Week 39 - Free Weekend Program For Street & Vulnerable Children

Text : Roman 9 :1 -13

Theme : Passion for the lost & God’s Sovereignty in Salvation

Verse 1-3 “

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, the people of Isreal”

The apostle Paul felt a deep burden for his own people, the Israelites, who were not yet believers in Christ. He was willing to endure great personal sacrifice, even the thought of being cut off from Christ, if it meant that his people would come to faith. This was not a casual or exaggerated statement, but a genuine expression of his intense desire to see others saved. Some of us and like many missionaries can imagine being cut off from our family, from friends, from comfort, from church fellowship as we travel to places where there are no true churches, and we miss the sweet fellowship of other believers; yet being willing to be cut off from Christ goes far beyond that.

Sincerely speaking, am not at this level of willingness to be accursed, cut off from Christ, if it will help others come to Faith in Christ; even my loved ones. its seem too extreme, almost unfathomable (impossible to imagine or desire), but Paul was being sincere, he was telling the truth, which is why he started by saying, am telling the truth, my conscience and most importantly, the Holy Spirit are my witness. From scripture, we also see that he was not alone with this level of passion for the salvation of others, Moses had the same zeal and love for his people. Exodus 32:32.

However, this is not something we can accomplish with our own strength or effort; the Holy Spirit must do a work in us, to the point where we desire to see others saved if it means being cut off from eternal life. We can start today with repentance for our lukewarmness towards the lost, let’s pray for fervency and start doing the little we can one day at a time. Pray for your family and friends ceaselessly, invite them to this program, share with them the things you have learnt from Romans 1-8, encourage them to come, value their lives more than yours, keep at it and never give up!

Its encouraging to see Paul’s passion and commitment to sharing the gospel and seeing others saved, its should motivate us. Paul said, “imitate me as i imitate Christ” finally, always remember that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ, as we saw in Romans 8; no zeal, no passion or commitment can separate us from Christ. However, our passion for the lost will help us love others as Christ loved us. He emptied Himself of all, took our place on the cross, so we can take His place in Glory.

Verse 4 -5

4. 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.

God distinguishes, differentiates between Israel’s national adoption declared by Him and spiritual adoption through faith in Christ. The Israelites were chosen as a nation, they received God's law and ordinances, passed down through the patriarchs - Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (their fore fathers by natural birth), no other nation had this natural privilege, both the old and new testaments were written by them. All the old and new testament prophets and Apostles are Israel, Through Abraham, David, God put generational blessing upon them, Jesus natural parents are Israelites. Through them, God gave his message and warnings to everyone else, a great privilege.

Our inheritance as believers in Christ is through faith, not natural birth, which makes us heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ (Galatians 3:29).

While it's common for many to boast in religious heritage, lineage and familiarity with religious practices, true spiritual reality is found only through faith in Christ, not in religious privilege alone. Just as Judas was physically present at the Last Supper but lacked genuine faith to inherit the promise in John 6:54, mere religious affiliation, profession does not guarantee salvation Hebrews 4:2 . Salvation comes through faith in Christ, which is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8). Considering religious privileges as spiritual reality is the most perilous deception. its will lead to eternal damnation.

For example, baptism is like a naming ceremony, the child is already born before the event takes place; in the same way, we become born again before we get baptised. Baptism won’t make you a christian but christians get baptised. Going to church won’t make you a Christian, but true christians go to church. Same goes for offering, fasting, evangelism, devotion etc. these are fruits of a new life born already from above (heaven). Faith in Christ alone makes you a christian, a good church teaches faith in Christ and nothing else. This program is a good place, invite your friends and family. Tell your mom she can come on Sundays.

Verse 6:10

6. It is not as though God’s word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel.

7 Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham’s children. On the contrary, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.”

8 In other words, it is not the children by physical descent who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham’s offspring.

9 For this was how the promise was stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.”

God did not change his mind regarding the people of Israel, the Jews, His promises as declared to their fore father, Abraham are eternal, they cannot fail and God will not relent on His word. Matthew 24:45. However, being a physical descendant of Abraham does not automatically make someone a true child of Abraham in a spiritual sense. The promise and blessings of God were passed down through Isaac, Abraham’s son, indicating that it is not just about physical lineage but about faith - the obedience of faith. Romans 1:5.

You won’t become a christian and inherit eternal life because your father is an elder in ECWA or Baptist Church, or your grandfather built the first Ecwa church in the village and served for 55yrs, its won’t happen because your mom is the women leader, your older brother youth leader, no! only Faith in Christ will save you from eternal damnation. John 1:12 (memorise this verse and read it often)

Sarah was over 90yrs, yet, God promised she will have a child, through that child, Isaac, the promise was given; not through Ishmael, who came by self effort - the “careful calculations” of man, a type of the worldly wise man. Nothing wrong with reasoning, with being realistic, objective, hard working, civil and practical, but we must trust in Christ to inherit the promise (eternal life). Faith in Christ is all we need, again this faith is a gift from God and it bears fruit.

Verse 10-13

10. Not only that, but Rebekah’s children were conceived at the same time by our father Isaac.

11 Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God’s purpose in election might stand:

12 not by works but by him who calls—she was told, “The older will serve the younger.”

13 Just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”

Finally, God's sovereignty, purpose, and election is evident. we see the reality of predestination—His selection of us before our birth, before our baptism, repentance, confession or comprehension of faith. Before any action, good or bad, God predetermined those who would become His children, destined to live forever with Him in the celestial city (heirs of God & joint heirs with Christ). Through the gospel, He called, justified, and ultimately glorified us. Despite still awaiting the full experience, Christians are already glorified in Christ, a certainty not earned but bestowed (freely given) to us because of Christ’s finished work on our behalf.

It's God's love that grants us this unmerited inheritance through faith, faith, which He also graciously gives to us freely. As to “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated,” a woman once said to Mr. Spurgeon, “I cannot understand why God should say that He hated Esau.” “That,” Spurgeon replied, “is not my difficulty, madam. My trouble is to understand how God could love Jacob!”

“Recognising our inherent condition of sinfulness (from Adam), we must yield to God's sovereignty, acknowledging His right to act as He chooses. While we might argue that Esau's rejection of covenant blessings rendered him unworthy, the deeper truth lies in the prophecy spoken over them while still in their mother's womb—a declaration independent, separate from any deeds, good or bad.” Willam R. Newell

You may ask, how do I know God loves me like Jacob and doesn't hate me like Esau? the question is, have you received Christ through the gospel?have you believed in Him? John 1: 12, if yes, then you know He loves you, because He has given you faith to believe Christ died for your sin and if indeed you believe, you will see the power of God - a changed life.

Now, if you are not sure, pray to Him, say, help my unbelief! give me the assurance and the joy of my salvation. Also, keep coming, keep hearing, faith comes by hearing the Gospel.

May the Lord Bless you richly.