Sermon Notes | Sunday, 20 September 2026
Observations from Romans 9:
When God’s Ways Are Beyond Our Understanding
Romans 9:6-13 (NKJV) But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, 7 nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, “In Isaac your seed shall be called.” 8 That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed. 9 For this is the word of promise: “At this time I will come and Sarah shall have a son.”
10 And not only this, but when Rebecca also had conceived by one man, even by our father Isaac 11 (for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls), 12 it was said to her, “The older shall serve the younger.” 13 As it is written, “Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.”
10 And not only this, but when Rebecca also had conceived by one man, even by our father Isaac 11 (for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls), 12 it was said to her, “The older shall serve the younger.” 13 As it is written, “Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.”
Central Thought for Today:
The mind of God begins where the limits of our understanding end.
OBSERVATION #1: God's sovereignty does not cancel human responsibility.
Romans 9:6–7 (NKJV) “For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham...”
OBSERVATION #2: God's grace is not based on human merit
Romans 9:11a (NKJV) “For the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil...”
OBSERVATION #3: GOD'S ELECTION IS CONNECTED TO HIS REDEMPTIVE PURPOSE
Romans 9:11b (NKJV) “...that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls.”
OBSERVATION #4: JACOB I HAVE LOVED, BUT ESAU I HAVE HATED
Romans 9:13 (NKJV) “Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.”
OBSERVATION #5: THE BIGGER PICTURE IS GOD'S REDEMPTIVE PLAN
God chose: Abraham - Isaac - Jacob - Judah - Israel - Jesus Christ
OBSERVATION #6: HUMANITY'S REAL PROBLEM IS OUR LOSTNESS
Romans 3:10 (NKJV) “There is none righteous, no, not one.”
Romans 3:23 (NKJV) “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Romans 3:23 (NKJV) “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
OBSERVATION #7: GOD'S GRACE PROVIDES WHAT HUMANITY COULD NEVER PROVIDE
Romans 4:3 (NKJV) “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”
Romans 5:1 (NKJV) “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Romans 5:1 (NKJV) “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
OBSERVATION #8: GOD'S SOVEREIGN MERCY SHOULD HUMBLE US
Romans 11:33 “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!”
OBSERVATION #9: THE ANTINOMY: TWO TRUTHS WE HOLD TOGETHER
TRUTH #1 — God is sovereign.
TRUTH #2 — Human beings are responsible.
God's sovereignty does not eliminate human responsibility, and human responsibility does not overthrow God's sovereignty.
TRUTH #2 — Human beings are responsible.
God's sovereignty does not eliminate human responsibility, and human responsibility does not overthrow God's sovereignty.
OBSERVATION #10: GOD'S SOVEREIGN MERCY SHOULD GIVE US HOPE
If salvation ultimately depended upon humanity getting everything right, none of us would have hope.
PRACTICAL APPLICATION:
1. Don't let what you don't understand keep you from trusting what you do understand.
2. Don't let the mystery of election become an excuse for not evangelizing.
3. Don't boast in being chosen - be grateful for grace!
4. Don't let the depth of theology distract you from the simplicity of the Gospel!
2. Don't let the mystery of election become an excuse for not evangelizing.
3. Don't boast in being chosen - be grateful for grace!
4. Don't let the depth of theology distract you from the simplicity of the Gospel!
REFLECTION QUESTION:
What would have happened to humanity if God had never initiated a plan of redemption?
Romans 9:29 (NLT) If the Lord of Heaven’s Armies had not spared a few of our children, we would have been wiped out like Sodom, destroyed like Gomorrah.
Romans 9:29 (NLT) If the Lord of Heaven’s Armies had not spared a few of our children, we would have been wiped out like Sodom, destroyed like Gomorrah.
God's grace is greater than our understanding!
WHAT DO WE DO WITH THIS?
Paul didn't end Romans 9–11 with an argument. He ended with worship.
Romans 11:33 (NKJV)“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!”
CLOSING CHALLENGE:
If you are saved: Thank God for His grace.
If you're wrestling with God's sovereignty: Trust Him even where you don't understand Him.
If you've never trusted Christ: Don't allow theological questions to keep you from responding to the Gospel.
If you're a believer: Tell somebody about Jesus.
If you're wrestling with God's sovereignty: Trust Him even where you don't understand Him.
If you've never trusted Christ: Don't allow theological questions to keep you from responding to the Gospel.
If you're a believer: Tell somebody about Jesus.
Because the God whose ways are beyond our understanding has made His salvation wonderfully clear:
JESUS SAVES!
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.”
Follow Me On Social Media!
(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.)
Posted in Sermon Notes
Recent
Archive
2026
January
February
April
June
July
August
2025
July
September
October
November
2024
January
April
May