On Sunday we looked further into God’s prerogative and purpose in salvation. Eric reminded us that its easy to get turned upside-down in Romans 9. We’ll get mixed up if we think Romans 9 is about figuring out who God will choose to save. Instead, Paul wants us to focus on God’s freedom and redemptive purpose in the world. God’s redemptive purpose has always been to show mercy to a sinful world. In the midst of this, we need to remember that God is free to be God and there will always be things we don’t understand about how this all works. However, the gospel reminds us that in the midst of these things we can trust God’s good character and accept his invitation to follow Christ.

Read Romans 9:14-29

What stood out to you about God in this passage?

What threatens to “turn you upside-down” in this passage?

Can you think of one instance of God’s sovereign mercy in your life?

Read Romans 1:18-2:2. How does this shed light on God and Pharaoh in Romans 9:14-18?

If you were a missionary in a nation with few Christians, what hope would you find in Romans 9:25-26?

Close in a time of prayer for our church and our missionaries, that God’s invitation will be delivered, and that many people will follow Christ.