Sermon Notes | Sunday, 26 July 2026
Privilege Is Not a Substitute for Faith
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.
SPIRITUAL PRIVILEGES OF ISRAEL
In Romans 9:4–5 Paul listed eight unique privileges given only to Israel:
1. ADOPTION AS SONS (vs. 4)
God chose to adopt the Jewish people as a nation. This adoption did not mean that every individual Jewish person was His child, but that Israel collectively had a special relationship with God.
Moses wrote in Deuteronomy 7:6 (NKJV) “For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth.”
Application: Being identified with God's people is not the same as knowing God personally.
God has no grandchildren—only children by faith.
John 1:12–13 (NKJV) But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
Galatians 3:26 (NKJV) For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
2. THE GLORY (vs 4)
Paul was referring to the Shekinah Glory, the visible manifestation of the presence of God.
Exodus 40:34–38 (NKJV) Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 35 And Moses was not able to enter the tabernacle of meeting, because the cloud rested above it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 36 Whenever the cloud was taken up from above the tabernacle, the children of Israel would go onward in all their journeys. 37 But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not journey till the day that it was taken up. 38 For the cloud of the Lord was above the tabernacle by day, and fire was over it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.
No nation but Israel had the tremendous privilege of God’s visible presence guiding, protecting, and assuring them.
While the word Shekinah does not appear in Scripture, it comes from a Hebrew word meaning "to dwell" and was used by Jewish teachers to describe God's dwelling presence.
List of clear Biblical examples of the Shekinah Glory in Israel's history:
The Pillar of Cloud and Fire
Exodus 13:21–22 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud...and by night in a pillar of fire.
The Cloud at the Red Sea
Exodus 14:19–20 The cloud moved between Israel and the Egyptian army.
God's Glory on Mount Sinai
Exodus 24:15–17 The glory of the LORD rested on Mount Sinai.
The Glory Filling the Tabernacle
Exodus 40:34–38 Then the cloud covered the tabernacle...and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
The Glory Appearing During Israel's Wilderness Journey
Numbers 14:10 When Israel rebelled, "...the glory of the LORD appeared..."
The Glory Filling Solomon's Temple
1 Kings 8:10–11 (2 Chronicles 5:13–14)
Isaiah's Vision
Isaiah 6:1–4 Isaiah saw the Lord on His throne, seraphim worshipping, the Temple filled with smoke. "The whole earth is full of His glory."
Ezekiel Sees the Glory Depart
Ezekiel 9–11 - One of the saddest scenes in Scripture.
Ezekiel Sees the Glory Return
Ezekiel 43:1–5 In Ezekiel's vision of the future Temple: "The glory of the LORD came into the temple..."
The Glory Revealed in Jesus Christ
John 1:14
Israel possessed extraordinary spiritual privileges, including the visible presence of God, yet many still rejected their Messiah.
It is possible to experience the presence of God without surrendering to the purposes of God. Israel saw the cloud, the fire, the glory, the miracles, and the Temple filled with God's presence, yet many hearts remained hardened.
To whom much is given, much is required!
Luke 12:48 (NKJV) (Jesus said) But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.
The question is not merely, "Have I been around God's presence?" but "Has God's presence transformed my heart?"
3. THE COVENANTS (v4)
God covenanted with Israel’s leaders: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and David.
The Bible records several foundational covenants that God made with Israel through key leaders.
The Abrahamic Covenant
References: Genesis 12:1–3; 13:14–17; 15:1–21; 17:1–14; 22:15–18
The Isaac Covenant
References: Genesis 26:2–5, 23–25
The Jacob Covenant
References: Genesis 28:10–22; 35:9–15; 46:2–4
The Mosaic Covenant
References: Exodus 19–24; 34:27–28; Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 28–30
The Davidic Covenant
References: 2 Samuel 7:8–16; 1 Chronicles 17:7–14; Psalm 89; Psalm 132; Isaiah 9:6–7; Jeremiah 33:14–17
The New Covenant
Later the New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31–34; Luke 22:20) provides the spiritual\ transformation through which God ultimately fulfills His covenant promises to Israel through Christ. He committed Himself to do certain things for Israel which He will never do for any other nation.
Definition of the New Covenant
The New Covenant is God's gracious and everlasting covenant, promised in the Old Testament and established through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, by which He forgives sin completely, gives His people a new heart, indwells them with the Holy Spirit, and enables them to live in a personal relationship with Him.
Unlike the Mosaic Covenant, which was written on tablets of stone and depended on Israel's obedience, the New Covenant is written on the hearts of God's people and is accomplished through the finished work of Christ.
The Promise of the New Covenant
The New Covenant was foretold by the prophet Jeremiah:
Jeremiah 31:31 (NKJV) "Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah."
The Four Great Promises of the New Covenant
1. A New Heart – God changes us from the inside out.
"I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts." — Jeremiah 31:33
2. Complete Forgiveness
"For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more." — Jeremiah 31:34
3. The Indwelling Holy Spirit – Ezekiel expands Jeremiah's prophecy. "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you... I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes." — Ezekiel 36:26–27
4. An Intimate Relationship with God
"I will be their God, and they shall be My people." — Jeremiah 31:33
How Was the New Covenant Established?
Jesus instituted the New Covenant during the Last Supper. "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you." — Luke 22:20
The New Covenant and Romans 9:4
When Paul lists "the covenants" as one of Israel's privileges, the New Covenant is included because it was promised to Israel and Judah (Jeremiah 31:31).
Through Jesus Christ, Gentiles are brought into the blessings of the New Covenant by faith (Ephesians 2:11–22), while Scripture also anticipates a future fulfillment of God's covenant promises to Israel (Romans 11:25–27).
Romans 11:25–27 (NKJV) For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26 And so all Israel will be saved (delivered), as it is written: “The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; 27 For this is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins.”
Application: God always keeps His promises.
When life is difficult, trust God's promises instead of your feelings.
2 Corinthians 1:20 For all the promises of God in Him (Christ) are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.
Hebrews 10:23 (NKJV) Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
1. ADOPTION AS SONS (vs. 4)
God chose to adopt the Jewish people as a nation. This adoption did not mean that every individual Jewish person was His child, but that Israel collectively had a special relationship with God.
Moses wrote in Deuteronomy 7:6 (NKJV) “For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth.”
Application: Being identified with God's people is not the same as knowing God personally.
God has no grandchildren—only children by faith.
John 1:12–13 (NKJV) But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
Galatians 3:26 (NKJV) For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
2. THE GLORY (vs 4)
Paul was referring to the Shekinah Glory, the visible manifestation of the presence of God.
Exodus 40:34–38 (NKJV) Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 35 And Moses was not able to enter the tabernacle of meeting, because the cloud rested above it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 36 Whenever the cloud was taken up from above the tabernacle, the children of Israel would go onward in all their journeys. 37 But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not journey till the day that it was taken up. 38 For the cloud of the Lord was above the tabernacle by day, and fire was over it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.
No nation but Israel had the tremendous privilege of God’s visible presence guiding, protecting, and assuring them.
While the word Shekinah does not appear in Scripture, it comes from a Hebrew word meaning "to dwell" and was used by Jewish teachers to describe God's dwelling presence.
List of clear Biblical examples of the Shekinah Glory in Israel's history:
The Pillar of Cloud and Fire
Exodus 13:21–22 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud...and by night in a pillar of fire.
The Cloud at the Red Sea
Exodus 14:19–20 The cloud moved between Israel and the Egyptian army.
God's Glory on Mount Sinai
Exodus 24:15–17 The glory of the LORD rested on Mount Sinai.
The Glory Filling the Tabernacle
Exodus 40:34–38 Then the cloud covered the tabernacle...and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
The Glory Appearing During Israel's Wilderness Journey
Numbers 14:10 When Israel rebelled, "...the glory of the LORD appeared..."
The Glory Filling Solomon's Temple
1 Kings 8:10–11 (2 Chronicles 5:13–14)
Isaiah's Vision
Isaiah 6:1–4 Isaiah saw the Lord on His throne, seraphim worshipping, the Temple filled with smoke. "The whole earth is full of His glory."
Ezekiel Sees the Glory Depart
Ezekiel 9–11 - One of the saddest scenes in Scripture.
Ezekiel Sees the Glory Return
Ezekiel 43:1–5 In Ezekiel's vision of the future Temple: "The glory of the LORD came into the temple..."
The Glory Revealed in Jesus Christ
John 1:14
Israel possessed extraordinary spiritual privileges, including the visible presence of God, yet many still rejected their Messiah.
It is possible to experience the presence of God without surrendering to the purposes of God. Israel saw the cloud, the fire, the glory, the miracles, and the Temple filled with God's presence, yet many hearts remained hardened.
To whom much is given, much is required!
Luke 12:48 (NKJV) (Jesus said) But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.
The question is not merely, "Have I been around God's presence?" but "Has God's presence transformed my heart?"
3. THE COVENANTS (v4)
God covenanted with Israel’s leaders: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and David.
The Bible records several foundational covenants that God made with Israel through key leaders.
The Abrahamic Covenant
References: Genesis 12:1–3; 13:14–17; 15:1–21; 17:1–14; 22:15–18
The Isaac Covenant
References: Genesis 26:2–5, 23–25
The Jacob Covenant
References: Genesis 28:10–22; 35:9–15; 46:2–4
The Mosaic Covenant
References: Exodus 19–24; 34:27–28; Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 28–30
The Davidic Covenant
References: 2 Samuel 7:8–16; 1 Chronicles 17:7–14; Psalm 89; Psalm 132; Isaiah 9:6–7; Jeremiah 33:14–17
The New Covenant
Later the New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31–34; Luke 22:20) provides the spiritual\ transformation through which God ultimately fulfills His covenant promises to Israel through Christ. He committed Himself to do certain things for Israel which He will never do for any other nation.
Definition of the New Covenant
The New Covenant is God's gracious and everlasting covenant, promised in the Old Testament and established through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, by which He forgives sin completely, gives His people a new heart, indwells them with the Holy Spirit, and enables them to live in a personal relationship with Him.
Unlike the Mosaic Covenant, which was written on tablets of stone and depended on Israel's obedience, the New Covenant is written on the hearts of God's people and is accomplished through the finished work of Christ.
The Promise of the New Covenant
The New Covenant was foretold by the prophet Jeremiah:
Jeremiah 31:31 (NKJV) "Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah."
The Four Great Promises of the New Covenant
1. A New Heart – God changes us from the inside out.
"I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts." — Jeremiah 31:33
2. Complete Forgiveness
"For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more." — Jeremiah 31:34
3. The Indwelling Holy Spirit – Ezekiel expands Jeremiah's prophecy. "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you... I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes." — Ezekiel 36:26–27
4. An Intimate Relationship with God
"I will be their God, and they shall be My people." — Jeremiah 31:33
How Was the New Covenant Established?
Jesus instituted the New Covenant during the Last Supper. "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you." — Luke 22:20
The New Covenant and Romans 9:4
When Paul lists "the covenants" as one of Israel's privileges, the New Covenant is included because it was promised to Israel and Judah (Jeremiah 31:31).
Through Jesus Christ, Gentiles are brought into the blessings of the New Covenant by faith (Ephesians 2:11–22), while Scripture also anticipates a future fulfillment of God's covenant promises to Israel (Romans 11:25–27).
Romans 11:25–27 (NKJV) For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26 And so all Israel will be saved (delivered), as it is written: “The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; 27 For this is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins.”
Application: God always keeps His promises.
When life is difficult, trust God's promises instead of your feelings.
2 Corinthians 1:20 For all the promises of God in Him (Christ) are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.
Hebrews 10:23 (NKJV) Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
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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(If you prayed to receive Jesus as your Savior and Lord, please complete the Connection Card below and watch the "Bridge Illustration" video at the bottom of this post.)
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