern day Turkey. [35:02] They were resident aliens in a land that was not their own and they were being [35:06] persecuted. [35:07] They weren’t being accepted in the culture.

[35:08] They were having a hard time worshiping. [35:11] Peter writes to them and he says God is not slow to fulfill his promise to you as some [35:18] might count slowness. [35:20] Have you ever been in a situation so hard and you started to lose hope and you say [35:25] why hasn’t God worked yet.

[35:29] If you’re a follower of Jesus. [35:31] Peter’s promise to you. [35:33] God is not slow as some count slowness but he’s patient towards you not wishing that [35:41] any that he has elected to salvation to be saved. [35:46] In other words that therefore if Jesus has not returned yet then more people are going [35:52] to get saved but continue to trust Jesus in your tribe.

[35:57] In light of Romans 9 when I compare scripture with scripture that is the interpretation [36:05] that I must come to because Romans 9 specifically tells me Pharaoh never had a chance to [36:10] repent nor was he meant to have the chance to repent. [36:15] God used him for what he wanted to because he is God. [36:20] Number three this morning. [36:22] We also know that God’s purpose of election is just because it gives him more power.

[36:27] Glory friend. [36:31] God is God and I thankfully am not sin makes it very hard sometimes for me to want God [36:43] to be God instead of me. [36:44] It’s very hard to imagine that God would do something differently than I would do. [36:49] I’ve been accused of having a bit of a type A personality. [36:52] I like things a certain way and if you don’t do things the way that I think they need

[36:58] to be done my response is not well that’s also a good way my response is what’s wrong [37:02] with you. [37:03] Don’t you see the benefits of my way.

[37:06] And so sometimes God’s way of working even in my life becomes a little bit sandpaper [37:13] read to my discernment the way that I think things need to happen. [37:17] But the problem whenever that happens is not with God because God’s not sinless. [37:23] I’m excuse me because God is sinless. [37:25] I’m not. [37:27] I’m a sinner.

[37:29] And so it’s a good thing for me that God doesn’t work the way that I would have him work [37:35] when I would have him to work how I would have him to work in every single situation. [37:40] It’s a good thing that he takes me on detours ways that I didn’t see coming. [37:45] He does things in a way that I may not have thought of. [37:48] But when you’ve always existed and no one created you and you’re completely self sufficient [37:53] and you’re all present all knowing all wise omnipresent all the time you know the beginning

[37:59] from the end and the end from the beginning as Isaiah says. [38:02] When you live like that you can tend to trust someone with that kind of character and [38:07] ability more than you can trust yourself. [38:11] So the great issue of my life is realizing that in those moments when he works differently [38:17] than I would have worked I need to repent of my sin and I need to trust him friend more [38:25] than I trust myself.

[38:28] Understanding your limited perspective and the corruption of sin that you have in your [38:32] life allows you a good perspective on why things shouldn’t go my way. [38:38] If they did. [38:39] Here’s the harsh reality. [38:42] I would still be dead in my sin. [38:45] Condemned by God.

[38:47] As what Paul is trying to get us to with the metaphor of the potter and the clay our [38:54] cries of injustice against the eternal God is evidence of our rebellion against him. [39:00] It is not a sign of enlightenment to apologize for God being such a killjoy and not letting [39:06] it all be up to you. [39:07] If he did that he would have no mercy whatsoever. [39:11] The text tells us is what if this creator God.

[39:17] Spoke everything into being. [39:21] What about the same lump of clay. [39:23] He takes one for mercy and one for wrath. [39:26] Is he not entitled to do so. [39:31] Does he not have creative control. [39:35] Is he not the creator and you are the created friend if that’s the order then yes he has

[39:44] absolute authority to do whatever he wants with whomever he wants. [39:50] But by his wonderful grace. [39:54] He offers up redemption to the person and work of Jesus Christ. [40:01] So in the hard days when I don’t understand why God works the way that he does why allows [40:07] the things that he allows why he brings the things that he brings and friend understand [40:11] one thing I have many days like that.

[40:17] It is not a comfort at all for me to look at it and say well at least God’s not in [40:22] control.

[40:25] If that were true. [40:27] And I would have no hope whatsoever.

[40:32] There have been times in my life there have been things that have happened in my life. [40:37] There have been people that I’ve walked with through very hard times. [40:41] The most comforting reality is God is in absolute control and none of this took him by [40:48] surprise whatsoever. [40:52] Much of the problem. [40:55] And our relationship with God and sometimes blaming him that I was born on a Tuesday in

[41:00] Richmond rather than a Thursday in Paris. [41:04] Is because you think you can actually show him a thing or two about ruling the cosmos. [41:09] It’s laughable.

[41:12] It’s laughable. [41:14] I am so puny. [41:16] I occupy such a small insignificant place and one little part of creation where I get [41:25] a certain number of years from point A to point B where my life will end.

[41:32] I do not have a booming voice over all of history. [41:35] I do not have a booming call and the way things will actually go. [41:39] I’m just this puny created person under the hand of a mighty eternal omniscient omnipresent [41:48] God who has absolute control over everything. [41:53] And the reality is is when you consider the alternative we must be thankful for that [42:01] reality because the best way is always the way that God does it.

[42:08] Because his pursuit is for his glory above absolutely everything else and he tells us [42:15] that his mercy is shown triumphant in light of his judgment. [42:21] So his judgment is not something that we should apologize for. [42:25] His judgment is something that gives him glory.

[42:30] But the hope.

[42:33] The glory are explained in Ephesians one this way. [42:36] Paul writes he says blessed be the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ who’s blessed [42:43] us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places even as he chose us [42:48] in him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and blameless before [42:52] him in love. [42:54] He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ.

[42:57] Note according to the purpose of his will to the praise of his glorious grace with [43:05] which he has blessed us and the beloved. [43:10] The primary purpose of election is the glory of God. [43:15] He has chosen elected and predestined that his glory may be known and enjoyed by people. [43:24] His glory has been shown and the mercy that he shows those who trust in Jesus.

[43:33] So Paul’s conclusion is there injustice on God’s part. [43:38] No. [43:40] Why not. [43:42] Mercy.

[43:44] The injustice is on our part. [43:46] Is gracious that he saves any.

[43:50] Thanks be to God though he does and he will continue to save until his return. [43:56] So for you personally though. [43:58] How do you know which one you are? [44:00] I get that question a lot. [44:02] Am I a vessel of mercy. [44:05] Am I a vessel reserved for wrath.

[44:08] Well the only conclusion I can come to on that is the conclusion that Paul has already [44:13] come to at the beginning of chapter 9.

[44:17] It depends on your faith. [44:20] Just like last week salvation is all about faith. [44:23] If you trust Jesus. [44:25] God has promised to save you forever. [44:29] And the good news of that. [44:33] Is that Romans 9 shows that he has the authority power and control to deliver on that promise.

[44:44] It’s not an if. [44:46] It’s a win. [44:48] Because he is not slow. [44:51] As some count slowness but as patient towards you so that none will perish. [44:58] But that all will come to repentance. [45:02] Through his glorious grace and good purpose of election.

[45:08] As the band comes forward.

[45:12] And this morning we’ve seen this great hope and this great trust. [45:18] About how God will deliver on his plan. [45:21] About how God will deliver through his purposes for you. [45:25] But I know that there are some.

[45:28] That maybe you’re thinking this morning you’re saying. [45:32] I want to be a beneficiary. [45:36] Of God’s work.

[45:38] The good news for all of us. [45:41] Is that that’s what the cross of Jesus Christ is. [45:43] How do we know God kept his promises to Israel. [45:47] Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead three days later. [45:51] How do we know that God’s going to deliver absolutely everything. [45:56] Because Jesus Christ died on the cross and he rose from the dead three days later.

[46:00] And then he raised up a people who were given the command. [46:03] To go through this world declaring the glory of God to all peoples. [46:07] Through the good news that salvation is available under one name. [46:11] And that name is Jesus Christ. [46:14] So if you’re in here this morning. [46:15] And you’ve not trusted Christ.

[46:18] You’re struggling in doubt. [46:19] You’ve not believed or you’re living a life in which you say my life does not show. [46:24] That I have faith in Jesus. [46:25] I want to call you this morning to turn from your sin. [46:29] And to trust in Jesus Christ. [46:32] You see God’s wrath gives him glory.

[46:34] But the way that he gets his glory from wrath on those who follow Jesus. [46:38] Is that he poured it on his own son. [46:40] So that he wouldn’t pour it on you. [46:43] And if you trust in Jesus you will never face the wrath of God. [46:48] It’s a promise. [46:49] You’re not going to face it now.

[46:51] And you’re not going to face it later. [46:53] Because God will remove his wrath from you. [46:55] And he will pour into your life the holy righteousness of his son Jesus. [47:01] And he will look to you and he will say this is my child.

[47:06] God has control over forever. [47:09] And the good news is that Jesus will save you forever. [47:12] If you trust in him. [47:15] If you’re in here and you’ve trusted in Jesus. [47:17] Every week we reflect on communion. [47:19] In the front and the back.

[47:21] It’s the bread and the cup. [47:23] The broken body and the shed blood of Jesus. [47:26] We do it as a reminder of what Jesus has done for us. [47:31] When you’re ready. [47:32] If you’ve trusted Jesus in your life. [47:35] Come.