Welcome home, everyone!
It’s great to be Back in the House of the Lord, Amen? Its great to be here with all of you! And it’s great to be well and in good health, Glory to God!
As I prepared for this message, I saw many things that disturbed my spirit. I saw a people who where once guided by godly principles display their utter contempt for God. I saw a people who have been blessed by all measure turn to wickedness. I saw a people who once valued salvation turn on the innocent. I didn’t come here today to preach a political message, But God’s word has a way of dealing with the messes of humanity. I am committed to preaching the word and that is what we do here. We are a church who focuses on God’s word. With that being said, if it gets a little close for comfort then you can take it up with the Holy Spirit. Amen
In our text this morning Paul is beginning a new segment that will go through chapter 11. In this new segment, he starts with his expressing his anguish over Israel and there spiritual wellbeing.
My prayer today is that by hearing this message we will (together you and me) learn from Israel’s past and lead this generation with a godly anguish. That we would respond in prayer to the sins of our nation and lead her back to Christ.
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14
If you have your Bibles today will you join me as we turn to Romans chapter 9, starting with verse 1.
I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit— 2 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race, 4 the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. 5 Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.
Romans 9:1-5
I have separated my thoughts into 3 sections/points in order to share them with you today. Let’s take a look at my first point.
Paul Grieves Despite Israel’s Rebelliousness
I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit— 2 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race,
Romans 9:1-3
Right off the bat, Paul associates the sincerity of his anguish with the heart and mission of Christ. Confirmed in his Spirit by the Holy Spirt. In Paul’s spirit he in alignment with the spirit of Christ. He is “in Christ” And “in Christ” there can be no lie. He describes his disposition with great sorrow and unceasing anguish. Paul is addressing the spiritual elephant in the room. Israel has rejected Christ and Paul’s response is that of extreme sorrow and anguish. So much so, that In vain, he contemplates the idea of sacrificing himself to be cut off from God to save his beloved people. If this sounds familiar, it should this is the heart and mission of Jesus Christ.
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
2 Corinthians 5:21
Paul says it differently in Philippians
And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!
Philippians 2:8
As I said before, I could not help but to draw a parallel from Paul’s distress over his people’s rebellious spiritual state and our spiritual predicament here in our country. This is not a republican or democrat issue. It’s a sin issue. Our problem is not a race issue it’s a sin issue. Can I ask you a question today? Where is our great sorrow and unceasing anguish? Are we on our faces before God pleading for the souls of the lost? Trust me I’m preaching to myself here too. Are we seeking His Kingdom and His righteousness over our desires and comforts? To be united in Christ we must be inline with His heart and mission. We must at times be in that place like Paul grieving over our lost kinsmen.
What Paul is saying here is that Israel is not saved. In fact, it is as lost as lost can be. Our nation is no different. Founded on a godly foundation, but rebellious to our core. Our laws have been altered to reflect our rebelliousness towards God. Where is our anguish and our deep sorrow for the lost? Could it be that we have gotten out of alignment in our mission and lost touch with the heart of God?
Let’s move on to my next point.
God’s People Stray Despite Divine Prerogative
the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises.
Romans 9:4
God has Chosen Israel and from Paul’s perspective they have been given every advantage in knowing God. “Theirs is the adoption to sonship” This speaks to being chosen by God. “Theirs the divine glory” This refers to God’s holy presence among them. “The covenants” This speaks of God’s first agreements with Abraham promising salvation. “The receiving of the law” The vehicle by which God chose to expose sin and bring Israel to repentance “The temple worship” The service of God, the offerings and the priesthood. “The promises” The Messiah, Jesus Christ
Paul is in anguish because Despite Israel’s Divine prerogatives They have chosen to abandon their faith and live in sin and idolatry. Does this not sound like our world today? God has given us every advantage in Christ Jesus and still we stray from him. If you live in America today, you are considered rich and privileged by the world’s standard. Still we tolerate the destruction on of the innocent on the alters of the abortion clinics. We are entertained by filth, greed, and dysfunction in the theaters and on TV. Like Israel we have the presence of God in our very midst and yet we have no anguish for our own nation.
having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.
2 Timothy 3:5
I find it interesting that in our culture today we have all sorts of catch phrases about love and what it is or what it should look like. Yet God is love and our people have rejected him.
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
I John 4:10
We have all the love of God in Christ Jesus; Crucified for our sins and yet our nation is doing its best to remove God as fast as they can. We must find our voice of anguish and deep sorrow for our lost nation. For our lost world Friends now more than ever our nation needs a move of the Holy Spirit. We need to see God move on the hearts of our people and our leaders. For us the and all the people of God here we must use our voice and our votes to demand godly leadership and godly principles in our government. This is our duty as stewards of this country.
I’ll move on to my final point.
God’s People Stray Despite A Legacy Of Blessing
Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.
Romans 9:5
Israel had a physical heritage in Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. he revered Law was given through Moses. God spoke through the prophets. And the Promised Messiah would come through the line of David. Jesus was born in Bethlehem in the city of David just as it was foretold. Jesus died for the redemption of all humanity. Fathom if you can, the spiritual heritage that Israel possessed.
Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.
Romans 9:5
Yet still they strayed from God.
The same can be said for us here in our time and in our culture. Our nation was founded on biblical principles. Our constitution declares that our rights as citizens are unalienable rights God given that all men are created equal. God has moved on our land and He has made us free. God has delivered us from global threats and prospered our economy. Yet like Israel somewhere down the road we have traded the truth about God for a lie. We believed that we alone where responsible for our prosperity, our strength, and success. And we began to see the good and godly things as undesirable. God warned us though, didn’t He?
Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.
Isaiah 5:20
We have strayed from God and turned our backs on Him. Despite our legacy of blessing, we have cursed God. Everything I have said to you today is 100% truthful. And if this were the end of the story, I would agree that our outlook is pretty bleak. Although I do believe we are in the last days, we still have today. God has yet again blessed us with another today. This is so good church, because we can make a new start today.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
John 1:9
Do you remember what I read in the opening, let’s hear it again.
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14
Daniel’s prayer…
Will you open your hearts to Jesus, the Son of the living God, and receive what your heavenly father has for you? Will you call on him today? Will you ask Him to help you discern what his word is revealing today? Many of you need a fresh touch from God today. Is there some form of hindrance or bondage in your life or your relationships today? God wants to redeem and restore those areas of your life? He wants to restore Joy and hope for you today. You’re hearing this now and the Holy Spirit has brought someone or something to mind. He wants to speak life into this today. He wants to bring healing in this area today. There are areas of deep regret when it comes to your relationship with God and you have rejected Christ as your savior …It’s not too late. It’s not too late to humble yourself before him today, hold out your arms and open your hands to receive from him today. Will you say yes to Jesus, today? Will you bow your heads with me? Some of you already know the Lord, but maybe he’s put something on your heart that you need to deal with, you need to ask his forgiveness today. If that’s you will you just acknowledge that to him today. This is just you and God here. Now someone here may not have that relationship with Jesus and today you’ve felt him tugging at your heart, you’ve been hurt, and you’re guarded, I know. Jesus is here and wants set things right in your life. If you’ll say Pastor, I want Jesus to be my Lord and savior. Remember, it’s just you and God here. Will you pray with me today, We’ll pray here as a family and you can repeat after me. Jesus, I know that I’m a sinner. I ask you today for your forgiveness. I believe that you died for my sins and on that 3rd day, you rose from the dead. I ask you to come into my heart today. I trust and follow you as my Lord and savior. Guide me and help me to do your will. In Jesus’ name Amen.
“‘“The Lord bless you
Numbers 6:24-26
and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”’