Romans 9:1-5
1. Sometimes the scope of the gospel makes us tell truths that surprise us.
Note what is involved in the believer's truth-telling.
-The ideal for Christian speech: we speak in Christ with a functioning conscience and an affirming witness of the Spirit.
-The ideal for Christian feeling: our hearts sympathetically hurt for the lost.
-The ideal for Christian love toward those far from Christ: those saved by sacrifice would be willing to sacrifice.
2. Show how great the family of Christ is by how much you desire your family to be in it.
Verse 3 shows the power of all family connections.
3. Show how great the family of Christ is by how much you desire Israelites to be in it.
Verse 4 shows the position of the one family connection that is historically connected to God's plan of salvation for the world.
4. Show tender love in order to give firm truth.
The very thing that the "cut off" Israelites did not want to hear is that Jesus is God.
-The very covenants, worship and promises mentioned are the means be which Jesus can say not "would that I could be cut off," but "I will be cut off for my people."
We need a Mediator who can substitute his innocence for us.
