sovereign mercy

Romans 9:1-29

God’s PromisesGod’s Promises1.1.I will use everything for I will use everything for

your goodyour good

2.2.I will finish what I’ve started I will finish what I’ve started

3.3.I will allow nothing to I will allow nothing to separate usseparate usBut what about Israel!?But what about Israel!?

Was God Was God unfaithful to unfaithful to

Israel?Israel?• No, the promises were only No, the promises were only ever meant for the electever meant for the elect– Isaac, not Ishmael (v6-9)Isaac, not Ishmael (v6-9)– Jacob, not Esau Jacob, not Esau • promise not based on blood (v10)promise not based on blood (v10)• promise not based on merit (v11)promise not based on merit (v11)• promise not based on birthright promise not based on birthright (v12)(v12)• promise based on election (v13)promise based on election (v13)

Was God Was God unfaithful to unfaithful to

Israel?Israel?• No, the promises were only No, the promises were only ever meant for the electever meant for the elect

Ephesians 1:3–5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,

Isn’t election Isn’t election unfair?unfair?

• God is God and we have no God is God and we have no right to accuse Himright to accuse Him (v20-21) (v20-21)• God isn’t fair; He’s mercifulGod isn’t fair; He’s merciful

fairfair = giving everyone exactly what = giving everyone exactly what they deservethey deserve

mercymercy = withholding deserved = withholding deserved punishmentpunishment

Isn’t election Isn’t election unfair?unfair?

• God is God and we have no God is God and we have no right to accuse Himright to accuse Him (v20-21) (v20-21)• God isn’t fair; He’s mercifulGod isn’t fair; He’s merciful–Merciful to Israel (15)Merciful to Israel (15)–Merciful to us (16)Merciful to us (16)

Isn’t election Isn’t election unfair?unfair?

Romans 3:10–12,23as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” ...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

Isn’t election Isn’t election unfair?unfair?

Ephesians 2:1–3 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

Isn’t election Isn’t election unfair?unfair?

• God is God and we have no God is God and we have no right to accuse Himright to accuse Him (v20-21) (v20-21)• God isn’t fair; He’s mercifulGod isn’t fair; He’s merciful–Merciful to Israel (15)Merciful to Israel (15)–Merciful to us (16)Merciful to us (16)–Merciful to & through the un-Merciful to & through the un-

elect (17-18,22-24)elect (17-18,22-24)

Isn’t election Isn’t election unfair?unfair?

"Pharaoh was already wicked. Pharaoh already had an evil heart, out of which came evil continually. Pharaoh delighted in doing evil… God does not cause men to sin, nor does He make them bad. Rather, He simply lets them harden themselves, as a punishment for their wickedness."

R.C. Sproul,

Isn’t election Isn’t election unfair?unfair?

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

1 John 2:2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

Isn’t election Isn’t election unfair?unfair?

• God is God and we have no God is God and we have no right to accuse Himright to accuse Him (v20-21) (v20-21)• God isn’t fair; He’s mercifulGod isn’t fair; He’s merciful–Merciful to Israel (15)Merciful to Israel (15)–Merciful to us (16)Merciful to us (16)–Merciful to & through the un-Merciful to & through the un-

elect (17-18,22-24)elect (17-18,22-24)

ApplicationApplication• ConfidenceConfidence–God always keeps His God always keeps His promisespromises

• ThankfulnessThankfulness–God is merciful, not fairGod is merciful, not fair–God chose youGod chose you