Romans 9:4-13
“Truth of the Head or Truth of the Heart?”
Introduction:
1. Sovereignty is chapters 9-11. This is to me the most difficult chapter in the Word of God. I
want to warn you. You will have a hard time with the 9th chapter of Romans. For my thoughts
are not your thoughts neither are your ways my ways. (Is. 55:8, 9). They imply that God
sometimes acts in ways we don’t understand, ways that seem absolutely contrary to how we
think He should act. God is beyond me! This is the attitude we must have as we go through
this chapter. As I know Him…I don’t always understand all of his ways, but I can trust
Him explicitly.
2. I remember early in my ministry someone saying, “He is just 18” from salvation.” He has it in
his head, but not in his heart.
3. Revelation or absolute truth is not enough. It’s not enough to hold an inspired Book in your
hand. I must have an inspired heart. It is more than believing in the revelation of God’s
grace…memorizing verses without the verses changing us. Revelation…absolute truth alone
cannot save. The Holy Spirit must do a work in our hearts.
4. Are we a church with truth of the head or truth of the heart? What about you? Revelation, truth
is it changing your home, your attitude, job, relationship to your wife or husband and family?
5. Do you have truth of the head or truth of the heart?
6. Romans 9:4-13 it was a problem with Israel, and they wanted to blame God.

I. TRUTH AND OUR PRIVILEGES 9:4-7
Privileges alone do not save!
A.Truth Revealed 4,5
God had revealed Himself…His will, His ways to Israel like no other nation. 8 privileges are listed:
1.They were the chosen people of God. How odd of God to choose the Jews!! But God really did choose them. Their position is different from any nation.
2.To the Jew was given divine glory. The Shekinah glory was given to Israel. In the wilderness they had a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. His glory stood in the holy of holies. God was among them!
3.The Jew had the covenants. These were agreements God made with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David. God committed Himself to do certain things for this nation.
4.The Jews had the Law. This was their dearest treasure!
5.The Jews had temple worship. Offerings and rituals were carried out. It was the glory of Israel!
6.The Jews had the promises. Messiah would come. Jews would lead the nations of the world.
7.The Jews had the Patriarchs. These were tremendous men of old who were household words: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David
8.The Supreme Blessing: Jesus the Messiah came from the Jews. This was Jesus’ human ancestry. He belongs to the world! God over all: This is one of the clearest statements of Paul on the deity of Christ. JEWS REJECTED GOD’S REVELATION. Does this mean that God was faithless? Does this mean that God had failed?
B.Truth Rejected 6,7
Not as though the word of God is of no effect. They had truth in their head, but not in their heart. The problem is not the Word of God!
1.For they are not all Israel who are of Israel. Just because they are descendants of Abraham (physically) are they all spiritual children. (2:28, 29)
2.Let’s make this practical: Not all who call themselves Christians or are thought of as Christians are true Christians.
*Privileges: Christian home…will not save you. Bible preaching church…will not save you. Exposure to the Word, Christian Education will not save you.
*Illus. A wood carver in Bavaria found a piece of wood at the mouth of a grain sack. He carved imitation, look alike grain. No one could tell…not even the carver, until it was placed in water. After a few days the grain began to sprout. The imitation grain remained what it was…Dead Wood! I can’t tell…God knows. Is there any life? Is there evidence of life?
*I can know about God and not know God. A true disciple (follower of Jesus) is obeying God’s Word, learning of Him, following Him and doing what He tells us to do. Truth will not give itself to a rebel. Truth will not impart life to a man who will not obey the Light!

II. TRUTH AND OUR PROMISES 9:8-9
Let’s say I refuse or reject God’s offer. God’s salvation is always based on divine promise.
God’s Truth Remains. God’s Promises Remain. God is still God!
A. The Children 8
1.It Was a Biological Miracle! (Abraham and Isaac) Ishmael was the first born. He should have inherited the promise of Abraham. Ishmael stands forever as a symbol of the futility of expecting God to honor our idea as of how He should act.
2.God says, I have chosen Isaac.
3.There are 3 children: Children of the flesh…we produce it. (Head) Children of God…these are not. (Heart) Children of promise…those basing their lives on what God says. In some way Redemption includes our necessity to be confronted with those promises and we willingly, voluntarily submit to them. But as many as receive Him…(John 1:12)…(John 3:16) Whosoever (Rom. 10:13) Whosoever
B.The Confidence 9
Word of Promise: Sarah shall have a son.
1.I have promised a son to Sarah. He shall inherit the blessing of Abraham.
2.Find the Promise: I know of many who think they know what god ought to do. God is committed to only do what He promised to do!!
3.Claim the Promise. Obey…Adjust your life…Comply specifically to the conditions He gives…WE ARE WRONG TO CLAIM SOMETHING FROM GOD HE NEVER PROMISED!

III. TRUTH AND OUR PERFORMANCE 9:10-13
Isaac and Ishmael…they could understand. God’s choice. Hagar was a non-Israelite. Here in
verse 10 there is the same mother and same father. God’s truth does not rest on our performance.
A. Election 11
Esau was the first born.
1.Many struggle over these verses. Election…God choose. “If election is true, free will is impossible.” Don’t miss chapter 10! “If election is true, why evangelize?” Look at Paul!! (Election will never diminish human responsibility.) “If election is true, God is unjust.” You don’t know God!
2.God does choose some Jews and Gentiles. In order that God’s purpose in election might stand. His choice is unrelated to anything a human might or might not do. Election is a basic element of Christian theology. (Rom 3:10, 11)
*Jacob became an heir because of God’s sovereign choice. God’s choice went beyond individuals to nations.
*Ancestry made no difference. Why they did whether good or bad before they were able to make a choice…being not yet born.
B.Enlightenment 12,13
1.Jacob was a scheming, weak character individual. Esau was a rugged individualist much more admirable than Jacob.
2.Verse 13 A man once said to a noted Bible teacher, “I am having trouble with this verse.” Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. How could God ever say, ‘Esau have I hated?’ The Bible teacher answered: “I have trouble with that verse too…but what bothers me is how could God ever say, “Jacob I loved.” Read the life of Jacob and you will understand why!
3.Hated is the same word as (Luke 14:26) The words Jesus used on being My disciple. Hate father and mother, wife, children, sister, brother…his own life cannot be my disciple. Clearly, He is not saying to treat them with contempt and disregard. We are to give Him preeminence over all others!
4.God did not hate in an absolute sense. He blessed Esau and made him a great nation. God set His heart on Jacob. God carries out election on His terms! Do you want to say, “God isn’t fair.” “God isn’t right.” Relax, you are normal. Something in all of us, called Flesh, reacts in that way.
5.In the mean time God is greater than we are. He knows more than we know. He knows what He is doing. Everything He does is consistent with His character and love.

All ‘Christians’ are not Christians.
Truth is in your Head, but the Holy Spirit is not in your Heart!
Divine Life has never been implanted…YOU ARE LOST!