1 00:00:00,480 --> 00:00:02,319 Please listen now to the reading of God's 2 00:00:02,319 --> 00:00:02,819 word. 3 00:00:05,519 --> 00:00:07,620 I am speaking the truth in Christ. 4 00:00:08,400 --> 00:00:09,539 I am not lying. 5 00:00:10,080 --> 00:00:12,400 My conscience bears me witness in the Holy 6 00:00:12,400 --> 00:00:12,900 Spirit. 7 00:00:13,754 --> 00:00:16,875 That I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish 8 00:00:16,875 --> 00:00:17,695 in my heart. 9 00:00:18,554 --> 00:00:20,634 For I could wish that I myself were 10 00:00:20,634 --> 00:00:23,195 accursed and cut off from Christ for the 11 00:00:23,195 --> 00:00:24,175 sake of my brothers, 12 00:00:24,554 --> 00:00:26,494 my kinsmen according to the flesh. 13 00:00:27,649 --> 00:00:28,550 They are Israelites, 14 00:00:29,170 --> 00:00:30,789 and to them belong the adoption, 15 00:00:31,489 --> 00:00:32,229 the glory, 16 00:00:32,850 --> 00:00:33,509 the covenants, 17 00:00:34,210 --> 00:00:35,509 the giving of the law, 18 00:00:35,969 --> 00:00:37,909 the worship, and the promises. 19 00:00:38,689 --> 00:00:40,149 To them belong the patriarchs, 20 00:00:40,689 --> 00:00:43,030 and from their race according to the flesh 21 00:00:43,445 --> 00:00:46,185 is the Christ who is god over all, 22 00:00:46,565 --> 00:00:47,385 blessed forever. 23 00:00:48,005 --> 00:00:48,505 Amen. 24 00:00:48,965 --> 00:00:50,344 This is the word of the lord. 25 00:00:50,885 --> 00:00:52,905 Thanks be to god. Please be seated. 26 00:01:09,109 --> 00:01:11,290 When Toy Story 3 ended, 27 00:01:12,150 --> 00:01:13,989 there was not a dry eye in the 28 00:01:13,989 --> 00:01:14,489 theater. 29 00:01:15,805 --> 00:01:17,825 Andy was about to leave for college, 30 00:01:18,204 --> 00:01:20,225 and so he decided to give all his 31 00:01:20,525 --> 00:01:22,944 childhood toys away to a girl named Bonnie. 32 00:01:23,564 --> 00:01:25,165 So he drives to her house and as 33 00:01:25,165 --> 00:01:26,704 he introduces each toy, 34 00:01:28,129 --> 00:01:30,469 he tells tells her what the special 35 00:01:30,769 --> 00:01:33,649 powers, the special characteristics of each of his 36 00:01:33,649 --> 00:01:34,950 cherished toys are. 37 00:01:35,409 --> 00:01:37,829 But at the end of introducing every toy, 38 00:01:37,969 --> 00:01:39,969 Bonnie notices that there's another toy in the 39 00:01:39,969 --> 00:01:43,724 box, and this surprises Andy because his cherished 40 00:01:44,424 --> 00:01:47,224 toy, Woody, is there, and he's not supposed 41 00:01:47,224 --> 00:01:48,045 to be there. 42 00:01:48,584 --> 00:01:50,745 After a long pause and with the sad 43 00:01:50,745 --> 00:01:53,305 piano music playing in the background tugging at 44 00:01:53,305 --> 00:01:53,965 your heart, 45 00:01:54,505 --> 00:01:56,284 Andy looks at Bonnie's eyes, 46 00:01:56,709 --> 00:01:58,709 and he decides that he is going to 47 00:01:58,709 --> 00:02:00,250 give Woody to her. 48 00:02:00,950 --> 00:02:03,509 And he says, now, Woody, he's been my 49 00:02:03,509 --> 00:02:05,030 my pal for as long as I can 50 00:02:05,030 --> 00:02:05,530 remember. 51 00:02:06,229 --> 00:02:08,409 He's brave like a cowboy should be, 52 00:02:08,949 --> 00:02:09,770 and kind, 53 00:02:10,229 --> 00:02:11,050 and smart, 54 00:02:11,764 --> 00:02:13,864 but the thing that makes Woody special 55 00:02:14,485 --> 00:02:16,504 is that he'll never give up on you, 56 00:02:17,044 --> 00:02:17,544 ever. 57 00:02:18,164 --> 00:02:20,564 He will be there for you no matter 58 00:02:20,564 --> 00:02:21,064 what. 59 00:02:21,925 --> 00:02:24,004 Andy then hands Woody to Bonnie and they 60 00:02:24,004 --> 00:02:26,164 play together with all the toys one last 61 00:02:26,164 --> 00:02:26,664 time. 62 00:02:27,040 --> 00:02:28,719 After a while, when they're done, Andy gets 63 00:02:28,719 --> 00:02:29,540 in his car, 64 00:02:29,919 --> 00:02:31,780 and as he's leaving, he whispers, 65 00:02:32,240 --> 00:02:33,139 thanks, guys. 66 00:02:33,599 --> 00:02:36,159 And as he drives away, Woody says, so 67 00:02:36,159 --> 00:02:36,980 long, partner. 68 00:02:37,680 --> 00:02:41,060 It's a touching finale, seemingly the perfect ending 69 00:02:41,360 --> 00:02:42,419 to this trilogy 70 00:02:42,754 --> 00:02:43,655 of Toy Story. 71 00:02:44,275 --> 00:02:46,354 But then, Disney and Pixar decided they need 72 00:02:46,354 --> 00:02:48,275 to make more money, so they made Toy 73 00:02:48,275 --> 00:02:49,094 Story 4, 74 00:02:49,555 --> 00:02:51,495 and I'll never forgive them for it. 75 00:02:52,354 --> 00:02:52,854 Similarly, 76 00:02:53,715 --> 00:02:55,974 when we reach the end of Romans 8, 77 00:02:56,260 --> 00:02:58,500 it feels like Paul has just given us 78 00:02:58,500 --> 00:02:59,560 the perfect ending. 79 00:03:00,659 --> 00:03:01,879 How powerfully 80 00:03:02,500 --> 00:03:03,319 he declares 81 00:03:04,020 --> 00:03:04,520 is 82 00:03:04,819 --> 00:03:07,139 is God's love for us. He says that 83 00:03:07,139 --> 00:03:07,639 nothing 84 00:03:08,180 --> 00:03:09,080 can ever 85 00:03:09,894 --> 00:03:13,594 separate us from God's love in Jesus Christ. 86 00:03:14,055 --> 00:03:15,034 It's a triumphant, 87 00:03:15,414 --> 00:03:18,055 glorious ending with lovely language, and we might 88 00:03:18,055 --> 00:03:18,555 think 89 00:03:18,854 --> 00:03:20,634 that Paul could have written a benediction, 90 00:03:21,334 --> 00:03:23,254 signed his name to the letter, and giving 91 00:03:23,254 --> 00:03:24,935 it to a courier to send it to 92 00:03:24,935 --> 00:03:25,435 Rome, 93 00:03:26,349 --> 00:03:27,650 but that's not what happens. 94 00:03:28,189 --> 00:03:30,770 Paul continues for 8 more chapters 95 00:03:31,389 --> 00:03:32,849 and it's not without purpose. 96 00:03:33,550 --> 00:03:35,729 The 5 verses that we are considering today 97 00:03:35,870 --> 00:03:38,270 are the introduction not just to Romans 9, 98 00:03:38,270 --> 00:03:40,530 but to Romans 9, 10, and 11. 99 00:03:41,034 --> 00:03:43,134 Chapters which address a critical question. 100 00:03:43,914 --> 00:03:45,055 The question is this, 101 00:03:45,835 --> 00:03:47,775 if God is sovereign in salvation, 102 00:03:48,155 --> 00:03:50,074 as Paul has just taught us in Romans 103 00:03:50,074 --> 00:03:50,574 8, 104 00:03:51,115 --> 00:03:52,175 then why 105 00:03:52,715 --> 00:03:54,974 are so many descendants of Abraham 106 00:03:55,790 --> 00:03:56,770 not saved? 107 00:03:58,110 --> 00:04:00,530 Did God's promises to Israel fail? 108 00:04:01,710 --> 00:04:03,810 Paul needs to answer this question. 109 00:04:04,669 --> 00:04:06,669 That is the reason why Romans 8 is 110 00:04:06,669 --> 00:04:08,849 not the final chapter of this letter. 111 00:04:09,194 --> 00:04:11,275 And today, as we explore verses 1 to 112 00:04:11,275 --> 00:04:13,594 5 in Romans 9, we will see that 113 00:04:13,594 --> 00:04:15,455 Paul will not back away 114 00:04:15,835 --> 00:04:18,254 from the reality of God's sovereignty 115 00:04:18,714 --> 00:04:20,875 in salvation. In fact, the main point that 116 00:04:20,875 --> 00:04:22,495 I have for you this morning is this, 117 00:04:23,009 --> 00:04:24,870 there is salvation in Christ 118 00:04:26,449 --> 00:04:27,509 and nowhere else. 119 00:04:28,529 --> 00:04:30,310 There is salvation in Christ 120 00:04:30,850 --> 00:04:32,310 and nowhere else. 121 00:04:33,250 --> 00:04:35,329 This is a weighty statement, and Paul certainly 122 00:04:35,329 --> 00:04:35,829 feels 123 00:04:36,129 --> 00:04:37,725 the burden of it. But as we will 124 00:04:37,725 --> 00:04:39,345 see, it is also the foundation 125 00:04:39,725 --> 00:04:40,705 of our hope. 126 00:04:41,084 --> 00:04:43,324 So let's explore Romans 9 verses 1 to 127 00:04:43,324 --> 00:04:44,625 5 under 3 headings. 128 00:04:44,925 --> 00:04:45,425 1st, 129 00:04:46,125 --> 00:04:47,745 Paul's profound pain. 130 00:04:49,004 --> 00:04:49,504 2nd, 131 00:04:50,125 --> 00:04:51,665 Israel's privileged position. 132 00:04:52,819 --> 00:04:53,560 And 3rd, 133 00:04:54,259 --> 00:04:56,039 Christ's preeminent power. 134 00:04:56,899 --> 00:04:58,199 Paul's profound pain, 135 00:04:58,740 --> 00:05:00,279 Israel's privileged position, 136 00:05:00,740 --> 00:05:03,300 and Christ's preeminent power. So let's look at 137 00:05:03,300 --> 00:05:05,944 the first of those headings, Paul's profound pain. 138 00:05:06,004 --> 00:05:08,264 Let's look at verses 1 to 3 again. 139 00:05:10,485 --> 00:05:12,344 I am speaking the truth in Christ. 140 00:05:12,964 --> 00:05:14,024 I am not lying. 141 00:05:14,485 --> 00:05:17,204 My conscience bears me witness in the Holy 142 00:05:17,204 --> 00:05:17,704 Spirit. 143 00:05:18,029 --> 00:05:20,610 That I have great sorrow and unceasing 144 00:05:20,990 --> 00:05:22,290 anguish in my heart. 145 00:05:22,670 --> 00:05:24,750 For I could wish that I myself were 146 00:05:24,750 --> 00:05:26,370 accursed and cut off from Christ 147 00:05:26,830 --> 00:05:28,210 for the sake of my brothers, 148 00:05:28,670 --> 00:05:29,410 my kinsmen 149 00:05:30,029 --> 00:05:31,330 according to the flesh. 150 00:05:32,254 --> 00:05:34,995 Having just proclaimed the excellencies of God's love 151 00:05:35,134 --> 00:05:37,214 and saving power at the end of chapter 152 00:05:37,214 --> 00:05:37,714 8, 153 00:05:38,014 --> 00:05:40,415 Paul now begins chapter 9 with a double 154 00:05:40,415 --> 00:05:40,915 oath. 155 00:05:42,014 --> 00:05:42,514 Positively, 156 00:05:42,975 --> 00:05:43,634 he affirms, 157 00:05:44,014 --> 00:05:45,395 I am speaking the truth, 158 00:05:46,160 --> 00:05:48,879 and he reiterates this assertion by restating it 159 00:05:48,879 --> 00:05:51,199 in the negative when he writes, I am 160 00:05:51,199 --> 00:05:52,020 not lying. 161 00:05:53,120 --> 00:05:56,259 This demonstrates that Paul knows that his claims 162 00:05:56,800 --> 00:05:59,540 have grave or weighty implications. 163 00:06:00,795 --> 00:06:03,675 So with this double edged oath, he is 164 00:06:03,675 --> 00:06:06,574 stating in no uncertain terms that he stands 165 00:06:06,955 --> 00:06:07,935 by his words. 166 00:06:08,714 --> 00:06:11,435 In fact, Paul underscores the solemnity of his 167 00:06:11,435 --> 00:06:13,455 oath by invoking 2 witnesses, 168 00:06:14,074 --> 00:06:14,574 Christ, 169 00:06:15,169 --> 00:06:16,629 in whom he speaks the truth, 170 00:06:17,009 --> 00:06:19,810 and the Holy Spirit who does not permit 171 00:06:19,810 --> 00:06:20,709 him to lie. 172 00:06:21,810 --> 00:06:22,949 In legal matters, 173 00:06:23,329 --> 00:06:25,649 the requirement for 2 or more witnesses is 174 00:06:25,649 --> 00:06:27,589 explicitly stated in the Torah 175 00:06:28,035 --> 00:06:29,175 where in Deuteronomy 176 00:06:29,555 --> 00:06:30,055 1915, 177 00:06:30,675 --> 00:06:31,335 for example, 178 00:06:31,795 --> 00:06:34,035 it states that a matter must be established 179 00:06:34,035 --> 00:06:34,935 by the testimony 180 00:06:35,475 --> 00:06:37,175 of 2 or 3 witnesses. 181 00:06:38,355 --> 00:06:41,654 This principle was crucial in establishing the credibility 182 00:06:41,795 --> 00:06:42,935 of a legal claim, 183 00:06:43,339 --> 00:06:46,860 particularly in cases where serious charges were being 184 00:06:46,860 --> 00:06:47,360 adjudicated. 185 00:06:48,459 --> 00:06:50,000 By invoking Christ 186 00:06:50,539 --> 00:06:51,759 and the Holy Spirit, 187 00:06:52,139 --> 00:06:54,560 Paul alerts his audience to the seriousness 188 00:06:55,019 --> 00:06:56,639 of what he is about to claim. 189 00:06:58,154 --> 00:06:59,855 And he begins this claim, 190 00:07:00,475 --> 00:07:02,314 as we read in verse 2, in this 191 00:07:02,314 --> 00:07:02,814 way, 192 00:07:03,435 --> 00:07:06,415 that by saying that he has great sorrow 193 00:07:06,634 --> 00:07:07,694 and unceasing 194 00:07:08,154 --> 00:07:09,615 anguish in his heart. 195 00:07:10,680 --> 00:07:11,819 Think about how quickly 196 00:07:12,279 --> 00:07:14,759 the mood has changed in just a couple 197 00:07:14,759 --> 00:07:16,939 of verses in Paul's letter to the Romans. 198 00:07:17,319 --> 00:07:18,620 Paul goes from praising 199 00:07:19,080 --> 00:07:20,379 the ineffable 200 00:07:20,759 --> 00:07:22,540 glory of God's unchanging, 201 00:07:23,745 --> 00:07:26,884 unrelenting, and unbreakable love for His people 202 00:07:27,425 --> 00:07:29,925 to expressing the depth of His sorrow 203 00:07:31,264 --> 00:07:32,564 in His hurting heart. 204 00:07:33,745 --> 00:07:35,605 Why such a violent descent 205 00:07:36,145 --> 00:07:37,444 into this emotional 206 00:07:37,745 --> 00:07:38,245 abyss? 207 00:07:39,339 --> 00:07:41,039 This he tells us in verse 3, 208 00:07:41,660 --> 00:07:42,639 where Paul writes, 209 00:07:43,019 --> 00:07:44,160 for I could wish 210 00:07:44,699 --> 00:07:47,339 that I myself were accursed and cut off 211 00:07:47,339 --> 00:07:48,160 from Christ 212 00:07:48,620 --> 00:07:50,160 for the sake of my brothers, 213 00:07:50,539 --> 00:07:51,279 my kinsmen 214 00:07:51,819 --> 00:07:53,199 according to the flesh. 215 00:07:54,214 --> 00:07:55,675 It now becomes clear 216 00:07:56,375 --> 00:07:59,035 that the thing that is burdening Paul, 217 00:07:59,495 --> 00:08:02,154 the reason why he is experiencing great sorrow 218 00:08:02,375 --> 00:08:03,355 and unceasing 219 00:08:03,735 --> 00:08:04,235 anguish, 220 00:08:04,935 --> 00:08:07,014 is that so many of his kinsmen according 221 00:08:07,014 --> 00:08:07,834 to the flesh, 222 00:08:08,220 --> 00:08:08,960 that is 223 00:08:09,339 --> 00:08:10,400 to say, so many Jews 224 00:08:10,939 --> 00:08:12,319 have rejected the Messiah, 225 00:08:12,939 --> 00:08:14,480 and are therefore accursed 226 00:08:14,860 --> 00:08:16,639 and cut off from the blessing 227 00:08:17,180 --> 00:08:18,319 of eternal life. 228 00:08:18,860 --> 00:08:21,839 In other words, the reason for Paul's profound 229 00:08:21,900 --> 00:08:22,400 pain 230 00:08:22,964 --> 00:08:24,884 is that he is not by any means 231 00:08:24,884 --> 00:08:25,384 indifferent 232 00:08:25,925 --> 00:08:27,384 to the grave predicament 233 00:08:27,764 --> 00:08:30,504 and wretched estate of his fellow Jews. 234 00:08:32,245 --> 00:08:34,565 In the first eight chapters of Romans, Paul 235 00:08:34,565 --> 00:08:36,504 has convincingly shown from scripture 236 00:08:36,965 --> 00:08:38,345 that all human beings, 237 00:08:38,700 --> 00:08:39,920 whether Jew or Gentile, 238 00:08:40,700 --> 00:08:42,720 inherit a sinful nature from Adam, 239 00:08:43,179 --> 00:08:46,000 a nature that separates us from God. 240 00:08:46,700 --> 00:08:49,759 Furthermore, Paul has argued that in his mercy, 241 00:08:50,379 --> 00:08:52,720 God has given his son as a propitiation 242 00:08:53,825 --> 00:08:54,485 for sin, 243 00:08:54,785 --> 00:08:56,085 so that Christ sacrifice 244 00:08:56,705 --> 00:08:57,205 atones 245 00:08:57,745 --> 00:09:00,465 for the sin of anyone who is united 246 00:09:00,465 --> 00:09:02,164 to him by faith. 247 00:09:03,184 --> 00:09:05,845 This of course is very good news indeed. 248 00:09:06,225 --> 00:09:08,304 That is what the word gospel means after 249 00:09:08,304 --> 00:09:09,529 all, good 250 00:09:09,990 --> 00:09:11,929 news. Because God offers salvation 251 00:09:12,470 --> 00:09:14,089 to sinful men and women 252 00:09:14,629 --> 00:09:15,449 as a gift. 253 00:09:16,549 --> 00:09:19,029 The problem of course, is that according to 254 00:09:19,029 --> 00:09:19,769 this argument, 255 00:09:20,309 --> 00:09:22,089 if you are outside of Christ, 256 00:09:22,745 --> 00:09:25,144 then you are still in your sin and 257 00:09:25,144 --> 00:09:26,924 cut off from communion 258 00:09:27,544 --> 00:09:28,284 with God. 259 00:09:29,544 --> 00:09:31,865 And even though almost all of the first 260 00:09:31,865 --> 00:09:34,664 believers in Jesus and almost all the initial 261 00:09:34,664 --> 00:09:35,164 recipients 262 00:09:35,625 --> 00:09:38,570 of this amazing gift of eternal life in 263 00:09:38,570 --> 00:09:39,470 Jesus Christ 264 00:09:40,009 --> 00:09:40,829 were Jewish, 265 00:09:41,610 --> 00:09:43,789 as the gospel began to expand, 266 00:09:45,529 --> 00:09:46,669 more and more Gentiles 267 00:09:47,289 --> 00:09:49,389 came to give their lives over to Christ, 268 00:09:49,904 --> 00:09:50,644 and so 269 00:09:51,184 --> 00:09:52,804 too, more and more Jews 270 00:09:53,424 --> 00:09:54,644 began to refuse 271 00:09:55,504 --> 00:09:57,044 to accept Jesus 272 00:09:57,584 --> 00:10:01,044 as their long promised and long awaited Messiah. 273 00:10:02,240 --> 00:10:05,700 This meant that many physical descendants of Abraham 274 00:10:06,000 --> 00:10:07,460 were forsaking the promise 275 00:10:07,839 --> 00:10:10,559 that the patriarch of their faith had received 276 00:10:10,559 --> 00:10:11,460 from God himself. 277 00:10:12,240 --> 00:10:14,799 The promise that all the families of the 278 00:10:14,799 --> 00:10:16,659 earth would one day be blessed 279 00:10:17,024 --> 00:10:18,644 through Abraham's offspring. 280 00:10:19,664 --> 00:10:20,404 And Paul 281 00:10:20,784 --> 00:10:21,845 is not indifferent 282 00:10:22,304 --> 00:10:23,284 to the great 283 00:10:23,745 --> 00:10:24,245 tragedy 284 00:10:24,704 --> 00:10:26,644 that has therefore befallen his people. 285 00:10:27,264 --> 00:10:28,404 His heart is heavy 286 00:10:28,784 --> 00:10:30,804 because many of the people he knows, 287 00:10:31,700 --> 00:10:34,019 people that he grew up with, people that 288 00:10:34,019 --> 00:10:35,240 he broke bread with, 289 00:10:35,860 --> 00:10:39,539 even family members were in great peril facing 290 00:10:39,539 --> 00:10:41,399 the prospect of the eternal 291 00:10:41,940 --> 00:10:42,440 curse 292 00:10:42,820 --> 00:10:43,559 of hell. 293 00:10:45,304 --> 00:10:46,365 Such is the burden 294 00:10:47,065 --> 00:10:49,804 Paul feels that he makes a rather remarkable 295 00:10:49,945 --> 00:10:50,445 statement. 296 00:10:50,985 --> 00:10:53,304 He writes in verse 3, for I could 297 00:10:53,304 --> 00:10:56,504 wish that I myself were accursed and cut 298 00:10:56,504 --> 00:10:57,565 off from Christ. 299 00:10:59,759 --> 00:11:00,500 Now sometimes, 300 00:11:01,120 --> 00:11:01,940 Paul is misunderstood. 301 00:11:02,320 --> 00:11:03,860 In fact, sometimes he's mistranslated 302 00:11:04,399 --> 00:11:06,160 at this point. To me here that he 303 00:11:06,160 --> 00:11:08,340 wants to trade his place 304 00:11:09,120 --> 00:11:11,759 with his fellow unbelieving Jews, that he would 305 00:11:11,759 --> 00:11:13,214 be willing to forsake 306 00:11:13,514 --> 00:11:16,174 Christ so that his countrymen would be saved. 307 00:11:17,115 --> 00:11:18,894 That is not what Paul means here. 308 00:11:19,754 --> 00:11:22,394 He who earlier in the letter berated those 309 00:11:22,394 --> 00:11:23,914 who would say, let's sin more so that 310 00:11:23,914 --> 00:11:24,894 grace may abound, 311 00:11:25,589 --> 00:11:27,669 is not now going to express his personal 312 00:11:27,669 --> 00:11:30,549 desire to become sin himself, so that grace 313 00:11:30,549 --> 00:11:31,610 may abound to others. 314 00:11:31,990 --> 00:11:33,209 That's not what he means. 315 00:11:33,909 --> 00:11:35,829 Paul does not write, I wish that I 316 00:11:35,829 --> 00:11:37,429 myself were accursed and cut off from Christ 317 00:11:37,429 --> 00:11:40,125 for your sake. He doesn't say that. He 318 00:11:40,125 --> 00:11:41,745 says, I could wish 319 00:11:42,365 --> 00:11:43,264 that I myself 320 00:11:43,965 --> 00:11:45,745 were cursed and cut off from Christ. 321 00:11:46,524 --> 00:11:49,585 Theologian Charles Hodge comments that the grammatical force 322 00:11:49,804 --> 00:11:52,065 of the Greek verb that Paul uses here 323 00:11:53,100 --> 00:11:54,960 implies the presence of a condition 324 00:11:55,419 --> 00:11:57,440 that is known to be impossible. 325 00:11:59,820 --> 00:12:01,440 In other words, Paul is saying, 326 00:12:01,980 --> 00:12:04,159 I could wish that I myself were accursed 327 00:12:04,220 --> 00:12:05,955 if it were possible to do so. 328 00:12:06,995 --> 00:12:08,615 It is a Hebrew idiom 329 00:12:09,154 --> 00:12:11,735 to indicate his profound pain for them. 330 00:12:13,235 --> 00:12:15,394 It's like he's saying, believe me, such is 331 00:12:15,394 --> 00:12:17,795 the extent of my sorrow for you, fellow 332 00:12:17,795 --> 00:12:18,295 Israelites, 333 00:12:18,835 --> 00:12:20,215 that if it were permissible 334 00:12:20,990 --> 00:12:22,049 for me to desire 335 00:12:22,429 --> 00:12:23,889 to be cut off from the Messiah 336 00:12:24,190 --> 00:12:26,029 so that you instead would cling to him 337 00:12:26,029 --> 00:12:28,190 for your salvation, surely, I would not shy 338 00:12:28,190 --> 00:12:30,129 away even from desiring that. 339 00:12:31,389 --> 00:12:33,490 But that, of course, is an impossibility. 340 00:12:34,750 --> 00:12:36,449 He who genuinely loves Christ 341 00:12:37,044 --> 00:12:38,105 would not ever 342 00:12:38,565 --> 00:12:41,144 trade him for anything or for anyone, 343 00:12:42,404 --> 00:12:43,625 and that is the catalyst 344 00:12:44,485 --> 00:12:46,965 for the sadness that Paul feels regarding his 345 00:12:46,965 --> 00:12:47,465 countrymen. 346 00:12:48,245 --> 00:12:49,785 Paul has found the Messiah 347 00:12:50,490 --> 00:12:53,129 and has answered the Messiah's loving call, and 348 00:12:53,129 --> 00:12:54,509 it breaks his heart 349 00:12:55,210 --> 00:12:57,210 that so many of his fellow Jews have 350 00:12:57,210 --> 00:12:57,710 not. 351 00:12:59,289 --> 00:13:00,409 There are 2 things that I want you 352 00:13:00,409 --> 00:13:01,470 to learn from this. 353 00:13:01,929 --> 00:13:03,070 The first is this, 354 00:13:04,250 --> 00:13:05,549 the doctrine of election 355 00:13:06,304 --> 00:13:08,565 is not merely an intellectual concept 356 00:13:09,105 --> 00:13:10,644 or an academic exercise, 357 00:13:11,504 --> 00:13:14,144 rather, it is the divine revelation that ought 358 00:13:14,144 --> 00:13:15,684 to stir our hearts. 359 00:13:17,345 --> 00:13:18,804 One does not get the impression 360 00:13:19,419 --> 00:13:21,840 that when Paul wrote this section of Romans, 361 00:13:22,059 --> 00:13:22,960 he did so, 362 00:13:23,340 --> 00:13:25,440 with a glass of Scotch in his hand 363 00:13:25,580 --> 00:13:28,700 and with a cigar on his lips, with 364 00:13:28,700 --> 00:13:30,860 Alexa playing Beethoven in the background. That's not 365 00:13:30,860 --> 00:13:32,860 at all the vibe that one gets from 366 00:13:32,860 --> 00:13:34,399 the beginning of Romans 9. 367 00:13:35,375 --> 00:13:36,434 Now, it's more like 368 00:13:37,294 --> 00:13:39,455 it's more likely that if you were to 369 00:13:39,455 --> 00:13:39,955 hold 370 00:13:40,495 --> 00:13:43,054 the original copy of Paul's letter to the 371 00:13:43,054 --> 00:13:43,554 Romans, 372 00:13:43,855 --> 00:13:47,554 you could identify entire words that were distorted 373 00:13:47,695 --> 00:13:48,434 and smeared 374 00:13:48,889 --> 00:13:51,070 by the tears that accompanied their composition. 375 00:13:52,649 --> 00:13:54,409 On the one hand, the biblical revelation of 376 00:13:54,409 --> 00:13:55,950 God's sovereignty and salvation, 377 00:13:57,289 --> 00:14:00,090 that he foreknows and foreloves those whom he 378 00:14:00,090 --> 00:14:00,590 predestines 379 00:14:01,210 --> 00:14:01,870 to save, 380 00:14:02,545 --> 00:14:04,325 ought to move you to tears of joy, 381 00:14:05,184 --> 00:14:07,605 especially when you consider at what cost 382 00:14:07,985 --> 00:14:09,524 your redemption was secured. 383 00:14:11,024 --> 00:14:14,065 Beloved Christian, when is the last time you 384 00:14:14,065 --> 00:14:16,485 meditated on this amazing truth? 385 00:14:17,789 --> 00:14:19,709 When is the last time that you ruminated 386 00:14:19,709 --> 00:14:20,610 on the depths 387 00:14:21,230 --> 00:14:21,970 and richness 388 00:14:22,750 --> 00:14:25,089 of God's love for you? 389 00:14:25,789 --> 00:14:27,169 A love that is undistracted, 390 00:14:28,909 --> 00:14:29,409 unfailing, 391 00:14:30,914 --> 00:14:31,414 undaunted, 392 00:14:33,075 --> 00:14:33,575 unrelenting, 393 00:14:35,235 --> 00:14:35,735 unstoppable, 394 00:14:37,315 --> 00:14:37,815 unbreakable, 395 00:14:39,154 --> 00:14:39,654 unending, 396 00:14:39,955 --> 00:14:41,495 and perhaps most stunningly, 397 00:14:43,235 --> 00:14:43,735 undeserved. 398 00:14:47,279 --> 00:14:49,059 Ponder the matchless excellencies 399 00:14:49,679 --> 00:14:53,059 and astounding grace of Him who loved you 400 00:14:53,200 --> 00:14:55,299 first, and you will never forget 401 00:14:55,920 --> 00:14:58,179 the love you had at first. 402 00:14:59,625 --> 00:15:00,365 On the other 403 00:15:00,904 --> 00:15:03,625 hand, the biblical revelation of God's sovereignty and 404 00:15:03,625 --> 00:15:04,125 salvation 405 00:15:05,065 --> 00:15:07,065 ought to not only produce in you tears 406 00:15:07,065 --> 00:15:07,725 of joy, 407 00:15:08,424 --> 00:15:09,165 but also 408 00:15:09,785 --> 00:15:11,165 tears of sorrow 409 00:15:11,700 --> 00:15:14,200 as you consider the wretched inheritance of those 410 00:15:14,420 --> 00:15:15,720 who reject Christ. 411 00:15:16,980 --> 00:15:18,420 What brings me to the second thing I 412 00:15:18,420 --> 00:15:20,120 want you to learn from these verses, 413 00:15:20,899 --> 00:15:21,399 that 414 00:15:21,779 --> 00:15:23,000 like Paul's heart, 415 00:15:23,860 --> 00:15:24,679 your heart 416 00:15:24,980 --> 00:15:27,000 ought to break for the lost. 417 00:15:28,915 --> 00:15:30,375 The Christian faith is not 418 00:15:30,754 --> 00:15:31,495 a therapeutic 419 00:15:32,115 --> 00:15:32,615 tool 420 00:15:32,995 --> 00:15:35,095 to help you live your best life now. 421 00:15:36,115 --> 00:15:38,835 It is the only cure that will save 422 00:15:38,835 --> 00:15:40,934 you from the curse of hell 423 00:15:41,339 --> 00:15:42,959 and enable you to live forever. 424 00:15:44,620 --> 00:15:46,940 Dear Christian, the great physician has given you 425 00:15:46,940 --> 00:15:47,919 this most precious 426 00:15:48,299 --> 00:15:48,799 medicine. 427 00:15:49,740 --> 00:15:52,399 You've tasted it, and it has healed you. 428 00:15:52,539 --> 00:15:53,919 It has given you life. 429 00:15:54,784 --> 00:15:57,985 And yet, everywhere you turn people are at 430 00:15:57,985 --> 00:16:00,404 the point of perishing. They are this close 431 00:16:00,944 --> 00:16:03,664 to sealing forever a dark future without joy 432 00:16:03,664 --> 00:16:04,725 and without hope. 433 00:16:07,230 --> 00:16:08,669 They're so close to do it, when a 434 00:16:08,669 --> 00:16:09,169 drop 435 00:16:10,110 --> 00:16:12,049 of this blessed elixir of life, 436 00:16:12,509 --> 00:16:14,830 a drink from this fountain of paradise would 437 00:16:14,830 --> 00:16:17,009 eradicate the curse that now condemns them, 438 00:16:17,389 --> 00:16:19,490 and inject their spiritual veins 439 00:16:19,934 --> 00:16:22,495 with the life giving blood of the one 440 00:16:22,495 --> 00:16:24,674 who conquered death and lives forever. 441 00:16:26,735 --> 00:16:28,355 By His wounds we are healed. 442 00:16:29,855 --> 00:16:32,335 We must be a church that proclaims the 443 00:16:32,335 --> 00:16:35,399 gospel of life giving grace through the priority 444 00:16:35,399 --> 00:16:36,620 that we place on worship, 445 00:16:37,080 --> 00:16:38,700 through the warmth of our hospitality, 446 00:16:39,879 --> 00:16:42,460 through the transparency of our confession of sin, 447 00:16:43,399 --> 00:16:45,820 through the sincerity of our repentance, 448 00:16:47,144 --> 00:16:49,004 through our reliance in God's mercy, 449 00:16:50,585 --> 00:16:52,904 through the persistence of our prayers for the 450 00:16:52,904 --> 00:16:53,404 lost, 451 00:16:54,504 --> 00:16:55,485 through the constancy 452 00:16:56,024 --> 00:16:57,565 of our service in the community, 453 00:16:58,745 --> 00:17:00,365 through our integrity in the workplace, 454 00:17:01,679 --> 00:17:03,779 through our kindness in the neighborhood, 455 00:17:05,039 --> 00:17:07,299 through our generosity with those in need, 456 00:17:08,240 --> 00:17:09,140 through our compassion 457 00:17:09,680 --> 00:17:10,980 for those who are hurting, 458 00:17:11,759 --> 00:17:14,099 through our forgiveness for those who hurt us, 459 00:17:15,005 --> 00:17:16,865 and through our unwavering commitment 460 00:17:17,485 --> 00:17:19,965 to glorify God by making disciples of Jesus 461 00:17:19,965 --> 00:17:21,664 Christ through the power 462 00:17:21,965 --> 00:17:24,045 of the Holy Spirit. Listen, if we can 463 00:17:24,045 --> 00:17:24,865 remain indifferent 464 00:17:25,485 --> 00:17:27,424 to the hopeless condition of the lost, 465 00:17:28,359 --> 00:17:30,299 if our hearts can continue unmoved 466 00:17:30,919 --> 00:17:32,679 by the peril of those who are without 467 00:17:32,679 --> 00:17:33,179 Jesus, 468 00:17:33,880 --> 00:17:36,059 if we do not share the Apostle's 469 00:17:36,359 --> 00:17:39,579 unceasing anguish for those who reject Christ, 470 00:17:40,365 --> 00:17:42,445 then we may have no portion in the 471 00:17:42,445 --> 00:17:43,825 one who wept for Jerusalem 472 00:17:45,085 --> 00:17:46,605 as he was approaching it to give his 473 00:17:46,605 --> 00:17:47,105 life. 474 00:17:50,605 --> 00:17:51,585 For this church 475 00:17:52,204 --> 00:17:54,305 to be a force of healing and restoration 476 00:17:54,365 --> 00:17:55,265 in this community, 477 00:17:56,180 --> 00:17:58,599 then our hearts must first be broken 478 00:17:59,140 --> 00:18:01,559 for those who are wasting away without hope. 479 00:18:02,900 --> 00:18:04,440 The Prince of Preachers, Charles 480 00:18:04,740 --> 00:18:06,200 Spurgeon, puts it like this, 481 00:18:07,140 --> 00:18:08,599 if sinners be damned, 482 00:18:09,575 --> 00:18:11,974 at least let them leap to hell over 483 00:18:11,974 --> 00:18:13,035 our dead bodies. 484 00:18:13,815 --> 00:18:14,875 And if they perish, 485 00:18:15,174 --> 00:18:16,154 let them perish 486 00:18:16,535 --> 00:18:18,875 with our arms wrapped about their knees, 487 00:18:19,414 --> 00:18:20,795 imploring them to stay. 488 00:18:21,740 --> 00:18:23,820 If hell must be filled, let it be 489 00:18:23,820 --> 00:18:26,539 filled in the teeth of our exertions, and 490 00:18:26,539 --> 00:18:28,240 let no one go unwarned 491 00:18:28,700 --> 00:18:30,000 and unprayed for. 492 00:18:32,460 --> 00:18:34,960 There are so many blessings in this community. 493 00:18:35,914 --> 00:18:37,615 We enjoy so many privileges 494 00:18:38,234 --> 00:18:38,734 here. 495 00:18:39,755 --> 00:18:40,734 Beautiful trees, 496 00:18:41,194 --> 00:18:42,894 and lakes, and trails. 497 00:18:43,515 --> 00:18:46,734 Plenty of opportunities to bike, and to swim, 498 00:18:46,954 --> 00:18:49,730 and to golf, and to play basketball, and 499 00:18:49,730 --> 00:18:52,710 tennis, and yes, for people like me, pickleball. 500 00:18:54,690 --> 00:18:56,869 We have good schools, don't judge me. 501 00:18:58,609 --> 00:18:59,750 We have good schools, 502 00:19:00,369 --> 00:19:01,669 we have amazing restaurants, 503 00:19:02,255 --> 00:19:04,174 We have great shopping. This community seems to 504 00:19:04,174 --> 00:19:04,994 have it all. 505 00:19:06,414 --> 00:19:08,434 But therein, consist the great tragedy 506 00:19:09,215 --> 00:19:10,674 that is the precise source 507 00:19:11,055 --> 00:19:12,674 of Paul's profound pain. 508 00:19:13,375 --> 00:19:14,674 You may have all things, 509 00:19:15,599 --> 00:19:18,319 but if you don't have Christ, you have 510 00:19:18,319 --> 00:19:18,819 nothing. 511 00:19:21,119 --> 00:19:23,859 None of the rich resources will redeem us. 512 00:19:24,240 --> 00:19:26,660 None of these entitlements will endure. 513 00:19:27,200 --> 00:19:29,779 Because on judgment day, none of these advantages 514 00:19:29,920 --> 00:19:30,660 will avail. 515 00:19:32,464 --> 00:19:34,644 And this brings us to our second heading, 516 00:19:35,024 --> 00:19:36,724 Israel's privileged position. 517 00:19:37,345 --> 00:19:38,884 In verse 4 we read, 518 00:19:39,184 --> 00:19:40,244 they are Israelites. 519 00:19:41,424 --> 00:19:43,365 To them belongs the adoption, 520 00:19:43,909 --> 00:19:46,549 the glory, the covenants, the giving of the 521 00:19:46,549 --> 00:19:48,809 law, the worship, and the promises. 522 00:19:51,029 --> 00:19:53,769 In this verse and continuing into verse 5, 523 00:19:53,909 --> 00:19:56,809 Paul enumerates many of the privileges of Israel. 524 00:19:57,825 --> 00:19:59,924 He first refers to the Jews as Israelites. 525 00:20:01,024 --> 00:20:02,644 This is actually the first privilege 526 00:20:03,184 --> 00:20:06,244 that Paul lists since Israelite is the covenant 527 00:20:06,304 --> 00:20:08,244 name of God's chosen people. 528 00:20:09,024 --> 00:20:10,964 Hearkening back to Genesis 32 529 00:20:11,490 --> 00:20:14,369 and to Genesis 35, where God changed Jacob's 530 00:20:14,369 --> 00:20:17,349 name to Israel, one who strives with God, 531 00:20:18,289 --> 00:20:21,650 and reiterates the promise there that he made 532 00:20:21,650 --> 00:20:22,309 to Abraham 533 00:20:22,929 --> 00:20:24,069 to be his God. 534 00:20:25,605 --> 00:20:26,505 Paul then mentions 535 00:20:26,884 --> 00:20:29,305 that to the Israelites belong the adoption. 536 00:20:30,005 --> 00:20:30,825 In other words, 537 00:20:31,204 --> 00:20:33,065 out of all the nations of the earth, 538 00:20:33,684 --> 00:20:37,384 God chose to bless and favor the descendants 539 00:20:37,444 --> 00:20:38,105 of Abraham, 540 00:20:38,599 --> 00:20:41,080 committing himself to be their father, and to 541 00:20:41,080 --> 00:20:42,940 receive them as his beloved children, 542 00:20:43,400 --> 00:20:45,980 with all the special care and attention 543 00:20:46,279 --> 00:20:47,259 that that entails. 544 00:20:48,359 --> 00:20:49,420 Next, Paul mentions 545 00:20:50,759 --> 00:20:52,940 that to the Israelites belongs the glory. 546 00:20:54,455 --> 00:20:56,214 This refers to the fact that God blessed 547 00:20:56,214 --> 00:20:56,714 Israel 548 00:20:57,095 --> 00:21:00,535 with His intimate presence among them by dwelling 549 00:21:00,535 --> 00:21:03,015 among them in a peculiar way especially in 550 00:21:03,015 --> 00:21:03,674 the tabernacle 551 00:21:04,295 --> 00:21:05,275 and in the temple. 552 00:21:06,769 --> 00:21:08,929 The next privilege of Israel that Paul mentions 553 00:21:08,929 --> 00:21:10,390 here is the covenants. 554 00:21:11,490 --> 00:21:12,230 The infinite, 555 00:21:12,849 --> 00:21:13,349 eternal, 556 00:21:14,130 --> 00:21:14,630 omniscient, 557 00:21:15,329 --> 00:21:18,690 omnipotent God freely chose to bind Himself to 558 00:21:18,690 --> 00:21:20,069 Israel by way of covenant, 559 00:21:20,764 --> 00:21:22,544 committing himself to be their god, 560 00:21:23,325 --> 00:21:25,505 to love and protect them as his people, 561 00:21:26,044 --> 00:21:28,204 to shepherd and care for them as the 562 00:21:28,204 --> 00:21:30,764 shape of his pasture, and to eventually bless 563 00:21:30,764 --> 00:21:31,585 all the nations 564 00:21:31,964 --> 00:21:33,505 through the promised Messiah. 565 00:21:35,519 --> 00:21:37,539 Next, Paul mentions the giving of the law. 566 00:21:38,160 --> 00:21:40,799 This refers to Israel's great privilege of being 567 00:21:40,799 --> 00:21:41,539 the recipients 568 00:21:42,080 --> 00:21:44,100 of God's written law, 569 00:21:44,720 --> 00:21:48,320 and therefore, having unique insights into God's holy 570 00:21:48,320 --> 00:21:48,820 character. 571 00:21:49,694 --> 00:21:50,194 Knowing 572 00:21:50,575 --> 00:21:51,615 the way that 573 00:21:52,255 --> 00:21:54,194 knowing therefore the way that leads to life. 574 00:21:55,294 --> 00:21:57,315 Understanding the seriousness of sin, 575 00:21:57,775 --> 00:21:59,474 and the penalties that it incurs, 576 00:21:59,775 --> 00:22:00,914 and most importantly, 577 00:22:01,920 --> 00:22:03,220 showing the people of Israel 578 00:22:03,600 --> 00:22:06,100 their desperate need for a savior. 579 00:22:07,519 --> 00:22:09,140 Next, Paul mentions the worship. 580 00:22:10,000 --> 00:22:12,180 This refers to the entirety of the sacrificial 581 00:22:12,320 --> 00:22:14,100 system, including its festivals, 582 00:22:14,480 --> 00:22:15,220 its rituals, 583 00:22:15,759 --> 00:22:18,305 and its pomp, which reminded the people of 584 00:22:18,305 --> 00:22:20,724 Israel that their whole life 585 00:22:21,184 --> 00:22:23,585 belongs to God and that He alone is 586 00:22:23,585 --> 00:22:25,205 worthy of all of their devotion 587 00:22:25,825 --> 00:22:27,605 and service and loyalty 588 00:22:27,904 --> 00:22:28,644 and love. 589 00:22:30,569 --> 00:22:32,269 Next, Paul mentions the promises. 590 00:22:33,049 --> 00:22:35,710 This undoubtedly refers to the messianic promises, 591 00:22:36,170 --> 00:22:38,589 which when fulfilled would bless all the nations, 592 00:22:38,970 --> 00:22:41,390 but which were revealed to Israel alone, 593 00:22:42,335 --> 00:22:43,954 and therefore gave them a unique 594 00:22:44,494 --> 00:22:45,954 and abiding hope. 595 00:22:47,295 --> 00:22:49,934 Finally, in verse 5, Paul mentions 2 more 596 00:22:49,934 --> 00:22:52,414 privileges of Israel, that to them belong the 597 00:22:52,414 --> 00:22:52,914 patriarchs 598 00:22:53,454 --> 00:22:55,934 and that the Christ would be from their 599 00:22:55,934 --> 00:22:56,434 race 600 00:22:57,000 --> 00:22:58,299 according to the flesh. 601 00:22:59,559 --> 00:23:01,740 That is to say, according to Paul, 602 00:23:02,359 --> 00:23:03,660 such was the privilege 603 00:23:04,200 --> 00:23:05,339 of the people of Israel 604 00:23:05,720 --> 00:23:08,619 that their whole existence was encompassed and surrounded 605 00:23:09,079 --> 00:23:11,099 by the entirety of God's promises, 606 00:23:12,345 --> 00:23:13,804 that their ethnic makeup 607 00:23:14,424 --> 00:23:16,744 and composition was marked at its boundaries by 608 00:23:16,744 --> 00:23:19,164 Abraham and the patriarchs at the source, 609 00:23:19,865 --> 00:23:21,644 and by the glorious Messiah 610 00:23:22,424 --> 00:23:23,244 at its culmination. 611 00:23:24,599 --> 00:23:26,759 Think about it. The promise of hope for 612 00:23:26,759 --> 00:23:27,339 all mankind 613 00:23:27,799 --> 00:23:29,099 is contained therein, 614 00:23:29,559 --> 00:23:31,500 in that gap between Abraham 615 00:23:31,799 --> 00:23:34,759 and Jesus. And it was the unthinkable privilege 616 00:23:34,759 --> 00:23:35,579 of the Israelites 617 00:23:35,880 --> 00:23:39,019 to be the physical purveyor of such hope. 618 00:23:41,595 --> 00:23:42,575 Paul's pain 619 00:23:43,275 --> 00:23:44,894 was so profound precisely 620 00:23:45,595 --> 00:23:48,095 because Israel's privilege was so pronounced. 621 00:23:49,674 --> 00:23:52,315 In the theater of God's redemptive work, Israel 622 00:23:52,315 --> 00:23:53,934 had the best seats in the house. 623 00:23:55,279 --> 00:23:56,900 But when the leading actor came, 624 00:23:57,599 --> 00:23:59,059 they decried his performance 625 00:23:59,519 --> 00:24:02,079 and abandoned their seats in utter contempt, looking 626 00:24:02,079 --> 00:24:04,559 elsewhere for answers and hoping in vain for 627 00:24:04,559 --> 00:24:05,059 satisfaction. 628 00:24:07,599 --> 00:24:09,220 For you see, the drama of redemption 629 00:24:10,085 --> 00:24:11,785 can be staged nowhere else. 630 00:24:12,404 --> 00:24:14,164 For no one else has the creativity to 631 00:24:14,164 --> 00:24:14,984 direct it, 632 00:24:15,365 --> 00:24:16,805 and no one else has the ability to 633 00:24:16,805 --> 00:24:18,964 perform it, and no one else has the 634 00:24:18,964 --> 00:24:20,505 capacity to produce it. 635 00:24:21,285 --> 00:24:22,984 That is the great tragedy 636 00:24:23,599 --> 00:24:24,259 of Israel 637 00:24:24,640 --> 00:24:26,580 that Paul so deeply laments. 638 00:24:27,599 --> 00:24:29,759 That God gave them the best seats in 639 00:24:29,759 --> 00:24:32,240 the theater, but they care not for the 640 00:24:32,240 --> 00:24:32,740 drama. 641 00:24:34,720 --> 00:24:36,320 And when they were invited to join the 642 00:24:36,320 --> 00:24:38,259 lead actor on the stage of redemption, 643 00:24:39,075 --> 00:24:41,794 they forsook his call and settled for the 644 00:24:41,794 --> 00:24:42,855 amenities instead. 645 00:24:45,234 --> 00:24:46,454 Listen, Israel alone 646 00:24:47,474 --> 00:24:49,794 beheld the majesty of the golden chain of 647 00:24:49,794 --> 00:24:50,294 salvation, 648 00:24:50,835 --> 00:24:53,799 but she despised its value, choosing instead the 649 00:24:53,799 --> 00:24:54,619 glitter of 650 00:24:54,920 --> 00:24:56,220 the golden 651 00:24:56,519 --> 00:24:57,019 calf. 652 00:24:57,320 --> 00:24:59,180 Oh, may this never happen 653 00:24:59,720 --> 00:25:00,380 to us. 654 00:25:00,840 --> 00:25:02,759 For the church is also the recipient of 655 00:25:02,759 --> 00:25:04,059 great privilege from God. 656 00:25:05,654 --> 00:25:07,595 Their privilege was to be called Israelites, 657 00:25:08,214 --> 00:25:10,294 but our privilege is to be called Christians. 658 00:25:10,294 --> 00:25:11,835 We bear the Messiah's name. 659 00:25:14,214 --> 00:25:16,134 They were adopted out of all the nations 660 00:25:16,134 --> 00:25:18,480 of the earth, but we are adopted out 661 00:25:18,480 --> 00:25:20,259 of Adam's cursed house. 662 00:25:21,759 --> 00:25:23,460 They enjoyed the glory 663 00:25:24,000 --> 00:25:26,240 of God in the temple, but we enjoyed 664 00:25:26,240 --> 00:25:27,380 the glory of Immanuel, 665 00:25:27,759 --> 00:25:29,299 God with us. 666 00:25:30,725 --> 00:25:32,265 They beheld the future promises 667 00:25:32,565 --> 00:25:35,445 of the covenant through signs, through symbols, and 668 00:25:35,445 --> 00:25:37,845 through types, but we befold the fulfillment of 669 00:25:37,845 --> 00:25:40,345 the covenant through the bread and the wine. 670 00:25:42,529 --> 00:25:44,309 They were the recipients of the law, 671 00:25:45,089 --> 00:25:46,869 but we are the recipients of grace. 672 00:25:47,889 --> 00:25:49,730 They worshiped in the temple through the service 673 00:25:49,730 --> 00:25:51,970 of the Levites, but we worship in spirit 674 00:25:51,970 --> 00:25:53,649 and truth through the intercession of our High 675 00:25:53,649 --> 00:25:54,869 Priest Jesus Christ. 676 00:25:57,095 --> 00:25:58,955 Theirs were the promises of the Messiah, 677 00:25:59,335 --> 00:26:02,215 but ours is the Messiah himself and his 678 00:26:02,215 --> 00:26:03,115 finished work. 679 00:26:04,855 --> 00:26:06,715 Theirs were the patriarchs by lineage, 680 00:26:07,255 --> 00:26:09,515 but ours are the patriarchs by faith. 681 00:26:11,259 --> 00:26:12,559 Christ was from them 682 00:26:12,940 --> 00:26:15,339 according to the flesh, but Christ is for 683 00:26:15,339 --> 00:26:15,839 us 684 00:26:16,299 --> 00:26:17,519 according to the spirit. 685 00:26:19,740 --> 00:26:22,940 These are all amazing privileges indeed. Privilege that 686 00:26:22,940 --> 00:26:25,119 no one else has outside the church. 687 00:26:26,195 --> 00:26:28,695 And yet, if Christ remains outside you, 688 00:26:29,714 --> 00:26:32,755 then these privileges are of no enduring benefit 689 00:26:32,755 --> 00:26:35,315 for you, and your future shall be marked 690 00:26:35,315 --> 00:26:36,454 by bitter tears. 691 00:26:39,154 --> 00:26:39,894 Make sure 692 00:26:41,259 --> 00:26:42,240 that no privilege, 693 00:26:42,940 --> 00:26:45,179 benefit or blessing is the anchor of your 694 00:26:45,179 --> 00:26:45,679 hope. 695 00:26:46,859 --> 00:26:49,420 You may possess all the privileges that the 696 00:26:49,420 --> 00:26:51,359 church offers, but unless 697 00:26:51,819 --> 00:26:52,559 you possess 698 00:26:53,355 --> 00:26:53,855 Christ, 699 00:26:54,154 --> 00:26:57,355 you are a poor beggar bereft of any 700 00:26:57,355 --> 00:26:57,855 hope. 701 00:27:00,394 --> 00:27:01,694 Only Christ saves 702 00:27:02,474 --> 00:27:04,414 because only Christ can 703 00:27:04,795 --> 00:27:05,295 save. 704 00:27:06,390 --> 00:27:08,730 And this brings us to our final heading, 705 00:27:09,029 --> 00:27:10,730 Christ's preeminent power. 706 00:27:12,470 --> 00:27:14,549 As I've explained several times during this sermon 707 00:27:14,549 --> 00:27:16,470 series on Paul's letter to the Romans, one 708 00:27:16,470 --> 00:27:18,890 of the reasons that Paul writes this letter 709 00:27:19,964 --> 00:27:22,545 is that Jewish and Gentile Christians were arguing 710 00:27:23,005 --> 00:27:25,244 as to who was more worthy to be 711 00:27:25,244 --> 00:27:25,984 the leaders 712 00:27:26,285 --> 00:27:27,424 in the Christian church. 713 00:27:28,285 --> 00:27:31,424 Jewish Christians argued that since they were given 714 00:27:31,484 --> 00:27:33,505 the law and the sign of circumcision 715 00:27:33,900 --> 00:27:36,240 and even the Messiah according to the flesh, 716 00:27:36,700 --> 00:27:38,700 they were more worthy of being the leaders 717 00:27:38,700 --> 00:27:39,519 in the church. 718 00:27:40,539 --> 00:27:43,180 Gentile Christians on the other hand argued that 719 00:27:43,180 --> 00:27:45,200 since most of the Jews had rejected Jesus, 720 00:27:45,740 --> 00:27:47,660 and more and more Gentiles were coming to 721 00:27:47,660 --> 00:27:49,414 Christ, in fact becoming the minority 722 00:27:49,794 --> 00:27:52,034 of the church, despite not having the law, 723 00:27:52,034 --> 00:27:53,494 despite not having circumcision, 724 00:27:53,875 --> 00:27:55,815 they should be the ones leading the church. 725 00:27:57,234 --> 00:27:57,974 The problem 726 00:27:58,515 --> 00:28:01,095 with both the Jewish and the Gentile position 727 00:28:01,700 --> 00:28:04,339 is that they were still dividing humanity along 728 00:28:04,339 --> 00:28:05,240 ethnic lines 729 00:28:05,859 --> 00:28:08,119 and trying to weigh which side was better 730 00:28:08,579 --> 00:28:09,559 or more worthy. 731 00:28:10,579 --> 00:28:11,480 Paul's answer 732 00:28:12,019 --> 00:28:14,180 back in Romans chapter 2 and Romans chapter 733 00:28:14,180 --> 00:28:16,200 3 is that neither side is worthy. 734 00:28:17,095 --> 00:28:19,095 He writes, for all who have sinned without 735 00:28:19,095 --> 00:28:21,835 the law will also perish without the law, 736 00:28:22,294 --> 00:28:24,315 and all who have sinned under the law 737 00:28:24,454 --> 00:28:26,234 will be judged by the law. 738 00:28:27,494 --> 00:28:28,315 In other words, 739 00:28:28,769 --> 00:28:30,710 all are equally unworthy 740 00:28:31,330 --> 00:28:34,609 because all have sinned and fall short of 741 00:28:34,609 --> 00:28:36,309 the glory of God. 742 00:28:37,730 --> 00:28:39,109 So if neither Jewishness 743 00:28:40,049 --> 00:28:42,690 nor Greekness brought one closer to God, then 744 00:28:42,690 --> 00:28:43,430 what did? 745 00:28:45,234 --> 00:28:48,454 The answer of course is yes. Neither Jewishness, 746 00:28:49,154 --> 00:28:50,454 nor Greekness, 747 00:28:51,315 --> 00:28:52,134 but godliness. 748 00:28:53,554 --> 00:28:54,054 Godliness. 749 00:28:54,755 --> 00:28:56,994 Salvation will be found in neither the Jewish 750 00:28:56,994 --> 00:28:59,440 man, nor in the Greek man, but in 751 00:28:59,440 --> 00:29:00,419 the God man. 752 00:29:00,960 --> 00:29:02,099 Look at verse 5. 753 00:29:02,559 --> 00:29:04,099 To them belong the patriarchs, 754 00:29:04,400 --> 00:29:06,740 and from their race according to the flesh 755 00:29:07,039 --> 00:29:10,019 is the Christ who is God over all, 756 00:29:10,319 --> 00:29:11,299 blessed forever. 757 00:29:12,079 --> 00:29:12,579 Amen. 758 00:29:14,565 --> 00:29:15,384 Paul writes 759 00:29:16,565 --> 00:29:17,464 that the Christ, 760 00:29:18,085 --> 00:29:18,744 the Messiah 761 00:29:19,045 --> 00:29:21,384 is from the Israelites according to the flesh. 762 00:29:22,005 --> 00:29:22,825 By implication, 763 00:29:23,924 --> 00:29:26,345 this means that there is another non fleshly 764 00:29:26,404 --> 00:29:27,704 aspect to the Messiah 765 00:29:28,099 --> 00:29:30,680 which does not find its provenience in Abraham, 766 00:29:30,900 --> 00:29:32,599 nor even in Adam himself. 767 00:29:34,099 --> 00:29:34,599 Stunningly, 768 00:29:35,539 --> 00:29:38,259 Paul writes here in no uncertain terms that 769 00:29:38,259 --> 00:29:40,920 the Messiah is not merely from God, 770 00:29:41,644 --> 00:29:45,184 but that He is God overall, blessed forever. 771 00:29:47,804 --> 00:29:50,284 Some scholars have tried to walk Paul back 772 00:29:50,284 --> 00:29:52,605 a little bit here. They've tried to change 773 00:29:52,605 --> 00:29:55,329 the translation of this text, but neither the 774 00:29:55,329 --> 00:29:58,529 Greek grammar, nor the Greek sentence structure, nor 775 00:29:58,529 --> 00:30:00,710 the Greek manuscript evidence justify 776 00:30:01,009 --> 00:30:03,089 any other reading except the one that we 777 00:30:03,089 --> 00:30:06,470 have here. Christ is God over all. 778 00:30:07,804 --> 00:30:08,304 Unapologetically, 779 00:30:09,404 --> 00:30:09,904 stunningly, 780 00:30:10,444 --> 00:30:12,464 Christ is God over all, 781 00:30:12,765 --> 00:30:13,664 blessed forever. 782 00:30:16,125 --> 00:30:18,765 In fact, Paul had already stated this much 783 00:30:18,765 --> 00:30:20,829 at the beginning of this letter, in Romans 784 00:30:20,829 --> 00:30:22,589 chapter 1 verses 3 and 4 where he 785 00:30:22,589 --> 00:30:24,589 writes about the Son of God that He 786 00:30:24,589 --> 00:30:26,929 was descended from David according to the flesh, 787 00:30:27,230 --> 00:30:28,909 and was declared to be the Son of 788 00:30:28,909 --> 00:30:29,889 God in power, 789 00:30:30,190 --> 00:30:31,809 according to the spirit of holiness 790 00:30:32,349 --> 00:30:34,369 by His resurrection from the dead. 791 00:30:36,595 --> 00:30:38,214 So if you hear nothing else today, 792 00:30:38,515 --> 00:30:39,255 hear this. 793 00:30:40,355 --> 00:30:42,054 Whether you are Jew or Greek, 794 00:30:42,994 --> 00:30:44,214 American or Mexican, 795 00:30:45,154 --> 00:30:46,134 Arab or Indian, 796 00:30:46,835 --> 00:30:47,335 German 797 00:30:47,910 --> 00:30:51,130 or Asian, black or white, republican or democrat, 798 00:30:51,269 --> 00:30:52,330 8 or 88. 799 00:30:53,509 --> 00:30:55,130 There's only one way of salvation. 800 00:30:57,430 --> 00:30:58,410 Jesus Christ, 801 00:30:59,269 --> 00:31:01,369 the man who is God 802 00:31:01,910 --> 00:31:02,410 overall. 803 00:31:04,095 --> 00:31:06,255 Because He is the promised offspring of Abraham 804 00:31:06,255 --> 00:31:08,174 according to the flesh, He is able to 805 00:31:08,174 --> 00:31:10,035 save those who sin in the flesh. 806 00:31:11,695 --> 00:31:13,954 And because He is the eternally preexisting 807 00:31:14,414 --> 00:31:15,150 Son of God, 808 00:31:15,549 --> 00:31:18,029 who is God over all things, over all 809 00:31:18,029 --> 00:31:18,529 circumstances, 810 00:31:18,830 --> 00:31:21,890 over all powers, over all peoples, His salvation 811 00:31:22,190 --> 00:31:23,170 cannot fail. 812 00:31:26,509 --> 00:31:27,950 You know, at the end of Toy Story 813 00:31:27,950 --> 00:31:30,109 3, the reason Andy is surprised that Woody 814 00:31:30,109 --> 00:31:32,095 is in the box, that he is of 815 00:31:32,095 --> 00:31:33,934 the toys that he is giving away, is 816 00:31:33,934 --> 00:31:36,174 because Woody is not supposed to be there. 817 00:31:36,174 --> 00:31:38,434 Woody himself had climbed into 818 00:31:38,734 --> 00:31:39,394 the box. 819 00:31:41,054 --> 00:31:42,654 And the reason he did this was because 820 00:31:42,654 --> 00:31:43,875 he wanted to ensure 821 00:31:44,759 --> 00:31:47,259 that his friends would find a loving home, 822 00:31:47,400 --> 00:31:48,840 even if it meant that he would leave 823 00:31:48,840 --> 00:31:49,740 his own home. 824 00:31:50,440 --> 00:31:53,320 Perhaps the reason Woody's selfless act in this 825 00:31:53,320 --> 00:31:55,100 children's movie is so moving 826 00:31:55,640 --> 00:31:57,820 is because it resonates with the most selfless 827 00:31:57,880 --> 00:31:58,380 act 828 00:31:58,744 --> 00:31:59,644 in the drama 829 00:31:59,945 --> 00:32:00,845 of redemption. 830 00:32:02,265 --> 00:32:04,025 The Son of God chose to get into 831 00:32:04,025 --> 00:32:05,164 this dirty box, 832 00:32:05,545 --> 00:32:07,725 into this fallen world in order to ensure 833 00:32:08,184 --> 00:32:10,205 that we would find a loving home. 834 00:32:11,144 --> 00:32:12,904 No one else would do it because no 835 00:32:12,904 --> 00:32:14,365 one else could do it. 836 00:32:15,200 --> 00:32:17,059 Jesus became a sinless man 837 00:32:17,519 --> 00:32:19,619 to save his sinful people. 838 00:32:20,240 --> 00:32:22,400 If you trust in Him, you can be 839 00:32:22,400 --> 00:32:24,480 sure that He will never give up on 840 00:32:24,480 --> 00:32:25,380 you ever. 841 00:32:26,160 --> 00:32:28,160 That He will be there for you no 842 00:32:28,160 --> 00:32:29,859 matter what, always. 843 00:32:34,375 --> 00:32:35,355 Because He is 844 00:32:35,974 --> 00:32:37,595 the only sinless man, 845 00:32:38,214 --> 00:32:39,515 faith in Him alone 846 00:32:40,134 --> 00:32:41,674 is absolutely necessary. 847 00:32:43,049 --> 00:32:44,670 And because He is God overall, 848 00:32:45,610 --> 00:32:46,590 faith in Him 849 00:32:47,049 --> 00:32:48,430 is entirely sufficient. 850 00:32:49,690 --> 00:32:51,070 Won't you turn to Him? 851 00:32:52,009 --> 00:32:52,910 Bend the knee 852 00:32:53,289 --> 00:32:55,549 and enjoy rest and peace forevermore. 853 00:32:56,170 --> 00:32:56,990 Let's pray.