Wednesday, August 09, 2006

Romans 9

Our Pastor has been preaching through the book of Romans since October of last year. It has been an incredible study – very refreshing to hear the Word preached boldly. When the Bible is preached expositionally, verse-by-verse, you can’t skip over the hard parts. We have been in Romans 9 the past few weeks. I missed church 2 weeks ago because I was out of town and this past Sunday I was taking care of the babies in the nursery. So I just caught up on what I missed the past 2 Sundays. Wow! Awesome stuff. Election. Predestination. Controversial topics that many pastors just avoid. But you can’t deny that election is in the Bible – in fact, it’s all throughout the Scriptures. For a long period in my life, I held to the belief that man chose God. There was “free will” to choose or reject God. How prideful – to think that salvation was dependent upon my choosing God! But isn’t that the root of all sin? Trying to put myself in God’s place? I am thankful that God has “reformed” my beliefs on this issue (as well as many others). God’s Word has clearly and consistently revealed that it is God who chooses and God who saves. Therefore, I have nothing to boast about and ALL the glory goes to Him for His saving work in my life. If you’re interested in some good sermons from the book of Romans, click here.

5 comments:

Christina said...

Jenn, I was just reading your blog and looking at the link to your church when my e-mail told me you posted on my blog! How funny!

My husband plays with our worship team at church also. It seems like we have a lot in common! Thanks for the inspiration for posting pictures of our house. I never would have known about "BooMama" if you hadn't done it.

I'm looking forward to listening to the sermons you've linked.

Christina

Amy said...

Our pastor preached through Romans 9 too, and we were wincing all the way through. We are "reformed" and he definitely isn't :) Still hoping and praying for a better church situation......

Kelly said...

I am still working through this one with the Lord. I want my mind to be renewed in His Truth, no matter how hard it is! I know I have to choose to die to myself each day and He is who draws us to Himself. When it comes to God's sovreignty and man's free will, I am siding with God's sovreignty. I also no that He created and knew my before the foundation of the world and knew the decisions I would make. I am so stream of consciousness on this comment! As you can see, I am still working through it! I know I need to read "Desiring God." It is hard for me to be very intellectual these days!

Anonymous said...

Kelly,

I would recommend reading The Pleasures of God before reading Desiring God. Desiring God really is a more practical book. The Pleasures of God is a more theological book.

Kelly said...

Thanks Brian! Jason told me the same thing when I discussed with him!