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?
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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
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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
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