Unless otherwise identified, all Scripture references are from the Holy Bible: New lnternational Version, copyright 1973, 1978 by the lnternational Bible Society. Scripture quotations marked RSV are from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1946,1952, copyright 1971,1973, Division of Christian Education, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. Scripture quotations marked KJV are from the King James Version.

FROM GUILT TO GLORY
@Ray c. Stedman
Published by Discovery Publishing,
Palo Alto, California

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or
by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written consent of Discovery
Publishing. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Stedman, Ray C.
From guilt to glory.

Reprint Originally published: Multnomah Press @ 1978
Portland, Oregon 97266
1. Bible. N.r.-Romans-sermons. 2 Sermons,

1. Has God Failed? (9:1-13)
2. Let God Be God (9:14-33)
3. How to Be Saved (10: 1- 13)
4. Have They Not Heard? (10: 14-21)4
5. There's Hope Ahead (11: 1-24)
6. Our Great and Glorious God (11:25-12: 1)
7. Living Day by Day (12:1-2)
8. Who Am I, Lord? (12:3-8)
9. How to Hug (12:9-21)
10. God's Strange Servants (13: 1-7)
11. The Night Is Nearly Over (13:8-14)
12. On Trying to Change Others (14: 1-12)
13. The Right to Yield (14: 13-23)
14. Our Great Example (15: 1-13)
15. An Adequate Ministry (15: 14-33)
16. All in the Family (16: 1-24)
17. The Great Mystery (16:25-27)

In the first major division of this letter, chapters 1-8, Paul explained the gospel of God's grace, the full plan of
redemption. Now in the second division, chapters 9-11, he seems to be starting all over again. But this time his
purpose is not to explain the gospel but to exhibit it. These three chapters are an exhibition of the grace that takes
man from terrible guilt to matchless glory.

In a wax museum at San Francisco's Fishermen's Wharf you can see wax figures of famous people pictured in
scenes from various historic moments. This kind of thing appeals to many, helping them grasp more clearly what
those events were actually like.

The apostle has already declared man helpless to save himself. While we have power to choose, our choices do not cover all possibilities; God's will is worked out behind it all. We do not understand this, so Paul turns the spotlight on Israel to demonstrate just how God works.

The story of Israel is sad and sobering. This nation always thought of itself as having an inside track with God. Israel was the people of God, the chosen nation, close to God, with advantages no other nation enjoyed. Yet Paul begins this section by declaring this nation to be far, far away from God. Despite the possibilities they might have

I speak the truth in Christ--I am not lying, my conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit--I have great
sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from
Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race, the people of Israel (9:1-4).

To the Jews of his day the apostle sounded like an enemy. As he preached and taught the riches in Christ Jesus and focused on the Messiah, he became in the eyes of the Jews an enemy. This has remained true of the nation of Israel until today. They still see Paul this way. If a Jew reads the letter to the Romans, he probably regards it as a gigantic put-down to the whole nation. Paul's ministry everywhere stirred up the antagonism of the Jews.

This is no phony protest, like some who say, 'Tm only telling you this because I love you" and then proceed to cut
you to pieces. "No," Paul says, "my conscience supports me in this, and the Holy Spirit himself confirms the
genuineness of my anguish. It is deep and lasting." He describes it as "great sorrow and unceasing anguish. "

If you love someone whose trend in life is away from Christ and the things of God, anguish and grief are always
present in your heart. You may be enjoying yourself outwardly, and you may be at peace in many ways, but hurt is
there like a deep knot.

The moment your thoughts go back to that person you feel it again. I don't think anything is more devastating and more deeply felt than love and concern for someone drifting into destruction, danger, despair, perhaps even death, especially when you feel helpless to do anything about it.

"Lord, if it be possible, blot this sin from their lives," he said. "But if not, blot me out of your book." That touches me. I would be willing, gladly, to give up the rest of my earthly life if it meant my loved ones would be in glory. But I can't think of anyone for whom I would give up my hope for eternity. Yet this is what the apostle feels. He knows it isn't possible, but he says, "If I could, I would."

even by focusing on the issues that separate you.
Perhaps you've heard of the man who said to a friend, "I hear you dismissed your pastor. What was wrong?"
The friend answered, "Well, he kept telling us we were going to hell. "
"What does the new pastor say?"
"He keeps saying we're going to hell, too."
"So what's the difference?"
"Well," the friend said, "when the first one said it, he sounded like he was glad; but when the new man says it, he