Series: The Cure [#15]
PRIVILEGED
Romans 9:1-5
Introduction:
As I was walking across the student parking lot at the High School, I saw numerous vehicles that were vehicles I will probably never have. There were many $40,000 and $50,000 vehicles on the lot. I then went over to the teacher’s parking lot and saw very few “fancy” vehicles. This is nothing new. This happened when I went to the very same school. The kids that have these nice vehicles are privileged. Many children today are privileged. It seems like they get everything they want- And then, I read today’s text and realized that we as Christians are privileged.
Romans 9-11 is about the Nation of Israel. Chapter 9 is about Israel’s past- Chapter 10 is about Israel’s present- Chapter 11 is about Israel’s future. So, you may be wondering why we would study these chapters and the answer is simple- It’s all about us as Christians. This is very applicable to Christians.
Romans 9:1-2 (NIV)
“I speak the truth in Christ--I am not lying, my conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit-- I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.”
These 2 verses and the next verse are very understandable to me because I have experienced this more than once. Paul was really upset because most of the Jewish people, (his people) did not believe in Christ. It should bother us that our city is full of lost people.
Romans 9:3 (NIV)
“For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race.”
Paul is saying that he is willing to give up his own salvation if his people could be saved. How many of you would give up your salvation for others? That’s how important the salvation of others was to Paul. Paul points out how privileged the Jews were. It was hard to understand how the Jews wouldn’t get it. It is also hard to understand why people reject Jesus Christ; but they do it all of the time. Let’s look at how privileged we are as God’s Children.
Romans 9:4-5 (NIV)
“The people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.”
God’s Children are…
1. Adopted.
When you are saved, you become a child of God. God adopts you into His family and once you are adopted, nothing can change that relationship with God the Father. In Rome, the adoption laws were much like they are in the U.S.- Once you adopt a child, you can never cut them out of their inheritance.
God’s Children have…
2. The presence of God.
The divine glory that the Israelites had was when God was in a pillar fire at night and a cloud of smoke by day. When the cloud or pillar of fire moved, then the people would move. As Christians, we have the presence of God through the Holy Spirit in our lives all of the time.
God’s Children have…
3. A covenant between them and God.
God gave Israel a covenant through Abraham. Through Jesus Christ, we have the New Covenant. That’s an agreement with God that God cannot break. We are children of God through the blood of Jesus. It is through what Jesus has done that we can become part of God’s family.
God’s Children are…
4. Given the Word of God.
God gave the Law to the Israelites. This was the Word of God that they had. We have been given the complete Word of God. Not only do we have the Word; but God has given us understanding of the Word through the Holy Spirit within us.
God’s Children have…
5. A Temple for worship and sacrifice.
For the Israelites, their Temple was a place where the Spirit of the Lord was. It was a place where people went to make sacrifices to God and to worship Him. Now, as Christians, our body is the Temple of God. It is our body that houses the Spirit of the Lord. We offer our bodies as living sacrifices to God. We should worship God from our very being. Remember, worship is focus.
God’s Children have been…
6. Given promises.
God made many promises to the Israelites and God has made many promises to His Children. We are promised His love. We are promised eternal life. We are promised that He will never leave us or forsake us. I could go on and on about the many promises of God.
God’s Children have been…
7. Given leaders.
God gave the Israelites Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, etc… God has given us leaders. Who knows, God could be using you as a leader to change the whole world.
Conclusion:
Christians, we are very privileged. God takes care of His children in a mighty way. Don’t forget who you are.
