Great Sorrow and Unceasing Anguish

Romans 9 opens with one of the most heart-wrenching statements in all of Scripture—Paul declares he would be willing to be cursed and cut off from Christ if it meant his Jewish brothers and sisters would find salvation. This isn't just rhetoric; it's the cry of a heart that mirrors God's own desire for the lost. We're confronted with an uncomfortable question: Do we carry this same burden for those who don't know Jesus? The passage challenges us to examine whether our faith has made us complacent or compassionate. Paul reminds us that Israel had everything—the covenants, the law, the prophets, the promises—yet they stumbled over the stumbling stone of Jesus Christ. This isn't just ancient history; it's a mirror for our own lives. We can have all the religious heritage, church attendance, and biblical knowledge in the world, but if we haven't built our lives on Jesus as the chief cornerstone, we've missed everything. The message is clear: when we stand before God, the only answer that matters begins with 'He'—Jesus paid our price. Everything else, every 'I did this' or 'my family was that,' falls short. This passage invites us to move from offense to foundation, from stumbling over Christ to building our entire existence upon Him.

### Sermon Notes:

**Introduction:**

- The sermon is focused on Romans 9:1-5, discussing Paul's deep sorrow and fervent desire for the Israelites to recognize Jesus as the Messiah.

- Paul expresses a willingness to be accursed if it meant the salvation of his fellow Jews.

**Key Points:**

1. **Recap of Romans 1-8:**

  - Chapters 1-8 outline that all have sinned and salvation comes only through Jesus Christ, resulting in no condemnation for believers.

2. **Paul’s Anguish for the Israelites:**

  - Paul is deeply sorrowful, wishing he could take the place of his Jewish brethren to ensure their salvation.

  - This mirrors Moses in Exodus who offered to be blotted out for the sake of his people.

3. **Moses and the Israelites:**

  - The story of the golden calf in Exodus 32 illustrates Israel’s disobedience and idolatry.

  - Despite their failures, Moses interceded for them, showing a type and shadow of Christ's ultimate sacrifice.

4. **Jesus as the Anathema:**

  - Unlike Moses or Paul, Jesus fulfilled the role of being accursed by taking on the sins of humanity.

  - He becomes the cornerstone of faith as opposed to a stumbling block for those who reject Him.

5. **Israel and the Rejection of Jesus:**

  - Israel was given statutes, laws, and prophets but rejected Christ, who was predicted throughout their history.

  - However, there remains a future hope for Israel’s recognition of Christ as the Messiah.

**Practical Applications:**

- **Reflect on Sacrifice and Compassion:**

 - Emulate Paul's and Moses' compassion by earnestly praying for those who do not know Christ.

 - Contemplate the sacrificial nature of Jesus and how it can inspire personal sacrifice for others.

- **Firm Foundation in Christ:**

 - Ensure that Christ is the cornerstone upon which all aspects of life are built.

 - Align personal life choices and behaviors with the teachings of the Bible.

- **Discern and Preach the Gospel:**

 - Continue to share the message of the cross despite facing ridicule or opposition.

 - Use opportunities to discuss the faith and exemplify Christ-likeness in actions and words.

**Discussion Questions:**

1. How do the desires of Paul and Moses for their people challenge our own priorities and prayers for the unsaved?

2. In what ways can we ensure that Jesus is the cornerstone in our lives rather than a stumbling block?

3. How can the story of the golden calf teach us about obedience and faithfulness in our current cultural context?

4. What are practical ways we can intercede for others, following the examples of Paul, Moses, and ultimately Jesus?

These notes, applications, and questions encourage a deep reflection on personal faith, the role of Jesus as a savior, and our mission to live out and share the gospel.