22 What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction,
23 and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory,
24 even us whom He called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?
Romans 9:22-24
THE BEING OF GOD
1. God has many attributes
2. A short list may be noted:
a) His Wrath
b) His Power
c) His longsuffering
d) His rich glory
HOW GOD MAY DISPLAY HIS GLORY
1. He may display His wrath
a) On the vessels of wrath
b) Destruction of the vessels of wrath
2. He may also display His longsuffering
a) He endures (bears with) with the vessels of wrath
b) He makes His power known
c) He shows longsuffering
3. The riches of God’s glory
a) He shows mercy to the vessels of mercy
b) These are the ones who would:
i) Receive divine mercy
ii) Respond well to divine mercy
iii) These would display His glory
4. The Calling of God
a) This is extended to Jews
b) It is similarly extended to Gentiles
A CLEAR EXAMPLE IN PAUL
12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry,
13 although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
14 And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.
15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.
16 However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.
17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
1 Timothy 1:12-17
1. Paul as a vessel of wrath
“I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man” 1 Tim 1:13a
2. Paul as a vessel of mercy
“But I obtained mercy” 1 Timothy 1:13b, 16
3. There were other attributes of God noted
a) And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant
b) With faith and love which are in Christ Jesus
c) Show all longsuffering
4. Giving glory to God
“Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Timothy 1:17
LESSONS FOR US TO LEARN
1. Review knowledge of God
2. Reflect on God’s grace and mercy shown to us
3. Respond in becoming a faithful servant like the Apostle Paul