The Word Of God Has Not Failed-Romans 9:1-6

What this episode covers

Introduction So, I promise I’m going to stop opening with The Lord of the Rings at some point, but it is not this day. One of the most heartbreaking moments in The Lord of the Rings comes after Boromir falls. Again, you don’t have to be familiar with or even appreciate The Lord of the Rings to appreciate what I’m about to say. Boromir was not an outsider. He was part of the Fellowship that was meant to take the great ring to Mount Doom to destroy it. They were a fellowship of righteousness standing against evil. And again, Boromir was truly part of that. He fought alongside them. He had seen the wisdom of Gandalf, the courage of Aragorn, and the goodness of Frodo. He was near to goodness and truth and beauty. And yet he fell because in his pride he wanted power on his own terms instead of trusting the true king. Now in his final moments he actually turns back toward the right path, seeking to defend the Fellowship. Which makes it all the more tragic. But in the battle he is struck down by multiple arrows and falls. And part of what makes the scene so powerful is not merely Boromir’s failure, or even what appears to be repentance, but Aragorn’s grief. Aragorn—his king—does not stand over him with smug superiority. He does not mock him or cast him aside. He kneels beside him in love with forgiveness in his heart. And Boromir, with his dying breath, says, “I would have followed you… my brother… my captain… my king.” As we will see, in many ways Romans 9 begins with that kind of grief. Paul is not talking about pagans far away from God’s covenant mercies. He is grieving over his own brothers—people who possessed the covenants, the promises, the worship, and even the Messiah Himself according to the flesh… and yet rejected Him. And Paul’s response is not bitterness, tribalism, or smug superiority, but tears. And yet, as Paul is about to show us, Israel’s widespread unbelief does not mean God’s Word has failed. Jesus Christ is the true and faithful Israelite—the fulfillment of every covenant promise God ever made. And therefore, while covenant privilege is real and glorious, outward covenant membership alone cannot save. Only those who belong to Christ by grace through faith belong to the true Israel of God. But because Christ Himself was accursed and cut off for sinners like us, all who belong to Him are called to respond with humble faith, persevering covenant faithfulness, and Christlike love for others. And that’s exactly what we’re going to see in God’s Word today. So look with me at Romans 9:1-6. 1 I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— 2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. 4 They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. 5 To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen. 6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel… Context Last week in Romans 8 we stood on the mountain top of gospel assurance. Paul declared that because we are united to Christ in His covenant love—secured by His death, resurrection, ascension, and ongoing intercession—nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. No suffering, persecution, spiritual power, ruler, tribulation, or even death itself can overthrow God’s saving purpose for, and in and through His people. Christ reigns, and therefore His people stand secure. But that triumphant declaration naturally raises another question—one that every first century Jew and Gentile Christian would have immediately felt. If God’s covenant promises are truly this secure… if nothing can separate Go

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