Romans 9, Israel and “the Service of God” Tonight, we move from “The Family Chapel” of chapter 8 to "The Great Hall of the Hebrews" in chapter 9. For the most part it looks quite dusty and rejected, and Paul begins to sob with uncontrollable passion. He explains he is burdened for his kinfolk according to the flesh. There have been many clues so far in our tour of this house, that the Jewish people have been central to its past and future. But something terrible has happened. They have been rejected by God in the area of service. In the next chapters the Spirit will step in to explain that He is not finished with Israel. Although they have been rejected, they will very definitely be redeemed and in the future fully restored to this grand place of service. Especially in this chapter, as we hear Paul speak of God’s sovereign rejection for service, we must recognize who is being addressed in order to rightly understand it. Who is speaking? Who is being addressed (“the Jews, the Gentiles, or the Church of God,” 1 Cor. 10:32)? What are the circumstances surrounding the passage? Tonight’s hymns are: All Hail the Power The Church’s One Foundation All Glory, Laud, & Honour with a special from Amanda Baker ministering in song.