Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Carpet industry - A carpet remnant.

What is it?

Main Idea: God Has Always Had A People and He Wants You to be His!

1. God Has Not Rejected His People (vs.

1-2a)

Romans 11:1–2 (ESV)

1 I ask, then, has God rejected his people?

By no means!

For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin.

2 God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew.

Explain - Paul starts this chapter with another rhetorical question like he has done many times in this book.

In fact, ten times in Romans Paul asks a question and answers it in the same way.

“I ask, then, has God rejected his people?

BY NO MEANS!”

Why does Paul ask this question in the first place?

Because in chapters 9-10 he has been pretty hard on the Jews while simultaneously being very open to the gentiles as followers of Christ.

This idea of the gentiles following God was way outside the mindset and even theology of the Jew.

So Paul worked overtime in these two chapters beating the drum that the Jews were just as lost outside of faith in Christ as the Gentiles because they had rejected the Messiah.

John D. Barry - “Paul has spent the previous two chapters addressing the problem of the Jews’ rejection of Jesus as Messiah and the implications of that rejection for salvation.

Paul now emphatically insists that, while Israel may have rejected God’s gift of salvation in Christ, God has not rejected Israel in return.

Despite present appearances, Israel still plays a role in God’s plan of salvation, and His promises to Israel have not been invalidated.”

John D. Barry et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016), Ro 11:1.

To prove that God is not done with the Jewish nation, Paul gives a very personal example - himself - that God is not finished with the Jews.

“For I my self am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin.”

Paul was not shy about his heritage.

He did not try an hide it.

Paul shows himself as the first proof that God is not finished with the Jewish Nation.

He not only mentions that he is an Israelite, but that he is from the Tribe of Benjamin.

A small but significant tribe nonetheless.

Saul, the first King of Israel was from Benjamin.

In Acts 9; 22; 26 Luke describes Paul’s salvation or conversion event.

And Paul’s point here in Romans 11? Certainly if God could save a Jew like him, He could save any Jew that would repent and trust Christ as the King!

In fact, Paul makes it super clear at the begining of verse 2.

This is his second proof that God has not rejected his people.

Look at the text...

“God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew.”

God’s foreknowledge guarantees a remnant!

(POSBKJV)

In its base form, foreknowledge means “To know beforehand.”

This is an attribute of God’s omniscience.

Never forget, God had chosen the nation of Israel, starting with Abraham, as His COVENANT people from eternity past.

He entered into a relationship with them that will NEVER be destroyed - (BKC 11:1-6).

Of course the heavens cannot be measured and the foundations of the below cannot be explored, so then the Jews will not be cast off!

God has not rejected his people.

This should be a great encouragement for the Jewish nation.

Sadly, en masse they are still looking for their redeemer.

They are hoping for their Messiah.

They have rejected the one that promised to not reject them!

Illustrate - Rejection stinks Prom - My date broke up with me the night of prom.

Boo!

Argue - We have a God who will never break up with His people.

God’s promises to Israel did not mean that all Jews were locked in to salvation no matter how sinful and disobedient they were.

It did not mean that an unbelieving and disobedient Jew was acceptable to God simply because he had been born a Jew.

God’s promises were intended for those who believed and obeyed Him.

The people who believed and obeyed Him have always been “His people.”

Who are his people?

Those who by faith accept that Jesus Christ is their Savior and Lord.

It is a great grief that Jews today in large part, reject Jesus as Messiah/King.

It is their choice to do so to their eternal peril.

If they would accept the one their fathers killed they could enjoy forgiveness and the relationship with God they long for.

Apply - Do you?

Review - God Has Always Had A People and He Wants You to be His!

God Has Not Rejected His People

2. God Proves He Has Not Rejected His People (vs.

2b-5)

Romans 11:2–5 (ESV)

...Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? 3 “Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life.” 4 But what is God’s reply to him?

“I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” 5 So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace.

Explain - Paul has already given two proofs that God has not rejected His chosen nation - himself.

But now he gives three more proofs that God has not rejected them.

Elijah thought he was only one serving the Lord.

God assured him there were others on “Team God.”

God did not have only depressed prophet at his disposal to accomplish His will.

Paul brilliantly uses the story of Elijah to demonstrate to the church at Rome, that there has been a remnant and there is still a remnant of believing Jews who understand God’s plan of redemption.

This whole discussion by Paul in Romans 11 is a powerful argument against replacement theology - Israel is replaced by the church.

This text shows clearly that while we are one in Christ, the promises for the Jews will be fulfilled for the Jews.

In every generation of the church “a remnant chosen by grace” has been called from among the Jews.

Paul added that this choice is totally by God’s grace (cf.

Eph.

2:8–9) and he emphasized the antithesis between grace and works (cf.

Rom.

4:4–5; 9:30–32).

God proves over and over throughout the Scriptures that He has not rejected his people!

God draws his people to Himself and it is by His grace that He saves them.

It is not, nor has it ever been about human effort that someone can have the assurance if eternal life.

Allisar Begg argues that if one is asked the question from God “why should I let you into my heaven?”

And if the answer begins with “I” then that person is off from the start.

“Because I...” “Because I believed,” “Because I have faith.”

I went to church,” I made profession of faith.”

NO!

Your answer to that question must be, “Because of Him!” “It is what HE has done!”

… Because the sinless Savior died

My sinful soul is counted free

For God the just is satisfied

To look on Him and pardon me

Illustrate - My brothers rejection and my dad’s proof of none rejection.

Argue - Friends, God may seem distant from you at times.

Perhaps even now.

But please understand that if you are truly his, you are being saved and you will ultimately be saved.

It may seem like there are not many Christians in this day, but the truth is, God always has a remnant.