• The Last Answer to the Questions Raised in this Text Regarding Predestination and Election
  • First — Is God unrighteous?
  • Second — Why does He blame?
  • The last answer Rom 9:22-23
• God Deals Sovereignly with Everyone —
  • The vessels of wrath and the vessels of mercy
  • The meaning of the term, "vessels of wrath"
    • They are the ungodly reprobates, the wicked, the unbelievers whom God predestinated to serve the revelation and purpose of His wrath
    • They are the ones who live in time in disobedience to God and bear His wrath forever
    • The vessels of wrath are prepared for destruction
      • They are on their way to eternal damnation
      • They are prepared for that by God
      • They also want destruction
  • The vessels of mercy
    • They are predestined to glory by God
    • They are prepared for glory by God
• The Way God Works Sovereignly in Everyone
  • The patience — endurance of God toward the "vessels of wrath" (the stranger in the home)
  • The longsuffering of God with the "vessels of mercy" (the surgeon operating on his son)
• The Purpose God Has in His Sovereignty
  • To show His wrath and to make His power known enduring the vessels of wrath
    • God's wrath is His righteous hatred of sin, and His righteous punishment of sin
    • The vessels of wrath serve to carry out God's purpose in making His wrath known
    • God makes His power known
      • God is not in a power struggle to see who will win
      • All the powers of evil operate to serve God's purpose
  • God makes known the riches of His glory upon the vessels of mercy prepared for glory
    • His election
    • His grace
    • His salvation
    • His glory

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