The New People of God

Bible Text: Romans 9:24-29 | Preacher: Alan Conner | Series: 2004, Romans

INTRO

Outline:
v. 24 Paul teaches that “vessels of mercy” include both Jews and Gentiles;
vv. 25-26 he gives biblical support for the Gentiles being included,
vv. 27-29 he gives biblical support for a remnant of the Jews being included.

I. GENTILES ARE NOW INCLUDED IN THE NEW PEOPLE OF GOD (vv. 24-26).

These were two bitter pills for the average Jew to swallow: 1) that not all Jews were going to be saved, 2) those being saved in Israel were going to have to share it with Gentiles.

A. The significance of being a “Gentile”.

1) Rabbis despised the Gentiles, or Heb. Goyim,

2) Paul described them as originally excluded from salvation: (covenantal perspective)
Eph. 2:11-12; 4:17-19

3) Christ spoke disparagingly about the Gentiles. Mk. 7:25-27

B. Gentiles are also among “the called” (v. 24).

“vessels of mercy”, God’s chosen ones, include Gentiles as well as Jews.

Gentiles are “called” by God’s effectual and special saving call just as the chosen Jews. Together they are the “New Covenant Church” = “called out ones.” God’s sovereign freedom in choosing who He calls is emphasized.

This glorious truth is also found in Eph. 2:13-19; 3:4:12.

C. Biblical proof from Hosea (vv. 25-26). Paul quotes from Hosea 2:23 and then from 1:10.

1) The divine calling is emphasized. Notice “I will call” (Hos. 2:23; and 1:10) which fits with v. 24         of God’s sovereign and effectual call which always results in justification (8:30).

2) Do these verses in Hosea refer to Israel or the Gentiles? Clearly Hosea has the ten             northern tribes of Israel in view, yet Paul applies them to the Gentiles.

Paul is giving a theological interpretation of these verses.

(1) OT predictions of a renewed Israel find their fulfillment in the New Covenant church which includes both believing Jews and Gentiles (= the mystery of Christ, Eph. 3:4-6). Also see 1 Pet. 2:10 where Peter uses this quote from Hosea to refer to the New Covenant church as well and other similar passages as Rom. 2:26-29 (true Jew), 4:11-17 (Abraham’s seed) and Phil. 3:3 (true circumcision) where the Gentiles are described in terms of spiritual Israel.

(2) In Hosea, Israel had become like spiritual Gentiles in their idolatries and unbelief, so Paul sees them as a fitting type of Gentiles in the New Covenant church which extends grace to all kinds of Gentiles both physical and spiritual. Cf. Mt. 2:15 “Out of Egypt did I call My Son” from Hos. 11:1 which refers to Israel but is applied to Christ since Israel is a type (OT picture) of Christ in many ways.

II. ISRAEL’S REMNANT ARE INCLUDED IN THE NEW PEOPLE OF GOD (vv. 27-29).

A. Only a remnant to be saved (v. 27). Isa. 10:22

B. The rest will soon be judged (v. 28). Isa. 10:23

C. God showed mercy and left a “spiritual seed” in Israel, otherwise they would all perish just as wicked Gentiles (v. 29). Isa. 1:9

CONCLUSION

1) The call to humility.

2) The call to evangelism.