THE FREE-WILL OF GOD (12 OF 26)
by Zach Terry
Scripture: Romans 9:1-26
This content is part of a series.
The Free-Will of God (12 of 26)
Series: Romans
Zach Terry
Romans 9:1-26
INTRODUCTION: Today we will look at one of the most difficult passages in God's Word. Not difficult to understand, but difficult to accept. It deals with the radical Free Will of God. Of all the cultures to inhabit this planet perhaps none find this doctrine more difficult to accept that our Modern Western culture. We are taught from our earliest age -
• Self determination
• Self actualization
• We are taught the free-will of man, but we never examine the free-will of God.
As a matter of fact we are willing to allow God to be loving, holy, righteous, good - anything but free. Free to do as he determines as it relates to man.
But God's will is the only purely free will there is.
• For example, your will is not free to fly like superman. You can will it but the law of gravity will override your will.
• But when God wills something the entire universe conspires to bring it to pass.
So Churches don't know what to do with this chapter. I don't know that I have ever in person heard this passage preached in all my life.
But friend if we really believe in the inerrancy of scripture we must embrace and love this chapter as much as any in the bible.
TEXT: Look at how Paul begins... Romans 9:1-5 (ESV) 1 I am speaking the truth in Christ-I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit- 2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh.
One of the greatest criticisms of the doctrine of election as I understand it is simply that it will kill a zeal for evangelism. That seems to make sense, "If God choose those who would believe from before the foundation of the world, 'why witness, why do missions?'". That's a very valid question. I would simply say that the evidence is to the contrary.
Notice that Paul ...
Series: Romans
Zach Terry
Romans 9:1-26
INTRODUCTION: Today we will look at one of the most difficult passages in God's Word. Not difficult to understand, but difficult to accept. It deals with the radical Free Will of God. Of all the cultures to inhabit this planet perhaps none find this doctrine more difficult to accept that our Modern Western culture. We are taught from our earliest age -
• Self determination
• Self actualization
• We are taught the free-will of man, but we never examine the free-will of God.
As a matter of fact we are willing to allow God to be loving, holy, righteous, good - anything but free. Free to do as he determines as it relates to man.
But God's will is the only purely free will there is.
• For example, your will is not free to fly like superman. You can will it but the law of gravity will override your will.
• But when God wills something the entire universe conspires to bring it to pass.
So Churches don't know what to do with this chapter. I don't know that I have ever in person heard this passage preached in all my life.
But friend if we really believe in the inerrancy of scripture we must embrace and love this chapter as much as any in the bible.
TEXT: Look at how Paul begins... Romans 9:1-5 (ESV) 1 I am speaking the truth in Christ-I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit- 2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh.
One of the greatest criticisms of the doctrine of election as I understand it is simply that it will kill a zeal for evangelism. That seems to make sense, "If God choose those who would believe from before the foundation of the world, 'why witness, why do missions?'". That's a very valid question. I would simply say that the evidence is to the contrary.
Notice that Paul ...
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