PASTOR'S CORNER

  Romans 9:30-33; 10:1-4 Why did I title my message with the words?  Intensity and Burden.  Because that’s exactly what the gospel produces in the hearts of a redeemed child of God.  Do we take that assignment of the gospel seriously?  Have these two words become a guiding passion, for you, to pray for opportunities to share the Gospel?  See! The intensity and burden for Paul was this truth!  Paul expresses Israel’s failure to believe and understand .  The saving faith that many of the Jews refused and ignored as they worked their own righteousness to attain salvation.  The majority of Jews trusted in their own religious works for salvation.  It’s tragic, because Paul says, “A majority of Israelites stumbled over the right means of salvation .” (v32)   Jesus exposed this religion as He rebuked the Pharisee’s and the Scribes. “But woe to you Pharisees! (The word woe is an exclamation of grief, denunciation, or distress.) For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect

  Romans 9:1-33   When we share the wonderful news of the gospel with whoever is before us, I hope you don’t read them chapter nine of Paul’s letter to the church.  The simple gospel is this “But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.” Rom 5:8.  Or better yet “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Rom 10:13.  How do I reconcile chapter 9 with this  biblical truth of the  gospel in chapter 5, 6, 7, 8 &10?   I don’t! I believe by faith and trust in the God of the Bible who saves sinners from damnation.  Salvation is God working out His sovereign purposes in History in the life of sinners who respond by faith to His calling out.  Charles Spurgeon said this in his book “Lectures To My Students”, “I believe in the doctrine of election, because I am quite sure that if God had not chosen me I never would have chosen him; and I’m sure He chose me before I was born, or else he never would have chosen me afterward.&q