STUDIES IN THE BOOK OF ROMANS Learning about our Righteous, Omnipotent, Majestic, Awesome, Nourishing, Saviour Romans 9:14-33 "THAT SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD QUESTION, BUT DO YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO ASK IT?" !

Whenever we identify a human being as a dictator or a despot, a ruler that refuses to be accountable to anyone, we automatically assume the ruler is evil. Absolute power among sinful humans seems to breed more corruption. Our experiences with authority have caused us to rebel at the concept of the sovereignty of God, and to assume we have the right to question His actions. What does the Scripture teach us about this Sovereign Being, and do you have the right or wisdom to question anything He does?

I. WHENEVER WE DO NOT AGREE WITH GOD’S ACTIONS, OUR NATURAL SINFUL TENDENCY IS TO ACCUSE HIM OF BEING UNFAIR! WHAT DOES THAT SAY ABOUT US? !(Romans 9:14-18)! A. As the Creator of all life and everything that exists, God has the right to do whatever He wants to do with His creatures. Remind yourself of His character before you dare ! question His actions! ! B. The Lord chose certain human beings to fulfill His will upon this earth. Being elect for an assignment did not automatically save or condemn anyone. Faith is always a ! personal response.! C. God chose to show mercy to , at the time they most deserved His judgment. How can we question His fairness about showing mercy? (Exodus 32:1-34:9) (Romans ! 9:14-18) ! D. God hardened Pharaoh’s heart and Pharaoh hardened his own heart. Both are responsible, even though that seems contradictory to us. Our benevolent Lord “puts the squeeze” on human hearts to bring out the evil that is in them for His glory and purpose. God created humans who became sinners, so any act of mercy towards any sinner is ! gracious and undeserved. (Romans 9:17-18; Exodus 9:16)! II. WHENEVER WE CONVINCE OURSELVES THAT WE ARE BEING UNFAIRLY BLAMED FOR BEING “PUPPETS IN GOD’S PLAY”, WE NEED TO REMIND OURSELVES THAT HE IS !LORD AND WE ARE LIMITED HUMAN BEINGS. (Romans 9:19-29)! A. We have “free-will” given by a sovereign God, and subject to human limitations by God’s design. A spiritually dead being is still responsible for every action that violates ! God’s will. (John 5:24-25; 1st Timothy 5:6) ! B. A created human being actually lacks the wisdom needed, and has no right whatsoever to irreverently question or challenge the omniscient and omnipotent Lord of ! all! (Romans 9:19-21) ! “Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind: Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words? Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them. Where were you !when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much.” (Job 38:1–4) NLT C. Just as the potter chooses what to do with his creations, God has the right to do whatever He pleases with what He creates and what belongs to Him. (Romans 9: 19-21; 29:16; : 1-6; 2nd Timothy 2: 20-21) Think of how you like to be ! sovereign while gardening or home remodeling!! D. God prepares vessels for mercy, yet the vessels of his wrath prepare themselves for destruction by their own choices. Those of us who experience his mercy should be more ! appreciative as we observe his amazing patience with all sinners. (Romans 9:22-23)! E. God’s mercy was always available to and Gentiles alike. Israel should rejoice in His mercy that spared them as a nation, and that same mercy extends salvation to all ! peoples. (Romans 9:24-29)! III. THE SOVEREIGN GOD HAS PROVIDED THE GIFT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS TO !UNDESERVING SINNERS, AND IT IS A TESTIMONY TO HIS MERCY. (Romans 9:30-33)! A. Righteousness is a gift that is received by faith in the Person and Work of Christ. It can never be earned by human effort, yet many people continue to try. (Romans ! 9:30-31)! B. The ways of God will always offend those who do not approach him in repentance and faith. We can either build our lives upon His, or ultimately be crushed by Him. ! (Romans 9:32-33; :14; 28:16)! THE LORD IS SOVEREIGN. HE IS MERCIFUL AND LOVING. HE IS GRACIOUS AND COMPASSIONATE. ANYONE WHO TRUSTS HIM WILL ULTIMATELY RECEIVE UNDESERVED BLESSINGS FOREVER! ! ! !!!!!!!!Dr. Ronald J. Morrison! !!!!!!!!January 31, 2016! STUDY! QUESTIONS! 1. Did you hear anything today that helped you better understand the sovereignty of God and the responsibility of human beings? Share what you once believed but now understand more !clearly.! ! 2. When did you last question God's actions in a situation you did not understand? How did He !remind you of His sovereignty and mercy?!