Sermon Notes | Sunday, 14 June 2026
A Heart For Those Far From God
Romans 9:1-5
Let's begin with a quick review of the history of the church...
The Book of Romans was written by Paul the Apostle around A.D. 57–58. The Day of Pentecost recorded in Acts 2 occurred shortly after the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus. Most scholars place it around A.D. 30. If Pentecost was in A.D. 30 and Romans was written in A.D. 57–58, then Romans was written about 27–28 years after Pentecost. This means the church had already been growing and spreading throughout the Roman Empire for nearly three decades before Paul wrote what is often considered his most complete explanation of the Gospel.
In the early days of the church Jewish people were very responsive to the message of Jesus Christ.
On the Day of Pentecost when the church was born, 3000 Jews were saved (Acts 2:41). Soon after Peter preached, 5000 more received Christ (Acts 4:4). It seemed that before long the entire nation of Israel would repent and believe the Gospel!
But corrupt leadership opposed the Gospel and the tide turned. Stephen, a great man of faith, was martyred and a severe persecution arose. Believers were scattered across the Roman empire (Acts 8) and suddenly Jewish people were no longer being swept into God’s kingdom in large numbers.
Instead many Jews became bitter opponents of Christianity while multitudes of Gentiles turned to Christ for salvation. This strange “turn of events” puzzled first-century Jewish Christians.
The early Christians wondered what would happen to the promises God had given to Israel. Would God go back on His word? Would Israel be cast aside in favor of a largely Gentile church?
The message of Romans 9–11 is not a side issue. It is not a parenthesis in Paul’s letter. Instead it is central to his argument. If God has permanently cast away Israel, His promise of security for the church means nothing. If God has treated Israel unrighteously, how can the righteousness of God be revealed in the Gospel (Romans 1:16–17)?
Before Paul could call the church to demonstrate a righteous lifestyle (Romans 12–16), he had to establish the fact that God is not guilty of any unrighteousness in connection with Israel.
Israel is the only nation where God reveals their past, present and future! Paul reveals the means by which God has spared the Hebrew nation in the past. Paul reveals the reason God continues to preserve the Jewish people in the present. Paul reveals the plan God has for restoring Israel to the place of privilege in the future.
The Book of Romans was written by Paul the Apostle around A.D. 57–58. The Day of Pentecost recorded in Acts 2 occurred shortly after the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus. Most scholars place it around A.D. 30. If Pentecost was in A.D. 30 and Romans was written in A.D. 57–58, then Romans was written about 27–28 years after Pentecost. This means the church had already been growing and spreading throughout the Roman Empire for nearly three decades before Paul wrote what is often considered his most complete explanation of the Gospel.
In the early days of the church Jewish people were very responsive to the message of Jesus Christ.
On the Day of Pentecost when the church was born, 3000 Jews were saved (Acts 2:41). Soon after Peter preached, 5000 more received Christ (Acts 4:4). It seemed that before long the entire nation of Israel would repent and believe the Gospel!
But corrupt leadership opposed the Gospel and the tide turned. Stephen, a great man of faith, was martyred and a severe persecution arose. Believers were scattered across the Roman empire (Acts 8) and suddenly Jewish people were no longer being swept into God’s kingdom in large numbers.
Instead many Jews became bitter opponents of Christianity while multitudes of Gentiles turned to Christ for salvation. This strange “turn of events” puzzled first-century Jewish Christians.
The early Christians wondered what would happen to the promises God had given to Israel. Would God go back on His word? Would Israel be cast aside in favor of a largely Gentile church?
The message of Romans 9–11 is not a side issue. It is not a parenthesis in Paul’s letter. Instead it is central to his argument. If God has permanently cast away Israel, His promise of security for the church means nothing. If God has treated Israel unrighteously, how can the righteousness of God be revealed in the Gospel (Romans 1:16–17)?
Before Paul could call the church to demonstrate a righteous lifestyle (Romans 12–16), he had to establish the fact that God is not guilty of any unrighteousness in connection with Israel.
Israel is the only nation where God reveals their past, present and future! Paul reveals the means by which God has spared the Hebrew nation in the past. Paul reveals the reason God continues to preserve the Jewish people in the present. Paul reveals the plan God has for restoring Israel to the place of privilege in the future.
PAUL’S PASSION FOR ISRAEL
Romans 9:1-5 (NKJV)
I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, 2 that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh, 4 who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises; 5 of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen.
Paul was considered a traitor to the Jewish people. He was looked upon as the Judas of Judaism. From the perspective of the Jewish people, Paul was an enemy. How wrong they were! Paul loved his people with the deepest of passion.
Paul was about to address Israel’s unbelief and rejection of the Messiah, and he didn’t want to be misunderstood.
Paul wanted every Jewish person to be assured that he was grief-stricken over the spiritual condition of Israel. His conscience and the Holy Spirit confirmed the genuineness of his anguish. Paul’s heart was breaking for the nation of Israel.
Paul’s love, though, was so intense and so earnest that he was willing to go to Hell for eternity if it would result in the salvation of the Jewish people.
Such intensity of love is often lacking in today’s Christian. To us Hell is often only a category of theology, an academic subject to be discussed. Paul’s concern for lost people was an anguish of heart reminiscent of Christ’s weeping over the city of Jerusalem (Matthew 23:37) and then suffering judgment for its sin.
Why should we grieve over lost Jewish people more than we grieve over other lost people? The reason is not that the souls of Jews are more important, but that they were given unique privileges from which they never benefited.
TAKE-AWAY:
Do we grieve over people who are without Christ? It is possible to be correct in our theology, and wrong emotionally? A church should have both truth and tears!
CHALLENGE:
Ask God to burden your heart for our lost family members, neighbors, co-workers, our community, and our sphere of influence.
PEOPLE MATTER TO GOD, THEREFORE, THEY SHOULD MATTER TO US!
I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, 2 that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh, 4 who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises; 5 of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen.
Paul was considered a traitor to the Jewish people. He was looked upon as the Judas of Judaism. From the perspective of the Jewish people, Paul was an enemy. How wrong they were! Paul loved his people with the deepest of passion.
Paul was about to address Israel’s unbelief and rejection of the Messiah, and he didn’t want to be misunderstood.
Paul wanted every Jewish person to be assured that he was grief-stricken over the spiritual condition of Israel. His conscience and the Holy Spirit confirmed the genuineness of his anguish. Paul’s heart was breaking for the nation of Israel.
Paul’s love, though, was so intense and so earnest that he was willing to go to Hell for eternity if it would result in the salvation of the Jewish people.
Such intensity of love is often lacking in today’s Christian. To us Hell is often only a category of theology, an academic subject to be discussed. Paul’s concern for lost people was an anguish of heart reminiscent of Christ’s weeping over the city of Jerusalem (Matthew 23:37) and then suffering judgment for its sin.
Why should we grieve over lost Jewish people more than we grieve over other lost people? The reason is not that the souls of Jews are more important, but that they were given unique privileges from which they never benefited.
TAKE-AWAY:
Do we grieve over people who are without Christ? It is possible to be correct in our theology, and wrong emotionally? A church should have both truth and tears!
CHALLENGE:
Ask God to burden your heart for our lost family members, neighbors, co-workers, our community, and our sphere of influence.
PEOPLE MATTER TO GOD, THEREFORE, THEY SHOULD MATTER TO US!
Will you accept God's grace and free gift of faith in Jesus today?
Pray this prayer to receive Jesus as your Savior:
“Lord Jesus, today I receive Your grace. I admit that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You died on the cross for my sins and rose again to give me new life. Today, I turn from my old ways and invite You into my heart. Be my Lord, be my Savior, and help me follow You all the days of my life. Right now, I trust you as my Savior and will follow you as my Lord. Thank You for loving me. Amen.”
Assurance of Salvation
If you prayed that prayer and meant it in your heart, you can be sure that you are saved.
Romans 10:13 (NLT) “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
John 10:28 (NLT) “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me.”
Romans 10:13 (NLT) “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
John 10:28 (NLT) “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me.”
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