Romans 9:17-24 (KJV)

17. For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.
18. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.
19. Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?
20. Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?
21. Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?
22. What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:
23. And that he might make known the riches of his glory of the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
24. Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

The doctrine of reprobation is a fundamental doctrine of the Bible some misunderstand, and others very much oppose. It is the opposite of election but at the same time gives to the doctrine of election the beauty and majesty it so deserves. In our text we find Pharaoh to be an individual that God chose to reprove, bypassing him of saving grace and love.

1. The simple definition of reprobation.
   Reprobation is the decree of God whereby those who were not elected unto salvation, being passed over by God, and left to their sinful nature, will one day be condemned to an eternal hell, because of the sins they have committed against their creator God. Preterition with a purpose. Preterition means "to pass over." It would be like a craftsman choosing from a pile of broken branches, some to carve into beautiful masterpieces, passing over others that will be used to kindle a fire. God chooses sinners for salvation and passes by others.
2. The Scriptural declaration of reprobation.
   This doctrine is distasteful to the ears of men and definitely does not make the preacher popular; the fact is, though, that it is clearly taught in the Scriptures.

   "The Lord has made all things for himself; even the wicked for the day of evil" (Proverbs 16:4).

   "(Christ is) a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word; being disobedient; whereunto also they were appointed" (I Peter 2:8).

   "For there are certain men crept in privily, even they who were of old written of beforehand to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of God into lasciviousness, and denying our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ (Jude 4).

   "All that dwell on the earth shall worship him, every one whose name hath not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the lamb that hath been slain" (Revelation 13:8). Compare this with Luke 10:20 and Philippiains 4:3.

3. The supreme description of reprobation.
   Pharaoh typifies for us the purpose of God in bypassing sinners with saving grace.
   1. God had a plan for Pharaoh -- "I have raised thee up" (v.17).
   2. God had power over Pharaoh -- "Hath not the potter power over the clay?" (v.21).
   3. God had a purpose for Pharaoh -- "willing to show his wrath" (v.22).
      In reality there was a three-fold purpose for God passing over Pharaoh.
      1. A desire to display His holiness and hatred of sin (v.22).
      2. A desire to make known His sovereignty over all nations and people (v.22).
      3. A desire to magnify the riches of his grace to the vessels of mercy (v.23).
   God is glorified in both the punishment of the wicked and the salvation of the wicked.
   Tonight we will answer the question "Why does he yet find fault with the wicked?"