Romans 9 God's Got a Plan to Bless Believers

Romans 9  God's Got a Plan to Bless Believers © 2014 WF Cobb Truthbase.net DailyTruthbase.Blogspot.com

I. Heritage does not equal Blessable Holiness; Election is corporate and to Blessing (not individual forgiveness).

9:3 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.

6 But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all ek Israel who are of Israel (Gal 3:7-9). 7 nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham (Jn 8:39); but, "In Isaac (vs Ishmael) 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 Rebecca also had conceived 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." (Mal 1:2-3; Gen 26:27)

APP: Most of Israel missed the blessings and promises of God, despite God's choice of them. Not all children of Abraham obey.

II. God has mercy/hesed (loyal covenantal relations) with whomever He chooses and confirms the sinful choices of others.

14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? Certainly not! 15 For He says to Moses (Ex 33:19), "I will have mercy/hesed on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion." 16 So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to the Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I have exalted/raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth." 18 Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens. (sets up for judgment as a result of their choices {cf 1:28} -Ex 7:3,13; 22; 8:19; 9:12, 35; 10:20,27;11:10,14,4, 8,17; Acts 19:9; Heb 3:8,13, 15; 4:7) Ex 9:27 “I have sinned this time, the Lord is righteous?

APP: God can harden/fix people in their bad choices to display His glory/power in justly judging them; so be quick to obey (Rm 11:20).

III. God will Honor those who do His will, and Dishonor those who don't. He patiently endures sinners to show mercy to all.

19 You will say to me then, "Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?" 20..."Why have you made me like this?" (Isa 45:9; 29:16) 21 Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor? 22 What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted for destruction, 23 and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand (Eph 2:10) for glory, 24 even us whom He called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? 25 "I will call them My people/beloved, who were not My people, 26 "in the place where it was said to them, 'You are not My people,' There they shall be called sons of the living God." 27 "Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, the remnant will be saved.

APP: The fact that God does find fault with those who resist His will should cause us to strive to enter life at the narrow gate (Mt 7:13-14)

IV. Righteousness (careful to do what is right in God's sight) must be sought by faith in God's revelation, not ritual/tradition.

30 What shall we say then? Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained to righteousness...righteousness of faith; 31 but Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of righteousness. 32 Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone. 33 whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame."

10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. 2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

APP: We need to know and do what God requires, submitting ourselves wholeheartedly to God's plan, to be righteous and rewarded.

V. God always keeps His sovereign promises, especially that of Blessing the whole world through the descendents of Abe (Gen 12)

11:1 has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite...2 God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew. 11..have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But thru their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles.

20 Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. 22 Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in goodness/virtue. Otherwise you also will be cut off. 23 And they also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. 29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

APP: Justified believers will be cut off from blessing if they don't continue in goodness; those who repent and return will be blessed.

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. How and why did the majority of Jews miss the promises of God in the OT? In the NT? Was it their choice or God's?

2. Since it's possible to resist God's will, persist in unbelief, and refuse to be His people, how do we make sure we are not cut off from blessing?

3. What makes you think you're on the difficult narrow path, rather than the broad road to judgement and loss of blessing?

4. If God has plans to bring Israel back into the Vine and save them (fulness 11:12; 26), what do you think of those who say Israel is the church?

5. How are you continuing goodness/virtue (Rm 3:12; Gal 5:22; Col 3:12)? Are you fitted for honor or dishonor?

Caleb: A Whole-Hearted Believer

Numbers 13-14 Caleb...A Whole-Hearted Believer  © 10/11 WF Cobb  Truthbae.net        DailyTruthbase.Blogspot.com

Numbers 14:17  "And now, I pray, let the power of my Lord be great, just as You have spoken, saying, 18 'The LORD is longsuffering and abundant in hesed, forgiving iniquity and transgression; but He by no means clears the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation.' 19 "Pardon the iniquity of this people, I pray, according to the greatness of Your mercy, just as You have forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now." 20 Then the LORD said: "I have pardoned, according to your word; 21  "but truly, as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD-- 22 "because all these men who have seen My glory and the signs which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have put Me to the test now these ten times, and have not heeded My voice, 23  "they certainly shall not see the land of which I swore to their fathers, nor
shall any of those who rejected Me see it. 24 "But My servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit in him and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land where he went, and his descendants shall inherit it.

Joshua 14:11 "As yet I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war, both for going out and for coming in. 12 "Now therefore, give me this mountain of which the LORD spoke in that day; for you heard in that day how the Anakim were there, and that the cities were great and fortified. It may be that the LORD will be with me, and I shall be able to drive them out as the LORD said." 13 And Joshua blessed him.

1Cor 10:11-4 OT written for NT saints     OT Israel as much participants in Christ as:…        NT Believers .. Rock that accompanied "them..was Christ” 1Cor 10:4

Provision for Atonement                        Passover Lamb (Ex 12)                                          Christ our Passover (1Cor 5:7)

Exercise of Faith                                     Red Sea (Ex 14:31)                                                 Belief (Jn 1:12)

Ongoing Pardon                                      Forgiveness (Num 14:20)                                       Forgiveness (1Jn 1:9)

Result of Rebellion                                 Disinheritance (Num 14:23)                                   Disinheritance (Heb 4; 1Cor 3:15; 9:27)

I. THE FOLLY OF FAILING TO FOLLOW (Num 13-14 Hebrews 2,3,6,10,12 warning passages)     

Focus off God (and His promises {see Memory verses})....Fear (problems)....Falter (disobedience)....Failure (loss: now and future)

II. THE FRUIT OF FULLY FOLLOWING

A. Wholehearted Believers will face giants of Renewal (get act together), Relationships (thru auditions), and Responsibilities (take it on the road)...

                1. Will be opposed by the majority (only two out of the whole generation fully followed, cf 
                    Noah, David, Prophets, Athanasius)

                2. Will encounter bigger than average giants (if living for God's glory)

                3. Will be tested while awaiting fulfillment of God's plan (cf testing of faith)

  B. ...but will have an accurate View of God, Man, and Circumstances, knowing:  

             (see God’s best self description in Exodus 33:18-34:8)

                1. God is bigger than any problems we face (God + 1 = Majority 1 John 4:4)

                2. God is with us as we walk with Him in His way (2 Kings 6:15-17)

                3. Who God is, what He's promised, and that God always keeps His promises (Hebrews 11:6)

  C. Characteristics of a Whole-Hearted Believer

                1. Attempts great things for God's glory (Joshua 14:12; Daniel 11:12 exploits)

                2. Believes and acts upon the revealed promises of God (Numbers 14:8 delights in us)             

                3. Concentrates on what God will do instead of just focusing on the past (Joshua 14:12a)

                4. Draws on God's strength to fight battles (energizes the sword) (Joshua 14:12b)

                5. Encourages others to fully follow after God (Numbers 13:30; Joshua 14:8; 15:16-17)

                6. Follows in the face of danger and discomfort since their will is not their own (Numbers 14:24)

                7. Gets and generously shares God's fullest blessings (Joshua 15:19) {be sure to pass on more 

                    than temporal blessings}

                       

D. How to be a Whole-Hearted Believer

                1. Know: Who God is and what He has promised regarding your life and giant(s) (Hebrews 11:6)

                2. Abide: Obediently be aware of God's daily strengthening and presence (Joshua 14:11; 1 Samuel                     15:22; James 4:4-8; John 15:4-8)

                3. Don't Give: Pieces of your heart to the idols of security and pleasure (I Kings 11:4, 1 Corinthians 10:14;  

                    Colossians 3:5)

                4. Learn: from the OT Blessings/Cursings lessons (Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 29; 1 Corinthians 10:6; Galatians 6:16)

                5. Fully Follow: the Revealed will of God without wavering (Numbers 14:24)

                     6. Don’t Be Stubborn: Judges 2:19 They did not cease from their own doings nor from their stubborn way.  Hosea 4:16, Proverbs 2

Psalm 78:8  not be like their fathers, A stubborn and rebellious generation, that did not set its heart aright, and whose spirit was not faithful to God.

Psalm 81:12  So I gave them over to their own stubborn heart, to walk in their own counsels. Isaiah 46:12  Listen to Me, you stubborn-hearted, who are far from righteousness:  Jeremiah 6:28  They are all stubborn rebels, walking as slanderers. Ezekiel 2:4  they are impudent and stubborn children.

Questions for Discussion/Reflection:

1. Do you believe the majority of believers will receive their full reward and inheritance? Why/why not?

2. What is the toughest giant to face? Does that change? Why do believers make only half-hearted attempts to kill their giants?

3. In what area of their lives do believers have the greatest difficulty faithfully following God? Where are they stubborn? Why? What helps?

4. What does a wholehearted believer look like today? What do you look like compared to a wholehearted believer?

5. What can we do to insure that the next generation won’t falter and fail as did the generation after Joshua and Caleb?

ACTION POINT: What weapons in "D." do you need to use against your giant(s)? What steps do you need to take?

Hebrews Warning Passages: Great Reward or Great Regret

Hebrews 10 Great Reward or Great Regret © 2011 WF Cobb Truthbase.net

9:8 cannot make..perfect. in regard to the conscience 11...entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, 14 Himself...cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.   John 15.

10:14 For by one sacrifice He has perfected/completed for all time those who are being made holy. NIV 2:10; 5:9,14; 7:19,28; 9:9,11; 10:1, 11:40; 12:23

19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God,

Sprinkling blood & washing innards were not for atoning/covering sin, but whole burnt offerings of dedication & purification Ex 29; Lev 1. 

→22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith (11:6 God is who He said He is and will do what He said He'll do),

having our hearts sprinkled (9:13,19,21; Ex 24:7-8) from an evil conscience (9:14) and our bodies washed with pure water.

→23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope (12:23) without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 1Jn 3:3 hope...purify self.

→24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love (13:1) and good works (13:16), 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves

together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Warning Passage	Sin / Problem	Warning / Consequences	Exhortation / Corrective
2:1 Give more abundant attention... 4 How will we escape (payback) if we neglect/ignore so great a salvation?	Neglect what taught and drift by God's intended destination.	No escape from just payback. Missing it: Loss of glory, inheritance, co-rulership with JC.	Pay closer attention to what was taught. Be perfected through suffering like our Captain who brings sons to glory 2:10.
3:7-4:16 3:12 Beware, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that departs from the living God.	Hard heart, deceived by sin; not heeding. Wrong values, rebel, unbelief.	Denial of partaking with Christ, sharing in inheritance rest.	Exhort one another daily; tender heart; hold confidence steadfast; faith in Word; Diligent and obedient. Maturity-discern good/evil 5:14.
6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come 9 But, beloved, we're confident of better things that accompany your salvation.	Not progressing to maturity; Fall away; go back to the way they were - (OT sacrificial system). Cf Unpardonable sin (stay in realm of unbelief) Mt 12:31-32.	6:6 If they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame. Rejected/disqualified; burned 1 Cor 3:15; curse; Barren life.	Press to maturity. 6:10 God's not unjust to forget your work and labor of love shown toward His name, in ministry to the saints 11 show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
10:26-39 If we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has rejected Moses' law dies without mercy...testimony two witnesses...Romans 2:5.	Willful, ongoing sin, cx 10:22-25 29 trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which He was sanctified as common, and insulted the Spirit of grace?	29 How worse punishment, will he be thought worthy of who has... 30 For we know Him who said, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. And again, "The LORD will judge His people." 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.	32 Recall the former days, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: 35 do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward; 36 you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise. 38 the just shall live by faith; if anyone draws back to perdition* My soul has no pleasure in him. 39 believe to the saving of the soul.
12:14-29 14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord 15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; any root of bitterness..immoral. 25 See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. 12:23 just made perfect cf 11:40.	16 Temporal immoral pleasure seeking; neglecting inheritance no diligence; bitterness. 25 Refusing to listen.	Inherit the blessing, rejected; If they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape (judgment) if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven.	12:2 Consider Him...weary and discouraged in your souls. 4 resist to bloodshed, striving against sin. 8 we are receiving a kingdom... have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear 29 our God is a consuming fire 13:21 perfect in every good work to do His will pleasing to Him.

Matthew 7:2; 12:36; Romans 2:1-6 14:10; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 2 Timothy 4:1.8; James 2:12; 5:9; 1 Peter 1:17; 4:5, 17; 2 Peter 2:9; 1 John 4:17; Jude 1:15; Revelations 20:12.

*Matthew 7:13 Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. 15 Beware of false prophets.

Philippians 3:18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame --- who set their mind on earthly things.

2 Peter 2:1 false prophets among the people...false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 many will follow their destructive ways, the way of truth will be blasphemed.

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. What's the difference between covering, atoning, sprinkling, sanctifying, purifying, cleansing, perfecting, and holiness?

2. If we're already perfect and sanctified, why all the commands to be holy? Why the warning passages for not progressing to “perfection”?

3. What happens if you don't totally fall away or “apostatize” , but just kinda drift a bit, or not mature quickly? Would God be pleased?

4. How do you actually provoke or incite someone to love (desire what's in another's best interest) and good deeds? Why the reference to the Day?

5. How many of the “Exhortations/Correctives” are habits in your life? What steps could you take to incorporate them into your life?