Romans 9:14-18
“When You Don’t Understand”

Introduction
1. Sovereignty is God is in control. If so, then He is responsible for everything. Looking at an out
of control world or out of control life (catastrophes, war, disease…the innocent suffering and
dying, rape, incest, etc) We get the wrong view of God. We forget we are in a fallen world and
there is sin, self and Satan.
2. Sovereignty is based on the character of God. Israel was based on the pledges and promises of
God. (v. 4) Not as though the Word of God hath taken not effect. (v. 6) The promises are
mentioned in vss 8, 9
3. We hear: Anything you ask you get… Ask it shall be given, seek ye shall find, knock it shall be
open unto you. Call the elder of the church…prayer of faith shall raise them up. So we pray:
the loved one dies. You did not get the job. The wayward son or daughter are still wayward.
What’s wrong?!
4. I John 5:14, 15…we read verse 15 and not verse 14 Ask anything according to His will He
hears us. The purpose of God according to election might stand (v. 11)
5. Sovereignty was bothering those to whom Paul wrote because they did not understand
sovereignty. (It’s not right…Ishmael/Isaac…Jacob and Esau. They missed who God is. God
can never violate His character or attributes.
6. Satan means it for evil…negatives. God meant it for good. All things work together for good
to those who love God and are called according to His purpose. (Rom 8:28)
7. Are you saying, “I don’t understand.” Romans 9:14-18 when you don’t understand…Get to
know God!!

Are you saying, “I don’t understand”? Get to know God!
I. HIS MERCY 9:14-16
A. The Problem of Mercy 14
1. What shall we say? In light of Isaac and Ishmael or Jacob and Esau what shall we say?
In light of God’s sovereign choice…what shall we say?
2. Is there unrighteousness with God? Are there times when it appears that God is unfair?
“That not fair!” “That’s not right!” Are there times when God is not right?
3. God forbid! We feel that God is like we are. Even the best of men can’t be trusted with
absolute power. “Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
*This is an anticipated question: If He only choses some to be heirs of promise and not
others, people will say, “That’s not fair!”
*They were not chosen or rejected because of who they were or would be or because of
what they had done or would do. If God had to answer to anyone…that One would be
God.
*Sovereignty will not destroy us. Sovereignty is our only hope! When you want to say,
“Why?” “That’s not right!” God always does right. He is more than fair! That’s who
He is!
B. The Principle of Mercy 15
1. The verse is a quote from (Ex. 33:19). The golden calf incident. God would have been
justified to have all Israel put to death. The response to this apostasy was God
commanded that about 3000 men be put to death. (Ex. 32:28) His sparing of anyone was
an act of mercy.
2. Because all men are sinful and deserve God’s judgment no person is wronged if
judgment falls. That is justice!
C. The Pattern of Mercy 16a
1. Compassion and Mercy…That’s God’s business!
2. Mercy is not of him that willeth or him that runneth. Salvation is never initiated by
human initiative or invention, nor it of human effort or energy.
D. The Provider of Mercy 16b
But of God that shows mercy. Mercy is not giving us what we deserve.
1.Unless God comes forth in mercy we cannot and will not be saved!
2.Salvation begins in God’s sovereign, gracious and eternal will!

Are you saying, “I don’t understand”? Get to know God!
II. HIS MIGHT 9:17-18
You are never too BIG for God.
A. His Purpose 17a
Even the same purpose have I raised thee up.
1.God took a man, no better than Moses and put him on a throne and gave him authority over all of Egypt.
2.God did not exist for pharaoh’s purposes. The pharaoh existed for God’s purpose.
3.When Moses confronted him, “Let my people go.” Pharaoh refused. God allowed him to do wat all men do…Resist God!
B.His Power 17b
God direct object in raising pharaoh up was to use him. Show my power…that my name might be declared in all the earth.
1.The whole world had heard of the 10 plagues. “Wow…what a God!” God must demonstrate His greatness!
2.The more we understand His goodness, greatness, and glory the richer our lives will be!
3.God finds way of putting His power on display. He even uses men who resist His will!
C.His Prerogative 18
Mercy…He hardens whom He wills.
1.This does not mean that God actively created evil or unbelief. He withdrew any restraints.
2.The same sun that softens the wax hardens the clay. God is not an enlarged man. God is God!
3.What is not told here is the ‘rest of the story.’ We are told that 10 times in Exodus: Pharaoh hardened his heart. Then after plague #6: God hardened pharaoh’s heart so he could not let the people go. God allowed, permitted, then God stepped in and pharaoh could do nothing but refuse.
4.The Mercy of God is extended in Jesus Christ: whosoever will may come…the door is open to all who hear. I feel there are some who may live 20 or 30 years, but will never hear the voice of God again. They have said, ‘NO’ FOR THE LAST TIME AND NOW God hardens their hearts. They cannot believe! The Bible say, “God will not always strive with man.” I don’t know when this time is, but I do know when God speaks it is prime time! God sends them strong delusions…(II Thes. 2:9-12)
5.Are you sure that you are on your way to heaven? Behold now is the accepted time, behold today is the day of salvation.

When You Don’t Understand…
GET TO KNOW GOD!!!