BLESSED ARE THE DISOBEDIENT
Romans 11:23-36
"Typo" or heresy?!!
Exactly point in 32 “...God has bound all men over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.”
God had to demonstrate Israel's disobedience
before they’d receive His MERCY!
Only people who have disobeyed God can receive his mercy!
Israel is “Exhibit A” for the gospel; the “good news” of salvation by trusting Christ alone for salvation
Israel will enjoy God's blessing
when they stop trying to “do it themselves”
and start trusting Him!
Rom 9: PAST: They lost it because they thought they had it made
Rom 10: PRESENT: They are still lost because they'd rather do it themselves
Rom 11: FUTURE: Their disobedience will drive them to come back and receive God's mercy
Israel's rejection of God's plan has caused many to doubt they’ll ever be restored.
According to them, Israel lost their chance and won't have another.
Until 50 years ago, there was little historical evidence to believe Israel could ever be reborn.
Interesting that we should come to this passage this week!
Many desire the annihilation of Israel again!
Good news and bad news!
Good news: they won’t be destroyed! How do I know that? Rom. 11 says so!
Bad news: They might win this conflict–they won’t win the long-term struggle!–the war!
Zechariah 12:9-10
Predicts day when God says: “I will set out to destroy all the nations that attack Jerusalem.”
In that day “I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.”
They’re not there yet! Will they ever get there? Answer’s in Rom. 11
IS GOD FED UP WITH ISRAEL? 1-10 Has God “had it” with them?
Paul’s burning question: Has God rejected Israel? Are they finished forever? 1
God has NOT driven away His people 11:1-6 "No way!"
God saved ME! 1b
God has preserved a remnant 2-6
He preserved a remnant in Elijah’s day 2-4
He is still preserving a remnant 5-6
God has chosen a remnant by grace, not on basis of works.
God has hardened the majority of His people 7-10
Chosen found righteousness by faith, by God's grace;
majority sought it by works and didn’t find it!
GOD MADE A WAY TO SAVE (US) PAGAN GENTILES 11:11-22
Purpose of Israel’s fall 11:11-16 Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery?
It was NOT intended to DESTROY ISRAEL 11
It WAS intended to make salvation available to us pagans 11
It WAS intended to make Israel jealous so she would come back to God 11:11, 14
We’re bound to receive greater blessing from her restoration than we did from her fall!
Grafting of wild branches 11:17-21
We’re not natural branches!
Natural branches were broken off, so we could be grafted into their vine.
God removed barrier between us
Original olive tree was good.
We have become partakers with them of the one rich root.
We don’t support the root; the root supports us!
Because of unbelief they were broken off
Because of faith (belief) we stand.
WARNING: Don’t get conceited about your position!
Basis of salvation 11:19-22
Always by faith alone (20)–always based on His kindness (22).
Therefore, no one has right to boast
God deals with people on 2 bases: His kindness and His severity
Which do you prefer?
If God’s kindness–His grace–prevails, His love for Israel will bring about their restoration
If God’s severity prevails, none of us deserves salvation–least of all we who were pagan outsiders–Gentiles–wild branches!
We all stand on the basis of God’s grace–His KINDNESS!
That’s GOOD NEWS for all!
We abide in His kindness–by trusting the finished work of Christ.
GOD WILL MAKE A WAY TO RESTORE REBEL ISRAEL 11:23-32
Natural branches will be grafted back into their own olive tree 23-24
ISRAEL'S FALL IS TEMPORARY 25-26
In spite of Israel's unbelief, their blindness isn't permanent.
When they leave unbelief and attempts to establish their righteousness,
. . . when they trust God and His provision for their salvation,
. . . they will be grafted back into the tree.
If God can graft wild branches by faith,
He can graft natural branches!
ISRAEL'S FALL IS PARTIAL (25-26)
Israel's blindness is partial and temporary. Key words: "in part" and "until".
“In part,”—hardening hasn't affected entire nation–still a remnant.
Continues until pagans God chose belong to His church11:25
ALL ISRAEL WILL BE SAVED (26)
Not every single one!
Israel as a whole–as a people–as a nation–
The NATION will turn back to Him–what Zech. 11 was talking about–they will look on the One they have pierced, and mourn–Wouldn’t it be great to see that happen this week?!!
But it can’t happen until God has drawn in all the Gentiles He wants to draw in!
Which do you prefer?
We submit our desires in total dependence on God’s kindness!
God will send a Savior to take away sins of the people 26-27
God will NEVER revoke their designation as His people. 28-29
Delicate balance–
–acknowledges their rebellious, independent spirit–which brought them under judgment
We must avoid blind defense of everything they are doing–
God’s judgment on them for rebellious independence–Luke 21:20-24
We have Palestinian brothers and sisters suffering over there!
Jewish brothers & sisters in Christ aren’t free to share their faith–suffer for Him!
–acknowledges their chosen relationship with God–who has promised to bless them–and to bless those who bless them!
Jeremiah: as long as the sea functions normally and the heavens follow their course, God won’t abandon His people! Period!
Are you looking forward to their restoration?
Paul: if their downfall has been a source of blessing for us, how much more will their restoration be?!!!
His call of them is irrevocable! So is OURS!!!
God extends MERCY to disobedient, rebellious people 30-32
Key word again is mercy. 4X in 3 vss.
We Gentiles used to be disobedient rebels, deserving judgment.
God uses Israel’s disobedience to give us chance to receive mercy
Now the Jews are the disobedient rebels
God uses public exhibition of mercy to provoke them to jealousy.
That way THEY’ll have a chance to experience His mercy again
2 cases demonstrate fundamental principle of salvation for all:
Gentiles were disobedient until God showed us mercy
Now Israel is disobedient and needs God's mercy.
GOD DRAWS DISOBEDIENT PEOPLE TO HIMSELF BY SHOWING MERCY
God shows mercy by saving disobedient people.
ONLY PEOPLE WHO DISOBEY GOD CAN RECEIVE HIS MERCY
[As Paul contemplates greatness of God’s mercy for rebellious, disobedient people, he’s driven to praise God! ]
GOD DESERVES OUR PRAISE BECAUSE OF HIS PLAN 11:33-36
No human–no matter how brilliant–could conceive such a plan!
We can’t even comprehend it!
All we can do is enjoy it, and praise Him for His wonderful mercy–His grace!
God deserves all the glory and all our praise.
Salvation by faith eliminates any cause for pride!
It promotes gratitude and praise to God, and provides new lifestyle.
We ought to give thanks to God for including us in His plan.
How about us? Are our lips filled with a hymn of praise to God for His mercy toward us?
WHAT DOES GOD WANT US TO DO ABOUT THIS MESSAGE?
1) TRUST HIM AND RECEIVE HIS MERCY!
2) DON'T BE ARROGANT (18)–We have no cause to brag!
3) PRAISE GOD FOR HIS PLAN (33-36)