Bill Acton :: Romans 9:22-23 - God's Sovereignty Concerning His Wrath, His Glory and His Mercy

Sermon Outline for Romans 9:22-23

God’s Sovereignty Concerning His Wrath, His Glory and His Mercy

1. The Last Answer to the Questions Raised in this Text Regarding Predestination and Election
   1. First – Is God unrighteous?
   2. Second – Why does He blame?
   3. The last answer Rom 9:22-23
2. God Deals Sovereignly with Everyone –
   1. The vessels of wrath and the vessels of mercy
   2. The meaning of the term, “vessels of wrath”
      1. They are the ungodly reprobates, the wicked, the unbelievers whom God predestinated to serve the revelation and purpose of His wrath
      2. They are the ones who live in time in disobedience to God and bear His wrath forever
      3. The vessels of wrath are prepared for destruction
         1. They are on their way to eternal damnation
         2. They are prepared for that by God
         3. They also want destruction
   3. The vessels of mercy
      1. They are predestined to glory by God
      2. They are prepared for glory by God
3. The Way God Works Sovereignly in Everyone
   1. The patience – endurance of God toward the “vessels of wrath” (the stranger in the home)
   2. The longsuffering of God with the “vessels of mercy” (the surgeon operating on his son)
4. The Purpose God Has in His Sovereignty
   1. To show His wrath and to make His power known enduring the vessels of wrath
      1. God’s wrath is His righteous hatred of sin, and His righteous punishment of sin
      2. The vessels of wrath serve to carry out God’s purpose in making His wrath known
      3. God makes His power known
         1. God is not in a power struggle to see who will win
         2. All the powers of evil operate to serve God’s purpose
   2. God makes known the riches of His glory upon the vessels of mercy prepared for glory
      1. His election
      2. His grace
      3. His salvation
      4. His glory