Sermon Notes | Sunday, 12 July 2026

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.

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 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.

Let's Unpack Verse 1 of Romans 9:

"I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit."

PAULS' HONEST TESTIMONY

Paul emphasizes the absolute sincerity of his words. This is one of the strongest affirmations of truthfulness that Paul makes in any of his letters.

Before he addresses Israel's unbelief, he wants his readers to know that what he is about to say flows from genuine love—not bitterness, anger, or prejudice.

Three witnesses affirm his truthfulness: Christ, his conscience, and the Holy Spirit

1. Christ Is His Witness (vs 1) "I tell the truth in Christ..."

Jesus taught that “…every idle word will be brought into judgment…” (Matthew 12:36).

Application: Believers should speak as those who live "in Christ." Our words should be governed by the awareness that Christ hears every conversation and knows every motive.

Would you speak differently if you consciously remembered Christ was listening to every word?

2. Paul’s Conscience Confirms His Integrity (vs 1) "...my conscience also bearing me witness..."

The conscience is God's internal moral compass. It is not perfect—it must be informed by God's Word—but when shaped by Scripture, it serves as an important witness to one's integrity.

Acts 23:1 — "I have lived in all good conscience before God..."
 
2 Timothy 1:3 — "I thank God... whom I serve with a pure conscience."

Application: Integrity begins long before words leave our mouths. A clean conscience is cultivated through daily confession, obedience, and submission to God's truth.

Ask yourself:
Is my public testimony consistent with my private life?

Does my conscience affirm what my mouth proclaims?

3. The Holy Spirit Testifies Alongside Him (vs 1) "...in the Holy Spirit..."

This is the highest affirmation Paul can make. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth (John 16:13).

Paul is declaring that the Spirit who indwells him knows the sincerity of his heart and bears witness to the truthfulness of what he is saying.

Conclusion: Romans 9:1 (NKJV) I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit,

In verse 1, Paul is effectively saying, Christ knows I am telling the truth; my conscience knows I am telling the truth; the Holy Spirit knows I am telling the truth.
 
Application: When we as believers walk in fellowship with the Holy Spirit, our lives should reflect honesty, transparency, and authenticity. We should desire not merely to appear truthful before people, but to be found truthful before God.

WRAPPING IT UP: 
Why Does Paul Emphasize This So Strongly?

He is not writing as a critic of Israel but as a grieving Jewish believer whose heart aches for his own people to know their Messiah.

Paul's example reminds us that when we speak difficult truths our credibility is strengthened when our lives demonstrate integrity; when our conscience is clear before God, and our motives are shaped by the Holy Spirit.

Truth is most compelling when it is spoken with both conviction and compassion.

TAKE-AWAY: Believer, let your walk and your talk agree before God.

CHALLENGE: This week, ask yourself before every important conversation:

Would Christ, my conscience, and the Holy Spirit bear witness that I am speaking and living in truth?

Let that question guide both your words and your walk.

“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.”

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.”