Paul's Letter to the Romans Ch.11,Session 20

                                     Salvation for the people of Israel                                           Pg.1
                                                 
 Opening Prayer, Father God, we come to Study the words of Paul as given to us in his letter to the Romans. We pray that no word be spoken here tonight that is not in accordance with your will and that you will impart to us those matters You would have us learn from this study. We pray that your peace and comfort be with those of us who are sick or disabled and cannot be here tonight. We ask that you share our blessing with them. Lead us now and give us understanding as we study the teachings of Paul, The word of God.. In Jesus Name we pray Amen

                  Romans 11:22-26 The rejection of Israel is not a final judgment
22  Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off. 23  And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. 24  After all, if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree!
25  I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, 26  and in this way all Israel will be saved. As it is written: "The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.

Paul is asking us to consider this; That God has let his grace fall upon those (Gentiles, and others as well, who call upon the Son of God for their salvation) who are not Israel's children. And God has done this because of the falling away of the Jews, and so they have been cut off.  Paul is here reminding us that although God has opened the doors of Heaven to us Gentiles, we should be very careful to continue in His kindness or we too can be cut off. (Heb 12:25-29)
To those who carefully consider all aspects of this matter which Paul refers to as, “This Mystery” A study of these verses should reveal five clues about the judgments of God
1. God loves all of his creation and wants to see no one suffer because of unbelief.
2. Through the falling away of the Jews, Heavens gates are open to all who truly believe.
3. God loves all of his creation, but his judgments still fall upon all who profess unbelief.
4.  Although the Jews have been cutoff, they are still the root of our faith and belief.
5. The Jews always were, and forever will be the people God chose to make His plan of salvation known to all of mankind, and He will bring them to Himself again. And in this way all Israel will be saved. As it is written: "The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.
                                                        Questions
Q.1 What is the reason that God would exact such stern judgment on His chosen people?
Q.2 Does being a Christian offer us any privilege over the Jews in our relationship with God?
Q.3 How did it come about that God caused his grace to fall upon the Gentiles?
Q.4 Are we to believe that the root of our faith began with the Jewish faith and belief?
Q.5 What does Paul's reference to “Grafting In” mean for the Jews?
Q.6 Have we any doubts about the Jews being God's chosen people?
Q.7 What does “chosen people” mean for the Jew? or for the Gentile?



                                                                                                                                                      Pg.2

All Israel will be saved: This does not mean there will be a time when every last person of Jewish descent will be saved. Instead, this is a time when Israel as a whole will be a saved as a people, and when the nation as a whole (especially its leadership) embraces Jesus Christ as Messiah, all will be completed that God has ordained concerning Israel.

                                Romans 11:27-36 The new covenant results
27  And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins." 28  As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies for your sake; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, 29  for God's gifts and his call are irrevocable. 30  Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, 31  so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now receive mercy as a result of God's mercy to you. 32  For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all. 33  Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! 34  "Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?" :35  "Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?" 36  For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.

                                                         Discussion
The restoration of the Jews is, in the course of things, far less improbable than the call of the Gentiles to be the children of Abraham; and though others now possess these privileges, it will not hinder their being admitted again. By rejecting the gospel, and by their indignation at its being preached to the Gentiles, the Jews have made themselves enemies to  God; yet they are still to be favored for the sake of their pious fathers. Though at present they are enemies to the gospel, for their hatred to the Gentiles,  God will make a time when that will no longer be the case and God's love to their fathers will be remembered.            
True grace seeks not to confine God's favor. Those who find mercy themselves, should endeavor that through their mercy others also may obtain mercy. The reconciliation of the Jews to God will be complete regarding their soul, and they are to be brought to believe in Christ, the true Messiah whom they crucified. The restoration of their priesthood, teachings, ceremonies, and temple worship and rules will no longer exist. They will become one sheep-fold with the Gentiles, under Christ the Great Shepherd. The sufferings of Israel, their dispersion, and their being shut out from the church, are the results of their falling away, their unbelief. Yet God in His perfect mercy, and continued care for His Chosen people, and the final mercy and blessed restoration intended for them, show the patience and love of God. (Isaiah 44:21-26). All who call upon the name of Jesus in faith, and true belief of His life, death, and resurrection for the sinners sake shall not be disappointed.

Q.1 What is meant by Paul's reference to  “election” and  “the patriarchs” in verse 28?
Q.2 Through Israels disobedience we have received Mercy from God. But what about our faith?
Q.3 The Jews made themselves God's enemies, yet they too will receive God's mercy. Why is that?
Q.4 In verse 32, what does the phrase “bound everyone over to disobedience” mean?
Q.5 Does Paul seem to be at a loss to explain God's knowledge and wisdom in vs.33 to 36?



                                                                                                                                                          Pg.3
Heb 12:25-29  See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? 26  At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, "Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens." 27  The words "once more" indicate the removing of what can be shaken--that is, created things--so that what cannot be shaken may remain. 28  Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29  for our "God is a consuming fire."

Isaiah 44:21-26  "Remember these things, Jacob, for you, Israel, are my servant. I have made you, you are my servant; Israel, I will not forget you. 22  I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you." 23  Sing for joy, you heavens, for the LORD has done this; shout aloud, you earth beneath. Burst into song, you mountains, you forests and all your trees, for the LORD has redeemed Jacob, he displays his glory in Israel. 24  "This is what the LORD says-- your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb: I am the LORD, the Maker of all things, who stretches out the heavens, who spreads out the earth by myself, 25  who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners, who overthrows the learning of the wise and turns it into nonsense, 26  who carries out the words of his servants and fulfills the predictions of his messengers, who says of Jerusalem, 'It shall be inhabited,' of the towns of Judah, 'They shall be rebuilt,' and of their ruins, 'I will restore them,



Closing Prayer. Father God,  be with us now as we leave this place. May we carry with us your blessing as we continue in our efforts to live the life of a disciple of Jesus Christ. We thank you Lord for the teachings of your apostle Paul, and we pray that you will impart to our hearts, those things from this study that you would have us learn. We pray for your continued watch over our loved ones and those among us who need your healing hand to touch them in their time of distress.______________Bring to these our friends, and loved ones, Your healing touch, give them strength and courage and rest. Help them to recover their health. Bless them Lord, and those  who care for them. Be with us now as we go our separate ways, and bring us together again next week. We pray this in Jesus Name Amen














                                                                                                                                                      Pg 4
                                               Meditation on Romans 11: 22-36
My sins consume me, yet God in his great mercy has sent His Son Jesus to rescue me, to work my salvation.            It is too mysterious for me to understand why, or how it is that God would do that for such a one as me.

 If as Paul says, believers have emerged from unbelief through God’s mercy alone, they ought to understand that this same God can have mercy on others as well.” The Lord shows mercy to all kinds of people, so we must never think that someone is beyond the reach of God’s grace, who has called upon Christ as savior. For it is God's will that Jesus Saves.
The sin of  Adam and Eve sought nothing more than to be equal to God and to exalt themselves and their ability to decide what is right and what is wrong. Do we too do that?
The earliest of times, Christians confronted pride at nearly every turn.  From what Paul says about Gentile boasting in Romans 11, we assume then, that there were Gentile Christians in the church at Rome who were tempted to boast of their place in the church as they saw the majority of Jews refusing to believe in Jesus. We should be careful to avoid the sin of self righteousness.
Actually, no one of us is deserving of salvation and that it is not because we are better or more spiritually attuned than others that God chooses us for Himself. Paul makes this point in our study of the book of Romans. He tells us that apart from Christ, “all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin”.  It is His great mercy to save who He will, and that is made clear in John 3:16
In the course of arguing that the Gentile Christians at Rome should not boast over their place in the church, Paul reminds them that they, too, were at one time disobedient to the Lord, lost sinners, and undeserving of God’s favor. The Gentile Christians needed mercy, and that came via the disobedience and hardening of Israel But Israel’s disobedience will not endure, for the Lord will give again to Israel the same mercy given to the Gentiles.
The disobedience of the Gentiles and the disobedience of the Israelites show us our need for grace and mercy. By consigning all people, Jew and Gentile alike, to disobedience, God shows us that no one deserves salvation. This enables Him to have mercy on whom He will, to show all peoples the fullness of His grace.
God desires that all come to Christ, that none should perish. But because of pride, selfishness. arrogance, unrighteousness, and ignorance, (sin), all cannot do that. Only in Heaven is there a perfect world, a world without sin. And only those who are received through Christ are permitted therein So it should strike fear in the hearts of everyone who refuses Christ, to know that eternal life is there for all, It is such though that only the Christian, (true believer),
will live forever in the presence of God, While they who live and die in unbelief, will live eternally in the fires of hell, suffering pain and anguish forever without the hope of redemption.
I am helplessly, hopelessly lost in my sin and I deserve God’s holy wrath.  If He had not first chosen me, I never would have known to have chosen Him, My sin cannot be overcome by self alone. I cannot think myself into salvation. I cannot work myself into salvation. My only hope for eternal life is that Jesus Christ shed His blood for me while I am yet a sinner.  I am justified by God’s grace alone through faith in Christ alone. I now do not need to yield to sin, because I am identified with Christ in His death and resurrection. He is now working all things, including my trials, together for my good because I now love Him and He has called me according to His glorious purpose. He is now conforming me to the image of His Son, so that one day I will be glorified with Him forever.” Amen!

Paul's Letter to The Romans Ch. 11, Session 19

                                                                                                                                                       Pg.1
                                                           Great Expectations
 Opening Prayer God of our salvation, we come into your presence in the joy of being in your service, of spending time in Your word, learning in fellowship among like believers We pray that our fellowship tonight will bless each one here and give each of us  joy and purpose that we may be useful vessels in your service.  Be with those of our group who cannot be here tonight, we ask that You share our blessing with them and bring them back into our midst next week. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen                                                                                                                                              
                                             Romans 11:1-10 Israel Is Not Cast Away
Romans 11:1  I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. 2  God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. Don't you know what Scripture says in the passage about Elijah--how he appealed to God against Israel: 3  "Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me"? 4  And what was God's answer to him? "I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal." 5  So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. 6  And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.7  What then? What the people of Israel sought so earnestly they did not obtain. The elect among them did, but the others were hardened, 8  as it is written: "God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that could not see and ears that could not hear, to this very day." 9  And David says: "May their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them. 10  May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever."
                                                             Discussion
There was a chosen remnant of believing Jews, who had righteousness and life by faith in Jesus Christ. These were kept according to the election of grace. If then this election was of grace, it could not be of works, for it was God's matter of election, not one of works by the individual. Every truly good disposition in a fallen creature must be the effect of God's grace  bestowed on him. Salvation from the first to the last must be either of grace or of debt. These things are so directly contrary to each other that they cannot be blended together. God glorifies his grace by changing the hearts and tempers of the rebellious. Should the sinner then not wonder and praise him! The Jewish nation were as in a deep sleep, without knowledge of their danger, or concern about it; having no sense of their need of the Savior, or of their being upon the borders of eternal ruin. David, by the Spirit foretold the sufferings of Christ from his own people, the Jews, foretells the dreadful judgments of God upon them for it,  (Psalms 69).
        This teaches us how to understand other prayers of David against his enemies; they are prophecies of the judgments of God, not expressions of his own anger. Divine curses will work long; and we have our eyes darkened, if we are bowed down in worldly-mindedness. And if we let the cares of a self serving world bring us down.

                                                                   Questions
Q.1 When Paul refers to a"remnant, who are those to whom he is referring?"                                             Q.2 What do you feel Paul means in saying this remnant is chosen by grace?                                    Q.3 Why do you think they are chosen by grace, and not by their own merits?                                                                             Q.4 Can you think of times in Jesus' life when He confronted "hardened" people?                                                Q.5 How do you think Israel's transgression brought salvation to the Gentiles?



                                                                                                                                                                   Pg.2
                                                    The Olive Tree
Paul takes it up again by making his point that the Gentiles  are not the root of their belief, that it was the Jews rejection of Jesus that opened the door for the Gentiles.  They are more like the wild olive branch that has been grafted into the cultivated and well rooted olive tree. You Gentiles are like those wild branches. But do not imagine that you are better than the Jews! The branches of a tree do not support the root. It is the root that supports the branches. So remember who gave you the opportunity to know God’s kindness.

                                  Romans 11:11-21 The Gentiles and The Olive Tree
11  Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious. 12  But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their full inclusion bring! 13  I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I take pride in my ministry.  14  in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them. 15  For if their rejection brought reconciliation to the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? 16  If the part of the dough offered as first fruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches. 17  If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, 18  do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. 19  You will say then, "Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in." 20  Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but tremble. 21  For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.

                                                          Discussion
The gospel is the greatest of riches wherever it is found. And it was the righteous rejection of the unbelieving Jews, that there was so large a multitude of the Gentiles being reconciled to God, and at peace with him.  Abraham was the root of the church. The Jews were branches of this tree until finally as a nation, they rejected the Messiah. After that, their relation to Abraham and to God was cut off. They had stumbled over Jesus. The Gentiles were now being grafted into this, formally exclusive Jewish faith. And it is now because of their belief in Jesus, they were  being admitted into the church of God. (Isaiah 56:1-8).
It is the natural state of every one of us, to be self serving and without discipline. We Gentiles had no covenant with God, we were not of God's chosen people. We Gentiles, out of God's free grace, were now being grafted into this formally exclusive faith.  If we stand at all, it is by faith. We are guilty and helpless in ourselves, and are to be humble, watchful, afraid of self-deception, or of being overcome by temptation. Not only are we at first justified by faith, but kept to the end in that justified state by faith only; yet, by a faith which is not alone, but which works by love to God and man.
                                                                   Questions
Q.1 If one stumbles, or if one falls, taken in the context of these verses what is the difference?                                   Q.2 Why does Paul call himself an Apostle to the Gentiles?                                                                      Q.3 And what does Paul say he  hopes to gain by that?                                                                                                     Q.4 Can we explain what Paul is speaking of when using the metaphor about the olive tree?                                                           Q.5 What is Paul talking about in verses 20 and 21?

                                                                                                                                                     Pg.3
                                                    Scripture References
Psa 69:17-30  Do not hide your face from your servant; answer me quickly, for I am in trouble. 18  Come near and rescue me; deliver me because of my foes. 19  You know how I am scorned, disgraced and shamed; all my enemies are before you. 20  Scorn has broken my heart and has left me helpless; I looked for sympathy, but there was none, for comforters, but I found none. 21  They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst. 22  May the table set before them become a snare; may it become retribution and a trap. 23  May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever. 24  Pour out your wrath on them; let your fierce anger overtake them. 25  May their place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in their tents. 26  For they persecute those you wound and talk about the pain of those you hurt. 27  Charge them with crime upon crime; do not let them share in your salvation. 28  May they be blotted out of the book of life and not be listed with the righteous. 29  But as for me, afflicted and in pain-- may your salvation, God, protect me. 30  I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.
Isaiah 56:1-8  This is what the LORD says: "Maintain justice and do what is right, for my salvation is close at hand and my righteousness will soon be revealed. 2  Blessed is the one who does this-- the person who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath without desecrating it, and keeps their hands from doing any evil. 3  Let no foreigner who is bound to the LORD say, "The LORD will surely exclude me from his people." And let no eunuch complain, "I am only a dry tree." 4  For this is what the LORD says: "To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose what pleases me and hold fast to my covenant-- 5  to them I will give within my temple and its walls a memorial and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that will endure forever. 6  And foreigners who bind themselves to the LORD to minister to him, to love the name of the LORD, and to be his servants, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant--7  these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations." 8  The Sovereign LORD declares-- he who gathers the exiles of Israel: "I will gather still others to them besides those already gathered."

                                              Additional questions for reflection
1. What is Pauls warning to the Gentiles who are now grafted into God's care and concern?
2. As Gentiles now in God's grace, what feelings are expressed for those yet to be grafted in?
3. How do we feel about the branches who have been "broken" off?
4. How might it become a problem of boasting as the gentiles are saved in lieu of the Jews?
5. What is meant by Pauls referring to The Jews as broken off branches of the olive tree?
6. What does the olive root represent in Paul's example?

Closing Prayer, Lord, you have been kind and forgiving towards us even though we are born sinners. May we be merciful as you are merciful, and free our souls from condemnation by being a forgiving Christian, free from all bitterness and resentment. May we be truly forgiving from the heart for all who have caused us injury or grief. Cleanse our hearts and put a right spirit within us. Now we ask that You be with those of our acquaintance who are suffering ill health and difficult times ___________We pray that you will offer those mentioned in our prayer, and those who we silently hold in our heart your strength and healing comfort. Be with us now as we leave to go our separate ways, and keep us safe from harm. In Jesus Name we pray, Amen

                                                                                                                                                      Pg.4
                                                           Meditation
Scripture often speaks in corporate categories, talking about the salvation of entire groups without meaning that every single person who is a part of that group will be saved. We see that in today’s passage, as Paul speaks of the reconciliation of the world (the Gentiles) and the restoration of Israel. Nevertheless, such corporate language is a hint that the number of the saved will be substantial. We should therefore expect—and pray for—God to bless the outreach of His church.
Many people oppose Reformed theology because they think it is incompatible with the Lord’s call to preach the gospel and make disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:18-20). They reason that if God really has chosen some people for salvation but has passed by others, there is no point to proclaiming His Word and calling people to repent and believe in Jesus. If our Creator has chosen only some for salvation, they reason, those people will be saved regardless of whether the gospel is preached to them.
We could say much in response to this, including the fact that the Lord works through means, and ways unknown and unfathomable by human reason, yet we see His hand working in our preaching and the missionary spread of the gospel, to bring about the ends He has ordained. But perhaps the best way to answer the objection that a strong doctrine of divine sovereignty quenches the fire for evangelism is to look at the Apostle Paul’s ministry. Here was a man fully convinced of the sovereignty of God in salvation, that the Lord has a fixed number of elect who alone will be saved, and yet no evangelist in church history has worked more tirelessly than he. Traveling across the Mediterranean world, Paul planted churches, evangelized in the most difficult circumstances, and suffered greatly to bring the gospel to those who had never heard it. Even in Romans 9-11, we see his zeal to reach the lost. He argues strongly for the need of gospel preachers to be sent so that people can hear the gospel, believe, and be saved. Moreover, in today’s passage, Paul lets us see his zeal to preach the gospel as he explains his motivations for his ministry to the Gentiles.
Of course, the Apostle had a heart for the Gentiles and wanted them to be reconciled to the Lord, but his ministry to the Gentiles was also inspired by his love for his Jewish brethren. He wanted to see many Gentiles converted to Christ so that the Jews would grow jealous of the blessings the Gentiles were receiving from the Lord and turn back to Him. The Apostle sought ultimately to reach the Jews by reaching the Gentiles.
Therefore, Gentile believers cannot be arrogant about our status as God’s people. The Lord did not have to include us as full heirs of His promises, and He can cut us off if we persist in arrogance. Anti-Semitism or egotistic pride in the idea of being a part of God’s family is thus ruled out.
Paul knew that his ministry, as important as it was, would not be the cause of the mass conversion of Jews—as a result of his work, only “some” would be saved. He knew that the full restoration of ethnic Israel lay farther in the future, as the final resurrection drew closer. This full restoration, Paul foresaw, will not include every single Jew, but its scope will be large enough that one will rightly be able to say that all Israel is restored. We continue to wait for that day.
Though there are many privileges in being a part of God’s family, we must never become conceited that we trust in Christ while others do not. All of God’s people have been chosen from the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:3–6), but it is not due to our own loveliness. Christians should therefore be the most humble of all people. Think of a non-believing friend and pray earnestly for his salvation. Pray fervently that God would humble you before Him

Pauls Letter to the Romans Ch 10 Session 18

                                                                                                                                                 Pg.1                                                                                                                                                  
                                                     Opening Prayer
 Father God, we come to Study the words of Paul as given to us in his letter to the Romans. We pray that no word be spoken here tonight that is not in accordance with your will and that you will impart to us those matters You would have us learn from this study. We pray that your peace and comfort be with those of us who are sick or disabled and cannot be here tonight. We ask that you share our blessing with them. Lead us now and give us understanding as we study the teachings of Paul, The word of God.. In Jesus Name we pray Amen

                                           Romans 10: 1-21 Opening Thoughts
 Beginning with Chapter 9: verses 30 to 33 Where Paul is giving a brief statement on Israels position in relation to God's plan of salvation for all of mankind.

30 What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith. 31  but the people of Israel, who pursued the law as the way of righteousness, have not attained their goal. 32  Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone. 33  As it is written: "See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who believes in him will never be put to shame."

                                            What is Israel's position?
Israel had always had it's own set of laws governing morality ethics, conduct for living etc. The Mosaic covenant, or the law of Moses, known as the Pentateuch, which represents the first five books of the Bible. This set of laws and rules for living covered most if not all of an individuals life and affairs. Many of their laws came through Abraham, before the 10 commandments were given to Moses, in exodus 20: 1-17, and most had to do with the everyday practical application of how to live their lives.  This was a way of life for the Jews, which had sustained them from the time of Abraham, through their exodus from Egypt and the giving of the ten commandments by God to Moses and on to this present time under the rule of the Romans, a time in which Paul is now writing. About 1950 years
The Jews still to this day believe that their obedience to the law, and their works save them. God gave Christ to be the foundation Stone in the new covenant, (Jeremiah 31:31-34). But by Israel’s rejecting Him, He became their stumbling stone. In this chapter the view of the whole subject introduced in Romans 9: 30-33, is continued and carried out, according to which God's present rejection of the Jews as a nation is traced not to God's absolute and irreversible Divine decree, but to their own refusal to accept God’s plan of mercy for all mankind. Paul in this chapter is anguishing over this state of the Jew's belief.

                                                                Questions
Q. What do you think the average Jewish citizen of that day, felt about this new covenant?
Q.2 How is it that Paul was so convinced of his belief?
Q.3 Have you ever had an electric shock ? Are you now very cautious about electricity? Why?
Q.4 Have you heard the story of Abigail, a girl in fifth grade?
Q.5 What is your feeling about an actual experience as opposed to hearing about one?
Q.6 When witnessing for Christ, what would you consider to be your most difficult task?
Q.7 What do you feel would have been Paul's most difficult task in presenting his testimony?

                                                                                                                                                     Pg.2
                                               Romans 10:1-10...The word of faith
Rom 10:1 Brothers and sisters, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. 2 For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. 3 Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. 4 Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes. 5 Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: "The person who does these things will live by them." 6 But the righteousness that is by faith says: "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?'" (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 "or 'Who will descend into the deep?'" (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: 9 If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.                                                                                                                                                                                            
                                                                     Discussion
Under the law, of the Israelites, one may earn their salvation by their good works, whereas by faith in Jesus Christ, one is gifted one's salvation by God and it has nothing to do with our works. Salvation is a gift from God. Eternal life is the promised gift from God, and  there are no rules or regulations one must abide by in order to obtain salvation. One cannot earn their salvation. It is by Faith that one is justified, and ones life choices then lead one to sanctification, which then leads to one's glorification.
God did not make the Israelites look for His Word. He came to them and brought His Word near. He has done the same in the new covenant. The gospel is not something we have to wonder about. It has been revealed clearly so that even a child can know and believe it. Having believed, one receives the right to become a child of God and as such is born-again by the Spirit of God which affects one's behavior such that righteous behavior is naturally characteristic of those born of God.   The true believer must realize that one cannot claim the promise of Christ as Savior of our soul and still not have Christ as Lord of our life, (life choices)  Those who have not bowed the knee to Jesus Christ as Lord of their life cannot claim him as savior of their soul. Romans 10:9 says that we must believe in our hearts that God has raised Jesus from the dead, repent of our sinful ways, be born again, Dead to sin, alive to Jesus Christ.  The reason God raised Jesus was to vindicate Him, and this was for our salvation. Moreover, as we are positioned in union with Jesus Christ through our faith and belief in his life death and resurrection, so His resurrection and vindication become our resurrection and vindication also. It is Jesus Christ who renders us fit for judgment by God, and through Jesus, in God's eyes we are righteous and fit for devine fellowship with God. This is what the Jewish faith has difficulty accepting. They still believe the matter of righteousness is a personal matter between the individual and God.

                                                       Questions
Q.1 Why does Paul say that the Israelites are zealous for God?
Q.2 What is there about Being zealous for God that must take place for God to honor that zeal?
Q.3 What is meant in verses 5,6,7, regarding the righteousness that is by the law?
Q.4 What do you feel Paul means by saying Israel sought to establish their own righteousness?
Q.5 Do  some people see one's works as a means of our salvation?
Q.6 Consider the thief on the cross whom Jesus promised paradise, what works did he perform?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Pg.3                                                                                                                                                
                           Romans 10:11-21...The importance of witnessing
Rom 10:11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame."  12  For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13  for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." 14  How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15  And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news! 16  But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?" 17  Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. 18  But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did: "Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world." 19  Again I ask: Did Israel not understand? First, Moses says, "  I will make you envious by those who are not a nation; I will make you angry by a nation that has no understanding."  20  And Isaiah boldly says,“I was found by those who did not seek me; I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me. 21“But concerning Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people."

                                                                  Discussion
 Paul emphasizes the message of the Gospel and the great significance it holds.  And As with Philip's story of the Ethiopian Eunuch The Gospel must be shared (Acts 8:26-39).
      Considering what has just been stated it is also noteworthy that this word of salvation by the Messiah has been preached to Israel since the beginning of the new covenant. They know of it's claim of Salvation for all true believers, yet they still refuse Jesus as savior.                                                                  
       At first, Paul too was against this whole concept of a savior. He knew as did the Jews of his day that they were directly responsible for their own relationship to God through their own   righteousness.  Just as we depend upon our own imagination and initiative for getting our life's affairs in order, The Jews consider their salvation a matter of law keeping and self initiated righteousness.  The Gentile as well as the Jew is responsible for their own life choices, but that is not the same as getting our salvation in order by making a decision to become a Christian. Paul was given the message by Jesus in a much more meaningful way, and as a result he became the worlds most dedicated evangelist. However it may turn out, God is still in control, and he has called each of us as Christians to share the gospel world wide.  Matthew 28:18-20
      Paul says that if the failure of the Jews to believe in this life means riches for the Gentiles, then how much more blessing will come to the world when unbelieving Jews come to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord? This is the remnant to which Paul refers in Romans_9:27 “ Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: "Though the number of the Israelites be like the sand by the sea, only the remnant will be saved.”
                                                     Questions
Q.1 What is your feeling about why Jesus chose Paul to be the first evangelist?   Act 9:15  But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.                                                                                               Q.2 What is there to be gained by converting the Jews ?                                                                         Q.3 Why is it that the Gentiles were included in God's plan of salvation?  (Acts chapter 10)                 Q.4 What is meant in verses 20 and 21 above?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Pg.4
                                                            Scripture references
Jeremiah 31:31  "The days are coming," declares the LORD, "when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. 32  It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them," declares the LORD. 33  "This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time," declares the LORD. "I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34  No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, 'Know the LORD,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest," declares the LORD. "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."

Acts 8:26-39  Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Go south to the road--the desert road--that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza 27  So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means "queen of the Ethiopians"). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28  and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. 29  The Spirit told Philip, "Go to that chariot and stay near it." 30  Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. "Do you understand what you are reading?" Philip asked. 31  "How can I," he said, "unless someone explains it to me?" So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.32  This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading: "He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. 33  In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth." 34  The eunuch asked Philip, "Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?" 35  Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.36  As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?" 38  And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. 39  When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
Matthew 28:18-20  Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19, Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Closing Prayer. Father God, we close our study tonight with this prayer for your protection of our souls from the wiles of Satan. Let none of us slip in our efforts to live a good and moral, God centered life. Help us to be more responsible disciples in our day to day lives, so that those  whom we meet will be influenced by our Christian conduct.  Be with those of our acquaintance who need your healing touch______________Bring to these our friends, and loved ones, Your healing touch give them strength and courage and rest. Help them to recover their health. Bless them Lord, and those  who care for them. Be with us now as we go our separate ways, and bring us together again next week. We pray this in Jesus Name, Amen.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Pg.5
                                      A Brief Background of the Jew in the Old Testament

As  Romans 9 indicates, the Jews were a special people who were designed by God to be the channel of divine revelation to the world. From them would come the prophets, the writers of the Old Testament, and most of the writers of the New Testament. From them would come the twelve apostles and, supremely, Jesus Christ.
 The Jews were given the Law of Moses, which was not extended beyond Israel. To them were given the special rules for worship in the tabernacle and in the temple; and to them were  given special promises that were not extended to the entire human race. Though Israel did not choose God, God chose them; and with extraordinary patience and tenacity, He fulfills His promises to Israel even in times of apostasy and departure from God. It is in keeping with this purpose of God that Israel had such a prominent place throughout the Old Testament, and the course of human history is developed in the Old Testament period as it revolves around Israel and the Holy Land.
 God’s dealing with them both in judgment and in mercy provided a divine revelation of the nature of God, His righteousness, His love, His grace, and His infinite wisdom. The major movements of the nation constitute the important divisions of the Old Testament. In the time of Jacob and Joseph the children of Israel went down to Egypt a family of seventy, and there, in several hundred years, they became a great nation of perhaps two to three million.
       After the Jews fell into ill favor with Pharaoh and they became slaves, God raised up Moses to lead them from Egypt to the Promised Land. After Moses’ death Joshua brought the children of Israel into the land that they possessed.
      After Israel went through the apostasies recorded in the book of Judges, they became a great nation, beginning with Samuel the prophet and then Kings Saul, David, and Solomon. After Solomon’s death, however, their continued sinfulness against God not only resulted in the division of the two kingdoms—the ten tribes, the kingdom of Israel, and the two tribes, the kingdom of Judah—but God caused them to be taken out of the land. The ten tribes were carried off by Assyria in 722 B.C. (1 Chron. 5:25-26), and the remaining two tribes, the kingdom of Judah, were conquered by Babylon in 605 B.C. Judah was subsequently carried off to Babylon, and Jerusalem, along with its beautiful temple, was plundered and destroyed in 586 B.C. (2 Chron. 36:17-20).
In 538 B.C. under Ezra, fifty thousand came back to try to reestablish Israel in the land (Ezra 1:1-2:70). After many years of struggle Nehemiah arrived on the scene in 445 B.C. and encouraged them to rebuild the wall and rebuild the city (Neh. 1:1-6:16; 11:1-2).
        When Christ was born, Jerusalem was once again a thriving city.
The subsequent rejection of Christ ultimately resulted in the dispersion of the children of Israel all over the world, beginning in A.D. 70 when Jerusalem was conquered and burned by the Romans.
        In the twentieth century the children of Israel have begun their return to their ancient land, signaling what may well be the beginning of the final regathering of Israel prophesied in Scripture. Almost four million Jews now live within the bounds of the land of Israel and are in their place to fulfill their prophetic destiny.

Pauls letter to the Romans Ch. 9 session17

Opening prayer: Father God again we bow in thy presence to ask forgiveness for our shortcomings. We counter our faith with our own choices instead of seeking your will for our lives. We do the things we know that we should not do and leave undone those things we should do and for this we need your forgiveness. We are ever thankful that you have given us a savior, one who knows and does your will, and who intercedes for us with pleadings  too deep for our own understanding. Guide us now as we study these words of your servant Paul, and impart to us those matters that you would have us learn from this study. Be with those of our group who cannot be with us tonight, and share our blessing with them. Amen                            
                                   Israel's Unbelief, Romans Chapter 9:19-26:
Rom 9:19 One of you will say to me: "Then why does God still blame us? For who is able to resist his will?" 20 But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? "Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this?'"21 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?
22 What if God, although choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath--prepared for destruction? 23 What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory--
24 even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles? 25 As he says in Hosea: "I will call them 'my people' who are not my people; and I will call her 'my loved one' who is not my loved one," 26  and, "In the very place where it was said to them, 'You are not my people,' there they will be called 'children of the living God.'"
                                                                    Discussion
Paul here reminds us that God is the Creator. Paul is taking issue with people who do not want to obey God. They try to find an excuse to oppose God’s authority. He is not talking about people who are sincere, who are seeking God's truth.(Micah 4: 1-2).  Paul tells us that as the potter has the right to make different kinds of pottery. So God the Creator, has the right to deal with people as he chooses. God does not have to explain his actions, His decisions are always right. His judgments are perfect. And God is very patient with all people, even with defiant Israel.
God will not abandon His Chosen people. God created them, worked with and through them in all of his dealings with mankind. God has the right to show his anger and his power. But He has delayed the time for judgment. He has given them more opportunity to repent. Because they do wicked things, they are preparing themselves for punishment. But God is preparing for glory the people who have received his mercy. These people will see God’s glory. And they will share it themselves. Paul includes himself with the Jews to whom God has shown mercy. But Paul then says that Gentiles have become God’s children too.
In other words, if through the Jews unbelief and separation from God's purpose, a pronounced and dynamic door was opened to the Gentile world (Ephesians 1:3-6), how much more will Israel's recovery be as an outbreak of global revival and a sweep of great blessing?

Q.1 What does the falling away of Israel tell us about ourselves?
Q.2 How did the gentiles become aware of Gods election ?
Q.3 God made man for fellowship and glory, so that both might enjoy the relationship forever. Is it man then who chooses to oppose God's plan, or God who purposes man for destruction?
Q.4 Explain how it is, that man can choose to do otherwise?

                                                                                                                                                       Pg.2
                                        Israel's fate, Romans Chapter 9:27-33:                                                
Rom 9:27  Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: "Though the number of the Israelites be like the sand by the sea, only the remnant will be saved. 28  For the Lord will carry out his sentence on earth with speed and finality."29  It is just as Isaiah said previously: "Unless the Lord Almighty had left us descendants, we would have become like Sodom, we would have been like Gomorrah."30  What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith. 31  but the people of Israel, who pursued the law as the way of righteousness, have not attained their goal. 32  Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone. 33  As it is written: "See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who believes in him will never be put to shame."
                                                            Discussion
Israel had tried to pursue righteousness through abiding by the law, ignoring the Messiah.  The Gentiles, realizing that they were hopeless sinners accepted Jesus' offer of salvation. God gave Christ to be the foundation Stone but by Israel’s rejecting Him, He became their stumbling stone. Many today still believe they are righteous enough in their own goodness to attain God’s approval, (1Corinthians 1:22). It is ultimately those who realize they are bankrupt in their sin, who are willing to confess their sin and repent of it, and accept the promise of salvation that God has offered through Jesus Christ as our savior, who will enjoy eternity in the presence of God, and not those who earned their salvation by their good works. If that were God's way of salvation, would it not make God's promise of salvation through His Son Jesus, a false promise? God would not do such a thing.
This is the time we're living in. And in that environment, we're called to a particular charge. Go into the world and make disciples of all nations.  And there are still those who choose to go their own way. Again, consider Jezebel and Pharaoh, and David, whose choices still served god's purpose in their life. God allows us to go our own way. But in the end God will have it His own way to be sure. Of the three mentioned, only David confessed his sin and repented.
God has done this so that he can show the greatness of his glory. He has prepared other people to receive this glory.  But he did not just call Jews to be his people. He called people from all the nations. We too are the people whom he has called. That is why God says in the Book of Hosea,‘These people were not mine. But I will call them, so that they will become my people. Nobody loved her. But I will love her. I told them, “You are not my people. But, in the same place, I shall call them “Children of the God who always lives”.  (Romans 11:1-6)
Q.1 What is inferred in the first three verses of the above scripture?
Q.2 What is the difference in the faith of the Jews compared to the gentiles, in Jesus' day?
Q.3 Why do some people (religions) object to Jesus as our savior?
Q.4 What has faith to do with my salvation when it is my work that make me a good person?
Q.5 Is it my decision then that either saves or condemns me?
                                                                 
Closing Prayer. Father God, we thank you for the gift of Your Son Jesus, the Strong Deliverer of our salvation. We pray that we might learn more of how we are to respond to Your leading us as we continue to study Your Holy Word.  We pray now for Your comfort and healing to be upon those who are suffering from health or other issues in this life___________We pray that Your peace and swift healing will comfort them in their time of trial.              This we pray in the name of Jesus AMEN.


                                                                                                                                                  Pg.3
                                              Scripture readings
         Micah 4: 1-2 It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and it shall be lifted up above the hills; and peoples shall flow to it, and many nations shall come, and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.”


Ephesians 1:3-6  Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4  For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5  he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will 6  to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.

1Corinthians 1:22  Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23  but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,


Romans 11:1-6  I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. 2  God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. Don't you know what Scripture says in the passage about Elijah--how he appealed to God against Israel. 3  "Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me"?
4  And what was God's answer to him? "I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal." 5  So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. 6  And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.


















                                                                                                                                                         Pg.4

                                                           Meditation
God chooses us for His glory and not on account of any good in us. John Calvin comments that God’s glory is revealed in destroying the reprobate, because the only thing that separates the elect from the reprobate is that the elect “are delivered by the Lord from the same gulf of destruction [as the reprobate] … by no merit of their own, but through his gratuitous kindness.” Let God’s elect—those who persevere in faith—remember this and learn humility.
Jesus is the only way to heaven. He said in John, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" ( John 14:6 ). Jesus is the precious cornerstone that Isaiah prophesied about, "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed" ( Isaiah 28:16 ). He is the rock of our salvation and the basis of our entire foundation. Those who have looked to him have found security and eternal life in Him. However to those who reject him, he is a stumbling stone in the way. They approach God with their works hoping to find justification, but run into this precious stone and trip and fall. Isaiah said, "and he will be a sanctuary; but for both houses of Israel he will be a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall. And for the people of Jerusalem he will be a trap and a snare" ( Isaiah 8:14 ). Meaning that they are so self absorbed in their own virtue that they never noticed God's salvation right in front of them providing the way. He is placed directly in our paths. To those who rely on themselves they find him in the way. To those who trust Him they find he is the way.
Knowing all of this, it makes sense that Paul declares that Israel as a whole did not obtain the righteousness they sought. The reason is that they relied upon their merit and not upon God's grace. Isaiah said, "Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the LORD : Look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn; look to Abraham, your father, and to Sarah, who gave you birth. When I called him he was but one, and I blessed him and made him many" ( Isaiah 51:1-2 ). They were always suppose to look to God for their salvation. Through faith they were always suppose to be part of the promise spoken to Abraham. They were fashioned and created as God's people on the earth and he wanted them to be dependant upon him. However because of the law they started looking and trusting in themselves instead of God's grace and mercy and missed Jesus along the way.
This has huge implications for us today. We too are called to belong to the promised of grace. However, many rely on themselves and what they do to find salvation instead of trusting Jesus to save them. Many go to church and go through motions in order to prove their goodness before God and satisfy His requirements. Many look to themselves and their own self righteousness thinking that they are good enough. However we will never be good enough on our own. It is only by grace that we are saved and this is through faith in Jesus and this is a gift from God ( Ephesians 2:8-9 ).
Just as we cannot work our way to heaven on our own merit, we cannot work our way through the Christians life. We may start out by trusting in Jesus as their savior only to put that aside to live a life of works. However this will not cut it either. The Christian life is based upon a heart change through the grace offered in Jesus. Everything else branches out from that. Whatever we do must be rooted and cultivated in love as our motivation and not what we can do for God. When we trust in Jesus as our savior and live out of that gift of grace, we will never be disappointed because our lives are built upon that precious cornerstone and sure foundation.
 Through faith in Jesus, you also are counted among this rich heritage. May you live your life by trusting, relying and depending upon Christ for everything. When you do you will find exceeding joy and expression in His grace for evermore, amen!

Paul's Letter to the Romans Ch.9 Session 16

                                                                                                                                                       Pg.1
                                                     Romans Chapter 9                                                                                                                      Throughout the rest of Romans chapters 9-11 Paul will explain that Israel has not been rejected but enlarged so that God’s chosen nation now includes everyone who believes in Christ, Jew and Gentile alike. Paul says, if we have faith in Jesus, the blessings of adoption, glory, covenants, the law, worship, promises, patriarchs, and Christ are all ours as well. Let us live in gratitude for these gifts and never fail to appreciate how much the Lord has given us, In and through Christ our Lord      
                                          Romans 9:1-8.  God’s Choice,                                                                      Rom 9:1  I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit; 2 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart 3  For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race, 4  the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. 5  Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen. 6  It is not as though God’s word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. 7  Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham’s children. On the contrary, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” 8  In other words, it is not the children by physical descent who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham’s offspring
                                                                Discussion                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    The Jews looked for a Messiah (John 7:40-43),  They expected the Messiah to restore the nation of Israel to world prominence, But Christ came as it was written–the Lamb of God, the righteousness of God, the atonement and sacrifice for sin, for Jew and Gentile. But they rejected him and his message.  As a result of their greatest sin, the rejection of Christ, they have been blinded and the gospel preached to the Gentile nations.
The Jews, for the most part, abide still in unbelief. This is what is on Paul’s mind as he writes “I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit”  Paul was happy in Christ; but when he thought of his Jewish brethren in blindness and unbelief, it caused him great sorrow. then he states that if his being separated from Christ could secure their salvation, he would do it.
Paul tells us that it is not only the natural descendants of Abraham who make up the true Israel of God, but those who believe in Christ, both Jews and Gentiles We have this illustrated in the case of Ishmael and Isaac. Ishmael was not of Israel though he was a direct descendant of Abraham. The error of the Jews was that they thought they were children of God by being the children of Abraham. This natural sonship was only a figure of the spiritual sonship of all believers of all nations. Paul is saying that one is not a child of God because they are descendants of any person, but they are a child of God who are children of the covenant of grace in Christ Jesus, who are born again (John 1:11-13), who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ with all their heart and soul and with their mind as well. Those who are the true believers.
1. Why do you feel Paul found it necessary to start  with the statement, “I’m not lying?”
2. What is behind Paul referring to his own race, Israel, as “they?”
3. How do you feel Paul’s discussion of the descendents of Abraham applies to Christians?
4. How does our last session, on predestination fit in with the ideas(natural sonship) and (spiritual sonship) expressed here by Paul?

                                                                                                                                                       Pg.2
                                        Not of works – but of him that calleth                                                                                               The birth of Isaac was by promise; and without a miracle, it would never have taken place. The birth of Ishmael was not by promise but in the ordinary course of nature. Ishmael is a type of those who are born after the flesh and are carnal men. Isaac is a type of those who are born of the Spirit and are the children of God (John 3:5-7). He is one of the elect of God

                                     Romans 9:9-18   The matter of election      
9 For this was how the promise was stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son. 10  Not only that, but Rebekah’s children were conceived at the same time by our father Isaac. 11  Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God’s purpose in election might stand: 12  not by works but by him who calls—she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” 13  Just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” 14  What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! 15  For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16  It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. 17  For Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” 18  Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.

                                                              Discussion                                                                                
At the time of creation, there was not sin. The concept was nonexistent. But in creating man, God allowed that man should have free will. Thus in our natural state since the fall, all men desire to satisfy their own will, and oppose God, even at the expense of their soul. Some of these He simply allows to destroy themselves, consumed by their own evil desires. He does change the desires of others through the resurrected Christ, so that they will love Him forever.
God’s justice can be manifested to His glory, and His glory is the highest goal of creation (Isaiah 43:1-7) If the text implied that whether or not people were believers was a result of whether God had mercy on them or hardened them, they would have a point. But if read in context, the passage rather suggests that God has mercy on whom he will and hardens the heart of others in response to what they do, or do not do, as with Jezebel or Pharaoh, The mercy of God is apart from the unbeliever. The belief in a doctrine that denies the Triune God is dangerous and the result is eternal condemnation.                                                                            
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.                                                                                                      
Rejection of the redemption offered by faith in Jesus Christ is rejection of the offer of salvation through Christ. As if to say, that whoever does not believe in Christ, will perish. The elect of God will not perish because God has called them to faith in Jesus Christ.
Thanks be to God that you have the desire to know Him and His saving grace. And so it is that we come to Him and thank him for mercifully changing our heart's from a desire to sin, to a desire to seek Him and to have a repentant heart and a disciples heart of service to Him..
                                                                                       
Q.1 What are we talking about here, what does election mean?                                                                            Q.2 Is there the possibility that I as a believer, will be passed over ?                                                         Q.3 Who did God choose to reveal Himself to the world in Moses' time?
Q. 4 Why is it useless to talk with some people about God?                                                                                               Q. 5 So then why are God-deafened people accountable for not listening to Him?


                                                                                                                                                       Pg.3
                                                   Scripture readings                                                                            John 7:40-43  On hearing his words, some of the people said, “Surely this man is the Prophet.” 41  Others said, “He is the Messiah.” Still others asked, “How can the Messiah come from Galilee? 42  Does not Scripture say that the Messiah will come from David’s descendants and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?” 43  Thus the people were divided because of Jesus.
John 1:11-13  He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12  Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- 13  children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
John 3:5-7 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6  Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7  You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’
Isaiah 43:1-7  But now, this is what the LORD says—he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 2  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. 3  For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead. 4  Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life. 5  Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. 6  I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth. 7 everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.
More Questions for study
Q. How did Paul feel about His own Jewish kin rejecting their Messiah?
Q. Are the Israelites still a special people to God?
Q. Did God fail in His promise to the Israelites?  
Q. The promise of a great nation was made to Abraham. Who was the promise fulfilled in?
Q. Who are Abraham's other children? And who are they known as today?
Q. Why was Abraham chosen by God?
Q. Do I receive God's promise by choosing it?
Q. Can I receive it by working hard for it?
Q. How then can I be saved?






                         
                                                     Who Goes There?                                                            Pg.4
                                                 A meditation on election

There are many verses in both the Old and New Testaments that speak of election. Properly understood, God’s unconditional election is one link in the unbreakable chain of salvation seen in Romans 8:28-29: which we studied last week.
There are several common misconceptions about unconditional election. First, it is important to understand that the doctrine does not teach that God’s choice is capricious or arbitrary. God elects someone to salvation not because of something worthy God finds in that individual but because of His inscrutable, will. Not to all, but to some the call is made and the response is either there or it is not, and God knows the answer each will make. Here are a few scriptures which help to illuminate our concept of the doctrine of election
Isaiah 55:8-9. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.” As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
John_10:14  "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me--
John_10:27  My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.                          Psalms_103:6  The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.                           John_10:26  but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.
Proverbs_16:4  The LORD works out everything to its proper end-- even the wicked for a day of disaster.
Another misconception is that unconditional election precludes and stifles evangelism, but the reality is just the opposite—it empowers and confirms it. A proper understanding of the doctrine of election encourages evangelism and guarantees its success. It overcomes the fear of failure when sharing the gospel and empowers people to remain faithful to the message in times of great persecution. They know that the power lies in the gospel message and in God’s sovereign election and is not dependant on any thing they can do or say . A biblical understanding of election helps one share the gospel freely with all people, knowing that any one of them could be Christ’s sheep whom He is calling into His fold.  John 10:16  I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.
When one examines what the Bible teaches about election and predestination, it becomes clear that the doctrine of unconditional election represents what the Bible teaches on this important subject. While this, or any of the other Doctrines of Grace—can stand on their own merit, their importance becomes even clearer when they are considered together with all which the Bible teaches about salvation. They essentially serve as building blocks, with each one furnishing a necessary part of a biblical understanding of salvation.
Total depravity defines man’s need for salvation and reveals his hopelessness when left to his own resources. It leaves man with the question “Who can be saved?” and “Why does God provide a way of salvation?” The answer lies in an understanding of unconditional election—God’s sovereign choice to save people despite their depravity and based solely on His redeeming for Himself people from every tribe, tongue and nation. This He accomplishes by predestinating them “to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will” (Ephesians 1:5). It is Jesus who has accomplished the work of our salvation, doing as it were, the will of His Father God, and this to each of us individually through the calling of the Holy Spirit. Thank God for Jesus!              
                                                                  Amen.