Romans Paul’s Exposition of “Salvation by Grace Through Faith”

RomansPaul’s Exposition of “Salvation by Grace Through Faith” Lesson 13a VII. God’s Righteousness: FULFILLING THE HOPE OF ISRAEL Romans 9:1 - 11:36; Page 105

FULFILLING THE HOPE OF ISRAELRomans 9:1 - 11:36 • To this point, Paul has demonstrated that salvation under law is impossible because law is unforgiving of error • He has further shown that faith, not law, is the basis upon which God will now justify the saved • Salvation by faith is not specific to any nation or individual • It is given by grace to anyone who is willing to accept Jesus as the Redeemer • This truth places Gentiles in the same position with God as the Jews • The Jews felt that God was “obligated” to bless them just because they were Jews

A. God’s Purpose For Israel Not Frustrated By Disobedience Romans 9:1-33 • Paul’s personal grief because of the Jews’ status (1-3) • Paul assured the Romans that he was telling the truth (1) • He was very sympathetic with the Jews situation (2) • He even suggested that he wished he could be lost if that would save them, which was not possible (3) • He had been as they are • This showed his great love for them

A. God’s Purpose For Israel Not Frustrated By Disobedience Romans 9:1-33 • Israel’s blessings from God were significant (4,5) • They were Israelites • They were sons of adoption • Has received honor and glory from God • God’s covenants offered to them • Law of Moses had been given to them • The service of God was impressive • Numerous promises were made by God • “Fathers” of Jewish history had made them proud • Christ came through their lineage

A. God’s Purpose For Israel Not Frustrated By Disobedience Romans 9:1-33 • Not all Jews included in God’s plan for righteousness (6-18) • Abraham’s seed came through Isaac (6-9) • God chose Jacob instead of Esau to implement His plan (10-13) • God’s arbitrary choice had no bearing on anyone’s spiritual standing with God • Isaac was the only child of promise Abraham had • Jacob was the only child of promise Isaac had • Ishmael and Esau had not been born when God made His choice • His choice was not based on either one’s good or evil lives • God’s selection was of a physical nation, not of an individual

A. God’s Purpose For Israel Not Frustrated By Disobedience Romans 9:1-33 14 “What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? Certainly not!” • Is God unfair to the Jewish nation, in the face of all the promises made to it, because He has decided to grant justification and righteousness only to Jews who accept Jesus as Son and Savior and also to receive Gentiles into His spiritual family? • God’s choosing to bless some and reject others is not unrighteous and Paul will prove it

End of Lesson 13a Answer questions #1-8

RomansPaul’s Exposition of “Salvation by Grace Through Faith” Lesson 13b VII. God’s Righteousness: FULFILLING THE HOPE OF ISRAEL Romans 9:1 - 11:36; Page

A. God’s Purpose For Israel Not Frustrated By Disobedience Romans 9:1-33 • God’s choices are always righteous and effective (14-18) • His righteousness determines His choices (14,15) • Man cannot make God’s choices for Him (16) • God’s mercy [choice] is His to give on whatever basis He chooses; it never results from man’s “willing” or “running” • Pharaoh was used to accomplish God’s purpose (17,18) • To become God’s tool for demonstrating His absolute power over the conduct of human will and human activity; • To allow God’s “name” [nature] to be declared throughout the earth

God’s choices are above criticism by the Jews (19-29) 19 You will say to me then, "Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?“ • Paul had just said, “He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens.” • The Jews would say that if God has hardened us, then our unrighteousness is not our fault. What have we done to resist God’s will? • Paul suggested that they consider, 20 But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, "Why have you made me like this?"

A. God’s Purpose For Israel Not Frustrated By Disobedience Romans 9:1-33 • God’s choices are above criticism by the Jews (19-29) • Example of the potter and his clay (19-21) • God’s dealings with all men are more than fair (22-29) (1) He punishes sinners and rewards the obedient (22-24) (2) He had made His plans known far in advance (25,26) (3) He will save faithful Jews, despite the nation’s unbelief (27-29)

A. God’s Purpose For Israel Not Frustrated By Disobedience Romans 9:1-33 • God’s purpose is fulfilled in believers in Jesus (30-33) • The Gentiles’ success in becoming righteous (30) • They had not pursued unrighteousness as the Jews had, but they heard the gospel, believed it and accepted it by faith • The Jews’ failure to become righteous (31-33) • They sought righteousness under the law, but they could not attain perfection -- justification was impossible • Jesus Christ fell short of their expectations of Him which proved to be a stumbling block to unbelievers

God’s Choices in His Salvation Plan • Review and discuss the chart on page 117 • The left-hand section shows the physical fulfillment of the lineage to Christ • Flesh was important • The right-hand section shows the spiritual state of the Gentiles and Jews before and after Christ fulfilled God’s plan of salvation • Flesh was unimportant

End of Lesson 13b Answer questions #9-10

Romans Paul’s Exposition of “Salvation by Grace Through Faith”