Sermons

Romans 9:6-29 “God’s Sovereignty and Man’s Responsibility"

2025-03-30
Craig Barnett

Sovereign Grace and Human Responsibility: Trusting God’s Plan in Salvation

 

 

 

God’s Sovereignty in Salvation


The doctrine of God’s sovereign grace is both humbling and awe-inspiring. Romans 9 teaches that salvation is not based on human effort but on God's mercy. This truth is a comfort to believers and a challenge to those who seek salvation by works.


Man’s Responsibility in Light of Divine Election


While God elects according to His will, Scripture never absolves man of responsibility. Romans 10:13 declares, "Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved." God commands all to repent and believe, making man accountable before Him.


The Perfect Harmony of Grace and Justice


Though some struggle to reconcile God’s sovereignty with human responsibility, Scripture presents these doctrines side by side. Like Job, we must trust in God's wisdom, acknowledging that His ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9).

 

 

Key Verses in These Passages:

 

  1. Romans 9:15 – "For He says to Moses, ‘I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.’"
     
  2. Isaiah 40:13 – "Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, or as His counselor has informed Him?"
     
  3. Romans 10:13 – "For 'Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.'"

 

Key Words & Definitions:

 

  1. Sovereignty – God's absolute rule and authority over creation.
     
  2. Election – God’s choosing of individuals for salvation, not based on works but on His mercy.
     
  3. Mercy – God’s unmerited compassion toward sinners.
     
  4. Hardened – When God judicially allows a heart to resist Him (Romans 9:18).
     
  5. Justice – God's righteous judgment, giving each person what is deserved.

 

Key People

 

  1. God the Father – The One who elects according to His sovereign will (Romans 9:11-16).
     
  2. Moses – Cited in Romans 9:15, as God demonstrated mercy in choosing him.
     
  3. Pharaoh – Hardened by God (Romans 9:17) to display His power and justice.
     
  4. Isaiah – Proclaims God's unmatched wisdom and sovereignty in Isaiah 40.
     
  5. Paul – The author of Romans, explaining divine election with clarity.

 

The Mystery of Grace and Responsibility


God’s sovereignty and man's responsibility coexist in perfect harmony. While salvation is entirely of grace, Scripture calls all to respond in faith. What did this truth mean for Paul’s audience, and how should believers today live in light of it?

 

Message to the Original Audience

 

  1. God's promises to Israel have not failed (Romans 9:6-8).
     
  2. God elects based on His will, not human effort (Romans 9:11-13).
     
  3. Man cannot question God's sovereign decisions (Romans 9:19-21).
     
  4. Both Jews and Gentiles are part of God’s redemptive plan (Romans 9:24-26).

 

Applications for Believers Today

 

  1. Trust in God’s Sovereignty: Salvation is not by human effort but by God's grace.
     
  2. Rest in God’s Mercy: If you are saved, it is entirely by His mercy, not your works.
     
  3. Proclaim the Gospel: Though God elects, He commands all to preach Christ (Romans 10:13).
     
  4. Humble Yourself Before God: Recognize that His ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9).
     
  5. Praise God for His Grace: Worship Him for His unmerited favor and justice.

 

The Majesty of God’s Sovereign Grace


God’s sovereign grace is unconstrained, untainted, incomprehensible, and intentional. He alone grants mercy, yet man remains accountable for his response. Salvation is wholly God’s work, yet the call to faith is urgent. Trust His perfect will, proclaim His gospel, and worship Him for His unsearchable wisdom and boundless mercy.

 

 

 

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