[English Sermon 영어 설교]
Sunday, November 10, 2024 - Sermon by Rev. Jinkook (Danny) Sohn
Are You a Child of the Promise? (Romans 9:1-18)
2024. 11. 10. 주일예배 설교- 로마서 강해 23
본문: 로마서 9:1-18
제목: 약속의 자녀이십니까?
설교자: 손진국 목사
Today, we are discussing Romans Chapter 9. Over the past few weeks, we have looked at Chapter 8. Romans 8 and 12 are probably the most preached chapters in Romans, and they were truly wonderful. We were moved and thrilled by God’s great love and grace toward us. But when we enter Chapter 9, the atmosphere completely changes.
If Chapter 8 was a celebration, Chapter 9 feels like a funeral. This is why Chapters 9-11 in Romans are rarely chosen as sermon texts. I also don’t remember ever preaching on Chapters 9-11. However, some people say that their lives were changed through Romans Chapter 9. One example is Pastor John Piper, often called the theologian of joy. Among his books is Justification of God, which deals with the content of Romans 9. He heard an inner voice saying, “I am the God of Romans 9, who is not only analyzed and explained but also proclaimed and declared!” and this led him to dedicate his life to ministry. Especially, Chapter 9 has sparked significant theological debates about Calvin’s doctrine of predestination, which I briefly mentioned a few weeks ago.
Through this sermon, instead of diving into theological debates, I hope we can spend time together learning who the children of the promise are through Paul, and what God’s heart is for these children of the promise.
1. The children of the promise are those who have been called.
In today’s message, Paul speaks about children of the flesh and children of the promise. Paul knew that God had appointed him as an apostle to the Gentiles, so he passionately spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to Greeks and other Gentiles, leading to the establishment of many churches. Yet, he still felt deep sorrow for Israel, his own people, who rejected the gospel and persecuted him. In this context, he speaks of children of the flesh and children of the promise. [Romans 9:8] 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.
Here, Paul contrasts this by first using the example of Abraham’s children. [Verse 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.” How many sons did Abraham have? He had eight sons—Ishmael from Hagar, Isaac from Sarah, and six sons from Keturah. ([Genesis 25:1-2] Abraham took another wife, whose name was Keturah. She bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah.) All eight are Abraham’s sons. But in today’s message, it says not all of them are his children; only Isaac is considered his child.
Another example is Jacob and Esau, the twin sons of Rebekah. Among them, God called only Jacob a child of promise. [Verses 12-13] Not by works but by him who calls—she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” Just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” Here, rather than understanding God’s love and hate in human terms, it is better to see this in the context of choice—whether God chose or did not choose. In other words, the term “hated” does not mean God deliberately disliked or condemned Esau, but rather, He left Esau as he was, without choosing him. Both Ishmael and Esau became great nations, but what is different about the children of the promise? The children of the flesh, like all of humanity, are made in God’s image and can accomplish great things with their strength, wisdom, and efforts. But children of the promise are different in that God works in their lives, leading to events that go beyond human limitations. The prime example of this is the work of salvation.
In the Old Testament, only Isaac, among Abraham’s eight sons, was chosen as a child of promise, and only Jacob, among Isaac’s sons, was chosen as a child of promise. What is the standard? The standard for the children of promise is calling. Those who are called by God are children of the promise, and those who are not are children of the flesh. [Verse 11] Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God’s purpose in election might stand: not by works but by him who calls.
The standard is not based on what these people did or how they acted but on God’s calling alone. How did He call them? How did He call Isaac and Jacob? This is explained in the text: [Verse 9] For this was how the promise was stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.” [Verse 12] Not by works but by him who calls—she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” How did He call them? Through His word—He called them with His word.
Today, God also calls the children of the promise through His word. Those who live in the world and hear God’s call, returning to Him, are children of the promise. The church is a gathering of those who have been called. [1 Corinthians 1:2] To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours.
What is the church? It is a gathering of those who have been called and who call on the name of Jesus Christ. In Greek, the church is called ekklesia (ἐκκλησία), which means “called out from.” Ek (ἐκ) means “from,” and kaleo (καλεῖν) means “to call.” In other words, the church is those who have been called out of the world. Believers are called out of the dark world, ruled by the power of sin, death, and Satan, and now belong to the Kingdom of Light, the Kingdom of God, ruled by righteousness and life. [1 Peter 2:9] But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
What is the covenantal word of God’s calling in the New Testament? [Acts 16:31] They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” [Romans 10:13] For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” [Ephesians 1:13] And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit. [Revelation 3:20] Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.
What is the word of the covenant? It is the word of the gospel—it is Jesus Christ. We heard the gospel about who He is and what He has done, accepted Him as our Savior, received life, and became God’s children. Now we call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and we have received the mission to proclaim His name. What does this mean? It means that someone will hear God’s call through us. Let us rejoice today, be thankful, call on the Lord’s name, and be saints who proclaim His name, as He has given this amazing mission to us, the children of the promise. I bless you in the name of the Lord.
[Application] Do I believe that I am a child of the promise, called by God? Am I joyfully fulfilling the mission of sharing the gospel entrusted to me? If I am not, what is the reason?
2. The Children of Promise Bear God’s Heart
[Verses 1-2] I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit—I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.
In Romans 8, Paul is moved by the greatness of God’s love and declares that nothing can separate us from it. But in Romans 9, he suddenly expresses his deep sorrow and endless anguish, revealing his heartache and distress. Listening to Paul’s great sorrow and unceasing anguish today, I also find myself wishing for this kind of heartache. Why? Because I believe that Paul’s sorrow and anguish reflect the heart of God the Father.
I, too, had a similar experience when I first believed in Jesus. In early September of 1997, in Christchurch, I accepted Jesus as my Savior and my God. Though my life did not immediately change, nor did my old habits, I soon moved from Christchurch to Wellington and joined the Wellington Korean Church, where I experienced church community for the first time. However, I still held onto my old ways. Every Friday night, I would lead about ten young, single foreigners into the city for a pub crawl, drinking from 11 PM until 3 AM, and dancing until I was drenched in sweat. During youth group meetings, I would even bring liquor to share with my friends.
Even so, I attended early morning prayers, church services, and gatherings without fail. As I continued, I began to hear God’s word more clearly. I realized, as I shared last week, that as a believer in Jesus, I had received the astonishing gift of salvation without condemnation. I was liberated from the power of sin and death, filled with joy, gratitude, and awe. My view of the world changed completely. I also joined Bible study to learn more about God’s word, and before long, a new concern and anguish arose in me—for my parents and older brother, who did not yet believe. I felt a heartache that I now recognize as the same sorrow and anguish Paul felt.
What was the source of Paul’s sorrow and anguish? [Verse 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, Paul’s sorrow and anguish were for his brothers, his own people, the Israelites, who did not believe in Jesus and were perishing. When Paul wrote this letter, it was around AD 57, after his third missionary journey. During those journeys, the people who most troubled, persecuted, and tormented him were the Jews. Despite the insults, stones, and beatings from them, Paul’s heart was not, “I’ll show them,” or “God, punish them,” but rather, “God, have mercy on them; save them.” He prayed with a heart willing to be cursed and separated from Christ for their salvation.
Whose heart is this? This is the heart of a Father willing to give His only Son to save those who betray Him and worship idols. Jesus, too, prayed, [Luke 23:34] Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. Even as He ascended the mountain to be crucified, He thought of others, saying to the women who mourned for Him, [Luke 23:28] Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children.
We have received eternal life through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. We are called by God to be His children, people of promise. We carry the deep joy, gratitude, and unending thankfulness of salvation. But God now calls us to take one step further—to bear a heart of compassion for the salvation of our family, friends, neighbors, and people who do not yet believe in Jesus. Many of these people may not welcome or even avoid us, but for their salvation, we must bear the heart of Jesus and Paul, praying with deep concern and anguish. May we earnestly pray with hearts willing to be cursed and separated from Christ if only they might be saved. This sorrow and anguish is the heart of the Lord, given to the children of promise. I pray that the Lord’s heart, willing to give everything for the salvation of even one lost soul, fills us all in His name.
[Application] Who is the person that makes me feel troubled and uncomfortable? Am I earnestly praying with deep sorrow and unceasing pain for their salvation?
3. The children of promise are those who acknowledge God’s absolute sovereignty.
In today’s passage, what distinguishes the children of the flesh from the children of the promise? It is solely God’s calling. Did God call them based on their goodness or badness? No. It was purely His sovereign choice, made even before they were born. [Verse 11] Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God’s purpose in election might stand: not by works but by him who calls.
How does this make you feel? [Verse 14] What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! People may feel that God’s choices seem unfair, thinking, “How can a God of justice and fairness make such distinctions?” Some may even wonder if they can believe in such a God.
Today, we are reminded that the children of promise are grateful for their calling, earnestly pray with God’s heart for the salvation of the lost, and, further, live with one confession: “God is right.” Despite many circumstances and reasons, we declare, “God is absolutely just.” The children of promise recognize God’s sovereignty. Paul explains this to us in [Verse 18] Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.
Why do we sometimes think, “How could God do this?” or “God, this is too much”? It is because we do not fully accept our 100% sinful nature. Do you know when humanity is most noble? Not when reaching high positions, accumulating wealth, or gaining recognition, but when we acknowledge that we are completely sinful.
When we accept our total sinfulness, we understand that our thoughts, judgments, and standards can be wrong, and we can acknowledge that God, our Creator, is absolutely righteous, absolutely just, and 100% right. Song Myung-hee, a Korean poet born in 1963 with cerebral palsy, has spent 60 years with severe limitations yet continues to confess that God is just, saying, “God is right.” I pray that such a confession fills our lives daily, that at the end of every complaint, we may say, “God is right,” at the end of every prayer, “God is absolutely right,” and at the end of our lives, “God is absolutely right.”
[Application] Do you fully acknowledge that you are 100% a sinner? In my thoughts and words, which is more common: "God, this is too much" or "God, You are right"?
하늘소망교회(담임 손진국 목사)는 뉴질랜드 오클랜드 북부 실버데일에 세워진 한인교회로 '하나님의 마음으로 사람을 살리는 교회'입니다.
Hope of Heaven Baptist Church (Senior Pastor: Rev. Jinkook Sohn) is a Korean church established in Silverdale, Auckland, New Zealand. It is a church that saves people with the heart of God.