To Know the God of Sovereign Grace
Three Ways to Understand Unconditional Election
Aaron Lee | Romans 9:14-29 | FCBCW Youth Worship | June 22, 2025
Introduction
Is unconditional election cold and unkind? Unconditional election is the doctrine that God chooses whom he will save. And his choice is his will. It’s up to him.
Context
This was Pastor Taylor’s big idea last week, after preaching from Romans 9:1-13: “God is faithful to his promises, both to Israel and to us. God’s plan of election is to show his love by saving some since no one can save themselves.” In our text today, Paul anticipates some questions, some objections, his hearers might have. And it begins with this:
14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means! (Romans 9:14)
When you hear that God saves some and not others, when you hear that God chooses some and not others, and he does this unconditionally, he does it simply to show his love by saving some, do you think this is unjust? Do you feel this is unfair? Is this right of God? Paul explains to help us understand. As he does this, he’s showing us God’s heart – why God works in his ways.
Sermon Preview
We’re going to see three ways to understand unconditional election. These ways should not be separated – you should see them as working together as different aspects of the doctrine.
Mercy
Glory
Authority
1. Mercy
The first way to understand unconditional election is mercy. We must see that unconditional election is an act of mercy.
15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. (Romans 9:15-16)
Explanation
God’s unconditional election is not based on merit, but on mercy.
Paul begins by bringing us basic truth. Romans 3:23: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 6:23: “The wages of sin is death.” If God were to be just, to give us what we truly deserve, we get death. This is true for everyone. No exceptions. Our wages for sin, what we earn, what we deserve, what we work for – is death. Mercy is God not giving us what we deserve. It’s a withholding of his wrath. To prove this point, Paul quotes Exodus 33:19, where Moses asks to see God’s glory. Knowing this Old Testament story helps us understand. Israel had just worshiped a golden calf. They deserved to die. But God says he will not punish. God says specifically that his name is The LORD. And he ties his name to his freedom to give out grace and mercy. We see that God is a compassionate God. That he actually cares for people who deserve to be punished. And you cannot earn election – you cannot exert yourself to salvation. It depends not on human will or work, but on God – who has mercy.
It was Father’s Day last week, and I was reminded of what a privilege it is to be a dad. I’m happy that I get to experience, even just a fraction of a percent, of what it might mean for God to be our heavenly father. I’d like to think that I’m not a mean dad. One of my kids is having a hard time going to sleep. They’ll say no, yell and scream at me, throw a tantrum. What that deserves is punishment! But I can show mercy. I give another chance, simply because I have the freedom to do so. This is the heart of our God. Our God is a God of mercy.
Application
So, will you remember God’s mercy?
Two parables to help us remember God’s mercy. First, the prodigal son. If you feel far from God, if you are in sin, know that God wants to show you his mercy. He wants you to experience his love. The father runs to embrace the wayward son. Second, the parable of the unforgiving servant. As Christians, we should do our best to extend mercy to others whenever we can. How can we withhold forgiveness from others when we have received forgiveness from God?
If God were cold and unkind, he would not show any mercy. All would die in their sin. And to be honest, this would be right. He does not have to show anyone mercy. But throughout the Bible, God is patient and slow to anger. God is generous and giving. No, our God is not cold and unkind.
2. Glory
The second way to understand unconditional election is glory. We must see that unconditional election gives glory to God.
17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” 18 So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills. (Romans 9:17-18)
Explanation
God’s sovereign election exhibits his glory by showing his power and proclaiming his name.
Paul is quoting Exodus 9:13–21 to show how unconditional election gives glory to God. Again, knowing this Old Testament story helps us understand. This is the story of Moses and Pharaoh and the Ten Plagues, specifically the seventh plague of hail. God says: “Look, at this point, at seven plagues (a perfect godly number), I could have just killed you off if I wanted to. Surely you understand that. But let me just tell you why I’m not going to do that. It’s for this purpose that I’ve raised you up – that I’ve allowed you to ascend to this point in your career as Pharaoh. It’s to show my power. It’s to show my name.” The Bible is very clear that God hardened Pharaoh’s heart. Another way to describe this is that God hands people over to their sin. Pastor Taylor said this last week: God’s judgment is giving us up to the desires of our hearts. The theological term for this is reprobation. In the same way that God chooses to save some, you have to conclude that he chooses to not save others. This is a hard truth to take, but the Bible tells us so we can see God as glorious. To show God’s power and to proclaim his name. God alone has the power to harden and soften hearts. And God’s name is the only one that can save.
Application
So, will you get a glimpse of God’s glory?
This is a good place to pause and remember the point of all things: to give glory to God. In the story of redemption, in the story of the universe, in the story of all of time and space and history – we are not the main character. God is. And so we should have humble hearts. We must never think that God saves us because we are better than others. There is no place for pride here.
You’re not going to see it on your screens. This is a call for you to put down your phone and look out into the world. Spend time in nature. Spend time with people. I just came back from vacation. We were in the ocean, and at the side of the boat was a huge school of dolphins. Another way to see glory is in your interaction with Christians. We can see how God changes hearts to look like his. Glory. Get humbled.
If God were cold and unkind, he would not take responsibility for softening and hardening hearts. He would leave us guessing, making us unsure, keeping us in a state of panic about where we stand with God. And honestly, there would be no chance for hardened hearts to soften. We would all stay stuck in our sin. But throughout the Bible, God says that he has the ability to change the hearts and minds of men. He assures us that even in kings, their hearts are like streams of water that he directs wherever he wishes. We can rest knowing that God can and always does what is best and right. No, our God is not cold and unkind.
3. Authority
The third way to understand unconditional election is authority. We must see that unconditional election is tied to God’s authority.
19 You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?” 20 But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” 21 Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? 22 What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, 23 in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory— (Romans 9:19-23)
Explanation
Man has no right to question his maker.
Paul just said that God has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills. But how can God find fault in people if he is the one that hardens hearts? If God is ultimately in control of our wills, how can he judge us for when we sin? Paul senses an arrogance in the argument here. I don’t want to be too nitpicky here, but there might be something behind the translation of a direct “why does he find fault” – instead of a more indirect “how does he find fault?” It’s as if God is on the stand now, and he is being questioned. This language of questioning God comes from Job 33:12-13, where the young man Elihu rebukes Job. Once again, knowing this Old Testament helps us understand. Elihu says that Job is not right in questioning God. He says that God is greater than man. The language of molders and potters and clay comes from Isaiah and Jeremiah. Honorable and dishonorable reflect upon mercy and hardening – and then furthers in wrath/destruction and mercy/glory. Another way to say “answering back to God” is “talking back to God.” While we are created in God’s image, we are not his equal. We are not his peers. Paul tells us to know our place. Don’t forget that God is holy. He is totally without sin, and he is totally separate from us. We must honor his holiness and submit to his authority.
Application
So, will you appeal to God’s authority?
I suggest that instead of questioning God’s authority, you appeal to it in prayer. God’s authority is not meant to push us away, but to pull us toward him. Prayer is acknowledging God’s authority and asking on account of it. Why would we pray if God did not have the authority and power to do what we ask? If you have unbelieving brothers or sisters, parents, friends – keep pushing them to God in prayer. What we do in prayer is that we ask, and God answers. When we see God’s authority, this should give us a posture of humility and gratitude. We really are accountable for our sins. God has the authority to call sin for what it is. It is an affront to him. Sin will be punished. While we uphold God’s holiness, our hearts should break for those who are perishing. Don’t think that your sharing the gospel in VBS or YSMP depends on you. Do your best to share the gospel with accuracy, boldness, and clarity. But don’t forget to pray.
If God were cold and unkind, he wouldn’t want us to pray. He wouldn’t answer. But throughout the Bible, he tells us to pray. He tells us he hears. He gives us answers and he takes action. No, our God is not cold and unkind.
Big Idea
In verse 22-23, keeping in mind that God does as he wills, Paul still gives an answer to the question of “why does he find fault?” – and this is going to lead us into the big idea:
22 What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, 23 in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory— (Romans 9:22-23)
This is the center of our text today. God has desires, he’s allowed to have desires, he’s allowed to have a will, and he does whatever he wants. That’s what it means to be God. I don’t say this cavalier. I don’t say this without being sensitive. This is the heart of God. Paul is saying that God does what he wants. He shows his mercy, he shows his glory, and he shows his authority. God has allowed sinners to sin and will eventually judge them in order to, so that, because he wants to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy. He wants to make known how good and glorious he is to those who will be saved. He wants to show his grace to the elect. All this to say that God finds fault because sin is real and must be punished, but also so that he can show his glory and grace.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. (Ephesians 1:3-6)
Here is our big idea: God always does what is righteous and just—and in His unconditional election, we see His sovereign grace.
The Gospel
Paul turns our attention to the effects of unconditional election. If all deserve to be punished for sin, but God chooses to save some, what they get must be seen as a gift. These gifts are the gifts of adoption and the being a part of the remnant:
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, “If the Lord of hosts had not left us offspring, we would have been like Sodom and become like Gomorrah.” (Romans 9:24-29)
The first example is in regards to Gentiles. The verse in Hosea is talking about Hosea 2:23, where Gentiles get to experience God’s mercy and grace by being adopted, allowed to partake in the blessings of God’s family. The second example is in regards to the Jews. A remnant means survivors. This is taken from Isaiah 10:22-23 about a remnant returning from exile, and from Isaiah 1:9, about God allowing some to be saved from the destruction that happened to Sodom and Gomorrah. These ideas of adoption and a remnant are examples of sovereign grace. They demonstrate the gospel.
The gospel means the good news. The good news is that though all deserve death, God has given grace. God would be unrighteous if he did not punish sin. Some will receive their punishment on the coming day of judgment. But for the elect, for those whom he loves, he sent his son Jesus to pay the penalty. This is how we are adopted. This is how the remnant is saved. By grace through faith in Jesus, the son of God.
If you are not yet a believer, you can ask God to soften your heart. You have the opportunity to repent right now. I offer you the gospel free of charge. If you are already saved – does this not encourage you and motivate you to live a life worthy of the grace of God?
Conclusion
Is unconditional election cold and unkind?
Paul proves that God is not unjust or unfair in choosing some and not others. Rather, unconditional election reveals God’s sovereign grace — in his mercy, in his glory, and in his authority. God’s heart is warm and compassionate.
Let’s look at our central verse again:
22 What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, 23 in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory— (Romans 9:22-23)
God wants to make his mercy known. God wants to make his grace known. God wants to make his glory known. Have you tasted it today? Have you seen it today? To my seniors, when you go to college – I pray that you will remember here today that you have tasted and seen that the Lord is good. Your worldview will be challenged. But you know the God of sovereign grace. He is not cold and unkind. He loves you. And he is coming again soon.
I Know the God of Sovereign Grace
I know the God of sovereign grace
He rules and reigns from heavens heights
In holy love, he wills to save
His ways are wise, his heart is kind
I know the God of sovereign grace
With every morn, new mercies come
He’s slow to anger, patient, waits
And does all that he freely wants
I know the God of sovereign grace
His glory and his power shown
So that his name might be proclaimed
For even hearts — his will controls.
I know the God of sovereign grace
With pure authority he stands
For as the potter shapes the clay
We trust his purposes and plans
I know the God of sovereign grace
He takes a remnant to survive
Adopting sons, a family made
Bought by the blood and cross of Christ
I know the God of sovereign grace
He rules and reigns from heavens heights
In holy love, he wills to save
His ways are wise, his heart is kind
References
Romans: Evangelical Biblical Theology Commentary by David Peterson
Romans: Reformed Expository Commentary by Daniel M. Doriani
The ESV Study Bible by Crossway
The Gospel Coalition Bible Commentary on Romans by Donny Ray Mathis II
Reflection Questions
Can you think of a time in your life when you received mercy instead of the punishment you deserved? How does that help you understand God’s mercy?
Who can you show mercy to today?
Have you ever been in awe of God's glory—in nature, worship, or Scripture? What did that reveal about His greatness?
What might distract you from giving God glory in your daily life? How can you fight for a humble heart?
In what ways can questioning God’s authority lead us to distrust His character?
How can acknowledging God’s authority make your prayers more honest, bold, or hopeful? What can you pray for today?