The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People.
Read God’s Word:
Romans 9-12
Act 3: God’s New Covenant People
Scene 4: Christ’s Church: God’s People Advance the Kingdom
Background Information: Romans 9-12
Since Israel is God’s chosen people, and the Gospel is God’s plan for the ages, how is it possible that so many in Israel rejected Jesus as the Messiah? At a personal level Paul finds the situation heart breaking. He also acknowledges that it has always been true that some in Israel have believed and some have not. Then he answers the question by giving the great balancing theological truths that God is completely sovereign, and humans are responsible to choose. On the one hand, God is the mighty potter, and we are merely clay, he doesn’t answer to us, we answer to him. On the other hand, some in Israel didn’t pursue righteousness by faith but by works and so their own choice caused them to stumble. So, part of the answer to the great question of how all this Old Covenant and New Covenant stuff is stitched together is to balance divine sovereignty and human responsibility. The other angle Paul takes is to balance the already and the not yet of God’s plan. Already, Israel’s present rejection of the gospel has opened the door for blessing the wider world, many Gentiles have followed Christ. Not yet, though now only some of Israel have believed, the day will come when many more will believe. If we find Scripture’s answers to our questions unsatisfying, we must remember we are dealing with things that are beyond the ability of any human to fully comprehend. Two things we can comprehend, we worship a good and sovereign God, and he has given us the choice to follow him. Everyone, Paul writes, who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. This great choice is offered freely to all people. But you still have questions? That’s fine as long as you ask them from a heart and mind filled with worship. Paul’s words that seem to sarcastically say, “Shut up lump of clay, who are you to talk back to God!” are not aimed at the honest worshipper but the rebellious scoffer. To the honest worshipper he gives this “answer”…
“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?” For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.”
Romans 11:33-36
Pray:
Praise God for…
Thank God for…
Confess your sins to God
Pray for Uyghur believers – that they would be bold and courageous in sharing their faith despite potential repercussions they might face.
Ask God for… (what else concerns you?)
Reflect:
Write down one passage of scripture that stood out to you today.
Write down why this passage stood out to you.
Engage Community:
Text or call someone now and tell them…
– What you are praying for.
– What stood out from God’s word today.