In our text Paul describes his own burden for lost souls. In Romans 8, Paul rejoices as he thinks about the blessings of those who are in Christ. But Paul writes that blessings of God for the believers, the sad condition of his fellow Jews came to mind. Many of the Israelites had heard the gospel of Christ, but they rejected it.

When the Apostle Paul wrote this letter to the Romans, he was writing to a people who were mostly non-Jewish. Of course, Paul never wanted non-Jewish people to forget about Jewish people. Paul had a deep burden for Israel and any person who truly understands God’s Word will have the same burden.

In chapter 12 Paul deals with the practical implications of the gospel (how the truth of the gospel ought to affect our daily living toward God and toward our neighbor). Thus Romans 8 would flow naturally into Romans 12, but instead of doing that Paul gives us a three-chapter parenthesis (chapters 9-11) in which he helps us to understand where the nation Israel fits into the purpose and plan of God.

4. When the church first began it was made up entirely of Jewish believers (Acts 2:1), the Day of Pentecost). But gradually this changed. As the years went by more and more Gentiles entered the church and less and less Jews (we see this as we travel through the book of Acts and also as we span the years of church history). Today (and this has been true for most of church history) the church is made up almost entirely of Gentile believers. We thank God for Jews who have believed on Christ as Messiah and as Saviour, but their numbers are few. The nation as a whole is blind though, thankfully, there are a few exceptions (see Romans 11:25).

I – SPECIAL BURDEN OF PAUL FOR THE JEWS – v.1-3

Romans 9:1-3 "I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, ²That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. ³For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:”

In verse 1, Because of Paul’s apostolic example, he emphatically makes the point that what he is about to say is true. Notice the opening phrase “I say the truth in Christ, I lie not“, Paul is saying “I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying.” This does not mean that he has been previously not telling the truth; this is an idiomatic literary device which emphasizes the intense reality of something.

Now Paul was deeply concerned that people realize that what he was about to say was absolutely true, this was not emotional hype and Paul in verse 1 offers three witnesses to what he is about to say concerning Israel these are: 1) Jesus Christ; 2) His conscience; 3) The Holy Spirit.

Paul bares his heart to share the burden he had for his fellow Jews. What he says is not an exaggeration. Paul is not saying this just to make himself sound spiritual. Although Paul considered himself to be "the apostle to the Gentiles," he always had a deep love and concern that Jews be saved. Paul was a Jew himself. Whenever Paul gave his testimony, he referred back to his Jewish roots. We see Paul’s roots in Philippians 3:5-6.

Philippians 3:5-6 “Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; ⁶Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.”

Paul had a very real passion and burden for Israel. In fact, in verse 3 Paul explains how burdened he is. Actually, in this verse he wishes for something that is both grammatically. and theologically impossible.

Grammatically what he wishes for is impossible because of the force of the Greek text.

This is an imperfect indicative, which places the wish in past time while always remaining in unfinished reality. We could understand it, as Paul is saying “I was continually wishing” even though this isn’t reality.

Theologically Paul wish is impossible. Paul was actually wishing that he could be a substitute for Israel - have himself condemned and have Israel saved. The preposition “for” (for my brethren) is the preposition huper. It is the same one used in Romans 5:8, “Christ died for us.” What that means is Jesus was our substitute; Jesus Christ took God’s wrath.

As Christ becomes our substitute, Paul wishes himself to be the substitute for the Jews, so his Jewish kinsmen in the flesh can get to heaven.

Paul is saying here, I am so burdened for Israel, I would be willing to be condemned in order that Israel could be saved.

The burden Paul had for other Jews is the same kind of burden we should have for the lost:

A. Paul had a genuine burden – v.1

Romans 9:1 ““I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,

Notice the words “in Christ.” Paul speaks as a Christian who is aware of his own spiritual position in Christ.

Then notice the next phrase “my conscience also bearing me witness.” That is Paul’s own conscience could attest to it. Paul appeals to Christ as the searcher of hearts that Paul tells the truth asserts that his conscience was free from all guile in this matter. Many people often say, "Let your conscience be your guide." But that's not true. The Bible speaks of a defiled conscience, and a seared conscience which refers to a conscience that has no feeling.

Then notice the last phrase about Paul’s conscience in verse 1 “witness in the Holy Ghost.” A person's conscience is helpful only if it is controlled by God's Word and God's Spirit. We as believers should be able to say what Martin Luther said, "My conscience is captive to the Word of God." Here, Paul claims that the Holy Spirit could also attest to what He said in his testimony was true. Hence, we find that the testimony of a man's own conscience, and the testimony of the Holy Ghost, are two distinct things, and that the apostle had both at the same time.

Paul had a genuine, heartfelt burden for the lost, we should have too.

B. Paul had a heavy burden – v.2a

Romans 9:2a “That I have great heaviness”

Notice in opening phrase of verse 2 “That I have great heaviness,” Paul had great heaviness or heavy burden. This expression of Paul’s broken heart for other Jews weight heavy in his heart and he saw that they needed salvation. We know what it’s like to have this kind of heavy burden because some of us have friends or family members that are unsaved. We really enjoy good times with them, we laugh with them, but actually underneath, deep down in our heart, our heart breaks, our heart cries for them to be saved. This pictures the wayward child broke the heart of a parent, the heart of a wife who lives with the unsaved husband, the heart of youth who has an unsaved parent. Our hearts as Christians should break over the things that break the heart of God. Do you have that heavy burden toward the lost souls?

C. Paul had a constant burden – v.2b

Romans 9:2b “and continual sorrow in my heart.”

Sorrow (lupe; verb form lupeo) means sadness, grief, pain, sorrow.

Lupe is used in Septuagint of Genesis 3:16 (twice) of literal pain in childbirth, but most NT uses are figurative of pain in one's heart ("heartache").

Lupe is a word that describes that which is grievous or produces an emotional "heaviness".

Lupe was a word used of persons mourning.

In secular Greek lupe was sometimes used to describe pain experienced by the physical body, but more often was used figuratively for mental and/or emotional anguish.

The King James' translation of the verb form (lupeo) as heaviness sayings like -- "It weighs heavy on my soul" or "My soul is weighed down with affliction." or "My soul is so burdened."

Paul used lupe 4x in a negative sense, one here in Romans 9:2 to express his deep concern over spiritual matters - Israel's unbelief.

Notice the words “continual sorrow in my heart.” Paul’s concern just would not go away, he has an unceasing anguish or unceasing grief. Paul is saying literally that he continually (present tense) has great sadness. Why? because of Jewish rejection of their Messiah.

Centuries earlier Jeremiah was called “the weeping prophet” of his heavy and constant burden for the Jewish people and their unbelief.

Notice some of the passage that expressed the heavy and constant sorrow, Jeremiah had for the Jews.

Jeremiah 9:1 “Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!”

Jeremiah 13:17 “But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the Lord's flock is carried away captive.”

A very awful part of Paul’s commission to execute, that means to declare to the Jews not only that God had chosen the Gentiles, but God rejected them because they had rejected Christ and the Gospel of Christ, it was necessary that Paul should assure these Jews that Paul had been persecuted by them because Paul had embraced the Gospel, yet they had now fallen under the displeasure of God, that it was a subject of continual distress to Paul’s mind, and that it produced in Paul great heaviness and continual sorrow.

D. Paul had a Christ-like burden – v.3

Romans 9:3 “For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:”

Notice the opening phrase of verse 3 “I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren,” The word “accursed” in Greek is anathema, properly signifies anything devoted to God, so as to be destroyed: The Hebrew cherem, which the Septuagint translate by it, and means either a thing or person separated from its former state or condition and devoted to destruction. Such anathemas, or persons devoted to destruction for the public good, were common among all ancient nations. In the time of Romans, when a plague took place, or any public calamity, it was customary to take one of the lowest or most execrable of the people and devote him to their infernal gods. Paul desired to be devoted to destruction, as the Jews then were, in order to redeem his countrymen from this most terrible excision. Paul was willing to become a sacrifice for the public safety, and to give his life to redeem their lives. In the present context anathema refers to estrangement from Christ and His salvation. The word does not denote punishment intended as discipline but being given over or devoted to divine condemnation. Notice his words, "I wish that myself were accursed." Paul is saying, "If it were proper, if it were even possible (and it is not), if somehow I could be the one separated from Christ and all of my brethren come to know Him, if I could do that, I would do that." He is expressing a grief that is in his heart for his people.

Paul was so burdened over the lost that he was willing, if it were possible, to trade places with his Jewish brethren. Moses formerly begged that he himself should rather die than that the children of Israel should be destroyed, Exodus 32:32 “Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.” Paul likewise was willing to be separated or cut off from Christ, that is to bear their curse in Hell if these Israelites who were his dear kinsmen according to the flesh could go to Heaven.

How much of a burden does Paul have? He could wish himself accursed. Why would he need to do this? Because the unbelieving Jews might say that his gospel was only for the Gentiles since he was an apostle to the Gentiles. Can you remember anyone else who was willing to be accursed for the sake of His brethren? This kind of burden is not common. Obviously, it was Messiah. So, Paul has the heart of Christ toward his people.

It’s the same kind of burden that Jesus had for the lost

Matthew 9:36 “But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.”

Jesus died in our place I Peter 3:18 “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:”; I Peter 2:24 “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.”.

Jesus was willing to be accursed, forsaken by the Father for our sake so we might go to heaven. Only God can give you a Christ-like burden, a burden like the burden of Jesus Christ. Like Jesus, like Paul we all need to have a burden for the lost. We need to be burdened to the point that we do something, not only we pray for them, but we also witness to them.

II – SPECIAL BLESSINGS OF GOD FOR THE JEWS – v.4-5

Paul understood privileges and blessings that belonged to the Jewish people of Israel. It is amazing to thing to know that no other group of people all over the world had witnessed how God do so many wonderful things in a special way like Israel.

Since God had blessed Israel in so many ways, that is why it is the most tragic thing to know that so many Jews are being lost. They could have been and should have been saved, but they were lost.

Paul lists special blessings or privileges God gave to the Jewish people:

A. Israelites were God's princes – v.4a

Romans 9:4a “Who are Israelites”

The Israelites are the descendants of Abraham through Isaac and then Jacob, a man so highly favoured of God, and from Jacob whose name was change to Israel-a “prince with God” (Genesis 32:28); from which name his descendants were called Israelites and separated unto God for his glory and praise. Their very name of Israelites implied their very high dignity; they were a royal nation; princes of the most-high God.

Genesis 35:10 “And God said unto him, Thy name is Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name: and he called his name Israel."

Genesis 32:28 “And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.”

B. Israelites were adopted as sons of God – v.4b

Romans 9:4b “to whom pertaineth the adoption,”

Adoption as sons (huiothesia from huiós = son + títhemi = to place) is literally the placing of one as a son which is a picture of what transpires in adoption. In the New Testament, huiothesia is used figuratively meaning adoption or sonship which refers to the state of those whom God through Christ adopts as His sons and thus makes heirs of His covenanted salvation. That is not however the way Paul uses huiothesia in this specific context because all Israel clearly was not a "son" in the sense that they were regenerate, born-again individuals. In short, sons in this verse refers to God's sovereignly selecting an entire nation to receive His special calling, covenants, and blessings and to serve as God’s witness to a godless world as emphasized by God's charge to Moses at Mt Sinai… (Exodus 19:6 “And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.”)

Israel belonged to God as a favored nation and were all taken into a family of God and had a special relationship to God. God called Israel his sons, and “His firstborn.” (Exodus 4:22; Deuteronomy 14:1; Jeremiah 31:9; Hosea 11:1) and this adoption took place when God made the covenant with them at Horeb.

Exodus 4:22-23 “And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the Lord, Israel is my son, even my firstborn: ²³And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy firstborn.”

As a nation, Israel was entitled to all the privileges of the riches and wealth of legal son of God.

C. Israelites had the glory and presence of God – v.4c

Romans 9:4c “and the glory.”

The glory here in verse 4 that the Israelites had literally refers to the visible glory of God, luminous appearance of the divine presence called by the Israelites the glory of God, or, in rabbinical phrase, the Shekinah glory cloud which gave Israel direction and protection that led Israel out of Egypt.

This Shekinah glory of Exodus 16:10 is the manifestation of God among the Jews; principally by the cloud and pillar, which attended the desert march and rested on the sacred Ark, or the Divine presence, appearing between the cherubim over the mercy-seat in the Holy of Holies. These were peculiar to the Jews; no other nation was ever thus favoured. It is a great privilege and blessing to see the glory of God.

The visible presence of God was with them. God was with these Israelites in the pillar of fire by night and the pillar of cloud by day in the wilderness (Exodus 13:21 “And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:”). God’s presence was also with them in the tabernacle and the temple (Exodus 40:34-35 “Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. ³⁵And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.”).

See the picture on one setting when Solomon and the elders of Israel escort the ark of the covenant into the temple. There are people everywhere. The priests then take over and take the ark into the Holy Place, the inner sanctum. And then when they withdraw, a cloud appears and it is so overwhelming that the “the priests were not able to continue ministering, for the glory of the Lord filled the temple” (1Kings 8:11 “So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of the Lord.”). Can you imagine? Everyone is gathered and there is an expectation of the priests immediately beginning their work. But things don’t go according to plan, because the glory of the Lord fills the temple in what we’re told looks like a cloud. The temple was a constant reminder of God’s glory and presence. Israel had the glory of God, the visible presence of God.

D. Israelites had the covenants of God – v.4d

Romans 9:4d “and the covenants”

The word “covenants” is a Greek word diathēkai which means to make a legal pact between two parties. God has made a special legal pact with Israel. It primarily centers on three promises namely land, king, kingdom.

To the other nations belonged only one covenant, that is the Noahic covenant (Genesis 9:8-17). This covenant was made between God and all those who would come from Noah and his sons, which would include all peoples of all nations (Genesis 9:8-9). In this covenant God promised to never again destroy the entire earth by a flood (Genesis 9:15) and He promised the perpetuation of the day/night cycle, the seasons, etc. (Genesis 8:21-22).

Now you will notice in verse 4 that the noun “covenants” is plural, which causes us to see that Paul believed there was more than just one covenant connected specifically to Israel. In other words, true Biblical covenant theology is related to Israel, not the church. God made no covenants with the Gentiles. He made these covenants with Israel because that nation was to be used as a channel to bring salvation to the human race.

God made five main covenants, and all belonged to Israel and may be listed as follows:

1. THE ABRAHAMIC COVENANT (Genesis 12:1-3; Genesis 15:7-21; Genesis 17:1-14)

God promised that out of Abraham would come a great nation which would possess the promised land with some definite borders. This covenant deals with specific Jewish people and specific land.

The covenants made with Abraham, both that which relates to the spiritual seed, and that which was peculiar to his natural descendants, (Galatians 3:16-17 “Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. ¹⁷And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.”); which covenants were afterwards renewed by Moses, Deuteronomy 29:1.

2. THE MOSAIC COVENANT (Exodus 19:5-8; Deuteronomy 28:1-68).

This covenant has to do with Israel living in the land prior to her permanent residency.

A Conditional, legal covenant which demanded Israel’s obedience to God’s commands. This is also known as the Old Covenant, and it was this covenant that Israel broke (Jeremiah 31:32).

3. THE PALESTINIAN COVENANT (Deuteronomy 29-20; Deuteronomy 30:1-10).

This covenant spoke of a world-wide regathering of the Jews and repossession of the land following their dispersion (Deuteronomy 30:1-9). This covenant deals with Jewish people and all of their land matters.

4. THE DAVIDIC COVENANT (2 Samuel 7:5-19; Psalm 89)

This covenant deals with Jewish Kingdom land and their Messianic King.

This covenant promised an eternal house (dynasty), an eternal throne, an eternal kingdom and an eternal Person who would be the King, namely Christ, the Son of David.

5. THE NEW COVENANT (Jeremiah 31:31-36)

This covenant deals with Jewish people in a blessed land forever.

This covenant spoke of the national regeneration and salvation of Israel, when God’s law and God’s Spirit would be put in the Jew (Ezekiel 36:26-29) and God's Spirit would be put in His people (Ezekiel 36:27). This covenant is referred to in Romans 11:26-27.

These are five main covenants that God has made with Israel, four of which are unconditional and use the formula “I WILL” and one of which is the Mosaic covenant is conditional and uses the formula “IF YOU WILL.”

The covenants if we notice, for the most part, clearly show us that God’s promises to Israel are unconditional, which means God has promised to give Israel these blessings in spite of her unfaithfulness.

E. Israelites had the Law of God – v.4e

Romans 9:4e “and the giving of the law”

Israel was a privileged nation in that Israel was given the Old Testament moral law with all of its ten commandments, ordinances and law. The law of God is the revelation of God which in writing revealed the moral and ethical character of God and it should have caused Israel to realize that they could not possibly keep it. This was also peculiar to the Jews; for to no other nation had God ever given a revelation of His will.

Notice the blessed or privileged the nation Israel when God had given them HIs law.

Deuteronomy 4:8 “And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?”

Romans 3:1-2 “What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? ²Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.”

B. Israelites had the Worship services of God – v.4f

Romans 9:4f “and the service of God,”

The word “service” refers to the Old Testament temple activities that includes three major elements.

Paul is referring to the service as seen in the tabernacle, offerings, and priesthood as found in Exodus and Leviticus, Moses recording for example God's promise in Exodus 29:43-46.

Exodus 29:43- 46 “And there I will meet with the children of Israel, and the tabernacle shall be sanctified by my glory.⁴⁴And I will sanctify the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar: I will sanctify also both Aaron and his sons, to minister to me in the priest's office. ⁴⁵And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God. ⁴⁶And they shall know that I am the Lord their God, that brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them: I am the Lord their God.”.

There has never been, nor will there ever be, such a people like the Jews with have such a remarkable, God-ordained worship service.

This refers to the service of God through worship in the tabernacle and temple. These particular ordinances included all the sacrifices and offerings for sin, the holy days and feasts. Worship is so expressive and reminded them of the sinfulness of sin and God’s holiness and their need for God’s mercy.

B. Israelites had the promises of God – v.4g

Romans 9:4g “and the promises;”

The promises here mentioned refers to all the promises God made of a coming Savior. The promised Messiah would rule over His kingdom and bring promised blessings.

The land of Canaan, and the blessings of the Messiah and His kingdom; which promises had been made and often repeated to the patriarchs and to the prophets.

The promises were made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (and their seed or descendants) and as with all Biblical promises were laid hold of by faith or belief.

Luke records some of these promises in Luke 1:54-55 and in Luke 1:69-75.

Luke 1:54-55 “He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; ⁵⁵As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.”

Luke 1:69-75 “And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; ⁷⁰As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began: ⁷¹That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; ⁷²To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; ⁷³The oath which he sware to our father Abraham, ⁷⁴That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, ⁷⁵In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.”

B. Israelites had ancestors that are godly – v.5a

Romans 9:5a “Whose are the fathers.”

When we read the Bible and we see the people who were Jewish. No other group of people has ever had important names like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Leaders like Moses and Joshua and Aaron. Prophets like Samuel, and Isaiah, and Jeremiah. And kings like David, Solomon and Josiah. Without controversy, the greatest and most eminent men that ever flourished under heaven. From these ancestors, is an uninterrupted and unpolluted line, the Jewish people had descended and it was no small glory to be able to reckon, in their genealogy, persons of such incomparable merit and excellency.

Moses reminds Israel in Deuteronomy 10:15 “Only the Lord had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and he chose their seed after them, even you above all people, as it is this day.”

I. Israel had the Christ, the Son of God – v.5b

Romans 9:5b “and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.”

Notice the words “of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came” These ancestors that were previously mentioned as “fathers” were the more renowned, as being the progenitors of the human nature of the MESSIAH. Christ, the Messiah, according to the flesh, sprang from them.

Here is the ultimate privilege - Israel had the Anointed One, the Christos, the Messiah.

If we take the Greek text and grammar just as it is written, this subordinate clause modifies Jesus Christ, “who is over all, God blessed forever.” This Messiah was more than man, He is God over all the very Being who gave them being, though He appeared to receive a being from them.

Here the apostle most distinctly points out the twofold nature of our Lord-His eternal Godhead (“who is over all, God blessed forever.”) and His humanity (“concerning the flesh Christ came”).

Paul says "Christ,", "is God over all, as Christ is appointed by the Father Lord, King, and Governor of all.

1. The Father hath committed all judgement to the Son – John 5:22

John 5:22 “For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:”

2. The Father has given all things into his hands – Matthew 28:18

Matthew 28:18 “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”

3. Christ is Lord of all – Acts 10:36.

Acts 10:36 “The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)”

4. God has given Jesus Christ a name above every name, above every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come – Philippians 2:9

Philippians 2:9 “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: ¹⁰That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth”

5. God has put all things except himself under his feet – I Corinthians 15:27; and given him to be head over all things - Ephesians 1:21- 22.

I Corinthians 15:27 “For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.”

Ephesians 1:21-22 “Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: ²²And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,”

6. Christ is blessed for ever, or the object of everlasting blessing – Revelation 5:12-13

Revelation 5:12- 13 “Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. ¹³And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.”

7. The Lord Jesus essential Godhead is particularly expressed – Colossians 1:16

Colossians 1:16 “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created BY him, and FOR him: and he is BEFORE all things, and BY him do all things consist;”

Paul is saying that Israel had the ultimate blessing in that she had God in the flesh come to her. The supreme blessing of the Jewish people was the Lord Jesus Christ. So, Paul is saying don't think that I have a one-sided gospel that neglects the Jews. I love the Jews. I am a Jew.

Christ was born as a Jew. The gospel of Christ came first to the Jews.

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Matthew 10:5-6 “These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: ⁶ But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. “

Think of it, the blessed God came to Israel, and she rejected Him. She would not respond.

With all these great blessings the Jewish people rejected Christ and most of them remained lost. They were privileged but lost. They were blessed beyond measure but lost.

They were religious but lost.

John 1:10-11 “He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.¹¹He came unto his own, and his own received him not.”

The same thing happens in our day.

Could it be that there are those here who are in the same condition as Israel? Think of the blessings of God upon people right here. You own a Bible and we have more Bibles, you know the worship hymns, you understand the worship and we have more churches, you have had exposure to great teaching and books, and we have more preachers and teachers and Bible colleges, but you refuse to respond, and yet, more people are lost. It is heart-breaking that so many people are lost and on their way to hell. Come to Christ today. Do not reject Him anymore. Repent from all your sins and believe on Jesus Christ as your Saviour. Amen!