The Sovereign & Just Judge | A Sermon Based on Romans 9:19

Scripture

• Romans 9:19

About this sermon

Introduction: This morning’s sermon deals with an issue in the 19th verse that is incredibly important. Like almost any doctrine we might consider, the implications for the doctrine expressed in this verse are multiple. They are highly consequential. Remember how we come to this 19th verse. The question raised earlier is how God’s purpose can be the grounds for Christian security, when it appears that perhaps God’s purposes have failed regarding the nation Israel. If God keeps His promises, if His purposes prove effectual, then how does one explain the current lost condition of most Israelites? Paul’s explanation pointed us to God’s sovereignty over all things, but specifically over the matter of salvation. God is free. God has ALWAYS been free, and Israel has always demonstrated this. THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN AN ISRAEL AMONG ISRAEL. The differences among men, among nations, among people of the same nation, when some receive privileges that others do not, or when some love God when others do not, ARE ULTIMATELY EXPLAINED BY GOD. He is free to show mercy to whomever He chooses, and He is free in the matter of reprobation also. THIS TEACHING LEADS PAUL TO GIVE A DEFENSE OF GOD. PAUL MEETS WITH COMMON OBJECTIONS WHEREVER THESE TRUTHS ARE TAUGHT, AND HE SEES THE NEED TO PREPARE GOD’S PEOPLE TO ANSWER THEM. Is it injustice for God to act like God? As I said last time, I’m not so sure that Paul’s envisioned objector believes that God is actually unjust, as much as he believes that Paul’s depiction of God would make God unjust. The real difference is Paul’s view of God, embodied in his explanation of Israel’s rejection, versus the belief system of his opponents. Which is why Paul answers the objection the way that he does. What does he do? He simply takes us to Scripture and proves that God has demonstrated His freedom in the matters of salvation’s blessings and reprobation FROM THE VERY BEGINNING OF THE NATION. He did so with Abram. He did so in the case of Isaac and Ishmael. He did so in the case of Jacob and Esau. TO THIS PAUL’S OBJECTOR RAISES THE QUESTION OF FAIRNESS. To that question Paul gives straightforward statements from God proving that Paul’s interpretation of these events is spot on. GOD TOLD MOSES THAT IT WAS HIS GLORY TO BE FREE IN THE MATTER OF MERCY (vs.15) Paul applies that statement in verse 16. GOD ALSO TOLD PHARAOH THAT IT WAS HIS GLORY TO BE FREE IN THE MATTER OF REPROBATION AND JUDGMENT. (vs.17) Paul applies that statement in verse 18. SO, we can phrase what we’ve learned so far in the form of this question. “Is God acting with injustice when He acts like God?” Is it unjust for God to be completely sovereign, completely free, in the matters of salvation and reprobation? NO, IT IS NOT INJUSTICE. Man measuring God’s commitment to justice by what men think to be fair is a misevaluation. Justice, by God’s standard, is God being true to what is truly righteous. Justice is God being true to His name. It is not injustice for God to be free in the matter of mercy. BUT NOW WE SEE THAT THIS RAISES ANOTHER QUESTION. Even if we agree that God is free in the matter of salvation, and in the matter of reprobation, doesn’t this take away any meaningful judgment of sinners? Is it injustice for God to act like God? NO. But is it injustice for God to JUDGE after acting like God? Here is a charge, an objection, that you will hear again and again when God’s freedom is declared and insisted upon. “DOESN’T THIS AMOUNT TO MEN SIMPLY BEING PUPPETS?” If this is true, if this is what we preach, then haven’t we reduced men to a position where they have no freedom whatsoever, where they make no true choices, and therefore should have no real culpability, responsibility, fault, blame, for whatever way they live; for whatever choices they make. I. THE QUESTION PAUL MEETS WITH (vs.19) Why does God judge anything? Isn’t He, then, simply pronouncing judgments on what He Himself determined? Isn’t this an exercise in theatre? “Because, Paul, doesn’t your teaching mean that NO ONE REALLY RESISTS GOD’S WILL?” II. IMPORTANT OBSERVATIONS FOUND IN THE QUESTION Now, Paul is going to answer this. We will dig into that answer more tonight. But before we dig into the details of his answer, I want us to observe some important issues raised by the question, some false assumptions identified in the question, and by the overall way that Paul chooses to answer it. A. PAUL’S TEACHING IS GOD’S TRUTH (vs.20) The objector may believe that he or she simply has a problem with “Paul’s teaching,” but in truth, they are wrestling with GOD on this issue. They are DISPUTING with God. ἀνταποκρίνομαι – “to answer in turn, to reply, to contend.” Anyone who has raised children understands what Paul is addressing here.

Topics

• Hell & Judgment