Pastor Chris continued in our Romans series with a word on God’s faithfulness to His people Israel from old testaments times to today, and how we as Jesus followers are grafted into God’s family. As we live in the end times, looking back at God’s faithfulness gives us peace and hope knowing He will fulfill His promises to us!
A Remnant by Grace
Romans 11:1 (ESV)
I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin.
The setting aside of Israel is…
• Partial (11:1-10)
• Passing (11:11-25)
• Purposeful (11:21-26)
Genesis 12:1–3 (ESV)
Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
Three Promises Made to Abraham…
- Promise of Land
- Promise of Descendants
- Promise of Blessing and Redemption
Romans 11:2–6 (ESV)
God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? “Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life.” But what is God’s reply to him? “I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.
Titus 3:5 (ESV)
he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,
“Jesus only” or “Jesus and”
Israel’s Hardened Hearts
Romans 11:7–10 (ESV)
What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened, as it is written, “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, down to this very day.” And David says, “Let their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them; let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see, and bend their backs forever.”
Isaiah 6:9–13 (ESV)
And he said, “Go, and say to this people: “ ‘Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive.’ Make the heart of this people dull, and their ears heavy, and blind their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.” Then I said, “How long, O Lord?” And he said: “Until cities lie waste without inhabitant, and houses without people, and the land is a desolate waste, and the LORD removes people far away, and the forsaken places are many in the midst of the land. And though a tenth remain in it, it will be burned again, like a terebinth or an oak, whose stump remains when it is felled.” The holy seed is its stump.
The Hardening of Israel is Temporary
Romans 11:11–12 (ESV)
So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather, through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous. Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean!
The Purpose for Israel’s Hardening
• Gentile Salvation
• Jewish Jealousy
• Riches for the World
Reviving the Remnant
Romans 11:25–27 (ESV)
Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”; “and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.”
Romans 11:28–29 (ESV)
As regards the gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
Hebrews 10:23 (NLT)
Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.
Discussion Questions:
- Israel’s heart was hardened toward the Lord, and they tried to reconcile with God in their own efforts. Can you remember a time your own heart rejected God and became hardened to Him and His Word?
- How would seeing today’s world events through a theological/biblical worldview change your perspective and responses?
- How does this message of God’s faithfulness to His people change or challenge your trust in the Lord.
Application Questions:
- This week, sit with the Lord and reflect on His faithfulness! Ask the Lord to show you any area where your heart may be hard toward Him and His Word.
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