3/30/25 - Romans Part 5: God's Sovereignty - Pastor Josh Stelly

Life is full of failures, doubts, and unexpected turns, but Romans 9–11 reminds us that God’s sovereignty is at work in all things. Through His mercy, faithfulness, and unfailing plan, He redeems our failures, calls people from all nations to Himself, and invites us to trust Him with both our lives and the lives of others.

1. God Redeems Our Failures for His Glory. God transforms mistakes into success.

Romans 11:11–15 NLT- Did God’s people stumble and fall beyond recovery? Of course not! They were disobedient, so God made salvation available to the Gentiles. But he wanted his own people to become jealous and claim it for themselves.

God always preserves a faithful remnant.

Romans 11:1–5 NLT- I ask, then, has God rejected his own people, the nation of Israel? Of course not! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham and a member of the tribe of Benjamin. No, God has not rejected his own people, whom he chose from the very beginning.

God's plans cannot be thwarted.

Romans 9:6 NLT- Well then, has God failed to fulfill his promise to Israel? No, for not all who are born into the nation of Israel are truly members of God’s people!

2. God's Sovereignty Works Alongside Human Freedom

Warnings against falling away are meaningful.

Romans 11:20–22 NLT- Yes, but remember—those branches were broken off because they didn’t believe in Christ, and you are there because you do believe.

God's sovereignty does not eliminate human responsibility.

Romans 11:22–24 NLT- Notice how God is both kind and severe. He is severe toward those who disobeyed, but kind to you if you continue to trust in his kindness. But if you stop trusting, you also will be cut off.

3. God's Ultimate Purpose is Mercy for All
God consigns all to disobedience to have mercy on all.

Romans 11:32 NLT- For God has imprisoned everyone in disobedience so he could have mercy on everyone.

God's ways are beyond human comprehension.

Romans 11:33–36 NLT- Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways! For who can know the LORD’s thoughts? Who knows enough to give him advice? And who has given him so much that he needs to pay it back? For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.

God's salvation is universally accessible.

Romans 10:8–13.

God's patience demonstrates His character.

Romans 10:21 NLT- But regarding Israel, God said, “All day long I opened my arms to them, but they were disobedient and rebellious.”

God uses hardship for redemptive purposes.

Romans 11:25–26 NLT- I want you to understand this mystery, dear brothers and sisters, so that you will not feel proud about yourselves. Some of the people of Israel have hard hearts, but this will last only until the full number of Gentiles comes to Christ. And so all Israel will be saved. As the Scriptures say, “The one who rescues will come from Jerusalem, and he will turn Israel away from ungodliness.

For today's readers, Romans 9-11 teaches us:

• To avoid spiritual pride and exclusivism - the Gospel is for all people.
• To trust God's faithfulness even when circumstances suggest otherwise.
• That God can redeem even apparent failures and rejections.
• To appreciate how God's plan encompasses all peoples.
• To maintain hope for those who currently reject faith.
Practical Application Steps
1. Practice trusting God with your failures.
2. Practice giving patience and grace to others.
3. Practice living with humble confidence.
4. Practice sharing the accessible gospel .

Romans 11:33–36 NIV- Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?” For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.

https://tpob.org/sermon/gods-sovereignty/