02/19/12 - Pastor David B. Curtis - Berean Bible Church - http://www.bereanbiblechurch.org - Message #590

I know that this has been a difficult chapter for many. Some of you have probably even felt your stomach tie in knots as you were confronted with the truth of God's absolute sovereignty.

Romans 9 is the clearest, most in-depth teaching on the absolute sovereignty of God to be found in Scripture, and fallen man finds this hard to accept. Why is this doctrine so difficult for us to accept today? I think that it is because throughout the Church today, with almost no exception, the theory is held that man is a "free agent," and therefore lord of his fate and determiner of his own destiny.

The emphasis in Romans 9 is on the sovereignty of God, brought forth by a question about Israel's rejection. Israel was a unique people in the plan of God. They were sovereignly called into existence and set aside as God's people. They were given promises, and covenants, and God led and guided them. It was to them that Christ came.