9 Sermons on Romans 9:30-33

Israel’s Unbelief
9 Sermons on Romans 9:30-33 Israel’s Unbelief
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 TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
1st Sermon ............................................................................... 1
Apologetics ................................................................................... 1
2nd Sermon ............................................................................... 5
Positive Attitudes Towards God .. Error! Bookmark not defined.
3rd Sermon .............................................................................. 9
Brothers ........................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
4rd Sermon .............................................................................. 9
Disease ......................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
5th Sermon ............................................................................. 17
Edification .................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
6th Sermon ............................................................................. 22
Promises of God's Encouragement............. Error! Bookmark not
defined.
7th Sermon ............................................................................. 26
Enjoyment .................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
8th Sermon ................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Examples of Repentance .............. Error! Bookmark not defined.
9th Sermon ............................................................................. 34
Grace and Holy Spirit................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
More Resources ..................................................................... 34
Scriptural References ........................................................... 39

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 9 Sermons on Romans 9:30-33 | Archbishop E. Bernard Jordan

1st Sermon
Apologetics

"In all their

jollity in this world, the wicked are but as a book
fairly bound, which when it is opened is full of
nothing but tragedies. So when the book of their
consciences shall be once opened, there is nothing
to be read but lamentations and woes."
Richard Sibbes
Power Truth
Those who believe in him are not
condemned; but those who do not
believe are condemned already, because
they have not believed in the name of
the only Son of God. And this is the
judgment, that the light has come into
the world, and people loved darkness
rather than light because their deeds
were evil.
John 3:18-19 NRSV

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 1st Sermon

Trouble in the Text

Apologetics or rational theology is the religious order
of protecting religious tenets through methodical
argumentation and talk.
The letter to the Romans distinguishes the creator as
Paul. Researchers bandy about whether the New Testament
letters were composed by whom they state kept in touch with
them. Commonly, it's the traditionalist Romans who will, in
general, go with what the content says, while the liberal
Romans will point to (honestly rather abstract) proof that
proposes the case is questionable.
On account of the Letter to the Romans, there isn't
much uncertainty that Paul, the Apostle, composed it. For the
Roman church recipients, this epistle is Scripture, the Word of
God, and its position does not lie in the human instrument God
used to carry these words to the Roman church. Eventually, it's
God's Word.
Even Peter acknowledged: “He [Paul] writes this way
in all his letters, speaking in them about such matters. Some
parts of his letters are hard to understand, which ignorant and
unstable people distort, as they do the rest of the Scriptures,
to their own destruction.” 1
Yes, Peter and even the recipients, at the time they
received the letters, acknowledge that the letters of Paul was
the Word of God, the Scriptures.
But the question is, does this make a difference? Were
the Romans aware of the intentions of Paul why he wrote the
letter, where he wrote the letter, nor when he wrote the letter?

For the recipients, this epistle is Scripture,

the Word of God, and its position does not
lie in the human instrument God used to
carry these words to the Roman church.
Eventually, it's God's Word.

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 9 Sermons on Romans 9:30-33 | Archbishop E. Bernard Jordan

Trouble in the World

Without a doubt, to single out the Gospels as a by one
way or another being "more Scriptural" is a paradox (I figure
apostasy would be too sharp a term) called "group inside the
standard". Iraneus of Lyons specifically trained that all of
Scripture was one natural entire, and to treat it generally
negates the common belief of the time.
In present day times, this view has come about that
Paul is by one way or another optional to the expressions of
Jesus, yet it's anything but a type of Christianity that any of the
Patristics (scholars who study the writings of early Christian
writers) would have acknowledged.
By and large, when something is considered "standard,"
it truly implies that it "has what it takes" to being God's
uncovered word. You can limit Paul in the event that you need;
yet it is certainly what the people of yore would have
insultingly called "novel."
Grace in the Word
The intriguing piece here is that Paul appears to accept
that everything else he is composing is from the Lord.
To explain, Paul viewed himself as "the least of the
witnesses," however a missionary in any case. He was an
observer of Jesus after the restoration, per Acts 9. Truly the
congregation Fathers considered him to be the genuine
beneficiary to Judas (rather than state, Matthias), and a full
messenger. Thusly, he was viewed as accepted.

The intriguing piece here is that Paul

appears to accept that everything else he is
composing is from the Lord.

Grace in the World

Context is important. Regardless of whether it's a news
story, a novel, or a shout like "the ice cream is on the table!"

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 1st Sermon

Every passage of Scripture has a context that needs to

be considered when trying to understand what the passage
means. Every chapter has a context within a book or letter.
And every book or letter has a historical context that can often
help us understand its significance, and even shed light on
chapters and passages.

Some of the time a book's setting is obvious from what

the writer says. Regularly it isn't, particularly, on account of
the epistles. An epistle is one side of a discussion, and keeping
in mind that the New Testament epistles are Scripture, they
were initially made as genuine letters tending to genuine
individuals in genuine circumstances. There is a side to the
discussion we don't hear when we read a letter like Romans,
and we need to "tune in" cautiously to the side we need to
observe the other. It can here and there be useful to take a
gander at what we are informing ourselves concerning the
period to get a thought of what's moving on.

There is a side to the discussion we don't

hear when we read a letter like Romans,
and we need to "tune in" cautiously to the
side we need to observe the other.

In any case, since we know the creator of Romans, and

it is somebody whose service is recorded for us in The Acts of
the Apostles, we can utilize Acts, and different letters we
realize Paul composed, to enable us to put the letter in its
context.

What Now?
1. How and what do we inform ourselves of the lessons of
what we read in the Scriptures?
2. How and what does God inform us of the lessons of
what we read in the Scriptures?
3. How do we study the Scriptures?

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 9 Sermons on Romans 9:30-33 | Archbishop E. Bernard Jordan

2nd Sermon
Positive Attitude Towards God

“If one's conscience is willing to confess whatever

sins have been committed, including the sin of
unbelief, it will be sorrowful in a godly way,
earnestly desiring the mercy of God.”
Watchman Nee
Power Truth
The one who believes and is baptized
will be saved; but the one who does not
believe will be condemned.
Mark 16:16 NRSV
Trouble in the Text
Why? For what reason are there so few Jews believing
in Christ? Paul's first answer in Romans 6:29 is that God has
picked some in Israel to be spared, yet not all. God isn't
obliged to spare each Israelite: "In other words, it is not the
children by physical descent who are God's children, but it is
the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham's

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 2nd Sermon

offspring." God does this, the Bible says, "Yet, before the
twins were born or had done anything good or bad--in order
that God's purpose in election might stand.” 1
So the opportunity of God in the decision is Paul's first
response to why just a few Jews – and now additionally
Gentiles are being spared.
In any case, when we get to Romans 9:30 Paul gives
another answer. It's an old, recognizable answer from Romans
1:8. For what reason are numerous Gentiles and just a few
Jews were spared, yet Israel, all in all, isn't – for the time
being? Answer: Gentiles are discovering honesty and Israel
isn't. "What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not
pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is
by faith; but the people of Israel, who pursued the law as the
way of righteousness, have not attained their goal." 2
There have been so many arguments and complaints by
the Jews giving their all to the service of God and they want a
payback. But the issue that they have misconstrued brought
forth in full display their wrong attitude towards God.

There have been so many arguments and

complaints by the Jews giving their all to
the service of God and they want a
payback. But the issue that they have
misconstrued brought forth in full display
their wrong attitude towards God.

Trouble in the World

Presently we should delay directly here and ensure that
we see the enormously clear and significant thing. There are at
any rate two reasons anybody gets spared, and they are not
opposing.
God chose us genuinely.
God chose us to and for Himself.
NOT to us!

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 9 Sermons on Romans 9:30-33 | Archbishop E. Bernard Jordan

What's more, the issue is there aren't any consummately

equitable individuals (with the exception of One). Paul said,
"The two Jews and Greeks, are under transgression, as it is
composed: 'None is upright, actually no, not one.'"3
So the truth of God's unqualified decision isn't
sufficient to spare anyone. Choose miscreants are not yet
worthy. We should "accomplish uprightness." Not an all
around likely accomplishment. That is the reason God sent his
Son, Jesus Christ, into the world.
For some of us, he turned into a hindrance and shake of
offense, yet for other people, he was the very uprightness of
God.
His honorableness was the endowment of uprightness
that we required and would never perform for ourselves. An
absolutely significant refrain in such manner is, "The objective
[or end] of the law is Christ for exemplary nature for
everybody who trusts. 4"
The problem with the world since the ‘beginning’ is
entitlement. And that brought a wrong perspective about our
attitude towards God.
Man has turned to be a loudmouth, complaining, can’t-
be-satisfied beings.
Grace in the Word
“Though they were not yet born and had done nothing
either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election
might continue, not because of works but because of him who
calls” 5.
“Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of
the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for
dishonorable use? What if God, desiring to show his wrath and
to make known his power, has endured with much
patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, in order to
make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which
he has prepared beforehand for glory” 6.

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 2nd Sermon

God is the unequivocal on-screen character in this

matter of salvation. In any case, there is another motivation
behind why an individual gets spared: to be specific, that he
"achieves honesty."
"Gentiles, who did not seek after nobility,
accomplished uprightness, even the exemplary nature which is
by confidence." This is the reason they were spared. They
accomplished honorableness. “ 7

Salvation comes with humility. And

humility bring about the positive attitude
towards God.

Salvation comes with humility. And humility bring

about the positive attitude towards God.
Grace in the World
So let’s make sure that we keep these two things
together: unqualified decision, and the accomplishing of
honorableness. God is blessed and immaculate and just. He
loathes sin. His exemplary nature bursts against all God-
deprecating mentalities and activities. Defect of any sort can't
approach his bursting sacredness without being rebuffed. The
main people who remain before God without being decimated
are consummately exemplary people.
Positive attitude towards God entails humility on our
part and doing things according to His will.

Positive attitude towards God entails

humility on our part and doing things
according to His will.

What Now?
1. What defects are shown in arrogance?
2. How do we stifle entitlement?
3. How do we gain a positive attitude towards God?

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 9 Sermons on Romans 9:30-33 | Archbishop E. Bernard Jordan

3rd Sermon
Brothers

“Since no man is excluded from calling upon God

the gate of salvation is open to all. There is nothing
else to hinder us from entering, but our own
unbelief.”
John Calvin
Power Truth
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord,
Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven,
but only the one who does the will of my
Father in heaven.
Matthew 7:21 NRSV
Trouble in the Text
Chosen People, the Jews, as communicated in the
possibility that they have been picked by God as his
extraordinary individuals. The term infers that the Jews have
been picked by God to adore just him and to satisfy the
mission of announcing His reality among every one in the

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 3rd Sermon

world. This thought is a repetitive subject in Jewish formality

and is communicated in numerous sections of Scripture, as: "
for you are a holy people belonging to the LORD your God.
The LORD has chosen you to be His prized possession out of
all the peoples on the face of the earth." 1
The privileges of being the Chosen People has had a
significant and enduring impact on the Jews since it conferred
an uncommon centrality to their association with God. It
inferred a pledge between God and the general population of
Israel whereby Israel was to be loyal to God and comply with
his decrees, and God thus was to ensure and favor his reliable
individuals.
Being chosen brought to Israel not more benefits in any
case, rather, unique commitments to complete the desire of
God: " Obey Me, and I will be your God, and you will be My
people. You must walk in all the ways I have commanded you,
so that it may go well with you." 2
Being God's picked individuals conveyed with it more
noteworthy otherworldly duties and inferred all the more
requesting models and the need to build up a profound life
deserving of those whom God had chosen to save and transmit
his disclosure to the entire world.
By being chosen and expected of, the natural effect of it
is brotherhood. With it comes so many privileges; it makes
them come together, pull one another, bear one another, help
one another. But the cons effect can also be exclusivity. And
once exclusivity comes, pride and discrimination are around
the corner.

By being chosen and expected of, the

natural effect of it is brotherhood.

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 9 Sermons on Romans 9:30-33 | Archbishop E. Bernard Jordan

Trouble in the World

With the various religions on the planet, in what
capacity would Christians be able to guarantee brotherhood
and exclusivity? In all actuality each religion on the planet
claims brotherhood, and each significant religion on the planet
has a point of rejection.
Hinduism, for instance, is frequently spoken to similar
to the most tolerant and tolerating of different beliefs. That is
simply false. All Hindus have confidence in two key, solid
precepts—the Law of Karma, and the faith in rebirth. Actually,
Buddhism was resulting from the dismissal of two other
exceptionally one-sided cases of Hinduism. Actually they were
fundamentally extraordinary—asserting rightness, guarantee
brotherhood and exclusivity.
Islam, as you most likely are aware, is in all respects
obviously a selective case to God. A Muslim will never
disclose to you that it doesn't make a difference what you
accept or that all religions are valid.

In all actuality each religion on the

planet claims brotherhood, and each
significant religion on the planet has a point
of rejection.

In any case, before we get annoyed with such cases, let

us recollect that it is the very idea of truth that presents us with
this reality. Truth by definition is restrictive. Everything can't
be valid. In the case of everything is valid, at that point nothing
is false. What's more, on the off chance that nothing is false, at
that point it would likewise be consistent with state everything
is false.
Grace in the Word
Is being in Christ, exclusive?
Paul said, “In him we were also chosen, having been
predestined according to the plan of him who works out
everything in conformity with the purpose of his will”3.

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 3rd Sermon

That sounds inclusive.

Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” 4
Jesus saying that He is the Truth - that is exclusive. But He
also mentioned that He is the Way - that is inclusive. And He
is the life – means, the exclusive gift of life is free for anyone
who is in Christ.

Being in Christ is both exclusive and inclusive. It is

not about being a Jew nor a Gentile. It is being in Christ.

Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and

the life.” Jesus saying that He is the Truth -
that is exclusive. But He also mentioned
that He is the Way - that is inclusive. And
He is the life – means, the exclusive gift of
life is free for anyone who is in Christ.

Grace in the World

So where does that leave us? Because of the mercy and
grace of God, we may be saved by faith and not of good works
that we should boast about. But so it is, the faith that saved us
quantifies us as a workmanship of Christ to do good works.
As the love of Christ draws us to Himself, genuine
brotherhood results by itself.

As the love of Christ draws us to Himself,

genuine brotherhood results by itself.

What Now?
1. Is the love of God exclusive?
2. How do we attain brotherhood without pursuing it?
3. How will you know if you are ‘chosen’?

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 9 Sermons on Romans 9:30-33 | Archbishop E. Bernard Jordan

4th Sermon
Disease

“Unbelief is criminal because it is a moral act, an

act of the whole nature. Belief or unbelief is a test
of a man's whole spiritual condition, because it is
the whole being, affections, will, conscience, as
well as the understanding, which are concerned in
it.”
Alexander MacLaren
Power Truth
And have mercy on some who are
wavering…
Jude 1:22 NRSV

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Trouble in the Text

For quite a long time the Jews had erroneously trusted
that since they were the relatives of Abraham since they were
continually living as per the law, they erroneously trusted that
by one way or another their Ritualism and their Legalism
protected their salvation, that it was ensured. They were
persuaded that since they were the relatives of Abraham and
due to their exacting adherence to the law and rabbinical
customs they were in. So the gospel was horrendously hostile
to them.
Truth be told, to them it was a godless blasphemy that
negated the Old Testament. They even contended that since
most individual Jews and Israel as a country had rejected Jesus
as Messiah, he was in this manner a bogus Messiah deserving
of their dismissal. Well, that is simply stupidity.
It additionally uncovers that there appeared to be a
more noteworthy pressure, including a conviction among
certain Gentiles inside the congregation that they had in some
sense supplanted the Jews as beneficiaries of God's guarantees.
The announcement: "branches were severed that I could be
united in"1 is in fact right, however it is referenced as a major
aspect of the clarification that Israel did not "fall past
recuperation" 2, proposing that some in the Roman church
trusted that the severed branches were perpetually neglected by
God.
Paul revokes this thought, contending that if that were
valid, it would have grave effect for the Gentile disposition.
Unbelief is a great product of its source disease – pride
and entitlement.

Unbelief is a great product of its source

disease – pride and entitlement.

Trouble in the World

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 9 Sermons on Romans 9:30-33 | Archbishop E. Bernard Jordan

Truth be told, these diseases hold us in our present days

and in our present world. Moreso, we blame God for
inconsistency.
Inconsistency would upbraid the character of God.
How could God backpedal on his Word? Abraham is our dad.
Along these lines we are equitable. That was the way to go.
What's more, to state that our unbelief in Jesus implies that we
as believers are not of God is irreverence. We are children of
the pledge, and yet the diseases of pride and entitlement drown
us unthinkingly.
Grace in the Word
The letter that Paul provided for the Romans was not a
"unique philosophical synopsis," yet an announcement of
Paul's convictions with a particular viable reason, intended to
empower the congregation toward solidarity among Jewish and
Gentile portions. That would clarify why Paul underscores that
this gospel is "first to the Jew, at that point to the Gentile"3.
It would likewise carry logical clearness to such
explanations as Paul's notice to the Gentiles not to gloat against
the (Jewish) branches and not to be haughty toward the Jews,
and it positively puts into point of view Paul's consolation to
the Jewish and Gentile adherents to "acknowledge each other"
and to revere God together.
Paul starts with the initial words by communicating,
most importantly, his profound weight for his unbelieving
family and, besides, he communicates Israel's constant
preferences as God's picked individuals. He insists his own
Jewishness, despite the fact that now he is a devotee and he
communicates how together they are as Israelites in whom has
a place in the appropriation, to whom has a place the selection
as children.
So clearly, God still keeps up his agreement association
with them. What's more, we realize that with extraordinary
richness, that not all Israelites are beneficiaries of God's
guarantee, that salvation is just conceded on an individual
premise, that there is no place in Scripture where God spares

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 5th Sermon

all Israelites as a country basically based on their ethnicity. So

this was a hard pill for them to swallow.
So now, Paul concentrated his endeavors on fitting the
Old Testament with the New, demonstrating that what the Jews
saw to be an impious principle was, truth be told, instructed in
the Old Testament. God isn't negating himself. God isn't done
with his pledge. Rather, God through the gospel is exhibiting
the total splendors of his individual and his motivation in
reconciliation.

God isn't negating himself. God isn't done

with his pledge. Rather, God through the
gospel is exhibiting the total splendors of
his individual and his motivation in
reconciliation.

Grace in the World

Dear readers. Allow these truths to drive you to your
face, to cause you to fall before the Lord in humble worship
because of his sovereign grace in your life. A great theology
leads to doxology. That is its ultimate purpose. So may all of
us as redeemed rejoice in his eternal purposes, which cannot
fail.

. A great theology leads to doxology. That

is its ultimate purpose.

What Now?
1. What are the real ‘diseases’ of the Jews?
2. List all the privileges Paul mentions that belonged to Israel as
God’s chosen people.
3. Now, explain each of those privileges in your own words. How
would you explain each to someone who had not read the Old
Testament?

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 9 Sermons on Romans 9:30-33 | Archbishop E. Bernard Jordan

5th Sermon
Edification

“ For no sin whereof men can be guilty in this world

is of so horrible a nature, and so dreadful an
aspect, as is this unbelief, where a clear view of it is
obtained in evangelical light."”
John Owen
Power Truth
…holding to the outward form of
godliness but denying its power. Avoid
them!
1 Timothy 3:5 NRSV

Trouble in the Text

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 5th Sermon

Edify comes from the Latin words ancestry. The Latin

noun ‘aedes’ means "house" or "temple," which ‘ aedificar’
came from. It is a verb that means, "to erect a house."

Different genres of linguists stayed with that meaning,

and by the Late Latin period, ‘edification’ had gained the
figurative sense of "to instruct or help improve spiritually."

Another person, not the ‘wrong’ faction,

shall always perform edification. So if there
is a lack of it or a need of it, the erring
party will be the ‘another person’.

With the scenario of Israel’s unbelief in the 9th of

Romans, it might be obvious that the unbelief of the Jews may
have been caused by the lack or the need of help for spiritual
improvement and upright instructions, thus …edification.

But one thing that one may not notice is the hidden
emotions that the Gentiles have allowed into their hearts. With
the Jews’ jealousy or self-centeredness from soteriology, a
great number of the Gentiles felt that, somehow, they are
slowly superseding the salvific privileges of the Jews. This,
also, may have been caused by the lack or the need of help for
spiritual improvement and upright instructions, thus
…edification.

With these in mind, we may ask ourselves, ‘Are the

Jews guilty of pride and self-centeredness?’ or ‘Are the
Gentiles becoming proud and prideful as well?’

Allow me to throw another thought in the ring. In the

mindset of ‘edification’, the supposed wrong faction is always
the victim. They are not the villains.

Now let me clarify this. Another person, not the

‘wrong’ faction, shall always perform edification. So if there is

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 9 Sermons on Romans 9:30-33 | Archbishop E. Bernard Jordan

a lack of it or a need of it, the erring party will be the ‘another

person’.

So going back to our Israel’s unbelief scenario, one

may ask, ‘Who is the person responsible for the lack or need of
spiritual improvement or spiritual instruction of the Jews and
the Gentiles?’

Trouble in the World

“So then, let us pursue what leads to peace and to
mutual edification.” Romans 14:9

“Everything is permissible,” but not everything is

beneficial. “Everything is permissible,” but not everything
is edifying.
Speaking of this command – not request – from Jesus
to go into the world and make disciples, we modern-day
believers are not exempted from this call.
Although apostolic callings often fall to pastoral roles,
this does not restrict us into allowing ourselves to submit to
however God wants us to minister to unbelievers. We do not
leave ministry only to those who have “titles.”
Because the Holy Spirit is within all who had accepted
Jesus as Lord and Savior, the empowerment from God in doing
His works is living and active just like His Word.
However, discipleship and ministry of the Word may
feel like a chore at times, especially when the personal spiritual
life of a believer is on the rocks.
Grace in the Word
This goes to say that not even suffering should dictate
one’s availability and heart for ministry. This also puts this
truth Paul pulled upfront: “this ministry [is] by the mercy of
God.”4 Interestingly, when Paul opened his letter by addressing
himself as “an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God.”5

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 5th Sermon

Being a minister of Christ means to become

a servant of him and his church, no matter
what this means, no matter where it takes
you.

One way or another, it will inconvenience you, for we

“share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings”6 yet at the same time
being comforted by God in all of our affliction.
This humbles a minister to remain ever so reliant on
God instead of himself. So, despite trying times he can
persevere, knowing full well that “what we proclaim is not
ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord.”7
Preachers of the gospel, keepers of the truth, and
figures of authority in the church, ministers like the apostle
Paul carry the very light of the Word they proclaim – that is
Christ – and are themselves reflections of this light.
This living light of Christ in his ministers do not go dim
when troubles come. Instead, wherever there is darkness –
even in oneself – the light of Jesus will never fail to shine
through every crack and crevice of the soul.
Grace in the World
How encouraging it is for ministers like us that even in
times of desperation, of spiritual shipwrecks, and devastating
persecution, we have a God whose glory shines in our hearts
inwardly, enabling us to reflect it to the world?

A minister is called to be a minister in and

out of season, just as God is still God
amidst our sufferings.

A minister is called to be a minister in and out of

season, just as God is still God amidst our sufferings. If the
apostle Paul backed down in his calling because of hardships,
the gospel would have reached the nations differently. We’ll
never know how all our “yes” to God in spite of adversities can
be used by Him for His ministry.

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 9 Sermons on Romans 9:30-33 | Archbishop E. Bernard Jordan

What Now?
1. Why do you think ministers are not exempted to
2. How does God’s mercy encourage you to persevere in
3. How did Paul respond to suffering throughout the

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 6th Sermon

6th Sermon
Promises of God’s Encouragement

“Today, some Christians are content to merely exist

until they die. They don't want to risk anything, to
believe God, to grow or mature. They refuse to
believe his Word, and have become hardened in
their unbelief. Now they're living just to die.”
David Wilkerson
Power Truth
But ask in faith, never doubting, for the
one who doubts is like a wave of the sea,
driven and tossed by the wind…
James 1:6 NRSV

Trouble in the Text

The apostle Paul described the gospel as “veiled to
those who are perishing.”1 Those who are under this
predicament are under the law, the old covenant from the time
of Moses when the ministry was of death, according to chapter
three.

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 9 Sermons on Romans 9:30-33 | Archbishop E. Bernard Jordan

We do know that Jesus as the light of the gospel means

that this is the kind of brightness that changes anyone who
encounters it.
Even Paul – formerly Saul the persecutor – was forever
transformed when he was exposed to the God’s blinding,
altering light on his way to Damascus. Why are there still
followers of the “god of this world,”2 with minds blinded to the
reality of Jesus as the image of God?

The situation of disbelief is no secret to

Jesus, that’s why he left his disciples with
the great commission to go into all the
world and preach the gospel.

Trouble in the World

Not that the gospel is too weak to change those who are
spiritually blind – we might have fallen into the same notion
unknowingly, especially when people dear to us can’t seem to
accept the upfront truth of Christ in God.
This situation of disbelief is no secret to Jesus, that’s
why he left his disciples with the great commission to go into
all the world and preach the gospel, empowering them with the
Holy Spirit.
When we leave a commission this huge only to the
hands of those who are, by office, entitled as ministers,
preachers, or evangelists, then we are not exactly doing what
we have been qualified by God to carry out.
Most of the time, when we let open doors for the gospel
to come to a close because we are in doubt and fear, we are
hindering what’s supposedly a life changing encounter of
people with Jesus.
Grace in the Word
The way to get over ourselves and take the leap of faith
in becoming living examples to the watching world is to take
to heart what Paul said:

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 6th Sermon

“For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus

Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus'
sake.”3 The way to display the light of the gospel is to proclaim
– and at the same time focus on - who the gospel is about.
Since Paul’s opposers were paying so much attention to
the effects of ministry to the apostle’s life, such as suffering
and persecution beyond one can bear, they were unable to bask
in the transforming gospel light.

own accord, the things he had gone through

were more than enough to call it quits, but
since the ministry he held was by the mercy
of God, he did not lose heart.

But since the ministry he held was “by the mercy of

God, [he did] not lose heart.”4 In a different perspective, the
apostle’s opposers would have realized the worth of this light
Paul was trying to shine to the world when he kept the good
fight of faith until his last breath!
Grace in the World
We are the first ‘Jesus’ people encounter, so to speak.
When we live our lives in accordance to his will and gospel,
we become beacons of him who resides in us.
Instead of focusing on the times we seemed to have
failed in preaching the gospel to those around us, let us be
encouraged in the example lived by the one who we are
preaching about.

Instead of focusing on the times we seemed

to have failed in preaching the gospel to
those around us, let us be encouraged in the
example lived by the one who we are
preaching about.

Christ himself had been rejected by men, persecuted,

suffered for the sake of even the unbelieving. Who are we to

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 9 Sermons on Romans 9:30-33 | Archbishop E. Bernard Jordan

call it a day in ministering to the very people he had given his

life for?
What Now?
1. How are you an eye-opener of the world for them to see
2. How can you explain the value of our suffering with
3. What are the personal sufferings you have experienced

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 7th Sermon

7th Sermon
Enjoyment

“Beware in your prayers, above everything else, of

limiting God, not only by unbelief, but by fancying
that you know what He can do.”
Andrew Murray
Power Truth
And without faith it is impossible to
please God, for whoever would
approach him must believe that he exists
and that he rewards those who seek him.

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 9 Sermons on Romans 9:30-33 | Archbishop E. Bernard Jordan

Hebrews 11:6 NRSV

Trouble in the Text
Despite of the successes during Paul’s ministry, there
were still members of the church in Corinth that put the
apostle’s heart and testimony under scrutiny.
Though the light of the gospel is Jesus Christ himself, it
seems that the changing power of the Word has not
transformed their view on suffering.
Come to think of it, the sufferings were necessary so
Paul’s responses would better reveal the worthiness of the
gospel to be preached in spite of.

We tend to forget that hardships are

consequences of sin entering the world.
The battle is in the spiritual realm, only
manifesting in the physical.

Trouble in the World

When sin entered the world, it had distorted God’s
original design for human life. It brought about death, slavery
to itself in various forms, and the incapability of saving oneself
from these situations.
Tagged along with sin is spiritual blindness – we are
then born with inherent wickedness and estrangement from
God. He is holy, and our spiritual eyes cannot take the
brightness of His light.
This is why unless the gospel is brought to our
knowledge, we could never acknowledge that the only way
that had bridged the gap between God and mankind is Jesus,
the light of the gospel.
Even in Christians though, finding Jesus and meeting
adversities could still mean spiritual blindness, as becoming a
believer doesn’t free one from suffering.
Grace in the Word

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 7th Sermon

Those who are under the Mosaic law – from when the
grace of God through the life and death of Jesus has not yet
manifested – find the gospel of Christ obscure:
“And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those
who are perishing,”1 since they were kept by the enemy – the
god of this world, from seeing the light of the gospel.
This spiritual blindness is an initiative of the evil one,
and not necessarily done by choice of the hearers of the Word
who have been rejecting and questioning the ministry of Paul
because of the many tragedies he had faced.

It is only with the radiance of Jesus that

truth will be revealed, that spiritual eyes
will be opened to the image of God.

With Paul’s accusers focusing on the seeming

downsides of ministry, they found the gospel a persecution, its
apparent consequences driving one to lose heart.
As a resolve, the apostle urged the faithful remainder in
the church in Corinth to allow “the light of the knowledge of
the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”2
It is only with the radiance of Jesus that truth will be
revealed, that spiritual eyes will be opened to the image of
God. And it was not solely up to Paul to exercise this – it was a
mutual duty of the Corinthian church to proclaim the glory of
Jesus through their lives.
Grace in the World
Instead of focusing on the intensity of trials that hit our
way or that of other believers, let us then rejoice that we get to
share in the sufferings of Christ for his namesake. This way,
we also share in his eternity.
We do not lose heart. We battle spiritual blindness in its
turf – the world, where it’s easier to believe that the gospel is
meant to make our lives unbearable than it already is.

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 9 Sermons on Romans 9:30-33 | Archbishop E. Bernard Jordan

Spiritual blinders are unseen yet

experienced, but they are not impossible to
defeat.

Still the plans of God are to prosper us and not to harm

us, plans to give us hope and future. Let us secure the truth of
gospel in our hearts, not allowing it to be defined by any form
of persecution or suffering we are faced with.
Spiritual blinders are unseen yet experienced, but they
are not impossible to defeat. We can keep our eyes fixed on the
one who has won the battle for us – in every way, shape, or
form.
What Now?
1. Why are afflictions attributed to spiritual blindness?
2. How do you protect your walk from getting affected by
spiritual blindness?
3. What restores one’s vision of the glory of God during
times of spiritual blindness?

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 8th Sermon

8th Sermon
Examples of Repentance

“Unbelief is never cheap; it costs more than it

pays.”
Woodrow Kroll
Power Truth
For Christ is the end of the law so that
there may be righteousness for everyone
who believes.
Romans 10:4 NRSV

Trouble in the Text

In the passage in discussion, the apostle Paul explained
that his accusers were spiritually blinded by the enemy, kept
from “seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who
is the image of God.”1

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 9 Sermons on Romans 9:30-33 | Archbishop E. Bernard Jordan

Apparently, these “believers” were questioning the

integrity of Paul’s ministry and the very gospel he was
proclaiming – to which the missionary to the Gentiles said:
“For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus
Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus'
sake.”2
Since mankind is made in the image and likeness of
God, how come we are not proclaiming ourselves when we
preach Christ? Is there a contradiction to this truth from what
Paul mentioned?

We fall short and hit walls of despair. We

too experience suffering. Whether our
response to these is faith or flight, others
can view us and the name we proclaim
differently.

Trouble in the World

Discipleship involves sharing life; sharing life requires
giving a portion of oneself to someone to edify the body of
Christ. It would be difficult to impart the life of Christ if our
own lives do not naturally spill out the light of his gospel.
Still, it doesn’t change the fact that we were created in
His image. It’s like we are the first glimpses of Christ an
unbeliever encounters.
While it is true that spiritual forces do cause spiritual
blindness even in Christians, it is our claim as bearers of the
Word and as followers of Jesus that sometimes makes others
question our faith.
However, should we choose to allow the enemy to use
our afflictions to distort God’s image in us, to let others see
that the gospel is not worth being persecuted for – in these the
truth of Jesus still remains.
Grace in the Word

31
 8th Sermon

Paul did not lose heart. In the face of adversities and

accusations, he reminded the church of who the focus of the
gospel is.
Because of this, it didn’t matter anymore what the
unbelievers thought about him, his ministry, or the message he
preached. What’s important was who his life, ministry,
sufferings, and message was about.
The apostle too was once spiritually blinded to the
reality of Jesus, until he encountered Christ’s compelling light
– the brightness that changed him forever.
This glory of Christ - the light of the gospel – exposes
Jesus as the image of God. It would be impossible to see the
Son of God in his splendor, in the power of what he has done,
and in the truth of who he is without seeing him as an equal
with God.

How the gospel got to our time has been

breakthrough after breakthrough, faith after
faith of believers who had chosen to uphold
the image of God in their lives.

The confidence Paul had in the life he lived was not

necessarily about his accomplishments in the Christian
movement.
Grace in the World
How the gospel got to our time has been breakthrough
after breakthrough, faith after faith of believers who had
chosen to uphold the image of God in their lives.
This journey of the gospel across nations and cultures
was not without difficulties. We ought to continue proclaiming
Christ through our lives in him to keep propelling the message
of God’s love forward.

By choosing to stand up over the toughest

situations life can throw at us, we are

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 9 Sermons on Romans 9:30-33 | Archbishop E. Bernard Jordan

deciding to remain steadfast in our identity

in Christ as bearers of the image of God.

By choosing to stand up over the toughest situations

life can throw at us, we are deciding to remain steadfast in our
identity in Christ as bearers of the image of God. Question is,
are we going to keep the choice up no matter what?
What Now?
1. Is it possible to know Jesus and not know God? Why or
2. In sharing our walk with God to other people, how can
3. How are you proclaiming Jesus through God’s image

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9th Sermon
Grace and Holy Spirit

4.

“There is no accounting for the ignorance of

unbelief, as any minister of Christ knows by
painful experience.”
Henry Alford
Power Truth
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal
life; whoever disobeys the Son will not
see life, but must endure God’s wrath.
John 3:36 NRSV

Trouble in the Text

Paul opened chapter four of his second letter to the
Corinthians by concluding how they ought to withstand

34
sufferings that came with the ministry, which was then being
put in question by some members.
It seems that Paul had credited his accusers’ actions and
mindset toward his life, ministry, and message to Satan – “the
god of this world [who] has blinded the minds of the
unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of
the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”1

Our very lives are to be stewarded in a way

that is pleasing to God and is relevant to the
advancement of His kingdom.

Trouble in the World

In various forms of media, the devil is portrayed as a
terrifying creature of the dark, horned and exuding fiery aura.
Aside from this, we know that his evil minions are under his
rule, executors of his will over the godless.
Christians also tremble at the thought of a presence like
this in physical realm. We see evil at work every day. We even
dodge the schemes that call us temptingly.
It is true though that Satan has power here as the prince
of this world, where he reigns over those who “[follow] the
prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in
the sons of disobedience.”2
What we often forget is that, as receivers of the grace
of God through Jesus Christ, we have been made victors with
him who has won over sin for us.
Grace in the Word
In the same way, Paul didn’t want the faithful majority
of the Corinthian church to believe that the war waged against
him, his ministry, and the gospel of Christ is a triumphant one:
“We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's
word, but by the open statement of the truth we would
commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of
God.”3

35
 Though under scrutiny, the apostle did not lose heart,
encouraging the members of the church to do the same. He
knew fully well that who they proclaim is not themselves but
Christ - the light of the gospel, the image of God.

In persistence in prayer, waiting for

deliverance comes with acting upon the
faith that indeed, God will deliver justice
for His chosen ones.

He did acknowledge that the unbelieving bunch

questioning him was lorded over by the enemy, that the evil
one had power over their minds to keep them from seeing the
glory of Jesus.
Through such persecution, Paul urged his brothers in
Corinth to shine the light of God out of darkness through the
knowledge of His glory in the face of Christ.
This shows that such hardships added to Paul’s
ministry by his accusers were seemingly only temporary wins
in the enemy’s tab.
Even the struggles the apostle faced for the sake of the
gospel were not really to be regarded as victory for the prince
of the world.
God, under whose mercy the ministry of the gospel has
proceeded, can and have certainly used even Paul’s adversities
to bring the message of His love to where He willed it to be.
Grace in the World
Christ, he shall be “cast into the lake of fire and
brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall
be tormented day and night for ever and ever.”4
With our victory through Jesus Christ secured for
eternity, we can be encouraged that the weapons forged against
us by the enemy shall never prosper.

36
 With our victory through Jesus Christ
secured for eternity, we can be encouraged
that the weapons forged against us by the
enemy shall never prosper.

We either live like our triumphant king – stomping over

sin by his name - or as slaves under the fleeting and collapsing
What Now?
1. Does Satan have leverage over believers? Why?
2. Why do you think God allows the enemy to operate in
3. How can you live victoriously over suffering?

37
More Resources

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Scriptural References

1st Sermon
1
2 Peter 3:16 Berean Study Bible

2nd Sermon
1
Romans 9:11 NIV
2
Romans 9:30,31 NIV
3
Romans 3:9-10 NSRV
4
Romans 10:4 GNB
5
Romans 9:11 ESV
6
Romans 9:21-23 ESV
7
Romans 9:30 NSRV

3rd Sermon
1
Deteronomh 14:2 BSB
2
Jeremiah 7:23 BSB
3
Ephesians 1:11 NIV
4
John 14:6 NIV

4th Sermon
1
Romans 11:19 BSB
2
Romans 11:11 BSB
3
Romans 1:16 NIV

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