Romans 9:1-3

Romans 9:1-3

Paul’s Incredible Passion for His People

Rom 9:1  I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,

Rom 9:2  That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.

Rom 9:3  For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:

      1.      Paul’s Pledge of Allegiance to His People

a.       Paul’s loyalty to his people is driven by his first allegiance, which is in Christ

                                                              i.      Tradition and history do not save us but that does not mean that we through it out altogether.

1.      1 Peter 1:18-19 

2.      Romans 1:16 

b.      Paul’s loyalty to his people is a conviction that is rooted in his conscience

                                                              i.      Paul gives us some not so subtle clues here about the work of the Holy Spirit in the heart of the believer.

1.      The work of the Holy Spirit is evidenced by a changed life

a.       Galatians 5:22-23 

2.      The work of the Holy Spirit should awaken in you convictions that are based in logic and reason yet are expressed with sincere emotion.

a.       The conscience is originally corrupted which is why unsaved people can do tremendous evil all while sincerely believing they are following their conscience.

                                                                                                                                      i.      Romans 2:15 

b.      The conscience can be purified by the work of the Holy Spirit to again convict of sin and motivate the believer to good works.

                                                                                                                                      i.      1 Timothy 1:5 

c.       Paul’s loyalty to his people is based in his deepest emotional longings

                                                              i.      Paul’s heart bleeds for the state of his people. He grieves at their rejection of the Messiah and longs to reach them for the cause of the gospel.

1.      “Give me Scotland ere I die” – John Knox

a.       Jeremiah 13:15-17 

b.      Romans 10:1-3 

d.      Paul’s loyalty to his people is something he is prepared to give his life for.

                                                              i.      Why is the Jewish nation and history relevant for me? Should we like Paul care about a people that have been forgotten?

1.      Moses’ word resonates with the same passion as Paul’s

a.       Exodus 32:32 

2.      Here are some arguments to think about regarding the relevance of Israel.

a.       History repeats itself

                                                                                                                                      i.      Psalm 14:1-7 

b.      Christ is found in the story of the Jews

                                                                                                                                      i.      Zechariah 1:8 

c.       Christ is not done with the Jewish nation

                                                                                                                                      i.      Isaiah 55:13 

                                                                                                                                    ii.      Zechariah 2:10-13