We're gonna read one through five. The key verses we're gonna look at today is one through five. Romans chapter nine. I say the truth in Christ I lie not. my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost that I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen, according to the flesh, who are Israelites to whom pertaineth the adoption and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the law and the service of God and the promises, whose are the Father's, and of whom, as concerning the flesh, Christ came, who is over all. God bless forever. Amen. You may be seated. Let's go to the Lord in prayer. To Heavenly Father, Lord, we come before you in awe of your word. exactly how you put it in your word is amazing to me. Lord, help our hearts to be edified by it, that we may grow to be more conformed to the image of your son. We give you glory and praise. While we come today into Romans chapter nine, We're coming forth to the Word of God to be edified by the Word of God. You're coming to church with a purpose, not as a religious routine to be did your good deed of the week, but you come with passion to know God's Word and will for your life. So as we dive into Romans chapter nine, when we're just dabbing our feet in the waters of this thing, I pray that this begins for you an edifying time of understanding of the passages that we will be soon to look at in weeks to come. It starts off perfectly, exactly what Reformers and Calvinists especially need to know. All Christians need to know. So as we come to this amazing chapter, Romans 9, it is a mighty fortress of the sovereign grace. The stronghold of God's electing love, the thunderous declaration of his sovereignty is Romans chapter 9. Here the apostle Paul unleashes a hard-to-swallow truth shattering the fragile vessels of human pride or self-righteousness, or anyone who daring to believe in free will. He shatters the myth of human merit as a means of salvation. Or if that free will has part of salvation, it unveils divine Election. Beautiful chapter. God does what he does. He loves whom he loves. He hardens whom he hardens. He does exactly what he wants to do. Do you have a problem with him? You shouldn't. Charismatics and Pentecostals today and their groups have been known to avoid or downplay Romans chapter 9 or the end of Romans chapter 8, the golden chain of salvation for knowledge, predestination, called, justification, and glorification. They've been known to downplay that as its teachings on predestination and election can be perceived as contradicting their emphasis on human free will or personal decision making or the universal offer of salvation. We are to make Christ known to all and the offer of salvation is made to all. But we know that Christ will only save whom he placed, whom the father placed upon the son to be the substitutionary atonement. Four, this is deeper theology. Put your preconceived views in the trash. And get an understanding on the word of God. Romans 9 is a hard-to-believe truth, a hard pill for many to swallow, because the gospel is hard for many to swallow. Romans 9 has a strong emphasis of God's sovereign choice. And election can be, and it can be seen as challenging the Armenian or Westernly and theological perspectives that are more common in charismatic or Pentecostal circles. Some may view Romans 9 as too Calvinistic or reformed, and therefore they may not emphasize in its teachings or preachings. They run away from it. It's a truth they suppress. A truth that this church won't suppress. A truth that Christians throughout history has learned so much about the sovereignty of God, had shaped their understanding, and has shown divine election just clearly in this very chapter. So here are some quotes from Christians throughout church history in Romans chapter 9. John Calvin, Paul's argument is that God's election is not based on human worthiness, but solely on his own purpose and grace. Martin Luther, stated Romans 9 is a mighty stronghold against the Pelasgians and all who deny God's sovereign election. John Knox says the Apostle Paul plainly testifies that God's election is not based on human merit, but on his own good pleasure. Charles Spurgeon says Roman 9 is a great battering ram to dash against the walls of self-righteousness. and free will. These reformers emphasized the doctrine of sovereign election, which is an essential part of Romans chapter 9. They saw the chapter as a key text in understanding God's grace and salvation. that God is sovereignly electing those who to be in Christ from the foundation of the world, which is clearly seen in scripture is irrefutable. A irrefutable truth that is suppressed. May we absorb the rich truth found in this very chapter. So let's begin in verse one. Paul states, I say the truth in Christ. I lie not. My conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost. So Romans, I want to share briefly too, Romans chapter nine through 11 forms a cohesive unit that tackles a crucial inquiry. Paul addresses a If God is sovereign over salvation, predestinating certain individuals to salvation from before creation, irresistibly drawing them to faith in Christ, as seen in Romans chapter 8, then why does God's chosen people, the Israelites, remain then in Israelites? This three chapters, he deals with that question. This conundrum is at the heart of Paul's discord in these chapters. That's the big question, which Paul is answering in three chapters dedicated to this big question. The question looming over Romans 9 through 11 is, has God promised to Israel been annulled by their unbelief? Has God's purposes failed? Paul answers with a resounding no, by first showing God's unfailing sovereign will in Romans chapter nine. He assures us that God's sovereign decrees never fail. God's election is not based on human merit or effort, but on his own divine will. Paul then explores the relationship between God's sovereignty and human, then, responsibility, showing that Israel's unbelief is not a surprise to God. Finally, he reveals that God's purpose is not limited to Israel alone, but extends to the Gentiles, creating a new united people of God. You'll find that in Romans chapter 11. Throughout this masterful exposition, Paul demonstrates that God's purposes never fail, even when human understanding can't fully grasp them. Who are you, Clay, to question this. And as we delve into this chapter, I'm convinced that we'll gain a deeper understanding of this complex issue than ever before. Paul will skillfully demonstrate that within the chosen nation of Israel there exists a smaller group, a remnant whom are specifically chosen for salvation. He'll show us that not all members of the chosen nation are automatically destined for salvation. And as we'll explore this further next week, Paul will make the profound statement that not all Israel is Israel. highlighting the distinction between physical descendants and spiritual divine election. Let's clarify a crucial point. Not every individual who appears to be a disciple is a genuine one. As the Bible says, you are my disciples indeed. Judas, for instance, was chosen to be one of the Twelve, but as we know, he was never of God. For instance, we see another example. Not every person who seems to be a follower of Jesus is a true follower, as illustrated in the parables. Majority of the parables about true converts versus false converts. Not everyone who says, Lord, Lord. Another example. Many professing Jesus Christ as Lord does not guarantee salvation. Not everyone is truly saved who says Jesus Christ is their Lord. As another example, Matthew chapter seven, as I clearly stated, many will say, Lord, Lord. God doesn't commit himself to everyone who believes in his name because he knows what's in man. And it needeth not that any man should testify me, because he knows what's in them. He knows what's in you today. Not everyone who is in the church saved, as illustrated in 1 Corinthians 6. Be not deceived, speaking to the church. No, you're not. that anyone who lives an unrighteous lifestyle will not inherit the kingdom of God. Don't deceive yourself, speaking to believers, thinking that you can live a life of lasciviousness and God's grace is sufficient. In your willful rebellion in opposition of the atoning power of Christ in one's life, Oh, the Bible warns about many false Christs will come. The Bible warns of many false graces. As an example, in the book of Jude, they turned the grace of God into lasciviousness. Clearly, it is not the true grace of God because the true grace of God is unmerited And the true grace of God produces holiness. It is a holy teacher that produces obedience in the one who is his sheep. May we see these examples, remind us that true faith goes beyond outward appearances and requires a genuine heart transformation. Amen? Before we dive into verse one, let's clarify that Romans 9 does not suggest a passive, cold-hearted approach to faith, simply because God is sovereign, or as so-called Hyper-Calvinists go, well, why serve the Lord if God's sovereign anyways? Belief in the sovereign election does not extinguish our passion for the gospel. Instead, it fuels our hearts with an even greater urgency to share Christ with those who need him. Understanding God's sovereignty and salvation should ignite our hearts with a deeper burden for the lost, not dampen our zeal. We are peculiar people, zealous. unto good works, empowered by God. As we explore this chapter, let's keep this important distinction in mind. Knowing God's sovereignty does not dampen our zeal and heart for the lost. And as we delve into this upcoming verses, we'll gain a deeper understanding of the true nature of the sovereign grace and how it should shape our hearts. We'll discover how a correct view of God's sovereignty ignites a passion for humility, gratitude, compassion, transforming our hearts to beat with a love for God and a passionate love for the lost. We care about their souls. We desire them to come to the knowledge of saving faith that is found only in the person of Christ. So have your hearts challenged this morning and transformed as we explore the beauty of the sovereign grace in action. With a heavy heart with concern and sorrow, Apostle Paul expresses his deep anguish over the spiritual state of his fellow Jews who remain in unbelief. He begins in verse one, first point, by affirming his genuine love and longing for their salvation. The affirmation. longing for their salvation, declaring, I say the truth in Christ. I lie not. Or other words, what am I about to say to you is the truth. And in verse one, you see three layers. He could have just said, I'm telling you the truth, and we would believe him. But he wants to make three layers of what he's telling you right now is the truth. He's not lying, though we're not looking at Apostle Paul as a liar. Notice he's not just saying, I'm telling you the truth, but he says, in Christ I say the truth. Let me share the first layer in verse one. When Paul says, I speak the truth in Christ, he's invoking the highest authority. Essentially saying, I'm calling upon Christ himself to be my witness. To verify that I'm telling you the truth, I wouldn't dare to deceive you. I lie not, but it goes even more. I wouldn't dream of lying in the very presence of Jesus Christ, who is the truth itself. I'm speaking to you in his name, with his authority, under his scrutiny. He brings Christ into this. Reformers stated, this is almost like taking an oath, putting your hand on the Bible and saying, I'm telling you the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. But then here we see the second layer of a personal layer. Not only does Paul invoke Christ as his witness, but he also adds a personal layer of integrity, saying, my conscience also bearing me witness. This means that his own moral compass, his innermost self, testifies to the truth of his words. He's saying, in effect, my conscience affirms that I'm speaking the truth. I couldn't possibly deceive you because I'm accountable to my own moral standards, which are aligned with Christ's truth. Then he adds a third layer, the Holy Ghost, not only the second person of the Trinity, but the third person of the Trinity as well, the spirit of truth. Christ always is truthful because he is the truth. The Holy Ghost is the spirit of truth. who always works to convict the world of sin, especially lies. So verse one ends Paul's affirmation, which leads to verse two, Paul's heaviness and heart of sorrow. I want you to understand right now what he's trying to do. He's trying to tell you that his heart genuinely is burdened for the lost Israelites. He is burdened for souls. And he understands the doctrine of election, that God saves who he saves, and that he decrees all things, sovereignly in control over all things, not some things, but yet He's still passionately compassionate for the lost Israelites who do not come to saving faith and the one whom they were waiting for, the Messiah. He is heaviness, but continual heaviness, and an intense heaviness. According to verse two, Paul carries a heavy heart, burdened with sorrow over the lost state of his fellow Israelites. He exemplifies a passion for souls that is often lacking in today's Christians and church leaders today. Amen? Don't be afraid to say amen. We have a problem with reformers today as well today, is that we have so many intellectuals These men that will never go out and preach the gospel. Never train up the saints and equip them to go out together to share their faith. But it's easy to preach behind a pulpit. It's easy. Oh, the church today does not know how to make The church and its using of spiritual gifts. You'll usually have one gift being used throughout the church, no other gift ever being used. That's not church. That's a religious institution that is apostatized from the early church. May our hearts be a church that doesn't just serve the Lord when it's convenient, doesn't just serve the Lord at work, but you make time to go out in the world, pass out tracks. If you're called to preach, you preach behind the pulpit, but you won't preach the gospel out in the world. Sit down, sit down. Where is the men today who are called to preach? Where are the men who are going to obey the Great Commission? Who made Christ known to the public? Who took a stand against sin because they would never been persecuted if they were always quiet in the four-walled, comfortable environment. They would never face persecution. The gospel would never spread if our evangelism is in the church setting. Nowhere found in the Bible, not a single passage was evangelism needing to be done in the body of Christ today. Heartless. No burden for the lost. No mission minded to go out and edify the spiritual gift of an evangelist, according to Ephesians chapter four, was one to edify the body as a spiritual gift for not the sinner, but the saint. A spiritual gift is only a gift, not to the wicked, but to the saints. To edify them, to equip them. Each person has a spiritual gift here today, and you're called to minister and use that gift for the body of Christ to grow. A truth that is being greatly suppressed. Where you don't have Bible colleges thousands of years ago, it's quite a new thing. Because churches today have dropped the ball. I'm passionate about this thing. Churches are called to equip the body of Christ to know the word of God, raise up disciples far greater than any earthly institution. You should be saying amen to that. We stand upon the word of God, amen? We're a small church, but may our church be used by his word, to build upon his word, May I or any other man that gets behind this pulpit not build upon intellectualness or be a CEO in a business and run a church like that. May the man behind this pulpit, every time, whoever it is, have a passion for lost and a passion to edify the saints, a weeping heart for the lost, burdened. May we, any man behind the pulpit, and any Christian, For that matter, have a heart like Paul, a heavy heart over those who are in unbelief. Many have become so cold. They become so successful and educated, expertise and eloquently do they preach, that they have lost sight of the scriptural mandate to evangelize and equip believers to share the gospel. Most people don't even know how to share the gospel. Go to these churches, look at their gospel tract. No repentance in it. No repentance. Just the Romans' road to salvation. No law that convicts sin. No repentance of sin. They don't have a heart for souls. And watch them. Let me go with them and see how they share their faith. They don't know how to share their faith. Jesus loves you. Will you come before him? None are good. We're not good, I'm not good. But Jesus loves you and he died for you. I mean, this is the worst message you could ever share to a sinner that has no convicting of sin. You call them to repentance. You preach the law that brings the knowledge of sin. It shows them they're guilty. You do preach condemnation by using the law. like a judge, and we make every sinner stand before the thunderous declaration of the law of God, that they see themselves guilty, and I want them to feel alone. I want them to feel that I can't help them, you can't help them, their best friend can't help them. I want them to be so helpless. that the only source of help they can ever go to is Christ. And they flee from their sin. They flee from the wrath of God to Christ's arms and repentance and faith. Today, I encourage you to know how to share your faith biblically. Share gospel tracts that are biblically sound. Paul's heart, his pulse beats with the fervor that drives him to proclaim repentance of faith to a world. He embodies the perfect balance of understanding God's sovereignty and having a broken heart for the lost serving as an inspiring example of us all. Paul had a broken heart. I briefly want to share that sin affects the emotional state of God. God is unchanging. He's unmovable. But sin affected the emotional state of God that makes Him, when you sin, it makes Him angry. When you sin, you affect God's emotional state towards you. It makes Him angry. Or it makes Him pleased if you're obedient. When you sin, it doesn't just affect you. Adam is an example. It didn't just affect him. It affected his family. It affected all of creation. It affected his relationship with others. It affected his relationship with God. Sin doesn't just affect you, my friends. As God has a broken heart, may we have a broken heart of the sin in this world. that we don't become so hardened to the lost because God is sovereign. Five verses beautifully portrayed before it opens up. Romans 9, I'm talking about the election. It beautifully shows right here, God sovereignly put it right here for us to know Paul had a heart for the lost. Heavy burden with great sorrow. The sorrow here that he had continual sorrow for, in this context, is referring to an intense, overwhelming emotion, often translated as anguish or a deep, deep pain. Paul's sorrow was a profound emotional pain, a broken heart, a deep, continual sorrow, a grief that was overwhelming, all due to his concern for the lost Israelites and their unbelief. Those who are without Christ, So in Romans 9, 2 through 3, Paul expresses this sorrow, saying, I have continual sorrow. This sorrow was not just a passing feeling, but a constant intense burden that drove Paul to pray, to preach, and to plead with the lost to come to Christ. It was a sorrow that fueled his missionary journey, his letters, and his tears. Paul's sorrow is an example to us all, a reminder that our hearts should be moved with compassion, with empathy, with love for those who are without Christ, and that we should be driven to share the gospel with all, just like Paul was. It's profound and an intense sorrow, a crushing weight that refuses to lift. The same Greek word here is used in John 16, 21 to describe the intense pain of a woman in labor and anguish, so severe it feels like a crushing pressure. Similarly, Paul's sorrow is an unrelenting excruciating burden that grips his heart, a constant reminder of the spiritual anguish of those without Christ. And as we see in Paul's example, those who affirm Calvinistic or Reformed theology should be marked by a deep-rooted passion for souls, a profound brokenness over the lost, and a fervent desire to see sinners redeemed by God's sovereign grace, just as Paul's sorrow drove him to proclaim the gospel with urgency and compassion. So too should we be moved by the same divine burden, earnestly seeking the salvation of lust and glorifying God in the process. May our hearts be so deeply stirred with compassion for those without Christ. I ask you today, is your heart burdened like Paul? May we also share in this divine burden that Paul had. May we be marked with a passion for souls. May we be broken over the lost. May we see sin in this world and it brings us to our knees. May our hearts be stirred, a deep stirring with compassion for those without Christ, though we are moved to tears. May our ministry never become mere routine, devoid of passion and empathy. May we never become so intellectualized in our faith that we lose our emotional connection to the lost, our love for them, and our burden for their salvation. As Psalms 126 verse six says, he that goeth forth in weeping, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. As we move to verse three now, we see Paul's affection. Paul's affection. Verse three begins with the word for, if you notice. For, which all those who know by now is referring to what was previously said. For is introducing why he has great heaviness. It's a great heavy load on his mind and heart. This introduction is an explaining introduction of why he has continual sorrow. He states, for I could wish that myself were accursed from, from, or other words, separated from Christ for my brethren, for my kinsmen. I want you to understand something. We know that he says that he's willing to be accursed, separated from Christ for others. What he's saying now is not just an exaggeration. He's saying the truth. And he called into authority to this truth that he shared was Christ and the Holy Spirit and his own conscience. We were reminded in Romans chapter eight, though let me share something, though Paul is willing to be separated for Christ for others to come to Christ, that's how much he cares for the lost. Are you Are I willing to sacrifice our salvation for the salvation of others? I understand if it's hard to say yes. I understand. May we grow to have a heart like Paul, that's willing to say, I'm rather them saved than me. I'm willing to be accursed by God, condemned by God, full wrath upon me in hell for all eternity for another person to come to saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. But like I said in Romans chapter eight, what did it teach us? In verses 35, that what is impossible? It is impossible to be separated from the love of Christ. No any trial, nor any situation, nor any difficult, not any hardship. Nothing can separate you from the love of Christ. because we've learned that this is a declaration of eternal security in the believer. You can never lose your salvation, because if God foreknew you, predestinated you, called you, justified you, and glorified you, all is elect, and that is love is directed towards his people, and that this love will never be separated from them, It is then impossible for you to ever lose your salvation. So Paul is making a statement that is utterly impossible. Apostle Paul's statement in Romans 9-3 seems to contradict his earliest statement in Romans 8. But it's important to understand the context in the heart of Paul's cry. In Romans 8, Paul is writing about the security of the believer's salvation, stating that nothing can separate us from God's love in Christ. And this is a declaration that we are secure in Christ. But however, in Romans 9, Paul is expressing his deep anguish and sorrow for his fellow Israelites who have been rejected. who have, sorry, rejected Christ. He's not talking about his own salvation or security, but rather his willingness, an attitude, a heart to sacrifice his own relationship with Christ if it meant that his fellow Israelites, his own kinsmen, could be saved. Paul's statement in Romans 9.3 is a heartfelt cry. an expression of his intense burden and love for his people. He's willing to give up his own spiritual blessings. He's even willing to give up his own relationship with Christ if it could lead to the salvation of others. This is not a theological or theoretical contradiction, but a passionate expression of his love and concern for So, in essence, Paul is saying, I value my relationship with Christ above all things, but my love and concern for my fellow Israelites is so great that I would be willing to give up even that precious relationship with Christ if it meant they could be saved. The word accursed in verse three means anathema. It is a thunderous declaration of divine condemnation, a sentence of eternal damnation, and a summons to endure the unrelenting fury of God's holy wrath. To be accursed is to be cast into the fiery depths of hell, where the torments of fire and brimstone await, and the anguish of eternal separation from God's love and mercy, not his presence, is the ultimate reality. It is to be the object of God's unbridled wrath, his righteous judgment, and his vengeance. Paul's statement is not an exaggeration I said earlier, but a genuine expression of his profound and deeply felt emotion. He cares for the lost that intensely. Paul's heart is aching. His soul is tormented and his tears are flowing because his own people, his own flesh and blood are perishing. He calls them brethren, not because they share faith in Christ. Not because they share faith in Christ. Not because they share a common heritage. Sorry, they do share a common heritage in history. That's why he calls them kinsmen brought up in Israel. Paul's expressing a deep concern for the Jews, his kinsmen according to the flesh. Let us pause and reflect on our own relationship with Christ. Are you really a Bible-believing, born-again Christian that all things become new? Are you really born again? You'll stand before God as I'll stand before God? Are you truly born again? Do you really have a passion for the lost? The evidence of those who are following Christ, Bible says, follow me and I will do what? I will make you fishers of men. God is making you into something. You care for the lost. You know they're going to hell and it should have burdened you. As Paul is overwhelmed with such a heavy heart and sorrow, It won't go away. He's moved to mission for their souls. He's willing to be imprisoned and he's willing to die for that cause. We each have loved ones, family members, and friends who are precious to us. Mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, in-laws, aunts, uncles, cousins. Do we feel the same urgency and burden for their spiritual well-being as Paul did? Do you as well, even for the Democrats and Republicans? Do we ache with a similar longing for their salvation, pleading with God to open their eyes to the truth of the gospel? Let us pray that our hearts would be moved with a similar compassion and love, that we would be willing to sacrifice everything for their souls to be saved, just as Paul was willing to do. Now in verses four and five, the assessment, Paul's assessment. Who are the Israelites? to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the servants of God, and the promises, who are the fathers, and whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all God blessed forever. Amen. We see a list. Eight things God has given to Israel, blessings to Israel we see in this list. the privileges of Israel, what they had. They were adopted by God himself, chosen to be a special people. They beheld the glory of God, the very presence of the Almighty. They received the covenants, the promises, the law, the temple, and the services. They were descendants of the patriarchs, the lineage of the great fathers of faith. And from them, according to the flesh, came the Messiah, the Christ, the Son of God. But, oh, the tragedy. With all these blessings, with all these advantages they had, many of them missed the ultimate blessing. They rejected the very Messiah who came to save them. They missed the salvation that God has promised them. He came to His own, and His own received Him not. Paul's His heart is heavy. His soul is tormented because his own people, his own kinsmen, according to the flesh, are perished, are perishing without Christ. He weeps for them. He pleads with them. He longs for them to come to the knowledge of the truth. But what about us? Have we also received the blessings of God? Have we also been adopted, redeemed, and called by his name? Let us not take these blessings for granted then, as Israel did. Let us not miss the ultimate blessing of salvation. Let us turn to Christ and let us repent. Let us believe and let us be saved. Paul, let's say blessings of Israel had adoption, Exodus 4, 22. Look how God looked at Israel. God said to Moses in Exodus 4.22, And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thou sayest to the Lord, Israel is my son, even my firstborn. We are his firstfruits, but they are his firstborn. Israel of God, the first child. just as you see the status of God's chosen people. His firstborn son, just as the firstborn son held a privileged position in the family, Israel held a unique position among the nation, chosen by God to receive blessings, promises, and covenants, this designation also carries a sense of responsibility and expectation. as God's firstborn son was expected to represent the family and carry on the family's name. He came to you on. Similarly, Israel was expected to represent God among the nations and be a light to the world. Paul builds on this idea in Romans 9, where he laments that many of the kinsmen, according to the flesh, the physical descendants of Israel, are not recognizing Jesus as the Messiah, and are therefore missing out on the ultimate blessings of salvation. Not all Israel is of Israel, though, next week. And in Romans 9, 4, the glory refers to the manifest presence of God among his people Israel. He signifies the visible and tangible evidence of God's presence, majesty, and power. In the Old Testament, the glory of God was often associated with the pillar of cloud in a fire that led Israel throughout the wilderness. the radiant light that filled the tabernacle, the dazzling splendor that accompanied God's appearances to Moses, Ezekiel, and other prophets. God gave Israel covenants. He entered a contract with them that it will be their God and they will be his people. God gave them law, the Ten Commandments that shows them the standard of God's righteousness. He gave them the ceremonial laws, the Levitical system to help them guide and do away with injustice. He gave them service to God, temple service that you could draw nearer, a means of drawing nearer to God. He gave them promises. that they rejected this Messiah though, the promise of the Messiah. You see how much the Lord has providentially cared for the Israelites. And then verse 5 is a doxology that affirms Jesus' divinity. He came from the line of Israel according to the flesh, but he also as God himself, supreme over all creation, worthy of eternal praise and essence, Paul is saying Jesus is both Messiah and God, the central doctrine in Christianity. In closing, thus far we've seen Paul's heartache for souls, though we knew divine election, as some Reformers and some Calvinists are heartless. Paul, this is placed perfectly before the next verses. Perfectly, that we too may have a heavy heart and great continual sorrow for the lost. Jesus Christ is over all. He is the King of kings. Paul longs for his kinsmen to know Jesus, the Messiah who came from their own lineage. He recognizes the blessings they received, but ultimately, Jesus' supreme blessing. The one who is God over all, may our hearts be moved to share this gospel with urgency and passion, that all may come to know Jesus, the one and only God. Blessed forevermore. Amen. Let's go to the Lord in prayer. Dear Heavenly Father, Lord, we are overwhelmed by your word. I am overwhelmed by your word. Because I am guilty of sometimes just not having a heart like Paul, a burden for the lost, that I'm willing to have the same type of attitude, that I'm willing to destroy my relationship to be accursed by you. that others may be saved. Lord, forgive me. Forgive us. Help us to draw us closer to your son, that we may be more like him. We give you glory and praise. Amen and amen.