The Potter’s Vessels of Mercy
Romans 9:24-29
[24] even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles? [25] As indeed he says in Hosea,
“Those who were not my people I will call ‘my people,’
and her who was not beloved I will call ‘beloved.’”
[26] “And in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’
there they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’”
[27] And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: “Though the number of the sons of Israel be as the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will be saved, [28] for the Lord will carry out his sentence upon the earth fully and without delay.” [29] And as Isaiah predicted,
DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1. How do the considerations presented at the beginning of the sermon help you to process Paul’s teaching on election?
2. How is Paul using Hosea to make a point about the Gentiles? In light of this and other passages like Ephesians 2:12 and 1 Peter 2:10, what should be our response?
3. What does the language used by Hosea and Paul tell us about Christian identity? Why do we constantly need these reminders?
4. How would you summarize Paul’s teaching on the remnant of Israel? How is it both a negative and a positive term?
5. How does Isaiah’s reference to Sodom and Gomorrah highlight the extent of God’s mercy towards Israel?
References: Romans 9:4, 5; 1:2; 3:21-26; Hosea 2:23; 1:10; Ephesians 2:12; 1 Peter 2:9-10; Isaiah 10:22-23; 1:9; Genesis 19:1-29; Jude 7; Romans 11:1-10, 25-27.
