Clay Smith JFBC
Sermon Series on Romans
Romans 11:1-24
What do we do with Israel, Paul wants to know. God gives all these promises to the Jews and Israel but the Gentiles are enjoying the benefits.
You can take a root or branch from one tree and graft it to a different type of tree. Paul uses this analogy.
In Romans 9, Paul speaks of the original true Israel, between ethnic Jews and those who come to accept Jesus as Savior - and what our attitude should be.
Words to Gentiles in light of what God is doing in Israel…
1. God is not done with Israel v 1-4. God has not rejected Israel. 1 Kings 18 Elijah calls out to God to light up the wet calf in front of the prophets of Baal. In chapter 19:4 then Elijah is running for his life, but there are 7000 men there with him, a remnant of faithful followers.
v 6 not by works but by grace. Grace produce works, but not vice versa. God has allowed people who reject God to become dead to the things of God - Psalm 69. The Nazis infiltrated the Christian church and forced them to teach vile things about the Jews.
A big issue: how do Israel and the church relate to each other? Some believe Israel and the church are divided - these are dispensationalists. Others say there is no distinction between Israel and the church - the covenant view.
2. The outflow - God is using Israel's present rejection for his salvific purposes v :11-15.
Seems like all hope is lost but God will still save. The Gentiles are saved and receive blessings, making the Jews jealous. A sculptor sold an invisible sculpture for $18000. Can others see Jesus in us? v 12.
Paul was called to preach to the Gentiles but had a heart for the Jews v 14.
3. Do not be arrogant as a Gentile, toward Israel v 16-18. Us gentiles are the ones being grafted in with the Jews. Remember that it's the roots that support the gentiles who were grafted in.
v 19 God is good kind holy but also severe to the arrogant.
4. Pray for Israel's future reconciliation v 23-24...that God will graft Israel back into the church. God's promises through Christ.
C.S.Lewis "Of Grief Observed" was about when his wife died. Lewis said Jews were the only normal people, everyone else is a special case.
Pray in particular for Jewish people to come to know Christ.
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